The Local

Dr. Paul Callaway, Director of Golf Fitness at Cantigny Golf Academy, regales with stories from Pat Riley of the Lakers to learning at the hand of the golf legend Jack Nicklaus. On how Jack's meticulous visualization of his shots and outcomes highlighted the crucial role the mind plays in performance, not just in golf but in all aspects of life.  Inspiration drove Paul from being a team physical t...

Changing from coordinating rock & roll bands to helping families navigate senior living options is less of a leap than it might sound. Join us for a heartwarming discussion as Melinda Smith shares her experience and reveals unexpected similarities between luxury hospitality and senior care where the details matter. For both. Her story is an insightful exploration of career transitions, the joy of...

As the DuPage County Historical Museum's annual Casino Night draws near, we wanted to revisit the fantastic time we had at last year's event! Casino Night is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Wheaton Park District that benefits the DuPage County Historical Museum. Join us for an intimate, behind the scenes experience as we visit with the people that make it all happen. There are several “I never...

He’s back! Join us for our annual talk with the Honorable Mayor of Wheaton, Phil Suess. Discover more behind-the-scenes of Wheaton's community development and financial strategies. Mayor Phil Suess spills the tea on city projects and how refinancing moves saved millions. Plus find out why folks visiting Wheaton say, “they had no idea Wheaton was so cool”! Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Re...

Marc and Mark co-host this fun and lighthearted interview with The Barber of Wheaton. Topics range from raving about the recent barbershop remodel to the joys of a straight razor shave to warnings about abusing the Barbershop Bat phone. Tune in to discover the secret behind perfect fades, the woes of stubborn cowlicks and the business of barbering. Sometimes even barbers can have bad hair days—jus...

Throughout the episode, Jimmy’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious, leaving you feeling inspired and motivated to pursue your own dreams. Whether you're a boxing fan, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone looking for a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you. Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here!

Calling all music enthusiasts!  Join us as we dive into the world of farting bed posts to who’s the circus act in the band. This enchanting podcast delves into the history and the affects music has on our souls.  You won’t be able to deny Amber’s passion for the DuPage Symphony and the significance of the wide range of instruments.  This episode will make you want to attend a concert for sure! Do...

Curious about the life of a firefighter? Join us on The Local podcast as we dive into the world of firefighting with Chief Robert Brill. From the adrenaline-pumping moments to the impact of the pandemic to the unexpected overlap between firefighting and dodgeball, this episode will leave you with a newfound appreciation for these “local” heroes.   Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out...

In this episode of The Local, host Marc Horner with co-host Vickie Austin sit down with Lisa Weier of First Trust Cares Foundation. Join this wide-ranging discussion touching on the world of charitable partnerships, competitive water basketball and how Wheaton, Illinois may be second only to Wall Street as a powerhouse of the financial services industry. Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Rea...

Redefining the definition of “Local”, our podcast went international when Will Fraser jetted across the pond to visit us from merry old England. As a professional rugby player, Will and his teams won the equivalent of five Super Bowls. Post-rugby, he now shares his insights on high performance and how to create a successful team dynamic as the founder of 100 & First, a people, performance and cult...

In this episode of The Local, host Marc Horner is joined by Allison Orr of the Downtown Wheaton Association with special guest Adam Pratt of Chaos to Memories. Before making the jump to entrepreneurship, Adam was a technology industry veteran (and superstar). A strong believer in sharing knowledge and experience, you will hear great tips for taking better photos, how to make the most of the techno...

In this inspirational episode, hosts Marc Horner and Allison Orr learn from Shannon about her hyper-focus on delivering a unique client experience. A big believer in testing, learning and changing, join her story starting as a home-based business growing to pop-up and on to brick and mortar…two locations…during the pandemic! An impressive story demonstrating the power of trusting your gut, followi...

In this episode Marc Horner and co-host Allison Orr speak with Dan Facchini of Innovation DuPage and their business incubation and acceleration program. Dan shares the importance of collaboration and mentorship in jump-starting the entrepreneurial experience. From start-ups led by college students to more experienced businesspeople who took the leap in a mid-career change, join the conversation to...

Dr. Jorgensen discusses his unexpected journey that took him from surgeon to coroner. He shares historical perspective on the creation of the coroner's office going all the way back to medieval times. He also provides perspective on the Fentanyl crisis and how his office is leading the fight against it. Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here!

In this episode of The Local, host Marc Horner and his distinguished guest, former Mayor of Wheaton Jim Carr, dive into the intersection of religion, ethics, and business.  The podcast delves into Carr's experiences growing up in Missouri, studying at Yale University and then teaching business ethics at Wheaton College.  Join him as they explore the gray areas of society and discuss the importance...

Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent of District 200, talks about the role of schools as assets in the community, and shares his experience transitioning from being a teacher to an administrator. They also discuss the importance of positive interactions between adults and students in the school system.   Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by clicking here! Do you have a guest idea...

In this behind-the-scenes episode of The Local, host Marc Horner is joined by Vickie Austin from the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, as well as Meg Goodman and Mark Long from Flint Rock LLC. They teach us how the sausage is made when it comes to creating and producing a podcast! Listen to this fun, lighthearted and informative session where Meg & Mark share their journey from radio to podcasts and ho...

In this episode of The Local, we visited with Don Westlake, a Wheatonite who retired in his mid-fifties! Born during the Great Depression and lived through multiple world wars, Don shares his wisdom and insights on investing, finding the right fit, and staying mentally and physically active in retirement. Join us as we delve into Don's incredible story and learn valuable lessons that can be applie...

It’s not every day you get to sit down with a former Chicago Cub and pro baseball player who shares the same town as you. On this episode of The Local,Marc & Vickie hear fun-filled stories from Dave Otto about what it was like to be drafted to the major leagues alongside notable names like Bo Jackson and Barry Larkin, and how opting for college instead of the pros the first time around paid divide...

John Monino, a supervisor with Milton Township, joins Marc Horner and co-host Vickie Austin to explain the relationship between Milton Township and the surrounding municipalities, including Glen Ellyn and Wheaton. John also shares his personal journey of getting involved in local government and discusses the experience and emotional intelligence that’s needed to do the right thing when challenged...

In this final part of the series, Bob Jacobson discusses the origins of golf in Wheaton, Illinois. He explains how Charles Blair MacDonald, who was educated in Scotland, brought the idea of golf back to the suburbs of Chicago in the late 1800s. MacDonald's passion for the sport and his association with Tom Morris at St. Andrews (yes, that Tom Morris) inspired him to introduce golf to the local com...

Chief of Wheaton Police PJ Youker shares his roundabout way of joining the police force, the inner workings of a police department, and why he loves being in Wheaton! Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here! Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here!

Rejoin the adventure as “Bob Goes To Brown”….Brown University, that is, where he continues his personal development resulting in his decision to enlist, launch his professional career and allow his passion for golf to bloom. Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here! Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here!

As if being a small business owner wasn’t tough enough, tune in to hear stories from the trenches of the cold-bloodedly competitive business of beauty! Plus, some old-fashioned Northside Wheaton vs. Southside Wheaton banter keeps this episode rolling! Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by clicking here! Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking...

This myth-buster podcast about college tuition is chock-full of references and facts no one will tell you!  Get your questions answered from FAFSA, early decisions, and alumni network. These two experts will put your mind at ease with one of life’s biggest challenges and a few laughs along the way. Do you have a guest idea for The Local? Reach out to us by  clicking here! Do you have a guest idea...