Mindy Hargesheimer (00:00:00):
Hey guys. It is Mindy, your host of the Kansas City Bucket List Podcast. I am really excited today. I've got one of my favorite couples here in Kansas City. I've got Billy and Allie Brimblecom. Who are they? They are behind the Steps of Faith Foundation, a nonprofit here who puts on an annual event, thunder Gong every November headline by Jason Sudeikis. You might've heard of it. Um, but we're gonna talk a lot about how they're doing incredible work raising funds for people who need prosthetic limbs. Um, but we're also gonna talk about a fun yacht, rock cover band that they're in Summer Breeze, and a lot of other things about their background in the music industry and what they're doing here in Casey. So get excited for an inspirational episode and to learn about two incredible people here in the city. Um, you're gonna learn a lot and you're gonna be really inspired by what they have to say. All right. Hey guys, how are you? Hello. Hi. I'm so happy to have you guys here today. We've got Allie and Billy brumble com, Kansas City Natives, right? Both of you.
Allison Brimblecom (00:01:03):
Um, close. I'm from a small town called Parsons, Kansas. Okay. Yep. So Southeast Kansas,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:08):
But
Billy Brimblecom (00:01:09):
Yeah. Well, Billy is
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:11):
Native. Yeah. Yeah. I was gonna say, we actually got, I think we started talking about thunder gong, different things happening before I realized that we have multiple mutual friends.
Billy Brimblecom (00:01:21):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:21):
Turns out. Yes. So shout out to the Burnt family, and
Billy Brimblecom (00:01:24):
That's right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:25):
Few others, Angela and stuff. So, yes. Um, so that was really fun. And then I finally got to meet you for the first time on a photo shoot a couple years ago last,
Billy Brimblecom (00:01:31):
That was just last year, which is last
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:33):
Year. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:01:33):
Because we, we had zoomed, we talked on the phone and Yeah. And so that was just last, like, last 'cause it was for, uh, city lifestyle last fall.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:41):
I know. That's crazy. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:01:43):
Which
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:43):
Is a great shoot down at the Crossroads Hotel. So, yeah. Very fun. And then you and I, I think we finally got to meet when we were doing, was it Mildred's maybe the first time? Yes. I don't even remember where it was.
Allison Brimblecom (00:01:52):
I think so.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:52):
So yeah,
Allison Brimblecom (00:01:53):
I just remember seeing you, which I'm sure we'll talk about Thunder Gong, but seeing that you were at Thunder Gong Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:59):
And
Allison Brimblecom (00:01:59):
Being like Kansas City Bucket List was here, you know, <laugh> and, uh, which I've gone almost every year. Yep.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:06):
Which
Allison Brimblecom (00:02:06):
Is so great. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:07):
And
Allison Brimblecom (00:02:08):
Feeling like, okay, we've made it our celebrity <laugh> influencer is here, D de-list celebrity at
Billy Brimblecom (00:02:14):
Time. Well, in Tyson,
Allison Brimblecom (00:02:14):
That's not true.
Billy Brimblecom (00:02:15):
Tyson burnt, who we already mentioned. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Had had mentioned you years ago, you know, in the form of like, hey, like, you know, local. Like, he might have used the word influencer at big following. And I was like, that's not a thing locally <laugh>. And then I was like, oh, wait, this is very much a thing. And then obviously now, uh, I come to you instead of, uh, local news because it makes a bigger splash.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:38):
Well, thank you for that, by the way.
Billy Brimblecom (00:02:39):
Yeah. That's a fact. I've told you that many
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:41):
Times. So. Yeah. No, you have. Yeah. And honestly, you know, so launching the podcast, and I've even thought about that where I'm like, okay, I will say I'm one of the few people that maybe watches morning news.
Billy Brimblecom (00:02:51):
Yeah, we do. Oh yeah,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:52):
You do. Okay. Sometimes I feel like I'm like one of the only ones, but clearly they're still on.
Billy Brimblecom (00:02:55):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:55):
Um, so anyway, but I'm like, but I do feel like this is the place where I, I can bring more information. I'm not talking about like, breaking news and
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:02):
Sure.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:02):
You know, Kansas City crime and stuff like that. Right. We could get into that, I guess like <laugh>, you know, maybe some crime documentaries. Yeah. But I am, I'm like, I want people to come here and like, hear the stories and the events that are going on, which is a big thing that we'll talk about with you guys. Yeah, of course, too. Love
Speaker 4 (00:03:14):
It. Cool.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:14):
Um, which I should probably real quickly introduce you and you and what you guys do specifically. Um, clearly you are married or maybe not so clearly We are. But you guys are married?
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:24):
We, we are.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:25):
Yep.
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:25):
It's, it's legal.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:26):
Yep. Yes. Legal in all 50 states, right?
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:29):
I, I believe so. Wa 17 years. Nice. 2007.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:36):
Couple kids later. Couple
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:37):
Kids later.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:38):
That's right. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:39):
Different, few different states. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:40):
Few different, yeah. Which we can talk about that too. Yeah. Okay. But, so you are CEO at Steps of Faith Foundation.
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:47):
Correct.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:47):
Which I do have, I think this is last year's shirt for Thunder Gong. Yes. Steps of Faith.
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:51):
Yes. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:52):
You are the co-creator of Thunder Gong.
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:54):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:54):
Which this year was what, um, year of doing that event.
Billy Brimblecom (00:03:57):
It was the ninth year. We've done Thunder Gong.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:00):
Okay. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Which clearly we will dive into the details of that. Yep. One of the city's best events so far. Um, you are the captain of the ship. You wanna talk about that Summer Breeze? An amazing local cover band. Summer Breeze,
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:11):
Yacht Rock. I should brought you the hat.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:13):
I know I asked for it. It's okay. You can give it to me later. We were good. Ridiculous. Just so everybody
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:18):
Knows I didn't drive home and bring it back. Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:19):
We've been talking for years. You have a black, what is it called? It's like a, not cap, nautical
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:26):
Caps. The
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:26):
Little gold. It's
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:27):
Like, yeah, it's got like the, it's got the gold leaf on the bill, which is like a old military thing. And I apparently that that's, uh, the, that's called the scrambled eggs. 'cause it looks like scrambled eggs. Maybe that's military
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:38):
Slang. Well, that's great. I mean, I'll take it. I like,
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:39):
So it's, it's not stolen valor that I'm, have a summer breeze hat. Uh, yeah. They make those hats that say a lot of things now. So
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:46):
Captain of the ship, which means you do what
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:49):
I mean, Allie and I put the band, it was our idea. Summer Breeze. Um, so, yeah. Um,
Allison Brimblecom (00:04:58):
But you play the drums.
Billy Brimblecom (00:04:59):
I'm the drummer and the band, you know, and the band leader and ringleader and Yeah. You know, often Mc mm-hmm
Allison Brimblecom (00:05:05):
<affirmative>. You
Billy Brimblecom (00:05:05):
Know, it's that every drummer wants to be a, a front man singer, <laugh>. And, um, I can't sing that well, so known. I just do it from sitting at the back of the band.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:13):
<laugh>. Yeah. There you go. And you are what are, are we lead singer? Are we,
Allison Brimblecom (00:05:17):
Yes, we, there are several singers in the band. Um, I'm the lone female in the band, and so I'm sometimes singing, representing, sometimes on like, the background harmonies, tambourine vibes on the side. Yes.
Billy Brimblecom (00:05:29):
Cowbell, woodblock. Yes. Shaker.
Allison Brimblecom (00:05:32):
That's right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:33):
Need more cowbell.
Billy Brimblecom (00:05:34):
Do it all.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:34):
Yeah. So when, okay, first of all, do you guys have events going on for Summer Breeze throughout the year? Or is it really more of kind of like a seasonal summer thing? Where can we find you like Yeah. Really any given time. Obviously your website would show us that, but
Billy Brimblecom (00:05:46):
Some reese casey.com, so yes. We don't play a ton. A ton. We've played quite a bit this year, but, um,
Allison Brimblecom (00:05:55):
Not just in the summer.
Billy Brimblecom (00:05:56):
Yeah. We play all throughout the year. Like, you know, like last year when I was gonna bring you that hat was on Valentine's Day.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:01):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:01):
I did bring you that hat, but you did not bring yourself, because you couldn't make it to the show.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:05):
We won't talk about that.
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:05):
We won't talk about that. Um, and then, um, yeah. So like, we're gonna play We'll, um, I don't know when this comes out. We're gonna play February 7th. It'll
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:14):
Be after the first of the year, so
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:15):
Yeah. Um, February 7th at Liberty Hall in Lawrence. That'll be the only second time we've ever played Lawrence.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:20):
Ever. Oh, fun.
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:21):
So yeah. We, we kind of play throughout the year, but, but it, in the early day, like we were just gonna do this one time for fun. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. That's the whole thing. Summer.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:28):
Oh, that's the backstory. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:29):
We were gonna do it one time for fun before we moved to Nashville. We're like, that would be so hard to play that music live to put together a show like that,
Speaker 4 (00:06:38):
Uhhuh.
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:39):
But maybe we try, we ended up doing two times before we moved to Nashville in 2009, squeezed in a second show, and then that was it. And then it was like, well, we're gonna be home for Thanksgiving. Maybe we do that again. You know? And so,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:51):
And was it like seven people at the time? Or was it just the two of you? Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:06:54):
Oh yeah. No, it was seven, a big band. It's always been seven. Okay. Uh, or more, you know, I mean, these days we often play with a horn section will make us nine. But, um,
Allison Brimblecom (00:07:02):
And we play yacht rock. If we didn't mention that, maybe most people these days know what that is, but maybe explain. Oops.
Billy Brimblecom (00:07:08):
Yeah. Well,
Allison Brimblecom (00:07:09):
It started down,
Billy Brimblecom (00:07:10):
It started as a Yeah. I mean, that's the, that's the bread and butter. The main thing we do is a yacht rock tribute, but we do all these other things now as well. But, but yeah, I mean, we, there were years where you most, most of the, probably first 10 years, more often than not, it was like two shows a year, maybe four shows. You know, we played a couple wedding receptions in that time, and those people have remained very close friends.
Speaker 4 (00:07:36):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:07:37):
Um, so yeah, it was kind of like, the shows were very sparse, uh, out of necessity because three of us lived in Nashville, Tennessee. Got
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:07:45):
It. So
Billy Brimblecom (00:07:46):
We just couldn't play that often. So that is kind of what I think built the audience in a way, because it felt like this not just another cover band that you can go see, you know, once a month or whatever. Yeah. Which, no, nothing wrong with that. Right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:02):
But
Billy Brimblecom (00:08:02):
We would, we could only play, you know, a couple times a year. So it was just like everybody would show up. Um, yeah. So we're, I'm, we're very thankful that it's a big audience
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:13):
These days. I mean, I know you guys have kids, right? How old are the kids? They elementary, they're 10 and 12 middle school. Okay. I was like, what do we wanna do with Summer Breeze? Do we wanna start touring? Are we gonna start touring Europe? What are we doing here? <laugh>?
Allison Brimblecom (00:08:23):
What's the dream? There are some really big touring yacht rock bands, um, that make that like their full-time income. I don't see us on that path. Okay. But we have, like, it would be amazing to play with, like, if Michael McDonald came to town and like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:40):
Yes, he
Allison Brimblecom (00:08:41):
Could join, join us. Okay. We're
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:42):
Gonna manifest that.
Allison Brimblecom (00:08:42):
Yeah. So I think that's more the dream than us, like going on tour. But, um, it could happen.
Billy Brimblecom (00:08:49):
I'm currently retired from being a touring musician, <laugh>, but we, we have had offers
Allison Brimblecom (00:08:53):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:08:53):
The, the summer breezes had offers, which is, which is great. Um, so yeah, I mean, we would like to do a little more, I don't know if a tour is in the cards, at least in the foreseeable future Sure. Due to everyone's, the way our lives work mm-hmm <affirmative>. But we're very, very thankful that it's still going and the people are still showing up and that we're able to do it. But yeah. No, it's more like, let's play with like the real yacht rockers. Like I see if like Toto and Christopher Cross are coming to town, it was like, how do we,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:19):
Oh gosh.
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:19):
How do we play with them? You know, things like that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:22):
Do you have any connections? Do you have any way of making this happen? Do you go to their shows and try to like,
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:26):
I mean, we, you know, we
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:27):
Yell and scream and get their attention.
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:29):
We know people and know how to reach people. I mean, we, you know, I mean, we, you know, I, um, I am in touch with Michael McDonald, not directly, but I'm in touch with his manager. Like, he did a, he did a virtual Thunder Kong thing for
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:44):
Us. Oh, he did?
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:44):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:45):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:45):
Which was incredible. So. Got it. Uh, very nice guy. And so, yeah. You know, we'll see. Maybe
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:50):
Someday.
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:50):
Maybe someday. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:51):
Well, so speaking of Summer Breeze, um, you guys obviously play at Thunder Gong every year. Yes. Ninth year this year. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:09:57):
With House Band for that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:58):
Yep. Amazing. Um, did you have a record breaking year, the event this year?
Allison Brimblecom (00:10:03):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:03):
Talk about that. Congratulations. That's huge. Thank you.
Allison Brimblecom (00:10:06):
Yeah. Yeah. Over a million dollars raised at the event
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:09):
This year. Yeah. Um, and let's talk about Steps of Faith, what it's raising money for.
Billy Brimblecom (00:10:14):
Yeah. Yeah. Thunder Gong is the biggest fundraiser of the year. Four Steps of Faith. Steps of Faith gets prosthetic limbs for amputees that have no health insurance mm-hmm <affirmative>. Or no prosthetic coverage with their health insurance. So Medicaid in some states, for instance, does not cover prosthetic care for adults, which is ridiculous.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:29):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:10:29):
Um, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:30):
Is there any movement with that, do you know? Or just,
Billy Brimblecom (00:10:33):
Uh, in the opposite direction?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:34):
Oh gosh. Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:10:35):
Yeah. Yeah. In the opposite, we'll see what, um, what the quote big, beautiful Bill does to that next year. But it looks like the list of states. I we'll see.
Speaker 4 (00:10:44):
Okay. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:10:45):
Uh, yeah, no, that's, um, uh, that's maybe not something we wanna get into. Uh, the how ridiculous it is that Steps of Faith needs to exist, but, um, uh, we can, but yeah, no, it, uh, but that, yes, that's what we do. And Thunder Gong is a very fun way to raise money for this very important, uh, thing. And yeah, we had never broken a million dollars. I mean, steps of Faith has done more than a million dollars just in fundraising overall in a year.
Speaker 4 (00:11:09):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:11:10):
And Thunder Gong since we started doing it in 2017, is the biggest, you know, standalone fundraiser for Steps of Faith. But we'd never done a million dollars from the event, and I really had hoped to at Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:22):
Someday. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:11:23):
Um, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:24):
That's amazing.
Billy Brimblecom (00:11:25):
We did it.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:26):
Yeah. Well, so the goal, so ultimately you guys are working on this together year round. This is what you do, this is what your passion is. This is where your love is thrown into. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 4 (00:11:36):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:36):
And what all do you do? Well, first of all, let's talk about your backstory as to where it came from, where the inspiration
Billy Brimblecom (00:11:41):
Canberra. Yeah. Steps of Faith. Yeah. Thunder Gong, all that. Well, yeah. So I lost my leg to cancer in 2005. My left leg right above the knee. Um, but it all worked out. Sure did. That was terrible. But I was a full-time musician, uh, at the time, drummer.
Speaker 4 (00:11:55):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:11:55):
And I met Ali about a month after all that. So she was not part of the terror of, oh my God, do I have cancer? Oh, I have cancer. Oh my God. Am I gonna lose my leg? Yes, I'm losing my leg. Um, that was already, um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:12:08):
Behind you,
Billy Brimblecom (00:12:08):
Done and done. Um, but I was still in chemo when we met.
Allison Brimblecom (00:12:12):
Where did you guys out by the way? We met at our church, actually. Okay. And so, yeah, I didn't have to walk through the hardest part of all that, like his friends and family did. But I was on the end of him, um, receiving treatment and then learning how to walk with the new leg mm-hmm <affirmative>. And all of that. So, yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:12:30):
Yeah. Our first date was, we, we met about a month after I lost my leg, August of 2005. So we met like in September.
Speaker 4 (00:12:36):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:12:37):
And our first date was the, the beginning of December. It was the first weekend of December, which was the weekend before my last round of chemo. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:12:45):
So
Billy Brimblecom (00:12:45):
It was kind of like, you know, she was the, uh, most perfect segue into, uh, being able to live my life again, uh, in a very new way, if you will. It
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:12:56):
Was great. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:12:57):
Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. So, uh, what
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:01):
Kind of cancer did you have?
Billy Brimblecom (00:13:02):
It was a sarcoma called Ewings Sarcoma. There's lots of different kinds of sarcoma. None of them are good. Um, shout out to the Sarcoma Foundation of America.
Speaker 4 (00:13:11):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:13:12):
Which does a lot of amazing things. Um, uh, we attended their, uh, fundraiser in New York City a couple months ago. Oh. But, um, which was beautiful. Uh, so, so yes. Um, you know, I mean, fast forward then, I mean, that was 2005 mm-hmm <affirmative>. To many years. And so we were living in Nashville, Tennessee. Um, and that's, uh, when Steps of Faith came into the picture, which was 2013. So, um, did
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:39):
You have like a moment of clarity or had you guys been talking together about what you could do with this happening?
Billy Brimblecom (00:13:44):
No, no, no. No. Well, backing up a, a little bit, 2006, um, so not even a year, you know, several months after getting outta chemo and all that, you know, I was full on into touring, uh, with my band. Blackpool Lights could barely walk, but fortunately you sit down to play the drums.
Speaker 4 (00:14:04):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:14:04):
My band mates helped me load all the gear in and everything. And, um, I needed a, a new prosthetic leg that was the kind of permanent type, not the permanent one. 'cause I've gone through several since then. But kind of the permanent type. I had this kind of temporary thing. Fortunately, there's a lot of different kinds of prosthetic, uh, limbs and feet and knees and arms and that kind of thing. 'cause there's lots of different kinds of human limbs. Mm-hmm. Feet, knees, arms. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so I needed this, you know, uh, certain type that was, you know, the best for my body type activity level and all that. And at the time, in 2006, my health insurance policy would only cover half of that. And it was a 66, 0, $60,000 prosthesis still is.
Speaker 4 (00:14:44):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:14:44):
Um, and, uh, insurance is only gonna cover half of it. So, uh, uh, some friends put together a fundraiser for me.
Speaker 4 (00:14:51):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:14:51):
That included Jason. Okay. Um, and, uh, at record bar. And, uh, it was a comedy show.
Speaker 4 (00:14:57):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:14:58):
And a concert. And so, and it was beautiful. And there were two shows. They both sold out. We needed 30 grand, we raised 40. Um, I always joked that I got a new leg and Ally got an engagement ring.
Speaker 4 (00:15:09):
Oh. Um,
Billy Brimblecom (00:15:10):
That was not a $10,000 engagement ring <laugh> for those people that donated back then. That's funny. Um, just so you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:15:15):
Thanks for the clarification.
Billy Brimblecom (00:15:16):
Yes, yes. In case
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:15:18):
To this day,
Billy Brimblecom (00:15:19):
Anyway, um, uh, there's a statute of limitations on people being worried about that. No. Anyway, uh, but, um, so when we were driving around the next day, ally and I, my girlfriend at the time, I thought, wouldn't it be great if we did this next year for somebody else that needed it? Well, we didn't do that.
Speaker 4 (00:15:34):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:15:35):
Um, but moved to Nashville, that whole thing. And then basically what happened, origin story of Steps of Faith, very long story short, is we had a brand new baby. Our son, first baby Allie was a teacher. No paid maternity in the state of Tennessee.
Speaker 4 (00:15:52):
Oh, great.
Billy Brimblecom (00:15:53):
So we'd had a plan, a maternity plan that basically included like time off, spring break, things like that, that went in the toilet real quick, because he was born six weeks early.
Speaker 4 (00:16:04):
Wow. So
Billy Brimblecom (00:16:04):
I was very much in a, at age 36, I might need to do something different as a career for the first time. I mean, I knew I wanted to play music professionally since I was a kid.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:16):
So you moved from here with the whole band to Nashville?
Billy Brimblecom (00:16:20):
No, just Ally and I, but, but one coincidentally the same, uh, summer, Greg LaFollette, who's in Summer Breeze with us, did move to Nashville as well.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:28):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:16:28):
And so, um, uh, yes. So, but, but we moved there just for more opportunities to make money
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:36):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:16:36):
Playing music. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:37):
And,
Billy Brimblecom (00:16:37):
Um, you know, and that happened, but I was like, okay, I might need like, another career, you know? So I was kind of in that frame of mind, highly emotional time. Brand new baby. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:16:46):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:16:47):
He was fine, thank God. Even though he was early. Um, and so, uh, one day I was at an appointment at the prosthetic clinic and I was asked to talk my prosthetist. That's the doctor Prosthetist. You can look,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:17:00):
That's a hard word to say.
Billy Brimblecom (00:17:01):
It is a hard word to say. There are people who do it for a living that can't say it.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:17:04):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:17:05):
<laugh>. Um, I have proof. So, uh, but you know, to their credit, it's hard. You know, you wouldn't think there's an S there and then a t and then another s it just comes so fast, those letters. Um, anyway, so, um, my prosthetist said, Hey, on your way out, I'm fitting a guy for a new leg who lost his leg to cancer. Will you come in and just talk to him for a minute? I think he could benefit from seeing somebody that's, you know, a few years down the road mm-hmm <affirmative>. And doing well and that kind of thing. I said, I would love to do that. I feel like that's part of why this happened to me. Let's do it. And so I talked to the guy for probably five minutes. I don't, couldn't tell you a thing that we talked about. Mm-hmm. But I can remember how he was looking at me and how that made me feel
Speaker 4 (00:17:42):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:17:43):
And, um, it was like really emotional again, very heightened time. And I, I, yeah. Was like, I wish that that could be my job, is what I told Ally. I had another appointment the next day, told my prosthetist that, and he said, well, maybe it could be, he introduced me to the guy that owned the prosthetic clinic where I'd been going, who I had not met, but we had mutual friends, which is why I went there in the first place.
Speaker 4 (00:18:01):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:02):
The guy who sold us our home alarm system. That was his prosthetist. <laugh>.
Speaker 4 (00:18:05):
Thank you.
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:06):
Uh, was Rob Pittman the owner of, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:08):
Thank you, Rob.
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:09):
Thank you Rob. Uh, but Ronnie was the alarm guy, but no, Rob was the, uh, yeah. Keep, it's hard to keep track these guys. A lot of cast, these
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:15):
Quite the cast
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:16):
Characters, big cast of characters. <laugh> introduced me to the guy that owned the company. And, um, we had a few conversations, and again, very long story long, he had established a 5 0 1 C3, so he had tax exempt status on a very good idea. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:18:31):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:31):
Which is the idea to do what we do. And, but it had been sitting dormant for a couple years. So we had a conversation and I was like, about working together. I was like, I have no idea what I could do for this company. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:18:41):
<affirmative>. But
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:41):
I know how I felt when I was talking to that guy. Yeah. And I can't think of anything I'd rather do other than play drums, you know?
Speaker 4 (00:18:48):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:18:49):
And he said, okay, well, I've been trying to get this nonprofit off the ground for a couple years, but I'm busy running this company. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. What if you come on and do it? And so, tossed me the keys to a car with no engine in it, is what I like to say. And said, uh, see what you can do with that. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So that's how so it,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:19:04):
So it is,
Billy Brimblecom (00:19:05):
The seeds were in my head and heart. It Yes. The seeds were in my head and heart because I had been the recipient of that kind of thing.
Speaker 4 (00:19:11):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:19:11):
But then kind of this blessed coincidence meeting this guy who, you know, had already had tax exempt status to do this thing. But I mean, it had been sitting dormant for a couple years, just again, a tax exempt Very good idea.
Speaker 4 (00:19:24):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:19:24):
And so, yeah. So we, we kind of figured out how the behind the scenes of it would work. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:19:28):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:19:29):
Rob and I, pretty quickly, um, I wrote the mission statement, put a board together and, you know, started raising money. And so yeah. That was, you know, 2013
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:19:39):
Naming it, steps of Faith,
Billy Brimblecom (00:19:41):
The, the name was in place, and that was it. You know, again, tax exempt status, the name. And then he and I figured out like the, how it actually works.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:19:51):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:19:52):
You know, the behind the scenes kind of inside baseball stuff, um, how we get these, how we work with prosthetists around the country, that kind of thing. And then, yeah. And then I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:00):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:20:01):
Figured it out.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:02):
I can imagine that'd be a major learning curve. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:20:04):
Oh my gosh. Yeah. And, you know, my first for many years, unpaid, uh, intern was Allie, and, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:11):
<laugh>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:20:11):
Yeah. That's crazy. Well,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:12):
Pro bono work. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So then you relocated to Kansas City at what point, and for what?
Billy Brimblecom (00:20:20):
Yeah. So, yeah. So steps, fate started 2013. We had another baby, 2015. You know, there was a lot. We, we never felt, I'll speak for myself. We never, we love Nashville. We love what Nashville did to our lives. And, and, you know, both kids were born there. We love so many people that were like amazing friends from there. Oddly, a lot of them from Kansas City, whether we knew them ahead of time or not, but, um, and, uh, but we never loved living there.
Allison Brimblecom (00:20:49):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:20:50):
Um,
Allison Brimblecom (00:20:51):
We were sad to leave Kansas City. We loved it here, but we knew we were at least gonna spend a season in Nashville. We weren't really sure if it would be a short time, or we would put down Roots and raise our kids there. And like, we just never really felt like, okay, we kind of were both on the same page. Like our season is done and we, we were ready to come back home. Never
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:12):
Felt like home.
Allison Brimblecom (00:21:13):
Completely. Yeah. So how many years? It was funny. Did you say you were there? We were there seven years. Okay. That's a long period. And we really did gravitate towards people from Kansas City.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:21):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:21:22):
A lot of our best friends were originally from here. Just
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:25):
Purely coincidental.
Allison Brimblecom (00:21:26):
Yes. For, or
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:27):
Was there like, for real,
Allison Brimblecom (00:21:28):
Like a bar where everybody like, you know, gathered or something. It was, we just, you know, uh, the Baldwin Casey Hot was popular, so we were easy to spot. Okay. You know? Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:21:38):
Yeah. You know, and a lot of royals,
Allison Brimblecom (00:21:40):
We would spot
Billy Brimblecom (00:21:41):
Activity at that time.
Allison Brimblecom (00:21:41):
Yeah. We would spot the Royals gear and the Casey hat, but it was coincidence. But I think that, you know, people here have a vibe and we, we gravitated towards those great people. And so, um, we were ready to come back. And even though there was a lot of good there and a lot of good friends, we just, this is home. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so we were ready to come back. Did any of those friends follow you guys here?
Billy Brimblecom (00:22:04):
Yes.
Allison Brimblecom (00:22:04):
Greg, our, one of our best friends, he was also in Summer Breeze. We wore him down enough to come back. Perfect.
Billy Brimblecom (00:22:11):
It took him a few years.
Allison Brimblecom (00:22:12):
<laugh>. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:22:12):
Yeah. We had, uh, our friends, Mike and Leslie Smith, they, they moved there. That's
Allison Brimblecom (00:22:15):
Right.
Billy Brimblecom (00:22:15):
A little after us and then moved back here before us. Mm-hmm
Allison Brimblecom (00:22:18):
<affirmative>. Yes.
Billy Brimblecom (00:22:19):
But, um, yeah, we're
Allison Brimblecom (00:22:21):
Still, we all the same feeling of like, it's cool here. There's a lot going on here, but Kansas City is better, you know, it's got going
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:22:29):
On. Yeah. How do you explain that? Okay. So, first of all, well, one thing I was gonna say, we moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. Okay.
Speaker 4 (00:22:34):
And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:22:34):
That's where my husband is from originally. But we ended up moving here, um, for cost of living and a few other things. And we didn't know what we were moving into. I mean, I went to ku, graduated back in the day before there was power and light before there was River Market, before there was any of that stuff. Right. It was like, you would go to the plaza or you'd go to like, tanners and Overland Park or something. That's like, what I remember, you know, what you do. Um, but anyway, we moved here, so we didn't really know what we were moving into. And then, um, quickly started to learn this like unspoken charm or something. Love for the city that everybody has. But like, how do you, how do you guys view that? How do you describe that coming from Kansas City and wanting to come back mm-hmm. Which is different than my own situation. So I'm curious what your perspective is on like, why Kansas City and love Kansas City so much, and what is that undercurrent, I guess that makes it so unique.
Billy Brimblecom (00:23:26):
Well, and you're, I'll be interested in your take on this since you didn't, you moved here for college, but you didn't grow up here.
Allison Brimblecom (00:23:31):
Yeah, that's right. Well, I was just so stoked to live in a place when I moved here for college that had things open past 8:00 PM you know, so that's where <laugh>, wait, where'd you go to college for <laugh>? I went to Mid-American Nazarene University. Okay. Yeah. But I'm from a small town, you know that That's right. Had, you know, everything closed down very mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:23:49):
<affirmative>.
Allison Brimblecom (00:23:49):
Early and not a lot going on. So, um, I love living here where there was just more going on. But then I, you know, I would say Kansas City has amazing food. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:24:00):
<affirmative>. We
Allison Brimblecom (00:24:00):
Have a lot. There's a, just a, a beautiful art scene here of, you know, dance and music and artists and museums and things like that. And of course, Nashville has their music. But, um, I would venture to say there's just, I would say there's more of it here, and not maybe people recording music, but, um, it's also just more accessible here. Um, there's a, um, there's just a good vibe. There's, um, I would say also just like as parents and raising a family, like there's more accessibility when it comes to, like, living in a neighborhood mm-hmm <affirmative>. And, um, going to a public school, um, and not having to look at private school or those kinds of things that most anyone that has means in Nashville is doing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:24:52):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:24:53):
Um, so I think we're really lucky here with that. There's just a lot of options mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:24:57):
<affirmative>. Um,
Allison Brimblecom (00:24:59):
And not to, not to say anything bad about Nashville, it's just, it's harder to live there in the city as just someone that is not, um, that's wanting to raise a family and maybe not a millionaire. Yeah. You know? No, that's fair. <laugh> and Absolutely. And,
Billy Brimblecom (00:25:12):
And my argument was, and this is saying something bad about Nashville for what? <laugh> it's not like, well, we live in LA 'cause it's LA and it's beautiful. Or, we live in New York. 'cause there's no other city in the world like it. I just was always like, what cave in Kentucky did you crawl out of that? You think this is like the best city there is? So that's being mean about Nashville
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:29):
<laugh>, but it's a fair point. It's landlocked as well, and,
Billy Brimblecom (00:25:32):
You know, well, and it, it, you know, politicians run on this platform, so this isn't my opinion, you know, I mean, it's like the, it's a very poor city planning. It's like laid out terribly, you know, again,
Allison Brimblecom (00:25:42):
Traffic is
Billy Brimblecom (00:25:43):
Tough
Allison Brimblecom (00:25:44):
There.
Billy Brimblecom (00:25:44):
It, it's just ridiculous. And I'm always just like, for what I feel like, in a weird way, when I go there now, 'cause you know, we're there, I'm there for work usually once or twice a year, or we go to visit or whatever. It's almost kind of like caught up where I'm like, oh, there's this and this and this and this and this. That's pretty great. You know? It was always great. I mean, I'm, I'm telling the truth of how I feel, but, uh, and, but I'm also also trying to be, yes. But I'm also kind of being silly. I mean, it's awesome. There's a whole vibe to it, but it, one of the things that, that Ali had said when we moved back here is, or when we were considering it, it's just, you know, there's just so much more like beauty here. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:26:23):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:26:23):
You know, and it's true. It's just a prettier place, you know? Yeah. And people are different. And when you, there's nothing wrong with being in a city. I mean, this is one of the things that can be great where it is kind of this melting pot of people that's a destination city. They're coming from all over the place. Like that can be a really good thing. Um, but there's just kind of, you know, something in the water, so to speak, of people from the Midwest. You know, my friend Kay grew up, um, in Illinois, like outside Chicago. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:26:49):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:26:49):
She lives in la. She was here several years ago. And, and she's been here many times, but hadn't been here in a long time. And she said, I know this, but I forgot. 'cause it's been a long time. Everyone here is just so nice. Yeah. But in the south, there's this thing that it's like, it's like fake nice. It's like, it's nice, but it's like, I just weird.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:06):
Remember? You just feel the difference.
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:07):
Well, a friend of mine was like, it's a whole thing that in the south, like in Nashville and in the South, people would be like, we should get together sometime. And they don't mean it. It's like, Hey, how are you? Yeah. You don't actually mean, please tell me exactly how things, how you, what's going on. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:19):
<affirmative>. You
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:19):
Know, it's just like a thing you say.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:21):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:22):
I think that's weird.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:23):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:23):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:24):
I heard, I listened to a podcast that Heidi Gardner was on talking about, um, someone that she knows, I don't know if they're from New York or la, whatever, but they came for Big Slick mm-hmm <affirmative>. And this, I think it was a female, I had told her like, apparently unquote Kansas City felt like a warm hug.
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:39):
Yeah. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:39):
And I was like, oh,
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:40):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:41):
Interesting. Like, it's
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:42):
Just a good,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:42):
Like, to hear outsiders say that is so interesting. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:45):
Yeah. It's just a, it's, it's a special place that we have here. And, you know, when Allie was talking about, about, you know, art everywhere and that kind of thing mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:27:53):
<affirmative>. It's
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:54):
Always been that way. I always tell people the song was written about this city for a reason. Yeah. Going to Kansas City. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:59):
A
Billy Brimblecom (00:27:59):
Lot of people roll their eyes at it. 'cause we grew up hearing it all the time, but it's like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:03):
But when you really sit down and think about it.
Billy Brimblecom (00:28:05):
Yeah. I mean the, the music history of this city is as deep and rich as any city in the country. And where are those, I'm gonna get it wrong. Uh, it's like a, one of the, we are recognized as one of the United Nations music cities of the world. Really The world. This the world,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:26):
Since when
Billy Brimblecom (00:28:27):
We've had it for few years, few this because of Summer
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:29):
Breeze
Billy Brimblecom (00:28:30):
<laugh> we're a big part of it. <laugh>, no, Jim Sweet. Jim Cosgrove, who texted me today, uh, a k Mr. Stinky Feet, um, okay. Very celebrated children's musician. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:28:39):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:28:39):
Um, told me this. And we had a whole conversation about it. Like, a lot of people don't know that. It's like, um, unesco, it's like a, what is that? United Nations? Anyway. Yeah. Look this up. It's a real thing. No, that's a big deal. And I feel like there's a real, I'm absolutely gonna go down a little rabbit trail. There's a real obvious city, I'm gonna get this wrong, that isn't on that list. Like New Orleans. It's not literally New Orleans, but, uh, or maybe Austin or something. So anyway, that's a big part of the city. It's a big part of the DNA and, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:06):
How do you kind of expand on that for people who don't know the depth of the music scene here, like how do you think we got that? What, what warrants Kansas City being on that list?
Billy Brimblecom (00:29:15):
So I don't, I I I don't know what, uh, oh gosh. I feel like I'm caught with my pants down here. Did Charlie Charlie Parker grow up here? Um, I can't remember. I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:24):
Think so. Right.
Billy Brimblecom (00:29:25):
Maybe that was it. Well, so, but you know, like Charlie arguably one of the most Yeah. Important musicians of all time, of any musical genre. Um, uh, I, I don't think many would disagree with that. Even if, if maybe just 'cause since he's old, a lot of people don't know who he is. But I mean, he's as important as you know, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:43):
But if you're
Billy Brimblecom (00:29:44):
Kansas or
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:45):
Whatever, you definitely need to know who he is.
Billy Brimblecom (00:29:46):
Yeah, absolutely. You know, so, so when, when jazz music ruled the, the country, this was the spot Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:29:55):
You
Billy Brimblecom (00:29:55):
Know, at least one of the spots for it back in the day. And so there's been many, many efforts to which, you know, is kind of up and down, seems like it's on an uptick of, uh, of preserving the 18th and Vine District, which was kind of like, you know, ground zero hub for all of that back in the day mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, but yeah, I mean, it goes back, you know, to my knowledge at least to that. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:30:17):
You
Billy Brimblecom (00:30:17):
Know, where there was all these incredible musicians that were either from here or were moving to here, uh, to moving to here. That's correct. Grammar.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:26):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:30:27):
No
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:27):
One's, no
Billy Brimblecom (00:30:28):
One's trading. Put that whole quote when we're promoting this <laugh>. But, um, yeah. So I think it started, to my knowledge, it started there when it comes to big air quotes, modern music. Yeah. You know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (00:30:39):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:30:40):
Music that you could buy records for. Yeah. But yeah. And, and it's just kind of always been that way. I mean, there, there was, you know, in my era of, uh, when I was coming up, you know, Lawrence was the next quote, unquote Seattle for about 15 minutes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:56):
Was it really?
Billy Brimblecom (00:30:57):
Uh, this is according to Kurt Loder on MTV News.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:31:00):
<laugh> what?
Billy Brimblecom (00:31:00):
Um, yeah, no, I mean, love that. After grunge broke in 1991, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, sound Guard, and Alison Chains, et cetera, et cetera. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:31:11):
Some of the best music ever.
Billy Brimblecom (00:31:12):
Of course,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:31:12):
The nineties is my favorite.
Billy Brimblecom (00:31:13):
Of course. I started high school in the fall of 1991. I was the demographic for that mm-hmm
(00:31:18):
<affirmative>. Um, and what then happened was it, it, it major record labels, you know, scoured the country for no gimmick. Just heavy york, not even heavy just rock bands. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, this was a great thing, you know, because it basically killed hair metal, you know, and that kind of thing. And, you know, hair metal is wonderful. But my point is Lawrence was the next Seattle for about 15 minutes, and then that spilled over into Kansas City. So I came up with all of these bands and was in one of them for a minute. Yeah. A span called Stick, S-T-I-C-K. Not to be confused with Sticks, my aunt thought I was in Sticks <laugh>. Uh, which would've been great. It's
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:31:56):
A fun Thanksgiving to talk
Billy Brimblecom (00:31:57):
About, but it was, it was on Thanksgiving or Christmas <laugh>. Um, anyway. Oh, no, no, no. Wrong band. Um, but, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:03):
Can we find your music online? Can we go back and listen to the
Billy Brimblecom (00:32:07):
First stick album that I did not play on, because this was, but I saw them in this time. I joined the band at the very end. So there's a couple stick records I didn't play on either of them, but there's a stick album called Heavy Bag, which is awesome
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:21):
Story there.
Billy Brimblecom (00:32:22):
It was very, yeah. Well, I mean, it's just a picture of literally a boxing bag. Um, but, um, and, uh, I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:27):
Was like, is there like a garbage bag?
Billy Brimblecom (00:32:28):
No, it is like a, you know, heavy bag, like a Yeah. And so that, uh, but I mean, it was on a major label, you know, it's on Arista Records, it's on Spotify and, and streaming services. So, so yeah. My my point is the music history is long and deep and rich. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:32:41):
And
Billy Brimblecom (00:32:41):
There were tons of bands that are, you know, were my friends then and now
Speaker 4 (00:32:45):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:32:45):
Um, and even one of 'em that I was in that had these, you know, that that had a go at it, man. Yeah. That, you know, toured the world and, and, um, and, uh, had videos on MTV and the whole deal, you know? Right. And then
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:56):
What happened? Why didn't Lawrence stick?
Billy Brimblecom (00:32:58):
Uh, pun intended. Yeah. No, it, um, yeah, I mean, it none, none of it did. I mean, that's the thing. It's like, it comes and goes. Yeah. And it's like, no one from where I'm sitting failed.
Speaker 4 (00:33:10):
Sure.
Billy Brimblecom (00:33:10):
You know, it's like businesses, restaurants, bands, you know? Yeah. Unfortunately, marriages, they don't always all last mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, and so, um, yeah. But I mean, you know, some of those bands are still around.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:21):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:33:21):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:22):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:33:22):
Season To Risk was one of the bands that was, uh, from Kansas City that I think just finished a tour. You know, that was one of the few bands from Kansas City, uh, in the, in the early nineties that was signed to a major label and like, they're still at it.
Speaker 4 (00:33:34):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:33:34):
Like, which is amazing. I was emailing with Steve Ano, the singer of that band who owns a record bar about some shows next year. And I, I was like, about some old bands of mine, I'll just say that.
Speaker 4 (00:33:45):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:33:45):
And I said, looks like my past is my future. And he was like, dude, I'm on tour season risk right now. He's like, my, my past is my future and my presence and my forever. And I was like, amen.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:54):
Love it.
Billy Brimblecom (00:33:55):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:55):
Okay. So let's take a moment to highlight some local bands. Lawrence Casey. Um, yeah. Who do you guys, who do you guys like to listen to? Who's great to see Live?
Billy Brimblecom (00:34:07):
We're not out seeing a lot of bands these days. That's fair. But there's,
Allison Brimblecom (00:34:13):
So some friends of ours are Hembry who are not local anymore, but we love those guys. Yeah. They're in LA now. So Good.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:19):
Yep.
Allison Brimblecom (00:34:19):
Their dad, well not there, but Isaac Flynn, who's the front man of that band. Um, his dad, John Flynn is our lead guitar player. Yeah, that's right. Okay. Summer Breeze. So we, they're kind of like our little brothers that we're always keeping tabs on and rooting for. We saw them perform at
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:38):
Peron.
Billy Brimblecom (00:34:39):
Yeah. Awesome.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:39):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:34:39):
Summer before. Yeah. They've been doing it the last few years.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:41):
I think you were there too, right? Some
Billy Brimblecom (00:34:43):
Yeah. I've, I've been in a couple of them. Yeah. Um, but no, I mean, br Great. Madison Ward's incredible. Um, love
Speaker 4 (00:34:49):
Him,
Billy Brimblecom (00:34:49):
Play with, we play with him from time to time. Uh, Allie just played with our old friend Sarah Swenson, uh, a couple nights Nice. A couple weeks ago at Record Bar, which was very, very great. She's a great singer songwriter. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. From here. That's been around, been been around, been at it a long time. Yeah. I mean, season to Risk Shiner, I mean, these, these are again, these are, those are, you know, big awesome heavy rock and roll bands that, you know, I learned about as a teenager. Yeah. But like, I'm just so happy. And
Allison Brimblecom (00:35:15):
Our friends, the getup kids are
Billy Brimblecom (00:35:16):
Getup kids are still,
Allison Brimblecom (00:35:17):
Still That's right. At it. And those, their band is like a big important band to a lot of really famous bands. And so like, inspiration to them, right.
Billy Brimblecom (00:35:29):
Kind of. Yeah. Huge influence. Mm-hmm
Allison Brimblecom (00:35:30):
<affirmative>. Yes. Like people that everyone knows and listens to would be Star Trek to, you know, run into them.
Speaker 4 (00:35:38):
Yep.
Allison Brimblecom (00:35:38):
Yeah. Um, because they were at the forefront of a lot of really important
Speaker 4 (00:35:43):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Allison Brimblecom (00:35:45):
Music at the time.
Speaker 4 (00:35:46):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:35:47):
And still making a living, like touring and mm-hmm <affirmative>. I mean like the world, other countries. It's like amazing. Yeah. That's incredible. Yeah. Yeah. But I wouldn't say we have the pulse on all the new stuff. Like we're <laugh> join the club. Yeah. I'm sure there's so much more. Same stage of life.
Billy Brimblecom (00:36:00):
Oh, there, there, there are people that, uh, if you're listening, I'm sorry if I haven't got back to you <laugh>, but that like will hit me up on LinkedIn or LinkedIn Yes. LinkedIn. But like Instagram and stuff. Yeah. Or, or if you emailed me like musicians and at that wanting to play Thunder Gong or whatever, for instance. Yeah. And I'm like, I have never heard of this person and this is great. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:36:20):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:36:20):
Like, I, you know, I'm 48 years old, you know, I mean, I was, I started playing clubs when I was 16, so I've been at it a long time. But like I said, I'm not kinda like out in the Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:36:28):
Summer
Billy Brimblecom (00:36:29):
Breeze plays. We have friends that, that still play. We play with all these people, some of these people as well. But, but there's a whole, you know, couple generations
Speaker 4 (00:36:38):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:36:39):
Uh, you know, some of these people would thank God we, we are friends with Hembry because we know about some of these people because of them. Yeah. You know, and it's just like, this is amazing.
Speaker 4 (00:36:46):
Right. You
Billy Brimblecom (00:36:47):
Know, our buddy Chuck that's in our band, uh, summer Breeze has a band called 90 Minute Cassette. Uh, we gotta mention them. Greg Lafa makes his own music. All this is on Spotify.
Speaker 4 (00:36:57):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:36:57):
Um, you know, there's a lot. Yeah. There's tons. There's tons. It's an endless supply of even things we could mention and that's a fraction of it. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:05):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:37:05):
Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:05):
So speaking of, uh, music events in Kansas City, um, I think I had texted you last month at some point the day after Thunder Gong, and I was like, congratulations on making it onto the National Women's Soccer League Instagram, hanging out with Weirdo Yankovic Yes. Amongst your husband and Jason and everybody else. Yes. I was like, this is amazing. There was, so like, let's talk about Thunder Gong, especially the one that just happened. Um, pink Pony Club, you know, some of these performances, like talk about Thunder Gong and why, I mean, be completely selfish about like, what makes this event so great. 'cause it is a party, it's so entertaining. Yeah. It's not just music. It's funny. It, and obviously it's
Allison Brimblecom (00:37:44):
Very fun. That funny, it's a little bit, um, rough around the edges, I would say. Where I think that's fun for people. Like you can tell kind of like
Billy Brimblecom (00:37:54):
Unpolished,
Allison Brimblecom (00:37:55):
Unpolished, I mean raw, you know, like the magic of SNL is, you know, kind of baked into the thunder gong sauce as well of like, there's some planning, but there's some things that happen mm-hmm <affirmative>. Live in the room that weren't expected. And, um, I would say, I think part of the magic of it for people that are from Kansas City is that Summer Breeze is the house band. And, you know, we're getting to play for these other musicians and comedians and I think that that makes it really fun that we're just kind of these normal <laugh> people that are on stage getting to have that opportunity. Yeah. I think that's fun for people that know, um, know us a little bit even. Um, it's really fun for us. Um, and we, uh, I don't think that would be the same if it was different. Um, yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:38:49):
But
Allison Brimblecom (00:38:49):
Yeah, I, we've just had incredible people and once people come once they feel like part of the family, um, yeah. It kind of feels like summer camp a little bit is like the way someone explained it this year and we were like, that's so perfect. Yeah. 'cause um, it kind of feels like everyone's coming together to like, for the weekend to put on this the summer camp show. Yeah. And, um, yeah. Weird Owl was there last year and this year
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:13):
Uhhuh
Allison Brimblecom (00:39:14):
And we're all just like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:17):
You know, is he just like a hoot to hang out with? What is he like?
Allison Brimblecom (00:39:20):
He's the sweetest and kindest and very humble and unassuming and I mean, it's just surreal to like, he
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:29):
Was literally one of my first cassette tapes.
Allison Brimblecom (00:39:30):
Oh, that's amazing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:31):
That I had for my stereo in my room in the eighties.
Allison Brimblecom (00:39:34):
A lot of people feel that way. Yeah. I was actually sitting with him at dinner and I was mentioning, um, Jimmy Fallon talking about him on when Taylor Swift was on the show, uh, recently. And I said, I feel like Jimmy Fallon just finds any opportunity to bring your name up on the show, <laugh>. 'cause he mentions him a lot. And Weirdo said, oh yeah, he's obsessed with me,
Speaker 4 (00:39:55):
<laugh>. Oh, that's great.
Allison Brimblecom (00:39:56):
And I like, loved that. 'cause it was like, he was Jimmy's first concert, and so I feel like Oh, really? He was that for a lot of people. Yeah. And he's just a legend and Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:40:04):
But I mean,
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:05):
He's just hanging out. Um, something cool about him is like, he came down front and sat and watched the show this year, so he's Oh, really? When he was not on stage Uhhuh, he wanted to see what was going on. He's watching the,
Billy Brimblecom (00:40:18):
In the audience.
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:18):
He's just truly engaged. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:40:20):
With
Speaker 4 (00:40:20):
Everything.
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:20):
He really is. He's an incredible musician. Um, he, uh, is like such a pro, like when we are rehearsing and he, you know, he almost kind of seems a little bit shy and then you play like start playing the music and like that magic happens. Like he's Yeah. Got all the moves and like
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:40):
He turns it on.
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:41):
I mean, he
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:42):
Probably has a stage name of some sort, <laugh>, Sasha Fierce, but like a
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:46):
Play, he has some sort of Sasha Fierce.
Billy Brimblecom (00:40:48):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:48):
I don't know what he calls his persona, but it's there. Well,
Billy Brimblecom (00:40:50):
I think that's weird, Al Yeah. I think it's, I think it's al it turns out is weird. Al think then when he turns into Weird Al Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:54):
Yeah. That would make sense.
Billy Brimblecom (00:40:55):
Yeah. He's,
Allison Brimblecom (00:40:56):
He's really, really amazing.
Billy Brimblecom (00:40:57):
He, yeah. I told him the first time, one of the first times I talked to him on the phone last year I said, is, I'm really excited about this. And, you know, we were, I was just, was like, I mean, everyone is freaking out that you're doing this dude mm-hmm <affirmative>. Like we're just so, you know, um, excited. Yeah. And so, you know, and he, he does big slick often. Um, uh, doesn't always play at Big Slick mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, he, he does it quite a bit, but he doesn't always sing. And so, you know, our whole thing is, is, um, it's a concert and so it's like he's coming to play to, to do the thing he's known for with us. Yeah. You know, and I told him, I said, Hey, and, and Al came to us via my brother Will Forte
Speaker 4 (00:41:38):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:41:39):
And I said to Al, I said, okay. So, you know, you know, like most people that know Will Forte think he's probably like the nicest guy, you know mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:41:47):
<affirmative>. And
Billy Brimblecom (00:41:47):
He said, oh yeah, definitely. I said, well, just so you know Will says that you are the nicest guy. He knows <laugh>. And he's like, oh. And so, which is true.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:41:55):
No, you are. No, you are.
Billy Brimblecom (00:41:56):
Yeah. He's just the sweetest dude. I mean like, what a crazy honor to be a kid watching the, like a surgeon video on MTV, you know, and then getting to play with him a couple years in a row and hopefully again, you know, um, next year as well. So Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:09):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:09):
It's, it's, it's a surreal thing. I mean, thunder gong's a dream come true for me, for us in a lot of ways, you know?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:18):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:18):
And so it's just like, yeah. It's just great.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:21):
So let's talk about Sue Degas. Yep. He, well, first of all, do you guys get involved with Big Slick? Nope.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:27):
Out
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:27):
The band or
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:28):
No? We, we attend
Allison Brimblecom (00:42:30):
When we Can. We attend. We love
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:31):
So
Allison Brimblecom (00:42:32):
Many of the family members and everyone that puts it on, but yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:35):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:42:36):
We, we do not help plan it. No.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:38):
I think some people get confused.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:39):
Yes. With
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:40):
Sudeikis being two different
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:41):
Events all
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:41):
The time. Events two different times a year, but Thunder Gong is every November. Yep,
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:43):
That's right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:44):
And Sudeikis is big slick there.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:46):
And Big Slick is in the summer. Right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:47):
The
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:48):
Benefits Children's of Mercy. Very important. Very huge. Very amazing. Yeah. But
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:51):
Completely
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:52):
Different thing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:52):
Completely different things.
Billy Brimblecom (00:42:53):
Yeah. We, we love it. We go when we can. Uh, it's amazing. And, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:58):
Uh, so what's the backstory with you and Jason? Did you guys meet doing improv? We
Billy Brimblecom (00:43:02):
Did 1995. Nope. Um, it was before he, he did move to Chicago, but it was a, uh, a few years before that. Okay. So yeah, we, we both auditioned, got hired and came into comedy sports as it was called at the time. Oh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:16):
Here
Billy Brimblecom (00:43:17):
In Kansas City.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:18):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:43:18):
Yeah. Comedy Sports is still a national improv company chain. Um, and, uh, is now called Comedy City here. It's actually not currently in business here. Hopefully it will come back, come back to life. Um, but, um, yes, so we met in 1995. We, we got hired at the same time. Okay. And then, and then we were in the same workshop, like training class together mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so got to know each other that way and just were fast off friends off. Yep. We've been, I was 18, he was 19. We've been, you know, um, like brothers ever since.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:50):
So that was kind of a no-brainer for him to get involved with you with Thunder Gong. He's been there from the start, right?
Billy Brimblecom (00:43:55):
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it started with him. I,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:57):
I mean, what an amazing friend, you know,
Billy Brimblecom (00:43:59):
He's a good friend. Yes. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:44:01):
From the start.
Billy Brimblecom (00:44:02):
Yeah. I mean we, you know, we, he was not the one that, uh, organized the event for me in 2006. That was our friend Corey rit master and his wife Monique Madrid, who are from here.
Speaker 4 (00:44:15):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (00:44:16):
Corey was a couple years older than Jason and I, and he is actually the guy that led Jason and I's workshop class. So he trained us,
(00:44:24):
Um, uh, you know, learning all the improv games and all that kind of thing and is one of my, one of our best friends to this day. But Corey, Monique put that event together, um, in oh six. And so, um, and then Jason did it, Jason's wife at the time. Kay Cannon, who's been on Steps of Faith's board basically since the beginning. Our friend Ed Goodman, who does Thunder gong from time to time with us, who's amazing. So, so when I went to Jason, I mean, I was trying to get him to come to Nashville to do an event
Speaker 4 (00:44:51):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:44:51):
You know, and I was like, maybe it can be something like the thing you did for me in oh six and it just never came together.
Speaker 4 (00:44:56):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:44:56):
Um, and then once we got back here in kc, I mean, I even had in Nashville again to talk more crap <laugh>. No, but I even had keeps
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:06):
Coming back.
Billy Brimblecom (00:45:06):
I just, the way it works, it was a thing where it was like, even when like I had reached out to people that I played with a lot in Nashville that were like, you know, you know, very respected musicians in the city to just get them to kind of be tent pole. Will you do this event where you guys would play in Nashville? Wasn't Thunder Go, it just was like a concert or something. I just was, I, I thought we'll just do a concert and have Jason host it.
Speaker 4 (00:45:30):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:45:30):
And they're like, well, who else is doing it? I was like, well, it would start with you since you're big in the city and like a close friend and I play in your band. Ah. And it was like, oh my gosh. So then I was like, okay. And I got a venue then the, then the date had to move and we were gonna do, k did this event for us at Comedy City in 2015. Um, that was the first, you know, public fundraiser that Steps of Faith had done in Kansas City. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And that was gonna be in Nashville. Okay. I had talked to her that day. We had a date, we had a place, we had it all set. And then, um, literally the same day, the venue was like, Hey, we gotta give it to, you know, Martina McBride, man, she's doing a record release something, some real Nashville thing. Yeah.
(00:46:12):
I got one upped <laugh>. And so, um, it was, uh, shout out Martin to Martina Martin. Shout out to Martina McBride, Kansas girl. That's, no, it was not literally her. It was somebody, but it was somebody like that. Uh, it had nothing to do with her, but, um, my point is, it was a thing right then where I called K back and I was like, what if you do same event? Actually not same event, but <laugh> same date, but it's in Kansas City. She's like, I'm flying from LA either way. Okay. So I was like, okay, great. Um, so yeah,
Allison Brimblecom (00:46:41):
But event here in Kansas City, like where we had done like it on a much smaller scale, I think Jason could see the vision for that and also had a heart for like, what could that do for other people.
Speaker 4 (00:46:52):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:46:53):
And seeing how it's helped his friend. And so it started out as like a very drum centered event. There's different names around, like, it was gonna be called Gongs of Thunder at one point. And, um, so there was a lot of ideas and Jason also loves playing the drums. And so then it kind of evolved to Thunder Gong. And so they were cooking on the idea for a while, but then it just came together when we moved here. And I will say in Nashville it was a really great place to like learn from other nonprofits. 'cause there are a lot of nonprofits in Nashville that are really successful.
Speaker 4 (00:47:26):
Okay.
Allison Brimblecom (00:47:27):
So it's pretty cool. Like, Billy got to learn, be mentored by a lot of people there, but then it's harder to get, like, he's explaining like harder to get attention there, even though it's a smaller city, there's just a lot going on. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. A lot of people trying to be cool and <laugh>.
Speaker 4 (00:47:41):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:47:42):
There's a lot of cool people doing cool things. And Yeah. Um, it just, the further we got down the road, it became even clearer. Like the community to help Steps of Faith is here in Kansas City. And so it, when we brought Thunder Gong, when we brought Steps of Faith here and then had the first Thunder Gong event, it just felt like, oh, we just, like, the community just embraced it and it felt so good, like to, to have that here. And then Jason being from Overland Park, you know, he loves to be here and give back and all of that. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:14):
Yeah. So Four Steps of Faith, it's not just for people here locally who need a limb. Is that accurate? Nationwide? So can you kind of talk to that? Like how does somebody go about applying or Yeah. What does that look like?
Billy Brimblecom (00:48:26):
Yeah. Um, I mean, these days, you know, next year will be April of 2026 will be, yeah. Um, so this year will be, uh, um, <laugh>, right when we air this year. When is this year? Um, 13 years. So you Google prosthetic charity
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:45):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:48:47):
Or if you use Ask Geeves, whatever your search engine,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:50):
Ask Geeves,
Billy Brimblecom (00:48:51):
Whatever your search engine might be. Um, we're gonna come up, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:56):
Are you the only one? Or,
Billy Brimblecom (00:48:57):
Uh, things come and go? Um, no. Uh, but we're the only ones that do it the way we do it. Yeah. And that, uh, help people nationally and do both arms and legs and things like that. So, um, that is for sure. Yeah. Yes. Um, but, uh, yeah, that people just find us online or, or, you know, these days we've worked with so many prosthetic clinics in so many different states mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:21):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:49:21):
You know, not all of the states, but most of them at this point. And there's just word of mouth,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:25):
We'll help you get there.
Billy Brimblecom (00:49:26):
Yeah. But yeah, we have a very, you know, SEBS faith foundation.org, we have a very easy application, that kind of thing.
Speaker 4 (00:49:30):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:49:31):
And yeah. We help people all over the country and we've helped, you know, um, over 2000 people in our time. I mean, the first year was like eight mm-hmm <affirmative>. In Nashville. The second year was probably nine or 10 in Nashville.
Speaker 4 (00:49:42):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:49:42):
You know, um, I think the third year was 25. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. It was like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 4 (00:49:48):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:49:48):
You know, and in 2024 we helped almost 460, you know. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:54):
So what's the, what's the hope, the goal, the vision? Just keep going? Or do you have, how do you plan that out of what you guys aspire to continue doing with this?
Billy Brimblecom (00:50:04):
Do you wanna answer that question?
Allison Brimblecom (00:50:06):
<laugh>? I mean, I would say the hope was like Billy is part of this adv advocacy of like, steps of faith wouldn't need to exist because mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:50:13):
<affirmative>. You
Allison Brimblecom (00:50:14):
Know, uh, prosthetics wouldn't be seen as a luxury. But in the meantime, because the demand is growing, um, 500 people a day lose a limb in the us, um, you know, we need more money in the tank so that we can buy more prosthetics for people that need them, you know? And so it's grown where they've steps of faith went from just Billy and then me doing the MailChimp, you know, on the side to having, um, now four employees
Billy Brimblecom (00:50:47):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Five,
Allison Brimblecom (00:50:48):
Five employees,
Billy Brimblecom (00:50:49):
Two part-time. Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:50:50):
Um, and able to like, meet the demand. So, um, you know, I don't think we know what the future holds. I mean, I don't think we ever thought steps would be able to help 2000 people.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:51:03):
Yep.
Allison Brimblecom (00:51:03):
Um, but we just knew like this was something that, um, Billy was passionate about and we saw the need. And like, the more you keep going, the need grows.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:51:14):
Yeah. So what impact has it had on you now that you've been doing this for so long and you had that moment of clarity of like, this is what I want to do. Like how do you describe how that's impacted you personally?
Billy Brimblecom (00:51:24):
Oh, I mean, it's given my life really great, uh, purpose. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. That, and I was always, that purpose was never an issue for me.
Speaker 4 (00:51:34):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:51:34):
You know, um, you know, I knew what I wanted to do from a really young age, and I was really passionate about music and my friends and the arts and
Speaker 4 (00:51:45):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:51:45):
You know, trying to make people laugh, all those things. So I always, yeah. But, but it, you know, when I was sick with cancer before I lost my leg, I was introduced to a guy. We had all the same doctors named Brendan Allen. And, uh, I was being told about Brendan, he had the very similar cancer to me and all, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then, uh, and then I learned he lost his leg. And then I was so afraid of that at the time when I was going through chemo, I was not thinking or fearful of death, but I was fearful of living, having lost a leg. Sure. I mean, there's a cliche turn of phrase, you know, life or limb, uh, which is to say second to death, the biggest un most unimaginable fear would be losing a limb.
Speaker 4 (00:52:31):
Sure.
Billy Brimblecom (00:52:32):
And so, and I was in that camp, um, so I didn't wanna have anything to do. I was very excited to hear about Brendan until I learned that he lost his leg. And I did not wanna meet this person at all. And I met him in the cancer center, and I was like, well, he's fine. That dude seems cool. You know, he's got a pretty wife and seems to have a <laugh> you, you know, okay. All right. Whatever. And so, but didn't wanna have anything to do with him. And then the day that I got the news, I was, uh, losing my leg. He was one of the first calls I made.
Speaker 4 (00:52:58):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:52:58):
And so, um, we've been close ever since he's been on our board off and on. My my point is, there is an amputee community mm-hmm <affirmative>. Just like, there's a community for about anything you can think of. Yeah. And the community is so important.
Speaker 4 (00:53:14):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:53:14):
I know you know this, that's why you created this podcast. Yep. It's why you do what you do. You're, you're not on there to, you know, uh, show off your new, you know, lingerie set you wanna show off. That's an idea. <laugh>, you wanna make some money on Instagram, you know what I mean? Like you've said yourself, you just want to talk about things that make the city great and you're not even from here. Right. You know what I mean? It's like, that's amazing. So my point is, I'd never felt like I need to, I gotta be around more ampt. 'cause I had Brendan. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:53:40):
You know,
Billy Brimblecom (00:53:42):
And so I just wanted to be like normal, but be able to talk to somebody that could help me and understand these kinds of things. Absolutely. And so many important relationships in my life have come about that exact way. Cactus Moser is also a board member of Steps of Faith. Drummer Hero to me, he's kind of like a, you know, peer brother, uncle to me. Uh, married to Wino Judd, we met for that same reason. And so, all this to say there is very much an amputee community that I feel I have a place in.
Speaker 4 (00:54:14):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:54:14):
And, um, I didn't before. It wasn't that I didn't want to just was not on my radar, you know? Yeah. And then more I do this, the more, you know, I've kind of like steps of faith. We've built our own community and these, this, this growing list of people that we've helped. I'm not, I don't remain in touch with all the people we've helped. Sure. You know, some of those people have died, you know what I mean? Yeah. Some of those people, um, I never even met. But knowing that we are helping this community
Speaker 4 (00:54:40):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (00:54:41):
That grows, no one wants that community to grow to, to be added to. But it does every day. Uh, it's a, it's amazing. You know what I mean? And to know that, you know, and we, we have a lot of fun. I mean, we, that's the whole thing. It's like, this is a winning team. Ally said early on, you know, it's like, you don't need to talk about how bad you need money. Just talk about the good, the things you're doing that are good.
Speaker 4 (00:55:05):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:55:05):
You know, and eventually <laugh> that, that worked out, you know, and it's like, no, no, this is working
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:10):
Well and back to fun. I think I've sent you at least one reel of like very clever Halloween costumes Oh yeah. That people do
Billy Brimblecom (00:55:17):
Oh, yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:18):
With prosthetic limbs. Yeah. Which I think is fantastic. You know?
Billy Brimblecom (00:55:21):
I know. I need to get more on that tip. You was so brilliant. I need to get more on that tip. Uh, but, but yeah. No, I mean, it, it, I don't know. Uh, it, it's, it's changed my life a lot and I feel very proud of what we do and how we do it and the community we've cultivated and
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:35):
Yeah. Well, and to that point, like, the reason that I wanted to start the podcast is I have learned through many avenues of life, people just wanna be seen and heard.
Billy Brimblecom (00:55:45):
Yeah. Amen.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:47):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So back to your point of the community. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (00:55:50):
Like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:50):
You go through something that's probably traumatizing.
Billy Brimblecom (00:55:53):
Yes. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:54):
<affirmative>. And, um, you wanna feel like you're still seen and heard in a way that, you know, is no crazy different than, you know, what you were like before.
Billy Brimblecom (00:56:02):
Exactly.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:03):
Lost the limb.
Billy Brimblecom (00:56:04):
Yes. So I'm the same. Um, I just have a different perspective, you know what I mean?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:10):
And you lost a limb and you're one of the most stylish men in Kansas City.
Billy Brimblecom (00:56:13):
Oh, I don't know about that. You've
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:14):
Got that going on.
Billy Brimblecom (00:56:15):
One of those things is true.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:16):
He is. Yes.
Billy Brimblecom (00:56:17):
<laugh> one of those things is true.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:18):
Yeah. But question for you. Yes. How, so you came in, you met him, did you have the prosthetic when you guys met?
Billy Brimblecom (00:56:25):
No.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:26):
So like, what was your experience like coming into this new relationship mm-hmm <affirmative>. And how has it affect, like, obviously you're all in, like you've learned so much about this world, but like, what, what's your experience been like?
Allison Brimblecom (00:56:38):
Um, when we first met? Well, it's really wild to look back because I think that I wasn't really, um, I was really naive about like, um, maybe like how close he was to death and how sick he was mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (00:56:53):
<affirmative>.
Allison Brimblecom (00:56:53):
And going through like a really hard time. I just knew I had met this like, really charming, great person. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:56:59):
But
Allison Brimblecom (00:57:00):
When we look back at photos, it's like, it's really crazy. I introduced you to my parents when you were like bald and could barely walk, you know? But I just, it, it wasn't really an issue. Like now, I, I think I would think much more about it, but maybe just like the benefit of being younger and, um, naive. But, um, yeah, I think that for me, um, you know, being married to someone or just having anyone that has close proximity to someone that has a disability or a limb difference, um, than you just see it more in the world mm-hmm <affirmative>. Than you did before. Yeah. Right. And so, um, it definitely has, um, you know, it just makes, it makes you feel more empathetic towards people you realize like that representation matters. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:49):
Absolutely. And I was gonna say, your kids too probably have learned such great lessons about empathy. Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:57:54):
You know? Yes. Yes. Um, or, you know, we, this past year we met April Lockhart who, um, is a content creator and she has a limb difference. Um, she has a, a little arm and you know, my daughter who's 10, we were watching some of her videos and she just hosted an event with a lot of little girls who also have a limb difference. And Goldie immediately could see like, what that would mean to someone her age, having someone to look up to.
Speaker 4 (00:58:22):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:58:23):
Um, and so I think Billy is that for some people that may, you know, follow him or see what he's doing, um, also just being able to encourage people, um, just to say I'm on the other side and mm-hmm <affirmative>. You're gonna be okay. Like, that means so much more than even if somebody doesn't need our help financially, just having someone to talk to.
Speaker 4 (00:58:45):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:58:45):
Um, and so I've just been like so proud of him. It's like, makes me cry, you know, because I was always like, if music doesn't work out financially <laugh> Yeah. Which is a hard thing to do
Speaker 4 (00:58:56):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:58:57):
To make a living with music. I'm like this, like, he just has a special, um, set of skills and as you can tell, he is like a music encyclopedia. And yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:08):
It's
Allison Brimblecom (00:59:08):
Just been so cool to see how God has used all of his little, um, personality traits and all of the skills that he's acquired over years of being a musician to put together a team of people to do not just thunder gong, but the work that mm-hmm <affirmative>. Steps of Faith does year round.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:26):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (00:59:27):
And so I think that's inspirational to people too, of like, um, you know, all of that stuff won't be wasted even if you have something tragic Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:59:37):
Happen
Allison Brimblecom (00:59:38):
To you. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:59:39):
So
Allison Brimblecom (00:59:39):
It might not be running a nonprofit, but it can be used for Right. For good in other ways.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:45):
Yeah. So to that point, you're also a speaker, keynote speaker. Do a little plug on that.
Billy Brimblecom (00:59:51):
Yeah. Well, it's very nice. Thank you. Um, yeah. You
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:55):
Guys are such like, you guys are the cutest couple <laugh>, honestly. Like you really are. You're both so pretty. Feels very sweet. You're very pretty Billy. That's very sweet. You're obviously very pretty. I'll take it. But seriously, you guys are so sweet together. It's really fun to watch.
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:07):
That's very sweet. Um, so I speak about beauty. Um, I'm drinking a thing that is beauty, water, shout
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:15):
Out sets of style.
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:17):
I'll do, uh, about my skincare routine.
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:19):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:19):
Which I did get very
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:20):
Steps out. Steps, steps, style. Shout out to, um, Billy's grocery.
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:24):
Yeah, I was gonna say
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:25):
That's, I think I recognize that.
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:27):
Yeah. Um, you know, I, throughout the years, you know, if you've been listening along, I've been through some adventures and so people we like to do want, you know, just even running a non-profit for long enough, people just wanna talk to you about it
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:40):
Or
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:40):
Whatever. Yeah. And so, um, I get asked to speak here and there, and the last, you know, uh, because
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:45):
What's the stat of how long nonprofits usually last?
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:48):
18 months mo most nonprofits, most most businesses in particular nonprofits don't last, uh, past the first 18 months
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:55):
Just because the
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:56):
Time and lack of
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:57):
Funds,
Billy Brimblecom (01:00:57):
Because it's hard.
Allison Brimblecom (01:00:58):
It's just very hard. It's, yeah. And so 13 years is like a huge accomplishment Yeah. And have it be growing and all of that. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:01:04):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:01:04):
So then people wanna know, how'd you do it? You know, so
Billy Brimblecom (01:01:07):
Yeah. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Or, or just, you know, it's a, it's a unique and extraordinary story, and I say that because most of it I didn't write. That's how God made my life. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (01:01:20):
<affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (01:01:20):
Happen
Speaker 4 (01:01:21):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (01:01:21):
Um, you know, musician turned, you know, guy that runs a nonprofit for a number of years, whatever. So, so I get asked to talk and, and, uh, all this to say I've been actually, instead of just going, oh, yes or no, I've been pursuing it, you know? Yeah. Like more open to doing it. And not only that, actually, like pursuing, doing more of it the last, uh, couple years and, you know, it's coming along and, and, um, maybe I'm talking in Camden, Missouri to, uh, group of, uh, uh, um, uh, correctional facility trainers.
Speaker 4 (01:01:54):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (01:01:55):
Or maybe I'm talking with my friends at the Global Business Travel Association in Kohler, Wisconsin. Okay. I'm, I'm, I'm available for all these things.
Speaker 4 (01:02:01):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:02):
And that's the whole thing. So, no, I, I, I, you know, again, it goes back to the every drummer wanting to be a front man. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, a keynote speaker. It's all you
Speaker 4 (01:02:09):
Baby. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:09):
So I'm just up there spinning yarns and telling tales and, and, uh, but, you know, talking about what I've learned and, you know, back to, you know, what, what steps of faith means. I mean, I also realize that I have like used the things I'm good at to build it, but also those things have gotten stronger.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:26):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:26):
And I've learned a ton, you know. No
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:29):
Kidding.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:29):
You know, it's like, uh, the, the, you know, people you talk about just beating my head against a wall and it's like, well, you know, in certain martial arts disciplines, you can break bricks with your head, right?
Speaker 4 (01:02:43):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:43):
So if you beating beat your head against a wall long enough in the right way, you can bust through that wall.
Allison Brimblecom (01:02:47):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:48):
And that's kind of what we do over and over and over.
Allison Brimblecom (01:02:51):
Not part of your keynote, but you
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:53):
Not part of my keynote. You could add.
Allison Brimblecom (01:02:54):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:55):
Uh, but, uh, operative
Allison Brimblecom (01:02:56):
Terms,
Billy Brimblecom (01:02:56):
We'll add that in. So, yeah. No, I, I'm, I'm enjoying doing more of that and, um, and looking to do more and more. I love it. I love it.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:04):
Okay. Good to know.
Billy Brimblecom (01:03:05):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:05):
Um, okay, so lastly, when we're not at Thunder Gong in November, how throughout the year can we all support Steps of Faith?
Allison Brimblecom (01:03:16):
You can go to steps of faith foundation.org. Um, we love having monthly donors. Um, Billy tells a story, there is someone in Indonesia that gives $1,
Billy Brimblecom (01:03:25):
$1 and 12 cents
Allison Brimblecom (01:03:27):
A month, $1 and 12 cents. Like that's so meaningful and amazing. Um, but yeah, that's a really amazing way to have, uh, sustainability is people that wanna, um, sign up to donate monthly. Um, we have an event in the spring called Game Night. We had the first one last spring that's Will Forte was the host. Yep. It's kind of like, um, coming to a taping of a game show. Yeah. Um, you'll do it again that year. We're doing that again.
Billy Brimblecom (01:03:53):
April
Allison Brimblecom (01:03:54):
Will will be back. Um, you might get a selfie with Will, you might get to come on stage. We had, um, some amazing local, uh, talent from the news and radio personalities, sports
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:06):
World,
Allison Brimblecom (01:04:07):
Um, sports, you know, celebs. So that will be coming back. So watch out for that. Um, by
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:15):
The way, I think I heard Amy Poer on her podcast talk about how it was her or somebody who was her guest talking about how Will Forte will just like fly 24 hours to go do these events. Yeah. Tina, Tina, not just yours, like anywhere, anywhere across the world. Tina Faye was talking about Seems to be. So that's who it was.
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:30):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:30):
So like, I will be there for you.
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:32):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:33):
He is amazing.
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:34):
Yes. He's unbelievably dedicated. Will is on SEPs Faith's advisory board for that reason. He's, um, yeah. You know,
Allison Brimblecom (01:04:41):
She made a joke on late night TV about how in the, 'cause they were working on that show, the Four Seasons Such
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:46):
A good show, by the
Allison Brimblecom (01:04:47):
Way. How he was like, I have to, I have to go learn the, I have to go have, go to go learn the choreography to Hot to Go <laugh>. And that was
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:54):
So you gotta go.
Allison Brimblecom (01:04:54):
Well, not every day that comes out of his poor thunder gong, which we were all cheering when we watched that, but
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:59):
Yeah,
Allison Brimblecom (01:04:59):
Yeah,
Billy Brimblecom (01:04:59):
Yeah. It's incredible.
Allison Brimblecom (01:05:00):
So he'll be doing that. Um, yeah. Yeah. I mean, if that's not your stuff, that's not your thing, you know, just, um, you know, coming to events or different things is not your thing. Um, but ultimately raising funds to help.
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:13):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:05:13):
Any,
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:14):
The cliches are true. Any dollar, anytime. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:16):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:17):
You know, we
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:18):
Any country.
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:19):
Yeah,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:19):
Any country. Not that someone from another country is listening to this, but hey, you never know.
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:23):
You never know. Dream big.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:25):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:25):
So,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:25):
Awesome. Okay. Uh, we're gonna do some rapid fire, so Yeah. You guys both have to answer. Okay. Okay. All right. First up, what is currently on your Kansas City bucket list?
Allison Brimblecom (01:05:36):
Hmm. Well, I think we're gonna go to Quiso has like a winter family show. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:05:42):
Yes. So
Allison Brimblecom (01:05:43):
Bring the kids. And so we're excited to do that this month. Perfect. Great answer. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:48):
We love
Allison Brimblecom (01:05:48):
Qui. We're like, again, something that makes Kansas City amazing is qui and they're from here. They literally,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:55):
Like you had, I've talked to Anthony, the, the guy behind it, and I'm just like, this is wildly impressive. Same that they're all from here. Yes.
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:01):
Same. You know, they have a show that like, just lives in Miami.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:03):
They do. Yeah. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:04):
I'm going to Miami to do a speech.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:06):
That's awesome.
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:06):
And I'm gonna try, I I think it's the trip so short, but I'm gonna try, try
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:09):
To No. If offenses to the correctional facility, but Miami sounds pretty enticing. So
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:13):
<laugh>, shout out to Missouri Department of Corrections, <laugh>, which I'm happy I didn't know anything about before I was hired to, uh, be a speaker there. Yeah. Um, but yes, quixotic,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:21):
It's rapid fire, so we can't Oh, okay. So what's on your bucket list?
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:24):
Unless it's good answer. Oh gosh. Um, I just, uh, that rapid fire, I just feel like, um, there's so much that I wanna do here
Speaker 4 (01:06:36):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>.
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:37):
Like, not just like make happen myself, but just like, I feel I felt this way since we moved back here. There's like still so many restaurants mm-hmm <affirmative>. That we have not been able to,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:46):
I feel that way too,
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:47):
To get back to.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:47):
And I do a lot.
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:48):
Yeah. Right. You're everywhere.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:49):
But I still haven't been to a lot.
Billy Brimblecom (01:06:51):
And, and you know what I wanna do? This is just off the top of my head. 'cause I've not thought about this before until you asked. I have never, and I think it's only open for special events now. Been to anything, even been in the building at the American restaurant.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:03):
Oh, right. I haven't either.
Billy Brimblecom (01:07:04):
So I'm gonna put that on there. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:06):
Yeah. I
Billy Brimblecom (01:07:06):
Want, we'll put that dinner there, even though they only served dinner for special events.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:10):
Okay. There you go.
Billy Brimblecom (01:07:11):
Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:11):
All right. Next question. Who would you like to see or hear on the Kansas City Bucket List podcast?
Allison Brimblecom (01:07:18):
Oh, I think you need Heidi Gardner. Of course.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:20):
Absolutely. I want Heidi on.
Allison Brimblecom (01:07:21):
So how do
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:22):
I get Heidi on? We
Allison Brimblecom (01:07:23):
Will manifest that. Thank
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:24):
You. We
Allison Brimblecom (01:07:24):
Don't know Heidi, but we will her. I
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:26):
Adore her.
Allison Brimblecom (01:07:27):
I feel like that could happen. Let's make it happen. I feel like she'll be game. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:07:30):
Yeah. I know how to reach her. But she did a, she did a a little thing on, uh, 2021. Virtual Thunder gone. So
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:37):
Virtual. Nice.
Billy Brimblecom (01:07:38):
We did a virtual Thunder gone. Yeah. She did a thing. Um, that would be good. Um, I, I mean, I, I think he was just actually the person being interviewed by his wife on his own podcast. But the first thing that comes to mind is, uh, a, I'm not even gonna say local, but a national treasure is Frank Bowl.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:55):
Okay. So, I don't know him because I didn't grow up here, but of course I keep hearing his name.
Billy Brimblecom (01:07:59):
Legend. He's incredible.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:00):
Well, that's what I listen to Heidi on his podcast.
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:02):
He is incredible. So I will, I would like connect to him. You should absolutely do that. Just because he, he, you know, I mean, I grew up with him on the news and, um, yeah, I think he is like, that dude is awesome.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:15):
Okay. Great. Yeah. Adds to the list.
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:16):
Yeah. Perfect. Um, you also, uh, can I do a
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:19):
Two-parter? Yes, please.
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:20):
Um, one of my closest pals former boss many, many, many, many years ago, uh, and who I would say is a true, I don't throw this word around visionary. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:31):
<affirmative>. Um,
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:32):
James Taylor, local restaurateur, creative lab, bodega.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:36):
I was like the musician.
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:37):
That would also be cool. <laugh>, but no, um, JT James Taylor, guy behind Lab Bodega.
Speaker 4 (01:08:44):
Awesome.
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:44):
Um, I worked for him at Reverse on the Plaza many years ago. Oh.
Speaker 4 (01:08:48):
Uh,
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:48):
Shout out to Reverse. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:08:49):
He
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:49):
Has just been around. He has opened so many restaurants and done so many amazing things. And, um, a lot of it I think is kind of behind the scenes.
Speaker 4 (01:08:56):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (01:08:57):
I think, you know, restaurateurs don't always get the, um, not always at the forefront. He's never sticking his neck out in that way, but JT amazing. Jt Okay. I can also set that
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:05):
Jt not the musician. Yeah. Restaurateur. Right. Okay. Perfect. What do you guys wanna know more about regarding Kansas City lifestyle? Anything in particular that you'd like to learn more about?
Allison Brimblecom (01:09:16):
Good question. We really, we're really emotionally invested in the Plaza. Okay. Okay. And so we wanna see the plaza succeed. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. We want more stores there. We want it to be like, we just visited The Grove in LA and I'm like, this is how the Plaza should be.
Billy Brimblecom (01:09:33):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:09:33):
And so I,
Billy Brimblecom (01:09:34):
And kind of no reason that it shouldn't be.
Allison Brimblecom (01:09:37):
I just feel like all of our hearts and our like, people are like, oh, the plaza's dead, or whatever. And we're like, no, we want to revive the plaza. We wanna root for the new owners. Yeah. We wanna give our input.
Speaker 4 (01:09:48):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:09:48):
So I think as a collective city, we need to all be like sending our love to the plaza. I'm on board.
Billy Brimblecom (01:09:53):
Yeah. Yeah. I dunno if that answers the question.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:54):
We've said this a million times, I didn't grow up here, but for people who did, yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:09:57):
There's
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:58):
Clearly a lot of emotions tied to that destination, so, but
Allison Brimblecom (01:10:01):
I wanna know like, what's going on. Like, here are a few people reporting on it, but I don't know,
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:08):
It's a little, that info, there's like a both, a lot of information all the time about the Plaza and what's happening lately, and then also nothing at all.
Allison Brimblecom (01:10:18):
Yeah. There's, yeah. I know if that answers the question, but
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:19):
Then there's also like, what it, but these tax credits would take money away from this. What other just kinda like, oh, come on,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:25):
<laugh>. Hallie's. Like, Ann, you gotta gotta keep it rolling.
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:28):
Yeah. What other, uh, what was the question?
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:31):
Anything else you wanna learn more about when it comes to Kansas City Lifestyle? Oh. Or Kansas City in general.
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:36):
I mean, I, you know, truly like, just following your Instagram pages, like there's so many things that are like, we gotta go there. Oh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:42):
Well thank you. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:43):
You know?
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:43):
Yes.
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:44):
And so I just love that. I mean, it's like a, you know, again, things change.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:48):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:10:48):
Things come and go. And so I always just like knowing, okay, we gotta go try that. We gotta go try that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:55):
So, good to know. On the flip side, do you have a favorite Hidden Gym? Do
Speaker 4 (01:10:58):
Mm.
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:01):
<affirmative> Art to Barbecue is not that hidden, but I, but it's, it's,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:06):
It's, no, but I would say that's definitely not at the forefront for, at least from my perspective of like,
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:09):
See, okay, good. Yeah. It's not, I mean, you know, people are gonna talk about, you know, gates and Bryants or maybe kind of new school Q 39 Jacks Stack things, which I love all of those things. Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:11:18):
Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:19):
Um, I think
Allison Brimblecom (01:11:19):
That's a really good answer. Zda is probably our favorite.
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:24):
It's a hundred percent.
Allison Brimblecom (01:11:25):
Okay. It's like a little time capsule, but when you go there inside, we live near there. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (01:11:30):
<affirmative>.
Allison Brimblecom (01:11:31):
And, uh, they also shout out, they have a special Thunder Barry sauce that support Steps of Faith. It's new. Oh, nice. It's Chipotle raspberry. It's amazing. Okay. You can get it there or you can buy it Hy-Vee.
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:43):
Yep.
Allison Brimblecom (01:11:44):
So I, do you feel like it's underrated? Okay. Sda Good to know. I
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:48):
Mean, they do, well they've been around a long time. You can get their stuff some Togo things at, at, you know, Hy-Vee and grocery stores and things like that. But they've got a spot in Lenox and a spot in Blue Springs.
Allison Brimblecom (01:11:57):
Okay. The Special Reserve Burtons.
Billy Brimblecom (01:11:59):
Yeah.
Allison Brimblecom (01:12:00):
Go there for that. Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:01):
Or, or just a beef sandwich. I mean, it is the most, it is, it is my favorite barbecue in Kansas City, which means it's my favorite barbecue in the world.
Speaker 4 (01:12:11):
Okay.
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:11):
Um, which means it's the best barbecue in the world. I think it's, I think, yeah, ZDA should be at the top of every list when it comes to. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:17):
I like that
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:18):
Kansas City barbecue.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:18):
Perfect. Yeah. And then the last question is, where would you have your last meal on Earth in Kansas City? And maybe you just answered it, I don't know. Yeah.
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:27):
<laugh>, I mean, I remember having a conversation when we were dating about this. Yeah. I was like, that's it.
Allison Brimblecom (01:12:32):
Really?
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:32):
Yes.
Allison Brimblecom (01:12:33):
Gosh, that's pressure. <laugh>
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:35):
Or, or, or La Bodega, which is okay. You know, also, I mean, I just mentioned that, but for real, we ate there, um, this past week and it's the best.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:45):
Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Great.
Billy Brimblecom (01:12:46):
It's the best. Those are my two favorite restaurants in Kansas City. Love that. Like, hands down.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:50):
Yeah. That's good. 'cause they don't always come up, so
Allison Brimblecom (01:12:53):
Yeah. Okay. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:54):
Anything else for you?
Allison Brimblecom (01:12:55):
I feel like I'm missing an obvious answer of like, what I really love. I, I mean probably barbecue would be just kind of like symbolic. Sure. My last day, <laugh> your last day on Earth. Eat all the cheesy corn and onion rings without, there you go. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:11):
Cheesy
Allison Brimblecom (01:13:11):
Corn without wearing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:12):
Yes. Awesome. Okay. So last, where can people follow you? You mentioned the website earlier, but where can people follow, find, donate?
Allison Brimblecom (01:13:19):
Yeah. Steps of Faith foundation.org. Steps of faith on, um, Instagram.
Billy Brimblecom (01:13:26):
Yeah. Steps of Faith Foundation is where all that stuff is.
Allison Brimblecom (01:13:29):
Yes. We are Summer Breeze KC on Instagram and Facebook. We also have a website,
Billy Brimblecom (01:13:34):
Summer breeze kc.com.
Allison Brimblecom (01:13:35):
That's right. Um, and all things Thunder Gong are on the steps of Faith Instagram or you can also go to thunder gong.org. Mm-hmm
Speaker 4 (01:13:45):
<affirmative>.
Allison Brimblecom (01:13:46):
Sign up for updates. If you wanna know when tickets go on sale, um, catches people by surprise, especially if you wanna buy a seat. Those seats are very limited. Right. The rest is ga, so you wanna get on that in the first hour. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:59):
<affirmative>.
Allison Brimblecom (01:13:59):
So you wanna get on the mailing list, so, you know.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:01):
Perfect. Yeah, that's a good little, uh, addition there. Perfect. Yeah. Okay, great. Um, well thank you guys so much for coming on. This was good to have. Thank you for having both here to talk about all the things. So I really appreciate your time and this is really fun. And, um, I'm excited for people to just get more of kind of the behind the scenes of you guys steps of faith and on my, my platform. So thanks for
Billy Brimblecom (01:14:20):
Having us. So glad you asked us. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:21):
Thank you. All right.
Billy Brimblecom (01:14:22):
Fun times.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:23):
Hey guys, I just wanted to say thank you so much for joining in on this episode today. Absolutely. Had a great time talking to Billy and Allie. Make sure that you do me a favor and follow along. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, tell me what you loved about this episode, listening to them, and make sure that you're following along on Instagram and all the places with Kansas City Bucket List and Kansas City Bucket List Podcast. Uh, really appreciate your time, your support, and to really share the stories of the people that are making the city. Really incredible. Thank you so much for tuning in and finding inspiration in these incredible stories. If you love what you hear, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Leave a rating and share the show to help these Kansas City voices reach even more listeners.