Storytellers Studio

As you'll learn, Tim Larson bumped into Marty Vanags on the upper mezzanine sidewalk of the Edgebrook shopping center during the annual Cider and Cinnamon event. He was there for Art Scene. Two more conversations and a purchase later, he was invited to be a guest. This is very much a visual episode. The drawings they reference have been added to the Photo Gallery at timlarsonmedia.com. Please pull...

Your podcast host Tim Larson had the honor of being part of the Unwound production team...AGAIN! Tim's off microphone duties included photography, video and promotional products. This time Ted Gorden Smucker gathered Chicago radio legends while in town for the National Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Two WLS alum joined that prestigious group...Fred Winston and Charlie Van Dyke. This episod...

This episode squarely falls in the category of speical interest. Tim Larson has owned animals all of his life and his wife is passionate about them. Amber Pinnon is the Coordinator for Winnebago County Animal Services in Rockford, Illinois. We hope that this show's information will be very helpful and allows you to adapt it to use in your specific community wherever you are listening in the world....

Tim Larson mentioned the day Dolly Parton died that her full story will now be told. Dolly was not one to brag about her charitable reach to others. She was, however, a big and bold entertainer on stage, television, radio and at the Grand Ole Opry. She made an impression. Here's Tim's personal tribute to Dolly. Recorded September 24, 2026

Chuck Knapp gets a lot of nodding heads in most rooms. He's covered many years and several cities as the familiar voice on the radio. From KS95FM in Minnesota to WLS and WCFL in Illinois. Stories are many and easily retrieved. He was one of the first seven announcers who flipped the switch to launch the poplular WRKO in Boston. That's why chatting with Chuck minutes after the final lunch at The La...

KUBB is a Swedish lawn game that is on fire! Tournaments around the world are growing by leaps and bounds. There's a new documentary out called The Kings of KUBB. Learn all about what your host Tim Larson has loved since 2011. This game has brought Eric and Tim together and the friendship circle is about to widen in 2027 during the national championship's 20th year. See a preview online at usakubb...

Tim Larson and Grant DePorter met just ten minutes before hitting the record button for this episode. Their paths crossed decades ago through the Chicago Cubs. Sports fans often feel like they know each other because of their shared experiences. And, needless to say, this baseball team has given us plenty as they celebrate their National League fanchise anniversary of 150 years. This show also fea...

Your host Tim Larson was on Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful's first Board of Directors in 1987. Since then it's been a passionate partnership in promoting recycling and re-using eveything possible. They have introduced and built unique partnerships between companies thatthrive today. You'll will learn how Rockford, Illinois does it and how you can participate in your respective communites worldwi...

Tim Larson has many more songs to share. He has written all the lyrics of every song. He then uses an Ai production company either in London, England or Cambridge, Massachusetts to add vocals and music. Tim has the thoughts, but zero musical ability. Recorded at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin. August 17, 2026

Tim Larson will tell you that Candice King is one of the nicest media people he's ever known. She was raised on a dairy farm in northern Illinois and knows firsthand what accurate weather forecasting means to farmers. She shares over seventeen years worth of weather events. Regardless of where you live, you'll appreciate her stories and her take on bringing forecasts to the audience during tense s...

Tim Larson was dressed in a pitch black Chicago Cubs jersey with gold logos and the number forty-two across his back. This is just one way Tim honors Jackie Robinson. With his portable microphone in hand, he entered with purpose into the crowd lined up for the bleachers gates in hopes of receiving a 60's replica jersey from Budweiser. Fans from all over the country, a vast variety of Cubs stories...

Tim Larson met Susan Aasen at the Al Capone Hideout near Hayward, Wisconsin thanks to Mike and Tam Kahler. The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin have combined efforts to hold events at the property and restores its buildings. A 1925 stone and log home with an eight car garage and machine gun turret. Once use for bootlegging and prostitution will hopefully...

Scott and Tim have known each other for decades after first meeting at Downtown Rockford Rotary Club. Since then, their paths have intersected at countless community events. This is the perfect chance to share regional historical stories as America celebrates its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independance in 1776. As always, the only script is randomly placed tiny notes of...

Tim Larson attended the 2026 Cubs Convention in January of 2026 when it was minus seven degrees in Chicago. Cubs fans banded together that weekend and broke attendance records. Ed Hartig was a presenter for Cubs history and also myths surrounding Chicago baseball. Tim wanted to learn more. So, by chance, Tim later that day was introduced to Jennifer Martinez the Director of Cubs Communications. Sh...

Tim Larson met Chuck Buell in August of 2022 at a radio event in Chicago, Illinois. They've made sure their paths have crossed frequently since then. They purposely reflect on great memories in and out of radio studios and then consciously build new ones. You'll hear several aircheck inserts throughout their conversion just outside Denver, Colorado. Recorded July 1, 2026.

After being in country music radio for several years, Tim Larson found his was to Nashville for the largest country music festival in the world. This episode is his stories from the five day shindig...seeing old friends and meeting plenty of new ones. Concerts, songwriters sessions, meet and greets, tours, museums and, of course, performaces at The Grand Ole Opry. Recorded May 7 & 8, 2026 both...

Pete Battistini has more American Top 40 memorabilia than anyone in the world. Tim Larson met up with him among the vast antique radio collection of Rick Washburne. Pete is the author of two books covering both decades of Casey Kasem's history making countdown show. (Find them at AT40books.com or on Amazon) Special thanks to Ted Gorden Smucker for introducing us, Art Vuolo for arranging the locati...

Liz chooses a dozen or so items from Tim's vast Disney collection of memorabilia spanning fifty plus years. Hear the stories and bits of trivia connected to the pieces and much more. Recorded February 17, 2026.

Andy Littleton and Tim Larson were among thousands of Chicago Cubs fans waiting in line for autographs at the 2026 Chicago Cubs baseball convention. Those generic pleasantries went much farther than either expected. They shared the pride of thier baseball card collections and took each other's pictures with our favorite players from the 1970s...Ray Burris and Jose Cardinal. Then it became obvious...

Steve York and Tim Larson met through Ted Gorden Smucker in Joliet, Illinois at the Illinois Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction concert. He was representing WCFL radio along with Chuck Knapp and Bill Taylor. Tim knew there was more to Steve's story after hearing about Tony Bennett. Recorded on Decembe 5, 2025 at Saz's Steak House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Melinda Hagerman and Tim Larson have been friends for decades and it was high time to capture some of their stories centered around Rockford, Illinois. They have always learned something new from each other and neither have no idea where any conversation will go. Today's episode at Benson Stone and Hearth Rock Cafe is no exception. Recorded December 3, 2025.

Twenty two friends contributed to this episode. We were gathered in sunny Michigan for Art's Radio Reunion/Birthday Party. It was a milestone so folks came in from all over the country. Art's passion for radio and his circle of friends is obvious to all who've met him. This is everyone's chance to be a part of the day. In order appearance: Joey Reynolds, Chuck Knapp, Scott Childers, Johnny O., Don...

Tim Larson got a call from Marty Ross at 10:42am. Marty was leaving Rockford, Illinois for Los Angeles, California that afternoon at four. Within three minutes, they agreed to meet each other for the first time to do this episode at the Potato Shak diner. They had absolutely no idea where the conversation was to begin and more so where it would end. Buckle up for a tilt-a-whirl of chatter like nei...

David Torretta has fifty years under his belt in the music recording industry. From Steve Scorfina of REO Speedwagon and Michael McDonald of The Dobbie Brothers to Chuck Berry! For him, it's very easy to tell the stories when you've lived them. We also talked some baseball among an avid Cardinal fan and a lifelong Cubs fan. Play ball! Recorded at the Drury Inn lobby in Collinsville, Illinois near...

When I see the St. Louis Arch it's time to start looking for David Sandusky's BEAST Craft BBQ in Belleville, Illinois. Ribs with his creamy mac and cheese call my name every time. David is a highly acclaimed chef and pitmaster and knows his way around several television shows on Food Network. His passion is more like an obsession. Throw a bib on and get ready to get sauced! Recorded at BEAST Craft...