Behind the Bar with Ashley and Hailee

Hosted by Behind the Bar with Ashley and Hailee

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

This is a series where Ashley and Hailee get behind the bar, make people slightly uncomfortable, laugh a lot, but most importantly talk with people who are influential and making a difference in Kansas City today.

Listen to episodes

40 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 1534 min

Behind the Bar S3E15 | Kinzie Elizabeth

Behind the Bar is thrilled to have local business owner and fellow podcaster, Kinzie Elizabeth, on this all-new episode!Kinzie is a professional photographer based in Kansas City, but this is not a conversation about shooting weddings and family photos. Not even close! Kinzie has built her business around boudoir photography for queer and plus-sized people. A photographic experience that for many individuals has been a catalyst that has helped them discover a sense of self-love – and, for many, has helped them find a new level of self-confidence.In fact, Kinzie is so dedicated to helping people find their own confidence that she hosts a podcast on the subject, ironically named “F*ck Confidence”! If her podcast name sounds counterintuitive, tune in as Kinzie breaks it down for Ashley and Hailee on this episode of Behind the Bar!Follow Kinzie on social:Empowerment Studio: @empowermentstudio__F*ck Confidence Podcast: @fckconfidenceFollow Behind the Bar on social:Instagram: @behindthebarkcTikTok: @behindthebarkc

May 15, 2026Episode 1437 min

Behind the Bar S3E14 | Komal Kaur

BTB is joined by our youngest guest to date, Komal Kaur, on an all-new episode of Behind the Bar!Don’t let Komal’s youthful age fool you – she’s done some amazing work in her first two decades. Komal is the founder of the Kansas City organization, Eye of an Immigrant, a non-profit dedicated to providing both financial assistance and community support for families working through the immigration process.Komal shares her family’s personal journey through the US immigration system and how that experience drove her to create and publish an ongoing journal of other immigrant journeys, an effort that led to the creation of Eye of an Immigrant!Don’t miss Komal’s inspiring life story, a story that’s especially compelling and relatable today as it adds depth and insight into the experience and challenges of millions of immigrants across America today.Connect with Eye of an ImmigrantWebsite - https://www.eyeofanimmigrant.org/Instagram - @eyeofanimmigrantLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/eye-of-an-immigrant Follow Behind the Bar:Instagram - @behindthebarkcTikTok - @behindthebarkc

April 17, 2026Episode 1341 min

Behind the Bar S3E13 | Amante Domingo

Amante Domingo, the force behind The Russell, Noka, and Le Champion, joins Ashley and Hailee on this episode of Behind the Bar.KC foodies, this episode is a must-see. Listen in as Amante shares how his Hollywood art director mother and childhood on a farm led him on a creative journey stretching from sushi chef, to fashion photographer, to chef/owner of three of KC’s finest eateries.Follow Amante on Instagram: @chefamantedomingoFollow Behind the Bar on social:Instagram: @behindthebarkcTikTok: @behindthebarkc

March 20, 2026Episode 1232 min

Behind the Bar S3E12 | Elaina Paige

We are thrilled to have the one-and-only Elaina Paige Thomas on set with us for the newest episode of Behind the Bar!Elaina Paige is an absolutely tireless powerhouse of an entrepreneur. From her early career as a professional dancer (including dancing on stage with Queen B, Beyoncé!), to founding Kansas City’s very first Black-owned talent agency, the Next Paige Agency, she has truly made a mark on the performing arts industry here in Kansas City – and in cities well beyond.And, through her work with her own foundation, the Next Paige Foundation, and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s foundation, The Worthy 1’s, Elaina shows a deep commitment to giving back and creating new opportunities for others. Tune in to get the inside scoop on how Elaina does what she does – and what’s next in store!Follow Elaina Paige and the Next Paige on Instagram:@elainapaige@thenextpaigeagency@nextpaigefoundationFollow Behind the Bar on social:Instagram: @behindthebarkcTikTok: @behindthebarkc

February 20, 2026Episode 1134 min

Behind the Bar S3E11 | Erica Schulte

Kansas City foodies don’t want to miss this episode of Behind the Bar!Erica Schulte joins BTB and discusses her journey in launching her own beverage marketing agency, Rose Productions, and gives a sneak peek into an incredible women’s event curated by her company – Muse: A Soirée Celebrating Women in Food, Drink, and the Arts! On Saturday, March 8, 2026, Muse guests will have the opportunity to experience the finest offerings from 30 women chefs and beverage professionals, many of whom are, or have been, James Beard Award nominees. What’s more, proceeds from event ticket sales will benefit Girls on the Run Kansas City, an after-school run club for girls in grades 3-8.Purchase your ticket to Muse here - https://www.roseproductionskc.com/event-details/muse-a-soiree-celebrating-women-in-food-drink-the-artsFollow Rose Productions on Instagram - @roseproductionskcFollow Behind the Bar on social:Instagram: @behindthebarkc TikTok: @behindthebarkc

January 16, 2026Episode 1039 min

Behind the Bar S3E10 | Jess Rogers

The OG Cougar (AKA Den Motha) of the KC Cougar Club, Jessica Rogers, is here for the first episode of Behind the Bar 2026!Cougar Club, for those who may be unfamiliar, is KC’s hottest age-inclusive dance party for “She’s, Gay’s, and They’s.” Jessica, feeling especially disconnected from her community in the days following our last presidential election, sought to invest her energy in something positive and uplifting – and Cougar Club was born!Join us for the sharing of Jessica’s story and how her gift for collaboration and large-scale event planning has grown the Cougar Club over the past year into an incredible monthly event designed for women, by women! And we are even holding a special giveaway during this episode that you won’t want to miss!Follow Cougar Club on Instagram: @CougarClub_ Follow Behind the Bar KC:Instagram - @behindthebarkcTikTok - @behindthebarkc

December 19, 2025Episode 941 min

Behind the Bar S3E9 | 2025 Recap (Surprise Guest!)

It has been a standout year for Behind the Bar, filled with deep dives and laugh-out-loud moments. Ashley and Hailee have sat down with some of Kansas City’s most inspiring changemakers, the forces of good who are making our community better every day. While Ashley and Hailee reflect on 2025 and what’s to come in 2026, Behind the Bar’s last guest of the year stops by with some boozy gifts – Andy Doohan of Mike’s Wine and Spirits!Stick around until the end – Hailee has an exciting announcement you won’t want to miss! Follow Mike’s Wine and Spirits on Instagram:@mikeskc Follow Behind the Bar KC:Instagram - @behindthebarkcTikTok - @behindthebarkc

November 7, 2025Episode 830 min

Behind the Bar S3E8 | Lara Gray

Local craft beer lovers (or casual post-ski day beer enthusiasts like Hailee), rejoice! We are joined by none other than Casual Animal co-founder Lara Gray on this episode of Behind the Bar!Founder and owners Lara and husband Kyle Gray started Casual Animal Brewing in Kansas City’s Crossroads district in 2017-18 in a space across from the former Kansas City Star building. The business has thrived – expanding to more than double its original size in 2020 (even as the country was in the midst of a global pandemic!). Committed to the neighborhood, Lara is also president of the East Crossroads neighborhood association and a board member of the Crossroads Arts District. Along with a lot of good being done in the area, Lara and her fellow Crossroads small business owners have seen firsthand just how much violent crime in Kansas City has risen over the past few years. Looking for a way to make a change, Lara discovered KC 360, an organization that uses a collaborative, community-based approach to address gun violence and violent crime in Kansas City.Tune in to hear more about Lara, about KC 360, and how you can get involved in their vital mission. Learn more about KC 360 - https://kccommongood.org/kc-360/Follow Casual Animal Brewing - @casualanimalbrewingFollow Behind the Bar on social:Instagram - @behindthebarkcTikTok - @behindthebarkc

October 17, 2025Episode 729 min

Behind the Bar S3E7 | Isaiah Jackson

BTB has had this fast-moving guest on the short list for a long time running! As you probably know, both Ashley and Hailee are runners – so catching up with Isaiah Jackson, co-founder of Run It BlaKC Social Club, may have taken some time, but making it to the finish line and a chance to cool down on the show with Isaiah was inevitable!Isaiah and girlfriend, Jai, both saw the rise of run clubs around the country and wanted to bring that same energy and community to Kansas City. That’s how Run In BlaKC Social Run Club was born – a movement breaking cultural and physical barriers, removing the intimidation factor, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome.Tune in to hear Isaiah share the full story behind Run It BlaKC and what’s next for him and the club!Follow Run It BlaKC Social Run Club on Instagram - @runinblakcFollow Behind the Bar on Social!Instagram - @behindthebarkcTik Tok - @behindthebarkc

September 26, 2025Episode 641 min

Behind the Bar S3E6 | Lana Luxx

Is it possible, Taylor Swift in the BTB studio?! On this episode, BTB is over the moon to be joined by Kansas City’s top Taylor Swift impersonator and all-around amazing Showgirl, Lana Luxx!Beyond her spot-on T-Swift impression, Lana is a true showgirl with an incredible backstory. From being the first trans woman to be named Homecoming Queen in the state of Missouri to winning first runner-up at Miss Continental, one of the most prestigious pageants in the drag world, Lana is blazing trails and making serious history!For this one-of-a-kind Behind The Bar episode, nothing could be finer than sipping on delicious Watermelon Poblano canned cocktails (poured from only the pinkest of cans) from Mean Mule Distilling Co. Beyond enjoying their incredible taste, this drink choice was a BTB salute to this wonderful Kansas City distillery who recently lost their founder, Jeff Evans. Now more than ever BTB (and the entire community) is rallying behind Mean Mule and the Evans family. You can support them by picking up your favorite Mean Mule canned cocktails and tequila at your favorite local spirits purveyor (a special BTB shoutout to Mike’s Wine and Spirits!) or, visit Mean Mule distillery in person at 1733 Locust St. in KCMO. There’s also a GoFundMe available to assist Jeff’s son, Felix, to help launch him toward the future his dad dreamed of for him. Visit the Mean Mule GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-future-for-felix-in-memory-of-jeffFollow Lana on social:Instagram: @thelanaluxxTik Tok: @thelandonpatterson Follow Behind the Bar on social:Instagram: @behindthebarkcTik Tok: @behindthebarkc