Politics, Prohibition, and a Heist: KC Podcast Reimagines the 1928 RNC

While the national spotlight often glosses over the gritty details of political conventions, a Kansas City production is rewriting the narrative of the 1928 Republican National Convention (RNC). The 'Killing City Podcast,' hosted by Jamie Green and Alex Greenwood, has released a landmark episode titled 'A Lollipop, a Murder and the Republican National Convention,' recorded live at the historic J. Rieger & Co. Distillery.

The episode dismantles the polite history of Herbert Hoover’s nomination. Instead of focusing solely on the political maneuvering inside the convention hall, Green and Greenwood expose the chaos on the streets. As politicians courted delegates in June 1928, a crew of bank robbers executed a daylight heist that left one dead and several injured. This juxtaposition—high-stakes politics clashing with the violent reality of the Pendergast era—offers a distinct 'Kansas City' lens on American history.

The live recording format marks a shift in local media consumption. By partnering with J. Rieger co-founder Ryan Maybee, the podcast merges historical storytelling with the city's resurgent distilling culture. Maybee, a Certified Sommelier and cocktail historian, joined the hosts to contextualize the 'wet' nature of Kansas City during Prohibition, a time when the city was renowned for ignoring federal liquor laws entirely.

Kansas City’s identity is often flattened into barbecue and football by national media. However, the success of productions like 'Killing City' signals a growing appetite for nuanced, darker narratives that embrace the city's complex past. The 1928 RNC wasn't just a political event; it was a showcase of the Pendergast Machine's power. By exploring the intersection of the convention and organized crime, the podcast highlights the dichotomy of a city that hosted the future President while simultaneously harboring one of the country's most notorious criminal infrastructures.

This storytelling approach resonates because it refuses to sanitize the past. As Green and Greenwood note, they aim to narrate history through 'light-hearted storytelling' that focuses on consequences rather than sensationalizing grief. This balance is critical when discussing the violent intersections of the mob and civic life. The podcast’s exploration of these themes—similar to their previous coverage of the Kefauver hearings and the KC Cosa Nostra—provides essential context for understanding the modern political and social landscape of the metro.

From a business perspective, the collaboration between 'Killing City' and J. Rieger & Co. represents a maturing of the creator economy in Kansas City. Podcasting is no longer just an audio medium; it is an experiential product. By moving the recording studio into a physical venue with a live audience, the creators drive foot traffic to local businesses while deepening listener engagement.

The integration of specific products—like the J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey—into the narrative itself is a masterclass in native advertising. It feels authentic because the whiskey is part of the history being told. This model of 'live journalism' combined with hospitality offers a blueprint for other KC content creators looking to monetize beyond standard ad reads.

The momentum for 'Killing City' is accelerating. Following the success of the J. Rieger event, Green and Greenwood are slated to appear at the True Crime GenreCon at the Woodneath Library Center on April 11, 2026. This event will feature a live audience recording, further cementing Kansas City as a hub for the true crime genre.

Expect to see more 'venue-based' journalism in the coming quarters. As digital CPMs fluctuate, the stability of ticketed live events and strategic brand partnerships—like the one with J. Rieger—will likely become the standard operating model for successful local media entities. For Kansas City, this means more history, more cocktails, and more unearthing of the secrets buried in our limestone.