Jamie Thompson is back from her tropical vacation and she's bringing the heat with a packed edition of What's Up Waukee! From community happenings to can't-miss local events, Jamie (always your favorite #waukeerealtormom) gets us fully caught up on what's going on around town and why Waukee continues to be one of the most vibrant communities in Iowa.

And don't miss an important announcement from Heather Behrens regarding Waukee's annual State of the City address happening March 11 from 12–1 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope. Mark your calendar and learn more here: https://www.waukee.org/1145/State-of-the-City.

Then we shift gears into a thoughtful and timely conversation with Christine Haas, School Director of Waukee's only Montessori school. Fresh off last week's High Tea, Christine shares why Montessori education is especially relevant in today's world — building confidence, independence, work ethic, and strong social skills. With highly trained Guides leading the classrooms and the philosophy that "Play is a child's work," students develop a grounded sense of self before ever entering elementary school. For more information call 515-207-5462 or visit https://sonnetschool.com/.

It's a conversation about raising capable, confident kids — and connecting with our community, one voice at a time.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes/f/grounded-kids-growing-waukee

This week on the Waukee Podcast, we shine a spotlight on the powerful role the Waukee Public Library plays in shaping young minds from the very beginning. Children's Librarian Eliza Ahrens shares how the library is intentionally building literacy from birth through innovative programming like Book Bundles, Story Time Online, and the beloved 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative. Alongside her, Heather Behrens from the City of Waukee highlights how the city and library collaborate to create accessible, engaging opportunities for families—making literacy not just an educational goal, but a community priority.

We also sit down with Darci Evans, owner of Burn Boot Camp in Waukee and ER nurse at The Iowa Clinic. Darci shares her journey to Iowa, how her work in emergency medicine informs her passion for preventive health, and why wellness isn't just a business—it's a lifestyle. As always, Jamie Thompson returns with What's Up Waukee, delivering the insider scoop on all the events and happenings around town this weekend.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes/f/the-heartbeat-of-a-healthy-community

This week on the Waukee Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Redin, owner of Caspie's Cookies, the home of those irresistible frosted buttercream sugar cookies that show up at birthdays, showers, holidays, and just-because celebrations all over our community. But Rachel's story goes far beyond beautifully piped frosting. She opens up about modeling for Harlow & James and the unexpected journey of learning to embrace — and truly love — her plus-sized, post-pregnancy body. It's honest, refreshing, and empowering.

In contrast, we also welcome Dr. Catherine Coyne, a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon who recently joined The Iowa Clinic. Dr. Coyne discusses the realities of post-GLP-1 weight loss bodies and the options available for those looking to resculpt after significant change. From body contouring to restoring confidence, she provides clear, thoughtful insight into what's possible. And of course, Jamie Thompson is back with What's Up Waukee, bringing us all the happenings as we wrap up February and look ahead to spring.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

This week on the Waukee Podcast, we kick off another installment of Money Moves with Travis Gaule from Trust Bridge Wealth Advisors, diving into one of the most misunderstood — yet critically important — parts of financial planning: insurance. Travis introduces his practical acronym LIFE, a framework designed to help individuals and families analyze whether they're truly protected or unknowingly exposed. It's a clear, thoughtful conversation that moves beyond policies and premiums to focus on real-world risk, life stages, and peace of mind.

In the second half, we turn our attention to community health and local entrepreneurship with Aly Davis of Well Waukee, joined by Hanna Coyle and Brent Stepanek of Stack Wellness. They share how macro-friendly, fast-casual meals are helping busy families make healthier choices without sacrificing convenience or flavor. And, of course, Jamie Thompson rounds things out with everything you need to know about Valentine's Week happenings around Waukee.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

Thursday's Waukee Podcast is packed with heart, music, and community connection. Bruce Huckfeldt joins us in the studio to talk about Little Books Big Love, a children's book drive happening all month long in February. The goal is simple but powerful: get books into the hands of kids who need them most. Bruce shares the "why" behind the initiative, how the community can participate, and where to drop off donations. (All drop-off locations are listed at www.road2gold.net.)

We also welcome Tim Mitchum from the Part Time Pirates, who stops by to talk music with a mission. The band will be performing this Saturday at Kenny's Garage from 2–6 p.m., with proceeds benefiting Wildwood Hills Ranch. Rounding out the episode, Jamie Thompson—better known as #waukeerealtormom—brings her signature energy and insight with everything happening around Waukee this weekend. If you're looking for ways to give back, enjoy great live music, or simply stay in the know locally, this episode delivers.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

This week's Waukee Podcast spotlights two dynamic programs that showcase the energy and creativity of Waukee students. Ashley Hartkorn, coach of the Waukee Wave-ettes, joins the show to talk about the team's second season, how students can get involved, and why synchronized swimming is such a powerful mix of athletics, teamwork, and artistry. With open practices on February 9 and 11, a parent meeting on February 5, and performances scheduled for May 15, it's an exciting season ahead. More information is available at https://www.waukeeaquatics.captynsites.com/copy-of-waukee-waves-dive-team.

We also welcome Jack Daubitz, Head Vocal Music Director at Northwest High School, to t alk about their season and the upcoming Northwest Nightfall, our local show choir competition. Jack previews the event, discusses Northwest's show choir season, and shares why Nightfall will be a must-see experience for performers and audiences alike. Learn more about the competition at https://nightfall.northwestvocalmusic.org/. Plus, Jamie Thompson wraps up the episode with What's Up Waukee, keeping listeners connected to everything happening around town.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

This week on The Waukee Podcast, Clarence Hudson of Beyond the Scoreboard sits down with Justin Ohl, Activities Director at Northwest High School, to explore the leadership, logistics, and behind-the-scenes work that keep student activities running smoothly. Jason shares what it's like stepping into a new role and what he's most excited to build for students, staff, and families.

Plus, Leisa Fox is joined by Dani Urrutia, host of the Wilccast Podcast, to swap podcast war stories and talk about how APEX and the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center helped shape Dani's career path and post-graduation plans. Jamie Thompson wraps things up with What's Up Waukee, featuring cold-weather events to keep you connected all winter long.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

We're kicking off an exciting new chapter on the Waukee Podcast with the launch of Money Moves, a monthly segment designed to help our community think differently about money, planning, and long-term freedom. Financial strategist Travis Gaule joins us to start a year-long journey toward a work-optional lifestyle. In this introductory conversation, Travis lays the groundwork—breaking down approachable financial planning strategies and helping listeners understand how intentional decisions today can create flexibility and opportunity tomorrow.

We also highlight two powerful examples of community impact. Danae Edwards and Heather Behrens stop by to share everything families need to know about Waukee FamilyFest, a free, high-energy event designed to get kids moving and families connected. Then, Natalie Del Vecchio from Dallas County Public Health joins us to explain the Community Health Improvement Plan and the behind-the-scenes work being Click here to access the Dallas County Health Navigation Referral site: https://dallascounty.seamlessdocs.com/f/HealthNavigationReferral Of course, Jamie Thompson wraps it all up with what's happening around town this weekend.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

In this episode of the Waukee Podcast, we introduce Beyond the Scoreboard, a new segment focused on connecting the community to the wide range of activities happening within Waukee Schools. Host Clarence Hudson joins us to explain the vision behind the segment, share his background, and discuss why storytelling and accessibility matter when it comes to building stronger school-community connections.

We then sit down with Waukee Warrior Activities Director Eric Boyle for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to support and coordinate school activities at a high level. From long-term goals to day-to-day logistics, Eric offers valuable insight into the complexity behind the scenes. We wrap up with Jamie Thompson's first What's Up Waukee of 2026—packed with updates, events, and energy to kick off the new year.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes

The Waukee Podcast Christmas Edition is a heartfelt pause in the hustle of the season, celebrating the people shaping our kids' futures while we take a short holiday break. Releasing December 23rd, this combined two-week episode reflects on community, gratitude, and the meaningful work happening while students enjoy their time off. We'll be back with fresh episodes on January 5th.

At the heart of this episode is a conversation with Tyler Wright from the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center—an exceptional educator who leads by example. With a background in manufacturing and construction, Tyler took on the challenge of building APEX's automotive program by first becoming a student himself, spending his summer learning the trade to better serve his kids. This episode is a sincere thank-you to Tyler and the entire WILC team for the passion, courage, and care they bring to their work every day.

Full show notes: https://waukeepodcast.com/show-notes