Welcome to the 1st episode of More Than a Yellow Brick Road, an education podcast for youth visitors to Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area located across the Kansas and Missouri borders. In this episode we learn the history of how Freedom's Frontier came to be and ask: What even is a heritage area?

More Than a Yellow Brick Road

Ep. 1: Intro, Welcome to Freedom's Frontier

More Than a Yellow Brick Road, Episode Two, invites listeners to hear historical fiction letters from Pony Express Riders, attendees of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and more. When you're done, why not try writing a letter yourself?

More Than a Yellow Brick Road is written, edited, engineered and produced by An Sasala through a Hall Center for the Humanities Applied Humanities Summer Fellowship in connection with Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Ep 2. The Pony Express

Episode Three shares the story of Kansas City's famous Spirit of Freedom Fountain and of Bruce R. Watkins, the local politician and activist who worked tirelessly to end segregation and improve Black life in the Kansas City area.

More Than a Yellow Brick Road is written, edited, engineered and produced by An Sasala through a Hall Center for the Humanities Applied Humanities Summer Fellowship in connection with Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Ep 3. African American History in Freedom's Frontier

You're probably familiar with stories of Wild West villains from TV and movies, but do you know the real stories behind famous bank robber Jesse James? Learn about his life, death, and legacy in Episode 3 of More Than a Yellow Brick Road.

More Than a Yellow Brick Road is written, edited, engineered and produced by An Sasala through a Hall Center for the Humanities Applied Humanities Summer Fellowship in connection with Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Ep 4: Jesse James, Villain

Did you read Laura Ingalls Wilder's books as a kid? Episode 5 explores modes of transportation used to travel west during the 1800s. Tune in to learn about stage coaches, wagon trains, and everyone's favorite food: mush!

More Than a Yellow Brick Road is written, edited, engineered and produced by An Sasala through a Hall Center for the Humanities Applied Humanities Summer Fellowship in connection with Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Ep 5. Stage Coaches + Wagon Trains on the Little Prairie

Most people think of the Stonewall Riots when they talk about LGBTQ+ activism, but did you know that Kansas City played an important role in activism and education efforts long before the events of 1969? Learn about LGBTQ+ life and history in the KC area, the Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom, and the first national meeting of activists.

More Than a Yellow Brick Road is written, edited, engineered and produced by An Sasala through a Hall Center for the Humanities Applied Humanities Summer Fellowship in connection with Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Ep 6. Phoenix

More Than a Yellow Brick Road is a historical education podcast engaging youth visitors with the history surrounding various sites across Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area.
Freedom's Frontier: Events that happened in the 29 eastern Kansas and 12 western Missouri counties of Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, Inc. led to the Civil War and an enduring struggle for freedom. Conflict over slavery and other issues drew those on both sides into a violent Border War. Missouri heroes were Kansas villains. Kansas victories were Missouri tragedies. Now Freedom’s Frontier bridges the border. Explore Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area and experience from many viewpoints the strong freedom story that runs along the Missouri Kansas border.