Lee's Summit Town Hall

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 Executive Director Marion Marshall to introduce their newly launched nonprofit, Today Promises Tomorrow, and the simple but powerful belief driving it: invest in the parent, change the child's future.

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 wings. From a 150-person gathering at a neighborhood community center to an estimated 5,000–6,000 attendees and three tons of wings at Paragon Star, the event's growth has surprised even Turney himself. He and Nick cover the origin story, what makes the sponsorship experience so addictive, how celebrity guest judges from the local sports world fit into the day, and why Wings 4 Water has raised more than $200,000 for clean water nonprofits over its first nine years. If you're a local business owner thinking about sponsoring, early bird pricing runs through April 15. The 10th annual Wings 4 Water takes place September 10 at Paragon Star. Learn more and sign up at wings4water.org.

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 questionnaire responses reveal, why the relative absence of divisive issues in this race might actually be good news for the community, and where voters can still find meaningful differences between candidates. They also discuss Proposition C — the teacher salary ballot measure — and zoom out to the bigger picture: what a potential state income tax repeal in Jefferson City could mean for LSR7, and why the advocacy skills of whoever wins a board seat may matter more than anything else on their platform. Missed part one on the mayoral and city council races? Find it at Link2LeesSummit.com or on the Lee's Summit Town Hall Podcast feed. Read all candidate Q&As at Link2LeesSummit.com.

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 for a long time: a low-key, vintage-feeling neighborhood bar with cold beer and no pretense. He talks about getting former Do Drop Inn owner Sue Pfeiffer's blessing, his approach to the build-out, the intentionally mismatched bathrooms, and the early response from customers. They also dig into the philosophy behind Stuey's longevity, the accidental genius of the soup style nachos, and what 16 years of running a downtown bar teaches you about opening the next one. The Do Drop Inn is open Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. to close, right next door to Stuey McBrew's in downtown Lee's Summit.

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 questionnaire — infrastructure, public safety, housing, growth, and economic development. The bigger conversation is about what questions voters should be pushing candidates on beyond the campaign talking points, and what kind of council Lee's Summit actually needs as it heads into another decade of significant growth. Candidate Q&As for every race are available at link2leessummit.com. Election Day is Tuesday, April 7.

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 have slipped in the metro rankings. They also detail the district's grow-your-own teacher pipeline and make the case for why the waiver matters for long-term staff retention.

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 different — a new venue, a Saturday time slot, and a jukebox auction — while digging into what Pro Deo actually does for local teens: providing safe spaces, caring adults, and experiences many young people have never had. Plus: why the team with the most right answers doesn't always win.

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: Whether you've followed this race closely or you're just tuning in, this forum gives you everything you need to make an informed vote.

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. The conversation covers the economic legacy of segregation, why Jackie Robinson's Signing my have sparked the Civil Rights Movement, the museum's ambitions plans for a new 30,000+ SF home at historic 18th & Vine, and how MLB The Show video game is bringing these legends back to life for a new generation. A must-listen for baseball fans, history buffs and anyone who loves stories of the human spirit and the American dream.

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 unexpected communities. From discovering Fresh Fest (now Barrel & Flow) to highlighting breweries like Vine Street and FunkyTown, Nigel shares how less than 1% of the brewing industry is Black-owned and why representation matters. They reflect on six years of podcast storytelling, the power of intentional conversation, and how sharing people's histories creates real relationships. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or simply love a good story, this episode celebrates the intersection of craft beer culture, diversity, and authentic human connection.

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 simple ways to participate, share your stories using #LSKindness, and help build stronger relationships throughout Lee's Summit. Free materials available at City Hall all week. Visit LSKindness.net for details.

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 back the curtain on her unique entrepreneurial journey, revealing the real challenges and unexpected wins of building a business that's become more than just a store — it's a community hub.

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 Santa's special message on the importance of giving and community spirit.

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 9th. In this episode, we explore the growing need at the local food pantry, hear stories of community resilience, and discover why Lee's Summit residents consistently show up when their neighbors need help. Plus, find out how Bridge Space continues its mission of supporting local nonprofits through community events and affordable meeting spaces.

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 sketches, and reveals how real holiday moments become comedy gold. Featuring talk of reindeer drama, spoofed Christmas carols, and why their show has become a Lee's Summit tradition.

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 of service to his time in ROTC and active duty. He candidly discusses both the rewards and challenges of military service, including the leadership issues that ultimately led to his decision to leave active duty. The conversation explores how America's treatment of veterans has evolved across generations, from the Greatest Generation's reluctance to share their stories to Vietnam veterans' difficult homecomings to today's more supportive environment. Matt shares the impactful work of the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee, including: You'll be surprised to learn just how many Whiteman Air Force Base personnel — including one-third of B-2 pilots — choose to make Lee's Summit home, largely because of our excellent school district. A thoughtful episode about honoring service while building authentic community connections.

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 in need. Learn about nearly 4,500 students on free or reduced lunch in Lee's Summit, about local food pantries serving record numbers and how you can help at the November 14th Feed Lee's Summit event at Unity Village's Goppert Center. The fundraiser supports five vital organizations with a goal of raising $250,000. Tickets are going fast at feedls.org.

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 convenience store industry through social media, AI, and community engagement. Discover how FavTrip reaches nearly 20 million people monthly through organic social media content, why they deliberately chose not to sell liquor or lottery tickets, and how they're using AI to combat shoplifting. Babir discusses empowering employees through live streaming, the importance of knowing your strengths, and why staying local is more valuable than nationwide expansion. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a Lee's Summit resident, or someone interested in innovative business strategies, this conversation offers insights on blending technology with traditional retail, building authentic community connections, and pursuing your passion projects alongside business growth.

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 and notary services, learn about Book Speed Dating events for finding your next great read, and hear how libraries now host gaming nights, D&D sessions, and even serve as co-working spaces with coffee shops. Seth shares insights on everything from the growth of digital collections through the Libby app to the Square One Small Business Center helping local entrepreneurs, plus why half of local households already have library cards and what you're missing if you don't. Perfect timing for National Read a New Book Month and National Sign Up for Your Library Card Month — you'll be amazed at what these modern community centers offer beyond the traditional quiet study spaces of the past.

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 conversation covers the 988 Crisis Lifeline, why talking about suicide creates safety rather than danger, and practical advice for parents on having difficult mental health conversations with their children. Learn about ReDiscover's "No Wrong Door" approach to accessible mental health care and upcoming community events including 988 Awareness Day (September 8th) and their annual Suicide Prevention Walk (September 27th). This episode provides crucial information about local resources while addressing the reality that mental health support requires both professional intervention and community-wide cultural change. Resources mentioned: