Bridging Chicago

On today’s episode of Bridging Chicago, Edda Coscioni joins us to share about the value of human interaction. Edda moved to Chicago after graduating from college, with her skiing roots bringing her family to Colorado. With the hopes of getting in a thriving theatre community, she soon discovered her passion to help people and how beauty can be displayed in so many ways. Her time as a professional...

This episode of the podcast features Theresa VanderMeer, Founder and CEO of Work+Shelter. Theresa represents the true spirit of an entrepreneur, bold and courageous, as well as thoughtful and empathetic. Theresa has created more than a place to buy merch/swag for your company, she has created something that will make a lasting impact on so many lives. In this episode, Theresa shares about true sus...

The spirit of Good Trouble Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s brand has certainly taken on the vibe of its amazing founder, Dee Robinson, who is this weeks guest. Imparting the spirit of her mom, Dee knew that Chicago was the right place to start and build her company, and continues to call the city her home. Dee also sees the entrepreneurial spirit of the city, and how the diversity and culture...

Our season 8 series with guests Jarryd Loyd from Loyd & Co, and Walter Mendenhall of the Male Mogul Initiative concludes in this episode of the podcast. In this episode, Jarryd shares about Loyd & Co, its mission, lofty goals, and why they will succeed in making it happen. He also shares about how they are future proofing the organization and the impact that will have on families and neighborhoods...

Season 8 continues with our guests Jarryd Loyd from Loyd & Co, and returning guest Walter Mendenhall of the Male Mogul Initiative. This is part 1 of our 2 part episode with these gentlemen, who share about what they know about Chicago, its neighborhood, and its needs. Jarryd Loyd has partnered with his sister, WNBA standout Jewell Loyd, to provide opportunities for youth in Chicago to learn more a...

We continue our season 8 premiere of Bridging Chicago with part 2 of our episode with Kelly Fair and Cecilia Cuff. In this part, Kelly and Cecilia talk about why mentorship is so important to them, how it informed their desire to work with Chicago communities, and Polished Pebbles. Both Kelly and Cecilia are laying the groundwork for change in Chicago, especially for girls in the city who will kno...

We are kicking off Season Eight of the podcast featuring Kelly Fair, a Chicago Native, and Cecilia Cuff, a Philadelphia born Chicago transplant who has been shaped in her adult life by our city. These true ladies are truly community leaders and builders who are investing in Chicago neighborhoods. In part one of this two part episode, Kelly and Cecilia talk about Chicago, what makes it unique, and...

Priscilla Guasso, a bit of a reverse snow bird to Chicago, grew up in the Chicago suburbs, still has a lot of the big city, Midwestern mindset with her today! Priscilla joins the podcast to give share her expertise about the many areas that HR experts touch and how they can be a valuable resource to all employees. She also shares about what makes her so passionate about seeing many different kinds...

Ivan Vislavskiy moved to the United States to pursue his version of the American dream, finding Chicago along the way, and the opportunities our city provides. In this episode, Ivan reflects on his time in Chicago, the opportunities higher education in Chicago provided to him, and how his family helped him dedicate his company, Comrade Digital Marketing Agency, to be a family-first company that tr...

Partners in life and work, Ron & Sue Rescigno of Rescigno’s Fundraising Professionals, join the podcast to share about their work and about how their story is a true Chicago story. Aiming to help nonprofits either get systems in place to help them improve their fundraising efforts, or to put some systems in place, their work is not a lot of glory but very important. Teaching about how we communica...

Dan Futrell is a Chicago transplant, having lived on both the east and west coasts and is now settled with his family in the Midwest. A Pat Tillman scholar, Dan now leads the nonprofit helping to provide educational opportunities for veterans, which is headquartered in Chicago. Dan and his team at Polymath University are looking to change how people approach higher ed and making it more accessible...

Season 7 of the podcast continues with Clara Lucia, the Founder of Breaking Through Consulting and Coaching. Colombian born, Clara Lucia’s story is one of resilience and adventure as she created her identity in Chicago. Clara Lucia saw the opportunity as an open door, a way for her to have many experiences that would lead her to the path of entrepreneurship and sharing that story with others. Her...

Today’s episode of the podcast features Jen Guzman, the Founder of Bestola Consulting. A Chicago native, Jen shares how the city has impacted her and informed her leadership style. Chicago’s gritty, Midwestern vibe has played an important role in her life and keeps her connected to home. Jen’s family has a history of humility and philanthropy, regardless of how much they had to give. Bestola Consu...

We continue our kick-off of Bridging Chicago's Season 7 premiere with Walter Mendenhall, Founder of the Male Mogul Initiative. In part one, we learned about Walter's childhood in the Chicago area and lessons he learned on the football field at the University of Illinois. Part two features Walter's work post grad, what brought him back to Chicago, and the Male Mogul Initiative. Walter also discusse...

Season 7 kicks off with an exciting guest who’s name you may already know, Walter Mendenhall! Walter is a Chicago product, growing up in and around the city and taking his football talents to UIUC. It’s what Walter has accomplished more recently, however that brings him to Bridging Chicago, and we’re so happy he stopped by. This will be a two-part episode, and in part one, you can learn more about...

Cheryl Hamilton-Hill is the CEO of Lincoln Park Community Services, an organization that understands that doing good things for good people is important, but doing it in a way that sets them up to allow themselves and their families succeed is better. LPCS does not look at a moment in someones life and identify them by that moment, but they understand that moments aren’t forever, and given the cha...

Little Village is a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood in Chicago that is very important to Chicago's cultural and economic impact on the country. Kim Close, Executive Director of Foundation of Little Village joins the podcast to share about why the neighborhood means so much to her and what prompted her to start the organization. Foundation of Little Village is dedicated to ensuring that the people of...

As the cooler weather sets into our city and people begin to head back inside, PJ Weiland, business coach with Business Profit and author, joins us to introduce a sport that certainly is not new but is definitely exploding all over Chicago and the country. PJ shares with us about the sport of Pickleball and how being a part of a team and playing sports can teach you lessons in life and business. S...

Chicago Cares is an organization that is close to the heart of the Bridging Chicago podcast! This episode features Rosie Drumgoole, now their Chief Executive Officer, who shares not only her story, but how that connects to Chicago and the mission of Chicago Cares. Rosie also shares about how the moments of chemistry with the neighborhoods and people of the city fuel her passion and remind the enti...

We know how much Chicagoans love a good festival, and the Printers Row Lit Fest is a 38 year old tradition taking place in the heart of the city. Amy Danzer, their Director of Programming, join us to share about the importance of literacy, all the activities at the fest, and what they hope to accomplish in Chicago to help shape its future. Coming on September 9th and 10th, the festival is highligh...

Bridging Chicago is on location for this episode with En Masse Architecture and Design to record in their thoughtfully created design space. Nathan is joined by members of the En Masse team, Mike Shively, Lucas Goldbach, and Ross Renjilian to hear about how the space was curated, how work/life spaces have changed, and their love of their neighborhood. The lessons Founding Director Mike Shively lea...

Joe Amari returns to host Michael Odongo, founder and CEO of the Angaza Center, which aims to provide resources to children in Africa, to equip them to get the education they need to change their futures. Growing up in Kenya, Michael came to the U.S. to continue his education, doing his post-grad work in IT and began working in the field. Now, as a resident of the Chicago area, Michael has continu...

As the founder of The Laughing Academy, Kim Greene Hiller has quite the pedigree when it comes to improv comedy, and her roots run deep in Chicago. Sharing a stage with some of Chicago’s most well known actors, Kim knew early on that her path would look different than that of those who’s names you see on marquees in New York or Los Angeles. Her desire to either be an actress or a teacher has come...

Dr. Gordon Siegel is an accomplished ENT doctor who, like many of us, saw the way that the Covid-19 pandemic was changing the world and saw an opportunity to help others make a shift. Gordy, as he’s known by his friends, then took a leap and started SpaceShifts a company dedicated to helping people and businesses find open office space that they can use. With many companies downsizing the number o...

HR Expert and Author Myriam Del Angel joins the podcast to share what she has learned about people and the places they work. During her time, Myriam has stressed the importance of self-care and self-awareness, so that employees can be more of who they are at work while also adding benefits to the business. Myriam is also helping to shine a spotlight on Latinas who are shaping the future and provid...