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Central Standard

Seg. 1: Anglo Names (R) | Seg. 2: Calvin Arsenia (R) | Seg. 3: Better Leotards

Segment 1: Research shows white-sounding names curry favor in academic settings.

Xian Zhao's name means something to him. It means something to his parents. That's why he won't adopt what he calls an "anglo name." But his own research suggests he might be missing opportunities because of that.

  • Xian Zhao, researcher, University of Toronto

Segment 2, beginning at 14:47: A recent Calvin Arsenia album is a milestone in his professional and personal growth.

A Kansas City harpist and vocalist recorded a new album in 2019, LA Sessions, with a star-studded band in a Los Angeles studio. It was a big step for the artist, not just as a musician but also as someone trying to live authentically, out loud. Hear Calvin Arsenia's story (and catch a little bit of the music from the album, too).

Segment 3, beginning at 38:12: When you don't like the product being offered, what do you do? Make your own.

A former Kansas City Ballet dancer was frustrated with the lack of leotard options available, so she cobbled together her own patterns. 10 years later, she has a 10,000-square-foot building in Midtown, she's about to open a store in Manhattan, and she's being called the Leotard Queen on a national stage.

People don't make cameos in news stories; the human story is the story, with characters affected by news events, not defined by them. As a columnist and podcaster, I want to acknowledge what it feels like to live through this time in Kansas City, one vantage point at a time. Together, these weekly vignettes form a collage of daily life in Kansas City as it changes in some ways, and stubbornly resists change in others. You can follow me on Twitter @GinaKCUR or email me at gina@kcur.org.
Melody Rowell is the lead producer for KCUR’s Central Standard. You can find her on Twitter at @MelodyRowell, or by email at melody@kcur.org.
As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.
Staying mentally and physically healthy can be a lot of work — exercising, eating right and navigating our complicated medical system. As KCUR’s health and wellness reporter, I want to connect Kansas Citians with new and existing resources to improve their well-being and tell stories that inspire them to enjoy healthier lives.

Reach me at noahtaborda@kcur.org.