In this moving, hilarious, and unapologetic episode of Unboxed with Wes & Ace, the pod welcomes a Kansas City advocate and a lifelong friend of the hosts, Eric. With a friendship spanning decades, the trio leaves absolutely nothing tucked away as they dive straight into the messy, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic reality of living a life centered on community leadership, radical empathy, and mutual support.
The conversation kicks off with some nostalgic, laugh-out-loud history—including a legendary pool-party food fight involving a tub of potato salad—before anchoring in the serious, ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. Wearing their values on their sleeves, Wes, Ace, and Eric discuss the vital history of the phrase Silence = Death, confronting the misconception that the epidemic is a thing of the past. Eric breaks down how white privilege historically shifted the narrative of the crisis and how systemic healthcare inequities continue to disproportionately impact Black, brown, and trans communities today.
As a former driving force behind the AIDS Service Foundation’s Millennial League and the Heartland Queer Project, Eric speaks candidly about the exhausting reality of grassroots fundraising, board burnout, and the desperate need to mobilize a younger generation of Gen Z and millennial volunteers. The trio tackles the complex layers of modern "cancel culture" and performance-based activism, with Eric calling for a return to radical transparency and trust-building among local nonprofit organizations. Rather than hiding behind curated social media feeds or weaponized buzzwords, they challenge the community to get their hands dirty, show up for the emotional labor, and step up to help set up tables and chairs when local movements need it most.
But it’s the quiet, deeply personal moments that define the heart of this episode. Eric shares his story of how a box of sidewalk chalk during the COVID-19 isolation turned his home into a neighborhood beacon of sunshine and mutual care. In response, Ace delivers an unforgettable tribute to his late father, sharing a profound memory from southwest Kansas that teaches us how to choose love, maintain human connection, and find the golden sun even in the face of blatant ignorance and systemic oppression.
From analyzing Miley Cyrus tracks and Ts Madison Vine culture to the emotional weight of processing the loss of a family pet, this episode unboxes the raw, unfiltered human connection society is starving for.
Eric’s Recommended KC Organizations:

• KC CARE Health Center (Healthcare, dental, and behavioral health services)
  
• SAVE Inc. (Housing as healthcare initiatives)
  
• AIDS Service Foundation / Blackout KC (HIV/AIDS education and destigmatization)
  
• Pete’s Garden & Kanbe's Markets (Combating local food insecurity and food waste)
  

Support the Relaunch:
Explore our community resource directory, read up on local advocacy updates, and listen to past episodes at unboxedkc.org.

The box stays wide open for part two of our deep dive with Kansas City music royalty, DJ Amanda. We left you on a massive cliffhanger in part one, and in this episode, Amanda delivers the full, unfiltered story behind the viral Chappell Roan gig she was forced to turn down—unpacking the industry double standards, late-night panic texts, and the realities of less-than-24-hour booking notices.
Picking up right where the trust left off, Wes, Ace, and Amanda move from industry "tea" to a masterclass in community accountability. Amanda breaks down her professional double life as a Director of Inclusion and Belonging, confronting the performative nature of corporate allyship, the tokenization of queer artists during Pride month, and the critical need to protect the dance floor as a true sanctuary.
As she prepares to pack up her vinyl and leave the Midwest "red sea" for her next big chapter in Chicago, Amanda shares the emotional reality of leaving behind a 25-year legacy in Kansas City. From hilarious trips down memory lane—including how Wes and Ace actually met on Scruff a decade ago—to navigating Amanda and Ace's parallel grief of losing a father, this final hour is a celebration of resilience, therapy, and learning to proudly take up space.
Turn the volume up for the conclusion of our most raw conversation yet.
Connect with Amanda:
Instagram: @AmandaFromKC / @QueerHouseCollective
SoundCloud: Search "DJ Amanda" for 25 years of live archival club mixes.
Support the Relaunch:
Stream Part 1 and Part 2 seamlessly, check out our community partners, and grab official merch at unboxedkc.org.