Your neighbors have stories you’ve never heard; this podcast duo is giving them the mic
August 15, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
Kansas City natives Jose “JL” Leon Jr. and Daniel “D.Rod” Rodriguez are on a mission to create community — not controversy — with a podcast showcasing untold stories of underrepresented leaders and entrepreneurs — people who contribute to the fabric of Kansas City, but don’t always make headlines.
“The more you get to know someone, the more you realize how much you have in common,” said JL, co-host of the Enterrupt KC podcast alongside his uncle, D.Rod. “It’s about finding those connections and telling authentic stories.”
Enterrupt KC amplifies a range of local voices — from creatives like legacy tattoo artist Juan Moya to community leaders like Joe Arce of KC Hispanic News. JL and D.Rod focus on building connections and deepening the understanding of Kansas City’s diverse experiences, they said.
“There’s so many people in Kansas City that have done great things in our city, and nobody knows about them,” said D. Rod. “They know the artists and the art, but not the person.”
Click here to explore interviews from Enterrupt KC.
Real stories behind prominent faces
Beyond fun and casual chats, Enterrupt KC digs deep into the personal stories of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, offering a platform where their challenges and triumphs are heard.
Whether it’s Dulcinea Herrera sharing her struggles in finding a location for her family-owned Café Corazón coffee shop, or Helen Ortiz navigating the commercial real estate landscape as a Guatemalan immigrant, these conversations are as enlightening as they are inspiring, the co-hosts said.
“Some of the people we actually did know, they’re sharing things we never knew about them,” said JL.
“It’s not just a quick two-minute conversation,” D.Rod added. “We’re getting to know who this person really is.”
Discussions touch on such local issues as the challenges faced by the Kansas City school system, even interviewing KCK’s superintendent Anna Stubblefield.
“Dr. Stubblefield is doing her best to address the challenges and turn them into opportunities. It’s reassuring to see such genuine commitment,” said JL.
Capturing the city through mobile podcasting
Jose “JL” Leon Jr. and Daniel “D.Rod” Rodriguez in February during a mobile podcast recording for Enterrupt KC; photo courtesy of Enterrupt KC
The podcast idea initially took root in 2019 when the duo envisioned creating a show that would involve trying different food spots across the city while sitting down with the owners. The pandemic, however, delayed those plans.
It wasn’t until 2023 that they revived the concept, determined to bring something new to Kansas City’s podcasting scene.
“We were kind of bouncing ideas off each other, and the first thing I remember saying was we have got to be different. Almost everybody has a sports podcast,” said JL. “It was literally a question of, ‘How can we be different? What is our niche?’”
Instead of following trends, they chose to focus on community and show the Kansas City they knew. Their approach to the podcast has resonated with guests and listeners alike, growing quickly with more than 700,000 views for their 26 episodes, which they began posting in January.
“We’re building something meaningful, the sky’s the limit,” said JL.
“We know what we’re doing is a good, positive thing for the people contributing to the city,” DL added.
The podcast’s mobile format allows JL and D.Rod to meet people where they are, capturing the essence of Kansas City in its natural state, they said, noting they could be recording in Lee’s Summit one day and Overland Park the next.
This intentionality is evident even in the podcast’s visuals, with Kansas and Missouri license plates prominently displayed — a nod to their love for both KCK and KCMO.
Jose “JL” Leon Jr. and Daniel “D.Rod” Rodriguez, Enterrupt KC; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Forming genuine connections
For those looking to pursue their passions, the hosts offer simple yet powerful advice.
“Do some research, do some homework, and be dedicated to it,” said JL.
Learning from their interviews, the hosts discussed the importance of genuine connections in business and entrepreneurship.
“If you want your business to be successful, you have to have relationships,” said JL. “Our podcast itself thrives on the connections we make with our guests and listeners.”
Enterrupt KC’s next episode features Jenny Mendez, director of Mattie Rhodes Center. Mendez has significantly impacted Kansas City by supporting underprivileged families by providing resources that tackle issues like domestic abuse and substance abuse.
“She’s not stopping; she just keeps on helping the community, and families,” said D.Rod. “She does a lot of great things, and we just want to put her in that spotlight.”
For those interested in following Enterrupt KC’s journey, the podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms.
“The ‘next episode’ is always my favorite because it’s another chance to discover new stories and perspectives,” said D.Rod.
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Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
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