The 39/94

Jodie O'Brien

Welcome to The 39/94. Every great story starts with a place, and this is our place. Named after the coordinates of our region (39°N, 94°W), Jodie O'Brien hosts a weekly dive-in with the people, stories, and conversations shaping life across Northwest Missouri. Big topics, small towns, and the people who make this place worth talking about. Your neighbor's story. Your town's news. Your community's voice. We pull up a chair, ask the tough questions, share the good laughs, and bring you the stories you didn't know you needed - the stuff that makes you proud, makes you think, makes you laugh, and reminds you why Northwest Missouri feels like home. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.

  1. Navigating Grief and Growth with Northwest Missouri's Wakefield Hare

    3d ago

    Navigating Grief and Growth with Northwest Missouri's Wakefield Hare

    Wakefield Hare is known throughout Northwest Missouri as a financial advisor, community leader, teacher, mentor, and pastor, but this conversation goes far beyond business and finance. In this episode of The 39/94 Podcast, Wake reflects on losing his father in a plane crash at just 14 years old and how that experience shaped his faith, perspective, and understanding of what truly matters. We discuss raising children in a small town, the value of community in an increasingly disconnected world, and why grief, responsibility, and hardship often become some of life's greatest teachers. Wake also shares insights from his work with Greater Than Financial, the Savannah Parks Board, Fillmore Christian Church, and the Andrew County Foundation, offering a thoughtful perspective on leadership, stewardship, and investing not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually in the people and places around us. Along the way, we explore artificial intelligence, church attendance, purpose, legacy, and one of Wake's most powerful reminders: nobody sees your flaws the way you do. The things we obsess over are often invisible to everyone else. What people remember is the impact we make. This is a conversation about faith, community, resilience, and the quiet ways ordinary people help shape the places they call home. Topics include: • Losing a parent at a young age • Grief, faith, and resilience • Raising children in a small town • Leadership and community involvement • The future of AI and human connection • Financial stewardship and purpose • The Savannah Parks Board and Andrew County Foundation • Why perfectionism keeps people from pursuing their calling • Building a meaningful life through service and relationships Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The3994Podcast Learn more about supporting The 39/94 Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/The3994 Links referenced in this episode: greaterthanfinancial.comsavannahparksboard.comfillmorechristianchurch.com Our sponsors: North Central Missouri College ncmissouri.eduScooter's Coffee Savannah & St. Joseph scooterscoffee.comWollenman Family's Deluxe Truck Stop woolmanfamilytruckstop.comGina's Cafe & Catering ginascafecatering.comE.L. Crawford Construction elcrawfordconstruction.com

    50 min
  2. From a Bet to a Movement: Justin Alvarez and the Measly Mile Mafia

    May 26

    From a Bet to a Movement: Justin Alvarez and the Measly Mile Mafia

    What if one measly mile a day could change your life? For Justin Alvarez, it started as a simple bet between friends in 2022. Today, nearly 900 people in Northwest Missouri are running at least one mile every single day — and St. Joseph has quietly become the run streak capital of the world, with more active run streaks than New York City. Justin is one of the founders of the Measly Mile Mafia, an online running community headquartered at River Bluff Brewing in St. Joseph, MO. In this conversation, he shares how he went from 280 pounds and unable to finish a mile to over 1, 513 days into a run streak — and why the transformation he's most proud of has nothing to do with the number on the scale. In this episode we talk about: The bet that started it all and how four guys turned into nearly 900 membersWhy 40 days passed before Justin finished his first mile — and what kept him goingThe three reasons people join the Mafia and actually stick with itHow the community has changed lives — including some who have broken a cycle of addictionThe two members who didn't miss a single day, even after giving birthSide quests, milestone shirts, and what 377 names on a wall really meansWhy St. Joe may officially be the run streak capital of the worldWhat Justin envisions for the Measly Mile Mafia in the next five years Whether you've never run a day in your life or you're deep into your own streak, this episode will make you want to lace up and show up. Want to join the Measly Mile Mafia? 🔵 Facebook: Search Measly Mile Mafia (private group) 🟠 Strava: Search Measly Mile Mafia Rules: Run at least one mile, finish under 20 minutes, post your proof daily. The 39/94 Podcast is proudly supported by 🎙️ 🛞 Wollenman's Family Deluxe Truck Stop 💼 Greater Than Financial 🍗 Gina’s Café ☕ Scooter's Coffee 🐶 Pankake's Pups & Suds The 39/94 Podcast is Northwest Missouri's community podcast - sharing the stories of the people, businesses, and experiences shaping our area. 🎙️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode and become a Patreon to support this adventure here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/The3994 Our current individual supporters: Kelly & Kathy Crawford, St. Joseph MO Harold & Carole Johnson, Savannah MO Karen Rudolph, Auburn CA Follow, comment and share on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok! Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at The3994podcast@gmail.com

    41 min
  3. Kelly Evans of "Mama Mystery" on True Crime, Motherhood, and Refusing to Stay Silent

    May 14

    Kelly Evans of "Mama Mystery" on True Crime, Motherhood, and Refusing to Stay Silent

    What St. Joseph's Kelly Evans has built in the last five years is incredible. Mama Mystery is an internationally ranked, Cosmo Top 40 true crime podcast, and @TrueCrimeKel on TikTok has racked up more than 35 million views in the last year alone. A recognized voice in the true crime space who regularly appears at major events like CrimeCon, Kelly is the author of Wicked Women, host of the new show The Motherload, and founder of the Uncool Collective - and we get into all of it. But in this episode, we get the Kelly behind the microphone. Kelly opens up about growing up with a mother who struggled with addiction during her most formative years, and how becoming a mother herself, especially to a daughter now approaching those same ages, has brought many of those emotions rushing back. She shares the story of discovering through a 23andMe test in 2021 that she has a different biological father, navigating a complicated but beautiful family mosaic, and why she refuses to let any of it make her bitter. We talk about her journey from hairstylist to true crime storyteller, how a supportive husband and strong village made it all possible, and why consistency, even when you feel stagnant, is the answer. Kelly also shares what she’s most fired up about right now: the Uncool Collective and her mission to encourage parents to be more intentional about kids and social media access. If your child has ever told you, “everyone else has a phone,” this conversation is for you. Plus: CrimeCon, the documentary, the Brian Entin connection, and what it actually looks like to be a one-woman show raising four kids, advocating for mental health, and building businesses alongside her husband, Austin. Bottom line: she’s not just making TikToks. Northwest Missouri’s story starts here. Links & Resources: Mama Mystery The Uncool Collective Kris and Kate’s Ice Cream Treats Lean Kitchen Co. St. Joseph The Motherload Podcast The 39/94 Podcast is Northwest Missouri's community podcast - sharing the stories of the people, businesses, and experiences shaping our area. 🎙️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode and become a Patreon to support this adventure. Give a gift on KoFi , support us on Venmo of simply follow, comment and share on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok 🎙️ Sponsors of This Episode: 🛞 Wollenman's Family Deluxe Truck Stop 💼 Greater Than Financial 🍗 Gina’s Café ☕ Scooter's Coffee 🐶 Pankake's Pups & Suds Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at The3994podcast@gmail.com

    47 min
  4. Unleashing Collective Impact: The 10 Squared Initiative

    May 7

    Unleashing Collective Impact: The 10 Squared Initiative

    How Jennifer Jarvis is Changing Her Community One $100 Check at a Time On this episode of the 39/94 Podcast, Jodie sits down with Jennifer Jarvis — project delivery engineer at Missouri American Water, mom of a two and four year old, and founder of 10 Squared Women of Andrew County. Jennifer shares how a few nudges from a friend turned into a giving circle that's already put thousands of dollars back into the local community with zero overhead. From preschool scholarships to school lunch debt relief, this is a conversation about what happens when a community decides to truly show up for one another. In this episode: What 10 Squared is and how the model worksHow Jennifer got started with just 20 members and grew from thereWhich local causes have already benefited from the groupHow nominations work and who can applyWhy zero overhead makes this giving model so powerfulHow to get involved or nominate a local nonprofit Links & Resources: Facebook - 10 Squared of Andrew County The 39/94 Podcast is Northwest Missouri's community podcast - sharing the stories of the people, businesses, and experiences shaping our area. 🎙️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode and become a Patreon to support this adventure. Give a gift on KoFi , support us on Venmo of simply follow, comment and share on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok 🎙️ Sponsors of This Podcast: 💼 Greater Than Financial 🍗 Gina’s Café 📊 EL Crawford Construction 🎓 North Central Missouri College ☕ Scooter's Coffee 🐶 Pankake's Pups & Suds Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at The3994podcast@gmail.com

    15 min
  5. The World-Class Golf Coach Living in Northwest Missouri

    Apr 29

    The World-Class Golf Coach Living in Northwest Missouri

    What do Coco Chanel, Michael Jordan, and a golf course in Savannah, Missouri have in common? Gerald McCullagh. This week on the 39/94 Podcast, Jodie sits down with British PGA member and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teaching Professional Gerald McCullagh — a man who grew up 50 yards from a golf course in Northern Ireland, coached royalty in Vienna, developed LPGA and PGA Tour players, and now calls Savannah home. Gerald shares the story of his grandfather, who helped build the Titanic with a small plumbing company in Belfast. He takes us inside the Austrian castle where he lived and worked for seven years teaching golf to European barons, princes, and aristocrats. And he talks about what he's most proud of — not the famous names, but the junior golfers he shaped from age nine into collegiate champions. We also talk about what separates the players who make it from those who don't (hint: it's not raw talent), the explosion of golf among women and families, and how his wife Dee is doing exactly that work right here in Savannah at Duncan Hills Golf Course. If you've ever thought about picking up a club — including Jodie, who definitely just talked herself into it — this episode is for you. In this episode: Gerald's grandfather and the Titanic connectionGrowing up beside a golf course in BelfastLiving in a castle in Vienna and teaching the aristocracyCoaching Betsy King, Tim Herron, and a walk with Michael JordanTwo University of Minnesota golfers who helped win the NCAA ChampionshipWhat discipline and passion really look like in elite golfWhy Dee McCullagh's junior programs at Duncan Hills matterGerald's advice for adult beginners (small swings, build up) Links & Resources: Duncan Hills Golf Course — call the pro shop and ask about Dee's programs The 39/94 Podcast is Northwest Missouri's community podcast - sharing the stories of the people, businesses, and experiences shaping our area. 🎙️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode and become a Patreon to support this adventure. Give a gift on KoFi , support us on Venmo of simply follow, comment and share on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok 🎙️ Sponsors of This Podcast: 💼 Greater Than Financial 🍗 Gina’s Café 📊 EL Crawford Construction 🎓 North Central Missouri College ☕ Scooter's Coffee 🐶 Pankake's Pups & Suds 💇‍♀️💇‍♂️✂️ Hair By Morgan Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at The3994podcast@gmail.com

    28 min
  6. Foster Care in Andrew & Buchanan Counties: The Shortage, The Mission, and Why She Keeps Saying Yes

    Apr 23

    Foster Care in Andrew & Buchanan Counties: The Shortage, The Mission, and Why She Keeps Saying Yes

    She works full time, serves on the fire department, and right now she's driving to Kansas City to sit with a sick baby who isn't even hers on paper — but is absolutely hers in every way that matters. This week, Jodie sits down with Atheah Erickson, a foster mom and foster parent ambassador from Andrew County. In a year and a half, Athia and her husband have welcomed somewhere between 12 and 16 kids into their home — ranging from three days old to 16 years old. She talks reunification, attachment, the local foster home shortage, respite care, and how Northwest Missouri families can help even if becoming a foster parent isn't the right fit. As of April 1st, there are 12,357 kids in foster care in Missouri. 146 of them are right here in Andrew and Buchanan County. The need is local. The need is now. Resources mentioned this episode are in the links below. Amazon Gift List for the Erickson Family Interested in becoming a foster parent? Interested in helping local families through respite care? Missouri Department of Social Services The 39/94 Podcast is Northwest Missouri's community podcast - sharing the stories of the people, businesses, and experiences shaping our area. 🎙️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode and become a Patreon to support this adventure. Give a gift on KoFi , support us on Venmo of simply follow, comment and share on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok 🎙️ Sponsors of This Podcast: 💼 Greater Than Financial 🍗 Gina’s Café 📊 EL Crawford Construction 🎓 North Central Missouri College ☕ Scooter's Coffee 🐶 Pankake's Pups & Suds Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at The3994podcast@gmail.com

    29 min
  7. She Fought for a Seat at the Table - Now She's Written the Book | Karen Rudolph

    Apr 16

    She Fought for a Seat at the Table - Now She's Written the Book | Karen Rudolph

    Karen Rudolph grew up in Savannah, Missouri, earned one of the first women's athletic scholarships in University of Missouri history, and spent decades in sports media, education, and coaching. Now she's written the book women's college sports history has been waiting for. In this episode, Karen takes us back to the turbulent decade after Title IX - the battle over who would actually control women's college athletics, the women's organization that resisted its own athletes, and the long road from $292 tuition scholarships to packed arenas. Her story starts right here in Northwest Missouri, and it's one you won't want to miss. We talk about: How Karen and her twin sister Sharon petitioned the Savannah school board to start a girls basketball team - as high school juniorsThe North Missouri fast-pitch softball team that traveled the Midwest on a sponsor's grocery store incomeWhat a "scholarship" actually looked like in 1975 - and the job she got to earn itThe women's athletic organization that fought against women's athletic scholarshipsHer first-ever newspaper byline — and who she was interviewingThe Andrew County Aquatics Initiative and why Karen is cheering it onHow to find Sidelined No Longer and connect with Karen on social media Find the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, or Walmart — search Sidelined No Longer or Karen Rudolph. Follow Karen on social: @sidelined_no_longer The 39/94 Podcast — The Heartbeat of Northwest Missouri Thank you to our sponsors: Crawford Construction, Pankakes Pups & Suds, Gina's Cafe and Catering, Greater Than Financial, North Central Missouri College Savannah Campus, and Scooter's Coffee. Support the show by becoming a Patreon

    35 min
  8. Find the Fun: A Conversation with Elisabeth Wykert

    Apr 9

    Find the Fun: A Conversation with Elisabeth Wykert

    She grew up in Union Star, moved to the "big city" of Savannah, chased a corporate job, ended up in California, performed on America's Got Talent, went viral in a leotard — and somehow landed back in Northwest Missouri with 1.3 million followers and a neighbor who is not impressed. Elisabeth Wykert is an actress, writer, director, and stand-up comedian who has built a creative career on her own terms. In this conversation, Host, Jodie O'Brien and Elisabeth talk about what it really takes to put yourself out there, how she uses data and psychology to navigate social media, and why she posted that letter from her neighbor instead of throwing it away. We also get into her time in LA, what Hollywood actually looks like from the inside, raising kids in St. Joe after Disneyland was their McDonald's play place, and the teacher from Savannah who helped shape everything. If you've ever talked yourself out of something because you were scared? This one's for you. In this episode: Growing up in Union Star and Savannah — and why "400 people" "broke-up" an LA casting classHer winding path from psych major to accounting to public speaking to CaliforniaAmerica's Got Talent and what reality TV doesn't show youThe Water Under the Bridge video and 10 million views1.3 million followers, one day a week of filming, and her husband's day offThe neighbor letter - and what she did nextWomen supporting women (or not)How to find the fun in Northwest Missouri Thank you to our sponsors: Greater Than Financial, The Space Between, Gina's Cafe, El Crawford Construction, NCMC Savannah Campus, Scooter's Coffee, Pancakes Pups & Suds Follow Elizabeth and find her content across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

    39 min
See All (34)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The 39/94. Every great story starts with a place, and this is our place. Named after the coordinates of our region (39°N, 94°W), Jodie O'Brien hosts a weekly dive-in with the people, stories, and conversations shaping life across Northwest Missouri. Big topics, small towns, and the people who make this place worth talking about. Your neighbor's story. Your town's news. Your community's voice. We pull up a chair, ask the tough questions, share the good laughs, and bring you the stories you didn't know you needed - the stuff that makes you proud, makes you think, makes you laugh, and reminds you why Northwest Missouri feels like home. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.

Information

  • Creator
    Jodie O'Brien
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jodie O'Brien
  • Show Website
    The 39/94

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