The Daily Blend w/ AC

"We were founded to support the deaf community and particularly provide crisis intervention and advocacy for deaf survivors wherever they're at in their journey and whatever situation they've been in." -- Wende Wagner, development manager, explaining DeafLEAD's mission on today's show. October 8, 2025

Help Impact Support Services, formerly known as ACT (Alternative Community Training), celebrate their half-century mark at Lakeside Ashland later this month! ISS is 50-year-old non-profit that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Boone County. Director Don Lafferty says, "we think we can become a better community, a better city, a better county if we continue to allow people with disabilities to live in our neighborhoods, to work in our businesses..." October 7, 2025

Brenna Ishler, director of adult community services at Burrell Behavioral Health in Columbia, tells us about IRTS, or Intensive Residential Treatment Services, a program offered at Burrell in partnership with the Department of Mental Health. "It's a really unique program. It really serves as a bridge for people." October 6, 2025

Last year, 1,033 families in Boone County benefitted from Voluntary Action Center's annual holiday program. Today's guests, Christy Lowe and Stacie Pottinger, say they're looking to do about the same number this year. So how can you help? Sign up to volunteer and/or sponsor a family today! October 3, 2025

It's not too late to take part in this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's, happening this Saturday on the MU campus in Columbia. Senior fundraising manager Laurie Williams says, "hopefully, eventually, we'll get to the point where there is a cure and I won't have a job... but until that day, we're going to keep walking." October 2, 2025

Come for the goat yoga, stay for the more than 160 vendors at the 25th annual Mid-Missouri PrideFest, happening this weekend in Columbia! Janet Davis says PrideFest is "not just a celebration, it's a memory and reminder of where we've come from and where we still need to go." October 1, 2025

Join Caring Hearts and Hands of Columbia at the 2025 Lights for Love luminary event to reflect, celebrate and remember those we've lost this past year. Deanna Vander Weerd and Deb Portell are here to tell us why CHHC is important for those in need of end-of-life care. September 30, 2025

Satisfy your crafty side by attending the 5th annual Fall Festival and German Bratwurst Dinner this Saturday at Campus Lutheran Church in Columbia! Proceeds benefit Love Columbia. Guests: Sharon Kinden and Ashley Schultz. September 29, 2025

Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee members Blake Schrand and Adam Berkowitz pull back the curtain on what it takes to create a memorable homecoming experience. "People say there's a magic to homecoming, and we like to be the magicians. We're excited to play that role." MIZ! September 26, 2025

Jefferson City continues to celebrate its bicentennial this year with events continuing through October for both residents and visitors alike, and Molly Bryan is here with details! "I like to say it is fun to be a tourist in your own town." September 25, 2025