The Coolest Kid in Town

Lawrence Kid Nicholas Parscale rubs elbows with celebrities, hosts a popular podcast, and has published a book.

photos by Amber Yoshida

Nicholas Parscale is like most eighth grade boys. He’s into music and hanging out with his friends. He likes watching TV and movies and especially loves animals and the Kansas Jayhawks. And, of course, Nicholas likes to text his friends. Unlike most eighth grade boys, Nicholas’s friend list includes people like Bill Self, Paul Rudd, and Wendi McLendon-Covey. But, when you’re a published author and the host of a popular podcast, you tend to attract celebrities.

Did we mention Nicholas is the coolest kid in Lawrence?

“I like to talk to people,” Nicholas explains with a matter-offact tone. “I always have. I’m a good storyteller and I like to hear other people’s stories too. So that’s why I talk to people.”

About five years ago, Nicholas was on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, and he was feeling a little tired and having some headaches. When the family returned to Lawrence, he was not feeling well at all, and the migraines had gotten worse.

“I didn’t know what to think,” says Geri Parscale, Nicholas’s mom. “Sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation. I thought maybe he was just worn out from the fun of vacation. But we got back to town on Thursday night and we went to the doctor on Friday and Nick received some shots to help with the migraines. Things progressed pretty quickly after that.”

The shots on Friday morning didn’t help, so that Saturday Nicholas was ordered to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for a CT scan, which revealed fluid on his brain. Sunday morning Nicholas was in Children’s Mercy for brain surgery to reroute the fluid and additional testing revealed pineoblastoma, a type of brain cancer.

“To say it takes your breath away isn’t totally accurate,” Geri says. “We were on vacation and four days later Nicholas is having brain surgery. I don’t know how anyone could be ready for that. It was Nicholas’s attitude that helped me, and everyone I think, get our heads around the situation and stay positive. He wouldn’t let anyone get down. That’s how he is. He’s the most positive person I’ve ever met.”

Nick went through a year of chemotherapy and radiation and another MRI that revealed no cancer. Nine months after that encouraging news, the cancer returned with seven tumors detected. Nicholas won that battle and again an MRI showed no cancer. Though Nicholas is obviously a tenacious fighter, cancer is a formidable foe and has returned.

A few years ago, Nicholas was a guest on a podcast. The experience was so much fun he quickly told his mom he wanted to start a podcast of his own. Geri got in touch with a podcast producer and soon “Nick the Brave: My Story of Chemo, Kitties, and Canines Podcast” debuted. The episodes feature Nicholas interviewing people he admires and those that have a positive outlook. Guest have included actors, athletes, entrepreneurs, educators, doctors, and anyone Nicholas thinks is interesting. his own,” Geri says. “It’s such a hoot to see him interact with all these people. He gets such a kick out of the conversations and really loves doing the podcasts.”

To Nicholas, talking with people about things they like is natural and something he loves to do.

“Like I said, I love to talk to people,” he says. “It’s a lot of fun to do the podcast. I really enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories and how they stay positive.”

In early March, Nicholas scored his biggest goal of the podcast when he interviewed KU basketball coach Bill Self. The conversation was natural and the two have since kept in touch and become friends.

“I’ve known Nick for two or three months,” Coach Self says. “Nick and I did a podcast together a couple months ago and I was so impressed with him as a young man with his personality and courage. He has been one of the biggest supporters and encouragers of us during the last half of the season. I just admire so much the courage that he and his family have shown.”

A few years ago, Nicholas was a guest of honor at Kansas City’s Big Slick, a fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital. At a reception that featured dozens of celebrities and socialites, Nicholas was the most popular person in the room.

“I guess you could say I like to work the room,” he says with a laugh. “What can I say? I like to talk. So when I’m in a room with new people, I talk to them.”

Geri recalls a lady she had never met speaking to her about Nicholas. Apparently, Nicholas had talked to her already and explained some plans.

“She asked me if I was excited about Nick’s book,” Geri laughs. “I told her I didn’t know he was writing a book and she explained that he was just telling her all about it. So, soon after that he started working on his book.”

Nicholas had dozens and dozens of Zoom meetings with a ghostwriter during which he would just tell stories about his life and his hopes. The book, What I Wish I Knew Before Cancer: A Young Man’s Memoir, was published this year and has been a big hit (it was sold out on Amazon for a bit). In the book, Nicholas talks about how he stays positive through all the adversity he has faced and sums up what’s he’s learned on his journey.

“I guess I should have known as soon as he said he wanted to write a book that he would do it,” Geri says. “There’s no stopping him when he sets his mind to something, that’s for sure.”

Nicholas has one simple message to anyone interested.

“Cancer sucks,” he says emphatically. “That’s the main thing I want to share. I mean it really sucks, but that doesn’t stop me from staying positive. Anyone can be positive. You just have to go easy on yourself and be thankful for what you have.”