Bridging Chicago

In this episode of the podcast, we finish our conversation with Alida Miranda-Wolff, who has dedicated her work to helping organizations consider diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in everything they do. Alida has been a very open and honest guest and that has allowed us to learn about her story and inspired us to create change in our lives. Alida's book, Cultures of Belonging is due to be...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Alida Miranda-Wolff talking about empathy in the work place and how it's changed in recent times. Alida shares about why it's okay to consider emotions and giving yourself grace to live out your true emotional self. We also discuss fairness and it's impact on marginalized groups, and what impact that has on justice. Be sure to subscribe so you don...

As the Founder and CEO of Ethos, an organization dedicated to closing the gap for underrepresented and underserved groups in organizations, Alida Miranda-Wolff brings her past experiences into her work with the hope of creating transformation--and that is just the tip of the ice berg with Alida. In this episode, Alida shares about multiculturalism and how Chicago changed the ways she saw herself....

We're so excited to start of season 5 of the podcast with a bang: our friends at The Eisenberg Foundation to share about what the organization is up to and the upcoming Real Bright Summit 2022! Eisenberg is an organization dedicated to GI cancer research and real estate education, especially for those communities often under-represented. Cassandra Murff, an associate board member on the foundation...

As we wrap up Season 4 of the podcast, we wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season. Thank you to our listeners; you inspire us to continue to tell the stories of Chicago leaders working towards change. Thank you to our guests for being so vulnerable and sharing your story with us. Thank you for your partnership and for inviting us into your life. And thank you to the Bridging Chicago tea...

[Please excuse the audio issues in this episode as we were on location for the first time recording this episode] Our last episode of the year features Donna Van Eekeren, an entrepreneur with a deep business background. Donna loved art so much that she realized her collection had grown to the point that she should open an art studio. After consulting with experts, Donna chose Wicker Park to open h...

Jennifer Sobecki, Chief Executive Officer of Designs 4 Dignity, joins host Nathan Ciulla to discuss how physical surroundings directly impact our ability to engage with others, to hope, and to heal. Jennifer’s story begins with her homegrown Midwest values; which are based in honesty, integrity, treating others the way you want to be treated, and being true to yourself. These values have fueled he...

With the holiday season fast approaching, we acknowledge that this isn’t always a season of joy for everyone. Some people silently deal with mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide that can be exacerbated when the rest of the world seems joyful. Amy Kartheiser knows firsthand how difficult it is when someone acts on those thoughts and envisions a world where no one must grieve a family me...

Photos have become as prevalent as words as a form of communication in today’s world. New podcast host, Joe Amari, joins Karen Irvine, Chief Curator and Deputy Director, and Natasha Egan, Executive Director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography to discuss the power of the visual arts in activism. Both Karen and Natasha share how the Museum gives artists the platform to show new perspective and...

Peter Toepfer joins the podcast to discuss no small feat—combating homelessness in Chicago. As Executive Director of the Center for Housing and Health (“CHH”), Peter firmly believes that we have the tools to end homelessness and to help people live their healthiest lives at their fullest potential. Peter shares that one way to combat homelessness is to identify the true drivers of housing instabil...

After hearing Kyle Evangelista speak at the 2021 NFMA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nathan knew he wanted to invite him to share with the Bridging Chicago listeners. With their three core values in mind, Gratitude, Greatness and Grit, Kyle encourages leaders to share their story and lead with purpose. He shares with us lessons learned from his youth and why the ceiling is a constantly moving tar...

Angela Mason, the senior director of Windy City Harvest never imagined she would be leading an urban farm here in Chicago, but that’s exactly where she finds herself. Starting with a small group of youth, Angela joined the Chicago Botanic Garden in their efforts to bring urban farming to Chicago and utilize open space here in the city. The farm has grown and the programs have multiplied so many ti...

Shoshana Buchholz-Miller works tirelessly as Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Chicago managing an organization that provides low-income Chicagoland families the essential items children need to thrive. In this episode, Shoshana shares about her path to finding her niche in non-profits, the trials and triumphs of working in the non-profit sector, and how her role as a mother influences the...

In this Bridging Chicago short, we follow up with Ed Podsiadlik, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and season 2 guest! Ed recently published License to Transform: An Alphabet of Student Teaching alongside some of his former students who are now teaching in and around the Chicago region. Ed shares about what inspired him to write the book and why he chose to bring h...

A first for Bridging Chicago, host and senior producer Nathan Ciulla travels to Las Vegas , Nevada to record an episode in front of a live audience to share about the benefits of podcasting! We had a great time networking with and learning from members of the National Flea Market Association at their 2021 Annual Conference. Check out this episode where we interview members Kristina Doukas and Lisa...

John Peller joins the podcast to share about the AIDS Foundation Chicago and the fight to get Illinois to Zero! Hear about how John came to Chicago and why he is passionate about his work with the Foundation, which continues to lead the charge in building a healthier future. For 35 years, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) has led the fight to create health equity and justice for people living with and...

New host Leona Kuhar welcomes her first guest, Grace Rios of Grace Rios Photography to the podcast. In this episode, Grace shares about how she got her start in photography at such a young age and why she chose to photograph weddings to start her career. Grace has a beautiful eye and is a huge part of making a couples special day that much more memorable. She also shares about what it took to star...

We're excited to introduce Leona Kuhar, Senior Legal Assistant at SATC|Law and new co-host of the podcast. Leona is a native Chicagoan and shares about her experience growing up on the far southside. She has worked in the corporate and legal industries and has been at SATC for nearly 20 years! Leona also shares about what it was like growing up in such a diverse neighborhood and why individual cul...

Meet our newest colleague at Bridging Chicago, Sally Rodriguez-Diaz. Sally is joining the team as a Content Artist. She was born and raised right here in Chicago and got her degree in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago. Sally shares about her family, her love for Chicago history, and how growing up in Little Village inspires her to dream big! Be sure to interact with Sally on all our soc...

Theresa Goodrich is an Emmy award winning author and true storyteller. In her book, Living Landmarks of Chicago, she tells the story of 50 of Chicago's landmarks, delving into what makes them special to our city and its rich history. Theresa shares about her childhood as a young leader and how she came to know she was a writer at heart. She also shares about her battle with breast cancer and why i...

To last 30 years as a restaurant in Chicago is certainly no easy task! It takes a great deal of innovation, hard work, and a great partnership team to thrive through everything that's happened over three decades. Helen Cameron joins us to share how she and her husband, Mike, have persevered to not only survive, but thrive with Uncommon Ground in Chicago. Uncommon Ground is truly a restaurant unlik...

In part II of our conversation with Brendan Cournane, we learn about what motivated him to run his first marathon and what it was like to run in Antarctica. Brendan has now run over 100 marathons, completing his first and 100th right here in Chicago! He now serves as a coach for the Ronald McDonald House Charities marathon team, a team which host Nathan Ciulla ran with in 2017. Brendan gives his t...

Brendan Cournane has certainly lived a full life and he loves to share all of the lessons he picked up along the way with others. Brendan and his family moved to Chicago at a young age after immigrating to Canada from Ireland. He has run over 100 marathons and also serves as the chair of the Chicago Bar Associations Wellness and Mindfulness committee. Brendan shares about the importance of family...

As wedding season gears up again, many of us are left wondering what it will look like after most were canceled in 2020. Carlene Hartline, owner of Naturally Yours Events joins the podcast to share about the big pivot they had to take and how they started Neighborhood Nuptials as a way to give people the special day they've dreamed of. Carlene also shares about the how the people she has put aroun...

A Chicago native, Kevin Gillespie knows what it takes to start a successful business. Kevin had to persevere through personal struggles and a failed business venture to begin Headline Solar, a company he hopes will help people get the energy they need while providing for a cleaner future for the planet. Kevin shares about why putting the right people around you and focusing on your goals is so imp...