South Side Pod

After the guys float a theory about how to solve murders, the question becomes if anyone would benefit from a podcaster's demise. Chicago radio vet and podcaster James VanOsdol returns to assist podcasters everywhere and give his take on the state of local radio in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Recorded at a 9-foot homemade oak bar in a basement on the S...

Let's check out a brand-spanking-new wine bar in the near south suburbs, along with the triumphant return of a summer craft beer. There's also a super-huge list of weekend fireworks and festivities you'll need to hear in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Recorded at a 9-foot homemade oak bar in a basement on the South Side of Chicago. Let's talk food, drink,...

We're judging brisket on the south side, while chatting with Hometown Mayor Frank Finnegan about the gifted gazebo that has become a musical treasure in his town. We're also questioning the treatment of munchkins in the Wizard of Oz after a trip to Brookfield Zoo, and trying to find the most controversial groups to take part in our next tournament battle in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by ...

We're judging "Pizza Wars" this year, and you can also pick your favorite pizza at the event. Our Hollywood Insider Ben Belton has his Summer Entertainment Preview as some big movies and streaming events are about to drop. We also look to the return of monkeys in pop culture, as they are sorely needed. Plus, we have all of the weekend happenings you can handle in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to y...

Meet the man behind South Cook Explore and learn about a new book for those looking to discover some rich history in the south suburbs. We also have two medal winners at the World Beer Cup talking about thier big wins. The brewers of Horse Thief Hollow and Pollyanna Brewing Company join us to chat about two local breweries atop the beer world. Plus, we ask if cancelling festivals to avoid flash mo...

South Side band Goodbye Sunshine joins us in studio to talk about punk rock, venues that don't want them, female bass players and their appreciation of Lake Shore Drive. John Streetz returns with a new Illinois Brewery Passport and explains why Tinley Park is the place to be over Memorial Day Weekend. Plus, our buddy Butch Zemar helps us work through a confusing medical moment in "30 Minutes of Go...

We're kicking off Illinois Craft Beer Week with Flossmoor Station Brewing Company as they roll out a new beer nearly every day. Learn a bit about milkshake IPA's, bourbon stouts & the scenic gem along the train tracks from brewmaster Ryan Czaja. We also get the summer plans of Palos Heights from Lauren Koszola while checking out their Farmer's Market. And the Knights of Columbus want your local so...

Brendan Folliard and Matt Fricks of the Railway Gamblers talk about their south side band that is nearing ten years entertaining locally, and play us a song so new that Brendan had to bring the lyrics with him. We ask if walking into a cave during a rainstorm is dumb or just plain stupid. Jason Berry returns with a plethora of festivals coming to Lemont and we prep for our first public appearance...

What is F3? We ask Joe Kasprzyk about the phenomenon bringing men of all ages to south side fields and parking lots every morning. We're also giving A.I. a chance to improve the podcast, while visiting with our old friend Cramer at Cork & Kerry. Plus all the South Side events, music, food & fun you need this weekend in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Recor...

John Streetz of the Streetz Artz Alliance returns with tasty bourbon and Joe Leamanczyk of the Blue Island Arts Alliance. They're bringing back Mai Fest on May 13th, and the festival may be the biggest kick-off to Summer on the South Side! Chris has a wild animal encounter that requires an expert opinion, and we break down the dress code for a West Virginia funeral. Plus all the South Side events,...

The Winner of the 2023 "Battle of the South Side" is announced. Will it be Lemont or Blue Island?! What do they win?! We also visit with the Beverly Theatre Guild and learn that this community theatre is a step above. Plus all the South Side events, music, food & fun you need this weekend in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Recorded at a 9-foot homemade oak...

Our annual Spring Cleaning episode features some of our favorite moments and some un-aired gems as we sweep them out for good. We also reveal the two championship game entries in the "Battle of the South Side!" Plus all the South Side events, music, food & fun you need this weekend in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing Solutions ! Recorded at a 9-foot homemade oak bar in...

The Battle of the South Side gets down to the Final 4. We meet the Gaelic Park Players and learn about a funny Irish play coming to Oak Forest this month. Horse Thief Hollow is "harvesting" cows and unveiling the next big thing in beer. And Bill has a crypto-scheme that just makes sense. Plus all the South Side events, music, food & fun you need this weekend in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you...

We're standing in the middle of the brewery floor at Blue Island Beer Company making beer and tasting their 8th Anniversary before anyone else. We also have the results for the first 10 machups in the "Battle of the South Side!" Who moves on? Who goes home? Who upset? Find out as we also get our local professional organizer in to the bar for Spring Break planning. And what happens when someone kis...

The brackets are set and now we will see which neighborhood or suburb wins the 2023 Battle of the South Side. Hear if your spot made the cut and who you're up against! Chef Max Musto returns with his vegan delights and a new permanent location in Bridgeport. Mike Pankow of Windy City Slam has local wrestling (and beer) this weekend. We reveal our "Ode To Hometown" plus all the South Side events, m...

Pollyanna Brewing Company has jumped into the distilling game and you can now experience local craft bourbons, gins and more at Pollyanna Social in Lemont. We give it a taste. Dan Casey and 10 other people want to make Moraine Valley Community College something special. Problem is only two of them will be elected to do so this April. And Marianne Rowan Leslie returns to tell us how the South Side...

Frank Finnegan, Mayor of Hometown, has a bone to pick with South Side Pod. So, we got him a barstool at our basement bar to work it all out and learn a little about his town. Tinley Park has done away with requiring vehicle stickers! Village Clerk Nancy O'Connor explains why they did it, and also why their residents should still put a free sticker on that windshield. We reveal where you can find S...

Wait? Did a ghost just attack one of our hosts?! Neal Gibbons of Graveside Paranormal and the Pair-A-Normal Guys Podcast brings his ghost hunting expertise to determine if there was a spiritual encounter or just too much bourbon drinking. Our friend Cramer is back with another installment of "It Is What It Is" from Cork & Kerry as they prep for the South Side Irish Parade. And we ask an expert abo...

ATTENTION: One lucky listener will get a special intro song when they click on this show! Everyone is getting a south side high school hoops breakdown from Tim O'Brien of the Beverly Review as the IHSA tournament starts. We also learn about the Laugh To Create Awareness comedy showcase taking place this weekend. And, of course, the singing monkey mentioned in the show title. (Which is more real th...

With the South Side Irish Parade on the horizon, we are joined by co-coordinator of the parade Marianne Rowan Leslie as fundraising efforts have begun along with the ramp-up to the big day. Learn a little about one of the greatest traditions on the south side, and how you can be a part of it all over the next month! We're also in Blue Island tasting a beer that folks wait for every year and is now...

The craft beer scene in Beverly is getting bigger, and another brewery is bringing a good one to local taps near you. We sit down with John Brand of Open Outcry to check out Delirio on-tap at Cork & Kerry and talk beer, neighborhood pubs and the upcoming South Side Irish Parade. The guys also play "Burb Association" and say the first thing that pops in their heads when touring the area. Plus, all...

A stop at Corner Stone Tavern in Lemont finds a beautiful bar backing up a restaurant bringing the heat with their southern menu. Just don't try to name that hot (secret) chicken sandwich for them. Instead, focus on their outside-the-box cocktails. The guys also talk about a journey to the Kentucky Bourbon trail and discuss the problem with streaming channels. We have all the South Side events, mu...

Professional organizer Colleen Klimczak returns to the 9-foot homemade oak bar and questions Chris about his Christmas lights still hanging off the house. A south side scuba diver explains a trending video this week of a man swept away but later saved by family instead of the Coast Guard. Go hide from the kids in your bathroom and enjoy "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you by  Family Waterproofing...

We're in Lemont at Barrel & Vine to find a lot more than just wine in the trendy restaurant owned by a local couple. Find out why fresh food matters and if a smoked old fashioned can rank as one of the South Side's best. We're also visiting Cork & Kerry to meet a man called Cramer with some big opinions. Plus a fight involving maybe Kid Rock even breaks out in "30 Minutes of Good!" Brought to you...

Can a vegan cheeseburger taste good? Why would you even try such a thing?! Welp, we're putting south side chef Max Musto and Herbivore Chicago to the test as they set up shop in Bridgeport this January. Goose Island Brewing comes south to Beverly for a classic collaboration at Horse Thief Hollow. Plus, we may have the greatest "girl dad" in the world at our bar! It's all in "30 Minutes of Good!" B...