Oh, Malort!

Alyssa and Risen discuss her new kitty then Leo Burnett ad agency. Show Notes:LeoBurnett. ComCreative Hall of Fame: Leo BurnettWTTW: Ten Advertising Campaigns That Were Born in Chicago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa updates John on the news about The Tylenol Murders and Mike Madigan then tells him about the time Samuel Insull took over The Studebaker Theatre to appease his wife. Show Notes: News Nation: Tylenol murders linked to newly solved Idaho cyanide deathABC 7 Chicago: Cross-country cold case leads detectives to Chicago-area Tylenol murdersWGN: ‘Brilliant’ man ID’d in 1982 Idaho co...

Alyssa is joined by David Baxter to discuss a play called "The Front Page" written by two reporters who covered Cook County Courts in the 1920's adding to the genre of crime reporter to Broadway Playwright.  We discuss the real life inspirations.  Show Notes:New York Times: CHICAGO SHERIFF FREED.; Hoffman and Other Officials Acquitted of Favoring Beer-Runners. Chicago Sun-...

This episode is different.  Alyssa is talks to Maren Robinson resident dramaturg at TimeLine Theatre Company about the Chicago connections to The Pill.  Show Notes:TimeLine TheatreChicago Reader: The Birth of the Pill blends fact and fancyHistory Channel: FDA approves “the pill”Chicago Tribune: How the Birth Control Pill HappenedChicago Health Magazine: Chicago a...

Alyssa tells Vanessa from Reel Relationships about Illinois Institution beloved former Secretary of State Jesse White. Show Notes:Chicago Tribune: IT WAS WRIGLEY, NOT SOME GOAT, WHO CURSED CUBSJesse White Tumbling TeamChicago Tribune: Jesse WhiteNew York Times: Once Told to Move to the Back of the Bus, Jesse White Became an Illinois InstitutionWBEZ: Retiring Illinois Secretary...

In honor of Labor Day, sitting in the epicenter of the labor movement Alyssa tells Pat Westmacott about the 1910 Garment Workers Strike and the long lasting implications it has in America.  Show Notes: National Park Services: Women of the 1910 Chicago Garment Workers' Strike History: Labor Day 2026 WTTW: Key Moments in Chicago Labor History NYT: On Language; Greenhorn Chicago Tribune: An...

Alyssa and Molls discuss Chicago native Hugh Hefner: Show Notes: WTTW: The Making of Playboy A&E: Making of Playboy Roger Ebert: Hugh Hefner  CST: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/9/28/18395092/from-the-ebert-archive-hefner-returns-to-haunts-of-chicago-childhood FBI: Hugh Hefner Part 01 (Final) TIME: No, Hugh Hefner Did Not Love Women NYT: HEFNER IS SILENT ONDRUGS INQUIRY Chicago A...

Alyssa tells Morgan about a book with a major error. while playing Oh Malort! BingoShow Notes:WTTW: Chicago Man Acquitted of Murder-for-Hire Charge in Plot Allegedly Targeting Border Patrol Chief Greg BovinoFelony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption in ChicagoWTTW: Eileen O’Neill Burke is ‘Not Related to THAT Burke’ — But He Backed Her Appellate Court Bid Learn more about your ad...

Alyssa tells ⁠Matt Drufke⁠ from ⁠Still Not Friday Comedy⁠ about the band Chicago. We both learned a lot.  Come for the subject and stay for the digressions.  Support the show by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, telling all your friends and following on ⁠Twitter⁠, ⁠BlueSky⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠.   Show Notes: ⁠Rock & Roll Hall of Fame⁠ ⁠Chicago...

Alyssa tells Vanessa from Reel Relationships about Samuel Insull.  This episode ranges from monopolies to "Citizen Kane." Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: THE RISE AND FALL OF SAMUEL INSULL New York Times: THE INSULL UTILITY EMPIRE: ITS AMAZING RISE AND FALL; The Steps by Which the Chicago Magnate Built Up His Great Holding Companies and the Shocks That Destroye...

We talk about "The Picasso" and public art.  Show Notes:The Art Newspaper: From the archive | the story behind the ‘controversial’ Picasso sculpture that became a symbol of ChicagoChicago Public Library: 1967 August 15--Picasso Statue Unveiled In Civic Center PlazaSOMWTTW: A "Colossal Booboo": The Incredible Story of the Chicago PicassoArchitectural Digest: Pablo Picasso's Chicago Sculpture C...

Alyssa tells Morgan about a disreputable Illinois politician. Come for the corruption and the Legionnaires' disease stay for the shocking reveal. Show Notes: Capitol News Illinois: Former Sen. Tom Cullerton pleads guilty to embezzlement Chicago Tribune: Former Teamsters boss John Coli Sr. sentenced to 19 months in federal prison in extortion case Ballotpedia: Tom Cullerton Indictmen...

Today marks the 121 aniverasry of the Eastland Disaster which was a maritime tragedy worse than the Titanic. SHOW NOTES: ⁠⁠Coast Guard⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Smithsonian: The Eastland Disaster Killed More Passengers Than the Titanic and the Lusitania. Why Has It Been Forgotten?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curbed: Demolition of the former Harpo Studios building closes a chapter of Chicago history⁠⁠ ⁠⁠History. Com: Hundreds Drown in Eastland...

Alyssa's wrist hurts and she needs to rest. She thought we could use some fun so she tells John Zinn about the history of Chicago's most famous foods and beverage. That's right we talk Hot Dogs, Pizza, Italian Beef, and Malort. Have Fun! Also, subscribe, leave a five-star review and tell your friends. Show Notes: Eater: Anthony Bourdain’s Most Memorable Chicago Quotes The Wiener Circle Twitter Vid...

Risen and I talk about true crime.  Show Notes: Second City Sinners Murder by Gaslight: Becker Tells All New Yok Time: AUGUST BECKER FOUND GUILTY.; The Chicago Stock Yards Butcher to Die for Wife Murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa tells John the history of swimming the Chicago River.  Support the show by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, telling all your friends and following on Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram.  Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: EPA Wants the Chicago River Clean Enough to Swim In WTTW: Chicago River Cleanup NBC5: EPA Orders Chicago, Calumet Rivers Cleaned 2011 EPA Order CBS: Feds: Make Chicago River C...

We talk about an underground abortion community.   Show Notes: The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service HBO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Given the Obama Presidential Center is now open  I thought it would be fun to revisit the history.  Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends.  Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram SHOW NOTES: Politico: ‘It’s Been Hard Opposing Barack Obama’ WTTW: Are Appeals Court Judges Kicking the Can on Obama Center Lawsuit? WTTW: South Side Coalition Tells Obama Center Obstructionists: Eno...

In this episode I tell Jeff Tischauser from Southern Poverty Law Center about the time the Chicago Tribune created a LGBTQA Moral Panic in the 1970's and how it is alive and well in 2024.  Senate HearingNYT: Chicago Jury to Probe Pornography and Prostitution Involving BoysChicago Sun-Times: A Gay Rates PoliceChicago Sun-Times: Council Panel Announces Porno-Zones OrdinanceChicago Sun-Times: Burke G...

In this episode Alyssa is joined by David Baxter to discuss the history of Pride in Chicago.   Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: A Brief History of Chicago’s Pride Parade WTTW: How Chicago’s Pride Parade Grew from a Small March to a Big Event Out & Proud in Chicago Windy City Times: From a March to a Parade: Chicago's Pride History NPR: Gloria Gaynor: 'I Will Survive' Is 'The Core Of My Purpose' Pink...

Morgan and I discuss the Mirage Tavane.  Show notes: Time: Barroom Sting Chicago Sun-Times : Part 1 Chicago Sun-Times: 40 years later, reporters remember how they bought a bar to expose corruption The Newspaper that bought a Bar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Memorial Day which marks the beginning of boating season.  So we decided to revisit this infamous event.  Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Band’s driver denies drenching boat Chicago Sun-Times: Tour boat hit with raw sewage // 2 large buses on bridge blamed for discharge that sent 5 to hospital Chicago Sun-Times: Complaint links rock band to dumped sewage // Dave Matthews Band denies involvement...

Alyssa tells John about voter fraud in the 1972 Chicago Primary. Which you never heard about because it didn't matter but it does involve a Pulitzer.  Also, Alyssa got a cat and sprained her wrist this week so the show notes are only the articles referenced in the episode.  Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Tribune expose wins a Pulitzer: Chicago vote fraud disclosures earn top local reporting award Pu...

Alyssa tells Hugh about visions for the Riverwalk.  Socials: BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Chicago Sun-Times: Gondolas to give city a touch of Venice Chicago Reader: Do we really need the Great Chicago Fire Festival? HuffPo: Chicago Riverwalk Expansion: Rahm Emanuel Has Big Plans For River Walk (PHOTOS) Ross Barney Architects: Chicago Riverwalk Loop North News: Building the Chicago Riverwalk – ph...

Alyssa tells Jack Gill from Hardy Focused about Jean Crones an anarchist who tried to kill then ArchBishop Mundelein.   Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Mundelein High School:Musical Works Premiered at MHS Chosen for Publication Chicago Tribune: Chum of cook soup suspect, held by police Catholic New Archive: Issue Article CRONES INDICTED New Year Times: CHICAGO ANARCHISTS HELD IN PO...