Lee's Summit Town Hall

Hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays take a few minutes to discuss upcoming local events and since Wednesday is National 501c Day, the duo takes a few minutes to talk about some of the many local nonprofits serving the Lee's Summit community and how easy it is for residents to offer service be it donations of time, talent or treasure.

A now years-long effort to give teens a voice and help bring the community together in conversation about youth mental health continued this week with a community forum presented by Pro Deo Youth Center and ReDiscover at the Missouri Innovation Campus. The event was moderated by ReDiscover's Demetrios Walker and Lee's Summit West senior Ellie Johnson and included a panel of 12 local high school students and just under 150 residents. Walker and Johnson came to The Vault for a conversation with Nick Parker and Liesl Hays about their reactions to the event and where they think the conversation is headed next.

Everyone relax. Liesl is back home. After what seemed like a way-too-long hiatus, Liesl Hays rejoins Nick Parker for the latest episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast just in time to preview some weekend activities and discuss a recent guest column in Link 2 Lee's Summit discussing the role Political Action Committees are playing in our local elections and governance. Both Nick and Liesl are curious how others in the community feel about partisan political groups inserting themselves into local politics.

If you're feeling down, or a little overwhelmed, Steve Arbo has a suggestion — Find a local organization and volunteer. Service to others, he says, offers a reward of happiness you may not be expecting. Arbo, who has now been retired from his role as Lee's Summit City Manager for a year, entered The Vault this week for a conversation with host Nick Parker on his new life outside the bureaucracy and his dive into a role as community volunteer. Since leaving the northeast corner of City Hall, Arbo has enjoyed extra time traveling with his wife (who is also recently retired) and finding some local nonprofit organizations where he can share his passions and support Lee's Summit in new and profound ways.

In a little bit of a twist, host Nick Parker hands the reins to local Lee’s Summit West Senior Ellie Johnson, who talks with ReDiscover’s Jennifer Craig and LSPD Officer Amanda Geno about the upcoming community forum on mental health scheduled for 6 p.m. April 22 at the Missouri Innovation Campus. This episode was edited by Lee’s Summit Junior Charlie Parker. Both Johnson and Parker are part of the I Can Relate podcast project.

Their chiropractic business isn't exactly what they thought it would be. She didn't plan on developing a passion helping young patients and he had no idea the directions his study and budding network would take him. Today, Doctors Alex and Lauren Nelson operate HML Functional Care in Lee's Summit and have a budding practice focusing on providing a holistic and collaborative approach to caring for kids with special needs. The duo drop by The Vault for an open conversation with host Nick Parker on their business and approach to healthcare.

Listen in on his resume, and you may start to wonder how Gary Good wound up in our midwest hamlet as the new executive director of the Lee's Summit Symphony. First off, we'll apologize, he's not all that new anymore. He's actually been here almost year, Nick and Liesl are just late getting him on the show. Good enters the vault to share his story of a career in music and the path to Lee's Summit. He also previews this weekend's performance at The Pavilion at John Knox Village and offers a bit of his vision for the future of the Symphony.

We're gonna shamrock around the clock tonight… OK, it’s not tonight. But on the morning of Saturday, March 16, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street invites local families to join them for a new St. Patrick’s day event — Shamrock the Block. Events Director Julie Cook returns to The Vault to talk about creating the new event and what entertainment will be available.

Liesl's out this week, but Nick's back to highlight a few local events coming up this weekend before kicking back with one of his favorite interviews from the podcast, Theron Denson — aka The Black Diamond. Hint-hint, there's some rumors Theron has a couple of big announcements coming soon so stay tuned. But for now, if you missed it last year, hears a conversation with the Lee's Summit resident and experiences gathered through his life as Neil Diamond tribute artist.

"Get over it and tell the stories..." If there's been a theme for host Nick Parker the last week or so, it's been to stop making things about himself. The point was driven home in a conversation with Lee's Summit resident and community activist Vanessa Hickman and his fear appearing phony while featuring black residents during Black History Month. The appropriate reprimand leads to a open and frank conversation between the two in this week's episode kicking off Black History Month in Lee's Summit.

Everyone knows two of the main keys for business success lie in both timing and location. For Sarah Boehnlein and Lisa McConnell, this couldn't have been more true as they moved into a new downtown Lee's Summit home just in time for the holiday rush. Their two businesses, TruKC and Boss Babe Balloon Co. respectively, took over the former Ivy and Sparrow space on Third Street just before the holiday shopping season started and they haven't looked back — of course, the popularity of anything celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs or Taylor Swift hasn't hurt business either. The two visited the vault this week for a conversation with hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays on moving downtown and building their businesses.

In this lively episode of Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hayes bring their dynamic chemistry to the forefront as they explore the vibrant local business scene. Ashley Muffitt, from Mid-Continent Public Library and Square One, joins the discussion, shedding light on a mission to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. The conversation delves into the resources offered by Square One, emphasizing the importance of planning and goal-setting for business success. With a perfect blend of entertainment and valuable insights, this episode is a must-listen for those seeking a dose of local flair and entrepreneurial wisdom.

In their first full week back since breaking for the holidays, winter travel, snow (errrrrr, AMI) days, etc., hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays take a few minutes to look back at what happened in 2023 and ahead to some of what they're planning for the podcast in 2024. And then, they offer up a replay from one of their favorite episodes of last year... Fair warning, this episode includes what could be a tough conversation for some, including it seems hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays. But, we promise it's worth listening to and we hope, it provides a service for those who have, or are currently going through, the cancer journey. October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in this episode, we welcome Kara Gutierrez, owner of Spot On Beauty, and Karen Reinert, a local cancer survivor, into the vault. Much of Kara's work centers around using her skills as a tattoo artist to create 3D nipple tattoos for survivors, or covering up scars, or providing other artwork as survivors work there way through the trauma of discovering, treating and surviving breast cancer. Joining her on the show is Karen, a recent client and survivor.

In the latest episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays bring listeners up to speed on the upcoming April election, revealing changes in the Board of Education ballot. As the election draws near, the hosts promise in-depth coverage of contested races for school board, city council, and municipal judge positions. The episode also highlights the City of Lee's Summit's annual MLK celebration, emphasizing the theme "Living the Dream" and spreading hope, courage, and unity. Despite some delays, the hosts extend the holiday spirit by continuing to give away favorite things, with Santa's approval to keep the Christmas joy alive throughout the year. To stay informed about local events, listeners are encouraged to sign up for the podcast's weekly NewsLink email and follow their Instagram and Facebook pages for chances to win exciting prizes in January.

🎙️ Dive into local politics on the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast as host Nick Parker covers contested races and candidates for Lee's Summit City Council, municipal judge, and the Board of Education. Act fast – the filing period ends on December 26th! 🗳️ In a festive twist, join us on Facebook Live for a special Christmas episode at 7 p.m. this Thursday, for a live stream with Santa Claus from his North Pole office. 🎄 Get a chance to ask Santa your questions during the livestream. Don't miss out on winning Nick and Liesl's favorite things — follow us on Instagram and Facebook for details. 🎁 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify to stay connected with Lee's Summit. 🔗 For more updates, visit linktoleessummit.com.

Join hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays in this festive episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast. Discover the excitement as they announce the first winner of the 'Favorite Things' giveaway. Listen in for holiday-themed discussions, updates on community events like Storytime with Santa, and a sneak peek into an upcoming live stream event featuring Santa himself. Get ready for a lively blend of holiday cheer, community engagement, and the joy of giving in this episode!

Join Nick Parker and Liesl Hays in the latest Lee’s Summit Town Hall podcast episode for a roundup of community happenings and political updates. Highlights include the upcoming Storytime with Santa event at Budget Blinds, encouraging donations for the Pro Deo Youth Center, and the successful Grandparent's Day celebration at Summit Christian Academy. The episode previews an imminent City Council meeting focusing on a proposed citizen survey and provides updates on notable candidates filing for April's election. Teasing the podcast's "Favorite Things" series giveaway for dog lovers, participation details from local retailers are revealed. Tune in for a succinct overview of local news, events, and political insights relevant to Lee’s Summit.

In the latest installment of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays spotlighted the vibrant local businesses by compiling some of their favorite locally sourced holiday gifts to share with you!. Remembering the late Gary Fruits, a beloved figure in the Lee's Summit community, the hosts paid homage to his legacy at the onset of the show. Transitioning into a festive spirit, Liesl introduced a segment resembling Oprah's "Favorite Things," prompting both hosts to share their top picks for local businesses and holiday gift ideas. Throughout the episode, they discuss various businesses, recommending a diverse array of gift options, from downtown Lee's Summit apparel to personalized autographed copies of Liesl's book. Nick and Liesl's dedication to promoting Lee's Summit's businesses and encouraging community support shone brightly, serving as a guide for listeners seeking locally sourced holiday gifts. And to make it even better, Check out Link 2 Lee's Summit on Facebook and Instagram over the next two weeks for your chance to win these curated gifts!

Join hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays in the latest episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast as they delve into the festive spirit and ongoing developments in Lee's Summit. This week's episode highlights upcoming holiday events, including the popular '12 ish Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl' benefiting Hope House and various captivating light displays in the area. Additionally, get updates on significant local development projects shaping the town's landscape. Tune in for a sneak peek of the upcoming holiday special, 'Liesl and Nick's Favorite Things,' showcasing local gift ideas while supporting the community's businesses. Stay connected with Lee's Summit news, events, and engaging conversations. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

In this episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, hosts Nick Parker and Liesl Hays are joined by special guest Courtney Laufketter, founder of the annual 12ish Bars of Christmas event set for Dec. 9 in downtown Lee's Summit. While discussing the 10th anniversary of this popular fundraiser, Coutney shares how this event has raised more than $200,000 in its first nine years, supporting thousands of families aided by Hope House — which is a sign of the community's support for an important cause. The episode highlights the various ways to participate, including ticket purchases, donations, and games of chance at participating bars, aiming for a fundraising goal of $40,000 for Hope House's 40th anniversary.