CHICAGO BLUE PRINT (Podcast)

CHICAGO BLUEPRINT | LION EYE NETWORK Who was Prince Watkeeta, and what was it like growing up as the son of one of Chicago's most recognized street figures, Jeff Fort? In Part One of this powerful Chicago Blueprint conversation, we sit down with Watkeeta Valenzuela to explore his upbringing in Chicago, his family's connection to the Black P. Stones, and his journey into becoming known as...

On this episode of Chicago Blueprint , we sit down with Lenny Hooks for a candid conversation that goes far beyond music. Why did Lenny Hooks walk away from the music industry? What did he experience behind the scenes, and what did he see that ultimately changed his direction? We get into the realities of the music business, the challenges facing Chicago's music scene, and the issues affectin...

From the car wash to Chicago nightlife to restaurant ownership — this is the REAL story behind the hustle. On this episode of No Lion No Bull , we sit down with a Chicago entrepreneur whose journey spans multiple businesses, multiple industries, and different eras of the city’s hustle. We get into the car wash business, running nightlife, promoting events, building relationships, making money, los...

Chicago has a sound—and people like DJ Larry Hott helped shape the culture behind it. In this episode of Chicago Blueprint , we sit down with DJ Larry Hott for a real conversation about his journey through music, how he got started DJing, the evolution of Chicago house music, and the impact that DJs have had on the city’s culture. Larry takes us inside his story—from discovering his passion for DJ...

What does it really take to make people laugh for a living? In this episode of Chicago Blueprint Podcast , we sit down with Chicago comedian Richie Rich for an honest conversation about the world of stand-up comedy. From bombing on stage to dealing with hecklers, building a brand, and turning pain into punchlines, Richie shares stories that are hilarious, inspiring, and brutally honest. We also di...

Who decides who's next in Chicago? In this episode of Chicago Blueprint Podcast , we sit down with Chicago Freshman Class Magazine to discuss how they've become one of the city's leading platforms for discovering and showcasing emerging artists, entrepreneurs, creatives, and brands. We go behind the scenes on what it takes to build a respected media platform, the current state of Ch...

Is now the right time to buy a home in Chicago? Are people making costly mistakes when purchasing property? Is real estate still one of the best ways to build wealth? In this episode of Chicago BluePrint, we sit down with Chicago realtor Jay Stallone for an in-depth conversation about the current housing market, first-time home buyers, real estate investing, wealth building, and what buyers need t...

What is it really like growing up in the foster care system? In this powerful episode of the Chicago Blueprint Podcast , John House (JJ) sits down with B Buchanan for an honest and eye-opening conversation about foster care, childhood trauma, emotional intelligence, gang influence, drug abuse, and the challenges many young people face long before they become adults. Too often, people judge the out...

Chicago's own Jamal Smallz joins the Chicago Blueprint Podcast for an in-depth conversation about his journey as one of Chicago's respected DJs, the evolution of the city's music scene, radio culture, breaking new artists, and what it takes to stay relevant in a competitive industry. In this episode, Jamal Smallz shares stories from his career, his perspective on Chicago hip-hop, th...

Chicago hip-hop pioneer and legendary lyricist Twista joins the Chicago Blueprint Podcast for an unforgettable conversation about his rise from Chicago's West Side to becoming one of the most respected and recognizable artists in hip-hop history. Known worldwide for his unmatched speed, lyrical precision, and longevity in the music industry, Twista shares the blueprint behind his success, the...

On this episode of the Chicago BluePrint Podcast , we sit down with content creator Jimmy That Guy for a real, unfiltered conversation about building influence in the digital space. We break down what it really takes to go viral, stay consistent, and turn attention into a real brand and business. From content strategy to mindset, pressure, and authenticity, this episode gives a clear look at what...

Charles McSpadden sits down with Chicago Blueprint for a real conversation about education in Chicago—no sugar-coating. From his early beginnings to his journey back to Coles, McSpadden breaks down what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what it really takes to lead in today’s school system. He speaks on the current state of education in the city, the challenges schools are facing, and the role the commu...

This is not just an interview — this is real life. In this powerful episode of Chicago Blueprint , we sit down with Tonya Burch, a mother who turned unimaginable pain into a movement. After losing her son, Deontae Montreal Smith, to gun violence, she refused to let his name become just another statistic. She built Taking Back Our Community In Honor Of Deontae Smith — a platform focused on healing,...

Chicago comedy veteran Baldhead Phillips pulls up to the Chicago Blueprint Podcast and keeps it 100% real. From starting comedy off a dare to putting in 30 years on stage, he breaks down the real grind behind the laughs — bombing, big moments, and what it takes to survive in the comedy game. But this episode goes deeper than jokes. Baldhead speaks on something most men ignore — health, especially...