Greg & Dan Show Interviews

Greg and Phil talk with Fred Hochberg about his upcoming Trade is Not a Four Letter Word on June 15th at Distillery Labs. He reflects on his experience leading the Export-Import Bank under President Obama and shares concerns about how emerging technologies like AI may influence trade and the U.S. economy over the next five years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg and Phil talk with Mae Gilliland Wright and Kindall Reusche about the upcoming First Friday, a free monthly celebration of local artists and creativity held on the first Friday of each month. They discuss how Harmonize Peoria is partnering with the event to bring live music to the community, while highlighting the talented artists, vibrant atmosphere, and excitement surrounding this unique do...

Greg and Phil talk with Jamel Santa Cruz Wright, President of Eureka College, about special events taking place on Friday, June 5th, honoring the legacy of alumnus Ronald Reagan while celebrating the future of the college’s football programs. The events include a Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Clinic and the launch of Eureka College’s new women’s flag football team. Dr. Wright...

Greg and Phil talk with Logan Makiney about his recent act of bravery at Chapters Living of Washington. While driving by late at night with his girlfriend, Logan noticed flames coming from the building and immediately sprang into action, running inside to help residents evacuate. He shares how he knocked on doors, assisted people to safety, and did everything he could to alert residents to the dan...

Greg and Phil talk with Chris Watkins about the recent case involving a man accused of impersonating a police officer in the Peoria area. Sheriff Watkins explains how similar incidents have occurred before, discusses motorists’ rights during traffic stops, highlights warning signs that may indicate something is suspicious, and stresses the importance of complying with instructions during an...

Greg and Phil talk with Adam White about the upcoming Steamboat Classic and reflect on how the event has become a longstanding tradition built over the last 50 years. He discusses the process of organizing the race, the strong running culture in Peoria and the surrounding region, and how the event continues to bring the community together year after year. For more information, to become a voluntee...

Greg and Phil talk with Derek Oddo of the Peoria Heights Kiwanis Club about the upcoming 5th Annual Bar Stool Open happening Saturday, June 6th. He explains how the event combines a mini-golf tournament with a bar crawl, bringing people together for a fun day while encouraging community involvement and supporting local initiatives. Participants can learn more and sign up through the Peoria Heights...

Greg and Phil talk with Nathan Rodriguez and Alex Hunt about West Side Story, the upcoming production at Corn Stock Theatre. They discuss their characters, what audiences can expect from the iconic musical, and share details about the show and how to get tickets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg and Phil talk with Dave Johnson of Pearl Technology about data centers - the good, the bad, and the reality behind them. He explains why there is a growing need for these massive facilities, how they support everyday services like streaming TV, healthcare systems, internet access, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, and discusses both their environmental impact and the benefits they...

Greg and Phil talk with Rik Edgar about his announcement that his final day at the Peoria Civic Center will be June 20th. He reflects on his eight years in Peoria, how he arrived in the role, and the experiences that shaped his time there. Rik shares favorite moments, memorable shows, and what has stood out most about being part of the community, especially his love for human connection and storyt...

Greg and Phil talk with Jan Brown about her work with “The Pickup Chicks,” a group she started with a friend focused on picking up trash throughout the community. She shares how the effort began, why they do it, and how they now go out 3–4 times a week collecting litter and taking it to local dumpsters. Jan also talks about the positive community response and how they’ve no...

Greg and Phil talk with Darin LaHood, who is running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, about his ongoing work serving constituents and addressing key issues. He discusses listening to community concerns and responding with practical solutions, as well as topics including the Iran conflict and potential diplomatic efforts, the farm bill, and residential and commercial developmen...

Greg and Phil talk with J. Lenz of the band Pert Near Sandstone about the meaning behind their unique band name, their 20-year history together, and the group’s overall sound and musical style. He shares insights into the band’s members, their creative vibe, and previews their upcoming performance this Saturday at Friendly Valley Tavern. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Greg and Phil talk with John Ackerman about a special event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary taking place Saturday, May 30th at 10:00 AM at Antioch Cemetery. The free event honors five Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Tazewell County, and he shares who these individuals were and why remembering their service is important as the nation approaches this historic milestone. See omnyst...

Greg and Phil talk with Scott Altman about NASA’s recent announcement regarding the agency’s new Moon Base plans as part of the NASA Artemis program. He shares his excitement about the idea of creating a long-term human presence on the Moon and discusses why the planned lunar base near the Moon’s south pole is expected to be so large, with room for research, living quarters, powe...

Greg and Phil talk with Rosie Wixom of Food Frenzy and Dr. Michael Tarantino of BCDI of Peoria about a sculpture originally purchased from Midstate College. They discuss the history behind the piece, why it was originally acquired, and the decision to now sell it, explaining how the proceeds will be used to further support community initiatives and programs tied to BCDI’s mission. See omnyst...

Greg and Phil talk with Angie Brown and her son Karter Brown about the passing of her husband from colon cancer and how that experience led her to create the Michael P. Brown Colon Cancer Foundation. She shares her personal story, the foundation’s mission to raise awareness and support families affected by colon cancer, and highlights the upcoming Michael’s Run for Life Festival on Jul...

Greg and Phil talk with Brian Ray of PNC Bank about his strong connection to the Peoria community and why he considers it home. He shares his involvement in local events like the Steamboat Race and Toytopia, his connection with the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and reflects on the significance of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg and Phil talk with Rusty Dunn and Jim Rimington of the Pekin Civic Chorus about their upcoming performances running Thursday through Sunday. They discuss the history of the chorus, details of the upcoming show, and what it takes to coordinate and lead more than 75 voices working together in harmony, highlighting both the challenge and beauty of large-scale choral performance. See omnystudio.c...

Greg and Phil talk with Kent Kramer, the new CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, about the growth of new store locations and the deeper mission behind Goodwill. He explains how Goodwill is about much more than shopping and donating, highlighting the organization’s support for veterans, job training opportunities, employment programs, and the positive impact thrifting can have on...

Greg and Phil talk with Hannah Daly of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois and David Poehls about the urgent need for more volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) in Peoria. They highlight the organization’s mission of building strong, positive relationships between mentors and youth, and discuss the upcoming “60 Bigs in 60 Days” campaign, kicking off with a happy hour ev...

Greg and Phil talk with David Vroman, who has directed the Peoria Municipal Band since 1991, about the group’s long history and musical legacy in the community. He shares insights into the band’s rich tradition, where its musicians come from, and previews the upcoming concert series, highlighting how the performances continue to bring live music to Peoria throughout the summer! See omn...

Greg and Phil talk with Megan Scott, Executive Director of the Peoria Art Guild, about the opening of the 12th annual Sculpture Walk Peoria, which officially opened yesterday and will run through 2028 as a rotating public art exhibit in downtown Peoria. She shares the history behind the Sculpture Walk, its mission of “bringing art to the community and the community to art,” and how the...

Greg and Phil talk with Patrick Kelly, Senior Sports Sales Manager at Discover Peoria, about the upcoming Future Play Festival coming to Peoria October 2nd-4th, 2026. He explains how the large-scale entertainment and esports festival is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to the area each day, creating a major economic impact for local businesses and the community. He also discusses wh...

Greg and Phil talk with Sharon Gramm about the Peoria RiverFront Market opening its 23rd season this Saturday, May 23rd, running through September 26th. She shares details about the free weekly market, held Saturdays from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, featuring local farmers, artists, live music, entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere for families and even dogs on leashes. She also highlights how t...