Claudia Meyer is the first female Latina president of Cristo Rey Kansas City. 

At the age of fifteen, Claudia moved from her native Brazil to the United States and found herself in a new country, with a new culture, and a new lifestyle knowing just one word in the English language: NO! 

But she didn't let that stop her. She quickly learned to say YES to take complete advantage of the opportunities before her. Her story is an inspiration to not just the students, but to everyone who comes in contact with her positive and infectious personality. She lives her life by her motto, “we rise by lifting others,” affectionately known by those around her as “the Meyer Effect”. 

Don't miss this incredible conversation about all the ways the Kansas City community is embracing the Cristo Rey corporate work study model to break down barriers for young people across the metro.

Claudia Meyer is the first female Latina president of Cristo Rey Kansas City. 
At the age of fifteen, Claudia moved from her native Brazil to the United States and found herself in a new country, with a new culture, and a new lifestyle knowing just one word in the English language: NO! 
But she didn't let that stop her. She quickly learned to say YES to take complete advantage of the opportunities before her. Her story is an inspiration to not just the students, but to everyone who comes in contact with her positive and infectious personality. She lives her life by her motto, “we rise by lifting others,” affectionately known by those around her as “the Meyer Effect”. 
Don't miss this incredible conversation about all the ways the Kansas City community is embracing the Cristo Rey corporate work study model to break down barriers for young people across the metro.

“There’s just something about Kansas City.”™ It may be the most-heard phrase from those who are from here, those who have come here, & those who have chosen to stay. It’s a sense of pride, of camaraderie, of community and comfort. A sense of small-town, back-patio warmth brimming with growth, innovation and potential. A sense of zero degrees of separation in a city of champions.

For each of us, that “something” is a story crafted through years of experiences, big and small, that have planted the Heart of America so deeply in our own.

Join legendary Kansas City sports broadcaster Frank Boal each week for deep, down-to-earth conversations with some of this town’s most legendary residents, both natives and transplants, and hear what it is about Kansas City that just keeps calling them home.

There's Just Something About Kansas City

Claudia Meyer: Breaking Down Barriers with Cristo Rey Kansas City

Pasquale Trozzolo is the founder of Kansas City’s Trozzolo Communications — and so, so much more. The entrepreneur turned champion racecar driver turned published poet & budding chef might just have the Dos Equis guy beat for “most interesting man in the world.”

Pasquale is the Chicago-born son of Italian immigrants who found his “coming of age” adventures in Kansas City, from working as a political strategist, to finding success in sales, to following in his uncle’s footsteps by starting his own venture.

Pasquale believes making business work is like making a good ragu: you need the right ingredients. He lives his life by sayings like, “crisis is fun," “always leave a fragrance not an odor," and, “the world is watching — and so is your family.” From encouraging others to give their dreams a shot to philanthropic endeavors, Pasquale Trozzolo is always finding new ways to better himself and the city he loves.

Pasquale Trozzolo is the founder of Kansas City’s Trozzolo Communications — and so, so much more. The entrepreneur turned champion racecar driver turned published poet &amp; budding chef might just have the Dos Equis guy beat for “most interesting man in the world.” Pasquale is the Chicago-born son of Italian immigrants who found his “coming of age” adventures in Kansas City, from working as a political strategist, to finding success in sales, to following in his uncle’s footsteps by starting his own venture. Pasquale believes making business work is like making a good ragu: you need the right ingredients. He lives his life by sayings like, “crisis is fun," “always leave a fragrance not an odor," and, “the world is watching — and so is your family.” From encouraging others to give their dreams a shot to philanthropic endeavors, Pasquale Trozzolo is always finding new ways to better himself and the city he loves.

Pasquale Trozzolo: Adventures in Art, Business, Racing & Beyond

Heidi Gardner is an actress, writer, and comedian who's starred on Saturday Night Live since 2017. From Westport, to LA, to NYC, from the Tivoli, to the Groundlings, to 30 Rock, Heidi has done everything from popping popcorn, to cutting hair, to becoming the longest-tenured current female cast member on SNL. Even though Heidi had doubts on the way up, there was always someone there to give her the support she needed to keep on going. 

The Kansas City native still calls KC home and reps the Chiefs and Royals proudly, and as the only female host of “The Big Slick” she continues to give back to the city she loves. What a journey it’s been, and she shares it all — yes, even the now-classic break in character during the “Beavis and Butt-head” skit from last season. All that and so much more with Heidi Gardner on this episode of “There’s Just Something About Kansas City.” 

Heidi Gardner is an actress, writer, and comedian who's starred on Saturday Night Live since 2017. From Westport, to LA, to NYC, from the Tivoli, to the Groundlings, to 30 Rock, Heidi has done everything from popping popcorn, to cutting hair, to becoming the longest-tenured current female cast member on SNL. Even though Heidi had doubts on the way up, there was always someone there to give her the support she needed to keep on going. The Kansas City native still calls KC home and reps the Chiefs and Royals proudly, and as the only female host of “The Big Slick” she continues to give back to the city she loves. What a journey it’s been, and she shares it all — yes, even the now-classic break in character during the “Beavis and Butt-head” skit from last season. All that and so much more with Heidi Gardner on this episode of “There’s Just Something About Kansas City.”

Heidi Gardner: KC’s Saturday Night Live Star

Kansas City Royals Owner John Sherman was born on opening day for the Kansas City Athletics. His first date with Marny, his wife of 40 years, was a Royals game. But while it may seem that his leadership of the boys in blue was fated, in truth, it’s been an incredible and improbable journey.

John was born in Japan while his father served in the Air Force. The family of nine followed his father’s assignments all the way to Colorado Springs before John made his way to Kansas, pursuing a degree from Ottawa University and landing a telecommunications job with AT&T. That was just the beginning for this self-made man. Sherman crossed over to the energy industry where he made his mark, founding and selling his own company that afforded him the opportunity to buy a Major League Baseball franchise and set up the Sherman Family Foundation to fight illiteracy in KC. 

In this can’t miss episode, John shares his story and talks about the 2024 season, including Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez’s leadership of the team and the franchise’s work towards the playoffs for the first time since their 2015 World Series win. He also talks about how his love for Kansas City set him on his path and why he and his wife Marny chose to call it home for their family. 

Kansas City Royals Owner John Sherman was born on opening day for the Kansas City Athletics. His first date with Marny, his wife of 40 years, was a Royals game. But while it may seem that his leadership of the boys in blue was fated, in truth, it’s been an incredible and improbable journey.
John was born in Japan while his father served in the Air Force. The family of nine followed his father’s assignments all the way to Colorado Springs before John made his way to Kansas, pursuing a degree from Ottawa University and landing a telecommunications job with AT&amp;T. That was just the beginning for this self-made man. Sherman crossed over to the energy industry where he made his mark, founding and selling his own company that afforded him the opportunity to buy a Major League Baseball franchise and set up the Sherman Family Foundation to fight illiteracy in KC. 
In this can’t miss episode, John shares his story and talks about the 2024 season, including Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez’s leadership of the team and the franchise’s work towards the playoffs for the first time since their 2015 World Series win. He also talks about how his love for Kansas City set him on his path and why he and his wife Marny chose to call it home for their family.

Claudia Meyer: Breaking Down Barriers with Cristo Rey Kansas City

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