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  • Kareem Rush: Kobe, Shaq & Building a University Heritage Group Empire from Kansas City

    Kareem Rush: Kobe, Shaq & Building a University Heritage Group Empire from Kansas City
    2026/09/01

    He played alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaq on the Lakers — now Kansas City native and former NBA first-round pick Kareem Rush is back home building a university-themed bourbon, coffee, and menswear empire.

    In this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, Mindy sits down with Kareem Rush — Kansas City native, Pembroke Hill grad, Mizzou Athletics Hall of Famer, and seven-season NBA veteran who played alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers. Kareem shares what it was really like coming up in the inner city with his basketball-phenom brothers Jaron and Brandon Rush, choosing Mizzou over KU on principle, getting drafted in the first round, and getting traded to the Lakers on draft night. He opens up about the ACL injury that ended his career at 29, his pivot into music as a Billboard Top 40 R&B recording artist, and how he channeled all of it into founding University Heritage Group — the company behind Club 1839, Club 1919, and a growing lineup of university-themed bourbon, coffee, cigar, and custom menswear brands built for college alumni everywhere. Kareem also breaks down his membership clubs, private dinner experiences, an upcoming mobile shipping-container lounge, his new podcast with brother Brandon, and his big vision for bringing back a professional alumni basketball league. Plus: behind-the-scenes Kobe and Shaq stories, his favorite KC spots, and what's still on his own Kansas City bucket list.

    Key topics covered: growing up in Kansas City, the Rush basketball brothers, Pembroke Hill and Mizzou basketball, getting drafted and traded to the Lakers, playing with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame, life after a career-ending injury, becoming an R&B recording artist, University Heritage Group, Club 1839 and Club 1919 bourbon, NIL support for student athletes, the Alumni Basketball League, custom suits with the Gentleman Brand, cigars, coffee, and Kareem's Kansas City favorites.

    University Heritage Group: universityheritage.club
    Kareem Rush: www.linkedin.com/in/kareem-rush

    If you loved this episode, hit follow or subscribe so you never miss one, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it — it helps these Kansas City voices reach even more listeners.

    CHAPTERS:

    0:00 – Welcome & Intro
    1:44 – Growing Up in Kansas City: The Rush Basketball Brothers
    6:05 – Choosing Mizzou Over KU
    7:20 – Mizzou Career & Getting Drafted to the NBA
    10:55 – Traded to the Lakers: Playing With Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O'Neal
    15:06 – Getting Inducted Into the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame
    16:59 – The Injury That Ended His NBA Career
    19:41 – Reinventing Himself as an R&B Recording Artist
    21:30 – Founding the Alumni Basketball League
    23:09 – Building University Heritage Group & the Bourbon Clubs
    26:20 – Membership Tiers, Perks & Supporting NIL Funds
    33:48 – Private Dinners, Mobile Lounges & VIP Experiences
    36:04 – Merch, Letterman Jackets & the PT's Coffee Partnership
    40:03 – Launching the Gentleman Brand Custom Suit Line
    42:42 – Cigars With Compadres and Cigador
    43:31 – Launching the Spirit of the Game Podcast With Brandon Rush
    44:55 – NBA Lessons That Built His Business Mindset
    54:34 – The Billion-Dollar Vision for a New Pro Alumni League
    56:11 – Mentors, Role Models & Behind-the-Scenes Shaq Stories
    1:00:03 – Why Kansas City Will Always Be Home
    1:03:02 – The Story Behind His Lakers Timeout Jingle Song
    1:03:53 – New Project: Music
    1:07:09 – Kareem's Kansas City Bucket List
    1:07:47 – Where to Follow Kareem Rush & University Heritage Group

    Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!
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    1 時間 9 分
  • Healing Trauma: EMDR Therapy with Katie Montgomery, Licensed Professional Counselor & Owner of Emerald Counseling Services in Kansas City

    Healing Trauma: EMDR Therapy with Katie Montgomery, Licensed Professional Counselor & Owner of Emerald Counseling Services in Kansas City
    2026/08/25
    Ever wonder what actually happens on the couch during therapy, or why EMDR has become the buzziest word in mental health? On this episode of Kansas City Bucket List, Mindy sits down with Katie Montgomery, a licensed professional counselor and the owner of Emerald Counseling Services right here in Kansas City, for a wide-ranging, refreshingly honest conversation about trauma, healing, and what it really takes to feel better. Katie, a Kansas City native who grew up in Olathe and now practices out of Corporate Woods, pulls back the curtain on her own path into therapy, why she's built a practice around helping men, high achievers, and women navigating life transitions (hello, perimenopause), and why she believes therapy isn't just for "when something is really wrong." The heart of this episode is a deep dive into EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), what it is, how it was discovered, and how Katie actually uses it in session with real Kansas City clients. She breaks down big-picture brain science (the amygdala vs. the frontal lobe), the four trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), the difference between "Big T" and "little t" trauma, and why nobody is immune to a stress response, whether it's from combat, a car accident, or a really bad boss. Katie also gets candid about imposter syndrome, core beliefs around worthiness, the pressure of social media and beauty standards, and the real risks of turning to AI chatbots for "therapy." Plus, she shares client transformation stories, tips for anyone too scared to walk through a therapist's door for the first time, and why the relationship with your therapist matters more than any specific technique. And because this is Kansas City Bucket List, the conversation wraps with a fun, local flavor -> Katie's go-to Kansas City restaurants (Rudy's Tenampa, Bella Napoli, and Carmen's in Brookside all make the list), what she's watching and reading to decompress, and some good old-fashioned Kansas City World Cup excitement. In this episode, you'll learn: What EMDR actually is, who created it, and why it's considered the "gold standard" for trauma processingHow the brain stores trauma in the amygdala, and how the frontal lobe (which doesn't fully develop until your mid-20s) factors inThe difference between fight, flight, freeze, and fawn stress responses"Big T" trauma vs. "little t" trauma, and why both matterPTSD vs. Complex PTSD, explained in plain EnglishWhat a real EMDR session looks like, step by step, including the "buzzies" and light barWhy core beliefs like "I have to be perfect" or "I'm not worthy" show up again and again in therapyThe dangers of relying on social media influencers or AI for mental health adviceWhy the therapeutic relationship matters more than the specific modalityHow Katie built and grows her Kansas City private practice, including the local therapist referral networkKatie's favorite Kansas City restaurants, books, shows, and how she unwinds Links & Resources Mentioned: Emerald Counseling Services: emeraldcounselingkc.comInstagram: emeraldcounselingserviceskcKansas City Bucket List on Instagram: instagram.com/kansascitybucketlistKansas City Bucket List Website: kansascitybucketlist.com/ Keywords: Kansas City therapist, Kansas City counseling, EMDR therapy Kansas City, trauma therapy, mental health podcast, Emerald Counseling Services, Prairie Village therapist, Corporate Woods counseling, KC mental health, anxiety and trauma, Kansas City bucket list podcast, Kansas City wellness, therapy stigma, high achiever therapy, perimenopause and mental health Enjoyed this episode? Hit subscribe so you never miss a Kansas City story, leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend who could use a little EMDR education (or just a new Brookside sandwich spot). Follow Kansas City Bucket List on Instagram for more local recommendations, and let us know your favorite KC therapy or wellness spot! Chapters TimestampChapter0:00Welcome & meet Katie Montgomery of Emerald Counseling Services0:32Who Katie helps: men, high achievers & women in life transitions2:07Breaking the stigma around therapy3:13Generational trauma & why life feels harder as we age5:32The story behind the name "Emerald Counseling"6:23Katie's Kansas City roots & her own therapy journey8:09Career pivot: nonprofit life to becoming a therapist10:21Grad school at UMKC & falling in love with counseling12:35A day in the life of a Kansas City therapist15:33What is EMDR? The origin story (Francine Shapiro, 1987)17:59How EMDR works: buzzers, light bars & bilateral stimulation21:00Brain 101: the frontal lobe vs. the amygdala25:41Fight, flight, freeze & fawn explained27:27"Big T" vs. "little t" trauma35:24PTSD vs. Complex PTSD37:24Core beliefs, self-worth & imposter syndrome39:10Social media, beauty standards & patriarchy41:15Inside an EMDR session: what to expect49:58The EMDR process, step by step54:54Veterans, fireworks & the "...
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    1 時間 32 分
  • Inside the oldest United States Penitentiary - Leavenworth FCI: A KC Prison Historian Tells All with Kenneth M. LaMaster

    Inside the oldest United States Penitentiary - Leavenworth FCI: A KC Prison Historian Tells All with Kenneth M. LaMaster
    2026/08/12
    Right outside Kansas City sits one of the most notorious buildings in American history, and almost nobody knows its real story. In this episode of Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, Mindy sits down with Kenneth LaMaster, a 31-year correctional officer and official historian of FCI Leavenworth, to pull back the curtain on the flagship of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Kenneth spent three decades behind those 40-foot walls and has since become a go-to expert for documentaries, books, and true crime podcasts, and he brings receipts, wild stories, and zero filter. You'll hear the real history behind Leavenworth's construction (yes, inmates built it themselves), the brutal early days of American corrections, and how the prison's rotunda ended up modeled after the U.S. Capitol. Then things get dark fast: Kenneth breaks down the true story of Carl Panzram, one of the most disturbing serial killers in U.S. history; separates fact from Hollywood fiction on Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz"; and traces the surprising Leavenworth connection to boxing legend Jack Johnson, Chuck Berry, and Iceberg Slim. Along the way, Kenneth shares first-person stories from the job - a foiled prison break plot, a knife attack in his first month on the job, mafia confessions about Jimmy Hoffa, and an eerie CPR call he'll never forget. Whether you're a Kansas City local who's driven past those walls a hundred times, a true crime junkie, or just love a good "you can't make this up" story, this episode is one of the wildest deep dives Kansas City Bucket List has ever done. In this episode: The real history of Leavenworth Penitentiary and how it became the "flagship" of federal prisonsLife as a correctional officer at one of the most dangerous facilities in the countryThe true story of serial killer Carl PanzramFact vs. fiction on Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz"Iceberg Slim, Jack Johnson, and Leavenworth's surprising pop culture tiesNotorious inmates: the Aryan Brotherhood, the mafia, cartel leaders, and moreClose calls, CPR saves, and life-or-death moments from a 31-year career Links & Resources: Kenneth LaMaster's books: Killer: A Journal of Murder (Carl Panzram documentary/film)The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance (John Borowski documentary) Follow Kansas City Bucket List Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Kansas City Bucket List on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode, and leave us a rating and review — it helps more Kansas City locals (and curious minds everywhere) find the show. Got a story, guest, or Kansas City legend you think we should cover? Send us a message — we'd love to hear it. Chapters 0:00 – Intro: Meet Kenneth LaMaster, Leavenworth's official historian0:27 – Why FCI Leavenworth changed names in 20052:50 – Brutal early prison punishments and torture4:59 – The Three Prisons Act: why Leavenworth was chosen7:49 – Leavenworth's new facility and the closing of the old penitentiary10:18 – Kenneth's path from the Army to a 31-year corrections career17:50 – How he became the institution's official historian20:09 – Warden Thomas Bruce White and the Osage Murders (Killers of the Flower Moon)21:45 – The birth of fingerprinting at Leavenworth27:14 – Carl Panzram: the meanest man who ever lived35:53 – Iceberg Slim: from Leavenworth inmate to literary icon40:26 – Jack Johnson, Chuck Berry, and the Man Act42:51 – Robert Stroud: the truth behind the "Birdman of Alcatraz"56:04 – Leavenworth in movies, TV shows, and songs58:17 – The Aryan Brotherhood, cartel leaders, and a foiled prison break plot1:01:47 – Mafia stories: Russell Buffalino and the Jimmy Hoffa confession1:03:16 – Prison hierarchy and the story of white supremacist group The Order1:09:08 – Inside a cell house: overcrowding and daily danger1:13:06 – How 31 years in corrections changed him1:17:09 – Witnessing homicides on the job1:22:07 – The knife attack in his first month1:27:23 – A CPR save with an eerie coincidence1:34:47 – Cell fires and being a true first responder1:37:04 – Who's incarcerated at Leavenworth today1:39:17 – The most notorious inmates of his career Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!
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    2 時間 17 分
  • Wendy Doyle & United WE: Kansas City's Fight for Women

    Wendy Doyle & United WE: Kansas City's Fight for Women
    2026/08/06

    Wendy Doyle, CEO of United WE, sits down on Kansas City Bucket List to unpack why Kansas City — and the country — still has systemic barriers holding women back from the workforce, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership. From the sky-high cost of childcare in Missouri and Kansas to outdated occupational licensing laws that make it harder for women to work, Wendy breaks down the research behind United WE's 35 years of impact in Kansas City and beyond.

    We also go behind the scenes of United WE's Champions for Change event at CPKC Stadium — the first stadium in the world built for a women's professional sports team — including the inaugural Champion for Change Award presented to KC Current owner Brittany Holmes.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • What United WE does as a nonpartisan "think and do tank" based in Kansas City
    • Why childcare costs in Missouri and Kansas now rival in-state college tuition
    • The economic case for women's workforce participation (and why it's not just a social issue)
    • Occupational licensing reform happening in Kansas and Missouri
    • The "invisible work" women carry at home — and emerging policy fixes like caregiving tax credits
    • Inside look at the Champions for Change event at CPKC Stadium
    • Why it could take 150 years to reach gender economic equity in the U.S.
    • Advice for women considering entrepreneurship, and how to raise confident daughters
    • How Kansas Citians can get involved with United WE

    This conversation is a must-watch for anyone interested in Kansas City nonprofits, women in business, local economic development, and the future of Kansas City women's sports and leadership.

    🔗 Links & Resources:

    • United WE
    • Follow Kansas City Bucket List: instagram.com/kansascitybucketlist/
    • Follow United WE on social media: instagram.com/unitedwe__/

    👉 If you loved this episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a Kansas City story, and leave a rating and review — it helps more Kansas Citians find the show. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

    #KansasCity #UnitedWE #WomenInBusiness #KCBucketList

    Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!
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    1 時間 19 分
  • James Arkell: Kansas City Mavericks Hockey & Michael's WonderWorld x Halo Care Collective

    James Arkell: Kansas City Mavericks Hockey & Michael's WonderWorld x Halo Care Collective
    2026/07/30
    Kansas City Mavericks COO James Arkell talks playoff hockey, family, and the ultra-accessible "city within a city" he's building in Kansas City for son Michael. James Arkell wears a lot of hats around Kansas City — COO of the Kansas City Mavericks hockey team, founder of Halo Care Collective, and the driving force behind Michael's WonderWorld, a first-of-its-kind ultra-accessible theme park, arena, and hotel complex coming to Johnson County. In this episode, James and Mindy dig into what makes Mavericks games one of the best-kept secrets in Kansas City sports — affordable tickets, free parking, the chase for the Kelly Cup, and why hockey fights are 100% organic. Then the conversation turns personal: James opens up about his son Michael's ultra-rare genetic diagnosis, the family's years-long fight with insurance, and how that experience sparked Halo Care Collective — a first-in-the-nation hub bringing 18+ clinical partners and 60+ community organizations under one roof, opening January 2027. In this episode, we cover: What to expect at a Kansas City Mavericks hockey game (and why it's one of the most affordable nights out in KC)The Mavericks' affiliation with the Seattle Kraken and their push for the Kelly Cup James's road to sobriety and finding home in Kansas City Raising a son with a one-in-a-million rare genetic diagnosisThe insurance fight that changed everything for their family Building Michael's WonderWorld — an ultra-accessible amusement park, arena, and hotel Inside the Halo Care Collective, opening January 2027 in Johnson County Links & Resources: Kansas City Mavericks Halo Care Collective Michael's WonderWorld Kansas City Bucket List Loved this episode? Share it with a Kansas City family who could use a little extra inspiration — and follow Kansas City Bucket List for more local stories, hidden gems, and can't-miss KC experiences. Chapters 0:00 – Intro 1:02 – Meet James Arkell: From Wichita to Kansas City 7:00 – How James Met His Wife Sarah & His Sobriety Story 8:22 – The History of the Kansas City Mavericks 13:57 – Gameday Traditions & the Mavericks Fan Experience 19:10 – ECHL vs. AHL vs. NHL & the Seattle Kraken Affiliation 25:13 – Why Mavericks Tickets Stay Affordable for Families 30:44 – Chasing the Kelly Cup & Team Culture 36:14 – Giving Back: Mavericks Community Partnerships 38:04 – Meeting Michael: A One-in-a-Million Diagnosis 44:02 – The Insurance Fight No Family Should Face 48:47 – The Idea Behind Michael's WonderWorld 54:44 – Building a "City Within a City" in Johnson County 1:00:05 – Inside the Halo Care Collective (Opening Jan 2027) 1:07:02 – Reinventing the Philanthropy Model 1:09:20 – Vision for the Future & Final Thoughts Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!
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    1 時間 35 分
  • Kansas City's Courtney "Big Court" Richardson II: Master P, Ice-T & The OG Network

    Kansas City's Courtney "Big Court" Richardson II: Master P, Ice-T & The OG Network
    2026/07/22
    Grab your headphones, Kansas City — this episode is a wild ride from the Northeast side all the way to Hollywood. Mindy sits down with Courtney "Big Court" Richardson II, a Kansas City, Missouri native who went from mailing handwritten demo tapes to record labels in the '90s to landing a record deal with Master P's No Limit Records, becoming the first Kansas City rapper to bring home a gold plaque, and building one of the most respected podcasts in the game, Holdin' Court, with Revolt TV. Big Court opens up about his childhood on the Kansas City streets, his journey to LA, his 30-year friendship with Master P, and how a phone call to Ice-T turned into The OG Network — a fast-growing streaming platform built to champion independent creators the way big platforms never did. In this episode, you'll hear about: Growing up in Kansas City's Northeast neighborhood and catching his big break with No Limit Records in 1995What it was really like coming up alongside Kansas City hip hop names like Tech N9ne, Vel Bacardi, and Rich DeFactorThe origin story of Holding Court Podcast and how a pandemic phone call with a friend turned into a media careerLaunching The OG Network with Ice-T — now streaming in 186 countries with a brand-new production studio right here in Missouri, in St. LouisReal talk on relationships, reputation, purpose over paychasing, and what it means to live your bucket list before you turn 50What Kansas City looks like today through the eyes of someone who left, and why he still calls it home Whether you're into Kansas City hip hop history, entrepreneurship, streaming media, or just love a great local-boy-does-big story, this conversation has something for you. Links & Where to Watch/Listen: Holding Court Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/HoldinCourtPodcastThe OG Network (Roku, Google Play, Fire TV, Apple TV, App Store): https://www.theognetwork.net/Follow Courtney "Big Court" Richardson II: https://www.instagram.com/iambigcourt/ + https://www.instagram.com/ognetworklive/ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Kansas City Bucket List so you never miss a story, leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a fellow KC native who needs to hear it. Got a bucket list moment or a Kansas City story worth telling? Reach out — we'd love to feature you. Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services! Chapters 0:00 – Intro0:30 – Growing up in Kansas City & catching the hip hop bug0:52 – Getting signed: the Master P and No Limit Records story9:02 – Kansas City's early rap scene, Tech N9ne, and the hometown hustle13:07 – The real origin story of Holding Court Podcast17:55 – The power of relationships, integrity, and building a brand from nothing33:44 – What's next for Holdin' Court — taking it live34:45 – Launching The OG Network with Ice-T41:16 – Why Ice-T (and not Master P) became his business partner45:36 – How The OG Network picks content, and the Tubi problem it was built to solve50:48 – Authentic storytelling and cultural accountability53:37 – Expanding to Missouri: the new OG Network Studios in St. Louis56:46 – New projects, verticals, and Ice-T's upcoming album drop1:01:59 – Behind-the-scenes stories with Master P and Ice-T1:05:04 – Working with his daughter Rachel Renee1:06:30 – Dream podcast guests: Mike Tyson, Magic Johnson, Obama, and more1:08:03 – Favorite memories of growing up in Kansas City1:12:34 – His mom's influence and becoming a father himself1:17:57 – Kansas City today: growth, gentrification, and what still needs work1:22:41 – KC go-to spots and favorite restaurants1:23:36 – Living his bucket list and advice on never being "too old to pivot"1:26:55 – Closing thoughts & where to find The OG Network
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    1 時間 27 分
  • Gift of Life: Saving Lives, One Organ at a Time in Kansas City

    Gift of Life: Saving Lives, One Organ at a Time in Kansas City
    2026/07/08
    Over 110,000 Americans are waiting for a life-saving transplant right now — and about 2,500 of them live right here in Kansas and Missouri. On this episode of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast, I sat down with Kim Harbur, co-founder of Kansas City non-profit Gift of Life, and Kirsten Finn, the organization's Transplant Mentors Program Director, for a conversation that's equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. Kim shares the deeply personal story behind Gift of Life: Her son Luke was born with liver failure and received a life-saving transplant at just 11 months old — an experience that led Kim and her husband to found the organization nearly 30 years ago. What started as two people and a homemade budget has grown into a nationwide nonprofit that has educated over half a million high school students, matched more than 1,200 families with transplant mentors across 28+ states, and helped make Kansas City one of the highest organ-donor-rate cities in the country. Kirsten opens up about her own family's journey — her son Connor's cord blood transplant — and explains how Gift of Life's Transplant Mentors program pairs patients and caregivers with trained mentors who've walked the same path, offering support no medical professional can replicate. In this episode, we cover: The real stats behind the national transplant waiting list and why Kansas City leads the nation in donor ratesHow to register as an organ donor and why the conversation with your family matters more than the checkbox on your licenseThe difference between living donors, deceased donors, and DCD donorsWhat you can actually donate (organs, tissue, bone marrow, cord blood — and yes, even part of a lung, while you're alive)Common myths about organ donation, religion, and funeral arrangementsHow Gift of Life's Lifesavers program reaches 100+ Kansas City-area high schoolsThe Transplant Mentors program and its recent launch of a Living Donor ProgramUpcoming Gift of Life events in Kansas City: Go See Do, Golf for Life, the Lifesavers Rally, and Trivia NightAdvice for families navigating a child's medical crisis — and how not to forget the siblings along the way This is a call-to-action episode. Whether you're ready to register as an organ donor, want to volunteer, or are simply looking to start the conversation with your own family, Gift of Life makes it easy to get involved right here in Kansas City — and wherever you're listening from. Links & Resources: Gift of Life website: https://giftdonor.org/Register as a donor: https://giftdonor.org/participate/become-an-organ-donor/Learn Lifesavers online program: https://giftdonor.org/programs/life-savers/Gift of Life upcoming events https://giftdonor.org/category/events-and-news/Follow Gift of Life on social media: https://www.instagram.com/giftoflifeks/https://www.facebook.com/GiftofLifeKChttps://www.linkedin.com/company/giftdonor/ If this episode moved you, share it with someone who might be waiting for a transplant, considering becoming a donor, or looking for a meaningful way to give back in Kansas City. And don't forget to subscribe to Kansas City Bucket List so you never miss a story worth telling. Thank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services! Chapters 0:00 – Intro & episode preview 1:27 – Meet Kim Harbur & Kirsten Finn of Gift of Life 2:07 – The staggering stats behind the transplant waiting list 3:53 – Kim's story: son Luke's liver failure diagnosis 5:27 – Building a nonprofit from scratch: 28 years of Gift of Life 7:01 – Education, mentoring & advocacy: the three pillars 7:04 – Inside the Lifesavers high school program 8:16 – The Transplant Mentors Program with Kirsten Finn 9:46 – Why Kansas City leads the nation in organ donor rates 12:14 – Going national: how COVID changed everything 13:02 – Busting common organ donation myths 16:26 – What can you actually donate? Organs vs. tissue explained 19:19 – The hardest moments: losing teens who chose to be donors 20:23 – Aaron's story: a direct donation connection 22:31 – Kirsten's son Connor and his cord blood transplant journey 24:14 – The "10 Truths" of organ donation 26:39 – Living donors, deceased donors & DCD donors explained 28:38 – Connecting donor families and recipients 29:39 – What you can donate while you're still living 32:16 – Lessons from nearly three decades running a nonprofit 35:39 – How to get involved: register, volunteer, donate 36:45 – Golf for Life, the Lifesavers Rally & Trivia Night 38:06 – Go See Do: Gift of Life's signature KC fundraiser 39:52 – The future of Transplant Mentors & living donation 43:14 – Why kidney transplants are the most common 44:21 – Advice for families: don't forget the siblings 52:45 – Fighting for organ donation education in Missouri schools 54:22 – Why they love calling Kansas City home 57:20 – Final call to action...
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    58 分
  • Kansas City Mom Survives Sepsis, Loses 4 Limbs & Finds Hope: Brie Morgan Bauer, Founder - Brie's Hope

    Kansas City Mom Survives Sepsis, Loses 4 Limbs & Finds Hope: Brie Morgan Bauer, Founder - Brie's Hope
    2026/07/01
    Overland Park native and KU nursing school grad Brie Morgan Bauer sat down with me for one of the most powerful conversations I've ever recorded. At 27 weeks pregnant, Brie went into septic shock from an undiagnosed case of strep throat — and in a matter of days, she lost all four limbs, underwent emergency surgery, spent 10 days in a coma, and later received a kidney transplant from her brother. What she didn't lose? Her sense of humor, her belief, or her drive to help others. In this episode, we talk about: Brie's path from K-State to KU nursing school to life in Kansas CityThe terrifying 24 hours that led to septic shock while 27 weeks pregnantWhat sepsis actually is — and why pregnancy makes you more vulnerableMaking life-or-death decisions about amputation with her husband and momHallucinations, near-death moments, and finding "a second version of life"Rehab and recovery at Ability KC, learning to walk and use prosthetics againThe kidney transplant journey with her brother GeorgeBuilding a 400k+ Instagram following (@beauandbrie) and launching Brie's Hope to raise sepsis awareness and support families across Kansas City and beyond This is a Kansas City story about resilience, motherhood, nursing, faith, and community — and why listening to your body (and advocating for yourself at the doctor's office) can save your life. Links & Resources: Brie's Hope: https://www.brieshope.org/Follow Brie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauandbrieKansas City Bucket List Podcast: https://www.kansascitybucketlist.com/podcast Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Kansas City Bucket List on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs it. Got a KC story we should feature? DM us — we'd love to hear it. Chapters 0:00 – Intro & welcome to the podcast 0:56 – Meet Brie Morgan Bauer 1:53 – From K-State to KU nursing school 2:44 – Career as a research nurse, published in JAMA 3:40 – Moving back to Kansas City 4:05 – Losing her father & a sign from above 5:41 – 27 weeks pregnant and feeling off 6:30 – The moment everything changed at the OB 7:18 – Emergency C-section & Bo's birth 7:43 – Septic shock diagnosis 9:14 – What is sepsis? The strep throat connection 10:43 – Why pregnancy makes sepsis more dangerous 11:16 – Emergency surgery & a 10% survival chance 12:34 – How sepsis spreads through the body (DIC explained) 15:57 – Losing her limbs, hour by hour 16:47 – Getting to KU Med & the road to waking up 17:39 – A "purgatory" experience while unconscious 19:15 – Waking up, hallucinations & the asteroid delusion 22:03 – Advice for talking to someone in a coma 23:28 – Near-death moment #2: hemorrhaging after surgery 24:03 – Deciding on amputation with her husband & mom 26:19 – Dark humor & "I'll say I climbed Mount Everest" 27:38 – Why she started Brie's Hope Foundation 29:20 – The power of self-advocacy in the hospital 30:34 – A dangerous fungus scare 33:53 – Ketamine for pain management, explained 35:50 – Keeping her hand bones as a keepsake 38:57 – Finding a "second version of life" 41:16 – Would you give up your limbs for your baby? 44:48 – What her husband would've done if she hadn't survived 46:49 – How strangers and kids react to her story 50:22 – Building a 400k+ Instagram following 52:36 – Starting Brie's Hope Foundation & the grant process 1:02:51 – Messages from followers around the world 1:08:00 – Rehab at Ability KC — VR, PT & relearning basics 1:11:04 – Learning to use prosthetics (and watching Bo learn to walk at the same time) 1:16:55 – The kidney transplant journey begins 1:20:02 – Advocating for organ & kidney donation 1:22:02 – Her brother George's kidney match reveal 1:24:50 – Two years on dialysis & waiting for a matchThank you to our podcast host, sponsor and media partner, Real Media! Visit RealMediaKC.com to learn more about their full service audio and video services!
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    2 時間 25 分