Brandon Calloway, CEO & Co-Founder of Kansas City G.I.F.T. on Scaling Black-Owned Businesses and Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

Brandon Calloway, CEO & Co-Founder of Kansas City G.I.F.T. on Scaling Black-Owned Businesses and Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

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 business center provides the legal, accounting, and marketing hygiene necessary to turn a startup into a community engine. Key Takeaways: * The Power of Collective Giving: How a simple question—"What if 15,000 people donated $10?"—built a movement. * Beyond the Check: Why technical assistance (accounting, legal, and coaching) is just as vital as capital. * Representing the Future: Brandon's work with Dark Moon Comics and Blurred Media to normalize Black heroes in media. * Measurable Impact: How G.I.F.T. recipients have seen an average revenue growth of 200%+ and created over 130 new jobs. Podcast Chapters * [00:00] Intro: Meet Brandon Calloway and the Vision for KC G.I.F.T. * [05:30] The "Troost Walk" and Identifying the Resource Gap * [12:15] The Math of Impact: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap * [18:45] Capital x Culture: Representing Black Excellence in Media * [26:10] The G.I.F.T. Business Center: Coaching, Accounting, and Legal Support * [34:50] Success Stories: How Grants Changed Lives in the Urban Core * [42:10] Scalability and the Future of Inclusive Philanthropy * [50:00] Outro: How to Become a Monthly "Gifter" Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit https://www.realmediakc.com/RealMediaKC.com [http://realmediakc.com] to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

Fashion Without Boundaries: Cory Infinite & Svea Herstar on Wearable Art and Sustainable Vision

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 experience of meeting industry icons like Jeremy Scott. Whether you are a fashion enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation offers a deep dive into the power of staying true to your vision and the infinite possibilities of art. Chapter Markers * 00:00 – Intro: Meet Cory Infinite and Svea Herstar * 01:33 – The Story Behind the Names: Branding Herstar and Infinite * 03:28 – From High School to Entrepreneurship: Cory's Journey * 04:09 – Collaborating at Home: The Wooden Scrabble Hoodie * 07:55 – Signature Pieces: The 100-Hour Keyboard Jumpsuit * 10:39 – The Dream: Runway Shows and Infinite Goals * 15:16 – Sustainability & Thrifting: Designing with What's Around You * 19:36 – Defining Avant-Garde in the Midwest * 20:55 – Meeting a Legend: Lunch with Jeremy Scott * 26:52 – Evolution of Art: Architecture vs. Fashion Design * 28:13 – From the Track to the Studio: Svea's Creative Shift Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit https://www.realmediakc.com/RealMediaKC.com [http://realmediakc.com] to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

Building History: How the Kansas City Current is Changing the World of Women's Sports with Dani Welniak, VP of Communications - KC Current

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, from world-class culinary experiences to inclusive spaces like sensory and mother's rooms * A look ahead to the World Cup and why the Netherlands chose Kansas City as their home base Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or a "foodie" looking for your next Kansas City adventure, this episode is a deep dive into the passion and momentum driving the "Teal" movement. Chapters: * (00:00:00) Welcome to the Kansas City Bucket List – Mindy introduces guest Dani Welniak. * (00:02:01) Dani's Journey: From Sports Director to KC Current – Making the transition and becoming a role model for the next generation. * (00:04:12) Empowering Women in Sports – Breaking barriers in male-dominated fields and the importance of female representation. * (00:05:38) A World First: CPKC Stadium – Discussing the global impact of building the first stadium dedicated to women's sports. * (00:06:51) The Origin Story – How the Longs and the Mahomes family brought the team to Kansas City. * (00:10:17) Setting the Global Standard – Why countries like Brazil, Japan, and Australia are looking to KC as a blueprint. * (00:12:42) Meet the Players – Storytelling and the electric personalities of stars like Temwa Chawinga and Lo'eau LaBonta. * (00:14:52) The Matchday Experience – Culinary partnerships, accessibility, and what makes CPKC Stadium a community asset. * (00:26:54) From the Sidelines to the Front Office – Dani's background with the Chiefs and the "napkin" moment that started it all. * (00:45:11) World Cup Fever – Why the Netherlands chose Kansas City and what to expect this summer. * (00:57:06) What's in a Name? – The meaning behind "The Current" and the power of the Missouri River. * (01:06:18) How to Follow the Current – Information on tickets, social media, and joining the Teal movement. Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com [http://realmediakc.com] to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

Kansas City Real Estate Trends: Relocation, Luxury Homes, and Flipping with ReeceNichols Expert, Trent Gallagher

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 future of redevelopment in KC, this conversation is packed with expert advice. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why 30–40% of Johnson County buyers are moving from out of state * The critical difference between a "real estate agent" and a "real estate advisor" * How professional staging and custom marketing plans can reduce time on market by 80% * What defines "luxury" in Kansas City and how to navigate negotiations * Trent's favorite local spots and his "Uncle Trent" philosophy on client relationships Chapters: * 00:00 – Intro: Meet Kansas City's Top 1% Advisor, Trent Gallagher * 02:00 – The Great Migration: Why People are Flocking to Kansas City * 05:15 – From House Flipping to $100M in Sales: Trent's Career Journey * 07:40 – Real Estate Advisor vs. Agent: Building Relationships Over Transactions * 12:20 – The ReeceNichols Advantage: In-House PR & Local Marketing Teams * 13:20 – The Power of Staging: Selling Homes 80% Faster * 17:00 – Navigating the Home Buying Consultation * 24:50 – Defining Luxury in KC: Mindset vs. Price Point * 28:10 – Urban vs. Suburban: Finding Your Perfect KC Lifestyle * 37:25 – High-End Redevelopment & The Future of Flipping * 43:55 – Podcast Bloopers: The "Grandma's Ashes" Story * 48:10 – Rapid Fire: Best Places to Eat in KC Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com [http://realmediakc.com] to learn more about their full service audio and video services!

Dan Viets, President of Thank You Walt Disney, Inc.: The Kansas City Roots of Walt Disney You've Never Heard |

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: * 🎥 How Walt Disney got his first big break with the Alice Comedies * ❄️ The brutal Kansas City winters that built his work ethic * 🎨 The role of early collaborators like Ub Iwerks in Disney's success * 🎢 Hidden "Easter eggs" in Disneyland inspired by Missouri roots * 🏗️ The effort to preserve Disney history in Kansas City today About the guest: Dan Viets is one of the foremost experts on Walt Disney's history, especially his deep connections to Missouri and Kansas City. Through decades of research and preservation work, he's helping bring Disney's origin story back to life. Disney isn't just a brand - it's a story of grit, creativity, and unlikely beginnings. And that story starts closer to home than most people realize. Call to Action: 👉 Follow the podcast for more untold Kansas City stories 👉 Share this with a Disney fan—you'll blow their mind 👉 Leave a review to help more people discover these stories CHAPTERS (Retention + SEO Boost) 00:00 – The Hidden Disney Story Nobody Talks About 01:45 – Meet Dan Viets (KC's Disney Historian) 05:00 – Walt Disney's Early Life in Kansas City 10:30 – The Alice Comedies & First Big Break 15:20 – The Harsh Reality of Walt's Childhood 20:00 – Ub Iwerks & The Creative Genius Behind Disney 25:30 – How Kansas City Influenced Disneyland 32:00 – Missouri Easter Eggs Inside Disney Parks 40:00 – The Creation of Disneyland Explained 48:00 – Preserving Disney History in Kansas City 55:00 – The Future of the Disney Museum Project 01:00:00 – Final Thoughts & Why This Story Matters Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit https://www.realmediakc.com/RealMediaKC.com [http://realmediakc.com] to learn more about their full service audio and video services!