The official podcast of the City of Leawood, Kansas! Listen to Leawood 360 for a full-circle view of the people, policies, and programs that shape life in our community—from behind-the-scenes looks at city services to stories from the neighbors who make Leawood shine. Leawood 360 is hosted by Strategic Communications Director Beth Breitenstein.
City voices. Community stories. Full-circle Leawood.
Leawood 360: E15-Fall Parks and Recreation Preview
Danielle Foster, Kat Kolburn, and Kelly Finke preview Leawood's fall recreation events, nature programs, and wildlife support opportunities in this interview.
12 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: E14- Back to School Traffic Safety
Leawood Police Department's Sergeant Matthew Schroeder and Officer Cody Morse discuss e-bike safety rules, while City Engineer Brian Scovill shares street safety improvements for Leawood's back-to-school season.
10 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: E14- Public Art
Host Beth Breitenstein interviews Kim Hinkle, Anne Blessing, and Melissa Duggan about Leawood's public art program, its new guide, and the Art Line Leawood corridor.
28 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: E12- Severe Weather Emergency Management
Leawood Fire Chief Colin Fitzgerald explains severe weather emergency management, including warning systems and resident preparedness, in this interview.
24 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: E11- Tree Tips
Parks Superintendent and City Arborist Dustin Branick shares practical advice on tree selection, care, and Leawood's urban forest in this interview.
24 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: E10- Leawood For the Goal!
Leawood is getting ready for the global stage. In this episode, Councilmembers Julie Cain and Lisa Harrison share a behind-the-scenes look at Leawood For the Goal, the city’s community-wide initiative tied to the 2026 World Cup in the Kansas City region. From the 3v3 soccer tournament and match day events to business support and ways to get involved, hear how Leawood is bringing the community together and why this moment matters.
2 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: Episode 9- 2026 State of the City Address
Mayor Marc Elkins delivers his 2026 State of the City Address, reflecting on past achievements and outlining future plans for Leawood.
26 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: Episode 8- Governing Body Meetings Explained
Governing Body meetings shape everyday life in Leawood—from parks and streets to safety, development, and long-range planning. In this episode, we’re demystifying the process by explaining how agendas come together, why terminology matters, and how residents can understand (and engage with) decisions at City Hall. No legalese required.
21 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Leawood 360: Episode 7- Snow Patrol
In this episode, Beth sits down with Public Works Superintendent Paul Dunn, and Public Works Specialist Ryan Hays for a behind-the-scenes look at how Leawood prepares for winter weather. From the first forecast to the final plow pass, Paul and Ryan walk through what it takes to keep 450 lane miles clear, how routes are prioritized, what happens overnight during a storm, and the best snow creations they have come across in Leawood yards.
17 Oct 2025
Leawood 360: Episode 6- Code Enforcement
Ever wondered what code enforcement actually means — or how it affects your neighborhood every day? In this episode, Beth talks with Travis Torrez, Leawood’s Director of Building and Code Enforcement, and Wade Thompson, Code Enforcement Officer, about what goes into keeping Leawood beautiful, safe, and consistent with community standards. From trash bins and tall grass to neighborhood character and vacant homes, we’re pulling back the curtain on the people behind the rules — and how they help make Leawood shine.
19 Sept 2025
Leawood 360: Episode 5- City Planning and Comprehensive Plan Update
From parks and housing to the character of our neighborhoods, Leawood’s future is being shaped right now. Hear from the city’s planning leaders about the Rooted & Reaching Comprehensive Plan and why your voice matters.
15 Aug 2025
Leawood 360: Episode 4- Leawood Rotary and Volunteerism
In this episode of Leawood 360, we dive into the heart of what makes a community thrive: volunteerism. From neighborhood events to global service, volunteers are the backbone of a vibrant city. Joining us are Darren Lippe, Vice President of the Leawood Rotary Club, and Lisa Harrison, longtime Rotarian and current Leawood City Councilmember. Together, they share the mission of Rotary—Service Above Self—highlight the club’s signature Labor Day 5K fundraiser, and explain why giving back is essential to building a strong, inclusive community.
23 Jul 2025
Leawood 360: Episode 3- Planning For The Future
Leawood Strategic Communications Director Beth Breitenstein chats with Leawood Mayor Marc Elkins and City Administrator Diane Stoddard. You’ll hear how the City sets goals, engages residents, and makes tough decisions to ensure Leawood stays a vibrant, well-managed community for generations to come.
13 Jun 2025
Leawood 360 Episode 2: Fraud Prevention and Summer Safety
Detective Mark Teerink and Police Chief Brad Robbins share financial fraud prevention strategies and summer safety tips, including e-scooter regulations, in an interview on the Leawood 360 podcast.
13 May 2025
Leawood 360 Episode 1: Veterans Memorial
In our debut episode of Leawood 360, we sit down with April Bishop, president of the Leawood Historic Commission, and Colonel Ron Wright, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime Leawood resident. Together, they share the story behind an inspiring campaign to build a Veterans Memorial at Leawood City Hall.
From the vision that sparked the idea to the fundraising efforts now underway, learn how this project aims to create a lasting tribute to those who served, and how you can be part of bringing it to life.
2 May 2025
Leawood 360 Podcast Trailer
We’re excited to announce the premiere of Leawood 360, the City of Leawood’s official podcast, launching this May! Hosted by Strategic Communications Director Beth Breitenstein, each episode offers a full-circle view of the people, policies, and programs that shape life in our community—from behind-the-scenes looks at city services to stories from the neighbors who make Leawood shine.
Learn more at leawood.org/podcast and follow us on social media to be the first to know when the premiere episode drops!
Inside a recent episode
Leawood 360: E15-Fall Parks and Recreation Preview
Published 28 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Yeah, they're everywhere. I've seen the homemade version. I've seen just the slip-on version, but I mean, there's so many options with dogs. I love that we're doing a Halloween. That sounds like a lot of fun. Can you tell me a little bit about Puzzlepalooza? I know this has come to be a fun kind of thing that people are looking forward to every year. Yes. So Puzzlepalooza is our annual event. It's a puzzle race. It's for ages 12 and up and teams of two to four. Everyone receives the same custom 500 piece puzzle and it's a race to see who can finish first. One of the things that makes our Puzzle Palooza event unique is that it is a custom puzzle and it's a picture of one of our Leawood art pieces. […]
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