The Chicago Podcast

Brendan and Danger tour the Pokemon Fossil exhibit at The Field Museum. Streets and Sanitation Deputy Commissioner Chris Sauve is in studio to talk about the city's FREE composting program.

Chef Dudley Nieto of the welcoming and spacious Mexican Radio (100 W. Monroe) has created a Mexican Smash Burger to pair with your mezcal cocktail. Rashanah Baldwin cools off poolside at Soho House alongside famous actors. 

The Man on the Streets asks folks if they're paying attention to the World Cup. Becca reports from the set of her latest film. She highlights a few choice titles from this summer's Movies in the Parks series, which leads Brendan into a movie list of his own. 

Pat Mac's Ride is bicycle ride from Beverly to Michigan City to raise money for pediatric brain tumor research at Lurie Children's Hospital and provide financial assistance to cancer patients and families. Pat Grant and Kevin McDonough are in studio to share Pat Mac's story.

Mike Payne of Byron's Hot Dogs sits down for a bite with Brendan. Mike and Ann Payne were invited to The White House to serve Chicago dogs during the Obama administration. Storms didn't deter Brendan from attending a much-anticipated show at Salt Shed.

This week's episode features an interview with Skydeck Chicago/Willis(Sears) Tower General Manager Randy Stancik out on The Ledge, 103 stories above street level. Becca Burg delivers uplifting news headlines.

Do Division Fest kicks off summer festival season in Chicago. The Windy City made quite an impression on Albuquerque resident and recent Chicago visitor Charlene.

The Lunchman guides a walking and eating tour of the legendary Maxwell Street Market. Becca Burg delivers Chicago news headlines.

21-year-old Elvis Presley impersonator Logan Ramey explains how he discovered his love for the King of Rock and Roll. Baby bald eagles hatched in Chicago for the first time in 100 years! Ed Hahn from the National Eagle Center explains the significance.

We bid farewell to Fat Chris's Pizza and Such in Andersonville. Nick Griseto previews Chicago Pickle Fest. Pickleback incoming!

Keurig machines changed the way we brew our morning coffee. Co-founder Christopher Stevens joins the podcast to talk about how K-Cups originated. A former Fighting Irish basketball player, Chris returned to South Bend after his business career to become a professor at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. 

Danielle Perry of the Greater Chicago Food Depository is in studio to talk about the changes in SNAP exemptions and work eligibility requirements. Danielle wants to spread the word to ensure the most vulnerable Illinois residents don't go hungry.

Chicago is the forever home of improv comedy. Emily Anderson of the Second City Touring Company welcomes us behind the curtain. Rudy Mendoza, founder of the Bilingual Improv School, is in studio to share stories about his teaching experiences. 

The 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame in Forest Park is celebrating its 30th anniversary. HOF President Paul Rowan visits the studio to talk about the significance of 16 Inch, the unique and popular Chicago game.  

Fighting Illini superfan Lauren Petty recaps a victorious weekend in Urbana-Champaign and previews this weekend's Final Four. Holy Family Parish pastor Father Terry Keehan checks in ahead of Easter Sunday.

Dave Savini found his new favorite cheeseburger at Bristol Tap in Bristol, IL. Chicago's most decorated competitive eater, Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, is in studio to reflect on his career.

When the wind pushed a baby stroller into Lake Michigan last month, Lio Cundiff jumped into the cold water to save the baby's life. Lio is in studio to tell the story. Also on this week's episode: fun and refreshments aplenty at the dyeing of the Chicago River for St. Paddy's Day. 

Al O'Connor is in studio to share his story about moving from Ireland to Chicago as a lad. River North is home to a new campus of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Wicker Park hosts a Harry Styles pop-up. 

Attorney Jillian Burstein of Reed Smith LLP is in studio to talk about Project Law Track, which allows Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to act as lawyers for a day. Thousands attended the Chicago Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Will the Lunchman takes listeners along for a fantastic taco meal at La Chaparrita. Amanda D'Astice of James Otis Elementary explains how to help teachers educate visually impaired students in Wicker Park . 

Catholics visit Old St. Pat's on Ash Wednesday. An Alaskan cod shortage disrupts a popular fish fry in Joliet. Stan Lawrence joins the program to discuss the legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson. 

Car enthusiasts flock to the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. A new ramen restaurant is opening soon in West Loop. A Taylor Swift pop-up installation brings fans to Michigan Ave. Caleb Williams participates in the celebrity 3-pt contest.

Filmmaker Anthony Ciancio drops by the studio to talk about his latest project, How We Roll . The film focuses on the popularity of bocce ball in Elmwood Park. The Chicago White Sox plan to install bidets in the locker room. 

Pilsen resident Matt Lopez is dealing with the nightmarish fallout from a fire in his building, which left his family without a home. Rashanah Baldwin commends hometown heroes Cliff Rome and Derrick Rose for the way they constantly give back to the Englewood community. 

Cannabis Man Don Kleppin explains the city council's ban on hemp products. Wisconsinite Kirsten awards her seal of approval to the cheese curds at Maplewood Brewery.