The Pinnacle Pod

In this compelling episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with 2025 Pinnacle Prize winner Merideth Rose, CEO of Cornerstones of Care, to explore what it truly means to support children and families in our community. Drawing from her own lived experience in foster care and early motherhood, Merideth challenges how poverty is often mislabeled as neglect and shares powerful data, personal stories, and prevention‑focused solutions reshaping child welfare in Kansas City. This conversation is both a call to action and a message of hope, reminding us that when communities lead with curiosity, compassion, and care, families can thrive. 

What does it actually take to move people out of homelessness—and keep them safe in the meantime? In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, 2025 Pinnacle Prize winner Nick Allen breaks down the reality of street outreach work, from building trust through progressive engagement to coordinating wraparound services that save lives. Nick shares how data, consistency, and human connection are reshaping how the city responds to encampments, why housing alone isn’t enough, and what stands between Kansas City and functional zero homelessness. This conversation is a clear call to our community: the strategy exists—now it’s time to act.

The Pinnacle Pod welcomes Dr. Robbie Harriford—Chief Medical Officer at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center and passionate community health advocate. Robbie shares her journey from research to family medicine to leading one of Kansas City’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). Highlighting how her work bridges clinical care with a strategic vision to serve vulnerable populations, Robbie discusses the power of culturally competent care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and her mission to make healthcare accessible and equitable for all.

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with Stacy Busch—composer, changemaker, and co-founder of No Divide KC. Stacy shares her powerful journey from personal recovery to community transformation, revealing how the arts became her tool for healing and social impact. Through No Divide KC, Stacy is democratizing access to the arts, amplifying underrepresented voices, and building bridges across Kansas City’s diverse communities.

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod, we sit down with Mariya Goodbrake, 2024 Pinnacle Prize winner, public advocate and founder of Global FC. Mariya shares her own experiences as a refugee and how they fuel her passion for helping refugee youth in Kansas City. From her family’s resettlement to her commitment to promote peace and reconciliation, Mariya's journey is one of resilience, compassion, and the unwavering belief in human potential. We discuss the challenges facing refugees, the power of belonging, and how Global FC is making a difference at the crossroads of soccer and community.

In this episode of The Pinnacle Pod (recorded January 2025), we speak with Star Palmer, the founder and executive director of Our Spot KC and president of the KC Pride Alliance. Star is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Kansas City. Her organization provides housing assistance and other support services to those in need. She discusses her path into activism, the current challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, and hopes for the future. Star is one of the most recent winners of The Pinnacle Prize. 

The Pinnacle Prize welcomes back 2023 winners, Josh Henges and Kyle Hollins. Josh, Kansas City's Houseless Prevention Coordinator, and Kyle, founder of Lyrik's Institution, share updates on their impactful work and discuss the importance in addressing the root causes of homelessness and violence in the KC community. They explore their unique approaches, emphasizing the need for understanding and building relationships with those they serve and those who want to support their work. In conversation with moderator Tracy McFerrin (Credo Philanthropy Advisors), Josh and Kyle also share how winning The Pinnacle Prize has fueled their passion, provided financial reprieve, and offered a bigger platform to further their missions.

Join us on “The Pinnacle Pod” as we chat with Katie Boody Adorno, the founder of Leanlab Education. A Kansas City native and Pinnacle Prize finalist, Katie's journey from classroom teacher to education technology (edtech) pioneer is inspiring. Discover how Leanlab grew from a desire to rethink education to partnering schools with tech companies developing cutting-edge tools that truly benefit student learning experiences. Learn about their innovative co-designed projects and plans to impact the future of instruction.  

This episode of “The Pinnacle Pod” explores food accessibility with Max Kaniger, a Pinnacle Prize finalist and founder of Kanbe's Markets. Max's passion for providing healthy, affordable options has led him to create a groundbreaking nonprofit that's transforming food deserts in Kansas City. Learn how Kanbe's innovative and unique model provides fresh produce through local corner stores, enabling families to make healthier choices. Hear from Max as he discusses Kanbe's sustainable food distribution model, from sourcing excess food to supporting local farmers and nonprofits. Discover the impact they're making on the lives of thousands of residents in need. 

Elizabeth Valle, director of the Conservatory Academy at UMKC, joins Maurice Waston on “The Pinnacle Pod.” From a young age, Elizabeth's passion for music, ignited by the beauty of the harp, propelled her towards a career dedicated to nurturing aspiring musicians. Elizabeth's commitment to providing access to music education through programs like Conservatory Bridges is not only transforming the lives of students but also opening doors to fulfilling development and careers in the arts. Tune in for a conversation about the power of music to inspire, uplift, and reshape individuals and communities alike. 

A champion of educational opportunities for Kansas City's Latino youth, John Kearney talks with “The Pinnacle Pod” about his journey from teacher to executive director of the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Development Fund (HDF). John is dedicated to helping students and their families achieve higher education goals through engaging fundraising campaigns that strengthen community ties. This year the HDF awarded more than a million dollars to college-bound students. The Pinnacle Pod is hosted by Maurice Watson.  

Rachel Jefferson zooms into “The Pinnacle Pod” to talk about her impactful initiatives with Groundwork Northeast Revitalization Group (Groundwork NRG) and advice on combating burnout as a public servant. From fostering environmental and climate justice to advocating for housing and land sovereignty, Rachel’s work is helping reshape Kansas City, Kansas for a more equitable future. Rachel is a 2022 Pinnacle Prize winner and interviewed by host Maurice Watson. 

In this episode of “The Pinnacle Pod” Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Executive Director of the Midwest Innocence Project (MIP) and 2021 Pinnacle Prize winner, speaks with host Maurice Watson about her journey to fighting wrongful convictions. Tricia also discusses MIP’s work preventing injustices through policy change, empowering those impacted by the system, and how community support can be a catalyst for justice. 

This episode of "The Pinnacle Pod" features Josh Henges, a passionate advocate dedicated to ending homelessness in Kansas City. In addition to discussing his commitment to the cause, Josh speaks to the needs of the unhoused, the challenges communities face, and the path toward a "functional zero" solution. Josh, 2023 Pinnacle Prize winner, currently works as the Houseless Prevention Coordinator at the City of Kansas City, MO and is interviewed by Pinnacle Pod host Maurice Watson.

Recorded on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2023 Pinnacle Prize winner Kyle Hollins reflects on Dr. King’s legacy and shares his approach to reducing violence in Kansas City through cultural intervention programs. Kyle's organization, Lyrik’s Institution, works with teens and young adults to rework destructive thought patterns and redirect mental energy toward productive, creative outlets and opportunities. "The Pinnacle Pod" is hosted by Maurice Watson.  

"The Pinnacle Pod" host, Maurice Watson, speaks with 2021 Pinnacle Prize winner Tara Raghuveer, founding director of KC Tenants. Starting with eviction work in college to building a tenant union network of 10,000+ members in Kansas City, Tara talks about the importance of grassroots organizing, calling for federal intervention on housing protections and putting those experiencing housing insecurity at the center of determining their own solutions. 

In this inaugural episode of "The Pinnacle Pod", host Maurice Watson speaks with 2022 Pinnacle Prize winner Brandon Calloway, CEO and co-founder of KC G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow).Through the conversation, we hear from Brandon on historic redlining, discriminatory lending practices and the racial wealth gap in KC. Brandon also explains how G.I.F.T. works to tackle systemic disparities through resources and grants for Black-owned businesses, converting economically disadvantaged areas into areas of economic opportunity.