Deliece Hofen is the founder of Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, a Kansas City nonprofit working to raise awareness & funds for childhood cancer research to advance cures for children.

Deliece’s son Braden was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma when he was just three and given little chance to live. When Deliece faced her own simultaneous breast cancer diagnosis, she saw firsthand how stark the difference was between her clear path forward and the question marks faced by those fighting childhood cancer due to lack of funding and research. Now 20, Braden is in remission and continues to defy odds. Since its founding in 2010, "Braden's Hope” has raised millions of dollars for research into the fight against the leading cause of death among children.

This is a remarkable story of perseverance, hope, and the power of our Kansas City community.

Kerry Browne and her husband John McClain are 4th generation owners of the historic Browne’s Irish Marketplace, the oldest Irish business in the world outside of Ireland & the oldest retail business in Kansas City.

Located in Midtown, Browne’s is known for its warm hospitality, curated Irish imports and authentic Irish food and drink.

Only ½ of 1% of all businesses last for 100 years. We sit down with Kerry and John to talk about how Browne’s has thrived for nearly a century and a half: through two pandemics, two World Wars, Prohibition (rumor has it Pendergast himself was a Browne’s regular), the Depression, and every downswing of the economy since.

Their secret? Good old Irish resilience, and an incredible community — one that warmly includes everyone who walks in the front door.

We’re also joined by Kerry and John’s oldest son Ian, along with loyal Browne's supporter Pete McCluskey, who serves with Kerry on the board of both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Kansas City Irish Fest and shares their stories. This crew represents everything Irish here in Kansas City as they carry on the incredible legacy of the immigrants who helped build this city we love. Slainté!

Kelly Tastove is the Operations Manager & Donor Relations Manager of the Symphony in the Flint Hills, a 20 year tradition bringing the Kansas City Symphony to various ranches across Kansas’s tallgrass prairie for a celebration of music, art, and the unique ecology of the Flint Hills. The signature event is at the top of every Kansan’s bucket list.

For attendees, the event is idyllic. But behind the scenes, Kelly and her team, their volunteers, and the ranchers offering up their land have navigated the impossible to make the magic happen - bringing the Kansas City Symphony to the middle of the prairie and hosting 7,500 guests with no orchestra shell, no power, no sound system, no parking, no restrooms, no food, & no water, and praying Mother Nature cooperates!

In today’s episode, we cover everything from the birthday party that started it all, to the history of the land and the mission of the nonprofit, the behind the scenes details that have made the event possible & what’s in store after this summer’s final concert. It’s a fascinating look at one of our region’s most unique celebrations & ecological treasures - one more reason “there’s just something about Kansas City”!