HyperLocal(s)

Barber, marketing consultant, friend and trading card aficionado RETURNS to discuss his current passion/hobby and big source of JOY, trading cards. His alter ego, J. Bizzler, literally enters the chat.

Listen as this St. Louis area-born, Champaign-rooted, scissor master talks all things trading cards. The hobby from my generation's youth has made a comeback in a BIG way. With modern tech and platforms only fueling the fire, trading ...

I am so grateful to meet, know and interview such an exceptional human being. She gives selflessly to others and wants to make a difference in the community.

 Listen as Fort Wayne native talks about boundaries and work-life balance, licensed social work, teaching a course in grief (not only in death but in life changes) and teaching a course about hospitalized children at U of I, the role of a Child-Life Specialist, displaying ...

My husband and I recount the highs, lows, ups, downs and incredible core memories from our two week family vacation in Italy.

 Listen as Andrew comes back to the studio after a brief hiatus to talk about why my phone keeps going off, why hasn't been on an episode in a while, helping a friend, the flight, Venice, Sorrento, Rome and meeting Pope Leo, pasta, pizza, gelato and McDonalds and everything that went right and the few fl...

This sweet, soft spoken gentle man, joins me on the podcast to talk about his road to and from the air force. The good, the bad and the ugly. 

 Listen as this South Carolina country kid talks about the decision to go into the military, childhood and police officer parents, performing/entertaining in the military, wheelchair basketball and adaptive sports, shoe sales, gig musicianship, healing through music, the pivot to do...

What a great time talking to this silly, light-hearted science buff and comic lover. 

 Listen as this St. Joe born and raised standout talks about his unorthodox hairdo and the regime for maintaining his Weird Al Yankovic/Slash-like locks, comic books, Comic-Con, Conjunction Junction, singing (surprise song!), self-publishing, freelance writing, video games and self-deprecating humor. Todd was game for anything and a force...

She knew what would be interesting to talk about and kept me on track, a real pro in so, so many ways. Everyone's cheerleader and a respecter of time and energy, Lisa is a 10/10 human.

 Listen as this Ohio-born girl talks briefly about her normal childhood before diving deep into the real estate industry in town, taking the real estate tests, competing against your peers and office mates, open houses, setting boundaries with yo...

Warm and sweet, open and vulnerable, the beyond likeable, Ashlee came to share about her personal and notable professional life.

 Listen as this Urbana-raised girl talks about being the high school mascot, having an odd childhood, coming out and being rejected, online dating, That's What She Said stories, losing a dog and a brother, divorcing a partner, healing, managing Jarling's Custard Cup and what the nostalgia means to our...

Many sports functions overlap in the realm of boy raising. Ron is co-raising three busy boys as well as working a full-time career, coaching and advocating for often overlooked populations in our community. 

 Listen as this Decatur-born gentleman talks about meeting his future wife, picking on peers, wrestling, cutting weight, being a nurse anesthetist, running for the local school board and why attending practices with yo...

For about a year my son and I have been in her orbit enrolling and participating in theater-based classes. Her passion and knowledge for our local fine arts radiates from her high-energy personality.

 Listen as this Chicago area born and raised city girl talks technical difficulties, the Penguin Project, practice vs. innate talent, auditioning, majoring in "anything other than drama,"  raising daughters within the arts, NY...

This guest made it very easy on me. She was a dream to interview and meet, wise beyond her years and an asset to the local Rape Advocacy, Counseling & Education Services (RACES).

 Listen as this Alabama born and raised, Illinois transplanted, sexual violence prevention worker at the community-based, non-profit, RACES, talks about April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Darkness to Light Award, eye-opening stati...

I don't know if I've ever interviewed someone as conscientious as April. Thank you notes, gifts, informative emails—she would have got the job if I was hiring. 

 Listen as this North Dakota born, South Korea and all over the US raised, military daughter talks about high school in Monticello, food and cooking, growing up too fast, being raised primarily by your father, losing your father, the onslaught of decision mak...

This sweet, charming guy described himself as "kind of blah." I beg to differ.

 Listen as this Taylorville grown broadcaster talks about losing his father, his change of plans when the farm he thought he would inherit was no longer in his future, combining farming with broadcasting, the marketing of soybean ink, communicating with farmers, telling their stories, writing on all things farming, keeping up with technology and poli...

Breaking into an industry where you are usually the youngest one in the room can be intimidating. This girl boss has fought any preconceived notions every step of the way, using knowledge and professionalism as proof of concept.

 Listen as this townie talks about her return to Champaign, learning from the best, taking over her mom's ownership position at Champaign Estate Sales, looking and sounding youthful as a personal plus a...

Listen as this Gibson City guy talks all things meteorology. Why this field? What fascinates men about inclement weather? What is the most intense weather situation he's ever been involved in? How does he navigate consumers who are upset by inaccurate weather reports, being a local celebrity, data gathering in order to best predict weather and the backlash when the data predicts the wrong outcome! Finally we touch on hair, makeup a...

It's just me. For the first time in almost four years I take to the MIC by myself. I answer online questions during an open and honest question and answer session.

 Listen as this Champaign native gets uncomfortable when answering questions about herself for once. Learn how I describe myself in 10 adjectives, OCD, regrets, weaknesses/strengths, what I admire in others, who am I when no one is watching, what fills my cup, what h...

Two previous guests, Emily Donohoe (#114) and Shauna Boatright (#180), bring along a new face to the podcast, Sherrie Carter, to talk about a photographic project, Through Purple Eyes.

 Listen as these three women, all with different backgrounds and stories, come together to talk about a project they are collaborating on. Mahomet fine art photographer, Emily Donohoe of Pixels by Emily, currently has two willing participants in ...

The following week, Blakely comes into the studio again, this time on mic and accompanied by her now husband, Kristian. This beautiful couple lays out their perspective of before, during and after those unforgettable two months where everything could have, and medically should have, gone horribly wrong.

 Listen as these locals talk about the American Heart Association, the importance of lifesaving cardiopulmonary resus...

Interviewing family is a funny thing. The words and stories feel precious and protected, sacred and special. This effervescent sparkler defines what it means to be a mom: devoted, selfless, caring and strong.

Michigan transplant, but to all that have the pleasure of knowing her, she is a townie, lover of friends and family and a great time. 

 Listen as Kris Harrington relives her young, seemingly healthy daughter's, fast an...

A great laugh and a warm spirit resonates throughout this passionate self-taught chef. 

 Listen as this Urbana native talks growing up in the diversity of Urbana, the opposing demographics of the Broadlands, team sports, alternative schools, working in dozens of kitchens, the importance of culture and food, the misery of manual labor, the incomparable feeling when cooking for others, couch surfing, working 20-hours per day...