There's Just Something About Kansas City

After losing her husband, Marine helicopter pilot Shawn Campbell, in a tragic night operations training accident, Kelli Campbell-Goodnow faced the unimaginable: raising four young children alone. Joining her parents in Kansas City, Kelli transformed her grief into a mission to serve others.

Today, as Executive Director of the Valor Partners Foundation, she is working to provide scholarship support for the spouses and children of 100...

Explore the life and legacy of Thomas Hart Benton, one of America’s most influential 20th-century artists, in this special episode recorded inside his original Kansas City studio at 3616 Belleview. 

Our guest, Katie Hastert, site administrator and Benton historian at the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site, shares untold stories about Benton’s rebellious youth, turbulent education, and eventual rise as a leading f...

As we gear up for the Kansas City Irish Fest, we’re revisiting our episode with Kerry Browne and John McClain, 4th-generation owners of Browne’s Irish Marketplace — the oldest Irish-owned business in the world outside of Ireland, and Kansas City’s oldest retail business.

Located in Midtown Kansas City, Browne’s is beloved for its Irish hospitality, curated imports from Ireland, and authentic Irish food, drinks, and gifts. It’s more ...

In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we revisit our powerful conversation with Allan Swan, President of Panasonic North America, about the largest economic development project in Kansas history — the new $4 billion lithium-ion battery plant in De Soto, Kansas.

Allan shares how Kansas beat out over 100 other locations across 13 states to become home to Panasonic’s cutting-edge EV battery manufacturing facility...

Graham Zusi is a Kansas City soccer legend and a former U.S. Men’s National Team star who competed in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. But what’s he doing now—and what does he think about the World Cup coming to Kansas City in 2026?

In this episode of There's Just Something About Kansas City, Zeus himself sits down to talk about his journey from youth soccer to NCAA championships at Maryland, his incredible MLS career with Spo...

Before comedy clubs came to Kansas City, David Naster was already making people laugh on street corners. In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with one of KC’s first stand-up comedians—who went from performing in the streets to opening for Celine Dion and headlining cruise ships around the world.

Naster shares behind-the-scenes stories from LA’s legendary Comedy Store, how he convinced Stan Glazier...

Kansas City is the sports architecture capital of the world. But how did we get there?

In today’s episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we're talking with the man who literally wrote the book on the subject, “Designed in Kansas City” — sports architect, author, and historian Tom Waggoner.

Tom takes us all the way from the Roman Colosseum to today's stadium debate, diving into how the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, Royals’ ...

What happens when a wild idea on a river float turns into one of Kansas City’s most ambitious development projects? In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with Mike Zeller — entrepreneur, visionary, and CEO of Flying Truss — to talk about his bold plan to transform the historic Rock Island Bridge into America’s first trailhead and entertainment district on a bridge.

What started as a joke — “Chicken...

Bryan Truta is the Senior Director of Radio Operations at KCUR’s 90.9 The Bridge, a KC native, and a 30-year veteran of the Kansas City music and media scene. If there's a radio station in town, chances are Bryan's worked there.

In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, Frank and Bryan sit down for a wide-ranging, often hilarious conversation between longtime friends. Bryan shares his unforgettable first e...

Justin Gardner serves on the family board of Big Slick KC, a KC celeb-packed weekend of events raising money to support Children's Mercy KC. We're re-dropping this insightful episode in celebration of 2025's Big Slick weekend!

During an internship and short stint at WDAF-TV, Justin Gardner, a University of Missouri Journalism School grad, found out editing the evening news content wasn’t the life for him. I’m sure all th...

In this episode of There's Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with Adam Hamilton, bestselling author and senior pastor of Church of the Resurrection, the largest Methodist congregation in the U.S. But this conversation isn’t just for the religious. Adam shares his personal journey from skepticism to purpose, and how anyone, regardless of belief, can find meaning, healing, and direction through connection and compassi...

In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with Buddy Biancalana, former Kansas City Royals shortstop and unsung 1985 World Series hero. At just five years old, Buddy told his mom he’d make it to the Major Leagues—and he did. Drafted in the first round, he played a pivotal role in the Royals’ unforgettable 1985 World Series run.

But Buddy’s journey to baseball glory wasn’t without hardship. After suffer...

In this powerful episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with legendary civil rights leader and lifelong Kansas City advocate Alvin Brooks. At 93 years old, Brooks shares firsthand stories from nearly a century of public service, community activism, and leadership.

Recognized nationally by President George H. W. Bush as one of the "1,000 Points of Light," and honored locally as Kansas Citian of the...

Trent Green, the former NFL quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, and his wife Julie Green, have become one of the most beloved power couples in Kansas City. After 15 seasons in the NFL, with time in San Diego, Washington D.C., and St. Louis, Trent and Julie chose to raise their family and give back to the community in Kansas City.

In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we dive into their personal story—how t...

In this episode, we welcome back Kyle Talbot — popular Kansas City YouTube influencer, local personality, real estate agent, and the honorary “Mayor of Waldo.” Known for spotlighting KC’s culture, neighborhoods, and growth, Kyle returns to share fresh insights on what's happening across the city in 2025.

We talk about:

• The future of Kansas City’s riverfront development

• Expansion of the Kansas City streetcar

• The best neighborhoo...

The Regnier name is woven into the fabric of Kansas City. In this inspiring episode, Bob Regnier shares the powerful story of his family’s legacy of philanthropy and business—from his parents, Vic and Helen Regnier, to the charitable work he and his wife Ann continue today.

Bob reflects on how his father’s relentless work ethic and commitment to community shaped his own path—from helping build the iconic Ranchmart Shopping Center to...

Madi Lamb is a Kansas City native & the founder of Quarter Life Club, a social club for helping twentysomethings “in the mood to meet people” connect in a meaningful way. 

At 25, Madi hit the dreaded “quarter life crisis”. She was having trouble meeting people, and she quickly discovered she wasn’t the only one. Thanks in part to the distance that stemmed from covid and remote work, many in her generation seemed to be struggling...