DIBS presented by Chicago History

We’ve got DIBS on Kevin Boehm, cofounder of Boka Restaurant Group and 2019 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurateur. Kevin opens up about his unconventional journey from living in a van and launching a 6-table restaurant in Florida to becoming one of the most respected names in hospitality. In this episode, we cover: The origin story of Boka Restaurant Group and its “chef partner” mod...

We’re diving deep—literally and figuratively—into one of Chicago’s most beloved institutions: The Shedd Aquarium. We are joined by Bob Wengel, Senior Vice President of Facilities and Security at Shedd, who has been helping care for this iconic lakefront destination for over 30 years. In this episode, Bob shares the fascinating history of how John G. Shedd envisioned a world-class aquarium for Chic...

This week on Dibs , we sit down with a hometown hero who’s made a name for himself in Chicago journalism: Ben Bradley, 4 PM anchor and investigative reporter at WGN News. Born and raised in the South Suburbs, Ben has spent more than two decades reporting on the stories that shape Chicago—from local corruption to headline-grabbing political scandals. In this episode, we dive deep into his groundbre...

On this episode of DIBS , we sit down with the legendary Steven Smith, the man behind some of the most iconic sneakers of all time. Known as the Godfather of the Dad Shoe , Steven’s career has spanned decades and touched nearly every major sneaker brand— New Balance, Reebok, Fila, Nike, Adidas, Yeezy, and now Crocs . Steven's designs have defined generations of streetwear and sneaker culture, from...

On this episode of DIBS , we sit down with legendary Chicago Bulls play-by-play announcer Adam Amin for an unforgettable deep dive into his journey—from growing up in Addison as a Bulls superfan to becoming the voice of the team he idolized. Adam shares how it still gives him goosebumps to hear “Sirius” echo through the United Center, the dreamlike experience of calling buzzer-beaters next to Stac...

We’re kicking off the first episode of DIBS with none other than Steve Dolinsky, a true icon of Chicago’s food scene. You might know him as “The Food Guy” on NBC 5 Chicago, where his mouthwatering food reports air every Thursday at 10 p.m. Steve is a 13-time James Beard Award winner and an accomplished author, best known for Pizza City, U.S.A.: 101 Reasons Why Chicago is America’s Greatest Pizza T...

DIBS is dedicated to exploring Chicago's heart and soul, sharing untold stories celebrating the city’s vibrant culture, iconic history, and influential figures. Rooted in the cherished Chicago tradition, our podcast highlights the journeys of elite entrepreneurs, celebrated artists, community leaders, and cultural icons. DIBS aims to connect our diverse and highly engaged audience through engaging...