Love Local Chicagoland

In this captivating episode of the "Love Local Chicagoland" podcast, Jason Stallard brings Brian Smith to the forefront to delve into the art of balancing personal well-being and professional excellence. Sponsored by Royal Family Real Estate, this episode highlights the significance of slowing down, being self-aware, and employing strategic frameworks to improve both life and business. T...

Join Jason Stallard and his guests, Brandon Cork, Bryn Sabadosa, and Matt Koenig, as they tackle the profound but often stigmatized topic of men's mental health in this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast. With honesty and vulnerability, each guest shares their personal stories of struggle, resilience, and recovery. In an open discussion, the men delve into the changing societal perc...

In this illuminating episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with Beth Nabors, a passionate advocate for the homeless and founder of Journeys. The conversation unfolds with a vibrant exchange of ideas, shedding light on Beth’s personal and professional journey that led her to establish Journeys, an organization aimed at eliminating homelessness in the northwest subu...

In this insightful episode of Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard sits with Kris Salyards to discuss the upcoming community engagement event titled "Local Talks," focusing on breaking mental health stigma. This episode delves deep into how uplifting conversations around mental health can foster more robust communities and pave a pathway for future generations to experience less struggle...

n this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard converses with Gorana Climenco, a Bosnian entrepreneur with a remarkable journey. From war-torn Bosnia to the bustling metropolitan life of Chicago, Gorana shares an inspiring tale of grit and resilience. Her story is one of overcoming hardships and following one's dreams, which is bound to inspire listeners. Through her mark...

Join us for a powerful and inspiring evening as part of the Local Talks series, where we brought together a panel of dynamic women leaders to share their experiences, insights, and truths. In this impactful discussion, our panelists opened up about confidence, leadership, overcoming judgment, and the importance of women supporting women. From personal stories to professional lessons, the conversat...

In this heartfelt episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard engages in a profound dialogue with Kathy Millin, a beacon of leadership and community service. Kathy, who recently retired after a notable career at Partners for Our Communities, reflects on her journey and her ongoing commitment to empowering communities in the Northwest Suburbs. Through captivating narratives, Kathy...

In this engaging episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with Yeulanda Degala of Good Neighbors Network and Tracy Lipari from Tuscan Market and Wine Shop to discuss community engagement and support through local business and nonprofit collaboration. The episode revolves around the upcoming "local swarm" event, a unique gathering designed to boost small bus...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, hosted by Jason Stallard. In this episode, we dive into the world of innovative senior living at Encore Village, a premier community in Schaumburg, Illinois. Joined by special guest Terra Watterson, VP of Sales and Marketing, we explore how Encore Village is redefining the senior living experience with vibrant community-b...

In this compelling episode of "Love Local Chicagoland," Jason Stallard dives into a candid conversation with Victor Lopez, a former offender turned inspiring artist and community mentor. From his early years in the gang life on Chicago's west side to his transformational journey post-incarceration, this episode offers an in-depth look at how Victor overcame adversities to embark on a...

In this engaging episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard welcomes Aiden Branss, a young and ambitious author and publisher who has turned his passion for storytelling into a thriving business. Aiden shares his journey from writing a book during the pandemic to establishing his own publishing company, Aiden Branss Books, which focuses on amplifying diverse and often overlooked...

In this engaging episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard invites three influential women from the Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF) to discuss fostering community support and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. The conversation dives deep into the heart of SLSF's mission, emphasizing the powerful impact of community engagement and support for all indiv...

In this enlightening episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with James Cheng, a distinguished leader from Schaumburg with a background spanning military service, international work, and missionary efforts. The conversation dives into James's formative years in the northwest suburbs, his educational experiences at West Point, his service in the US Army, and his...

In this engaging episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast hosted by Jason Stallard, listeners are introduced to Dr. Michelle Morkert, who will moderate an upcoming panel featuring five formidable women for the first Local Talks of 2025. As a women's leadership coach and an academic, Dr. Morkert brings her deep understanding of gender and leadership to the table. The episode underscores th...

In this captivating episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, Jason Stallard welcomes Cassie Hamel, the vibrant founder of Little Broken Things. Cassie shares her journey from working in the film industry to rediscovering her passion for hair and opening unique salons that incorporate art galleries, thus fostering a sense of community. Throughout their discussion, Jason and Cassie explore the...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, featuring Andrea Biwer, the dynamic new President of the Schaumburg Business Association (SBA). In this engaging discussion, Andrea, who has been with the SBA for four months, shares her vision of fostering a community-oriented business environment. Listen as Andrea delves into her rich history with the SBA, beginning with...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard welcomes John Doherty, founder of The Family Album Company, to discuss the significance of preserving family memories in a digital age. The conversation explores the importance of digitizing photos, love letters, and other memorabilia to maintain a legacy for future generations. As a longtime Chicagoan with a rich professional h...

In this insightful episode of the "Love Local Chicagoland Podcast," Jason Stallard welcomes John Sleeting, a wealth manager partner at Clearwater Capital. John shares his life's journey from serving in the U.S. Coast Guard to becoming an influential figure in wealth management. The conversation delves deep into his passion for storytelling and his unique approach to wealth management, aiming to am...

Join Jason Stallard in this engaging episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, where he converses with Deanna Origer, a key player at Love Local Media. The discussion delves deep into Deanna’s journey from a collegiate athlete to a strategic contributor in the media space, exploring themes such as entrepreneurship, community support, and personal growth. This insightful talk aims to inspire l...

Welcome to the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast! In this engaging episode, Jason Stallard sits down with Kimberly Dahlem, a transformative local coach and educator who empowers others to live better lives. Kimberly candidly shares her journey, from her nurturing childhood influenced by educators to her impactful 30-year career in public education. The episode explores her steadfast dedication to gra...

In today's Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with Cole Keller, a central figure at Love Local Media, to dissect the core methods and inspirations behind their community-focused media venture. Starting from a chance meeting at a local music event, Jason and Cole’s partnership has developed into a creative alliance aimed at spotlighting local stories and empowering communi...

Join Jason Stallard as he delves into the inspiring journey behind Aunt Tina's Kitchen, a family-run restaurant specializing in Southern comfort food, with Tony and Abbey Cannon. This episode of the "Love Local Chicagoland Podcast" explores how the couple's ventures in food trucks and seasoning business laid the groundwork for their restaurant. Tony shares insights from his formative years in the...

In this revealing episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, hosted by Jason Stallard, we dive deep into the transformative journey of dealing with grief. Jason is joined by co-host Karl Fay, senior pastor at Prince of Peace, and two esteemed grief share facilitators, JoAnn Wiemann and Jan Kehe. These guests bring their personal experiences and professional insights into the conversation, offe...

In this enlightening episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, listeners are introduced to the profound journey of Mary Licciardi and the transformative power of yoga in the healing process of grief. Unfolding amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode explores how grief manifests in various forms and the vital role self-care plays in dealing with such a potent emotion. As Jas...

In this compelling episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, Jason Stallard is joined by co-host Gary Stubits to delve into a riveting conversation with Tina Green, founder of Bridging Heart. Bridging Heart is a nonprofit devoted to supporting youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Tina's story is a powerful narrative of resilience and hope, as she chronicles her own journey from...