Jaime Black visits upscale Chinese fast food spot 3LP to talk to restaurant owner and entrepreneur Henry Cai. Cai speaks on the journey of taking 3LP from an Instagram order concept to a ghost kitchen project to setting up shop in a brick and mortar location in the Bridgeport neighborhood. The restaurateur also shares how collaborations with local operators like Seoul Taco and Blind Barber Chicago elevate 3LP's community connectivity and more....
Jun 30, 2025•21 min•Ep. 365
Entrepreneurs Drew Brinkoetter and Chris Tilson guest on Dynasty Podcasts to share what goes into managing Goose , the Chicago-based operating system for pet care companies. Brinkoetter and Tilson speak about Goose raising $13.4M in seed funding and share how that funding empowers the company to better serve pet care businesses. The co-founders also offer insights into the 24/7 reality of running a petcare business and emphasize the joy of working with animals for a living....
Jun 19, 2025•31 min•Ep. 364
Chicago journalist Ari Bendersky guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his Something Glorious Substack blog, which focuses on F+B, travel, and more, and details what goes into sustaining an independent media project. Bendersky speaks on how Chicago's local media scene has changed in recent years, and how he's adapted his own freelancing work as traditional journalism opportunities have lessened. The culture writer also shares his advice for any new or experienced writers and creators consider...
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Ep. 363
Alexander Tammaru and Moon Abbott, Co-Founders and Festival Directors at New Generation Filmmakers Forum , guest on Dynasty Podcasts to discuss their growing film festival operation. The Co-Founders speak on the mission of supporting independent filmmakers through the annual New Generation Filmmakers Forum, and share their thoughts on making films in Chicago versus moving to LA. Tammaru and Abbott also preview what's ahead for the 2026 edition of the New Gen event, including the inclusion of fea...
Jun 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 362
Wesley Julian and Winter Davis, Executive Director and Events and Volunteer Manager, respectively, at the Independent Film Alliance Chicago , guest on Dynasty Podcasts to share how the IFA supports Chicago filmmakers. Julian and Davis reveal how independent filmmakers can find community and connectivity through the IFA Chicago's member events and volunteer opportunities, detail strategies for producing film projects on a limited budget, and discuss the ever-expanding network of film industry sta...
May 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 361
Dynasty Podcasts visits CineCity Studios to connect with Vincent Shade, CineCity's Director of Media and Cinematic Development. Shade shares CineCity's role in Chicago film industries, and details the myriad of services the studio and film hub offers to productions across movies, TV, commercials, and more. The Director of Media and Cinematic Development also speaks on CineCircle 's mission of supporting the next generation of filmmakers and offers his outlook for the future of film productions i...
May 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 360
Three visual professionals, Sarah Minnie (Head of Artist Development and Production at OTV | Open Television ), McKenzie Chinn (Director, ' A Real One '), and Armin Korsos (Founder, Director at Caymanite , Founder at Filmmaker Friday Chicago ), come together for DIY Filmmaking In Chicago, a Dynasty Panelcasts conversation recorded at Soho House Chicago . The creators delve into the art and business elements of independent filmmaking, and the work that goes into both sides of the equation. They a...
May 14, 2025•43 min•Ep. 359
Brian Siedband and Gordy Sang, Co-Founders and Co-CCOs at Quality Meats Creative , join Dynasty Podcasts to talk about what goes into running an independent creative agency. The co-founders speak on the growth of and positive reception to Quality Meats, detail what makes a client a good fit for the agency, and share their reaction to Quality Meats being named ADWEEK's 2024 Small Agency of the Year ....
May 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 358
Geletka+ founder John Geletka guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his Chicago-based creative agency. Geletka recalls his extensive creative industry experience and details the agency's pandemic-era origins. He also shares what clients get from working with Geletka+ and speaks on the the agency's Rare Sightings production division.
Apr 30, 2025•22 min•Ep. 357
Shelby Georgis, Partner and CCO at creative house HLK , visits Dynasty Podcasts to speak about the agency's new Chicago location. Georgis shares what led to the St. Louis firm opening a Chicago office, and offers her take on the Midwestern work ethic. The Partner and CCO also talks about the impact of in-person work on younger professionals, reveals what sets HLK apart from other agencies, and more.
Apr 24, 2025•18 min•Ep. 356
Three Chicago business leaders come together for a Dynasty Panelcasts event on Breaking Into Chicago Tech at Soho House Chicago . Sophie Sturdevant, Director, Content Marketing at Intersect Illinois , Trenton Dunn, Director, ThinkChicago at World Business Chicago , and Tifair Hamed, Chief Growth Officer at P33 speak about the state of Chicago tech, and how new talent can enter the city's tech industries. The panelists also reveal how they got their start in Chicago tech, share their thoughts on ...
Apr 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 355
SOMOS Hospitality Group Managing Partner Germán González visits Dynasty Podcasts to talk about River North hotspots UMMO and Loft 22 . González delves into the vibes of Loft 22, from the deliberate music selection to the patron experience to the design work via Studio K Creative . The Managing Partner also speaks on UMMO's Italian fusion menu, SOMOS Hospitality Group's ambitious plans for the near future, and more....
Apr 17, 2025•24 min•Ep. 354
Talent buyers from some of Chicago’s premier live music venues join a Dynasty Panelcasts event at Soho House Chicago to share insights for artists looking to get booked for live shows. Dan Apodaca, Senior Talent Buyer at Schubas Tavern and Lincoln Hall and Brent Heyl, Director of Music at 16" On Center ( Empty Bottle , Salt Shed , Thalia Hall , and more) share how they find artists to book for their respective venues. The talent buyers also detail what goes into their role beyond just booking ta...
Apr 14, 2025•34 min•Ep. 353
Dynasty Podcasts partners with the DePaul Music Business Organization (DMBO) for From The Ground Up: In Conversation With Leaders In Chicago's DIY Music Scene, recorded at DePaul University . House Calls Co-founder & Creative Director Drew Conner and Bookclub Co-Founders Cam Stacey and Kevante “K.O.” Weakley join DMBO Co-President Madison Manor and Dynasty Podcasts' Jaime Black for a live panel on what goes into working as independent operators in Chicago's live music community. The panel sh...
Apr 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 352
LaShun Tines checks in with Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his career as a designer and creative director. Tines speaks about the goals of his annual Art Of Blackness event, the importance of supporting other creatives, and how he broke into the tech space in Chicago.
Apr 02, 2025•21 min•Ep. 351
Chicago creator Keez Carter checks in with Dynasty Podcasts to talk about the parts of the city you might not have seen. Carter details how he developed his @richoffimpact channel on TikTok, and how his online brand grew out of showcasing restaurants and other parts of Chicago that tourists and even some locals never visit. The social media creator also delves into breaking stereotypes that are often unfairly attributed to Chicago....
Mar 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 350
Visual creator Tobi Abawonse checks in with Dynasty Podcasts to share insights into his architecture-focused photography and filmmaking work. Abawonse speaks about his recently completed project shooting 180 short architectural films, detailing the behind the scenes work that went into producing and completing such an ambitious body of work.
Feb 12, 2025•38 min•Ep. 349
In a Dynasty Panelcasts event recorded at Soho House Chicago , social creator Grace Andrews , DJ/podcaster/event producer Sherm In The Booth , and video producer Eddie Supa come together to share their strategies for monetizing their creative crafts. The trio of creatives share insights into their business strategies, including how they price their services, connecting with the right audiences and clients for paid opportunities, and more....
Jan 15, 2025•44 min•Ep. 348
Filmmaker and entrepreneur Armin Korsos visits Dynasty Podcasts to speak about his work cultivating community among Chicago’s film talent with his monthly Filmmaker Friday meetup series, which includes collaborations with Chicago's DCASE office and more. Korsos also details his ambitious directorial projects with his Caymanite company, as well as his mobile cinematography work with the Stealth One mobile rig for his Dynamic Camera Systems operation....
Jan 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 347
In a panel recorded at Soho House Chicago , three of Chicago's top Creative Directors come together to share insights into their creative process. Chad Ingram, Executive Creative Director @ FCB Chicago , Alex Zamiar, Group Creative Director @ Highdive , and Katie Bero, Group Creative Director @ DDB speak about notable client campaigns and what made them work, how each of them approaches creativity in work, and advice they'd give to fellow creatives seeking inspiration in their own projects....
Jan 07, 2025•41 min•Ep. 346
In a Dynasty Panelcasts event recorded at Soho House Chicago , social media professionals Sarah Yi ( @agirlaboutchicago ) and sisters Lizzie and Catherine Everett ( @twosauced ) share insights into their careers as creators and influencers. The panelists share their approaches to building their online audiences, reveal how they develop working relationships with restaurants and hospitality brands, weigh in on whether the influencer space is overcrowded, and more....
Oct 28, 2024•33 min•Ep. 345
House music DJ, dance music producer, and trustee for the Chicago Chapter Board for the Recording Academy Dani Deahl and Jeff Becker, partner at Swanson Martin & Bell LLP , guest on Dynasty Podcasts to discuss their work in helping get HB 4875 passed into Illinois law. The law makes the act of producing unauthorized content utilizing a person’s likeness in the state of Illinois, a protective measure in the largely unregulated age of AI. Deahl and Becker speak on their work in advocating for ...
Aug 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 344
Jason Lesniewicz, Senior Director Cultural Tourism at Choose Chicago , guests on Dynasty Podcasts to reflect on the city's highlights in 2023. Lesniewicz speaks on the past year in Chicago, reflecting on everything from the state of the local F&B industries to the value of exploring the city’s diverse neighborhoods to the importance of Chicago’s performing arts. He also offers insight into what the city offers to both creative communities and local, national, and international businesses. Th...
Dec 21, 2023•39 min•Ep. 343
Jen Dorman, Executive Creative Director at Critical Mass , guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk agency life, AI, and the changing shape of social media in the 2020s. Dorman discusses Critical Mass' Trailhead and AIR initiatives, with the former offering internal growth opportunities for both students and career-changers and the latter redesigning the Artist-In-Residency experience. The ECD also speaks on the power of collaboration both within the nationwide Critical Mass offices and across the ais...
Dec 13, 2023•28 min•Ep. 342
LaForce Baker, VP, Community Impact at World Business Chicago guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk business development in Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods. Baker speaks on World Business Chicago's Small Business Tech Symposium event, happening Tuesday, November 14th at Polsky Exchange North , and shares how the event will benefit Chicago's small business owners and South and West Side communities with tech-focused learnings. The World Business Chicago VP also shares challenges business...
Nov 07, 2023•26 min•Ep. 341
In an interview recorded at Shure HQ in Niles, IL, Jaime Black sits down with Shure Corporate Historian Michael Petterson to discuss the audio company's iconic microphone, the SM7. Petterson recalls the mic's humble beginnings in the early '70s and shares how the SM7B reached its current popularity with the rise of podcasting in the 2000s. The Corporate Historian also details the 50th anniversary celebration of the mic with a limited box set edition of the SM7B featuring custom backplates, a sig...
Sep 05, 2023•23 min•Ep. 340
Toni Witt and Andrew Gunderman of Chicago-based startup GENESIS guest on Dynasty Podcasts to talk all things entrepreneurship. The co-founders share their respective backgrounds and how they came to form GENESIS, a startup focused on connecting and empowering Gen Z talent. The duo discuss their journey learning and launching outside of the traditional college system, and preview their future plans for GENESIS and young tech talent in and beyond Chicago....
Aug 28, 2023•24 min•Ep. 339
Anton Jeludkov, Creative Director at Someoddpilot , guests on Dynasty Podcasts in an interview recorded at the creative agency’s Wicker Park offices. Jeludkov details Someoddpilot’s work producing the branding for this year’s Lollapalooza , from drawing inspiration from the festival’s early ‘90s origins to including Chicago touchpoint in the design work for the festival’s assets. The Creative Director also shares his advice for pursuing the career you want, and previews what’s next for the creat...
Aug 01, 2023•29 min•Ep. 338
ThinkChicago Program Manager Beatriz Kauffmann guests on a Dynasty Podcasts interview recorded at World Business Chicago ’s downtown offices. Kauffmann details how World Business Chicago and its ThinkChicago initiative support the city’s Get Z students via student-focused programming, including the annual three-day Lollapalooza initiative , which connects students with business leaders and professional opportunities in Chicago. The PM also speaks on how Chicago as a business ecosystem can best s...
Jul 31, 2023•27 min•Ep. 337
Bruce Finkelman returns to Dynasty Podcasts to speak on spaces for Chicago’s music communities. The live music professional revisits the early days of the Empty Bottle , including the “ Next Seattle ” era of Chicago music in the early ‘90s. Finkelman also details the evolution of the 16 on Center music, F&B, and nightlife collective that he co-founded with Craig Golden, including Pilsen’s Thalia Hall . Elsewhere, the lifelong Chicago music veteran reveals the origins and future vision of the...
Jul 26, 2023•26 min•Ep. 336
