Mattoon native refers to the struggles of getting pregnant as just the beginning of the challenges that come with being a parent. Pregnancy, it turns out, was the easy part. The raising them without losing your cool—there lies the real test. Listen as this certified teacher, coach and mother of three discusses the benefits of being an older parent, stopping spanking and screaming, why she doesn’t instruct about ages beyond what her kids are, the value of having a meal together, hating the toddle...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 94
The Chicago Suburbs brought us, yet again, an awesome transplant. Finding a reliable, affable, text savvy plumber that takes Venmo is priceless. The everyday person with an everyday job has a story, too. Listen as we talk my personal plumbing tragedies including the latest sh** storm, Aaron’s deceiving Italian background ala Mario & Luigi, why he doesn’t raise rates, living in a Brady Bunch situation, plumber’s crack and the dangers of entering a job with a feisty female behind the door. HHH...
Dec 26, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 93
This Champaign girl has moved around a bit in search of a feeling of family and stability. She’s finally found a good foundation of friends and job security just 45 minutes away in Bloomington. A few decades earlier we lived together in that same town for a few wild and eventful years. Listen to Natalie and I catch up after decades of not speaking to each other. A dysfunctional senior year in college lead to the demise of our friendship. Years, space, reflection and the podcast led to a reunion....
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 92
This family friend has accomplished what I’ve always wanted to do. This educated queen has researched, Googled, learned from mistakes, enlisted help and finally self-published her first novel! The first book of the trilogy, The House by the Side of the Road , is available now where most books are sold. Listen to Jean discuss her professional experience with understanding reading and the common learning disorder, Dyslexia. Jean advises on the concept of “reading to learn” and “learning to read,” ...
Dec 12, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 91
My husband, Andrew Harrington, and I podcast from Thanksgiving vacation in Florida, "the land of do as you please." An impromptu evening podcast (post Illini loss) and early morning addition (post endorphin-spiking run), round out the latest edition of, "Tales From Two Townies." Listen as these two townies talk about the funny and not-so-funny current goings on where they often laugh so they don't cry. Bullying, social anxiety, falling on the treadmill, my latest personal endeavor and family Hal...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 90
This Northern Illinois farm girl describes the love story of her and her late husband as the definition of teammates. As parents, as friends, as husband and wife, decisions were made together and support endless and abundant. Listen to this witty lady talk about her fast courtship with the well known and locally revered, Lou Henson. For more than two decades Lou led the University of Illinois Basketball team to countless victories and the Final Four mountain top. All the while Mary took on the m...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 89
This East St. Louis native came to Champaign to find the help he desperately needed. Being raised in a bar and mimicking the behavior around him combined with childhood molestation and addiction didn't set Steven up for success. Listen to this mild mannered dad to two sons and a daughter (that he until recently thought was his biological child) explain the tattered tapestry that created the fabric of his life today. Regardless of the mess that was his childhood, teens, 20s and even 30s, Steven h...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 88
This Chicago Suburbanite literally starts her story at 72-hours old. From adoption to addiction to sick parents to divorce and remarriage, there was so much to talk through with Callie we needed THREE episodes. Listen to the third episode where Callie and I talk about life today. To deal with the instability, Callie turned to teenage rebellion at an accelerated pace. Using, selling and getting busted became her norm followed by rehab and the start of a different life. Babies, marriage and losing...
Nov 14, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 87
This Chicago Suburbanite literally starts her story at 72-hours old. From adoption to addiction to sick parents to divorce and remarriage, there was so much to talk through with Callie we needed two episodes. Listen to the second episode where Callie and I big talk about the tangled web of biological parents, adoptive parents and step parents. To deal with the instability, Callie turned to teenage rebellion at an accelerated pace. Using, selling and getting busted became her norm followed by reh...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 86
This Chicago Suburbanite literally starts her story at 72-hours old. From adoption to addiction to sick parents to divorce and remarriage, there was so much to talk through with Callie we needed two episodes. Listen to the first episode where Callie and I small talk about wrestling, pee wee football and youth sports in general. Callie then takes us along her childhood timeline where life is filled with more challenges than any little one, or adult for that matter, should have to process. To deal...
Oct 31, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 85
This Urbana born and Tolono grown retired University of Illinois employee has heated up the chili competition circuit for 45 years! From Vegas, Missouri, Palm Springs and Myrtle Beach and back, Mark has thousands of dollars invested and countless wins, including nine state titles, under his belt. Listen as Mark expertly explains the fascinating world of chili competitions. From participant to competition organizer, Mark leans on one rule of thumb: "If you were stranded on a desert island, what w...
Oct 24, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 84
This newish Urbana resident and newish CEO to the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club (DMGBC) is a much needed and welcome addition to our community. Her sweet demeanor, extensive experience in the non-profit sector and tireless work ethic is beyond commendable. Listen as Amy talks about raising babies while going to school and working as a housekeeper, becoming a temporary guardian simply because there were kids in her orbit who needed a home, why she signs her emails "peace," the overall increase ...
Oct 17, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 83
My husband’s uncle, mother-in-law’s brother, Champaign native and a man I feel like I just really met as he lived in Africa for most of my indoctrination into my husband’s family. Every few years he would be an honored guest and the life-of-the party when he made it back to the states in full African regalia—a stark contrast from the button-ups and pressed skirts that surrounded him. Listen as Mike reflects on unimaginable adventures in rural villages in Africa, claustrophobic flights, a referen...
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 82
My BFF’s sister, mother of three, Urbana born and raised farmer’s daughter turned Chicago suburbanite talks candidly about what happens when motherhood just doesn’t “click.” The maternal instinct and excitement that is glorified is replaced with feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Listen as this eloquent and self-aware mom talks about panic attacks, therapy, medication, pregnancy, asking for and receiving help, postpartum lows, viewing a trip to Target as a win and ultimately valuing having a fa...
Oct 03, 2023•50 min
My former Savoy neighbor and fellow grocery shopper, camp dropper-offer, fast casual dining consumer and YMCA member talk about how and why his family planted roots in Champaign. Jon explains why he never thought he’d add a decade-long line item of “Stay-at-home dad” to his resume. Listen as these fellow play daters and lunch makers talk about Jon filling this typically female for the good of the family, keeping his doctor wife in the loop and still deferring to her for parenting decisions, the ...
Sep 26, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 80
On October 24, 2021 Terry searched her house for any random bits and pieces that could help her son, Liam, finish his Halloween costume for a party he was anxiously anticipating. At the same time, 24-year-old Urbana High School graduate and recent University of Illinois graduate, Liam Gasser, went to North Prospect to look for materials at the local craft stores. Listen as two moms reflect on this scene, this picture, this situation which is not unlike so many moms come October. Frustrations wit...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 79
My high school golf teammate, and overall sweetheart of a person, start our talk discussing the tribulations of being the only freshman on our upper-classmen heavy Central High School Girls Golf Team. We go through the podcast discussing what it's like being the minority gender in a vastly male career. Listen as these townies talk corn, the new methodology behind cover crops, working with family while living with family, the mental health ramifications of a career controlled by mother nature, th...
Sep 11, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 78
My husband, Andrew Harrington, and I try to wrangle in our two little (or not so little anymore) sons on this special family episode. Listen as these four townies reflect on the new activities they are trying this fall, what they did and learned over the summer, my colorful cosmetic procedure and change-of-seasons depression, passing out in public and a snot rocket from an aerodynamic biker. Are you looking for a first-person testimony of your business, product or service? Let HyperLocal(s) help...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Mr. Guerrero, born in Kentucky and raised in Vegas and Mrs. Guerrero of South Bend, IN met on the mat. These well-credentialed black belts sparred their way into marriage and a big move to Champaign where they took over the responsibility of owning and teaching at Leaders for Life Martial Arts. Listen as the power couple talk about their roles in life and in the business. Where he concentrates on teaching and instruction, she handles the bulk of paperwork and complaints. The perfect partnership....
Aug 29, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 76
This Champaign city girl turned to the Sadorus countryside to raise her own son near the same farm that raised her up just a few decades ago. The flatlands and drying corn are a far cry from the lush tropics of where she spent her twenties—Maui, HI. Listen as Ashley describes the preserved history that surrounded the once coveted town of Lahaina. Ashley and her now husband traveled to this area with nothing but wanderlust and a backpack. Ashley worked in a small schoolhouse teaching native islan...
Aug 22, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 75
This Paxton-Buckley-Loda graduate faced a few back-to-back, dream-crushing disappointments that changed the direction he was going each time. A knee injury and something as seemingly benign as not being picked up for an appointment, led Matt where he always wanted to be. After leaving a few steady labor jobs and a downward turn in our nation's overall perception of law enforcement, Matt became a Champaign Police Officer. Listen as Matt tries to enter the military twice and finally listens to the...
Aug 15, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 74
These Champaign-adjacent residents of Pesotum were born in Paxton (Dave) and Ivesdale (Heidi). To say this couple has been through it would be an understatement. For much of their married life, Heidi has fought to be understood, heard and taken seriously for a rare health condition which caused her misery. While Heidi fought to be heard, Dave listened, remodeled a basement, took care of the kids and worked at the Urbana Fire Department. Listen as these once exhausted lovebirds tell their story o...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 73
This transplant from the Chicago projects and sweet soul meets me at Kitchen Table Studios to tell me his come up story. From childhood instability and addiction coupled with poor choices and rough crowds, Thomas was destined to fall through the cracks. Listen as Thomas rebounds from getting shot twice in one week, losing jobs, losing relationships, losing kids, selling drugs, abusing booze and several DUIs. Along the way he functioned through work and coaching his daughter's basketball team; fu...
Aug 01, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Jenna (Yambert) Galli. HyperLocal(s) Podcast episode 71. My dear, sweet fellow classmate from Champaign Central High School 02' shares the haunting and beautiful story of her father's unexpected and unusual death. Listen as Jenna worries about doing her dad's memory justice within the words of this podcast. Through tears and pure admiration for her late father, Jenna explains her dad's quirky personality. The oldest of five siblings, Jenna describes a local ER doctor, lifelong learner, avid hike...
Jul 25, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 71
This now sweet, small-town guy from Whitehall, IL (yes, I’ve never heard of it either) was once self-admittedly not-so-sweet, living in one of two opposing worlds: having no self-worth whatsoever or the mindset of, “I’m better than everybody else.” Listen as Terry starts the pod stating his mother gave birth to him, was married and widowed before the age of 16. This premature start and the immediate absence of his alcoholic, biological father set Terry up for a tough road. This road included, bu...
Jul 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 70
A Mahomet athlete, turned bartender, turned soldier, turned law office personnel, turned Reiki Practitioner, turned sound healer, turned real estate entrepreneur turned wife and mom (and not necessarily in that order) has lived a thousand lives. Amanda uses hard work, serenity and a mindset of evolution as the basis for her personal growth. Listen as Amanda tells me about carrying crystals in her pocket during basic training, choosing a (mobile) home as a place to spread seeds over planting root...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 69
An East Coast transplant has landed in our town to change the lives of those struggling with addiction. Passionate, smart and well versed in the complexities of the addict mind, Ozie has trudged through many treatment paths. From his own alcohol-ism to alcohol-wasm, he has educated himself on how to help others and pursued careers that do just that. Listen as Ozie takes me through the buried traumas of his youth, the unavoidable genetic component that killed his dad, high school years fueled by ...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 68
An Atwood-born, Arthur adjacent, former Amish congregant talks candidly about leaving the church at age 11 with her immediate family. Why? In broad terms, her parents wanted to emphasize the family’s relationship with God and worry less about the stringent rules set forth by the church. Listen as this fearless young woman confidently explains why the rules: using a riding lawnmower, going to a play, taking part in meals with people outside the church led to ex-communication until a formal apolog...
Jun 27, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 67
My dad's childhood friend and townie in the truest sense of the word, Steve Flynn, and I talk about his family's involvement in the Deluxe Restaurant. This 1935 billiards and bar establishment is now home to Legends on Green Street in our beloved campustown. Listen as one generation tells the other about a time when everyone knew your name, neighborhoods were neighborly and safe and food was fresh, fast and sought after. The Deluxe fish sandwich was the backbone of this restaurant. Steve's dad l...
Jun 20, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 66
My husband and dog whisperer, Andrew Harrington, and I talk in about our overly anxious and under trained mini-Australian Shepherd, General Heppenheimer Harrington aka Hep. Listen as two townies tell their revisionist sides of history regarding who wanted to bring a puppy into the fold, who trained or improperly trained the canine, who considers him a comrade and who considers him an enemy, who endures the wrath of his spite poops and exactly how many people has he bit? Tune in for some tales of...
Jun 13, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 65
