PODCAST · society
In Our Town with Tom Carlson
by Springfield Daily Citizen
"In Our Town," is a collection of interviews with locals making a difference in the Springfield, Missouri community. Join host Tom Carlson and his guests to learn about issues facing our region and the future trajectory of Springfield. It's all "In Our Town."
Episodes
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E77: Randy Bacon talks about death from patients' point of view
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson speaks with photographer Randy Bacon, director of "The Soft Surrender." The documentary focuses on the lives of seven terminal patients and their experiences. Bacon talks about the process of interviewing those people and how they changed his own...
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E76: Sen. Roy Blunt discusses recent and upcoming election issues
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson speaks with former Sen. Roy Blunt about a variety of election issues. Drawing on his experience as a county clerk and secretary of state, they talk about Missouri's gerrymandered maps, as well as recent election issue losses, national trends for the...
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E75: Winter Kinne discusses how philanthropy fits in with community building
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson sits down with Winter Kinne, CEO and president of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. She discusses how the foundation got its start, how it works in a variety of ways with donors, and the role philanthropy plays in a community.
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E74: Jym Wilson talks about Rising Revisited honoring 9/11
In this episode of In Our Town, Jym Wilson talks about the Rising Revisited show set for Friday, Sept. 11 at the Historic Gillioz Theatre. The show features a rendition of Bruce Springsteen's album "The Rising," and features The Mixtapes and other local performers honoring the 25th anniversary of...
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E73: Matt Morrow talks about SGF's metro population breaking 500K
In this episode, Tom Carlson looks into Springfield's metro population breaking the 500,000 mark. He speaks with Matt Morrow, executive director of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, about what the milestone means for the area.
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E72: Lincoln Hough talks about Missouri's changing politics
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson talks with Sen. Lincoln Hough, in his final year of office because of term limits. They talk about what motivated him to serve, how politics has changed across the state and what Springfield does really well.
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E71: Chief Paul Williams talks about using tech for policing
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom talks with Chief Paul Williams about how new technology is used for law enforcement. Through discussing several recent events, they cover how drones, license plate readers and body cameras are used, as well as the internal structures in place to ensure that...
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E70: Jeff Houghton talks about creating comedy
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson talks with Jeff Houghton, creator and host of "The Mystery Hour." In their conversation, they get serious about comedy, talking about what makes regional humor so interesting, the surprising success of "Instagram Husband" and how Trader Joe's helped…
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E69: Arborist Noel Boyer talks trees in Springfield, from planting to caring
In a wide-branching conversation, arborist Noel Boyer, founder of All About Trees, talks with Tom Carlson about our urban forest. He details how Springfield's tree canopy has dealt with disasters from Dutch Elm disease to the 2007 ice storm, as well as common tree maintenance tactics and why the...
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E68: Cora Scott previews Route 66 Centennial Kickoff events
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson speaks with Cora Scott, chair of the Route 66 Centennial Commission. She previews upcoming events in the Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration, set for April 30 through May 2 in Springfield. The events include a concert, historic parade, footbridge...
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E67: City Manager David Cameron talks about hotel tax proposal
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson speaks with Springfield City Manager David Cameron about the upcoming hotel tax vote on April 7. They discuss why the previous question failed in November and how the city has responded since that November loss.
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E66: Shawn Askinosie talks about grief, law and chocolate
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson talks with attorney-turned-chocolatier Shawn Askinosie, who talks about how dealing with the loss of his father at a young age affected his life. He talked about what he loved about practicing law and why he walked away from it, as well as how he...
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E65: Sheriff Jim Arnott talks jail, ICE detainees and drugs
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson speaks with Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, who discusses the county's new jail and who is kept inside. They also talk about ICE detainees, arrangements with other governments and what the future looks like for law enforcement.
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E64: Geoff Steele previews the Historic Gillioz Theatre's 100th year
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson catches up with Geoff Steele, executive director of the Historic Gillioz Theatre. The two catch up about how the theater has surged back from COVID and what's ahead as it plans to celebrate its 100th year.
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E63: Chief Paul Williams talks about Springfield's crime stats
In a wide ranging conversation, Tom Carlson talks with Springfield Police Department Chief Paul Williams about crime across the city. They discuss the department's recent stats, what's rising and falling, and how a 2016 change to Missouri concealed carry laws helped gun violence proliferate.
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E62: Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon
In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson speaks with Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon and talks taxes — specifically property taxes that county residents pay, and how recent freezes and other activities constrain the revenue of county departments.
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E61: Rob Blevins, founder of National Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Education
Rob Blevins' National Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Education has been formed to help create learning standards for students about AI. He talked more about his group and the tech with Tom Carlson in this edition of In Our Town.
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E60: Ben Tegeler, executive director of Ozarks Greenways
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson speaks with Ben Tegeler, executive director of Ozarks Greenways. Tegeler talked more about the Chadwick Flyer Trail and other developments across the region as the group works to increase trail connectedness. Recorded before the group's fundraiser on...
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E59: Dwayne Fulk, CEO of Springfield City Utilties
In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson sparks conversation with City Utilities CEO Dwayne Fulk. They cover two recent widespread outages, the company's disconnect policy, the city's water infrastructure, how it extends services to new areas of the city and much more.
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E58: Shallina Goodnight, executive director Alliance for Healthcare Education
In this episode of "In Our Town," Executive Director Shallina Goodnight speaks with Tom Carlson about the Alliance for Healthcare Education, including its formation, how its mission works and about the groundbreaking set for Aug. 25 launching construction at Cox College.
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E57: Brian Weiler, director of the Springfield-Branson National Airport
Brian Weiler, director of the Springfield-Branson National Airport, sits down with Tom Carlson to talk about his experience as a finalist for Springfield's city manager. He also previews the installation of a new floor inside the terminal, new apron around the building and other construction...
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E56: Former Mayor Ken McClure
In a special edition of In Our Town, two former Springfield mayors talk about the city. Former mayor Ken McClure sits down with Tom Carlson and answers a number of questions about city governance, including city council's support of a new city manager, the biggest challenges facing the city and...
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E54: Former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt
Former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt joined Tom Carlson to enjoy a little bit of history, and added his perspective to the Trump administration's recent moves about tariffs and other foreign policy details.
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E52 Hiring the city's top executive: reviewing the process
The ongoing search for a new Springfield city manager raises questions that are largely going unanswered. The city declined to offer anyone to speak to the process; likewise from the firm handling the search process. What we do know is that the city has hired the same firm which recommended...
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E51 Building Community Through Corporate Giving: O'Reilly Auto Parts' Legacy
The O'Reilly name is known across the country as a dominant auto parts retailer, but in Springfield it has a deeper meaning. Along with their service in the automotive industry, O'Reilly Auto Parts has been instrumental in funding a wide variety of charitable work in the Ozarks addressing needs...
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E50 ¾-Cent Sales Tax Debate: Weighing the Nov. 5 Vote with Tom Prater and Andrew Baird
As the Nov. 5 general election fast approaches, voters will consider whether or not to adopt a proposed ¾-cent sales tax that would fund public safety initiatives and projects consistent with Springfield's comprehensive plan, Forward SGF. For some, this potential funding is a clear solution to…
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E49 In His Book: A conversation with Springfield-Greene County Library District Executive Director Ed Walton
More than 100,000 Springfieldians visit one or more of the 10 branches of the Springfield-Greene County Library District each year, but many of us may not know the inner workings of this crucial public service for our community. Luckily, Executive Director Ed Walton is an open book. In this...
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E48 A New Era for MSU: President Richard "Biff" Williams on Missouri State University's future
As Missouri State University students return to campus for the 2024 fall semester, another newcomer is joining their ranks. President Richard "Biff" Williams has just begun his tenure at the university this year, but he already has big plans about what this chapter will hold for the MSU. In this...
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E47 Nuturing Success: A conversation with Care to Learn CEO Krystal Simon
During the excitement of beginning a new school year, many children will experience an added layer of anxiety due to not having the necessities needed to succeed in their classes. To help ensure that every child is given the ability to excel, Springfield nonprofit Care to Learn addresses emergent...
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E46 Changing Trajectories: I Pour Life Executive Director Ben McBride on the power of supporting at-risk youth
We often don't choose the circumstances that inform our trajectories in life. For at-risk and foster care youth, difficulties such as poverty, teen pregnancy and incarceration can create monumental hurdles that severely impact early development. Addressing these issues head-on, Springfield-based...
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E45 Empowering Our Community: A Conversation with Dr. Amy Blansit
When Amy Blansit moved to north Springfield during her college years at Drury University, she fell in love with both the charm of the historic buildings and her late husband Drew Lewis. Continuing the mission she and Lewis shared of improving the community through asset-based urban development…
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E44 The Importance of Youth Mental Health: Amy Hill LCSW on the Current Mental Health Crisis' Impact on Children
With anxiety, depression and the risk of suicide on the rise among children and teens, mental health and education experts are searching for answers to intervene in the ongoing mental health crisis impacting our youth. In this episode, Tom Carlson speaks with Amy Hill LCSW (licensed clinical…
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E43 Capturing Authenticity: A Conversation with Portrait Photographer, Filmmaker and Humanitarian Randy Bacon
Award-winning Springfield photographer Randy Bacon is driven by a simple but profound ideology when it comes to his work in portraiture, filmmaking and the nonprofit sphere: each and every person is a unique individual who deserves to have their story shared with the world. Never losing a sense…
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E42 Ensuring Great Futures: Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Brandy Harris on Uplifting Local Youth
For Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield CEO Brandy Harris, leading efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged children in the Springfield metro is a full circle moment. Having lived through a difficult childhood facing poverty and abuse, Harris believes her current position is a testament to the...
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E41 Arena Football in Southwest Missouri: A Conversation with Ozarks Lunkers General Manager Caleb Scott
Get ready, football fans, Southwest Missouri will welcome its new professional arena football team, the Ozarks Lunkers, on June 1, 2024. For the first time, Springfieldians will get the exhilarating opportunity to watch this fast-paced, indoor version of American football live. As a kickoff to…
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E40 Directing the District: Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan on the Trajectory of Springfield Public Schools
While becoming the superintendent of Missouri's largest school system in 2021 may have been a daunting task, Dr. Grenita Lathan's extensive experience in education has uniquely equipped her for this leadership role for Springfield Public Schools. Having served as the superintendent of Houston,...
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E39 Talking a Blue Streak: Police Chief Paul Williams on the State of Law Enforcement
As a third-generation policeman, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams has devoted his life to law enforcement. He joins In Our Town host Tom Carlson to discuss policing from the perspective of 43 years of expertise in the field. Touching on topics such as the impacts of public perception of...
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E38 Let's Go Cardinals!: Dan Reiter on Opening the 2024 Baseball Season
The weather is finally warming up and we can already taste the popcorn and Cracker Jacks. It's time to celebrate the beginning of baseball season as the Springfield Cardinals have gotten off to a red-hot, record-breaking start. Join host Tom Carlson and Dan Reiter, vice president and general...
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E37 Missouri's Evolving Educational Landscape: A Conversation with Hal Higdon
Dr. Hal Higdon, the Chancellor of the Ozark Technical Community College System and President of OTC's Springfield Campus, joins host Tom Carlson for an in-depth conversation. As the longest serving public college president in Missouri, Dr. Higdon has been a catalyst of growth for OTC and has...
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E36 Springfield's School Board Election: A Clash of Visions
The forthcoming Springfield School Board election on April 2, 2024, is marked by unprecedented fundraising and ideological divides. In this episode, Tom interviews Calvin Morrow and Mary Griffith, representatives of the Back On Track PAC, offering insights into their support for incumbent Maryam...
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E35 Leading the Future: Jack Stack's Vision for Drury's Breech School of Business
A titan in Springfield's business community and CEO of Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation, Jack Stack shares his latest endeavor as the Interim Dean of the Breech School of Business at Drury University. With his unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Jack provides...
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E34 Lighting the Path: Dr. Robert Carolla's Reflections on Life and Mortality
Join us as we delve into the profound insights and experiences of one of Springfield's esteemed oncologists, Dr. Robert Carolla. Dr. Carolla, a pioneer in his field, sheds light on the delicate balance between life and mortality that oncologists navigate daily. Through his work with the Hospice...
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E33 Building Unity: A Conversation with Terri West McQueary and Jim Anderson
Tom Carlson sits down with Terri West McQueary and Jim Anderson, the chairs of the newly-formed nonpartisan PAC, United Springfield. In this discussion, Terri and Jim share insights into the PAC's mission to foster a diverse and robust field of candidates for local elections. Discover the...
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E32 The Mayor's Seat: Tom Carlson and Mayor McClure Discuss Springfield's Journey
Tom Carlson, host of In Our Town and a former mayor of Springfield, engages in a sit-down conversation with the current mayor, Ken McClure. Join us for a compelling dialogue covering the intricacies of managing a city during a pandemic, notable achievements under McClure's tenure, the city's...
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E31 Show-Me Green: Insights from Old Route 66 Wellness Post-Legalization
John Lopez, the trailblazing founder and CEO of Old Route 66 Wellness in Springfield and Ozark, joins up with Tom to reflect on the journey one year after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Missouri. Lopez shares his perspective as an entrepreneur on navigating the changing regulatory...
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E30 State of Public Education: John Jungmann
Former Springfield Public Schools superintendent John Jungmann talks about the state of public education, home schooling and charter schools as well as challenges facing teachers and school boards across the country.
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ENCORE ICYMI: Richard Crabtree - Local Historian/Realtor
We're taking our top downloaded episode of 2023 out for another spin around the block for those that missed it the first go around. Local historian and realtor Richard Crabtree discusses how past development has shaped Springfield, its neighborhoods and some of the present challenges facing the...
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E29 Kitty Ledbetter - Broadcasting the Ozarks: Si Siman and Country Music at the Crossroads
Kitty Ledbetter, author and Professor Emeritus at Texas State University, joins Tom to discuss everything from her early days as Springfield's first female radio DJ to Victorian women's periodicals to her latest book on Si Siman and the history of Springfield's music scene from 1930s to the 80s.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
"In Our Town," is a collection of interviews with locals making a difference in the Springfield, Missouri community. Join host Tom Carlson and his guests to learn about issues facing our region and the future trajectory of Springfield. It's all "In Our Town."
HOSTED BY
Springfield Daily Citizen
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does In Our Town with Tom Carlson have?
In Our Town with Tom Carlson currently has 78 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is In Our Town with Tom Carlson about?
"In Our Town," is a collection of interviews with locals making a difference in the Springfield, Missouri community. Join host Tom Carlson and his guests to learn about issues facing our region and the future trajectory of Springfield. It's all "In Our Town."
How often does In Our Town with Tom Carlson release new episodes?
In Our Town with Tom Carlson has 78 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to In Our Town with Tom Carlson?
You can listen to In Our Town with Tom Carlson on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts In Our Town with Tom Carlson?
In Our Town with Tom Carlson is created and hosted by Springfield Daily Citizen.
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