Oh, Malort!

Alyssa tells Pat all about the time Oak Park, a Chicago suburb, was torn apart after discovering an ACTUAL Nazi was a part of their community.  Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell all your friends.  Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram  Check out Other Episodes: It's Okay to Punch a Nazi Fascism Frenzy KKK in Chikago: It's a Okay to Dox a Racist Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: The Nazi of...

Alyssa is joined by Risen to tell her the history of St. Patrick' Day celebrations in Chicago.  Socials: Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: WTTW: Labor of Love: A St. Patrick’s Day Special Chicago Tribune: Vintage Chicago Tribune: The city’s St. Patrick’s Day traditions Smithsonian: The Origins of Chicago’s Green River, Shamrock Shakes and Other Surprising Trivia About St. Patrick’s Day TimeO...

Alyssa tells Vannesa from Reel Relationships about Chicago's crazy and chaotic relationship with Daylight Saving Time.   We also dispel a few widely believed myths on the subject.   SHOW NOTES: Country Living: The History of Daylight Saving Time—and 11 Weird Facts to Know About It The History Channel: 8 Things You May Not Know About Daylight Saving Time Washington Post: Why people hated permanent...

In this episode, Alyssa and Scoot talk about how fascism became a bit of a fad in the 1930's. Show Notes: WTTW: The American Nazi-Sympathizing Group That Drew Tens of Thousands of Members Before World War II WTTW: Fascism in Chicago Chicago Reader: In 1939 Nazis rallied in Chicago to make Germany great again NYU: Home-Grown Nazis- John C. Metcalfe and James J. Metcalfe - Chicago Daily Times Time:...

 Alyssa tells Molly McAleer about the STILL ONGOING Jussie Smollett saga.   Show Notes: Northwestern: Breaking Down Kim Foxx’s Win in the 2020 Primary Ballotpedia: Kim Foxx WTTW: Former Top Cop Was Drunk When Officers Allowed Him to Drive Home: Watchdog Chicago Tribune: Ex-FOP leader, suspecting politics at play, gets 3-year suspension from Chicago police union for use of camera in rival’s office...

This week Alyssa dropped everything to tell John all about the verdict and the subsequent reactions. It truly is Shakespearean.  We also have some hot takes on opportunities for Blago.    SHOW NOTE:  Chicago Tribune: ‘Wow, we were part of something really big’: Madigan jurors on how they reached their verdict WTTW: Michael Madigan Found Guilty of Bribery Conspiracy, Other Charges as Jury Deadlocke...

In this informal episode, Alyssa updates John on the Madigan trial. We also talk about Burke, Blago, and Trump's vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. SHOW NOTES: Chicago Tribune: A disappearing witness, an odd choice of hold music and the Fighting Irish: 5 strange things you might not know about the Madigan trial Chicago Sun-Times: USA v. Michael Madigan Chicago Tribune: On 8th day of deli...

In this episode Alyssa tells Ben Panko about a guy found crucified in Chicago which led her into the crazy story about a guy named Dr. Emil Bronner.  It is a wild ride. San Diego Reader: Dr. Bronner invented the peppermint oil soap for soiled diapers Emanuel Bronner Label Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox Digital Research Library of Illinois History: The Shocking Story of Chicago's first and only Crucif...

Alyssa tells Morgan all about the Fred Hampton Trial. Show Notes: History Channel: The 1969 Raid That Killed Black Panther Leader Fred Hampton Biography: Fred Hampton Chicago Tribune: In 1969, charismatic Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton was killed in a hail of gunfire. 50 years later, the fight against police brutality continue Southside Weekly: Fifty Years of Fred Hampton’s Rainbow Coalition C...

Alyssa tell Morgan Stringer about the legal aftermath of the Fred Hampton murder Show Notes: History Channel: The 1969 Raid That Killed Black Panther Leader Fred Hampton Biography: Fred Hampton Chicago Tribune: In 1969, charismatic Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton was killed in a hail of gunfire. 50 years later, the fight against police brutality continue Southside Weekly: Fifty Years of Fred Ha...

In this episode Alyssa tells Hugh Yemen about Second City and its lasting impact on improv. SHOW NOTES:  Chicago Tribune: More improvised exits at Second City in management shake-up Playbill: Hate Speech in the Audience Causes Chicago Cast Member to Call It Quits League of Chicago Theatres U of News: Improv Explained Chicago Tribune: When Abbie Hoffman took the Second City stage during Chicago Sev...

Anyone who watched Law and Order know it isn't a good idea to let a defendant take the stand; yet, that happened last week in the never-ending Mike Madigan corruption trial. Alyssa texted John and told him to ignore all media so they can discuss it. She also explains the history of the recurring character of "The Old Post Office." We learn more about his upbringing and Lisa's dad. Show Notes: Niag...

Alyssa is joined by Hugh Yemon to discuss the history of Improv and Theatre Games. SHOW NOTES:  NYT: Viola Spolin, 88, a Teacher Who Inspired Improv Theater The Difference between Spolin Games and Popular Improv HuffPost: Why Ayn Rand Does Not Matter (and Viola Spolin Does) NPR Illinois: From Hull House to Second City: How Chicago immigrants helped change theater Kitty Wants a Corner Spolin Games...

Alyssa and Pat journey to 1908 Chicago passed the first ordinance regarding Pasteurized milk. Then some drama ensued. History rhymes like a Dr. Suess book.  SHOW NOTES: PASTEURIZED MILK LAUDED BY EVANS: Health Commissioner Denies It Is Death Dealing, Producing Weak Children. FOWLER MAKES THREAT. Former Alderman Declares He Will Show Up Conspiracy on Part of Big Dairymen. Threat Is Made by Fowler....

Alyssa and Captain Scoot from the maritime podcast ShipWrekt go back to the early 1900’s when schooners lined the main branch of the Chicago River selling Christmas trees and boating fatalities were the norm. Show Notes: National Archives: The Christmas Tree Ship ABC 7: US Coast Guard 'Christmas Ship' makes annual tree delivery at Chicago's Navy Pier Block Club Chicago: Chicago’s Christmas Ship Do...

Are we living in the most debaucherous era? To figure it out Alyssa and Risen Lady Heathen travel back to early 1900’s Chicago to discuss a long forgotten degenerate tradition and pollical fundraiser known as the “First Ward Ball” AKA “the orgy.” Think “Eyes Wide Shut” meets “The Purge." Show some love by hitting subscribe and leaving a five-star review like men trying to do a shoesies and tell al...

Alyssa updates John about the insanity that was Danny Solis' testimony. Words cannot express the plot twists.  This is a stand alone episode in the saga that is USA V. Michael Madigan.  Learn about briefcases of cash in China, prostitutes, pot, and more. Corruption Guest Stars Include: (In no particular order) Operation Greylord, Roberto Caldero, Juan Gaytan, Martin Sandoval, Luis Arroyo, Chicago'...

In this episode we talk about Fred Hampton who is perhaps the most important Civil Rights Activist you have never learned about in school. Show Notes: History Channel: The 1969 Raid That Killed Black Panther Leader Fred Hampton Biography: Fred Hampton Chicago Tribune: In 1969, charismatic Black Panthers leader Fred Hampton was killed in a hail of gunfire. 50 years later, the fight against police b...

Two geeky gals discuss an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum with some fun digressions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa is joined by David Baxter (Thank You Five, Friends of the Countess, The Twelve Months of Christmas) to discuss the history of Grease.   NWI Times: Grease has deep, dark Chica routes Telegraph: Grease at 50: ‘The Pink Ladies? They’d kill you if you looked at them wrong’ Chicago Tribune: Bring back our own, original R-rated 'Grease' Yahoo: Everything you didn't know about 'Grease,' from the $...

I am joined by The Pat Whelan from BestEveningEver! to discuss Peter Schivarelli best known as the manager for the band Chicago and owner of now defunct hot dog stand Demon Dogs; however there is so much more. His story involves Streets and Sanitation, No-Show jobs, the Blizzard of 1977, dead bodies, and lawsuits. It is so Chicago it hurts!  We also have some fun digressions.  I laughed until I cr...

In this episode, Alyssa gets Morgan Stringer's takes on three upcoming Chicago lawsuits: Thompson V United States, The Hoover Case, and Hubbard Inn.  Directly related discussions include: a dead banker found in the master bedroom of a client, Demon Dogs, the band Chicago, Streets and Sanitation, SCOTUS, Real Housewives (SLC and OC), and Coffeezilla. It is a wild ride. SHOW NOTES:  Chicago Tribune:...

 In this episode Alyssa tells Ben Panko about the 1992 and 2021 versions of the movie Candyman and the urban legends which surround it.   Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Cabrini-Green and a horror film that captured the fears of public housing Vox: How a tragic unsolved murder and a public housing crisis led to Candyman Chicago Reader: How a story about the horrors of housing projects became part of...

Alyssa updates John Zinn about the Madigan trial which organically invokes William Shakespeare, Steven Sondheim, and David Axelrod and others.   Stay for the Putin comparison. Show Notes: Chicago Sun-Times: David Axelrod deliberates on the case against Michael Madigan Chicago Sun-Times: The case against Mike Madigan, laid out in explosive court documents Chicago Sun-Times:Madigan judge has experie...

Alyssa is joined by Molly McAleer from Mother May I Sleep With Podcast and Trend Lightly to discuss "The Steve Bartman Incident" and some parallels to the 1986 Red Sox.   In case you don't know, on October 14th, 2003 during the NLCS the Cubs imploded and for years one man was blamed.   Show Notes: MLB YouTube: The Steve Bartman Incident Sports Illustrated: What happened to Steve Bartman? NYT: Stev...