The Mike Nowak Show - podcast cover

The Mike Nowak Show

Mike Nowakmikenowak.net
Mike and Peggy cover ever a little bit of everything green under the sun—the environment, gardening, local food, sustainable living and more—in a style that is casual, accessible, entertaining, informative and fun.
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Episodes

July 9, 2017 – Of Seeds, Monarchs and Kayaks

Lee Buttala from the Seed Savers Exchange seeds, Allen Lawrance from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum updates the monarch butterfly count, and Laura Barghusen from Openlands announces the launch of Paddle Illinois Water Trails for canoes and kayaks.

Jul 14, 2017

July 8, 2017 – The Return of the Natives

Mike and Peggy talk to Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz about their new book, Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees and the importance of putting native plants in your landscape.

Jul 14, 2017

July 2, 2017 – Carpin’ About Climate

Joel Brammeier from Alliance for the Great Lakes reports on Asian carp and the All Hands on Deck initiative. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio and science educator Michele Hoffman come to the studio to talk climate change.

Jul 07, 2017

July 1, 2017 – A Tale of Two Counties

LaManda Joy from the Peterson Garden Project previews GnomeDependence Day. Mike and Peggy follow up on factory farm issues in Illinois with Karen Hudson from Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water and farmers Craig Porter and Carrie Johnson.

Jul 07, 2017

June 24, 2017 – Acting Koi

The Mike Nowak Show hits the road to visit the 25th Annual Midwest Pond and Koi Society Koi Show and Trade Show in McCook, Illinois.

Jun 30, 2017

Mid-season Form at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Mike and Peggy talk mid-season veggies with Lisa Hilgenberg from the Chicago Botanic Garden, follow up on the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipe which runs under the Straits of Mackinac, and learn about a new study that focuses on the tree canopies in the Chicago region.

Jun 25, 20171 hr 46 min

June 18, 2017 – Better Living Through Hops and Rails

Mike and Peggy learn about The Elgin Hops Project, preview their broadcast from the Midwest Pond and Koi Society 25th Annual Koi and Trade Show, and examine why electric rail service to the south side is being stymied.

Jun 22, 2017

June 11, 2017 – Climate Backup

Diane Blazek describes the work and programs of the National Garden Bureau, Josh Mogerman reports on environmental issues for the NRDC, and Breanne Heath from The Pie Patch talks about growing fruit in Chicago.

Jun 14, 2017

June 10, 2017 – Keepin’ Energy Clean

Mike and Peggy preview 28th annual Energy Fair, sponsored by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in Custer, Wisconsin, then answer some gardening questions.

Jun 14, 2017

June 4, 2017 – Well-Tended Gardens and Markets

Mike and Peggy learn about pruning perennials with Tracy DiSabato-Aust, promote the Sugar Beet Food Co-op, talk green smack with Green Diva Meg, and discuss the work of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

Jun 08, 2017

June 3, 2017 – Parks As Democracy

Juanita Irizarry, Executive Director of Friends of the Parks, talks to Mike and Peggy about the future Obama Presidential Library, a proposed south side golf course, and other issues facing park land in Chicago.

Jun 08, 2017

May 28, 2017 – Veggies, Baby!

Mike and Peggy get advice from The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener about strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes and more; get a preview of World Environment Day at the Chicago Botanic Garden; and explore non-toxic pest solutions from A-Plus Pest Control.

May 30, 2017

May 21, 2017 – Name This!

Mike and Peggy talk to Dr. Allan Armitage about his new book, Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots, report on a victory for a suburban natural area, and get tree care advice from Skeet of Bartlett Tree Experts.

May 23, 2017

May 20, 2017 – Saving the Monarch

Mike and Peggy welcome citizen scientist and author Kylee Baumlee, who talks about her new book, The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly.

May 23, 2017

May 13, 2017 – Urban Nature

Dan Protess writer and producer of the WTTW digital series Uban Nature, stops by the WCGO studios to talk about his search for wildlife in three major American cities.

May 17, 2017

May 7, 2017 – The Future of Natural Areas

Mike and Peggy welcome the author of a book about George Fell, discuss the next moves in opening up Lake Calumet to the Public, find out about fruiting shrubs that can be grown in containers, weigh in on a composting operation controversy.

May 11, 2017

May 6, 2017 – Counting Birds

As birders in the Chicago area begin their annual May counts of migrating species, Mike and Peggy talk to a couple of experts about how the Cook County Forest Preserves can be prime viewing areas.

May 11, 2017

April 30, 2017 – A Sunday Kind of Show

On their first Sunday show at WCGO, Mike andn Peggy discuss natural lawn care, the threat of invasives to the Great Lakes, and unethical and inhumane predator hunts in Illinois.

May 06, 2017

April 29, 2017 – Up on the Roof

Brad Temkin is a photographer whose images of rooftop gardens was recently shown at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Professor Mike Bryson from the Sustainability Studies department joins him to discuss their collaboration in presenting the show.

May 05, 2017

April 22, 2017 – Earth Day!

Kathleen Thompson and Rick DiMaio report from the March for Science Chicago, and Joe Lamp'l from Growing a Greener World talks about water conservation in the backyard.

Apr 28, 2017

April 15, 2017 – Wha’d Life Be Without Homegrown Tomatoes?

Craig LeHoullier, author of Epic Tomatoes, discusses his thirty years of studying the fruit (yes, it is), and reveals his favorite varieties.Kay McKeen previews the Focus on Energy,film festival, which Mike will be emceeing on April 23.

Apr 18, 2017

March 25, 2017 – LIVE from the Chicago Flower & Garden Show

For the second straight week, Mike and Peggy are on the road, this time to the Chicago Flower and Gard Show, where they talk to a wide range of guests about everything from roses to bird-friendly natives to composting to backyard water features.

Mar 27, 2017

March 11, 2017 – Countdown to Good Food

A week before The Mike Nowak Show broadcasts from the Good Food Festival, Mike and Peggy talk to the founder of that event, Jim Slama from FamilyFarmed. They also discuss several environmental topics, including potential cutbacks at the EPA.

Mar 13, 2017

March 4, 2017 – Good Food, Good Gardening

Mike and Peggy welcome the folks from Honey Butter Fried Chicken, the recipients of the FamilyFarmed 2017 Good Food Chef of the Year award, and Tony Abruscato, director of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.

Mar 08, 2017

February 25, 2017 – Keeping Seeds and Making Films

Carol and Kerrie from the Seed Keeper Company visit the studio to talk about encouraging kids to grow plants from seed. Mike and Peggy interview two filmmakers from the 2017 One Earth Film Festival, opening on March 3.

Mar 01, 2017
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