The Mike Tomano Happening

Tessa Fowler is a Wyoming-based wildlife photographer and conservationist. She lives her childhood dream of being a "Mountain Girl." She is physically and spiritually connected to Nature and shares her story with us. Tessa recalls her beach community California childhood, heading out to Wyoming at a young age, a soul-searching 6-month trek into grizzly country, her art and attitude towards life, as well as her support of various co...

Mike is joined by veteran Chicago broadcaster Jill Urchak for a candid conversation discussing their careers in radio, growing up on the city's South Side, Jill's amazing father, spirituality and politics. They also share eerie paranormal experiences including out-of-body-experiences, visits from the dead, Mike's poltergeist and Jill's haunted Charlie Chaplin memorabilia and more! Don't miss this fun conversation! #radio #Chicago #...

"The First Lady of Hunting" Brenda Valentine joins Mike for a chat regarding The Great Outdoors Lifestyle. From filling the freezer in rural Tennessee to traveling the world in pursuit of game, Brenda shares her passion for hunting, including turkey calling tips, food plot planning, her favorite states to hunt and the planning and preparation of bowhunting the formidable Cape Buffalo in Africa. Don't miss this wonderful conversatio...

Michael Rockert is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter whose new album, For A Time Such As This, is an epic metal meditation on the current state of the world. He joins Mike Tomano to discuss making the album and the importance music has played in his life, including the impact #KISS had on him. Tomano talks about escaping into music & nature in his teens to avoid bad paths, the influence of John Bonham on his drumming and his frien...

Mike is joined by his bandmate and longtime friend, Tom "T-Ray" Teare to reminisce about their days in the infamous comedy band Tomanosaurus, and their current collaboration in Chicago's premiere Classic Rock band, The Baked Potatoes. Tom tells great stories about coming up in the 60s & 70s Chicago scene, backing Wolfman Jack, and gives us his "Game-Changer" book, album and films. PLUS! The Tomano in the Morning listeners provide g...

Continuing on the theme of Music, Film & Book "Game Changers," Mike welcomes rocker Dave Bellah back to the podcast. In addition to the topic, Mike & Dave exchange recent "hauls" from record and thrift stores, The Neil Young / Joe Rogan situation, and much, much more! Check out Mike's recent blog: https://www.miketomano.com/single-post/well-i-hope-neil-young-will-remember-or-old-man-take-a-look-at-yourself Enjoy! #AynRand #NeilPear...

Beginning a recurrent theme on The Mike Tomano Happening, Mike talks with friends about "Game Changers": Movies, Music and Film that had great personal impact and rearranged perceptions of their medium. Marty Jay, the first member of The MTH Panel discusses three albums, movies and books that changed him and Mike adds three of his own. Visit  www.miketomano.com for podcasts, radio show archives, blogs and more! #music #film #books

Mike remembers Bob Saget on this episode then heads into the vault for an early 2000s interview with the late musical genius, Yusef Lateef. Yusef's approach to his music and life is truly inspiration. He discusses his life, career, spiritual path, and discusses the musical contributions of Miles, Coltrane, Elvin and Dizzy. If you are a lover of Jazz, a spiritual seeker or enjoy conversations with deep-thinkers, this is a must-hear....

From the mid-to-late '90s, The KAT 105.5 made its mark on The Chicago Southlands. A radio station run by a young bunch of rebels that lived and breathed Rock & Roll, breaking every rule in broadcasting. Today, the station is talked about with great reverence, from listeners from "back in the day" to industry folks who recall the "wildest station they ever worked with." Mike is joined by Marielle Salas, Dave Bellah and Steve Touhy f...

Mike celebrates George Carlin's life, career, creativity and influence on this episode, including a candid conversation with George's daughter, Kelly. PLUS a wild ride with counter-culture icon and ice-cream flavor, Wavy Gravy. Kelly discusses her father's approach to his work, being his daughter and shares insight on his creative process. Wavy talks Woodstock, Lenny Bruce, Thelonious Monk, B.B. King, Hunter S. Thompson, Del Close ...

Mike talks about his junior high dreams of becoming a radio personality, and the influence of jocks Steve Dahl and Robert Murphy. Dahl, along with partner Garry Meier, broke every rule and invented personality radio in the late 70s and 80s, influencing all who followed, including Howard Stern. Robert Murphy's radio show was a mixture of coolness and mischief. Both helped Mike shape his idea of what he wanted to do on his own radio ...

The magic of sketch comedy, particularly on record and radio, is the focus on today's episode as Mike digs into the vault for chats with two legends. Phil Proctor of the ground-breaking psychedelic comedy troupe, Firesign Theater, discusses the group's uninhibited approach to writing and recording their masterpieces PLUS actor/musician Murphy Dunne shares his roots in sketch with Chicago's Second City and counter-culture troupe The...

Mike welcomes actress Dee Wallace to discuss her  iconic film and television career, working with directors like Steven Spielberg (E.T), Blake Edwards (10), Peter Jackson (The Frighteners), Joe Dante (The Howling) and Rob Zombie (Halloween, 3 From Hell, Lords of Salem), her work as a healer and new book, "Born". A warm, engaging woman with some wonderful insight and stories, Dee delivers on this 20th episode of The Mike Tomano Happ...