As a third-generation policeman, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams has devoted his life to law enforcement. He joins In Our Town host Tom Carlson to discuss policing from the perspective of 43 years of expertise in the field. Touching on topics such as the impacts of public perception of officers and the COVID-19 pandemic on the police force, …

The weather is finally warming up and we can already taste the popcorn and Cracker Jacks. It’s time to celebrate the beginning of baseball season as the Springfield Cardinals have gotten off to a red-hot, record-breaking start. Join host Tom Carlson and Dan Reiter, vice president and general manager for the Springfield Cardinals, for this home run …

Dr. Hal Higdon, the Chancellor of the Ozark Technical Community College System and President of OTC's Springfield Campus, joins host Tom Carlson for an in-depth conversation. As the longest serving public college president in Missouri, Dr. Higdon has been a catalyst of growth for OTC and has fostered a wide range of training programs to meet the ne…

The forthcoming Springfield School Board election on April 2, 2024, is marked by unprecedented fundraising and ideological divides. In this episode, Tom interviews Calvin Morrow and Mary Griffith, representatives of the Back On Track PAC, offering insights into their support for incumbent Maryam Mohammadkhani amidst a backdrop of contrasting vision…

A titan in Springfield’s business community and CEO of Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation, Jack Stack shares his latest endeavor as the Interim Dean of the Breech School of Business at Drury University. With his unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Jack provides unique insights into his vision for shaping the next ge…

Join us as we delve into the profound insights and experiences of one of Springfield's esteemed oncologists, Dr. Robert Carolla. Dr. Carolla, a pioneer in his field, sheds light on the delicate balance between life and mortality that oncologists navigate daily. Through his work with the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks and national recognition from…

Tom Carlson sits down with Terri West McQueary and Jim Anderson, the chairs of the newly-formed nonpartisan PAC, United Springfield. In this discussion, Terri and Jim share insights into the PAC's mission to foster a diverse and robust field of candidates for local elections. Discover the motivations behind the formation of United Springfield, the …

Tom Carlson, host of In Our Town and a former mayor of Springfield, engages in a sit-down conversation with the current mayor, Ken McClure. Join us for a compelling dialogue covering the intricacies of managing a city during a pandemic, notable achievements under McClure's tenure, the city's ongoing challenges and a look towards the future. This ep…

John Lopez, the trailblazing founder and CEO of Old Route 66 Wellness in Springfield and Ozark, joins up with Tom to reflect on the journey one year after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Missouri. Lopez shares his perspective as an entrepreneur on navigating the changing regulatory landscape, the impact of legalization of recreational…

Former Springfield Public Schools superintendent John Jungmann talks about the state of public education, home schooling and charter schools as well as challenges facing teachers and school boards across the country.Springfield Daily Citizen

We're taking our top downloaded episode of 2023 out for another spin around the block for those that missed it the first go around. Local historian and realtor Richard Crabtree discusses how past development has shaped Springfield, its neighborhoods and some of the present challenges facing the city’s future growth.…

Kitty Ledbetter, author and Professor Emeritus at Texas State University, joins Tom to discuss everything from her early days as Springfield's first female radio DJ to Victorian women's periodicals to her latest book on Si Siman and the history of Springfield's music scene from 1930s to the 80s.Springfield Daily Citizen

Aaron Owen discusses improvements, strategy and growth under his leadership as the CEO of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, which is home to Missouri's second largest fair, and quickly becoming an entertainment hub responsible for bringing major events and entertainers to Southwest Missouri.Springfield Daily Citizen

Amanda Ohlensehlen, Director of Economic Vitality for the City of Springfield and Ben Jones, Director of Development for City Utilities, join Tom to discuss the incentives that the city uses to entice businesses to move here and stay, as well as encourage new business and entrepreneurship within the community.…

Join us as we delve into Thomas Douglas's wealth of experience and uncover the secrets behind his remarkable success. Get ready for an enlightening conversation about adaptability, entrepreneurship, and the indispensable skills needed to thrive in today's fast-paced world.Springfield Daily Citizen

Tune in for a captivating conversation with Steve Edwards, a true healthcare visionary, and learn about his reflections on leadership, his challenges and legacy while at Cox Health, and the exciting chapters that lie ahead. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a community member, or simply interested in stories of leadership and reinvention, t…

In this special episode of In Our Town, Tom bids a fond farewell to a beloved figure in higher education as Clif Smart, the distinguished President of Missouri State University, embarks on his well-deserved retirement. Join us as we reflect on Clif's transformative leadership, the impact he has had on the university and community, and what the futu…

Whether you're an art aficionado, a culture connoisseur, or simply curious about the artistic heartbeat of SGF, this episode is a must-listen. Join us for a delightful conversation about Celebrate SGF's 2023 theme of Arts and Culture , led by the passionate co-chair Megan Buchbinder, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich artistic tapestry of …

Join Tom for a discussion with Brett Foster, City of Springfield's Traffic Engineer, and Mandy Buettgen-Quinn, the mastermind behind SGF Yields and SafeAcross, Springfield's groundbreaking pedestrian safety initiative. Discover the secrets behind their award-winning program, gain insights into creating safer urban driving environments, and hear ins…

Join us as Tom uncovers the wisdom and vision that drives John Beuerlein's dedication to empowering students and shaping the future of education at this 150 year old university. Whether you're an educator, a student, or simply curious about the future of higher learning, this episode promises a thought-provoking exploration of leadership in academi…

Scott's candid storytelling offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of an industry titan, tracing his footsteps from the roots of The Ozarks Jubilee to navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment business. He shares stories of stars encountered along the way including Chet Atkins, Ralph Foster, Alan Jackson, Charlie Daniels among a…

In this episode of "In Our Town," we delve into the heart of Springfield's iconic Route 66 Festival, a spectacular event set to captivate the town and draw in a massive crowd of 75,000 enthusiasts including visitors from every state and from 18 countries. Get ready to rev up your engines as we explore the rich automotive history and much more with …

Step into the captivating world of wildlife as we embark on an extraordinary journey through time with Mike Crocker, soon to retire and has spent an awe-inspiring 47 years at the Dickerson Park Zoo as its superintendent, caring for over 400 species of animals. Mike shares his remarkable experiences, touching stories, and insights that have shaped t…

Brian Weiler, Director of the SGF-Branson Airport, joins Tom to discuss the phenomenal growth of the airport, its future, Brian's wish list and tips for travelers.Springfield Daily Citizen

Nadia Cavner and Jeff Tiegs discuss their efforts to rescue victims of sex trafficking from the Middle East to the US to Springfield.Springfield Daily Citizen

In addition to exploring common dream symbols and using dreams as a problem solving tool, Tom and Nicole discuss her first book "How Dreams Speak" as well as the the process for getting a book published.Springfield Daily Citizen

The city landfill is filling more quickly than expected and one reason is people throw away many things that can be recycled. Laurie Davis, with Springfield's Department of Environmental Services, joins Tom to discuss the ins and outs of recycling.Springfield Daily Citizen

Daily Citizen reporters Jackie Rehwald and Steve Pokin join Tom to discuss their investigation of domestic violence in Greene County. While abuse affects thousands of lives here every year, many people still don’t believe it’s widespread or much of an issue.Springfield Daily Citizen

Regina Greer Cooper, executive director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District, provides insights into the contentious issue of banning books, shedding light on new Missouri regulations and the potential impact on both library patrons and librarians.Springfield Daily Citizen

Brian Fogle, president of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, talks with Tom about the organization's humble beginnings, its extraordinary growth and impact on Southwest Missouri as CFO approaches its 50th anniversary.Springfield Daily Citizen

Springfield author Nancy Allen shares her nonlinear career path, from high school activist to trial lawyer to becoming a bestselling author of legal thrillers.Springfield Daily Citizen

Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller provides an overview on Missouri elections procedures, as well as processes implemented to maintain election integrity, as voters prepare for the April 4 municipal elections.Springfield Daily Citizen

Local historian and realtor Richard Crabtree discusses how past development has shaped Springfield, its neighborhoods and some of the present challenges facing the city’s future growth.Springfield Daily Citizen

Fine art photographer Julie Blackmon discusses inspiration, her approach to making images and the trajectory of her career with Kansas City gallerist Bill Haw of Haw Contemporary.Springfield Daily Citizen

Tom visits with Judge Michael Cordonnier about career highlights — and his thoughts about the current and future of Missouri's judicial system — as Cordonnier nears retirement after 15 years on the bench, including the last five years as presiding judge for Greene County Circuit Courts.Springfield Daily Citizen

Kim and Tom Prater join Tom to discuss the ongoing capital campaign for the Springfield Art Museum, and the importance of having a strong art presence in the community. They share how they became art collectors and the common ways Forward SGF and artists will impact and shape the future of Springfield.…

Rachel Anderson, the director of Missouri State University's eFactory, speaks with host Tom about Springfield’s fastest-growing resource center for startups, the history and evolution of the incubator and coworking space, and the rise of the Midwest’s entrepreneurship scene. Learn about how the community around the Efactory, Anderson's roots in Spr…

What exactly is "quality of place" in Springfield? Tim Rosenbury, director of quality of place initiatives for the city of Springfield, speaks with host Tom Carlson about long-term community development plans in store for our city and discusses what he sees as the most important aspects of life in a thriving place to live.…