Sip With Me

Right in Chicago’s backyard is a corridor of history, beauty, and endless local charm. Home to the first 100 miles of Route 66, the I&M Canal, and the famous Starved Rock- the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Area spans multiple counties going south and west of the city. In fact, it’s the very first National Heritage Area in the country! We sat down with our friends at Heritage Corrid...

We wish we knew how to quit you, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre! In our 2nd interview at the iconic institution, we talk their season-ending stunner, Brokeback Mountain. Directed by Jonathan Butterell and starring Harrison Ball (former principal dancer at the New York City Ballet) as Ennis Del Mar and Jack Cameron Kay (Netflix’s Boots, Club Kid) as Jack Twist, the show features a live Country Western...

Vintage is the vibe these days, and this Chicago business owner does it with a pop of color! Welcome to Vintage Frills, the color-coordinated vintage store that’s got treasures galore! We sat down in-store with Owner/Operator, Jennifer Kelly, to hear her founding story, which includes a pink school bus and a lot of estate sales! Hear about why she color-coordinates, how she sources pieces, and wha...

Schmack dab in the middle of the big apple is New York’s hottest cookie shop, Schmackary’s! Known for having over 100 fun flavors and the cutest blue & white façade, this treat shop is anything but simple sugar. We sat down with Founder & Owner, Zachary Schmahl, to hear how he built his cookie empire from a small side-hustle in his tiny Manhattan apartment to a bi-coastal business with a cult foll...

If Disney World’s Epcot had a Greek pavilion, this would be it 🇬🇷 Since Ioanna is from a Greek island, and also lived on the island of Manhattan, and Aaron married a New Yorker, we have high standards when it comes to our Greek food! This is the spot that never disappoints and will transport you out of the concrete jungle and into a Greek oasis. We sat down with first-generation Greek-American Co-...

Beer lovers have spent too many years without a worthy non-alcoholic option. Introducing Years, the revolutionary NA beer approved by Comedian & Years Co-Owner, John Mulaney! Meet Dan Abel, Co-Founder/CEO of Pilot Project Brewing & Years. We chat about how the NA beer was developed and what you can expect from their Original Pilsner, Classic Pale Ale, and Belgian Wit. There’s literally nothing mis...

Let’s tacoBout the tacos that everybody is talking about! Fans love them for their globally-influenced fusions and we love them for their incredibly  delicious flavors, such as Bacon Smashburger, Korean Fried Rice, and Chicken Tikka! Take a bite into this episode with CEO, Chris Schultz, whom fans of our foodie episodes may remember from our Voodoo Doughnut feature in 2024! He’s back in Chicago, o...

Welcome to the Sip with Me Awards! In honor of our 200th episode, we are celebrating some of our favorite guests, businesses, and brands! Listen to find out our best behind-the-scenes story, who is most likely to become an A-List celebrity, and what brands we think will be the next big thing by 2027!   Thank you to everyone who has listened and supported us over the last six years. We could not ha...

America is turning 250, and in America’s first national park, there’s so much to be proud of! Dreams can come true in this park, including Aaron getting engaged on the roof of a historic landmark (full story in the episode)! For its millions of annual visitors, Yellowstone National Park is a place of unity, beauty, and connection to mother nature, unrivaled by anything in the world. As our guest s...

The Chicago Literary Salon is an upscale, ticketed author event series where book lovers gather for cocktails & conversation with writers at the heart of today’s literary scene. Created by Ashley Hasty, the innovative concept has grown a loyal following and featured authors both local and nationally best selling. We sat down for our own conversation with Ashley about her background and where the i...

Find your 2026 Aura with us at Aura Candle Bar! Founded in 2020 by Tom and Linda Pendrey, this transformative candle bar has differentiated itself and garnered a loyal following of repeat customers from around the world. Featuring over 100 fragrance options and scent consultants who will teach you the science behind fragrance and fire, you will leave this experience, literally feeling enlightened!...

Join us for one last cheers as we recap 2025 and make predictions for 2026! We chat about a year of podcast highlights and are honest about the lows that come with creating media & content. Plus, we both make some bold predictions for 2026- from fashion trends, to politics, to AI, hear our super unfiltered hot takes on what’s ahead for Chicago, America, and the world. Cheers to a New Year and than...

It’s Christmas of long ago, your house is covered in fresh snowfall, and the bright, warm glow of your incandescent Christmas lights peaks through to light up the winter cold. In this festive episode, we meet Tru-Tone Christmas Lights, the company bringing back the nostalgic glow and timeless magic of vintage Christmas lights. Learn how partners David Andora & Sean Hunt created their bulbs to capt...

What do Santa, Suites, and Serenity all have in common? They’re all at Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Chicago! We’re staying in their signature “Santa Suite” and chatting the holidays with Michelle Marvin, Director of Sales and Marketing! Michelle tells us about the scenic property, which is surrounded by forest preserve, and has rich historic ties to McDonald’s former headquarters! Hear about the property...

And when I’m back in Chicago, I feel it, and I stop at Transit Tees for all my holiday shopping! Transit Tees takes visuals from Chicago’s metropolitan landscape, iconic brands, and cultural landmarks and turns them into the most epic products, clothing, and decor! We chat in-store with Tim Gillengerten, Owner and Creative Director, who in 2001, founded the business and is still creating local tre...

Tucked away in Chicago’s Chocolate Temple is a wonderland of tastes, sights, and indulgent delicacies. Vosges Haut-Chocolat is our sweet treat pick for the 2025 holiday season! Known for truffles, iconic flavor pairings, and an absolutey HUGE advent calendar, Vosges has been treating Chicago & the world to sumptuous crafted treats for almost three decades! We dipped into the chocolate world of won...

We’ve got a lot to be frankful for this holiday season! And it all starts with our love for Chicago Icon, Vienna Beef! Today, we hear the story behind the Chicago-style Hot Dog and more from this absolute Windy City beast! We’re joined by Maizy Lind, Marketing Coordinator, who serves up the bunbelievable history of Vienna Beef and the Chicago Style Hot Dog! Hear about its roots to the Chicago Worl...

Get ready for a spooky stroll through time! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history of Halloween! From ancient Celtic roots to modern-day trick-or-treating, we uncover the origins of pumpkins, the story behind Halloween’s iconic colors,and the sweet legacy of Reese’s, and candy corn! Plus we learn a few fun spooky facts about Halloween!

**THIS SCARY EPISODE WAS FILMED LIVE ON LOCATION AND MAY CONTAIN HORRIFYING SOUNDS OF WITCHES BREWING, MONSTERS MUNCHING, AND DEMONS DRINKING** Brew up something scary tasty at this horror-themed coffee shop in Chicago The Brewed is located in Avondale and features spookily delicious coffee/tea and decor featuring tons of horror movie posters, memorabilia, and frightful vibes! We meet Co-Owner Jas...

This spooky season, we’re casting a glow on all things magical & mystical! We sit down with Liz Frazier, Founder & Owner of Witch City Wicks, Salem’s spellbinding premier gothic and witchy candle company. From the spark that started her business to the inspiration behind her enchanting scents, Liz shares how she’s built an incredible brand, what inspired some of her scents, and how she handles the...

This week’s episode is full of good spirits and ghostly fun! We sit down with Katie Stuck, Chicago’s Lead Tour Guide for Nightly Spirits, to uncover the haunted history, ghostly legends, and spirited nightlife woven into the streets of the Windy City. From eerie encounters in historic pubs to bone-chilling tales that lurk behind Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, Katie shares stories even locals don...

We’ve got something for you to sink your teeth into! In honor of National Twighlighters Day and to kick off our 2025 Spooky Season, we sat down with Trey Plutnicki, one of the leading cast members in TWIHARD! A Twighlight Musical Parody. Originating at Chicago’s Otherworld Theatre, the show’s current run takes it to the historic Apollo Theatre, where we sat down with Trey to talk all things Twighl...

IT’S A BIG F*@KING PODCAST EPISODE! We sat down at Maple & Ash with Chef + Managing Partner, Danny Grant, and National Spirits + Brand Director, Christina Demas, to talk all things food and drink! Danny shares the founding story of the hospitality group and how they found their flame. Christina walks us through her cocktail menu and talks about what’s trending right now, including zero proof! As a...

A canopy of comfort in the hustle & bustle of Chicago’s central loop, Canopy by Hilton is located in the former Chicago and North Western Railway headquarters! This historic building is located next to Willis Tower and is centrally located for all your Chicago fun! We chat with Complex General Manager & Chief Enthusiast, Liz Kraft, about the luxurious property and the fascinating history behind th...

In our five years of podcasting, we have worked with dozens of PR agents and firms. Today, we have the unique privilege of chatting with one of those firms, Heron Agency. A list of past episodes with their clients are below! Noreen Heron founded the firm in 2000 and has built it into one of the nation’s leading lifestyle communications agencies. We chat about her many PR adventures, including how...