HyperLocal(s)

For 4 1/2 years I've interviewed townies and transplants orbiting the Champaign-Urbana area. What an immense privilege. That's 224 consecutive Tuesdays where I have released an episode first from kitchen table studios and finally from WCIA. Special thanks to my husband, Andrew, for being my first, last and reoccurring guest.   This was an idea born out of a need to do something creative,...

Anthony joins me AGAIN on the podcast to talk about life after the military, including the simple joy that dog training brings him. Listen as this South Carolina country kid talks about becoming a dog trainer, injuries in the field, what a typical day looks like, how his training cycles go and box store dog walks. I couldn't believe the many layers to Anthony. The more he talked, the more I d...

What a high energy, community-driven all-around good guy. I thought my email would get buried under stacks of more important notices. I was delighted with a quick response and a willingness to be a pod guest. Listen as this trademark townie talks philanthropy, Dancing With the Stars, dogs, real estate, community development, fatherhood, local art, picking up trash around our park, the nepotism ste...

This all-American sport has his whole heart. From hosting batting practice to watching his son coach to learning from the pros, he loves it all.  Listen as this perfect representation of a melting pot; born in Jamaica, Bronx raised and Midwest rooted, talks travel baseball, glove restringing and restoration, service above self, the long last art of the conversation, Panera's social network, t...

Barber, marketing consultant, friend and trading card aficionado RETURNS to discuss his current passion/hobby and big source of JOY, trading cards. His alter ego, J. Bizzler, literally enters the chat. Listen as this St. Louis area-born, Champaign-rooted, scissor master talks all things trading cards. The hobby from my generation's youth has made a comeback in a BIG way. With modern tech and...

I am so grateful to meet, know and interview such an exceptional human being. She gives selflessly to others and wants to make a difference in the community.  Listen as Fort Wayne native talks about boundaries and work-life balance, licensed social work, teaching a course in grief (not only in death but in life changes) and teaching a course about hospitalized children at U of I, the role of a Chi...

My husband and I recount the highs, lows, ups, downs and incredible core memories from our two week family vacation in Italy.  Listen as Andrew comes back to the studio after a brief hiatus to talk about why my phone keeps going off, why hasn't been on an episode in a while, helping a friend, the flight, Venice, Sorrento, Rome and meeting Pope Leo, pasta, pizza, gelato and McDonalds and every...

This sweet, soft spoken gentle man, joins me on the podcast to talk about his road to and from the air force. The good, the bad and the ugly.   Listen as this South Carolina country kid talks about the decision to go into the military, childhood and police officer parents, performing/entertaining in the military, wheelchair basketball and adaptive sports, shoe sales, gig musicianship, healing thro...

What a great time talking to this silly, light-hearted science buff and comic lover.   Listen as this St. Joe born and raised standout talks about his unorthodox hairdo and the regime for maintaining his Weird Al Yankovic/Slash-like locks, comic books, Comic-Con, Conjunction Junction, singing (surprise song!), self-publishing, freelance writing, video games and self-deprecating humor. Todd was gam...

She knew what would be interesting to talk about and kept me on track, a real pro in so, so many ways. Everyone's cheerleader and a respecter of time and energy, Lisa is a 10/10 human.  Listen as this Ohio-born girl talks briefly about her normal childhood before diving deep into the real estate industry in town, taking the real estate tests, competing against your peers and office mates, ope...

Warm and sweet, open and vulnerable, the beyond likeable, Ashlee came to share about her personal and notable professional life.  Listen as this Urbana-raised girl talks about being the high school mascot, having an odd childhood, coming out and being rejected, online dating, That's What She Said stories, losing a dog and a brother, divorcing a partner, healing, managing Jarling's Custar...

Many sports functions overlap in the realm of boy raising. Ron is co-raising three busy boys as well as working a full-time career, coaching and advocating for often overlooked populations in our community.   Listen as this Decatur-born gentleman talks about meeting his future wife, picking on peers, wrestling, cutting weight, being a nurse anesthetist, running for the local school board and why a...

For about a year my son and I have been in her orbit enrolling and participating in theater-based classes. Her passion and knowledge for our local fine arts radiates from her high-energy personality.  Listen as this Chicago area born and raised city girl talks technical difficulties, the Penguin Project, practice vs. innate talent, auditioning, majoring in "anything other than drama,"  r...

This guest made it very easy on me. She was a dream to interview and meet, wise beyond her years and an asset to the local  Rape Advocacy, Counseling & Education Services (RACES).  Listen as this Alabama born and raised, Illinois transplanted, sexual violence prevention worker at the community-based, non-profit, RACES, talks about April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Darkness to Lig...

I don't know if I've ever interviewed someone as conscientious as April. Thank you notes, gifts, informative emails—she would have got the job if I was hiring.   Listen as this North Dakota born, South Korea and all over the US raised, military daughter talks about high school in Monticello, food and cooking, growing up too fast, being raised primarily by your father, losing your father,...

This sweet, charming guy described himself as "kind of blah." I beg to differ.  Listen as this Taylorville grown broadcaster talks about losing his father, his change of plans when the farm he thought he would inherit was no longer in his future, combining farming with broadcasting, the marketing of soybean ink, communicating with farmers, telling their stories, writing on all things far...

Breaking into an industry where you are usually the youngest one in the room can be intimidating. This girl boss has fought any preconceived notions every step of the way, using knowledge and professionalism as proof of concept.  Listen as this townie talks about her return to Champaign, learning from the best, taking over her mom's ownership position at Champaign Estate Sales, looking and so...

Listen as this Gibson City guy talks all things meteorology. Why this field? What fascinates men about inclement weather? What is the most intense weather situation he's ever been involved in? How does he navigate consumers who are upset by inaccurate weather reports, being a local celebrity, data gathering in order to best predict weather and the backlash when the data predicts the wrong out...

It's just me. For the first time in almost four years I take to the MIC by myself. I answer online questions during an open and honest question and answer session.  Listen as this Champaign native gets uncomfortable when answering questions about herself for once. Learn how I describe myself in 10 adjectives, OCD, regrets, weaknesses/strengths, what I admire in others, who am I when no one is...

Two previous guests, Emily Donohoe (#114) and Shauna Boatright (#180), bring along a new face to the podcast, Sherrie Carter, to talk about a photographic project, Through Purple Eyes .  Listen as these three women, all with different backgrounds and stories, come together to talk about a project they are collaborating on. Mahomet fine art photographer, Emily Donohoe of Pixels by Emily, currently...

The following week, Blakely comes into the studio again, this time on mic and accompanied by her now husband, Kristian. This beautiful couple lays out their perspective of before, during and after those unforgettable two months where everything could have, and medically should have, gone horribly wrong.  Listen as these locals talk about the American Heart Association, the importance of lifesaving...

Interviewing family is a funny thing. The words and stories feel precious and protected, sacred and special. This effervescent sparkler defines what it means to be a mom: devoted, selfless, caring and strong. Michigan transplant, but to all that have the pleasure of knowing her, she is a townie, lover of friends and family and a great time.   Listen as Kris Harrington relives her young, seemingly...

A great laugh and a warm spirit resonates throughout this passionate self-taught chef.   Listen as this Urbana native talks growing up in the diversity of Urbana, the opposing demographics of the Broadlands, team sports, alternative schools, working in dozens of kitchens, the importance of culture and food, the misery of manual labor, the incomparable feeling when cooking for others, couch surfing...

A podcast listener reached out with the desire to tell her story and the impact her life has had on her profession. On such a sensitive and timely topic, I was happy to have an expert explain their relationship with immigration—both personally and professionally. Listen as this New York born, Palestine rooted, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor talks living out the American Dream, making a f...

He wanted to be the 200th episode. He has seen me through the trajectory of the podcast from beginning to now. Request granted.  Listen as this St. Louis adjacent native talks about his education and interest in music, private and public barbering, timeliness, faith, grounding in nature, talk therapy in the barber chair, fishing for sport and relaxation, philanthropy and giving haircuts rooted in...