Kelsey sits down for her first solo episode to talk about how she got into the real estate industry, tips for sellers to prepare their home for the market and the timeline buyers should be prepared for when house shopping. She also answers listener submitted questions about her marketing, Rural KC, and staying organized as a business owner and mom of two.

FIND KELSEY'S SUMMER IN RURAL KC GUIDE, HERE!

SUMMER IN RURAL KC:

• Strawberry U-Picks (Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch / Fahrmeier's)
• Powell Gardens Painted Garden
• Blue Branch Creek Trail

BEAT THE HEAT (INDOOR ACTIVITIES):

• The Rabbit Hole
• Rainbow Slime
• Crown Center Showplace
• Mystic Mountain
• My Little Town
• Book with a Cop
• Splash Pad - Higginsville
• Splash Pad - Buckner
• Splash Pad - Mill Creek

SUMMER PURCHASES:

• Roe Powder Sunscreen
• Gingham Water Bottle
• Kids Water Bottle

WHAT WE'RE BAKING AND MAKING

• Garden season! Adding mini watermelon, tomatillos, and pepperocino this year.
• Fairy/succulent garden
• Bracelet kit

WORTH THE DRIVE

• College World Series
• MO State Fair
• Branson/Dogwood Canyon

SURVIVE TO FIVE/EASY RECIPES

• Chicken Ceasar sliders/wraps
• Pasta salad
• Sheet pan sausage and veggies
• Steak Sunday/steak salad Monday
• Blackstone Philly cheesesteaks

RURAL KC ICE CREAM PUNCH LIST

• The Sno Station
• Maid Rite
• Cree-Mee Freeze
• AJ's Dairy Bar
• Schreiman Orchard
• Wine slushies - Arcadian Moon

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC, Kelsey sits down with Jordan Murry, volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). They discuss the time commitment to volunteer for the program, how many foster children areimpacted by CASA volunteers, what home visits look like, and the importance of these advocates for children in our community. Jordan reported that only 20-25% of foster children in our county have a CASA due to limited volunteers. Our hope with this episode is that this information gets to those that are willing to volunteer with our youth and serve as a voice for these children while they are within the court system. Please share if feel inclined <3

CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE):

CASA in Lafayette and Saline Counties

National CASA

SPILL THE TEA:

Part-time volunteer coordinator position OPEN! Contact Lafayette/Saline County Coordinator, Joan Blackburn: [email protected]

RURAL KC'S BEST KEPT SECRET:

Scout Coffee

Broken Dollar Saloon

Lovett Coffeehouse

The Majestic

1587 Prime

The Rockhill Grille

Green Lady Lounge

The Drum Room

DINNER IN A DASH:

Kevin’s Frozen Meals from Costco

Price Chopper smoked meats

If you’ve ever wondered where your local tax dollars actually go—or how decisions impacting your kids’ schools get made—this one’s for you.

I’m chatting with Marlon Dyer, a lifelong Lafayette County resident and former educator, about everything from public education challenges to the Children’s Services Fund and the real impact it’s making on families right here in our community. Plus, we get into local elections, small-town involvement, and a few Warrensburg favorites.

Grab your iced coffee… this one’s worth the sip. ☕️

Lafayette County Children's Services Fund

What’s really happening behind the scenes in small-town leadership? ☕️

Kelsey sits down with former Odessa mayor Adam Couch to talk local politics, community growth, and the reality of serving in the public eye. From being elected at 28 to navigating “Facebook politics” and major city projects, Adam shares what people don’t see—and what every small-town resident should understand.

Plus, an inside look at the future of the 1912 building.

Grab your iced coffee and let’s get to sipping. ☕️

This week’s episode is extra special as Kelsey sits down with her mom, Cathy Thompson—Odessa’s Finance Director and longtime community leader. They break down major city updates, including the downtown sidewalk project, ECA changes, and future growth plans. It’s an inside look at how small-town decisions get made, why community involvement matters, and what’s ahead for Odessa. Plus, a little “spill the tea” and local favorites you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC, I sit down with Odessa R-7 Superintendent Dr. John Otinger to break down the two ballot measures voters will see on the April 7 ballot.

We talk through why replacing McQuarrie Elementary has been identified as the district’s top facility priority, what improvements were completed in the 2022 bond issue, and what a potential new elementary school could look like.

We also cover the difference between the proposed no-tax-increase bond and the capital levy increase, how the project would be funded, and what happens depending on how voters respond at the polls.

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC, Kelsey sits down with Odessa Police Chief Josh Thompson to break down the proposed public safety sales tax on the April 8 ballot. They walk through how the idea for a new police facility started, the legislative hurdles in Jefferson City, and why the current station—originally a school shop building—is no longer meeting the needs of officers or victims reporting crimes. The conversation also covers the citizen focus group that helped redesign the proposal, the reduced building plan, and what the timeline could look like if voters approve the measure. If you’ve heard the buzz around town, this episode gives you the full story behind the ballot question.

Scott Duncan, owner of Universal Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Odessa, joins me to share how he built his dealership from the ground up — starting with used cars, big risks, and a whole lot of grit. From Michigan to Chicago to Kansas City, Scott walks us through his journey in the automotive industry, growing from a one-room startup to 85 employees across two locations.

We talk real estate investing, 1031 exchanges, the bold move to purchase the west wing of the old Odessa outlet mall, and how a USPS contract became an unexpected win. Plus, Scott gives insight into today’s used car market, the impact of the chip shortage, and the best time of year to buy a vehicle.

If you love a good entrepreneurial story with some real-world business insight, grab your iced coffee and let’s sip. 🚗☕

RURAL KC'S BEST KEPT SECRET: Urban Trends Boutique

The Parkville Needlepoint House

In this episode of What’s the Tea in Rural KC, I sit down with Tiffany Meinershagen, Executive Director of John Knox Village East, to talk about the realities families face as loved ones age. We dive into the emotional challenges of role reversal, why healthcare directives and power of attorney matter more than you think, and how rural communities can better access specialized care close to home.

Tiffany also shares insight into senior living options, outpatient therapy services available locally, and what families should know about Medicare vs. Medicare replacement plans. Plus, we spill the tea on exciting renovations happening at John Knox Village East and some of Higginsville’s best hidden gems.

If you have aging parents, work in healthcare, or live in a rural community, this episode is packed with practical advice and perspective you won’t want to miss.