There's Just Something About Kansas City

Frank Boal, Sarah McEnerney, Kate Feder, Ben Messner
  • 4.9 (36)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

“There’s just something about Kansas City.”™ It may be the most-heard phrase from those who are from here, those who have come here, & those who have chosen to stay. It’s a sense of pride, of camaraderie, of community and comfort. A sense of small-town, back-patio warmth brimming with growth, innovation and potential. A sense of zero degrees of separation in a city of champions. For each of us, that “something” is a story crafted through years of experiences, big and small, that have planted the Heart of America so deeply in our own. Join legendary Kansas City sports broadcaster Frank Boal each week for deep, down-to-earth conversations with some of this town’s most legendary residents, both natives and transplants, and hear what it is about Kansas City that just keeps calling them home.

  1. Ken Morrow: Olympic Golds,, Stanley Cups, & Kansas City

    3D AGO

    Ken Morrow: Olympic Golds,, Stanley Cups, & Kansas City

    As the world tunes in to the Winter Olympics, we revisit one of the most iconic moments in sports history — the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” In February 1980, the United States was emerging from a decade marked by recession, gas shortages, and national uncertainty. Then, in Lake Placid, New York, a group of young American hockey players stunned the world by defeating the dominant Soviet Union team, the feared Red Army, in what many still consider the greatest upset in sports history. Our guest, Ken Morrow, was a defenseman on that gold medal-winning U.S. Men’s National Hockey Team. He shares what it felt like that night, the mindset of legendary coach Herb Brooks, and even reads a powerful letter Brooks wrote to the team months later explaining why he pushed them so relentlessly. After the Olympics, Morrow went on to win four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders, cementing an extraordinary professional career. But this conversation also hits close to home. Ken has lived in Kansas City for more than 20 years and currently serves as President of KCIce, helping grow the sport at the grassroots level. We talk about what brought him to Kansas City, the state of hockey in the Midwest, and what makes this city such a special place to build a life and legacy. This is more than a hockey story:  it’s about leadership, belief, community, and the places we choose to call home. 🎧 A timely and inspiring listen during the Winter Games, and just one more reason Kansas City can call itself a city of champions.

    1h 23m
  2. Diane Euston: Kansas City Historian on Sarah Rector, The Richest Black Child in America

    FEB 10

    Diane Euston: Kansas City Historian on Sarah Rector, The Richest Black Child in America

    Almost erased from mainstream history, Sarah Rector was a young Black girl whose life defied every expectation of her time. In 1907, through the Dawes Allotment Act, Sarah — a descendant of formerly enslaved people — was granted 160 acres of land in Oklahoma. The land was considered undesirable and difficult to farm. But beneath it lay oil. When a well struck crude, Sarah became one of the richest Black children in American history, and that well is still producing today. In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, historian and educator Diane Euston brings Sarah Rector’s remarkable story to life — far beyond what’s portrayed in the film Sarah’s Oil, which focuses only on her early years. Diane shares how national leaders like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois advocated for Sarah’s education at the Tuskegee Institute, why she eventually moved to Kansas City, and how she became one of the most prominent socialites in KC history — Black or white. We explore her marriage at 18, her children, and the Kansas City home that still stands today — where she hosted icons such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, Josh Gibson, and the Kansas City Monarchs. It’s a powerful story of wealth, resilience, race, education, and legacy — and a vital chapter of Kansas City history that deserves to be remembered. 🎧 A must-listen for history lovers, KC locals, and anyone inspired by untold American stories.

    55 min
  3. Gary Lezak: Kansas City Weather to Weather 20/20

    FEB 3

    Gary Lezak: Kansas City Weather to Weather 20/20

    In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, the longtime Kansas City and Oklahoma City TV meteorologist shares behind-the-scenes stories from the unpredictable world of live television weather — unforgettable storms, on-air surprises, and the moments viewers never see. After years in broadcast meteorology, Gary channeled his experience into launching Weather 20/20, an innovative long-range forecasting system designed to help individuals, businesses, and communities better prepare for what’s ahead. But this conversation goes beyond the forecast. Gary also offers an honest and personal reflection on growing up knowing he was gay, what that meant in earlier decades of broadcast television, and why he chooses to speak openly about it today. Smart, candid, and full of insight, this episode blends Kansas City media history, weather science, entrepreneurship, and personal resilience — all in one unforgettable conversation. 🎧 A must-listen for weather watchers, media fans, and anyone who’s ever waited out a Midwest storm.

    1h 7m
  4. Dan Meers: KC Wolf on Life as the Kansas City Chiefs Mascot

    JAN 27

    Dan Meers: KC Wolf on Life as the Kansas City Chiefs Mascot

    Dan Meers might be one of the most recognizable people in the city — but you wouldn’t know him from Adam without his giant head, crazy eyes, and 85 inch waist. For more than 35 years, Dan Meers brought energy, humor, and heart to Kansas City as the legendary KC Wolf, the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs. In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, Dan takes us behind the mask and into one of the most unique careers in professional sports. He shares how he got his start as Truman the Tiger at Mizzou, became Fredbird with the St. Louis Cardinals, and eventually found his calling as KC Wolf, one of the most beloved mascots in the NFL. But this conversation goes far beyond sports. Dan reflects on how he’s used his platform to share a message centered on family, faith, and encouragement, and he opens up about his wife Cam’s courageous battle with cancer. With grace and honesty, Dan speaks directly to those facing similar struggles, and wants them to know they are not alone. It’s a powerful, heartfelt, and unforgettable story about purpose, perseverance, and finding light in even the hardest moments. 🎧 An episode that will inspire Chiefs fans — and anyone in need of hope.

    1 hr
  5. Mike Kennedy & Nycki Pace: Inside Kansas City Radio’s Golden Age

    JAN 20

    Mike Kennedy & Nycki Pace: Inside Kansas City Radio’s Golden Age

    If you’ve spent any time listening to Kansas City radio since the 1980s, you already know the voices, and the names, Mike Kennedy and Nycki Pace. In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with two true KC radio icons who lived, shaped, and survived the Golden Age of radio. Nycki made her mark behind the microphone, becoming one of the most recognizable voices on the Kansas City airwaves, while Mike helped steer stations and formats from the programming side during some of the most competitive and transformative years in local radio history. Together, they share what it was really like inside the studios during the era of format wars, shifting audiences, and rapid changes in how people consumed music and media. We talk about radio then and now — what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what still matters most when it comes to connecting with listeners. Along the way, Nycki and Mike weave in unforgettable stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and reflections on why Kansas City radio has always been something special. 🎧 A must-listen for media lovers, longtime KC radio fans, and anyone curious about how the airwaves helped shape the city.

    1h 4m
  6. Keli O’Neill Wenzel: The Woman Behind Kansas City’s Biggest Events

    JAN 13

    Keli O’Neill Wenzel: The Woman Behind Kansas City’s Biggest Events

    When Kansas City celebrates, chances are Keli O’Neill Wenzel is behind it.  As President and CEO of O’Neill Events, Keli has helped shape some of the biggest moments in Kansas City history, from World Series and Super Bowl parades to the NFL Draft and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. She and her team have also been the “wonder engineers” behind the KC Irish Fest, Boulevardia, the streetcar expansion, the WWI Centennial, and many, many more community celebrations.  In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, Keli pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to execute large-scale, community-centered events that bring hundreds of thousands of people together. She shares the story of her family’s legacy in event production, the leadership lessons learned behind the scenes, and why creating moments of joy and connection matters so deeply to her. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, event planner, or just someone who loves watching big dreams come to life, this episode will inspire you to see your city, and your own work, in a whole new light. It’s the perfect conversation to start the year — about creativity, leadership, and the people who make Kansas City feel like home.🎧 Our first new episode of the year — available now.

    49 min
  7. Peter Mallouk: Creative Planning CEO, KC Royals Owner & Kansas City Philanthropist | Best Of

    JAN 6

    Peter Mallouk: Creative Planning CEO, KC Royals Owner & Kansas City Philanthropist | Best Of

    As we kick off the New Year, we’re revisiting one of our most compelling conversations — a Best Of episode featuring Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning, one of the fastest-growing independent wealth management firms in the United States with more than $370 billion in assets under management. Before becoming a nationally recognized leader in finance, Peter’s story began right here in Kansas City. The son of Egyptian immigrants, he learned the value of hard work early — delivering newspapers, working as a “clubbie” at Kauffman Stadium, and finding opportunity through perseverance. After earning both his business and law degrees from the University of Kansas, Peter set out to reimagine financial services by creating a true one-stop shop that integrated financial planning, investing, and legal guidance. That vision became Creative Planning. Beyond the world of finance, Peter is also a Kansas City Royals owner and, alongside his wife Veronica, leads KC CAN!, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting at-risk youth across the Kansas City metro. In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, Peter shares how his family’s decision to settle in KC shaped his journey — from humble beginnings to entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader. It’s a timely and inspiring listen for the start of a new year. 🎧 A Best Of encore — perfect for reflecting on leadership, legacy, and what’s possible in the year ahead.

    44 min
  8. Danny O’Neill & The Roasterie: How a KC Coffee Icon Built an Air-Roasted Empire | Best Of Episode

    12/30/2025

    Danny O’Neill & The Roasterie: How a KC Coffee Icon Built an Air-Roasted Empire | Best Of Episode

    As we ring in the New Year, we’re revisiting one of our most inspiring conversations — a Best Of episode featuring Danny O’Neill, founder of Kansas City’s iconic The Roasterie Coffee Company. Born one of ten children in Denison, Iowa, Danny always knew he wanted to build something meaningful. That spark turned into a calling during a high school exchange semester in Costa Rica, where he picked coffee beans by hand — an experience that changed the course of his life. After years of saving, Danny invested $17,000 in a coffee roaster, transformed his basement with corrugated tin, blue tarps, and fluorescent lights, and began air-roasting coffee. His first sale? A ten-pound bag for a coffee cart at KU Med. From there, The Roasterie grew into one of the most recognizable coffee brands in Kansas City and beyond. This episode is a powerful story of fear, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and hard work — and a reminder that big dreams often start in humble places. ☕ A New Year’s week encore and a perfect listen for anyone thinking about what’s possible in the year ahead.

    1h 15m
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4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

“There’s just something about Kansas City.”™ It may be the most-heard phrase from those who are from here, those who have come here, & those who have chosen to stay. It’s a sense of pride, of camaraderie, of community and comfort. A sense of small-town, back-patio warmth brimming with growth, innovation and potential. A sense of zero degrees of separation in a city of champions. For each of us, that “something” is a story crafted through years of experiences, big and small, that have planted the Heart of America so deeply in our own. Join legendary Kansas City sports broadcaster Frank Boal each week for deep, down-to-earth conversations with some of this town’s most legendary residents, both natives and transplants, and hear what it is about Kansas City that just keeps calling them home.

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Boal, Sarah McEnerney, Kate Feder, Ben Messner
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Frank Boal, Sarah McEnerney, Kate Feder, Ben Messner
  • Show Website
    There's Just Something About Kansas City

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