"If we didn't buy it or nobody else picked it up, we would lose Bluestem, and that is a crown jewel of our community." -- Stephen McBee, telling us why he and his wife decided to purchase Bluestem Missouri Crafts, a downtown Columbia mainstay for the past 42 years December 29, 2025

Colleen Finney didn't start out on the pageant circuit; in fact, just the opposite, telling us that she hated the idea growing up and would rather play football with the boys. Cut to now, after years of playing volleyball both in college and professionally, she's the reigning Miss Boone County! Hear her story on today's show. December 26, 2025

In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Jordan Embrack, a vocalist and graduate of the University of Maryland, joins Stephanie to discuss "Home," Dorothy's finale song in the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz. "Home" was first performed by Stephanie Mills, and Diana Ross sang it for the film adaptation of The Wiz that premiered in 1978. Jordan and Stephanie discuss the song's national impact and the personal meaning it holds for Jordan as she begins her career as a singer and entertainer.

Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope you enjoy these two performances - "Christmas Cookies" and "Hard Candy Christmas" - courtesy of local musicians Audra Sergel and Meredith Shaw. December 25, 2025

Self-described "nerdy" girl Erica Martin joins us to talk about her web design company, Pixel Jam Digital. She recently organized the "Small Business, Big Heart" campaign, challenging local small businesses to raise money for The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Her company matched up to $5,000, contributing to a total of over $14,400 raised! December 24, 2025

In this episode, hosts Eric Fey and Brianna Lennon speak with Tom Rogers, who was the Australian Electoral Commissioner from 2014 to 2024.They spoke about the structure of Australian elections, how the country counts its ballots, and the importance of democracy sausages.

What is Sleep in Heavenly Peace? Build manager and today's guest, Andy Upham, alongside Sherri Helm, tells us, "we build beds for kids three to 17 that don't have beds, and it's pretty much that simple." It's "...amazing how Columbia's come together to take on this entire - what we're going to call - an epidemic of bedlessness." If you'd like to help, they're taking part in this year's CoMo Gives. December 23, 2025

The "Library-To-Go" locker system - already popular in smaller mid-Missouri communities - is Daniel Boone Regional Library's way of modernizing services and increasing accessibility, and now it's Columbia's turn! On today's show, DBRL development manager Joe Facteau says the cost to make it happen is $43K, and it won't happen without your support. December 22, 2025

KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks about the Blue Christmas service happening at First Presbyterian Church with their Senior Pastor, Rev. Kati Collins. First Presbyterian Church

Vidwest Studios in Columbia is a non-profit community media center that provides equipment, space, and training for digital media production. Primary funding comes from a city-collected tax, but Matt Schacht - co-founder and today's guest - says that revenue stream could soon dry up: "The city is either going to make a long-term investment in community media, or our leaders are going to make a decision to part ways with community media." December 19, 2025