Kansas City has no shortage of civic leaders, authors, artists and activists. Many are frequent guests on KCUR's Up To Date, where we catch up on their work and expertise.
But sometimes, we just want to have a casual conversation. So, we ask them five questions — or maybe a few more.
Kevin Yoder was a Kansas State representative for eight years, followed by eight years as a U.S. representative for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District.
Yoder discussed what he's been reading, streaming and more. He also discussed the the fast moving policies coming out of Washington.
How do you feel about the current state of Kansas City?
Kansas City has a great reputation, Yoder said, and the entire region has a lot going for it, including world-class soccer, the Panasonic battery plant in DeSoto, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, and — of course — barbecue.
"One of the things I love about Kansas City is we don't want to be anyone else," Yoder said. "Kansas City is Kansas City. And we've got such, you know, iconic brands, whether it's the Chiefs or Royals or Sporting Kansas City or barbecue or restaurants. But you know, we choose to be here and raise our family here."
What music do you listen to?
"I'm all over the map, but my real belief is that the greatest music ever created came out in the '80s and '90s," Yoder said.
While he enjoys rap classics the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, road trips often rely on a classic country playlist that Yoder's preteen daughters sing along with. Thanks to his girls he's also into recent artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone and Taylor Swift.
Country music tells stories, Yoder said. His favorite, George Strait's "I Can Still Make Cheyenne," is about a woman who can't deal with her husband's rodeo lifestyle any longer.
What are you reading?
Between reading with his children, Yoder reads a wide variety of literature for pleasure and the educational benefits. The Rob Lowe autobiography, "Stories I Only Tell My Friends," garnered his recommendation.
As President Donald Trump began imposing tariffs, Yoder, a former member of the House Appropriations Committee, said he turned to Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations."
"In some of these populist impulses, as a Republican, I think we're forgetting some core conservative values, right?" he said, explaining the pick. "These tariffs ultimately rob us of economic opportunity because they're a net loser for these countries."
What are you streaming?
Ever since the show "Knots Landing," Yoder has kept an unusual practice to avoid watching a season finale right away, preferring instead to save it. Still, he's burned the midnight oil staying up to date on "Severance," produced by Ben Stiller.
"The season finale, season one — which I did watch and get through — I stood probably for half the episode," Yoder said. "It was so good!"
Where do you like to eat?
"One that I really have liked a lot in recent months is, I like to go down to Wise Guy, down in the Crossroads," Yoder said. The Italian tavern serves pizza, pasta, and drinks in the first floor of the old Rieger Hotel building on Main Street.
Yoder's go-to order is the sausage and giardiniera pizza but, because he travels often for work, having a home cooked meal with his family is important.
When it comes to barbecue, Gates and Meat Mitch are his go to options.
- Kevin Yoder, former U.S. Representative, Kansas 3rd District
