Love Local Chicagoland

Join Jason Stallard in another captivating episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast where community spirit and local narratives take center stage. This episode introduces Paul Shafer, a charismatic and highly regarded figure in Palatine known for his humor, advocacy, and support for local businesses. Through laughter and genuine conversations, Paul shares his journey from Jacksonville, Illino...

In this inspiring episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, Jason Stallard welcomes Natalie Porter Griffin and Amy Philpott, the visionary co-founders of Gerry's Cafe. Located in Arlington Heights, Gerry's Cafe is a shining beacon for community inclusion, offering employment opportunities to adults with disabilities. As Natalie shares, this initiative was sparked from her experience as a spec...

Welcome to another episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, where Jason Stallard engages with fellow community leaders to highlight key business leaders and influencers in the Chicagoland area. In this episode, Jason sits down with Paulina Carlberg and Rick Carlberg, the visionary duo behind the successful business, House Doctors Property Inspections. Celebrating their 25th year in business,...

Join Jason Stallard in an enlightening episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast as he converses with Kari-Ann Ryan, Lori Urbaniec, and Matt Harold from LMJ's Lost Souls. This episode dives into the powerful narratives driving their work in Alzheimer's awareness and fundraising. These passionate professionals share their personal stories, highlighting how dementia has touched their lives and f...

Join Jason Stallard for another enlightening episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, where he sits down with Kris Salyards, the dynamic executive director of The Bridge. This episode explores the challenges and triumphs in providing mental health support to youth and families in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Through Kris's unique lens, we uncover the driving philosophy behind The Bridge...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with Brian Shelton, a key figure in media education at Harper College. The conversation dives deep into the significance of storytelling and media in today's society, exploring how Harper College is at the forefront of nurturing these essential skills. With a vibrant discussion on the importance of creativity and commu...

In this riveting episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with Jim Schwantz, the long-serving mayor of Palatine, Illinois, and former NFL star, to uncover his fascinating journey from the football field to public office. Schwantz, a native of Palatine, shares how he transitioned from professional sports to becoming a key figure in local government, emphasizing the im...

In this enlightening episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard welcomes Jason Alicea to the studio. The episode dives deep into Jason Alicea's inspiring journey of overcoming financial struggles and the critical role mental health has played in his life. Through candid conversations, they explore the importance of mental health for men, debunking societal stigmas and highli...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, Jason Stallard sits down with entrepreneur and author Melanie Santostefano to discuss her journey and the release of her new book, "Thoughts Become Things." Melanie shares insights from her two-decade-long career in public relations, reflections on her personal life, and valuable lessons that have shaped her path. This conversation d...

In this groundbreaking episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard welcomes Vito Roppo, a distinguished mortgage lender from Fairway Mortgage, to share his insights and experiences. Broadcasting from the newly built Love Local studio at Bell Works Chicago, this conversation dives into the heart of Vito’s professional journey, his unique approaches in the mortgage industry, and hi...

In this engaging episode of the Love Local Chicagoland series, Jason Stallard and Aaron Bondi sit down with Matt Irvin, a visionary entrepreneur and the mastermind behind Cocial. Matt shares his inspiring journey from the Midwest to California and back, detailing how the experiences and relationships formed during the pandemic led to the creation of Cocial. Through insightful discussions, Matt emp...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason Stallard engages in a deep conversation with Nicole Bolden, co-owner and founder of Thriving with Baby. Nicole shares her personal journey, from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to discovering her passion for social work during her time in the Peace Corps. The discussion delves into the importance of intentional living, overcoming...

Welcome to another episode of Love Local Chicagoland's Brand Worthy series, where Jason Stallard and Aaron sit down with Bret Mooney, a financial consultant at Mooney Lyons Financial. They discuss his professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the dynamic financial strategies that set his firm apart. Bret Mooney shares insightful details about his upbringing, the influence of his parents...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, join Jason as he sits down with Brandon Cork, a salesperson at Pulse Technology and a passionate advocate for the community. They discuss Brandon's upbringing in Gary, Indiana, the challenges he faced, and the importance of having positive role models. They also delve into the issues affecting the black community, such as police brutality...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, mental health experts Destiny Salazar and Susana Shymanik from Bridge Youth and Family Services discuss the current state of mental health in our communities. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on children and teens, the barriers to accessing mental health services, and the importance of collaboration and community support. With advice for pa...

You know them from Rep's Place and Brothers' Ribs, but do you know the owners? Mike Reppe and Katie Burriss join us to talk about how they got started, and how they came to work together! From hardships to triumphs, these culinary experts share their experiences in running a restaurant in Chicago's northwest suburbs. If you've ever had a burger or barbecue from them, you can't...

On this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland podcast, Jason sits down with Nate Ruben to dive deep into self-awareness, entrepreneurship, and the power of serving communities. Headstrong and driven, Nate shares his journey and how it has shaped his entrepreneurial lifestyle. At the head of N8 Ventures—a company that converges self-awareness, financial planning, and business consulting— Nate opens...

On this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, we're honored to welcome Pam Orr, the Executive Director of Fellowship Housing. As a nonprofit organization, Fellowship Housing helps single moms build a new legacy for themselves with financial support and housing. Pam also offers a glimpse into her upcoming podcast, Holding Hope, where she seeks to share the inspiring stories of single m...

Jason sits down with Karl Fay, a local pastor and artist, on a topic often overlooked - the importance of rest and its potential to amplify our positive impact within communities. In this conversation, Karl recounts the toll of burnout and the transformative principles he embraced to re-prioritize rest in his life. With consistent rest and reinvigorating hobbies, he shares how he turned his mood a...

Join us on the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast for a deep dive into mental illness with Matt Koenig. Matt shares his personal journey of triumph over his own struggles and the importance of transparency in discussing mental health. Matt's message is clear: seeking help and honesty about mental health is paramount. He bravely shares his own battles with depression and anxiety, guiding us through...

In this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, we sit down with Natalie Rodriguez, the Executive Director of Hopeful Beginnings. Join us as we explore the organization's mission and the invaluable- and free- services it extends to families. Natalie sheds light on Hopeful Beginnings' commitment to the well-being of parents and children alike, fostering a healthy environment for budd...

On this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Yeulanda Brown-Degala, the co-founder of the Good Neighbors Network, and Rachael Schmidt Hooker, the nonprofit's board president. Together, they share their journey and the organization's transformative impact on the Chicagoland community. Born from a desire to help community members in need, the...

On this episode of the Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, we're honored to have Roxie Parikh as our guest. Roxie is not only a breast cancer survivor but also an advocate for the crucial role that community support plays in the journey of cancer warriors. Join us as Roxie shares her personal journey through the challenges of breast cancer. She emphasizes the importance of celebrating small victor...

Jason and Monica sit down with Amy Willhelmi, a licensed therapist and author, to delve into the importance of mental health on our holistic well-being. Among the topics of discussion is telehealth and how it makes therapy accessible to a broader audience. Amy’s expert perspective delves into the empowering potential of telehealth, where connectivity bridges gaps and fosters positive change. Amy&#...

Welcome to The Love Local Chicagoland Podcast, powered by Love Local Media Agency. Join us as we shine a spotlight on mental health, aiming to raise awareness and break down stigmas surrounding this vital topic. In Episode Three, we are honored to have AJ and Gabi from the National Hispanic Suicide Prevention Network as our special guests. Listen in as AJ and Gabi courageously share their personal...