Off The Beaten Podcast

In this heartfelt solo episode of Off The Beaten Podcast, host Dion McGill reflects on his military service in Afghanistan in honor of Veterans Day. He shares personal stories about his early reluctance to embrace the veteran identity, the bonds he built with Afghan soldiers, and the lessons he learned about shared humanity. McGill also explores the dangers of xenophobia and the enduring importanc...

Hello Friends! For this episode I had the opportunity to sit down with Ydalmi Noriega. Ydalmi is a Chicago transplant, as well as the Vice President of Programs and Engagement for the Poetry Foundation. After recently being labeled as a person who is redefining what poetry looks like, I had to sit down and pick her brain about her journey, and about the wide world of poetry. Enjoy!    Resources: H...

Hello Friends! While sitting and reflecting, it dawned on me I hadn't ever done an episode about Pride Month, which is a pretty big deal here in Chicago, so I took some time to reflect on some memories that tightly correlate in my head with the LGBTQIA+ community.  It's story time!!! Resources:  Fatal Violence Against The Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2022  LGBTQ Community Spe...

Every time another school shooting or mass shooting happens, I am approached by people asking, "What can I do? What can we do?"   So I wanted to take a moment to offer some actionable steps you can take in the face of this tragedy.   State:  UPDATE: Governor Pritzker has signed HB 4729 , which will fund a statewide public awareness campaign to promote safe firearm storage. It's effective date is J...

Saying "Happy Memorial Day" always feels weird to me. However, allow me to offer my sincerest gratitude to all those who have loved ones you are remembering today.  I offer my thoughts on Memorial Day, and some of my favorite poetry that commemorates this day.  Resources: In Flanders Fields by John McCrae The St. Crispin's Day Speech from Henry V Military Times - Honor The Fallen: SGT Joshua Harri...

Hello Friends! Recently, following an evening of violence that left one youth dead, Mayor Lori Lightfoot instituted a ban on youth at Millennium Park after 6pm Thursday - Sunday. She also moved the citywide curfew for youth from 11pm to 10pm. I had to offer my thoughts.  Resources: Lightfoot sets earlier citywide weekend curfew 16-year-old boy shot dead in Millennium Park had big plans for his fam...

Hello Friends! This episode I indulge in my sweet tooth while visiting with Leah Tibbs, owner of Cookies and Conversations, a small black female owned business I became a fan of during the pandemic. Cookies and Conversations brings people together in conversations while baking and indulging in super yummy cookies!  This episode was recorded in the kitchen of Cookies and Conversations, which was su...

Hello Friends! Finally Off The Beaten Podcast has come back!  It was a long cold winter, but we've come out of hibernation and kicking off Season 4 by bringing you up to speed on one of the more significant adventures I've had since I last posted.  This episode I talk a little bit about my fellowship in the University of Chicago Civic Leadership Academy, and more specifically, our global practicum...

Hello Friends! I've been sitting on this episode forever, and I'm so excited to get this episode out, and what more perfect time, when people will be getting flowers and wreaths to decorate their homes for the holidays, as well as honey to sweeten your various holiday teas. This episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Cade Kamaleson, program officer of Chicago Eco House, a local flower farm lo...

Hello Friends! So yesterday I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting the USA CBD Expo as a member of the press. It was a day without the general public to dive in and check out everything, and get a chance to talk to the people behind some of the newest, freshest and most innovative CBD companies and brands around.  I had an amazing time, and can't encourage you enough to go check out the expo...

Welcome back to a very special episode of Off The Beaten Podcast. I went and sat outside on the curb, enjoyed a beautiful fall day, and recounted the amazing time I had at Riot Fest 2021, which made it's triumphant return after being cancelled in 2020.  Tune in to hear about all of my mosh pit adventures, and all the amazing bands I saw.   If you went to Riot Fest, drop me a line and let me know h...

My apologies for not recognizing my amazing supporters this episode either through your amazing feedback or buying me a cup of coffee, but I wanted to get right to the brass tax this episode.  The ongoing withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, as well as the departure of refugees has had me feeling some kind of way, as I'm sure it has other members of the veteran community. I felt I would...

First and foremost, if you're not signed up for the OTBP Newsletter, sign up immediately to get the Official OTBP 2021 Summer To-Do List.  The contents in there is top secret!  However, I decided to talk about a few #summertimechi events that didn't make the list, but that you all should know about.   What is your favorite Summertime Chicago activity?  Slide into my DM's and let me know.  Signup f...

On this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Alicia Zyburt and Devon Owens, co-founders of BAE Coffee.   What do you do when you find yourself furloughed from work during a global pandemic? Well what Alicia & Devon did was put their talents together (marketing & culinary) as well as their mutual experiences as baristas, and gave birth to @baecoffeeco. We talked about that ex...

This is the second of two episodes I recorded in the lovely podcast booth at The Russell Nashville Hotel. While enjoying the lovely sights and people of Tennessee, reality was swirling around me it felt at a mile a minute. Recorded a few days after the Derek Chauvin trial, I felt it would be remiss if I didn't share my thoughts, and the burdens on my heart, following that event, and approaching a...

In this episode of Off The Beaten Podcast,  I showcase an episode created by my niece Abby Goodman, Real Talk: Stop Asian Hate . I thought my heart was gonna burst when I heard it, and I had to share it with all of you.  Abby and her friend Anika tackle this topic amazingly well, so be sure to check this one out, and share it!!!! Resources:  Stop AAPI Hate Anti Asian Violence Resources DGN AAPI Cl...

This is a first time for OTBP. I took the show on the road. I recorded this episode in the lovely podcast booth at The Russell Nashville Hotel. I had to take advantage and offer my thoughts on the lovely city of Nashville (and huge shout out to Hendersonville).  Resources down below for everyone and everyplace I mention.  Enjoy!!! Resources: The Russell Nashville Bongo Roasting Co. (Bongo East) Na...

Welcome to Off The Beaten Podcast. This episode, continues my conversation with Chicagoan Willarene McGill. This is part 2 of our conversation and continue on from how she got to Chicago, and how she made a way for herself in not only a new city, but a large, segregated city like Chicago, to conversations of politics and changes in the city over time.  Resources: The Sheraton Hotel at 505 N. Michi...

Welcome to Season 3 of Off The Beaten Podcast. This episode, I sat and talked with my mother, Willarene McGill, who has lived in Chicago since the 60's. I couldn't think of a more perfect person to talk about change over time. This is part 1 of our conversation! We set the stage of where she came from, how she got to Chicago, and how she made a way for herself in not only a new city, but a large,...

Hey Everyone! It's Episode 26 of  my NaPodPoMo series. On this mile of our journey, I offer thank you's to everyone who joined this adventure, and stuck it out with me along the 24 miles of Chicago south to north.   This is mile #24 of our exploration of the longest street in Chicago, Western Ave, which spans 24 miles right through the city. We'll be taking the rest of 2020 to  "Stroll down Wester...

Hey Everyone! It's Episode 25 of  my NaPodPoMo series. On this mile of our journey, I talk about the community of West Ridge This is mile #23 of our exploration of the longest street in Chicago, Western Ave, which spans 24 miles right through the city. We'll be taking the rest of 2020 to  "Stroll down Western Ave." as part of National Podcasting Post Month.  We didn't finish in November, but the p...

Hey Everyone! It's Episode 24 of  my NaPodPoMo series. On this mile of our journey, I talk about Rosehill Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Chicago.  This is mile #22 of our exploration of the longest street in Chicago, Western Ave, which spans 24 miles right through the city. We'll be taking the rest of 2020 to  "Stroll down Western Ave." as part of National Podcasting Post Month.  We didn't fini...

Hey Everyone! It's Episode 23 of  my NaPodPoMo series. On this mile of our journey, I talk about the community of Lincoln Square, which not only is where I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but has some of the best cafes in the city!  This is mile #21 of our exploration of the longest street in Chicago, Western Ave, which spans 24 miles right through the city. We'll be taking the rest of 2020 to  "Stroll...

Hey Everyone! It's Episode 22 of  my NaPodPoMo series. On this mile of our journey, I talk about the community area of Northcenter!  This is mile #20 of our exploration of the longest street in Chicago, Western Ave, which spans 24 miles right through the city. We'll be taking the rest of 2020 to  "Stroll down Western Ave." as part of National Podcasting Post Month.  We didn't finish in November, b...

Hey Everyone! It's Episode 21 of  my NaPodPoMo series. On this mile of our journey, I talk about Riverview Park, former Chicago amusement park, billed as "the world's largest amusement park" in it's heyday!  This is mile #19 of our exploration of the longest street in Chicago, Western Ave, which spans 24 miles right through the city. We'll be taking the rest of 2020 to  "Stroll down Western Ave."...