Host Nick Parker and Jason Norbury discuss the exciting progress on Lee's Summit's new downtown farmers market and performance space on Green Street, set to open in August after years of planning. The duo also covers the early announcement of two mayoral candidates — business owner and City Council member Cynda Rader and current Mayor Pro Tem Beto Lopez — who are already positioning themselves for next year's election. The episode takes a somber turn as they honor four recently deceased community members who made significant contributions to Lee's Summit: Andy Lock (Third Street Social owner), Jody Fristo (arts advocate), Peggy Doughty (Blue Heron owner), and Brad Rackers (theater director and teacher). The show closes with audio from a previous interview with Rackers about his "F Word" speech on failure and learning.

Ever wondered what happens when passion meets plastic bricks? In Episode 862 of the Lee's Summit Town Hall podcast, host Nick Parker welcomes Phil and Lori Volen, the creative minds behind Phillori Phigures (see what they did there?).

These downtown Lee's Summit entrepreneurs transformed their pandemic hobby into a thriving business crafting custom, Lego-compatible figures that are captivating collectors everywhere.

But this isn't just another business origin story. Nick dives into the truly important questions that divide the brick-building community: Are you Team Builder, meticulously crafting masterpieces that remain pristinely displayed? Or Team Player, dumping out containers and letting imagination run wild? The Volens share their own brick-building philosophies and how these different approaches influence their unique creations.

Whether you're a dedicated collector or someone who steps on plastic bricks in the middle of the night, this episode explores how a simple toy became a creative business venture creating community, one custom mini-figure at a time.

In this election-focused episode, host Nick Parker and guest Jason Norbury provide a breakdown of the four candidates competing for just two available seats on the Lee's Summit Board of Education. They explore the priorities and perspectives of Michelle Dawson, Jennifer Foley (current board president and lone incumbent), Nikki Nickens, and Leon Weatherby.

The discussion delves into critical issues facing the district, including board-superintendent relations, teacher compensation, public communication strategies, and fiscal management. Each candidate's unique approach to these challenges offers listeners valuable insights into how they might shape the board's future direction.

Whether you're a decided voter or still weighing your options, this episode delivers the information you need to make an informed choice at the polls. Plus, Nick and Jason share how you can access candidate questionnaires at Link2LeesSummit.com and connect directly with candidates to have your specific questions answered.

Don't miss this vital conversation about the future of education in Lee's Summit!