Lee's Summit Town Hall

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:

• The downtown veterans banner program that sells out every year
• Welcome packets for new Whiteman Air Force Base airmen filled with Lee's Summit goodies
• Annual Veterans Day luncheon honoring local veterans
• Wreaths Across America and support for the Veterans Day Parade
• Partnership with local JROTC programs and Civil Air Patrol

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:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
• ReDiscover Mental Health: RediscoverMH.org | 816-966-0900
• Mobile crisis response available 24/7 in Lee's Summit area

Host Nick Parker welcomes Megan Mercer and Pearl Rovaris MacDonald from the all-female improv comedy troupe, Pretty.Funny., for a hilarious conversation about their 17+ year journey in Kansas City comedy.

Pearl shares how a double-dog dare in the late 80s launched her comedy career, while Megan discusses joining the troupe fresh out of college in 1999. Together, they reveal the secrets behind their popular "real women" comedy shows that celebrate everyday life through clean, observational humor.

Highlights include stories of performing while pregnant, creating song parodies so convincing that kids think they're the originals, and their signature mime routines. The duo explains how they transformed from Comedy Sports players into Pretty.Funny., finding new venues across Kansas City and building a loyal following who travel across the country to see their shows.

Learn about their creative process, comedy heroes like Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin, and get details about their upcoming Vacation Show on August 23rd at Unity Village's Goppert Center. This episode showcases the vibrant local arts scene and proves that improv comedy is alive and well in the Kansas City area.

In this episode of Lee's Summit Town Hall, hosts Nick Parker and Vanessa Hickman sit down with Meals on Wheels of Lee's Summit representatives Jenni Edwards (Operations Director), Terry Kincheloe (Board Member), and Susan Newsome (Board Member) to explore the 50-year journey of this vital community organization. From its humble beginnings in 1974 serving 15 clients to today's operation delivering meals to 140+ residents across Lee's Summit, Lake Lotawana, and Greenwood, the conversation reveals how this locally-funded nonprofit has become much more than a meal delivery service. Listeners will discover the life-saving wellness checks, the unique 50-year partnership with Lee's Summit Medical Center that allows for customized dietary accommodations, and the incredible volunteer network that keeps the organization running. The discussion also covers how the organization has adapted during challenging weather, supports families caring for aging parents, and continues to seek community awareness and involvement as Lee's Summit grows toward 110,000 residents.

In this episode, Nick Parker and Collin Brich discuss the upcoming Lee Summit Jazz Fest, highlighting the festival's details, food offerings, musical lineup, and community impact. They emphasize the importance of local businesses, volunteer opportunities, and the overall excitement surrounding the event.

In this heartfelt episode of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes special guest Nikeese Hannibal for an honest and reflective conversation centered around Father's Day. This episode delves into the unique experiences of growing up without a dad. Nick and Nikeese share personal stories, exploring the emotional complexities of loss, absence, and the different forms of mentorship that have shaped their lives.

Listeners will hear about Nick's journey after losing his father to cancer at a young age and Nikeese's experience growing up without knowing his father due to legal circumstances. The episode touches on how relationships with uncles, grandfathers, and mentors can influence ones growth, and the nuanced feelings surrounding Fathers Day. The duo candidly discuss the challenges of defining fatherhood, the impact of stereotypes, and how these experiences shape their identities.

Tune in for an episode filled with genuine stories, introspective dialogue, and valuable insights on appreciating the figures who step in to guide us, even when they aren't our biological fathers.

Summer is officially getting ready to start. Downtown Lee's Summit's Julie Cook and Jenny Gale drop by the vault to sing us a song about next week's Downtown Days festival - my, and yours, kickoff to summer. In addition to some improv singing, we're filling you in on all the details of this popular annual festival drawing more than 80,000 people into our historic shopping and entertainment district.