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 community. What a gift Ashlee is to C-U. After a hell of a 2025, I ho...
Apr 27, 2026•55 min•Season 1Ep. 214
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 your kids is important. What a local legend and asset to our community. Are yo...
Apr 21, 2026•56 min•Season 1Ep. 213
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, NYC and Broadway, internships, directing and casting, marriage, innovative onl...
Apr 14, 2026•55 min•Season 1Ep. 212
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 statistics, what services RACES provides: like support to those affected by sexu...
Apr 06, 2026•55 min
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 making that comes with a familial death, pivoting your career and teaming up with you...
Mar 31, 2026•57 min•Season 1Ep. 210
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 policies and the Farm Progress Show. This super sharp farming expert was a...
Mar 24, 2026•55 min•Season 1Ep. 209
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 and a professional battle, hoarding, auctioneer licensing, grief in an ...
Mar 16, 2026•56 min•Season 1Ep. 208
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 and wardrobe when TV reporting. I will always trust his prediction...
Mar 10, 2026•55 min•Season 1Ep. 207
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 have I learned about myself lately, self-consciousness and much more, F...
Mar 03, 2026•54 min•Season 1Ep. 206
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 an ongoing creative endeavor: Through Purple Eyes . The artist projec...
Feb 24, 2026•54 min•Season 1Ep. 205
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 resuscitation (CPR), navigating the future-son-in-law role during such a sensitive t...
Feb 17, 2026•56 min•Season 1Ep. 204
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 and steep decline due to off-the-charts triglyceride levels/pancreatitis. Any...
Feb 10, 2026•55 min•Ep. 203
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 and finding a home at the VFW 630. There are so many lows in this story, Be...
Feb 03, 2026•54 min•Season 1Ep. 202
A podcast listener reached out with the desire to tell her story and the impact her life has had on her profession. On such a sensitive and timely topic, I was happy to have an expert explain their relationship with immigration—both personally and professionally. Listen as this New York born, Palestine rooted, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor talks living out the American Dream, making a family move to Palestine, dividing time and energy between cultures and teaching. What a joy to meet ...
Jan 27, 2026•56 min•Season 1Ep. 201
He wanted to be the 200th episode. He has seen me through the trajectory of the podcast from beginning to now. Request granted. Listen as this St. Louis adjacent native talks about his education and interest in music, private and public barbering, timeliness, faith, grounding in nature, talk therapy in the barber chair, fishing for sport and relaxation, philanthropy and giving haircuts rooted in cultural traditions. Jake has heard and seen it all. During this interview we get a deeper look into ...
Jan 20, 2026•55 min•Season 1Ep. 200
Two early birds set up and execute a podcast in under eight hours! A record scheduling feat. Patient, soft spoken and flexible, Illinois muralist and window painter, Leslie, brought so much to the podcast table. Listen as this Peru, Indiana transplant talks about her strict religious upbringing, getting married young, having children young, planting a church, breaking away from her religious roots, teaching music, divorce, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), using art for thera...
Jan 13, 2026•58 min•Season 1Ep. 199
I was delighted when Emergency Department Nurse, Sarah Bloomstrand, came on the podcast a year ago. Now, Sarah returns with husband and fellow ED professional, Dr. Kurt Bloomstrand, to talk life as a doctor in a high pressure, high stakes environment. Listen as this Loda transplant talks about growing up in a smaller town, developing a yearning and learning to help with medical needs at a young age, surviving medical school and the other educational benchmarks, working in Emergency Services and ...
Jan 06, 2026•54 min•Season 1Ep. 198
My husband and I reflect on the completely unexpected responsibility given to us. This responsibility would become a gift that we will never forget or take for granted. With no family or children, my husband became the caretaker for a recently widowed man with a newly discovered dementia diagnosis. Listen as my husband and the "Tales From Two Townies" better half returns to talk about a years-in-the-making arrangement that came to fruition, spending each lunch hour with a heartbroken, rapidly ag...
Dec 29, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 197
Don't judge a book by its cover. This realtor that rocks was an open book. She shared vulnerabilities and insights that can only come with experience and reflection, successes and fails. Listen as this Danville native and former Burger Chef employee talks growing up in Danville, her high school temperament, parenting your kids over friending your kids, rock star Bret Michaels and the band family, speaking your mind, divorce, dating, unemployment, bankruptcy, real estate, giving back, sharing pol...
Dec 23, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 196
Previous guest, Cedar King, returns to talk about C-U At Home's largest fundraiser of the year, One Winter Night. Participants spend a night out in the elements to paint a poignant picture of what just a handful of hours can feel like for our local unhoused community. This episode Cedar brings a success story with him, Elizabeth Campbell, to share her story of growth, resilience and the comeback. Listen as Cedar, Michigan transplant and Liz Campbell, Bloomington-Normal transplant, talk all thing...
Dec 16, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 195
This magnetic ray of chaos, smiles and energy was an easy interview. Proud of both his history as a Marine and present as a DJ and Toys for Tots Coordinator, he brought an energy that was undeniable. Listen as this Chicagoland transplant talks about his unique upbringing with a two year high school sabbatical in Japan, using athleticism to shape his diligence and work ethic, surviving and thriving during bootcamp and beyond, the urge and disappointment of never becoming a drill instructor, getti...
Dec 09, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 194
The sweetest vet answered my texts when I needed emotional support, encouragement and someone to say, "You are doing the right thing." Listen as Bloomington native and University of Illinois graduate, Dr. Mary Laptew talks about her background in veterinary medicine, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and all things end-of-life animal care. When is the right time to put your animal "down," what are the options for end-of-life services, what does each scenario look like and how do you navigate...
Dec 02, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 193
My prayers have been answered. My dream has come true. Not email, nor text was answered. A good old-fashioned drop by was what it took to win an interview with the elusive, Thad Morrow. Listen as this Jacksonville, IL native talks about his love for all things Italian, living and studying abroad, falling madly in love with European culture, getting a chance in the restaurant business, culinary school, cubicle life, Mario Batali, starting restaurants, closing restaurants, managing staff, having a...
Nov 24, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 192
He wanted to make sure he wrapped up his podcast under the honest reality that most recovery stories don't play out the way his did. The stats tell a much different outcome. Through years of struggle and working the program, Jay shares the recovery years. Listen as townie Jay Ramshaw returns to talk about the years after he quit drinking. Jay describes the work; the program he adopted, the help he received and the help he gave. He knows and appreciates that everything he has good in his life tod...
Nov 18, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 191
Thomas Holmes, a guest from April 2023 episode #72, wanted to promote an upcoming event featuring a keynote speaker that has been on my interview list for quite some time. This combination of recovery and giving back and makes for a compelling interview of storytelling and awareness. Listen as Thomas, from the Chicago projects, mixes with townie, Jay Ramshaw, to talk about their upcoming event, Milestones & Miracles: A Recovery Happens Celebration on November 20 from 6 to 8 at Hyatt Place in...
Nov 10, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 190
I needed a confidence boost. She was there for what I needed when I needed it most. I was tickled to see her public, professional persona matched her warm and friendly demeanor in person. Listen as this Chicago suburbanite talks journalism schooling, why TV news, stories she will never forget, a familial workplace, mentoring the next generation, losing public anonymity, taking criticism then and now, hair, makeup and wardrobe, feeling pride and comfort in her career trajectory and how to end RBF...
Nov 04, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 189
I am adding video podcasting to my repertoire of podcast mediums. This is in addition to just the audio version. Kitchen-Table-Studios turned professional- recording-studio. Elevate. Progress. Change. Difficult. During this transition, I have banked a batch of episodes in the new studio. The infrastructure and powers that be aren't quiteeeee ready. Any. Day. Now. this new launch will happen. If you want to listen to the audio version as normal, NOTHING will change for you. However, if you want t...
Oct 28, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Best friends committed to their skills and each other. Listen as these Gilman/Onarga BFFS discuss their small town upbringing, being different in a homogeneous environment, first time they met, trajectory of their friendship, two different skill sets, training, working together, breaking out of a confined space, opening a business together and living and breathing the body adornment space. These two have high expectations for their work and the clients they see. Pride and a masterful level of ar...
Oct 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 187
She didn't have to say "yes" to my request of coming on the pod. She does not need or want the recognition. I believe as a personal favor and to highlight the efforts of the United Way, she gave me her time and voice. Through this interview, you get a clearer picture of the position Hope plays in our community. Literally and figuratively. Listen as this Missouri-grown Midwesterner talks about the surprising scope of the Fighting Illini community, the change in trajectory the Illini programs have...
Oct 14, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 186
Another palette cleansing episode to refresh the soul. Alyssa is all things food and drink in Champaign-Urbana. I've lived here my entire life, and I learned more in under an hour than I have in a decade of adulting from this human sparkler. Listen as this Orlando, FL transplant talks living in the biggest tourist trap in our nation, maintaining anonymity while testing area restaurants, the changing donut scene, donut as a primary food group, local favorite eating categories, how to politely and...
Oct 07, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 185
