South Side Pod

A unique week for our hosts presents the opportunity to have a taste of many local eateries, breweries and personalities in "30 Minutes of Good!" Enjoy a few local beers, taste an incredible pizza, prepare for Lollapalooza, and meet a politician who came on our podcast before winning a primary election. (How did THAT happen?!) Plus, plan this weekend with us too. Brought to you by  Tom Walsh, Edwa...

After Lemont boasted about their fireworks on last week's episode, Palos Heights responds. Lauren Koszola joins up with their competing show this weekend and big events in Palos this July. We also visit with Papa Hops organizers Tommy and Liam Hopkins. Get ready for the south side's biggest 16" softball tournament with us. And Mike found love once online...almost. Was it because of the cheese? Joi...

Hailstorm Brewing in Tinley Park celebrated 8 years last week, and we shared some great beer and laughs with them. The folks from Lemont also join us this week with a boast of the "Best Fireworks in Chicagoland" spoken loud and clear on this episode. Hear about street parties, food truck festivals and more. And Lorraine Swanson of The Patch preps us for election primaries next week, with a look at...

Meet a south side boat captain and find out how he went from Evergreen Park to Lemont to the Navy to a Lake Michigan Fire Boat Tour. The only two questions we really have for him is if we can use the fire hose...and the dumbest question you've ever heard. We're also talking "Heat Wave Drinking" at Open Outcry Brewing. Plus, the search for Ms. South Side Pod heats up! It's going to be a hot weekend...

The South Side has a lot of first generation Americans as part of our culture. We sit down with two of them as they talk about celebrating Bloomsday. (You may want to join them, too.) We also bring the kids along to Blue Island Beer Company. While Dad samples a classic brew, they try out craft soda pop made at the brewery. Beware of cemetery drivers. You may end up a permanent resident! Join us fo...

We're chilling on the patio of Flossmoor Station Brewing Company next to their soon-to-open caboose bar and tasting new summer brews. We also are preparing for a pig roast and weekend party at Rock Island Public House in Blue Island. This may be why the coaster seats at Great America seemed a little small for one of the guys this week. This is not a diet show. It's "30 Minutes of Good!" Recorded a...

We are all over the South Side of Chicago this week with a trip to Pollyanna Brewing Company, where after tasting some beer we also learn about a distillery they will open later this year. Ever try bourbon brand new and straight from the barrel? We did. We are also chatting with a south side couple who planted pepper fields in their neighbors' backyards. It is all part of their new hot sauce sompa...

The South Side of Chicago has something for everyone, including those that was farm-to-table beef. We're at Horse Thief Hollow this week to learn how their beef goes from an Indiana farm to the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in Mount Greenwood to their tables in Beverly. For the next week they have fresh beef and some cuts you can't find anywhere in the state! We are tasting beers,...

Chicago radio mainstay James VanOsdol has gone full-time podcaster, and now he is trying to grow the community in the Chicago area. He stops by South Side Pod with plans for a Chicago Podcast Day event on May 21st. We'll also get his thoughts on the return of his former radio station Q101. Can the puddles in BLUE ISLAND harm you? Is the PALOS HEIGHTS Farmer's Market back? Are you supposed to tip n...

We have fun from a huge party in BLUE ISLAND with local artists and start-up businesses, hot sauces & Mayor Fred Bilotto taste-testing beers. We're also celebrating the 6th Anniversary of Evil Horse Brewing in CRETE. Parties in ASHBURN, bands in CRESTWOOD and the Kentucky Derby in...well...Kentucky. Did you get your Mother's Day gift yet?  Recorded at a 9-foot homemade oak bar in a basement on the...

Police and Fire face off in a brewing contest for a great cause at Horse Thief Hollow in BEVERLY, and we're chatting with one of the organizers from Bank the Blue. A high school teacher in ORLAND PARK makes us a customized beer mug for use at Open Outcry Brewing. We prepare to hang out with you at Mai Fest in BLUE ISLAND. We have weekend events in CRETE and LEMONT. We have live music in BRIDGEVIEW...

We are heading to LANSING this week to visit One Trick Pony, the hidden brewery that takes you back to local brewing roots. Jason Berry joins us from the Village of LEMONT to break down several weeks of fun from one of the best daytrip locations in all of Chicagoland. From BLUE ISLAND, PALOS, EVERGREEN PARK, BEVERLY & beyond, we have local free concerts, bowling alley showdowns and fires in the sk...

A south suburb has been named "Tree City USA" and we have one of the main folks behind it as Earth Day & Arbor Day approach. A couple of middle-aged men try to figure out who all these acts are on the Lollapalooza schedule. We also address an ugly incident in Blue Island, where we will be for happier times when Mai Fest arrives on April 30th. We'll try not to get too braggy in "30 Minutes of Good!...

South Side Pod has booked our first public festival appearance of the spring, and we have John Streetz on to tell you about the huge event known as Mai Fest coming to Blue Island on April 30th. We also have some fun with high school dance season, all while wondering why people are just giving away their DNA these days. Plus learn about all of this weeks news and events in "30 Minutes Of Good!" Rec...

We are in Blue Island trying a beer from Blue Island Beer Company with a comic book feel. The guys wrap their head around being dads during high school dance season. A contest involving White Sox players Liam Hendriks and Jake Burger needs your vote. Plus, we compare Australia's greatest enemy to our own. Get the lowdown on south side news and weekend events in "30 Minutes of Good!" Recorded at a...

From a huge party during the South Side Irish Parade to family plans for Easter, we have it all covered in "30 Minutes of Good!" We also have Alderman Brent Lewandowski on to explain a new look at video gaming and if it could come soon to Palos Heights. Try an blood-orange beer at Open Outcry Bewing with us as we ask Lauren Koszola how much chocolate a person can eat after a 5K run. And we meet so...

Relax! The title is a play on words! It looks like Parade Day on the South Side will be pretty nice. But, we are visiting Hailstorm Brewing Company in Tinley Park to meet their new brewer Wil Turner and learn about what makes them a unique place to drink great beer. Then we're visiting with Liam and Tommy Hopkins of Papa Hops, which will be an Honoree at the South Side Irish Parade. Get a preview...

The temperature gets over 40 degrees and the South Side is ready to rock. We party with folks along Western Avenue in Beverly as they prepare for the South Side Irish Parade. We're hanging at Flossmoor Station Brewing Company where they are pairing up beers with Girl Scout Cookies. We are in Lemont to learn about a Women in Business event, some unique local shops and possibly a clown living under...

The world is so crazy. Why would anyone want to get into politics now? Lemont's own Eric Carlson woke up one morning in a new US Congressional District and decided he wanted to represent a big chunk of the South Side. Find out why. We also try a Russian Imperial Stout from Open Outcry Brewing in Beverly. Did you know that guitarists have their own hidden language just like plastic bottles have hid...

USA Women's Hockey, with multiple south side players, came up just short in the Gold Medal Game. Queen of Martyrs Principal Doc Mathius lost his job. Sometimes things just don't work out. We still have "30 Minutes of Good" for you with local news, events, concerts, brewery luaus & even some poignant comments from the man they call Doc. We may even sing a little. Recorded at a 9-foot homemade oak b...

After cancellations in 2020 and 2021, the South Side Irish Parade returns next month. Don Larisey of the parade committee sits down at our bar to unveil a new "Passport to the Parade" and talk about the longest reigning parade queen ever! We also break down how one south side principal went up against the Archdiocese of Chicago, cover a huge watch party for a local Olympian, and explain why not ev...

Ever think to yourself that you just want to leave your life behind for a year and move your entire family to Brazil? Beverly's own Sheila Maloney did just that! She joins us to talk about her new book "Family Gap Year" and how it all went down. We sit down at Horse Thief Hollow Brewery with the man who started it nine years ago to taste a beer and find out how to get a free one this weekend. Plus...

The guys take their wives out on the town and bring the microphones along. Let's do date night on the south side with stops in Beverly (Open Outcry Brewing, Horse Thief Hollow) and Chicago Ridge (One Allegiance Brewing). The guys try out craft beers with the locals while their wives go for the surf & turf. Plus, a question about your first live concert leads to the debut of Big Tiff. We've got wee...

Sometimes a Southsider just needs to do some camping, and sometimes that means buying the most southside vehicle possible. If movies are your thing, we have Hollywood Insider Ben Belton with word on the MCU, The Batman and non-comic book movies to see in theaters. If you like the Olympics, we have 1st-time Olympian Abbey Murphy of the USA Women's Hockey Team joining us. If you like live music, loc...

We have a couple of complaints and a few petty things we're going to do about them! Listen as the guys talk about everything from "old man south side driving" to the next likely place you'll have to wear a mask. Jason Berry from the Village of Lemont checks in with bicycle races in the snow and outdoor events for everyone this month. We also taste a new heavy stout from Blue Island Beer Company an...