There's Just Something About Kansas City

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.

This Christmas week, we’re revisiting one of our all-time favorite conversations — a Best Of episode celebrating the legendary Denny Matthews, the longtime radio voice of the Kansas City Royals.Denny Matthews has been behind the mic since the Royals’ very first game in 1969, making him one of the longest-tenured broadcasters in Major League Baseball history. From mailing his résumé and demo tape to the Royals on a Schlitz beer tray to earning his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Denny’s career is inseparable from Kansas City sports history.In this episode, Denny reflects on growing up listening to broadcasting icons like Jack Buck and Harry Caray, his early days calling Royals baseball, and the moments that defined five decades in the booth. He also shares stories from his own athletic days — including playing in spring training games under Whitey Herzog and catching passes from Len Dawson.Warm, nostalgic, and full of unforgettable KC memories, this Best Of rerun is the perfect listen for longtime Royals fans and anyone who loves the golden age of baseball broadcasting.🎄 A holiday week encore celebrating one of Kansas City’s true treasures.

Marilyn Maye is an American treasure and one of the greatest American Songbook and showtune singers of all time. A true cabaret legend, she made history with a record 76 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and has spent decades captivating audiences around the world.In this episode, Marilyn reflects on her extraordinary career, her deep connection to Kansas City’s jazz legacy, and what it means to represent her hometown wherever she performs. Named Kansas Citian of the Year in 2012, Marilyn continues to perform, teach, and inspire new generations of artists.At 97 years young, she’s still “kicking it,” still commanding the stage, and still proving why she’s often called the Taylor Swift of cabaret singers. This unforgettable conversation celebrates talent, longevity, and the magic of the American Songbook through the voice of one of its greatest champions.

Mary Don Beachy has devoted her life to inspiring others, first as a beloved Kansas City schoolteacher, and now as an author whose stories, humor, and heart continue to make an impact. She’s published five books, including two Kansas City–themed cookbooks: Step Up to the Plate, KC and Step Up for Seconds, KC.In this episode, Mary Don reflects on her years in education, the lessons that shaped her, and the unexpected path that led her from the classroom to the world of writing. She shares how teaching informs her storytelling, why she’s committed to creating work that uplifts others, and how she continues to live with purpose long after the school bell stopped ringing.Mary Don also speaks about her commitment to giving back: net proceeds from both of her Kansas City cookbooks are donated to The Community Baby Shower Program at Children’s Mercy, supporting mothers and babies across the region.It’s a warm, witty, and heartfelt conversation with an author who has spent a lifetime helping others learn, laugh, and grow.

In this special episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, the tables are turned as Executive Director—and Frank’s wife—Sarah McEnerney-Boal steps into the host chair to interview the man behind the mic.Frank opens up about his remarkable journey before Kansas City ever entered the picture: the unlikely and hilarious story of his recruitment to Villanova, the tough decision that broke his mother’s heart when he turned down Notre Dame, and the high draft lottery number that kept him out of the Vietnam War—and the complicated emotions that followed.From there, Sarah guides Frank through the twists that shaped his career: the moment he walked away from coaching and into broadcasting, his stint as a DJ on the West Coast, his unexpected chapter in Green Bay, and the move that ultimately brought him home to Kansas City sports.Listeners will also get a more personal side of Frank—his love of hiking 14ers, the golf community that grounds him, reflections on raising his kids, and the true origin story of the podcast he and Sarah built together. He even shares who his dream guests would be (and why).Warm, candid, and full of stories he’s never shared on mic before, this episode is a rare chance to hear Frank Boal in a new light—and to understand how this podcast continues to keep him curious, energized, and young at heart.