The Rev. Hubert Neth spent more than three decades listening to, comforting and befriending the people of Lee's Summit. In this bonus episode from the archives, recorded at Grace United Methodist Church, he explains why he believed every visit was about helping each other, why salvation is a beginning rather than a transaction and why the best sermons are the ones you actually hear. It's a chance to spend one more conversation with a man who gave this community a great deal.

Lee's Summit Creates is trying to send a student artist from every Lee's Summit high school into a creative career, and the Arty Party on Oct. 29 is how it pays for that. John Schuler and Jane Bollin share what's planned for the night, including live painting and a cocktail class served over a casket, and how a few hundred dollars keeps local arts groups going.

Superintendent Dr. David Buck and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Chad Hertzog join host Nick Parker to explain how they're navigating a budget squeeze driven by state underfunding and Jackson County's property reassessments, not decisions made in Lee's Summit. They walk through the zero-based budgeting process behind their recommendation to the school board ahead of its Sept. 29 tax levy decision.

Ten years in, Wings 4 Water is a Lee's Summit institution. Come vote with money at 40-50 local tents cooking wings, and 100% of donations go to clean water efforts globally. Chris Turney and Lori Dame share details about the September 10 event at Paragon Star, plus a preview of a brand-new mac and cheese competition coming to town.

This week, Becca Stabno from Summit Theatre Group stops by to talk about a cabaret event that does something most theaters don't allow: invites the audience to sing along. We dive into the jukebox musical concept, the upcoming production, and the group's larger vision for a dedicated theater space in Lee's Summit that could serve the entire community.

Matt Fast spent 16 years managing a Hy-Vee before launching one of Lee's Summit's most unexpected businesses: a dog waste removal service. Hear why he made the leap from corporate retail, how he built an industry in Kansas City, and why the trade-off in income was worth the gain in time with family.

Host Nick Parker welcomes back columnist John Beaudoin to discuss Beaudoin's recent Q&A with District 4 Councilman Donnie Funk. The two dig into District 4's residential character, the ongoing debate over apartment development, and what's still missing from Lee's Summit's retail and office landscape.

They also unpack the city's rocky budget-communication moment — including City Manager Mark Dunning's widely quoted "losing sleep" comment — and the unresolved tension over council committee assignments, after Councilwoman Cynda Rader declined an assignment amid disagreement with Mayor Pro Tem Hillary Shields. The conversation wraps with a look at public comment rules at City Hall and the one follow-up question Beaudoin wishes he'd asked Funk about the future of Downtown Days funding.

Downtown Days is back, and this year the festival looks different in the best way possible. Events manager Julie Cook and assistant director Jenny Gale from Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street join Nick to preview the move to the new Green Street covered lawn, a Grammy-nominated Saturday headliner in Making Movies, and everything you need to know before heading downtown this Friday through Sunday. All the music is free — you just have to show up.