A KC country artist and a Chiefs player walk into a podcast studio
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Casi Joy and Neil Smith on the pod. Photo: Courtesy of Kustom Entertainment
Country artist and former "The Voice" contestant Casi Joy has a new gig since moving back home from Nashville to Kansas City: podcast host.
Why it matters: Joy is bringing together familiar names from sports, comedy and music on the show "Kustom Conversations."
Zoom in: Joy's first two episodes are with KC-native comedian Chris Porter, which includes highlights like "sweat"-flavored barbecue, and former Chiefs defensive end Neil Smith, who talks about the hardest part of leaving KC for the Broncos.
- New episodes drop every week. The most recent release is with Chiefs Hall of Fame running back Christian Okoye.
What they're saying: "I've always worn a ton of different hats," Joy says about adding podcasting to songwriting, recording and touring. "Say yes, panic later."
- Joy says podcasting initially scared her because, unlike singing, she can't control where the conversation goes.
- Talking with Chiefs players made her starstruck: "I was like, 'Keep it together. You know how to talk. You talk real good.'"
Fun fact: Joy says you can hear her new baby in the background of Smith's episode. The baby has even attended Mom's shows wearing "little gigantic baby headphones."
Context: The podcast is by Olathe-based Kustom Entertainment, a ticketing and production company that puts on the Country Stampede music festival, where Joy has performed the past three years. Company operations VP Matt Tholen calls her a "longtime friend."
- The podcast is part of the company's expanding portfolio, with plans for 20 live events next year while acquiring Tickets For Less for $112 million, per the Kansas City Business Journal.
What's next: The next podcast episodes will be with former Chiefs defensive tackle Bill Maas, followed by Royals players and musicians, Tholen says.
- As for her music, Joy says she's taking time to write while focusing on the podcast, but she'll be back in Nashville to perform in November.
The bottom line: Joy is known for her voice, and now she's using it more than ever to shine a spotlight on KC.
- "I'm really tired, but you know, we can do it all. We're women."