Lise.FM

This week, I get to talk to rising pop-star and producer Boy Sim, who calls in from LA. He tells me about seeing Britney Spears put on a kick ass show when he was only 4 and, from then on, thinking, "shit, I can do that." He walks me through his several musical identities and their accompanying influences and tells me how he finally landed on Boy Sim. He also talks about the magic of performing li...

EPISODE 26: Chicago’s first ever Youth Poet Laureate, E’mon Lauren joins me on the show this week to talk about her brand new book of poems, Commando! She tells me about finding and embracing writing and poetry at a young age, participating in different Louder Than a Bomb teams throughout high school and finding confidence in her unique and powerful voice. Then, she walked me through her influence...

On episode 25 of the show, stylist, author and motivational speaker Sam Sparks, joins me in the studio alongside the lovely Nadia Torrence. Sam tells me about how he became Steve Harvey's assistant personal stylist and in what amazing ways his life has changed since then. He also shares his main style and philosophical influencers, and tells me the beautiful story of his little sister, whose spiri...

This week I'm joined by Scott Smith, who co-wrote and directed 'Chasing the Blues,' which premieres this weekend at the Chicago Film Festival. He tells me about how he found himself writing and making films, how he met his co-writer Kevin Guilfoile and explains why he looks up to director Steven Soderbergh (it's not just because they have similar glasses). He also explains the film's storyline, ta...

Episode 23 - This week I'm joined Rich Cohen to talk about his new book, "The Chicago Cubs: Story of a Curse." Rich tells me about how he found his writing idols and what he learned from each of them - from Joan Didion to Tom Wolfe - and he reflects on his early days as a writer, working as a receptionist at The New Yorker. Then, of course, we talk Cubs baseball: he tells me about his first time a...

I don't know about you, but this podcast is 22...episodes old! Ok, these number puns are way too easy and I should stop. Or not? Lmk. More importantly, Dan and Mariel from Chicago based band FAY RAY (FKA Church Booty) join me on the show this week to talk about their amazing 8-piece band and its journey from their first fateful show in an Urbana student living room to their upcoming release, No Lo...

Sean Neumann, the brains behind Single Player, joins me for a chat about his influences - which range from AC/DC and Shania Twain to the Champaign-Urbana music scene and his awesome friends. He also tells me why his songs are so short, what he loves about playing music with his friends and how journalism ties into his musical ventures.

This week I'm joined by Chicago trip-hop/R&B duo, Deadly Habits, which is made up of Evan Lyman and Animah Boakye. Evan and Animah share their origin story (aka how Buzz Magazine at the U of I brought them together), talk about their shared and distinctly different influences and tell me about their insanely cool debut album, Night Vision, and the accompanying gifs that photographer/visual artist...

This week, I'm joined by theatre mastermind and old friend of mine, Genevieve Fowler. She tells me all about her upcoming production of "Here Comes the Tide, There Goes the Girl" an original adaptation of Hamlet that goes up this weekend at the Hairpin Art Center in Logan Square. She also tells me about her biggest theatrical influences, explains why theatre provides such an important platform for...

This week, I’m joined by a man who needs no introduction…but I’ll give him one, anyway. It’s the great Rick Kogan. You may know him from the Chicago Tribune, WGN Radio or the Billy Goat, and if you don’t, you will after listening to this. I’m lucky enough to be Rick’s producer on his Sunday evening program at WGN Radio, After Hours with Rick Kogan, but, after recording this episode of my podcast,...

You know him from Shrink, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ and Drunk History....the delightful Tim Baltz joins me on the show this week to talk about getting his start on the stage, finding his comedic idols and making the move to LA. He also shares his philosophy on collaboration, talks about his contribution to great podcasts like Comedy Bang Bang and With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus and we nerd out...

This week I'm joined by a literal renaissance man, Arne Parrott, or, as he is known at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Dylan Robertson. Arne tells me all about his musical and comedic influences - from the Barenaked Ladies and Eminem to Monty Python and Shakespeare. He also plays some of his hilarious songs and talks about why he loves to write music.

Actor, comedian and fellow Cubs fan Chris Witaske joined me on the show this week to talk to me all about his influences: from The Simpsons and Bill Murray to Bob Odenkirk and David Letterman. We also chat about his years at Second City, his move from Chicago to LA, his appearance on New Girl and how he went from auditioning for 3 different parts on Love to landing a spot on the show as a characte...

Painter & muralist Langston Allston joins me to talk about his installation "When People Could Fly" at Humbolt Park's Slate Gallery. He describes the exhibition's visual narrative, tells me why he wanted to make a "room-sized comic" and shares the stories, artists and music that guided him to the end result. Visit Langston's website to find out more: www.langstonallston.com. Music by @thisiszackbr...

Tom Hush from No Coast Cinema Podcast on WGN Plus fills-in for Lise on this edition of Lise. FM. Alex DePompei is a musician and radio host based out of Chicago. He talks about his initial introduction to music and how he became an avid fan and champion of country music. You can check out his band Junker Bliss at https://junkerbliss.bandcamp.com/ and listen to his show Country Breakfast every Satu...

The great White Mystery band joined me for episode 12 of the podcast to talk about their influences - from GG Allin to Andy Warhol! Sister and brother Alex and Francis also told me about the candy wrapper that inspired their band name, talked about why they love the Chicago music scene so much and discussed their insanely cool telepathic connection.

Nadia Torrence, also known as "_nadixo_" on Instagram, joins me on this week's episode to catch up, since we haven't seen each other since high school. Then, she tells me the story behind her instafame and indulges me with some of her magical influences, which include her Mom, Michelle Obama and Issa Rae. Along the way, Nadia doles out some damn good advice on how to stay graceful in times of turm...

Damn, is it already episode 10?! What better way to celebrate than to feature my first ever start-up! Kimberly Jackson is the brain behind "Stand-In," an app that connects new friends through events. She joined me to talk about the app and to give credit to the forces that have inspired her to follow through on her vision: from her Mom to Shark Tank. Find out more about the app here: http://getast...

This week I'm joined by the lovely Lorna Bennett Samatas, a life coach, meditation guide & yoga/barre instructor. We talk about her journey toward mindful living and then she tells me about the four practices she teaches to help ignite positive change, growth & transformation. Along the way, she dispels some common misconceptions surrounding mindfulness & at the end, she treats us to a guided medi...

This week I'm joined by Elliot and Collin from The Bank Notes, an up-and-coming reggae/blues band from sweet home Chicago. Elliot is the band's songwriter, so he revealed his biggest influences - from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Eminem to his Dad's band, Salt Creek Boys. Collin and Elliot also share a couple stripped down original tunes from The Bank Notes.

For the Father's Day edition of the podcast, I interview none other than my dear Pappy, better known as Dave "Catfish" Graham. We listen to the music he's heard throughout his life, and he talks about where he draws influence from -- from folk to Frank Zappa. We might even sing a couple self-fulfilling covers along the way... but you'll have to listen for yourself to find out. Happy Pappy Day!

This week on Lise. FM, I sat down with Chicago filmmaker Giancarlo Iannotta and completely butchered his name. He forgave me, and we moved on to talk about his first feature length film, MY COUNTRY, which tells the story of two long lost brothers - one from Chicago and one from Rome. Then, he talked about his influences, which range from The Beatles & punk/ska music to the mumblecore film movement...

Amy Guth, a true renaissance woman, joined me on the podcast this week to talk about the music, movies & poetry she draws from in her own her writing, reporting, feminism & film-making. She talks about her childhood, her favorite film director David Lynch, her part in the riot girl movement, her love for The Smiths and her fascination with language, and then she shares a couple excerpts of her own...

Episode 4: I sit down with Emily Blue and try to guess her influences. I fail miserably, so she takes over, talking about what she has gleaned from Regina Spektor, Maroon 5, Solange and the Champaign scene. We also talk about our iPhone Notes, favorite Beyonce music videos, the new almost-concept-album by Tara Terra and she shares a single from her solo project, Bubble Gum Acid Pop.

Episode 3 - My dear, old friend Dan Durley joins me to talk about finding his solo sound with help from Wilco, Neil Young, SPILL & Ratboys. Then, he shares the title track from his upcoming album, "Stone Feet."