Discovering Lake County, IL Podcast

In this heartwarming episode, local dog trainer Alex Rothaker “Popeye” shares his remarkable 53-year journey, from childhood adventures with his first rescue dog in Chicago to training police and trick dogs seen on national TV. Alex Rothaker discusses the importance of patience, positive reinforcement, and community, while delighting listeners with stories of world records, memorable performances, and even his talented blue jay, Al...

J.R. shares his journey in the restaurant industry, the story behind Pizzeria DeVille, and the importance of team building and community support. Listeners get a taste of the pizzeria’s unique menu, local partnerships, and lively events. The conversation highlights the value of customer feedback, the...

Rob shares the colorful history of the island, from its Prohibition-era roots to its transformation into a lively bar and community hub. Listeners get a hometown feel as Rob discusses family-friendly events, unique challenges of island operations, and the welcoming spirit that draws visitors year aft...

David Woll chats with Bobby Carlson, owner of Sundance Saloon in Mundelein, Illinois. Bobby shares his journey into the bar business, detailing how he and his brother acquired the establishment and transformed it into a vibrant community hub. They discuss the bar's evolution, emphasizing live music, family-friendly events, and unique offerings like their famous pickle shots and smoked meats. Bobby highlights the importance of a wel...

In this episode of "Discovering Lake County," host David Woll chats with Art Lake, a former co-owner of the beloved Sundance Saloon. Art shares his journey from commercial real estate to owning the saloon, highlighting the vibrant community and memorable events that defined the venue. He recounts anecdotes about famous musicians like Blake Shelton and Sugarland performing at the saloon before they became stars. Art emphasizes the f...

Dimitri Kallianis the vibrant owner of The Shanty restaurant in Wadsworth, Illinois. he shares his journey from growing up in Gurnee to transforming The Shanty into a beloved local gem. He recounts his shift from a potential banking career to revitalizing the restaurant, emphasizing the importance of community connections and creativity. Hei also discusses the challenges posed by COVID-19 and his ventures like Captain Porky's and t...

In this episode of "Discovering Lake County," the host David Woll chats with Jim, the owner of "Frank's for the Memories," a beloved Mundelein, Illinois restaurant celebrating 40 years. Jim shares the rich history of the family business, founded by his parents in 1984, and the evolution of their menu to include Buffalo-style hot dogs and wings. The conversation is filled with nostalgic anecdotes, from Jim's childhood in Loch Lomond...

In this lively episode of the Discovering Lake County podcast, recorded at the 11th annual Grays Lake Craft Beer Festival, a panel of local brewery owners dives into the vibrant world of craft beer. Hosted by Nader from Beer Bazaar, the discussion features Josh Grubbs of Black Lung Brewing, Kyle from Harbor Brewing, Dave Austin of Ninth Hour Brewing, and Lane Fearing from Roaring Table. They explore current trends like West Coast P...

Discovering Lake County: The Heart and Soul of Black Lung Brewing Company

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Discovering Lake County," where we dive deep into the stories that make our community vibrant and unique. In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Josh, the passionate owner of Black Lung Brewing Company. From its intriguing name to its community-centric ethos, Black Lung Brewing is more than just a pla...

In this episode of "Discovering Lake County," the host interviews Jim, an expert from the Volo Museum in Volo, Illinois. Jim shares the museum's evolution from a classic car collection to a diverse attraction featuring movie memorabilia, animatronic dinosaurs, and interactive exhibits. He highlights the importance of storytelling in engaging visitors and the museum's efforts to appeal to all ages. Jim recounts the logistics of acqu...

Discovering Lake County: A Deep Dive into Smokehouse Dispensary with Zach Edgerton

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In this episode of "Discovering Lake County," the host engages in a l...

Discovering Lake County: The Journey of Derrick Baker and the Rise of Relish

In this episode of "Discovering Lake County," the host sits down with Derrick Baker, the creative force behind the Chicago-themed clothing brand "Relish." The conversation delves into Derrick's background, his journey into entrepreneurship, and the challenges and triumphs of running a successful business. This blog post will break down the key insights and...

Michael “Stu” Stoinski was born and raised in the Northern Chicago Suburbs and found his love for music at a very young age.  As a child he would spend countless hours listening to music from his library of records & would hide his Fisher Price Tape Recorder under his pillow and listen to cassettes while falling asleep. Read more