In Our Town with Tom Carlson

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 land Houghton in the New York Times. 

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 trees in the Southern Hills neighborhood need extra attention. 

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 dedication and a live broadcast of NBC's "Today."

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.

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 discovered that making chocolate was his calling.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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 Sept. 23, he also shared his gratitude for that event's sell-out. 

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. 

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.

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 projects that will begin in the future.

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 questions about how Springfield should lead in the future as it continues to grow. 

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. 

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 departed City Manager Jason Gage. The city has agreed to pay the firm $35,000 for its services, which seems to be a small amount if the firm is going to do an extensive search. This week's podcast hosts three well-known retired Springfieldians: Clif Smart, Missouri State University; Steve Edwards, CoxHealth; and Tom Finnie, City of Springfield. Tune in to hear the comments and observations of these three men who had extensive experience running large organizations and make up your own mind about the process. Many council people over the years have agreed that the selection of a city manager is the single most important decision they will make as our elected representatives.

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 such as child and family services, food insecurity, homelessness and healthcare services. In this episode, host Tom Carlson and Executive Vice Chairman of the Board David O'Reilly discuss the history of family business, the significant impact of the O'Reillys' philanthropy on nonprofits across the Ozarks and predictions of what the future of the company will look like.

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 gaps in the city budget while others have aired concerns about the lack of specificity when it comes to the plans the tax will go toward. In this special election season episode, host Tom Carlson moderates a debate between former Citizens Committee co-chair Tom Prater and business owner Andrew Baird as they discuss the pros and cons of the tax.

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 episode, host Tom Carlson sits down with Walton to discuss future construction plans and initiatives to increase digital resources within the library system, the challenges that come with book bans and housing "controversial" materials in a polarized political climate and how the district aims to meet the needs of all library patrons. 

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 episode, President Williams joins host Tom Carlson to discuss his past at Utah Tech University, the strengths and challenges that come with taking the helm at MSU and what he hopes to achieve with the Bears' acceptance into Conference USA and the potential university-wide application of AI.

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 health, hunger and hygiene needs of students across Missouri while empowering school staff and faculty and centering children's confidentiality.  In this episode, host Tom Carlson sits down with Care to Learn CEO Krystal Simon to learn more about her career trajectory, the process Care to Learn implements to provide resources to children and the importance of collaboration within communities when acting in service. 

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 nonprofit I Pour Life utilitizes full-spectrum programs to promote positive growth and opportunity. In this episode, host Tom Carlson interviews I Pour Life executive director Ben McBride to learn more about his own journey into this work, I Pour Life's methodology and the incredible transformations that can occur when holistic support is provided to young people. 

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, she founded the Drew Lewis Foundation, which provides programs that foster well-being, self-sufficiency and empowerment for those facing financial hardship. Host Tom Carlson sat down with Blansit to learn more about her own lived experience growing up in a working class household, how the Drew Lewis Foundation has grown over the years and the powerful work the organization is doing for Springfield and beyond.

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 social worker), Executive Vice President of Community and School-Based Services at Brightli, to learn about the difficulties young people face, the various causes underlying their mental health struggles and the role of social media and technology in this epidemic. 

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 of wonderment, he has used the culmination of four decades of experience to explore the stories of those who are often overlooked and misunderstood in our society.  Host Tom Carlson sits down with Bacon to discuss his beginnings in photography, the practices he uses to authentically capture his subjects and the evolution of his artistic practice as it has expanded into multiple ongoing projects and mediums over the years. 

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 transformational impact caring adults can have on a child's life. In this episode, host Tom Carlson speaks with Harris about her formative experiences growing up in the Queen City, what she has learned as she spearheads the development of services and resources for youth and the key insights she has gained by listening to and advocating for children in the community.

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 this noteworthy season, host Tom Carlson sat down with the Lunkers' general manager Caleb Scott to discuss the upcoming season and the incredible backstory of how the team came together.

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, Texas schools and held a variety of positions in public schools across the country, she brings a wealth of knowledge to spearhead our school board.  Dr. Lathan joins host Tom Carlson to discuss the protocols and role of the board of education, insights into key issues facing Springfield Public Schools and how she hopes to support the district in its future growth.  

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 officers and the COVID-19 pandemic on the police force, diversity initiatives within the Springfield Police Department and the use of surveillance technology, Williams shines a light on the current developments within law enforcement and where the establishment is headed.

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 manager for the Springfield Cardinals, for this home run of an interview highlighting Reiter's remarkable career trajectory, the recent trials that the Cardinals have faced as well as new events and improvements coming to Hammons Field.

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 fostered a wide range of training programs to meet the needs of the ever-changing Ozarks workforce. He has also remained actively involved with a variety of organizations including Burrell Mental Health, CoxHealth, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and has chaired the Association of Missouri Community Colleges.   Tune in for enlightening insights on the current state of higher education in Missouri, the difficulties and opportunities students face within the local job market and recent advancements at OTC.

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 Mohammadkhani amidst a backdrop of contrasting visions with United Springfield PAC.

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 unique insights into his vision for shaping the next generation of business leaders. Tune in as we explore Jack's inspiring leadership journey and the transformative impact he envisions for business education at Drury.

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 Foundation of the Ozarks and national recognition from StoryCorps broadcasts, he and his wife Peg have touched countless lives with their compassion and dedication. Dr. Carolla's journey offers a profound perspective shift on life, death, grief and the human experience.

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 motivations behind the formation of United Springfield, the challenges they aim to address in the local political landscape, and the importance of nonpartisan collaboration in shaping the future of the community. If you're passionate about local governance and the vitality of democracy, this episode offers a compelling exploration of the efforts to unite and strengthen Springfield through a diverse representation of voices in the political arena.

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 ongoing challenges and a look towards the future. This episode delivers a distinctive viewpoint on the dynamic leadership that has molded Springfield. Whether you've been a resident for years or are intrigued by municipal governance, this conversation provides valuable insights into the pulse of Springfield, offering a firsthand look at the city's narrative through the experiences of its mayors.    

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 landscape, the impact of legalization of recreational use marijuana, and the evolving perceptions around cannabis in the Show-Me State.          

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. 

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 city's future growth.

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.

Aaron Owen discusses improvements, strategy and growth under his leadership as the CEO of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, which is home to Missouri's second largest fair, and quickly becoming an entertainment hub responsible for bringing major events and entertainers to Southwest Missouri.

Amanda Ohlensehlen, Director of Economic Vitality for the City of Springfield and Ben Jones, Director of Development for City Utilities, join Tom to discuss the incentives that the city uses to entice businesses to move here and stay, as well as encourage new business and entrepreneurship within the community.  

Join us as we delve into Thomas Douglas's wealth of experience and uncover the secrets behind his remarkable success. Get ready for an enlightening conversation about adaptability, entrepreneurship, and the indispensable skills needed to thrive in today's fast-paced world.

Tune in for a captivating conversation with Steve Edwards, a true healthcare visionary, and learn about his reflections on leadership, his challenges and legacy while at Cox Health, and the exciting chapters that lie ahead. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a community member, or simply interested in stories of leadership and reinvention, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and inspiration.

In this special episode of In Our Town, Tom bids a fond farewell to a beloved figure in higher education as Clif Smart, the distinguished President of Missouri State University, embarks on his well-deserved retirement. Join us as we reflect on Clif's transformative leadership, the impact he has had on the university and community, and what the future holds for both him and the institution.

Whether you're an art aficionado, a culture connoisseur, or simply curious about the artistic heartbeat of SGF, this episode is a must-listen. Join us for a delightful conversation about Celebrate SGF's 2023 theme of Arts and Culture , led by the passionate co-chair Megan Buchbinder, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich artistic tapestry of Springfield.

Join Tom for a discussion with Brett Foster, City of Springfield's Traffic Engineer, and Mandy Buettgen-Quinn, the mastermind behind SGF Yields and SafeAcross, Springfield's groundbreaking pedestrian safety initiative. Discover the secrets behind their award-winning program, gain insights into creating safer urban driving environments, and hear inspiring stories of community collaboration. Learn how Springfield is setting the standard for pedestrian safety in cities across the nation, as well as improvements and current traffic challenges facing Springfield.