In this heartfelt season finale of The Rock Island Line, host Annika O'Melia sits down with her dear friend, Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick — but this time, the roles are reversed. Jessica interviews Annika about her own Rock Island story, tracing deep family roots that stretch through generations of Rocky and Augie graduates. What begins as a conversation about hometown heritage quickly opens into a reflection on the season itself — the inspiring guests who are helping drive Rock Island forward, the sense of gratitude Annika feels for the work being done across the city, and her growing frustration, at times, with the process of community engagement. Jessica and Annika explore how much of Annika's own voice, curiosity, and convictions have shaped The Rock Island Line. From her passion for policy and civic life to her growing engagement with issues of human rights, safe housing, and dignity for all, Annika shares how the podcast has become not just a storytelling platform, but a space for advocacy — and how she's learning to embrace taking positions on the issues that matter most. Woven with warmth, honesty, and friendship, this conversation brings the season full circle — grounding the show in the people, history, and hope that make Rock Island home. A special thanks to Jessica Youngblood Kirkpatrick for decades of friendship, support and love. May everyone be so lucky as to have a friend like Jess.  To learn more about Rock Island Line, head to www.rockislandline.com While this is the last regularly scheduled episode of the season, be on the lookout for pop-up episodes. 🎵 Music Credits Intro/Outro music: "Different Times" by Jett Everill — licensed via Epidemic Sound      

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