On this week’s episode of Women Speak — a segment on Northeast Newscast — hosts Northeast News Editor-in-Chief, Julia Williams and former Missouri House Representative for District 19 Ingrid Burnett sat down with Active Northeast Community Member Patricia Hernandez to continue our series on women who influence policy. 

Throughout this episode, Hernandez shares her story as a Northeast resident, former Indian Mound Neighborhood Association president — with neighborhood pioneered programs including the Urban Homesteading Project — community activist and business owner. She additionally discusses her experience as a committee woman, her efforts to advocate for the unhoused population in Kansas City and the women who have inspired her along the way.

Burnett and Williams discuss happenings within the Missouri State House in Jefferson city. This episode discusses Prescription Benefit Manager (PBM) advertisements — including express grips — its connection to pharmacies and a related bill making its way through the Missouri Senate. Cannabis Facility Licenses and Missouri Secretary of State’s suspension of State ebook funding are additional talking points.  

Music used within Women Speak episodes is a song called “Ready to Talk” by Kansas City local artist Honeybee and the group’s lead female vocalist, Makayala Scott. 

Ready to Talk is off of Honeybee’s first studio extended play (EP) record, “Saturn Return,” which was released in March 2024. Honeybee’s latest single “Charmed Life,” was released today and is now available on its streaming platforms. “Charmed Life” and additional Honeybee tracks are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, TIDAL and Youtube Music. 

*Disclaimer* Ready to Talk and any future Honeybee songs used by The Northeast News within the Women Speak podcasts are courtesy of and approved by Makalya Scott and Honeybee under proper copyright law. Honeybee songs are not royalty free nor subject to free use and should not be used by additional publications or organizations without proper consent. 

This podcast as well as all Women Speak episodes are made possible by The Northeast News, Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Independence Avenue Community Improvement District.