Naperville Real Talk w/ Chris Grano

In this inspiring episode, Chris sits down with Amanda McMillen, Executive Director of The Alive Center, to explore how community-based teen centers empower young people to grow into their best selves. Join the conversation as Amanda shares:-Real-world stories of transformation from teens supported through Alive’s “Teen Led, Teen Driven™” mission-Insight into Alive Center’s dynamic programming acr...

n this episode, Chris sits down with the inspiring Noura Almasri, owner of Noura’s Books, an accounting firm supporting small businesses and nonprofits. Noura shares her incredible journey, from her early life in Syria and transitioning into the U.S. to building a successful career in accounting. We dive deep into how her passion for helping refugees shaped her work in nonprofit fundraising and ho...

On this episode, we dive into the incredible work of the ATI Foundation with Shelley Maxwell, a passionate advocate for those with physical disabilities. Discover how the ATI Foundation, established by ATI Physical Therapy, is making a life-changing impact in Chicagoland and beyond. From providing adaptive bikes for children to home modifications for individuals with disabilities, this foundation...

🎉 We're kicking off Season 2 of Naperville Real Talk with a special guest, Dr. Maria Malayter, an expert in Leadership and Organizational Change, a health and wellness business coach, and an accomplished author. 📚 In this episode, we dive deep into the unique challenges leaders face in maintaining wellness, the concept of self-leadership, and how everyone has the potential to lead with the right...

There is ZERO doubt that Jackie Thornton is passionate about education and helping to shape students into tomorrow's leaders. Join my fascinating conversation with Jackie as we talk about her first year as principal of Naperville Central High School. ABOUT JACKIE THORNTON With 23 years of leadership experience, Jackie Thornton is Naperville Central High School's first female principal in school hi...

Chief Jason Arres is a 22 year veteran of the Naperville Police Department. Over the course of his decorated career, he has touched every area of the Department. This varied experience has uniquely qualified him to be an excellent leader. In our conversation, Jason shares with us what NPD is doing to keep Naperville one of the safest cities in American and his outlook on personal and professional...

There's an Improv Theater in the Chicago Suburbs owned by a Real Estate Attorney and former High School Science Teacher? Yep! Michael Bradt's humor shines in this great conversation recounting some of his biggest influences, and how Improv Comedy was the catalyst for him and his wife Kelsey's love story. Hear from Michael and Kelsey about The Bit Theater: Improv literally changed our lives for the...

Joe Chura, the President and Co-Founder of Illinois' first non-alcoholic brewery & taproom, Go Brewing, joins Chris for a great conversation about beer, fitness, mindset, and overcoming life's challenges! Joe Chura is a driven entrepreneur who sees a messy world and doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. From the Ford assembly line to the CEO of two successful automotive digital marketing and sales...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/-_qW9nHBBbI You need to care about your clients to be able to communicate their story through the art of photography. That's the belief that drives Karin Miller and her team at EV Photography located in Downtown Naperville. If you're an entrepreneur, a mom with a small business, an artist who wants make money from your craft, this conversation is for you! Karin's story...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ApT9rm-3e34 What do Traffic and Weather Together on the 8's, an inspiring Sunday Sermon, and Chicago PD/Fire TV fame have in common? Cisco Cotto! Cisco Cotto has enjoyed a 20+ year career in Chicago radio and currently hosts the Morning News show on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/105.9 FM. Cisco got his start as a student at Aurora Christian High School while interning with Moo...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/gzHrsjsLQJc Lucy Westlake is the Youngest American Woman to climb Mount Everest and you HAVE to hear her story! Lucy developed her love for climbing and mountaineering at Age 7, and it has taken her all across the globe. The perspective on life she has as an 18 year old from Naperville, IL is far beyond her years. Listen to Lucy's story and find out how you can help he...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ZtTqGtBIv-k Thi Tram Nguyen is the Founder of Chez François Poutinerie in Downtown Naperville. Listen to Thi share her passion for French-Canadian comfort food and her mission to help adults with special needs become productive employees with their own unique set of skills to help successful local businesses. Thi was born in Vietnam during the Vietnam war. At the end o...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/GgHnouMf04c Bruce Guevara is the owner and lead instructor at B1 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense in Naperville. Professor Bruce was raised in Chicagoland and currently holds a 1st Degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Christian "Xaropinho" Uflacker and a Judo Brown Belt under Sensei Anna Graham.    Professor Bruce has dedicated his life...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/yjcwGGRiyTk Jason Halm is the Farm Manager for Green Earth Harvest at Historic McDonald Farm located in south Naperville.  McDonald Farm is also headquarters of The Conservation Foundation.    WHAT IS GREEN EARTH HARVEST? The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest program is devoted to healthy soil, healthy vegetables, healthy people, and healthy...

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ZFROGFZ1ipw Professor Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago grew up in Naperville, IL, and it was there that he discovered his love for science and adventure.  Listen to my conversation with Paul ranging from his childhood finding artifacts by the shores of the DuPage River to his many adventures all over the world.     Paul has discovered dino...

Naperville Real Talk is all about the people and places that make Naperville an amazing place to live, work, eat, shop, play and more.  Get to know your hometown and your neighbors like never before.  Listen to local historians and longtime residents, former residents who have gone on to do great things, business owners and organizational leaders making a big impact on our community righ...