David Von Drehle: NYT Best-Selling Author of “The Book of Charlie”

Michael Garozzo is an Italian restauranteur, a St. Louis native, a Chiefs mega-fan, a bonafide movie star, and a Kansas City household name. 

Mike started his career as a busboy at 13 with a dream of one day owning his own restaurant. Hailing from “The Hill”, St. Louis’s Italian neighborhood, Mike worked his way into the world of Italian fine dining before putting his own stamp on the Kansas City restaurant scene with “Garozzo’s Ristorante” in Columbus Park, where “Chicken Spiedini began!”

Mike has hosted everyone from Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and his quarterback Patrick Mahomes to Tony Bennett and Kid Rock. In today’s episode he talks family, history, and the legends who made him who he is today. You’re in for a fun trip with the one and only Michael Garozzo.

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Becky Blades is an author, a motivational speaker, an artist, a sculptor, a mentor, and even a licensed pilot. From her early days in PR at Starlight Theater, to her time as Kansas City entrepreneur and business owner, to her journey into writing and creating, her funny, refreshing, no nonsense approach to life and knack for bold leadership will leave you inspired — and smiling.

Becky’s writing has been featured on Oprah, in the Huffington Post, in Grown & Flown and beyond. Her art is represented by The Eva Reynolds Gallery in Kansas City along with other galleries across the country. Her book, “Advice Your Mom Would Give You If She Thought You Were Listening”, was a Best Book selection. 

Join us for a fun conversation with the multi-talented Becky Blades.

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Jim Eddy is a Kansas City second-generation restauranteur and Kansas City native who has seen it all. Take a trip back in time to the food, entertainment, and lifestyle from the 1940s, ‘50’s and 60’s in Kansas City to today. The “Eddy Brothers” became world-famous during the era of the Supper Club Circuit, and Kansas City was right in the middle of the boom.

Eddy’s Supper Club at 13th and Baltimore was hoppin’ in the ‘50’s, hosting some of the biggest names in pop music. Jim Eddy talks through everything from mandated 24/7 bowling alleys during WWII, to a terrible business decision passing on a to-be pop icon, to the KC Chiefs and Popeye’s chicken. Take the wild ride through KC food history with Jim Eddy!

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Kate McLiney is a Kansas City blogger, influencer, and native with a passion for sharing all of KC’s best-kept secrets with the community. “LoKCal” hit Instagram five years ago, and Kate has since become one of the top influencers in the KC Metro. 

The Brookside local and Notre Dame de Sion grad made her way to Arkansas for college before returning home to KC and starting a career at Cerner, where she found herself surprised time and time again at all that her hometown now had to offer.

Five years ago, she felt inspired to start sharing the events, stories, meals, and businesses she was discovering through a blog and Instagram account appropriately named “LoKCal”. Covid transformed the passion project, bringing her deeper into conversation with the people behind the places. Today, Katie runs her own boutique recruiting firm — MAC Industries — and spends her free time exploring the people, places, and stories that make Kansas City so unique.

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Joyce DiDonato is a transformative presence in the arts. The international opera star has been called “the most potent female singer of her generation.”

From humble beginnings in a big Irish family in Prairie Village, Kansas to international superstar, Joyce DiDonato has dazzled audiences from around the world with her mezzo soprano voice that has been labeled “24-karat gold.”

Learn how she overcame rejection and turned it into motivation to rise to the top of her profession, but still refers to herself as “just Joyce from Kansas.” And stick around until the end to hear how she manages to bring even Frank to tears!

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Cliff Illig is an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a native Kansas Citian. Cliff went from working for his father loading punch cards into a computer, to writing up a business plan with some friends on a picnic bench in Loose Park, to founding Cerner, a $5 billion dollar healthcare software company. Now principal owner of Sporting Kansas City, Cliff talks Kansas City soccer and all that went into bringing the World Cup to our town. You’ll discover how saying things like, “figure it out”, “slog away at it” and “what would Neal do” became Cerner’s mantra for success.

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When Kyle Talbot left KC after high school he doubted he’d ever be back, but the city had a certain allure he could never shake. When Talbot returned in 2020, he set out to change the way real estate is sold. His venture has become a Youtube and Instagram sensation, with hundreds of videos highlighting the inside scoop on the exciting growth Kansas City has in store.

Talbot talks about growing up in Kansas City and the independence he had to develop during his childhood, the counselor who saw his potential and helped him succeed, his transition into real estate, and the ways KC inspired him towards his now-viral video content. 

Hear his expert thoughts on the next big developments in Kansas City — like Pennway Point, the Rock Island Bridge, and the South Loop Project — and more on the growth our city has in store.

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From humble beginnings to leading Kansas City’s East Side, former mayor Sylvester “Sly” James has played a major role in shaping today’s Kansas City. We get into the dynamic world of city government with the man who helped guide our city through challenging times of growth and progress. Sly’s tenure was marked by his dedication to inclusivity, innovation and urban renewal.

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World renowned Master of Wine and Grand Sommelier Doug Frost and Midwest Trust CEO Brad Bergman are at the forefront of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest wine industry.

This duo uncorks the secrets of pairing business and pleasure with a great glass of wine. Doug and Brad talk about their partnership that has not just impacted the local wine industry but has spurred the industry’s growth in the Pacific Northwest too.

Their passion for giving back is what brought them together originally, and both believe Kansas City’s philanthropic, hospitable nature is key to what sets our town apart.

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George Brett is Mr. Kansas City. He has spent 50 plus years inside the KC Royals organization, rising through the Minor Leagues, to the Major Leagues, to Cooperstown. 

George talks about his life, his brothers, his dad, and his career as only George can, and touches on the MLB Network’s recent documentary profiling his life - “Brett”. Join us for an in depth conversation with this legendary Hall of Famer, what motivated him, who helped him along the way and why he has never stopped giving back to the city he loves.

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