In episode 21 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill visits with an 11-year-old boy, Andrew. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Andrew’s experience leaving school early as a result of the pandemic, as well as some pressing matters concerning Fort

20. Two Officers and a Gentlewoman

Sep 2nd, 2019

In episode 20 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill visits with Sergeant Brad Anders of the Lee’s Summit Police Department and Officer Larry Parham of the Sedalia Police Department. They talk about arcade games, donuts and a program called Safe Pass

19. Transitions, Boundaries and Trusting Your Gut

Jul 29th, 2019

In episode 19 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Jessica Paxton who shares what it is like to struggle with depression and anxiety while still pursuing acting, writing and performing her poetry. She also shares a harrowing story that h

18. Throwing Stones: a Lecture About Forgiveness

Jul 15th, 2019

In episode 18 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill shares a lecture she has been developing on the topic of forgiveness as a result of her work and travel with Holocaust survivor Eva Kor. The lecture such topics as, What Is Forgiveness? Are Forgiv

17. Being the Parent of a Drug Addict

Jul 8th, 2019

In episode 17 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill enjoys a conversation with Sherry Von Oster who shares her perspective of being the mom of a son who is a recovering drug addict. Through the trials her family has gone through, Sherry has develope

16. Servant Leadership and the Power of “I See You.”

Jul 1st, 2019

In episode 16 of Small Town Big Stories Jill interviews Christine Rogers who shares how the dreams she wrote in a journal as a young woman came true through her role as a servant leader and her involvement with the World Vision Organization. Sh

15. Art Connects Us to Ourselves and Others

Jun 10th, 2019

In episode 15 of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Mark Pearce about how all forms of art connect us to ourselves and others and the importance of respecting the environment by making small, daily choices to protect our resources. They a

14. The Crime of Human Trafficking, with Emily Russell

May 27th, 2019

If you are being trafficked, and/or if you think you know someone who is, please call the tip line: 1-844-487-0492, or contact local law enforcement. In episode 14, Jill talks with Emily Russell, Executive Director of the Human Trafficking Ta

13. Policing in a Small Town with Sergeant Logan

May 20th, 2019

In episode 13 of Small Town Big Stories, we hear from Sergeant Danny Logan of the Higginsville Police Department in Higginsville, Missouri. In honor of Police Week (May 12-18, 2019), Jill asks Sgt. Logan about his work on the police force, as

12. Clean and Sober After 9 Years on Meth

May 5th, 2019

In episode 12 of Small Town Big Stories, Chrissie shares her story of growing up with an alcoholic father, looking for love in all the wrong places, getting addicted to meth in her early 20’s and, ultimately, how she broke free from the addicti

11. A Conversation with the Chief of Police, Rich Lockhart

Apr 27th, 2019

In episode 11 of Small Town Big Stories, we hear from Rich Lockhart, Chief of the Warrensburg Police Department. Lockhart shares a bit about his personal history, as well as discussing such topics as the Crisis Intervention Team, Shop with a C

10.Creativity, Love and Loss

Apr 22nd, 2019

In episode 10 of Small Town Big Stories we hear from Cate Bryson, a wife, mother and grandmother who shares what it is like to lose an adult child, as well as the passions she has for painting, writing and encouraging others to be the best vers

9. Single Mom Who Started a Homeless Shelter

Apr 15th, 2019

In episode 9 of Small Town Big Stories we hear from Brandie Estes, a single mother of two who shares her journey toward opening and running a homeless shelter, having an 18 year old daughter who just signed up to join the Marines, and what it i

8. Adoption, Connection and the Good News Network

Apr 8th, 2019

In episode 8 of Small Town Big Stories we hear from Erin Wides, a features writer for the school newspaper at the University of Central Missouri. Wides shares her story of being adopted as a baby from a Russian orphanage, growing up in the Jew

7. Life is Richest at the Intersections

Mar 31st, 2019

In episode 7 of Small Town Big Stories we hear from John Hess, a retired Biology Professor, Ornithologist, Herpetologist, Photographer, Humanist, Writer and Explorer of the great outdoors. He and his wife, Gina, have travelled to the Galapagos

6. Coffee, Service and Connection

Mar 25th, 2019

In episode 6 of Small Town Big Stories we hear from Matthew Cowan, owner and Head Barista at Old Drum Coffeehouse and Bakery! Matthew shares what it is like to own a café and how his passion for serving others informs both his business and per

5.Choosing to Stay Alive

Mar 17th, 2019

In this week’s episode of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Karlie, a 19 year old college student who discusses how getting help for depression and anxiety lead to a short stay is a psychiatric hospital, as well as the ways in which facin

4.Into the Woods and Out of the Woods

Mar 7th, 2019

In this week’s episode of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Melody, a 20 year old college student who shares her journey from losing a parent at an early age to experiencing childhood sexual abuse, battling mental health issues that threa

3.Be Good to One Another

Feb 28th, 2019

In this week’s episode of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Eddie Osborne, who shares his journey from being in the Navy to deejaying a radio show, owning a restaurant, serving as a marriage officiant and developing his skills as a charmi

2.Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Old Drum

Feb 21st, 2019

In this week’s episode of Small Town Big Stories, Jill talks with Dave Curtis, whose trail name is Old Drum. By his description, he was a nearly morbidly obese couch potato who decided one day to walk the Appalachian Trail. One of the first t

1.Nothing is Ever Just One Thing

Feb 13th, 2019

Welcome to episode 1 of Small Town Big Stories! I am the host, Jill Szoo Wilson and I am honored that you are joining me on this journey.Imagine! You are on the ground floor of a podcast that is going to explore the real life big stories o

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