Kansas City Bucket List Podcast

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. (see more)

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...

Grab your headphones, Kansas City — this episode is a wild ride from the Northeast side all the way to Hollywood. Mindy sits down with Courtney "Big Court" Richardson II, a Kansas City, Missouri native who went from mailing handwritten demo tapes to record labels in the '90s to landing a record deal with Master P's No Limit Records, becoming the first Kansas City rapper to bring home a gold plaque, and building one of the most respected podcasts in the game, Holdin' Court, with Revolt TV. Big Court opens up about his childhood on the Kansas City streets, hi...

Over 110,000 Americans are waiting for a life-saving transplant right now — and about 2,500 of them live right here in Kansas and Missouri. On this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, I sat down with Kim Harbur, co-founder of Kansas City non-profit Gift of Life, and Kirsten Finn, the organization's Transplant Mentors Program Director, for a conversation that's equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful.

Kim shares the deeply personal story behind Gift of Life: Her son Luke was born with liver failure and received a life-saving transplant at just 11 months old — an experience that led Kim and her husb...

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Overland Park native and KU nursing school grad Brie Morgan Bauer sat down with me for one of the most powerful conversations I've ever recorded. At 27 weeks pregnant, Brie went into septic shock from an undiagnosed case...

She grew up on a farm in Sedgwick, Kansas, went to the University of Kansas , and ended up co-founding one of the most iconic fashion brands in American history. I sat down with Elyce Arons, Co-founder of Kate Spade, CEO of Frances Valentine, and author of We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade, for a conversation that's equal parts inspiring, heartfelt, and seriously fun.

In this episode, we cover:

Get ready to cross off another must-meet icon on your ultimate Kansas City bucket list!

In this episode, I sit down with a true local trailblazer making massive waves in the heart of America: Elaina Page. As the CEO and founder of the Next Page Talent Agency and the Next Page Foundation, Elaina is on a mission to elevate our city's incredible youth by unlocking massive opportunities in the arts and entertainment world. But that's not all—she's also the Community Engagement Director for Xavier Worthy's foundation, The Worthy Ones! Oh, and did we mention she casually sk...

She vanished over the Pacific in 1937 — and nearly 90 years later, the world still can't stop talking about her. In this episode, Mindy sits down with Jacque Pregont, treasurer of the Amelia Earhart Foundation, to uncover the surprising Kansas roots of one of history's most iconic aviators and pull back the curtain on the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, KS — one of the coolest day trips from Kansas City you probably haven't taken yet (but absolutely should).

In this episode:

Is traditional self-care leaving you feeling more exhausted than empowered? In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Ginger Rothhaas, the founder and owner of Compassion Fix in Kansas City, to explore why traditional healing narratives fall short and what it truly means to navigate the messy, beautiful spectrum of being human.

Ginger shares her fascinating pivot from climbing the corporate ladder as a change management consultant to graduating with a Divinity degree from seminary. Through her own existential crisis, she discovered a foreign language that changed everything: Clinical data on the profound power of...

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Liz Doyle, a veteran mortgage consultant with First Bank who has over 10 years of lending experience. Together, we break down the complexities of buying a house, debunk common industry myths, and reveal the financial strategies necessary to ensure your next home purchase is seamless and successful.

Whether you are looking to buy a home in the near future (6 to 12 months out) or a real estate agent wanting to partner with a reliable lender, this conversation provides actionable insights to keep your finances safe and your mortgage on...

In this emotional and inspiring Kansas City podcast episode, Mindy sits down with local Kansas City couple Matt and Chrissy Stewart to share their unbelievable journey of both facing stage 4 cancer while raising three kids and choosing to live life to the fullest. Known locally through Kansas City media and their growing "All The Things" memoir platform, the Stewarts open up about navigating cancer treatments, marriage, faith, family, mental resilience, and finding joy in everyday moments.

Matt Stewart, longtime Kansas City TV news anchor, and Chrissy Stewart candidly discuss rare cancer diagnoses, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, caregiving, and the...

Kansas City is stepping into a new era of health, based on individualized data.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Jabr, co-founder of BodymetRx in Overland Park, to break down how people across the KC metro are transforming their healthity using advanced body composition testing, metabolism analysis, and real data.

Whether you're working out in Kansas C, exploring the local food scene, or trying to finally hone in on your health, this conversation will completely change how you approach weight loss and fitness.

We cover:

What happens when community capital meets intentional culture? In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Calloway, the CEO and Co-Founder of Kansas City G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow), a nonprofit dedicated to reversing the effects of systemic racism in Kansas City's historically redlined neighborhoods.

Brandon shares the "math" behind economic development—from the "Troost Avenue walk" that sparked citywide buzz to a grant program that has distributed over $1.6 million to local Black-owned businesses. We dive into why storytelling is "the stock price" of community impact and how G.I.F.T.'s full-service bu...

In this episode, we sit down with Kansas City's most visionary design duo, Cory Infinite and Svea Herstar. Known for their "one-of-one" handmade creations—ranging from jumpsuits made of recycled keyboards to hoodies featuring hundreds of Scrabble tiles—Cory and Svea are redefining what it means to be an artist in the modern fashion world.

We explore their origin stories, including how Cory chose his "Infinite" brand name to represent limitless potential and Svea's transition from collegiate athlete to experimental designer. They share insights into their creative process, their commitment to sustainability through upcycling, and the surreal expe...

Dani Welniak, VP of Communications for the Kansas City Current, shares the incredible journey of how the Current became a global leader in women's soccer, including the story behind the world's first stadium built specifically for a professional women's sports team.

We dive into:

The vision of the ownership group - Angie and Chris Long and Brittany and Patrick Mahomes - and how they brought professional soccer back to KC

The "First and Historic" milestones the club continues to set on a global scale

What fans can expect at CPKC Stadium...

In this episode, we dive deep into the booming Kansas City real estate market with Trent Gallagher, a top 1% real estate advisor at ReeceNichols. Trent shares exclusive insights into why KC has become a top destination for out-of-state buyers from markets like Chicago, Dallas, and Denver.

We explore Trent's unique transition from flipping houses to becoming a $100M+ luxury advisor, his "lifestyle-first" approach to helping families relocate, and the sophisticated marketing strategies he uses to sell multimillion-dollar homes in half the time. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, looking to enter the luxury market, or curious about the f...

What if the magic of Disney didn't start in California… but in Kansas City?

In this episode, we uncover the little-known Midwest roots of Walt Disney, from his early struggles to the people, places, and moments that shaped one of the most iconic brands in history.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Is your body stuck in a cycle of pain?

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning expert Dr. Justin Grabouski of Grabouski Chiropractic in Overland Park, KS to explore why modern chiropractic care is about much more than just "cracking backs" and explore the profound impact of corrective chiropractic care . Dr. Grabouski shares how a college baseball injury led him to a career where he now helps patients find relief from unexpected issues like perimenopause, fertility, allergies, and migraines .

We dive into:

The Three Major

I sit down with Rose Woolsey, owner of the Kansas City-based agency Where To Go Travel Co, to demystify the world of travel planning. Rose shares her unique journey from working in a microbiology lab to becoming a premier travel advisor specializing in high-detail destinations like Disney World, Hawaii, and Universal Studios. 

In this episode, you'll discover:

The Travel Advisor Advantage: Why booking with an expert can actually save you money and grant you access

What does it take to build one of the most iconic barbecue brands in America, right in the most competitive BBQ city in the world?

In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Magee, CEO and co-founder of Q39, to unpack the story behind one of Kansas City's most beloved restaurants. From launching in a crowded market to scaling multiple locations and now expanding into Lawrence, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a standout brand in hospitality.

But this episode goes far beyond business.

Kelly shares the powerful...

What if the most valuable art in your home isn't from New York or LA—but from right here in Kansas City?

In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, Mindy sits down with Paul Dorrell, founder of Leopold Gallery, to uncover how he helped transform the KC art scene into a thriving cultural movement.

From curating art inside Arrowhead Stadium to working with Marvel Studios and Apple TV, Paul shares the untold story behind building one of the Midwest's most influential galleries—and why investing in local art might be the smartest (and...

The Workout Jennifer Aniston Swears By Is now in Kansas City!

What if the way you've been working out… is actually working against your body?

In this episode, we sit down with Katie & Danny Deenihan, the duo bringing Pvolve and Pause Studio to Kansas City, to break down the workout method that's exploding in popularity, and why it's completely different from traditional fitness.

From functional movement and resistance training to hormone-friendly workouts and injury prevention, this conversation dives into the future of fitness - especially for women.

Plus, yes… we talk abou...

What does it take to turn a small walk-up taco shop into one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in Kansas City?

In this episode, Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Eric Knott, CEO of Tiki Taco, to talk about the explosive growth of the beloved Kansas City taco concept. What started as a late-night taco window in Midtown has expanded into multiple locations across the metro, with ambitious plans for even more growth.

Eric shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Tiki Taco scaled its brand, built a loyal following, and created a restaurant culture that prioritizes...

What happens when a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan accidentally discovers he looks exactly like Andy Reid?

Meet Matt Black, better known across Chiefs Kingdom as "Almost Andy Reid." From a Halloween costume to going viral on TikTok… to filming commercials alongside Patrick Mahomes… to working with Eric Stonestreet… this story is absolutely unreal.

In this episode, we dive into:

🏈 How Matt accidentally became Andy Reid's most famous lookalike
🎭 The moment Chiefs players thought he was actually Coach
🎬 Behind-the-scenes stories from NFL & State Farm commercials
📱 Growing to 500K+ followers on TikTok organically...

🍷 Missouri Wine Like You've NEVER Heard Before | TerraVox Winery | Kansas City Bucket List Podcast

Did you know that Missouri was once the Silicon Valley of global viticulture? In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, host Mindy sits down with Jerry Eisterhold, founder of TerraVox Winery, and winemaker Jean-Louis Horvilleur to uncover the fascinating story behind one of the most innovative vineyards in the Midwest.

Located just 20 minutes north of Kansas City, TerraVox Winery is redefining Missouri wine by reviving rare and historic American grape varietals — including the legendary Norton grape, which won Best...

In this episode, host Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Ami Ayars Harrington and Jason Harrington, co-founders of the Spray See MO Mural Festival, to unpack how a passion project turned Kansas City into a nationally and internationally recognized street art destination.

From the Crossroads Arts District to neighborhoods across KC, Ami and Jason share the story behind Spray See MO—how it began during the 2017 solar eclipse, how artists are selected, and what it takes to transform entire city blocks with large-scale murals in just one week. They dive into the realities of running a mural festival, bui...

In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, we sit down with Emily Bordner, founder and creative director of EBandCo, a Kansas City–based modern accessories brand that has grown from a single booth into multiple retail locations, national wholesale, airport shops, and viral fame. Emily shares her journey as a KC native entrepreneur, from early career stops at Hallmark and Five Points to launching EBandCo and scaling strategically. We dive into the moment her brand went viral thanks to Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Donna Kelce, how that exposure changed her business overnight, and what it re...

🎙️ Kansas City Bucket List Podcast | Billy & Allison Brimblecom – Steps of Faith Foundation In this inspiring episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, host Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Kansas City power couple Billy and Allison Brimblecom, founders of the Steps of Faith Foundation and co-creators of the beloved annual fundraiser Thundergong, headlined by Jason Sudeikis. Billy and Allison share the deeply personal story behind Steps of Faith Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping amputees regain mobility through prosthetic limbs. The conversation dives into their journey through the music industry, Billy's life as a drummer, their long-running yacht rock band Su...

🎬 Inside B&B Theatres: 100 Years of Movies, Innovation & Community | Paul Farnsworth Interview

What does it take to run one of the largest family-owned movie theater circuits in America?

In this episode, Mindy sits down with Paul Farnsworth, Executive Director of Communications & Content at B&B Theatres, to talk about the evolution of the movie theater industry, the power of community experiences, and how this Midwest-based company has stayed relevant for over 100 years.

From immersive formats like Grand Screen, ScreenX, and MX4D, to innovative concepts like ScreenPLAY for kids, sensory-friendly showtimes, and the fre...

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!

 Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, Jenny Vergara, Owner of Foodie LLC

In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, host Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Jenny Vergara, one of Kansas City's most trusted voices in food and dining, for a deep dive into the evolution of the local food scene—and what's ahead for 2026.

Jenny shares her unconventional path into the food world, proving it's never too late to pivot. After years in corporate marketing and advertising, she found her way into the restaurant industry through Z's Italian Kitchen, where she learned the bus...

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast! 🎙️
Host Mindy Hargesheimer, founder of Kansas City Bucket List, officially launches the podcast alongside her very first guest, Brad Burrow, founder of Real Media in Kansas City.

In this kickoff episode, Mindy and Brad dive into the power of storytelling, podcasting, and local entrepreneurship, sharing how the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast came to life and why Kansas City is such a special place for creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. Brad shares his journey from playing in bands and audio production to founding Real Media and p...