HyperLocal(s)

I've met a lot of new people while building the podcast. This interviewee was one of the most approachable and friendly guests I've met. What used to get him in trouble, his "life-of-the-party" way of life, has now turned him into a successful event coordinator and venue owner.   Listen as this Urbana boy and former college football player becomes an Amway Multi-Level-Marketing...

I’ve had the privilege of working with and interacting with these two Champaign powerhouses during my That’s What She Said (TWSS) production prep. Kerry and Jenette are friends, colleagues and a perfect blend of business, theater, dreams and realistic goals.   Listen as this duo explains the evolution of the popular, annual production of TWSS. With a full plate, Kerry hesitantly handed an eager Je...

This Champaign girl and old friend used to be a social media fiend. She used to feel good only one week out of the month. The past two years have thrown curve balls and a lot of changes, but she believes she is now on the upswing of these recent challenges.  Listen as this bubbly, everybody-knows-your-name, type talks about an event that hurt her business and confidence in ever again putting her e...

Champaign gal and fellow Central grad was feeling adventurous. She emailed me on a whim before visiting her folks over the holiday break. This now Austin resident prepped me with the chapters that made up her story, making my job easy and relaxed. Listen as this friendly, self-actualized, trained social worker talks relatably about the challenges that have put her on a path of healing today. Traum...

Indianapolis transplants met as kids, but they didn't become a serious couple until Andrew rescued Brook from a traumatic relationship. This heroic foundation of care and love is ever present in this interview as Brook looks to Andrew for the medical details and Andrew looks to Brook for unconditional support.   Listen as the parents of four explain their identical twin boys D-bifunctional pr...

Mattoon native refers to the struggles of getting pregnant as just the beginning of the challenges that come with being a parent. Pregnancy, it turns out, was the easy part. The raising them without losing your cool—there lies the real test. Listen as this certified teacher, coach and mother of three discusses the benefits of being an older parent, stopping spanking and screaming, why she doesn’t...

The Chicago Suburbs brought us, yet again, an awesome transplant. Finding a reliable, affable, text savvy plumber that takes Venmo is priceless. The everyday person with an everyday job has a story, too.   Listen as we talk my personal plumbing tragedies including the latest sh** storm, Aaron’s deceiving Italian background ala Mario & Luigi, why he doesn’t raise rates, living in a Brady Bunch...

This Champaign girl has moved around a bit in search of a feeling of family and stability. She’s finally found a good foundation of friends and job security just 45 minutes away in Bloomington. A few decades earlier we lived together in that same town for a few wild and eventful years.     Listen to Natalie and I catch up after decades of not speaking to each other. A dysfunctional senior year in...

This family friend has accomplished what I’ve always wanted to do. This educated queen has researched, Googled, learned from mistakes, enlisted help and finally self-published her first novel! The first book of the trilogy, The House by the Side of the Road , is available now where most books are sold. Listen to Jean discuss her professional experience with understanding reading and the common lea...

My husband, Andrew Harrington, and I podcast from Thanksgiving vacation in Florida, "the land of do as you please." An impromptu evening podcast (post Illini loss) and early morning addition (post endorphin-spiking run), round out the latest edition of, "Tales From Two Townies."   Listen as these two townies talk about the funny and not-so-funny current goings on where they oft...

This Northern Illinois farm girl describes the love story of her and her late husband as the definition of teammates. As parents, as friends, as husband and wife, decisions were made together and support endless and abundant.   Listen to this witty lady talk about her fast courtship with the well known and locally revered, Lou Henson. For more than two decades Lou led the University of Illinois Ba...

This East St. Louis native came to Champaign to find the help he desperately needed. Being raised in a bar and mimicking the behavior around him combined with childhood molestation and addiction didn't set Steven up for success.  Listen to this mild mannered dad to two sons and a daughter (that he until recently thought was his biological child) explain the tattered tapestry that created the...

This Chicago Suburbanite literally starts her story at 72-hours old. From adoption to addiction to sick parents to divorce and remarriage, there was so much to talk through with Callie we needed THREE episodes.  Listen to the third episode where Callie and I talk about life today. To deal with the instability, Callie turned to teenage rebellion at an accelerated pace. Using, selling and getting bu...

This Chicago Suburbanite literally starts her story at 72-hours old. From adoption to addiction to sick parents to divorce and remarriage, there was so much to talk through with Callie we needed two episodes.  Listen to the second episode where Callie and I big talk about the tangled web of biological parents, adoptive parents and step parents. To deal with the instability, Callie turned to teenag...

This Chicago Suburbanite literally starts her story at 72-hours old. From adoption to addiction to sick parents to divorce and remarriage, there was so much to talk through with Callie we needed two episodes.  Listen to the first episode where Callie and I small talk about wrestling, pee wee football and youth sports in general. Callie then takes us along her childhood timeline where life is fille...

This Urbana born and Tolono grown retired University of Illinois employee has heated up the chili competition circuit for 45 years! From Vegas, Missouri, Palm Springs and Myrtle Beach and back, Mark has thousands of dollars invested and countless wins, including nine state titles, under his belt.  Listen as Mark expertly explains the fascinating world of chili competitions. From participant to com...

This newish Urbana resident and newish CEO to the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club (DMGBC) is a much needed and welcome addition to our community. Her sweet demeanor, extensive experience in the non-profit sector and tireless work ethic is beyond commendable.  Listen as Amy talks about raising babies while going to school and working as a housekeeper, becoming a temporary guardian simply because th...

My husband’s uncle, mother-in-law’s brother, Champaign native and a man I feel like I just really met as he lived in Africa for most of my indoctrination into my husband’s family. Every few years he would be an honored guest and the life-of-the party when he made it back to the states in full African regalia—a stark contrast from the button-ups and pressed skirts that surrounded him.  Listen as Mi...

My BFF’s sister, mother of three, Urbana born and raised farmer’s daughter turned Chicago suburbanite talks candidly about what happens when motherhood just doesn’t “click.” The maternal instinct and excitement that is glorified is replaced with feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.   Listen as this eloquent and self-aware mom talks about panic attacks, therapy, medication, pregnancy, asking for and...

My former Savoy neighbor and fellow grocery shopper, camp dropper-offer, fast casual dining consumer and YMCA member talk about how and why his family planted roots in Champaign. Jon explains why he never thought he’d add a decade-long line item of “Stay-at-home dad” to his resume.    Listen as these fellow play daters and lunch makers talk about Jon filling this typically female for the good of t...

On October 24, 2021 Terry searched her house for any random bits and pieces  that could help her son, Liam, finish his Halloween costume for a party he was anxiously anticipating. At the same time, 24-year-old Urbana High School graduate and recent University of Illinois graduate, Liam Gasser, went to North Prospect to look for materials at the local craft stores.   Listen as two moms reflect on t...

My high school golf teammate, and overall sweetheart of a person, start our talk discussing the tribulations of being the only freshman on our upper-classmen heavy Central High School Girls Golf Team. We go through the podcast discussing what it's like being the minority gender in a vastly male career.  Listen as these townies talk corn, the new methodology behind cover crops, working with fa...

My husband, Andrew Harrington, and I try to wrangle in our two little (or not so little anymore) sons on this special family episode.   Listen as these four townies reflect on the new activities they are trying this fall, what they did and learned over the summer, my colorful cosmetic procedure and change-of-seasons depression, passing out in public and a snot rocket from an aerodynamic biker.  Th...

Mr. Guerrero, born in Kentucky and raised in Vegas and Mrs. Guerrero of South Bend, IN met on the mat. These well-credentialed black belts sparred their way into marriage and a big move to Champaign where they took over the responsibility of owning and teaching at Leaders for Life Martial Arts.   Listen as the power couple talk about their roles in life and in the business. Where he concentrates o...

This Champaign city girl turned to the Sadorus countryside to raise her own son near the same farm that raised her up just a few decades ago. The flatlands and drying corn are a far cry from the lush tropics of where she spent her twenties—Maui, HI.     Listen as Ashley describes the preserved history that surrounded the once coveted town of Lahaina. Ashley and her now husband traveled to this are...