There’s 22 acres and a thousand reasons to love Sonny Acres! Aaron’s childhood pumpkin patch and Ioanna’s farm dream come true, this gem of a space in the middle of Chicagoland has 125 years of stories to tell! We meet Jeannine Fontana, who in 2019 purchased the farm with her husband (also a lifelong Sonny Acres fan) and his friend. She shares some of the farm’s history and how it grew to be a staple for fall festivals and childhood traditions. Jeannine tells us about what goes on during their o...
Jun 10, 2025•26 min
All aboard the Amtrak to adventure! This week, we’re joined by Liz Owens, Vice President and General Manager of Vacations By Rail, a Chicago-based company that helps travelers explore the world by train! After we trauma dump on Liz for ten minutes about our flying anxiety, we discuss the unique benefits of traveling by rail! Liz breaks down what to expect for first-timers and spotlights some of the perks, such as constant views and a unique ability to hop on and off along your route! She shares ...
Jun 02, 2025•31 min
A podcast for campers, glampers and everyone in between! Pack your cutest flannel and prepare to wander into the rustic summer retreat of your dream! Welcome to Camp Wandawega! This incredible retreat located just north of the border in Wisconsin has it all- a private lakefront, hiking trails, and the most Instagramable accommodations even Martha Stewart couldn’t have designed herself. With roots in Prohibition and the Catholic Church, its location has many a tale to tell (if only walls could ta...
May 12, 2025•34 min
President Ioanna and VP Aaron would like to formally invite you to hear the tale of Chicago’s “Hotel of Presidents”! Known for its many iconic former guests, including Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, the historic hotel on Chicago’s Michigan Ave blends its historic mystique with modern day luxury. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel boasts incredible lake views and enough tales of history to fill a book! We chat with Violet Tossler, Marketing Manager for the property, who give...
Apr 28, 2025•24 min
Now boarding iFLY flight 0001 from Chicago to wherever the wind takes us! It’s immersion therapy week for Ioanna and Aaron! To get over their fear of flying, they’ve partnered with iFLY to literally take flight at their iconic indoor skydiving experience! Joe Velez, the Senior Regional Director for iFLY, introduces us to the company and how indoor skydiving came to be! We discuss the experience of indoor flight and breakdown the fascinating science of their wind tunnel. Hear how it differs from ...
Apr 21, 2025•32 min
You’ve seen it in the movies- an artist wannabe goes into a studio, throws some clay on the wheel, and SPLAT, it’s all over the walls and ceiling, ruining your $120 Abercrombie jeans and leaving you with nothing to be on your mantle. Lucky for Aaron & Ioanna, they found Penguin Foot Pottery and knew they were in good hands (literally). We chat with Chris and Paige Busse about their Logan Square pottery studio and how they transitioned into full-time studio life! Hear what’s trending in the w...
Apr 14, 2025•27 min
*THIS IS A LIVE INTERVIEW! Pardon the chocolatey construction noises in the background* Ioanna & Aaron Twizzler Twist and are Jolly as a Rancher at Chicago’s Hershey Super Sweet Adventure! Caitlin Maloney, Vice President of Creative at Original X Productions (OGX), introduces us to the company behind some of the nation’s greatest immersive IP experiences, including Harry Potter, Friends, and now Hershey! We chat about the reopening of this Michigan Avenue experience. Coming at the perfect ti...
Mar 24, 2025•24 min
Meet the Queen of Cute, Creator of Strawberry Shortcake and Key Designer behind Care Bears and The Get Along Gang! Muriel Juneberry Fahiron is know for all the illustrations that made your childhood magical and your adulthood nostalgic. After a decades long career with various greeting card companies and agencies, Muriel now calls Tulsa home and graces our feed with her #kitchendance videos! We chat with her about her early inspirations and what led her down the path of illustration. We talk the...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Raise your glass! This week we’re pouring one out for our friends at Revolution Brewing, Illinois' Largest Independent Craft Brewery! In this episode, we brew up some craft beverage history and learn the founding story from Marty Scott, Barrel Program Manager at Revolution Brewing. He dives into how a small Chicago brewery crafted its own path to success in a world of big beer. Plus, we learn what inspired the iconic name and eye-catching packaging of the brand. Marty walks us through the brewer...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Ballyhoo! At 11 locations and growing, it’s likely you’ve dined at a Ballyhoo Hospitality restaurant before. Their roster includes names like Denucci’s, Gemini, Petit Pomeroy, Coda di Volpe and more! Known for their feel-good vibes and opulent customer service, the group brings “going out for a night in the city” to the suburbs and offer a vibey way to have “lunch with friends”. We meet Kayla Morrison, Vice President of Operations, who introduces us to Founders ...
Feb 17, 2025•25 min
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Learn where the name “Gibsons” comes from and why there’s no apostrophe! • Discover why their signature steaks are so popular • Hear tales of Chicago history and stories of cultural icons who Gibsons can call “regulars” Opened in 1989, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is Chicago’s Classic American steakhouse. Nestled comfortably between State & Rush, the restaurant is a decades-long favorite of celebrities, world leaders, and foodies alike. And even though we’re small fish, ...
Feb 04, 2025•33 min
This week, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from 2024, Chicago Boat Company! We recently took a ride on one of their mega-viral “Hot Tub Boats” and just had to share the company story with you again in case you missed it last year. Listen now to hear about how they got a hot tub to float, and check instagram to see us play rapid fire live in the hot tub! Original Episode This week, we meet Ron Silvia, President & Founder of Chicago Boat Company. Famous for their year-round boating opp...
Jan 13, 2025•30 min
The name is Bond, James Bond, and I’ll have a Vesper Martini with a side of science to celebrate my movie series, which is the longest-running ever! Chicago’s famous Griffin Museum of Science and Industry welcomes “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond”. The exhibit, open through March 2025, explores the science and technology featured in the James Bond movies! We sit down with Museum Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer, Laura Herrera, to discuss what you can expect from a visit to the ...
Jan 06, 2025•21 min
Frohe Weihnachten, Chicago! We put the German lesson we got at the Christkindlmarket to use and head down the street to another one of our favorite holiday spots, The Berghoff! Their claim to fame is that they are nearly the oldest restaurant in Chicago, have OG liquor license number one from the city, and serve both award-winning food and beer with their Adams Street Brewery! Assistant Manager Andrea Serrano, Brewers Jim Riggs & Mark Duchow, tell us some of the history behind the multi-gene...
Dec 19, 2024•23 min
Yule be sorry if you miss this one!From dazzling ornaments to show-stopping trees, the LARGEST Christmas store in Illinois is pure North Pole magic. Their trees go viral on the daily and even appear in the terminals of O’hare! We chat with Christmas Expert and Owner of Treetime Christmas Creations, Laurie Kane, about how she created the largest Christmas store in the state! She breaks down this year’s holiday trends, plus tells us how next year’s tree & decor trends come into existence even ...
Dec 13, 2024•27 min
Put us in a bottle and wrap it with a bow! This week, we’re diving nose-first into the art of perfume making with perfume master, Marija Lazarevic, of Aroma Workshop! It’s our 2024 unique holiday gift and winter activity idea for Chicagoans! Aroma Workshop is a perfumery, making custom scent blends that rival all the nostalgic perfumes and colognes you love. They’ve been around for decades and that smells amazing to us! We walk through the process with Marija, including how many fragrances you g...
Dec 05, 2024•27 min
We put the FAN in Fannie May, because we’re lifelong lovers of these iconic chocolates! From Pixies to Mint Meltaways, Ioanna and Aaron have indulged in Fannie May chocolates every holiday since they were kids. Aaron’s twin brother even worked in a Fannie May shop! Fannie May has been around since the 1920’s when it all began as a neighborhood chocolate shop in Chicago. Since then, they’ve grown from a few recipes to over 100 tasty treats! We meet Fernando Bernardo, Marketing Director at Fannie ...
Nov 25, 2024•29 min
What’s better than one jack-o’-lantern? How about 1,000! Exclusively at Chicago Botanic Garden, Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns features professionally carved pumpkins hand carved with a whole host of designs, from album covers, to Chicago icons, and even some TBT cartoons like Courage The Cowardly Dog! Jodi Zombolo joins us for her 2nd appearance on Sip with Me to discuss this year’s Jack-o’-Lanterns! Find out about how their team chooses designs and carves 1,000 pumpkins, not once, but twice e...
Oct 21, 2024•17 min
Podcasters get lost in the world’s largest corn maze read the headlines! Don’t get cornfused- this is indeed the World’s Largest Corn Maze! Meet Richardson Adventure Farm! Located north of the city in picturesque northern Illinois, this is not your typical family farm! Richardson is home to the largest corn maze anywhere. We meet George Richardson who runs the farm with his family. He tells us about the fun farm history (dating back to the 1830’s!) and he talks about how you actually design and ...
Oct 17, 2024•30 min
Hey Pumpkins! At October Cafe, everyone deserves to feel the love of fall ALL YEAR LONG! We meet Audrey Borden & Michelle Gonzalez, owners of the year-round fall themed cafe. A LGBTQ+IA, Latina operated cafe, they’re serving something special that usually only exists for a couple days each year as the Pumpkins glow and the apples crisp. We chat about how the idea came about and what it’s like operating a themed cafe year round. Plus, we walk through their menu of delicious fall drinks & ...
Oct 14, 2024•22 min
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Tony Durpetti, longtime Owner of Gene & Georgetti. Tony passed away shortly after our conversation with his daughter, Michelle Durpetti. It is folks like him who make Chicago special and whose stories are the guiding light of what we do. We thank Michelle for sharing some of his story with us in this episode. Chicago’s Famous & Original Tuscan Steakhouse since 1941, there are a lot of special ingredients that make this family business work. Mich...
Oct 07, 2024•25 min
Here’s a puzzle for you: what do Settlers of Catan, Cowboy Caviar, and the Enchanted Forest have in common? Well, nothing in the outside world, but everything at Chicago’s premier Board Game Bar & Restaurant! At Snakes & Lattes, the gamers game, the foodies eat, and the worries of the world melt away in the background of its immersive environment. With over 800 games in their wood paneled game vault (it’s actually an old bank vault) and a menu worthy of a Michelin Star, this place is pop...
Sep 23, 2024•38 min
Summer might be nearing an end but we’re feeling electric about all the fun things ahead! This week, we meet Ron Silvia, President & Founder of Chicago Electric Boat Company. Famous for their year-round boating opportunities, Ron and his team have been innovators in Chicago’s aquatic tourism field for over a decade. Their notable boating experiences include last year’s viral Hot Tub Boats, Donut Boats, Retro Boats, pedal-powered Cycle Boats, and everything else from Pontoons to Duffys and Ya...
Sep 16, 2024•26 min
Grab your favorite color yarn and let’s craft for spooky season! We are so excited to feature Chicago’s Pop Craft Studio. They offer a variety of crafts including Tufting, Cream Glue, Mosaic, Lipstick, and more! We talked with Manager Elvina Malkoc about the founding story, the insane crafting experiences they offer, and why crafting is having its moment. She discusses what cream glue is (check our insta for our adorable phone cases) and she tells us about some of the designs she’s seen at the s...
Sep 09, 2024•20 min
Meet the most extraordinary musical artist of our generation! Morgan St. Jean has been releasing hits for years now and continues to climb the charts and our hearts. A genius songwriter, she is credited on several Chappel Roan hits. Morgan joined us in early 2022, prior to she had released her iconic hit “Not All Men” and shortly after did it again with her single “Do it Like A Girl” which blew up on social media. She also released powerful anthems like “Right” and 2023’s viral Pride hit “Skin A...
Sep 02, 2024•36 min
It's time to eat Chicago! And what a better selection for us to choose from than the award winning Boka Restaurant Group! Ioanna and I have been to many of their restaurants in Chicagoland and always celebrate with them on New Year’s Eve! Examples include Boka, Swift and Sons, Girl and The Goat, and more. Founded by Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm in 2002, Boka Restaurant Group is one of the premier chef-driven restaurant groups in the country. Anchored by partnerships with several of America's great c...
Aug 19, 2024•31 min
All aboard the Big Bus! One of the most moving experiences we’ve had in the city, the “Sunset Live Tour” by Big Bus Tours explores Chicago while the city’s architecture, historical landmarks, and lake are draped in the velvety shade of golden hour. This tour takes tourists and locals on a 90-minute journey around the Chicago loop and surrounding neighborhoods. Atop their iconic red, double-decker buses, you’ll see the city above even our CTA buses. We chat with John Curran, Senior Vice President...
Aug 05, 2024•32 min
Did you know Chicago's Adler Planetarium was the first open to the public in the entire western hemisphere? This week, you’ll learn how the iconic lakefront planetarium came to be nearly 100 years ago and the story behind some of its space artifacts. Plus, Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at Adler, tells us about the Doane Observatory, which is quite literally on the lakefront and a true hidden gem of the city. The observatory is home to the largest publicly accessible telescope in...
Jul 22, 2024•33 min
Join us in celebrating National Hot Dog Month with our favorite dog, Portillo's! In this episode, you'll learn the story behind Portillo's Chocolate Cake Shake, whose dog was the inspiration for the iconic hot dog logo, and what Portillo's is doing to celebrate National Hot Dog Day on July 17th! A Chicago legend, Portillo's has been serving up Chicago-style street food since the company first opened in 1963 with Dick Portillo's first hot dog stand known as "The Dog House". Today, the company has...
Jul 15, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 12
With a crystal blue backdrop and a river running through its veins, Chicago is our aquatic queen! Shedd Aquarium is our favorite destination in Chicago for sea otters, penguins, and all things aquatic. We spoke with Senior Director of Marketing LaToyia Strickland-Ledbetter about the century worth of Shedd history, its famous lakefront architecture, and all the adorable creatures that call Shedd home. We chat about all the upcoming summer events including Jazzin’ at the Shedd, Shedd House Party, ...
Jun 03, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 11
