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Kansas City Bucket List Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Mindy Hargesheimer
Telling the stories of the local people and businesses that make Kansas City amazing, one conversation at a time!
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- 4 days ago1h 29m
Kansas City Orthodontist Dr. Jay Joshi on Smiles, Braces, Mouth Tape & Airway Health
Why should every 7-year-old get an orthodontic screening, and is mouth tape actually a good idea? Dr. Jay Joshi of Stay Smiling Orthodontics in Overland Park and Lenexa makes orthodontics fun and clears up the myths. Mindy sits down with the orthodontist her own daughter goes to, and they get into all the things you'd never think to ask. Dr. Joshi grew up in St. Louis, went through braces, headgear, and an expander himself, studied psychology, picked UMKC over the Ivy League, and then (with a big push from his wife) chose Kansas City over St. Louis. Now he's on a mission to make the orthodontist's office warm, welcoming, and anything but stuffy. From the airway warning signs parents miss to the truth about veneers, looksmaxxing, and mewing, this episode is packed with info for parents with little ones and for adults thinking about braces again (his oldest patient is 81!). Plus, you'll hear what's on Dr. Joshi's personal Kansas City bucket list, from local beer to a James Beard-nominated Overland Park chef. In this episode: The difference between a dentist and an orthodontist (and why you don't need a referral) Why every kid should be screened around age 7, and why screening doesn't mean treatment Phase 1 vs. Phase 2: why some kids get braces twice Metal, ceramic, gold braces, and clear aligners, plus how TikTok brought metal braces back Thumb sucking, mouth breathing, snoring, grinding, bedwetting, and the link between airway and ADHD Is mouth tape OK for kids? Dr. Joshi's take Palate expanders: when they help and when to see an ENT first GLP-1s like Ozempic, medications, and your gums and saliva Mouthwash, fluoride vs. hydroxyapatite, and whether to floss or brush first Myofunctional therapy explained Adult orthodontics, veneers vs. "natural veneers," and what makes a great smile Social media myths: lower jaw expansion, looksmaxxing, mewing, and MARPEs Dr. Joshi's Kansas City bucket list Whether you're a Kansas City parent, an adult who skipped your retainer for a couple decades, or just love learning from local experts, this one's for you. LINKS & MENTIONS Dr. Jay Joshi / Stay Smiling Orthodontics Stay Smiling Orthodontics on Instagram Kansas City Bucket List on Instagram Kansas City Bucket List Love the show? Follow Kansas City Bucket List on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and share this episode with a KC parent who needs it. It helps more Kansas City voices reach more listeners! CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro and what's ahead 1:58 – Meet Dr. Jay Joshi: St. Louis roots and growing up around medicine 6:31 – His own braces, headgear, and expander story 9:08 – From psychology major to dental school 12:24 – Choosing UMKC over the Ivy League 15:04 – Why orthodontics, and building a warmer office experience 18:18 – Las Vegas residency, an MBA, and choosing KC over St. Louis 20:28 – KC art tangent: Riff Raff painting live at his wedding 22:10 – Dentist vs. orthodontist: what's the difference? 25:24 – The physics of moving teeth 26:59 – Why every kid should be screened at age 7 29:25 – Smiles, confidence, and making kids feel at ease 33:33 – Types of braces: metal, ceramic, gold, and aligners 36:04 – How long braces take 36:39 – Phase 1 vs. Phase 2: why some kids get braces twice 39:53 – Free screenings and consultations 40:37 – Adult orthodontics (his oldest patient is 81!) 42:24 – Veneers vs. "natural veneers" 44:43 – Two offices: Overland Park and Lenexa 49:41 – Thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and airway 52:38 – Warning signs: ADHD, bedwetting, grinding 55:42 – Long-term effects: TMJ and grinding in adults 57:15 – Mouth tape: yes or no? 59:41 – Airway, ENTs, and why not everyone needs an expander 1:04:44 – GLP-1s, Ozempic, medications, and your gums 1:08:56 – Mouthwash, fluoride, and floss-or-brush first 1:11:43 – Myofunctional therapy explained 1:14:23 – Expander history and new 3D tech 1:16:04 – Is a consultation worth it? 1:17:41 – Myth busting: lower expansion, looksmaxxing, mewing, and MARPEs 1:21:34 – What makes a great smile 1:22:27 – Adult habits and teeth grinding 1:23:39 – Rapid fire: teeth-falling-out dreams 1:24:14 – Dr. Joshi's Kansas City bucket list 1:25:18 – His ideal day off 1:2
- 1 weeks ago1h 21m
Kansas City's Wild History: Pendergast, BBQ & the Man Who Made KC
Gangsters, speakeasies, the birth of Kansas City barbecue, and the forgotten genius who put KC on the map. Historian Bill Nicks of HistoryKC takes us on a tour of Kansas City history you didn't learn in school. Bill Nicks is a self-proclaimed historian, first-person reenactor, and Kansas City tour guide with five characters in his closet: Octave Chanute, Wilbur Wright, Dr. James Naismith, President (and General) Eisenhower, and political boss Tom Pendergast. He says that means he never eats alone. Bill leads six-hour bus tours of Kansas City in character, from the wagon swales at Minor Park to Kaw Point, where Lewis and Clark camped, with lunch at the City Market along the way. In this episode we dig into the man Bill says "made Kansas City": Octave Chanute. He designed the Hannibal Bridge, the first railroad bridge over the Missouri River, laid out the original town of Lenexa, designed the stockyards, and mentored the Wright brothers. Then we get into the wide-open days of the Pendergast machine: vote fraud, Johnny Lazia, the Union Station Massacre, and a very convenient street-widening right before Prohibition. Bill also traces KC barbecue from Henry Perry's pushcart in the Garment District to Gates and Arthur Bryant's, and explains how a New Yorker writer and the old Kansas City A's helped make us the Barbecue Capital of the World. Along the way we bust a Union Station myth, tell the story behind Charlie Parker's "Yardbird" nickname, find out how the Country Club Plaza fountains got their start, and hear why Bill's favorite Kansas City spots are Kaw Point and the 8th Street Tunnel. And yes, there are bloopers, including the night a whole room of Riley County firefighters walked out on General Ike. Whether you're a lifelong Kansas Citian, a KU (University of Kansas) fan, a true crime buff, or planning your first trip to KC, this one belongs on your Kansas City bucket list. Key topics: - Octave Chanute, the Hannibal Bridge, and how Kansas City beat Leavenworth and St. Joe - Chanute's role in the Wright brothers' first flight - Bill's five historical characters and how he got started - His Kansas City and Lawrence (Dr. Naismith) bus tours - Tom Pendergast, Johnny Lazia, and KC's "wide open town" era - Prohibition, speakeasies, and the Union Station Massacre - The Kansas City Stockyards - The history of Kansas City barbecue: Henry Perry, Gates, Arthur Bryant's, Q39 - The World Cup, Fan Fest, and the Lenexa Barbecue Contest - Myth-busting the Union Station bullet holes - The Garment District and the Nelly Don kidnapping - 18th and Vine and Charlie Parker - The Country Club Plaza, J.C. Nichols, and the fountains - Walt Disney and Ernest Hemingway in Kansas City - Kaw Point and the 8th Street Tunnel - Why everyone should have a "20-minute Rotary talk" about their hobby Guest: Bill Nicks, HistoryKC Email: historykc@gmail.com Website: www.historykc.com LISTEN ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/18f1RGwssjqJLKK6Qk3SxW?si=qfjwisvkQNSEst3Nd36CHw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kansas-city-bucket-list-podcast/id1867855646 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kansascitybucketlist Love this episode? Follow the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss a new KC adventure. Leave a rating and review, and share this episode with the history buff, barbecue lover, or KU fan in your life. It helps more Kansas City stories reach more listeners. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Welcome Bill Nicks, historian and first-person reenactor 0:40 – Octave Chanute and the Hannibal Bridge 1:46 – Chanute, gliders, and the Wright brothers 4:32 – Chanute, Kansas, and laying out Lenexa 6:19 – How Bill became a first-person historian 7:44 – Bill's five characters: Wright, Naismith, Ike, and Pendergast 10:14 – Inside Bill's six-hour Kansas City history tour 12:39 – The Border War and Quantrill's raid on Lawrence 13:45 – Edutainment: "every town has interesting history" 15:21 – The world's largest sunflower collection 17:09 – From Lenexa Parks & Rec to 50 events a year 20:01 – The Dr. Naismith tour of Lawrence and Allen Fieldhouse 23:23 – Bloopers: firefighters walk out on General Ike 26:01 – Tom Pendergast, Johnny Lazia, and the Union Station Massacre 30:53 – KC's reputation as a "wide open town" 33:25 – Prohibition, speakeasies, and the Jefferson Hotel 36:07 – The Kansas City Stockyards 37:13 – Why isn't anyth
- 3 weeks ago1h 12m
Whitney VinZant: Kansas City's Restaurant & Wine Empire
He turned a college summer job at Applebee's into a 12-concept Kansas City restaurant empire, then planted his own vineyard in Sonoma Valley. Meet Whitney VinZant, Founder and CEO of W. VinZant Restaurant Group, on this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast! Whitney sits down with Mindy to trace the whole wild ride: growing up in Wichita, playing sports through high school and Wake Forest, and stumbling into restaurants almost by accident. He and his business partner Corey Gonzalez got their start franchising Old Chicago restaurants in Oklahoma, where a regression model on sales data led them to a surprising discovery, their best-performing locations were all near military bases. From there, Whitney and his wife opened their first original concept, Louie's Wine Dive, in Des Moines, Iowa, before bringing it home to Kansas City's Waldo neighborhood, then Overland Park, and soon Lee's Summit. From that first neighborhood wine bar, the group has grown into a true Kansas City restaurant family: Louie's Wine Dive, Gram & Dun (including a hidden-gem location and sushi bar inside Argosy Casino), Heritage on the Plaza, Taco Republic and its food truck, BRGR, Waldo Pizza, ViBenet, the historic Latin King (founded in Des Moines back in 1942), and Bemiston Cocktail Club in St. Louis. Whitney also opens up about the recent acquisition of Cafe Trio, which is being reimagined and relaunched this year under a brand-new name — Emerald Bistro — with a grand opening event benefiting Children's Mercy Kansas City. He also teases what's next for the long-vacant former Houlihan's building in Fairway. The conversation digs into how the Kansas City dining scene has changed since Whitney arrived in 2011, why supporting local restaurants keeps dollars circulating in your own community, how the group engineers menus to deliver value through inflation, and the story behind Whitney's biggest personal passion project: a 63-acre vineyard in Sonoma Valley with roots dating back to an 1834 property deed. He walks through starting VinZant Wines, joining the wine club, where to buy the bottles locally, and why he's now a licensed vineyard chemical applicator instead of a certified sommelier. Whether you're planning your next night out in Kansas City, curious about the business behind your favorite local restaurant group, or just love a good wine story, this episode is packed with Kansas City restaurant recommendations, behind-the-scenes stories, and a few can't-miss dishes to add to your list. Key topics covered: Whitney VinZant's path from Wichita to Kansas City restaurant owner Building W. VinZant Restaurant Group from Louie's Wine Dive to 12 concepts The Cafe Trio to Emerald Bistro transformation and Children's Mercy partnership Gram & Dun inside Argosy Casino and the group's other original concepts The future of the former Houlihan's building in Fairway Why eating and drinking local matters for Kansas City's economy How the W. VinZant team handles inflation and menu value The story behind VinZant Wines, the Sonoma Valley vineyard, and the wine club Whitney's favorite dishes, restaurants, and perfect day in Kansas City Kansas City hosting the World Cup W. VinZant Restaurants Instagram Facebook Whitney VinZant on LinkedIn Loved this episode? Follow the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode, and if you're enjoying the show, leave us a rating and review — it helps more Kansas Citians discover the people and places making this city amazing. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Welcome Whitney VinZant to the Show 1:58 – Growing Up in Wichita and Finding the Restaurant Bug 6:24 – Franchising Old Chicago and the Military Base Discovery 8:32 – Launching Louie's Wine Dive in Des Moines 10:16 – Bringing Louie's Wine Dive to Kansas City 13:24 – The Cafe Trio Acquisition 16:04 – Unveiling the New Name: Emerald Bistro 18:24 – Partnering with Children's Mercy for the Grand Opening 20:23 – Why They Officially Formed W. VinZant Restaurant Group 22:52 – New Concepts vs. Taking Over Existing Restaurants 23:12 – Acquiring Gram & Dun During COVID 24:24 – The Hidden Gem Patio Inside Argosy Casino 26:57 – The Story Behind BRGR, Taco Republic and Chicken Mary's 27:53 – Fresco in Des Moines and Merchants in Lawrence 28:36 – What's Coming to the Former Houlihan's in Fairway 30:27 – Why You Should Still Get Out and Support Local Restaurants 32:16 –
- Sep 1, 20261h 9m
Kareem Rush: Kobe, Shaq & Building a University Heritage Group Empire from Kansas City
He played alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaq on the Lakers — now Kansas City native and former NBA first-round pick Kareem Rush is back home building a university-themed bourbon, coffee, and menswear empire. In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, Mindy sits down with Kareem Rush — Kansas City native, Pembroke Hill grad, Mizzou Athletics Hall of Famer, and seven-season NBA veteran who played alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers. Kareem shares what it was really like coming up in the inner city with his basketball-phenom brothers Jaron and Brandon Rush, choosing Mizzou over KU on principle, getting drafted in the first round, and getting traded to the Lakers on draft night. He opens up about the ACL injury that ended his career at 29, his pivot into music as a Billboard Top 40 R&B recording artist, and how he channeled all of it into founding University Heritage Group — the company behind Club 1839, Club 1919, and a growing lineup of university-themed bourbon, coffee, cigar, and custom menswear brands built for college alumni everywhere. Kareem also breaks down his membership clubs, private dinner experiences, an upcoming mobile shipping-container lounge, his new podcast with brother Brandon, and his big vision for bringing back a professional alumni basketball league. Plus: behind-the-scenes Kobe and Shaq stories, his favorite KC spots, and what's still on his own Kansas City bucket list. Key topics covered: growing up in Kansas City, the Rush basketball brothers, Pembroke Hill and Mizzou basketball, getting drafted and traded to the Lakers, playing with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame, life after a career-ending injury, becoming an R&B recording artist, University Heritage Group, Club 1839 and Club 1919 bourbon, NIL support for student athletes, the Alumni Basketball League, custom suits with the Gentleman Brand, cigars, coffee, and Kareem's Kansas City favorites. University Heritage Group: universityheritage.club Kareem Rush: www.linkedin.com/in/kareem-rush If you loved this episode, hit follow or subscribe so you never miss one, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it — it helps these Kansas City voices reach even more listeners. CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Welcome & Intro 1:44 – Growing Up in Kansas City: The Rush Basketball Brothers 6:05 – Choosing Mizzou Over KU 7:20 – Mizzou Career & Getting Drafted to the NBA 10:55 – Traded to the Lakers: Playing With Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O'Neal 15:06 – Getting Inducted Into the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame 16:59 – The Injury That Ended His NBA Career 19:41 – Reinventing Himself as an R&B Recording Artist 21:30 – Founding the Alumni Basketball League 23:09 – Building University Heritage Group & the Bourbon Clubs 26:20 – Membership Tiers, Perks & Supporting NIL Funds 33:48 – Private Dinners, Mobile Lounges & VIP Experiences 36:04 – Merch, Letterman Jackets & the PT's Coffee Partnership 40:03 – Launching the Gentleman Brand Custom Suit Line 42:42 – Cigars With Compadres and Cigador 43:31 – Launching the Spirit of the Game Podcast With Brandon Rush 44:55 – NBA Lessons That Built His Business Mindset 54:34 – The Billion-Dollar Vision for a New Pro Alumni League 56:11 – Mentors, Role Models & Behind-the-Scenes Shaq Stories 1:00:03 – Why Kansas City Will Always Be Home 1:03:02 – The Story Behind His Lakers Timeout Jingle Song 1:03:53 – New Project: Music 1:07:09 – Kareem's Kansas City Bucket List 1:07:47 – Where to Follow Kareem Rush & University Heritage Group Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!
- Aug 25, 20261h 31m
Healing Trauma: EMDR Therapy with Katie Montgomery, Licensed Professional Counselor & Owner of Emerald Counseling Services in Kansas City
Ever wonder what actually happens on the couch during therapy, or why EMDR has become the buzziest word in mental health? On this episode of Kansas City Bucket List, Mindy sits down with Katie Montgomery, a licensed professional counselor and the owner of Emerald Counseling Services right here in Kansas City, for a wide-ranging, refreshingly honest conversation about trauma, healing, and what it really takes to feel better. Katie, a Kansas City native who grew up in Olathe and now practices out of Corporate Woods, pulls back the curtain on her own path into therapy, why she's built a practice around helping men, high achievers, and women navigating life transitions (hello, perimenopause), and why she believes therapy isn't just for "when something is really wrong." The heart of this episode is a deep dive into EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), what it is, how it was discovered, and how Katie actually uses it in session with real Kansas City clients. She breaks down big-picture brain science (the amygdala vs. the frontal lobe), the four trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), the difference between "Big T" and "little t" trauma, and why nobody is immune to a stress response, whether it's from combat, a car accident, or a really bad boss. Katie also gets candid about imposter syndrome, core beliefs around worthiness, the pressure of social media and beauty standards, and the real risks of turning to AI chatbots for "therapy." Plus, she shares client transformation stories, tips for anyone too scared to walk through a therapist's door for the first time, and why the relationship with your therapist matters more than any specific technique. And because this is Kansas City Bucket List, the conversation wraps with a fun, local flavor -> Katie's go-to Kansas City restaurants (Rudy's Tenampa, Bella Napoli, and Carmen's in Brookside all make the list), what she's watching and reading to decompress, and some good old-fashioned Kansas City World Cup excitement. In this episode, you'll learn: What EMDR actually is, who created it, and why it's considered the "gold standard" for trauma processing How the brain stores trauma in the amygdala, and how the frontal lobe (which doesn't fully develop until your mid-20s) factors in The difference between fight, flight, freeze, and fawn stress responses "Big T" trauma vs. "little t" trauma, and why both matter PTSD vs. Complex PTSD, explained in plain English What a real EMDR session looks like, step by step, including the "buzzies" and light bar Why core beliefs like "I have to be perfect" or "I'm not worthy" show up again and again in therapy The dangers of relying on social media influencers or AI for mental health advice Why the therapeutic relationship matters more than the specific modality How Katie built and grows her Kansas City private practice, including the local therapist referral network Katie's favorite Kansas City restaurants, books, shows, and how she unwinds Links & Resources Mentioned: Emerald Counseling Services: emeraldcounselingkc.com Instagram: emeraldcounselingserviceskc Kansas City Bucket List on Instagram: instagram.com/kansascitybucketlist Kansas City Bucket List Website: kansascitybucketlist.com/ Keywords: Kansas City therapist, Kansas City counseling, EMDR therapy Kansas City, trauma therapy, mental health podcast, Emerald Counseling Services, Prairie Village therapist, Corporate Woods counseling, KC mental health, anxiety and trauma, Kansas City bucket list podcast, Kansas City wellness, therapy stigma, high achiever therapy, perimenopause and mental health Enjoyed this episode? Hit subscribe so you never miss a Kansas City story, leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend who could use a little EMDR education (or just a new Brookside sandwich spot). Follow Kansas City Bucket List on Instagram for more local recommendations, and let us know your favorite KC therapy or wellness spot! Chapters Timestamp Chapter 0:00 Welcome & meet Katie Montgomery of Emerald Counseling Services 0:32 Who Katie helps: men, high achievers & women in life transitions 2:07 Breaking the stigma around therapy 3:13 Generational trauma & why life feels harder as we age 5:32 The story behind the name "Emerald Counseling" 6:23 Katie's Kansas City roots & her own therapy journey
- Aug 12, 20262h 16m
Inside the oldest United States Penitentiary - Leavenworth FCI: A KC Prison Historian Tells All with Kenneth M. LaMaster
Right outside Kansas City sits one of the most notorious buildings in American history, and almost nobody knows its real story. In this episode of Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, Mindy sits down with Kenneth LaMaster, a 31-year correctional officer and official historian of FCI Leavenworth, to pull back the curtain on the flagship of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Kenneth spent three decades behind those 40-foot walls and has since become a go-to expert for documentaries, books, and true crime podcasts, and he brings receipts, wild stories, and zero filter. You'll hear the real history behind Leavenworth's construction (yes, inmates built it themselves), the brutal early days of American corrections, and how the prison's rotunda ended up modeled after the U.S. Capitol. Then things get dark fast: Kenneth breaks down the true story of Carl Panzram, one of the most disturbing serial killers in U.S. history; separates fact from Hollywood fiction on Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz"; and traces the surprising Leavenworth connection to boxing legend Jack Johnson, Chuck Berry, and Iceberg Slim. Along the way, Kenneth shares first-person stories from the job - a foiled prison break plot, a knife attack in his first month on the job, mafia confessions about Jimmy Hoffa, and an eerie CPR call he'll never forget. Whether you're a Kansas City local who's driven past those walls a hundred times, a true crime junkie, or just love a good "you can't make this up" story, this episode is one of the wildest deep dives Kansas City Bucket List has ever done. In this episode: The real history of Leavenworth Penitentiary and how it became the "flagship" of federal prisons Life as a correctional officer at one of the most dangerous facilities in the country The true story of serial killer Carl Panzram Fact vs. fiction on Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz" Iceberg Slim, Jack Johnson, and Leavenworth's surprising pop culture ties Notorious inmates: the Aryan Brotherhood, the mafia, cartel leaders, and more Close calls, CPR saves, and life-or-death moments from a 31-year career Links & Resources: Kenneth LaMaster's books: Killer: A Journal of Murder (Carl Panzram documentary/film) The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance (John Borowski documentary) Follow <a href= "https
- Aug 6, 20261h 18m
Wendy Doyle & United WE: Kansas City's Fight for Women
Wendy Doyle, CEO of United WE, sits down on Kansas City Bucket List to unpack why Kansas City — and the country — still has systemic barriers holding women back from the workforce, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership. From the sky-high cost of childcare in Missouri and Kansas to outdated occupational licensing laws that make it harder for women to work, Wendy breaks down the research behind United WE's 35 years of impact in Kansas City and beyond. We also go behind the scenes of United WE's Champions for Change event at CPKC Stadium — the first stadium in the world built for a women's professional sports team — including the inaugural Champion for Change Award presented to KC Current owner Brittany Holmes. In this episode, we cover: What United WE does as a nonpartisan "think and do tank" based in Kansas City Why childcare costs in Missouri and Kansas now rival in-state college tuition The economic case for women's workforce participation (and why it's not just a social issue) Occupational licensing reform happening in Kansas and Missouri The "invisible work" women carry at home — and emerging policy fixes like caregiving tax credits Inside look at the Champions for Change event at CPKC Stadium Why it could take 150 years to reach gender economic equity in the U.S. Advice for women considering entrepreneurship, and how to raise confident daughters How Kansas Citians can get involved with United WE This conversation is a must-watch for anyone interested in Kansas City nonprofits, women in business, local economic development, and the future of Kansas City women's sports and leadership. 🔗 Links & Resources: United WE Follow Kansas City Bucket List: instagram.com/kansascitybucketlist/ Follow United WE on social media: instagram.com/unitedwe__/ 👉 If you loved this episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a Kansas City story, and leave a rating and review — it helps more Kansas Citians find the show. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it! #KansasCity #UnitedWE #WomenInBusiness #KCBucketList Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit <a href= "http:/
- Jul 30, 20261h 34m
James Arkell: Kansas City Mavericks Hockey & Michael's WonderWorld x Halo Care Collective
Kansas City Mavericks COO James Arkell talks playoff hockey, family, and the ultra-accessible "city within a city" he's building in Kansas City for son Michael. James Arkell wears a lot of hats around Kansas City — COO of the Kansas City Mavericks hockey team, founder of Halo Care Collective, and the driving force behind Michael's WonderWorld, a first-of-its-kind ultra-accessible theme park, arena, and hotel complex coming to Johnson County. In this episode, James and Mindy dig into what makes Mavericks games one of the best-kept secrets in Kansas City sports — affordable tickets, free parking, the chase for the Kelly Cup, and why hockey fights are 100% organic. Then the conversation turns personal: James opens up about his son Michael's ultra-rare genetic diagnosis, the family's years-long fight with insurance, and how that experience sparked Halo Care Collective — a first-in-the-nation hub bringing 18+ clinical partners and 60+ community organizations under one roof, opening January 2027. In this episode, we cover: What to expect at a Kansas City Mavericks hockey game (and why it's one of the most affordable nights out in KC) The Mavericks' affiliation with the Seattle Kraken and their push for the Kelly Cup James's road to sobriety and finding home in Kansas City Raising a son with a one-in-a-million rare genetic diagnosis The insurance fight that changed everything for their family Building Michael's WonderWorld — an ultra-accessible amusement park, arena, and hotel Inside the Halo Care Collective, opening January 2027 in Johnson County Links & Resources: Kansas City Mavericks Halo Care Collective Michael's WonderWorld Kansas City Bucket List Loved this episode? Share it with a Kansas City family who could use a little extra inspiration — and follow Kansas City Bucket List for more local stories, hidden gems, and can't-miss KC experiences. Chapters 0:00 – Intro 1:02 – Meet James Arkell: From Wichita to Kansas City 7:00 – How James Met His Wife Sarah & His Sobriety Story 8:22 – The History of the Kansas City Mavericks 13:57 – Gameday Traditions & the Mavericks Fan Experience 19:10 – ECHL vs. AHL vs. NHL & the Seattle Kraken Affiliation 25:13 – Why Mavericks Tickets Stay Affordable for Families 30:44 – Chasing the Kelly Cup & Team Culture 36:14 – Giving Back: Mavericks Community Partnerships 38:04 – Meeting Michael: A One-in-a-Million Diagnosis 44:02 – The Insurance Fight No Family Should Face 48:47 – The Idea Behind Michael's WonderWorld 54:44 – Building a "City Within a City" in Johnson County 1:00:05 – Inside the Halo Care Collective (Opening Jan 2027) 1:07:02 – Reinventing the Philanthropy Model 1:09:20 – Vision for the Future & Final Thoughts Thank you to
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