PODCAST · news
Lee's Summit Town Hall
by Fredcasts
A podcast conversation, produced by Link 2 Lee’s Summit, highlighting local issues and people in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Host Nick Parker and guests discuss pertinent issues and topics concerning local residents and introduce listeners to some of the people who help make Lee’s Summit a vibrant community.
Episodes
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How LSR7 leaders navigate a budget squeeze they didn't create
Superintendent Dr. David Buck and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Chad Hertzog join host Nick Parker to explain how they're navigating a budget squeeze driven by state underfunding and Jackson County's property reassessments, not decisions made in Lee's Summit. They walk through the zero-based...
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Ep. 893: Wings 4 Water returns to Lee's Summit: 10 years of wings, voting with money, and clean water
Ten years in, Wings 4 Water is a Lee's Summit institution. Come vote with money at 40-50 local tents cooking wings, and 100% of donations go to clean water efforts globally. Chris Turney and Lori Dame share details about the September 10 event at Paragon Star, plus a preview of a brand-new mac…
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Ep. 892: Summit Theatre Group's cabaret brings sing-along joy to Lee's Summit
This week, Becca Stabno from Summit Theatre Group stops by to talk about a cabaret event that does something most theaters don't allow: invites the audience to sing along. We dive into the jukebox musical concept, the upcoming production, and the group's larger vision for a dedicated theater…
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Ep. 891: From Hy-Vee to dog waste removal: The unexpected pivot of a Lee's Summit entrepreneur
Matt Fast spent 16 years managing a Hy-Vee before launching one of Lee's Summit's most unexpected businesses: a dog waste removal service. Hear why he made the leap from corporate retail, how he built an industry in Kansas City, and why the trade-off in income was worth the gain in time with family.
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Ep. 890: Revisiting the Donnie Funk Q&A with John Beaudoin
Host Nick Parker welcomes back columnist John Beaudoin to discuss Beaudoin's recent Q&A with District 4 Councilman Donnie Funk. The two dig into District 4's residential character, the ongoing debate over apartment development, and what's still missing from Lee's Summit's retail and office...
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Ep. 889: Downtown Days 2026 — A new stage, Grammy-nominated headliner & what's new this weekend
Downtown Days is back, and this year the festival looks different in the best way possible. Events manager Julie Cook and assistant director Jenny Gale from Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street join Nick to preview the move to the new Green Street covered lawn, a Grammy-nominated Saturday headliner…
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Ep. 888: TPT has spent 10 years on the student side. Its new nonprofit starts when the school day ends
A Lee's Summit tutoring organization that has spent a decade closing academic skill gaps for K–12 students is now targeting the other side of the equation — the homes those students return to every night. Host Nick Parker sits down with Tomorrow's Promise Today founder Mike Graham and new…
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Ep. 887: Wings 4 Water turns 10 — it's an LS institution!
Wings 4 Water is turning 10 — and host Nick Parker is marking the milestone with the man who started it all. Founder Chris Turney joins the Lee's Summit Town Hall Podcast to look back on a decade of clean water fundraising, community building and an absolutely unreasonable number of chicken…
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Ep. 886: LSR7 school board candidates, Prop C preview
It's election week in Lee's Summit, and host Nick Parker and co-host Jason Norbury are back to finish their April 7 municipal election preview — this time focused on the six candidates vying for seats on the Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education. Nick and Jason break down what the candidate...
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Ep. 885: Justin Bliefnik on bringing back the Do Drop Inn — and why downtown needed it
Justin Bliefnik, owner of Stuey McBrew's, joins Nick Parker to talk about the Do Drop Inn — his tribute to the legendary and beloved downtown bar that served Lee's Summit for 58 years before closing. Justin shares how the project evolved from a Stuey's overflow space into something he'd wanted…
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Ep. 884: A few final questions for the candidates for Mayor & Council
Jason Norbury joins Nick Parker for a bonus episode previewing the April 7 Lee's Summit municipal election. They break down all five contested city council races (Districts 2, 3, and 4) and the mayor's race, walking through the topics that have surfaced across nearly every candidate's…
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Ep. 883: Should Lee's Summit vote yes on Prop C? The superintendent makes his case
Superintendent Dr. David Buck and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Chad Hertzog visit the studio to explain Proposition C ahead of the April 7 municipal election. They walk through what the Prop C rollback waiver means for LSR7's budget, how a $300,000 home would be affected, and why teacher salaries...
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Ep. 882: Pro Deo Youth Center bets on fun with Twisted Trivia fundraiser
Pro Deo Youth Center Executive Director Elaine Metcalf and board member Kent Ruehter join host Nick Parker to talk about Twisted Trivia, Pro Deo's annual fundraising night, coming Saturday, March 21, to the Green Street Market in downtown Lee's Summit. The trio covers what makes this year's event...
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Ep. 881: The Mayoral Forum — Lopez & Rader face questions on housing, trash, jobs & the World Cup
In this special bonus episode, we hosted a live mayoral candidate forum at BridgeSpace with more than 100 Lee's Summit residents in attendance. Councilmembers Beto Lopez and Cynda Rader answered tough questions on the issues that matter most to your neighborhood. In this episode: The apartment…
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Ep. 880: Bob Kendrick — Baseball, Civil Rights & the Fight to Be Remembered
In the final days of Black History Month, host Nick Parker had an opportunity to sit down in The Vault with Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for a wide-ranging conversation about why the story of the Negro Leagues isn't just a baseball story, but the story of America....
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Ep. 879: Black History, Beer Culture, and Building Community Through Storytelling
Host Nick Parker sits down with Nigel Woodberry to explore the origins and mission of their podcast Beers with Nigel. In this Black History Month conversation, they discuss how beer became a gateway to telling untold stories of Black-owned breweries, diversity in the beer industry, and building...
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Ep. 878: Take Time to Be Kind Week in Lee's Summit
Vanessa Hickman, Chair of Lee's Summit's Human Relations Commission, returns to discuss Take Time to Be Kind Week (February 9-14). Discover how this annual initiative brings the community together through intentional acts of kindness—from pop-up gratitude stations to kindness bingo. Learn about...
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Building a Brand with a Twist: Team Cocktail's Journey
What does it take to transform a creative vision into a thriving retail destination that an entire community rallies behind? In this episode, host Nick Parker sits down with Lindsey Fliehs, the creative force behind Team Cocktail, one of downtown Lee's Summit's most beloved shops. Lindsey pulls...
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Santa's heartwarming visit: Spreading joy & cheer
Join us for a festive episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast as Santa Claus himself shares heartwarming stories and holiday cheer. From reading letters from children to discussing the true spirit of Christmas, this episode is filled with joy, laughter, and a touch of magic. Don't miss...
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Food 4 Food Drive: Fighting food Insecurity with team-ups and tacos
Bridge Space Community Manager Colin Brich and KC Communications' John Beaudoin join host Nick Parker to discuss the upcoming "Food 4 Food" drive supporting Lee's Summit Social Services. Learn how you can help your neighbors this holiday season while enjoying free tacos from El Plato on December...
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Pretty Funny's Holiday Comedy Show! Megan Mercer & Pearl McDonald Preview 'The Prettiest Funniest Time of the Year'
Megan Mercer and Pearl McDonald from Pretty Funny preview their annual holiday comedy show "It's the Prettiest Funniest Time of the Year" (Dec 13 at Unity Village). The duo shares stories from 17 years performing with their all-women troupe, discusses their unique blend of improv and scripted...
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Veterans Day Special: Chamber President Matt Baird on Service & Community
Host Nick Parker sits down with Matt Baird, President of the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce and military veteran, for a meaningful Veterans Day conversation about service, sacrifice, and community connection. Matt opens up about his military journey — from being a history-loving kid who dreamed...
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Feed Lee's Summit 2025: Fighting Food Insecurity in Our Community
The need has never been greater. In this episode, host Nick Parker talks with David Fritz and Ben Martin from the Lee's Summit Rotary Clubs and Monica Humbard about the growing food crisis in our community and an annual event designed to support local nonprofit efforts to ease the burden of those...
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Local entrepreneur with an audience of 20M selling gas & snacks? Meet Babir Sultan
In this episode, Nick Parker sits down with Babir Sultan, owner of FavTrip convenience stores, to explore an unconventional approach to running a gas station business. Babir shares his journey from being a doorman in Brooklyn to becoming a tech-savvy entrepreneur who's revolutionizing the...
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Libraries Aren't Just Books Anymore! Gaming, Coffee & Community Centers in Lee's Summit
Join host Nick Parker as he sits down with Seth Moses, branch manager at Mid-Continent Public Library's Colburn Road branch, to explore how modern libraries have transformed into vibrant community hubs that go far beyond books. Discover the surprising services available like passport acceptance…
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Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Crisis Response & Prevention
For National Suicide Prevention Month, host Nick Parker talks with Kirstie Millar and Heather Mason from ReDiscover Mental Health about how Lee's Summit is pioneering mental health crisis response through their co-responder program that embeds trained professionals with police officers. The...
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17 Years of Laughs: All-female improv group prepares for largest show yet at Unity Village
Host Nick Parker welcomes Megan Mercer and Pearl Rovaris MacDonald from the all-female improv comedy troupe, Pretty.Funny., for a hilarious conversation about their 17+ year journey in Kansas City comedy. Pearl shares how a double-dog dare in the late 80s launched her comedy career, while Megan...
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Celebrating 50+ years of delivering meals and relationships
In this episode of Lee's Summit Town Hall, hosts Nick Parker and Vanessa Hickman sit down with Meals on Wheels of Lee's Summit representatives Jenni Edwards (Operations Director), Terry Kincheloe (Board Member), and Susan Newsome (Board Member) to explore the 50-year journey of this vital…
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It's all day Jazz! Collin Brich on this month's Lee's Summit Jazz Festival
In this episode, Nick Parker and Collin Brich discuss the upcoming Lee Summit Jazz Fest, highlighting the festival's details, food offerings, musical lineup, and community impact. They emphasize the importance of local businesses, volunteer opportunities, and the overall excitement surrounding…
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Father's Day without a dad: Local teen opens up prior to holiday some families don't get
In this heartfelt episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes special guest Nikeese Hannibal for an honest and reflective conversation centered around Father's Day. This episode delves into the unique experiences of growing up without a dad. Nick and Nikeese share...
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Workshopping a new song? Julie Cook and Jenny Gale drop by the vault to sing a song about next week's festival
Summer is officially getting ready to start. Downtown Lee's Summit's Julie Cook and Jenny Gale drop by the vault to sing us a song about next week's Downtown Days festival - my, and yours, kickoff to summer. In addition to some improv singing, we're filling you in on all the details of this…
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Market Opens Soon, Mayor's Race Begins & Honoring Lost Leaders
Host Nick Parker and Jason Norbury discuss the exciting progress on Lee's Summit's new downtown farmers market and performance space on Green Street, set to open in August after years of planning. The duo also covers the early announcement of two mayoral candidates — business owner and City…
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Phil & Lori Volen discuss the literal building blocks of their business — Phillori Phigures
Ever wondered what happens when passion meets plastic bricks? In Episode 862 of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Phil and Lori Volen, the creative minds behind Phillori Phigures (see what they did there?). These downtown Lee's Summit entrepreneurs transformed their...
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Final Countdown: A last look at the school bond question and four candidates for LSR7 BOE
In this election-focused episode, host Nick Parker and guest Jason Norbury provide a breakdown of the four candidates competing for just two available seats on the Lee's Summit Board of Education. They explore the priorities and perspectives of Michelle Dawson, Jennifer Foley (current board...
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Breaking down the $225M bond question: What it means for LSR7 Schools
In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Lee's Summit R-7 School District Superintendent Dr. David Buck and Associate Superintendent Dr. Steve Shelton to discuss the upcoming $225 million no-tax-increase bond issue on the ballot. They delve into the…
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Episode 859: Prioritizing Mental Health with ReDiscover’s Demetrios Walker
In this episode of the Lee’s Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Demetrios Walker, Community and Engagement Business Partner at ReDiscover, a nonprofit mental health center dedicated to supporting individuals affected by mental illness and substance use disorders. Demetrios shares...
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Get Ready to 'Shamrock the Block!'
In this episode of the Lee’s Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street's Julie Cook and Jenny Gale to chat about the second annual Shamrock the Block event! Happening afrom 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, this St. Patrick’s celebration is bigger and...
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Breaking down the BOE election and the role of leadership
After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, Jason Norbury is back on the Lee’s Summit Town Hall podcast! Host Nick Parker welcomes his longtime co-host to dive into the latest in local elections — the four candidates vying for two school board seats, and the critical role of the board in shaping district...
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Empowering Youth & Strengthening Community with Chris Madden
In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker sits down with Chris Madden, executive director of Lee’s Summit CARES. From his early aspirations in the arts to his leadership in education and community service, Chris shares his journey and the passion driving his work.…
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The Three C's: Creativity, Community & Custom Apparel
In this episode of Lee’s Summit Town Hall Podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back Brian Pilachowski — graphic artist, entrepreneur, and the new owner of The Local Foundery. As the creative force behind Press Monkey Studio, Brian shares his journey of taking over the beloved local shop, the art of...
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A Toast! Raising a glass, to good music, nights out with friends... & pickles?
Join host Nick Parker on this week’s Lee’s Summit Town Hall podcast as he sits down with Seth Allen, the mastermind behind Libations & Co. and The 1909 Club. From cozy cocktails to lively jazz nights, Seth shares the incredible journey of transforming his businesses into a cornerstone of downtown...
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A holiday treat: Santa's back and we're talking Christmas magic!
Get ready for an extra special episode of the Lee’s Summit Town Hall Podcast as Nick Parker is joined by the jolliest guest of all — Santa Claus! And we don't stop there. Former co-host Jason Norbury makes a surprise visit to The Vault to join the annual conversation with the man from the North...
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Holiday Happenings: Story Time with Santa & Festive Jazz in Downtown Lee’s Summit!
In this jolly episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker teams up with Collin Brich, Community Manager at Bridge Space, to unwrap some of the holiday fun happening downtown! First on the list: Story Time with Santa! It’s the perfect family outing filled with heartwarming…
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'I got to up my love game:' A conversation at the intersection of community service and ministry
In episode 850 of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back Pastor Hans Koschmann and community relations expert Vanessa Hickman. The episode focuses on the importance of nonprofit work in the community, highlighting the collaboration between local businesses and...
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Community Connections: Local involvement fuels business growth while enhancing the community
In episode 849 of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes back John Beaudoin, a business owner and communications expert, to discuss the importance of community involvement and volunteerism in Lee's Summit. In addition to exploring the vital role nonprofits play in the...
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Community Connections: Growing the business and our community are synonymous
In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Courtney Laufketter, co-owner of Budget Blinds of Lee's Summit. They discuss the significance of community service and local business involvement, exploring how giving back not only enriches the community but also...
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Feed Lee's Summit: A night of fun, food, and philanthropy supporting local nonprofits
The event "Feed Lee's Summit" is scheduled for Friday, November 15th, at the John Knox Pavilion. Doors will open at 5:30 PM for VIPs and at 6:00 PM for general admission. The event will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment from Fountain City Ivory's dueling piano group, and food from…
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Empowering Voices: Teens take the mic on mental health and bullying
In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker hands over the reins to a group of students from the Lee's Summit R-7 School District. They discuss their upcoming season of the "I Can Relate" podcast where teens share their perspectives on important issues like mental…
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Celebrating anniversaries, storytelling & nostalgia
Local business owner and filmmaker Chad Godfrey drops by The Vault to talk about his downtown business' upcoming anniversary and his love storytelling and preserving memories for customers big and small. Godfrey's works spans from transferring memories to meet new technologies to creative...
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Building safe spaces and giving a little extra to local teens
Elaine Metcalf, executive director at Pro Deo Youth Center, and Steve Arbo drop by The Vault with an update on fundraising efforts for a new building near downtown and the work they're doing to offer support to local teens from all corners of the Lee's Summit community.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast conversation, produced by Link 2 Lee’s Summit, highlighting local issues and people in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Host Nick Parker and guests discuss pertinent issues and topics concerning local residents and introduce listeners to some of the people who help make Lee’s Summit a vibrant community.
HOSTED BY
Fredcasts
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Lee's Summit Town Hall have?
Lee's Summit Town Hall currently has 654 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Lee's Summit Town Hall about?
A podcast conversation, produced by Link 2 Lee’s Summit, highlighting local issues and people in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Host Nick Parker and guests discuss pertinent issues and topics concerning local residents and introduce listeners to some of the people who help make Lee’s Summit a vibrant...
How often does Lee's Summit Town Hall release new episodes?
Lee's Summit Town Hall releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 654 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Lee's Summit Town Hall?
You can listen to Lee's Summit Town Hall 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 Lee's Summit Town Hall?
Lee's Summit Town Hall is created and hosted by Fredcasts.
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