As we ring in the New Year, we’re revisiting one of our most inspiring conversations — a Best Of episode featuring Danny O’Neill, founder of Kansas City’s iconic The Roasterie Coffee Company.

Born one of ten children in Denison, Iowa, Danny always knew he wanted to build something meaningful. That spark turned into a calling during a high school exchange semester in Costa Rica, where he picked coffee beans by hand — an experience that changed the course of his life.

After years of saving, Danny invested $17,000 in a coffee roaster, transformed his basement with corrugated tin, blue tarps, and fluorescent lights, and began air-roasting coffee. His first sale? A ten-pound bag for a coffee cart at KU Med. From there, The Roasterie grew into one of the most recognizable coffee brands in Kansas City and beyond.

This episode is a powerful story of fear, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and hard work — and a reminder that big dreams often start in humble places.

☕ A New Year’s week encore and a perfect listen for anyone thinking about what’s possible in the year ahead.

This Christmas week, we’re revisiting one of our all-time favorite conversations — a Best Of episode celebrating the legendary Denny Matthews, the longtime radio voice of the Kansas City Royals.

Denny Matthews has been behind the mic since the Royals’ very first game in 1969, making him one of the longest-tenured broadcasters in Major League Baseball history. From mailing his résumé and demo tape to the Royals on a Schlitz beer tray to earning his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Denny’s career is inseparable from Kansas City sports history.

In this episode, Denny reflects on growing up listening to broadcasting icons like Jack Buck and Harry Caray, his early days calling Royals baseball, and the moments that defined five decades in the booth. He also shares stories from his own athletic days — including playing in spring training games under Whitey Herzog and catching passes from Len Dawson.

Warm, nostalgic, and full of unforgettable KC memories, this Best Of rerun is the perfect listen for longtime Royals fans and anyone who loves the golden age of baseball broadcasting.

🎄 A holiday week encore celebrating one of Kansas City’s true treasures.

Marilyn Maye is an American treasure and one of the greatest American Songbook and showtune singers of all time. A true cabaret legend, she made history with a record 76 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and has spent decades captivating audiences around the world.

In this episode, Marilyn reflects on her extraordinary career, her deep connection to Kansas City’s jazz legacy, and what it means to represent her hometown wherever she performs. Named Kansas Citian of the Year in 2012, Marilyn continues to perform, teach, and inspire new generations of artists.

At 97 years young, she’s still “kicking it,” still commanding the stage, and still proving why she’s often called the Taylor Swift of cabaret singers. This unforgettable conversation celebrates talent, longevity, and the magic of the American Songbook through the voice of one of its greatest champions.

Mary Don Beachy has devoted her life to inspiring others, first as a beloved Kansas City schoolteacher, and now as an author whose stories, humor, and heart continue to make an impact. She’s published five books, including two Kansas City–themed cookbooks: Step Up to the Plate, KC and Step Up for Seconds, KC.

In this episode, Mary Don reflects on her years in education, the lessons that shaped her, and the unexpected path that led her from the classroom to the world of writing. She shares how teaching informs her storytelling, why she’s committed to creating work that uplifts others, and how she continues to live with purpose long after the school bell stopped ringing.

Mary Don also speaks about her commitment to giving back: net proceeds from both of her Kansas City cookbooks are donated to The Community Baby Shower Program at Children’s Mercy, supporting mothers and babies across the region.

It’s a warm, witty, and heartfelt conversation with an author who has spent a lifetime helping others learn, laugh, and grow.

In this special episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, the tables are turned as Executive Director—and Frank’s wife—Sarah McEnerney-Boal steps into the host chair to interview the man behind the mic.

Frank opens up about his remarkable journey before Kansas City ever entered the picture: the unlikely and hilarious story of his recruitment to Villanova, the tough decision that broke his mother’s heart when he turned down Notre Dame, and the high draft lottery number that kept him out of the Vietnam War—and the complicated emotions that followed.

From there, Sarah guides Frank through the twists that shaped his career: the moment he walked away from coaching and into broadcasting, his stint as a DJ on the West Coast, his unexpected chapter in Green Bay, and the move that ultimately brought him home to Kansas City sports.

Listeners will also get a more personal side of Frank—his love of hiking 14ers, the golf community that grounds him, reflections on raising his kids, and the true origin story of the podcast he and Sarah built together. He even shares who his dream guests would be (and why).

Warm, candid, and full of stories he’s never shared on mic before, this episode is a rare chance to hear Frank Boal in a new light—and to understand how this podcast continues to keep him curious, energized, and young at heart.

In this episode, Frank Boal sits down with Jonathan Thomas, President & CEO of American Century Investments, to explore how one of Kansas City’s most influential financial firms has woven purpose directly into its business model.

Jonathan breaks down the company’s unique ownership structure, where over 40% of profits support life-changing medical discoveries at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. He shares how this mission-driven approach fuels the company’s culture, values, and long-term strategy, proving that a global investment firm can deliver both performance and impact.

They also dig into American Century’s long-running connection to the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe — a celebrity golf tournament that blends star athletes, entertainment icons, charitable giving, and national visibility. Jonathan shares behind-the-scenes stories from the event, its philanthropic reach, and how it reinforces American Century’s belief in prospering with purpose.

Whether you’re interested in leadership, philanthropy, finance, Kansas City business, or the intersection of profit and purpose, this episode offers a powerful look at what it means to build a company around making a difference.

Step into The Rabbit hOle, the world’s first immersive storybook museum right here in North Kansas City.

In this episode, co-founder Pete Cowdin shares how he and Deb Pettit pulled from their experience at Reading Reptile, Kansas City’s beloved children’s bookstore, to create a groundbreaking cultural landmark where classic characters leap off the page and into real life.

Pete takes us behind the scenes of the creativity, grit, imagination, and vision required to build an experience unlike anything else in the world. From interactive installations to literary adventures big enough for grownups, discover how The Rabbit hOle is redefining the way families experience children’s literature — and why Kansas City was the perfect place to make it happen.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, creative, or KC culture enthusiast, this episode offers a magical look into a museum designed for everyone.

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Meet Richard Harper, better known as Teal Man: the ultimate Kansas City Current superfan who brings unstoppable energy and love to every match. From the first whistle to the final minute, Richard’s passion for KC Current soccer is contagious.

In this episode, he shares how it all started, why he dedicates so much of himself to supporting the team, and what being part of the KC soccer community means to him, both on and off the pitch.

Whether you’re a KC sports fan, a Current supporter, or just someone who loves a good story about heart and hometown pride, this episode is a guaranteed mood-booster.

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Every city has one legendary bar. The kind of place where stories start, friendships grow, and the night never really ends. In Kansas City, that place is Kelly’s Westport Inn. 

Standing tall in its original 1800s building, once owned by Daniel Boone’s grandson, Kelly’s isn’t just a bar - it’s a living piece of Kansas City history. Wagon trains once stopped here before heading west, and today, locals still pack the place for cold beer, live music, and good conversation. Oh, and did we mention it’s haunted? 

In this episode, Pat Kelly and Dave “Red” Cross share stories of hangovers, high jinks, hauntings, and heart, plus memories of the Grand Old Man (GOM) who gave Kelly’s its name. Whether you love KC nightlife, local lore, or a good ghost story, this episode will make you wish the walls could talk.

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Johnny opens up about 34 years of radio mayhem, the sidekicks and skits that made headlines, and the moments that nearly got him kicked off the air. But behind the “shock jock” persona, you’ll also meet the man with a big heart: the one who started Bikers for Babies, Hope for the Holidays, and Hand Up!

It’s raw, it’s hilarious, and it’s real. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to Kansas City radio, this episode captures the chaos, comedy, and compassion that make Johnny Dare a local legend.