Bridging Chicago

Little Village is a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood in Chicago that is very important to Chicago's cultural and economic impact on the country. Kim Close, Executive Director of Foundation of Little Village joins the podcast to share about why the neighborhood means so much to her and what prompted her to start the organization. Foundation of Little Village is dedicated to ensuring that the people of the neighborhood and its entrepreneurs can continue to start and grow their businesses and reinvest in the neighborhood. Don't miss this episode to close out National Hispanic Heritage Month with us!

As the cooler weather sets into our city and people begin to head back inside, PJ Weiland, business coach with Business Profit and author, joins us to introduce a sport that certainly is not new but is definitely exploding all over Chicago and the country. PJ shares with us about the sport of Pickleball and how being a part of a team and playing sports can teach you lessons in life and business. She wrote Dinking Thru Life: Lessons From the Pickleball Court to challenge herself to share the parallels between how she plays and how she does life, and you’ll hear how her life in Chicago is certainly full and fun! The episode is a lesson in leadership, health and wellness, and staying active to enjoy life.

Chicago Cares is an organization that is close to the heart of the Bridging Chicago podcast! This episode features Rosie Drumgoole, now their Chief Executive Officer, who shares not only her story, but how that connects to Chicago and the mission of Chicago Cares. Rosie also shares about how the moments of chemistry with the neighborhoods and people of the city fuel her passion and remind the entire team of what is most important: relationships and resources. Chicago Cares newest program, the Power of Service Training Program, is a program developed out of what the organization has learned with their community partners and neighborhoods. The program, available to everyone, is designed to help change the narrative of volunteerism from transactional to connectivity. Be sure to listen to this episode to learn more about the program and Chicago Cares, you'll definitely be glad that you did!

We know how much Chicagoans love a good festival, and the Printers Row Lit Fest is a 38 year old tradition taking place in the heart of the city. Amy Danzer, their Director of Programming, join us to share about the importance of literacy, all the activities at the fest, and what they hope to accomplish in Chicago to help shape its future. Coming on September 9th and 10th, the festival is highlighted by dozens of vendors and events that all readers can participate in and enjoy. Be sure to check out their website at printersrowlitfest.org to see all the ways to attend and get involved.

Bridging Chicago is on location for this episode with En Masse Architecture and Design to record in their thoughtfully created design space. Nathan is joined by members of the En Masse team, Mike Shively, Lucas Goldbach, and Ross Renjilian to hear about how the space was curated, how work/life spaces have changed, and their love of their neighborhood. The lessons Founding Director Mike Shively learned early in the process prove to be invaluable, regardless of your role or industry, and we’re so excited to share those with you now. Thank you to the En Masse team for allowing us to visit and for sharing your vision with us!

Joe Amari returns to host Michael Odongo, founder and CEO of the Angaza Center, which aims to provide resources to children in Africa, to equip them to get the education they need to change their futures. Growing up in Kenya, Michael came to the U.S. to continue his education, doing his post-grad work in IT and began working in the field. Now, as a resident of the Chicago area, Michael has continued his passion for education and ensuring that he helped to provide a ladder for others to climb as well. Though the challenges are real, and sometimes loom large, Michael knew that providing more technical literacy to more people can open a new world of opportunity for every person. Michael and the Angaza Center continue to do their work, impacting lives both in here and abroad.

As the founder of The Laughing Academy, Kim Greene Hiller has quite the pedigree when it comes to improv comedy, and her roots run deep in Chicago. Sharing a stage with some of Chicago’s most well known actors, Kim knew early on that her path would look different than that of those who’s names you see on marquees in New York or Los Angeles. Her desire to either be an actress or a teacher has come full-circle, and brought her to The Laughing Academy, where she is teaching people of all ages more lessons than just how to act on a stage. The lessons learned have helped with youth dealing with bullying and adults who need to become more comfortable with public speaking. The benefits of improv run deep, and after hearing this episode, you may even want to try out your acting chops!

Dr. Gordon Siegel is an accomplished ENT doctor who, like many of us, saw the way that the Covid-19 pandemic was changing the world and saw an opportunity to help others make a shift. Gordy, as he’s known by his friends, then took a leap and started SpaceShifts a company dedicated to helping people and businesses find open office space that they can use. With many companies downsizing the number of employees using the office spaces, sharing these spaces allows those who are not ready to rent out a full office have a space to do business. While Dr. Siegel is still practicing medicine, SpaceShifts is something that he feels can help Chicago continue to be the center of business and innovation.

HR Expert and Author Myriam Del Angel joins the podcast to share what she has learned about people and the places they work. During her time, Myriam has stressed the importance of self-care and self-awareness, so that employees can be more of who they are at work while also adding benefits to the business. Myriam is also helping to shine a spotlight on Latinas who are shaping the future and providing leadership guidance that we all can use. Her book, Latina’s in Corporate, is her first solo writing project, though she has co-authored previous books as well. Be sure to buy her book on Amazon, you won’t want to miss out on her amazing insight.

If you’ve been looking for a podcast that shares the fundamentals of starting and growing a business, creating a network of leaders, and authoring a book with twenty-two of your best friends, look no further than this episode! Martha Razo and Gabriela Gomez, two of the authors of Business Diva join us to share all of this and more. While they have two different stories, they have a shared passion of leadership and sharing what they’ve learned with as many people as possible to help them reach their highest potential. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss this amazing episode! *Note: This was intended to be a two-part episode, however the footage for part one was damaged and will not be made available. Please check out their websites to find out more information about each of them.

Patricia Mota is a powerful leader who’s experience and desire to lead by experience makes her story more than compelling. She now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of HACE, the Hispanic Alliance of Career Enhancement, which is seeking to cultivate the pipeline of Latinx/a/o talent, especially in Chicago. The changing landscape in the country has stretched her, but does not change her fixation on member needs and growth. Patricia leads her team, which has turned to a remote-only workplace, and has created Cafecito, a remote learning environment providing leadership guidance and networking. Be sure to check out Patricia’s amazing story today!

Sandra Aguirre was born in Mexico and moved to Chicago at a young age, and has lived here ever since. She loved growing up in the city and the opportunities that provided her to keep growing and reaching for new heights! She is a former teacher who still substitutes from time to time, but started her natural journey 10 years ago. Since then, she has been passionate about helping people see the benefits of a natural life and trying to improve the lives of those in her community. Listen as Sandra shares what she has learned from the world and what it can provide when we care for it well.

Our series with Imelda Rodriguez wraps up with her sharing about her book, Latinas in Finances. From just wanting to be a part of a project like this, to being the author and lead, Imelda has taken what she's learned in her career and growing up and found ways to share them with us. The co-authors that Imelda has brought together for this book are truly incredible leaders and genuinely want to prepare people to retire on their terms. Be sure to listen to part 1 and then part 2 to hear all of Imelda's story and get all of the leadership nuggets you can!

To try and list all of the things Imelda Rodriguez does is an impossible task! An author, coach and CEO, Imelda has taken the lessons learned growing up and built the Personal Development Institute "Coaching Vida." In this first part of a two-part series, Imelda shares how her experiences in Chicago, including working at McDonald's near Chicago's business loop, framed her leadership experience and why she chose to study business. She also shares about what providing this resource to the Latino/a community can do for families and communities and what working alongside her mom has meant to her. Be sure to come back and listen to part-two the following week.

Dion Dawson is a motivational leader who is a man of action and purpose. A veteran and native of the Englewood community in Chicago, Dion has made it his life's work to help bridge the need gap in his community in whatever way he is able. Dion shares with us about what he loves about his neighborhood, and about the reality of food insecurity in Chicago. This episode is honest, real, and motivating and you simply won't want to miss it. Photo Credit: Amber Green Photography

In this episode we continue our conversation with Olga Camargo and Juan Carlos Avila from Shenix, who share what their web-based app is and how it is helping people find their way to financial health and future planning. As you’ll hear in the episode, when you empower people, and especially women, to take hold of their financial health, the ceiling is huge on what they can accomplish. They also share about the ins and outs of what to consider when it comes to finances and why starting early is always better. If you’ve been wondering what resources are out there to help you learn and grow, this is a can’t miss episode!

Today Olga Camargo and Juan Carlos Avila from Shenix join us to share about their path to Chicago, how their families shaped their work, and why it’s so important to them to educate the Latinx community about financial literacy and building goals. Planning for your future comes with so many questions, and though the answers are not always very clear, learning to ask the right questions is very important. This episode shines a light on how lifting up one community can definitely lift up all communities, people and future generations. The first part of a two-part series, this episode is honest, vulnerable and thought provoking and we hope that it inspires you to be a leader in your financial future.

Feeling the winter blues? Why not put on your dancing shoes! If you need some inspiration, no doubt this episode with Chelsea Hoy and Mark Howard of the Trinity Irish Dance Company will get you ready to move. Chelsea and Mark join us to share how they helped put Chicago on the map for Irish dance and what they're doing that is truly special. Their journey in dance and teaching is one of hard work, determination and celebration that is bringing our city closer together and making dance accessible for everyone.

What a better way to show the love than with chocolate? How about the premiere of season 6 of the podcast? Well today we doubled to love and are kicking off our new season welcoming back the AIDS Foundation Chicago to share about their annual event, the World of Chocolate, back in person for the first time in a long time! This fundraiser is the perfect mix of fun, friends and chocolatey goodness in all its forms. Our guest, Madeline Miley joins us to share about the event, the foundation, and the amazing work they continue to do in our city. Share this episode with the people you love and get excited about this one-of-a-kind event!

Need to warm up on a cold day? Grab a coffee or tea and take a listen to our Giving Tuesday special with Serving People With A Mission. Co-Founders Jacque Stefanic and Carlos Martinez share their heart and the heart of their organization, which is encouraging young people to be a mentor to younger people in their communities. SPWAM believes that there is nothing that precludes people from serving their communities, and is putting the mission of the organization first. Jacque and Carlos are the definition of servant leaders and we hope you are inspired and motivated by their story. Be sure to join us in supporting Serving People With A Mission this season.

Let's check in with The Firehouse Dream, an organization dedicated to providing safe spaces for BIPOC creatives. Their work in Chicago is empowering, resourcing and encouraging youth to put who they are into their work. Be sure to check out their full episode from earlier this season to hear more about the work they do and join us in supporting them this Giving Tuesday season!

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the topic of sexual assault healing and health. In this Giving Tuesday Special, we're checking in with Greenlight Family Service, whose mission has continued to grow since our last conversation with them. Greenlight is making a difference for families in Illinois through their adoption services, and now they are also focusing on helping students in college who are victims of sexual assault get the counseling they need. People have always been at the heart of Greenlight, and allowing people to take control of their story and achieve their dreams fuels their staff to keep reaching higher. Bridging Chicago team members John Campbell and Nathan Ciulla are proud board members of the Greenlight board and know firsthand the impact the organization is making.

Molly Matelski is a veteran of the Chicago food service industry, so she knows what it means to give people a food and beverage experience that impacts more than just that moment. When she and her partner decided to make their dream of curating wines that every person can enjoy a reality, they knew that it had to be a wine that was accessible, genuine and one that you could just enjoy. Now their wines can be found throughout the city and suburbs, and growth is certainly in their future. In this episode, Molly shares how Chicago helped to shape MMMM…Just Enjoy, the role her family played in starting her own business and why they made the choice to highlight Chicago non-profits and the arts in their company.

Our coffee shop series finale comes courtesy of Back of the Yards Coffeehouse, a single shop local business that is all about Chicago and its people. Small but mighty, the shop, located in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood, brings something familiar in a new way. Their goal to serve the best cup of coffee is coupled with their desire to lift others as they climb. Jesse Iniguez also shares how they participated in the most recent cohort of the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab to grow their way so that the entire community is better together. Be sure to listen to all our coffee-centric episodes from these small, local businesses.

In this second episode in our “coffee-centric” series, we sit down with Dan Weiss, owner and CEO of Dollop Coffee Company—a local’s go-to brand on the Chicago coffee scene. Dan shares with us the lessons he learned in becoming a manager of a growing local business and how mental health and community are some of the bedrock principles of his organization. Tune in to hear how Dan has mastered just the right “blend” in beans and business!

On this episode we welcome our guests, Dashawn and Kendall from Checago Coffee—a mobile application born and bred to offer Chicagoans the best cups of joe the city has to offer. Dashawn and Kendall join us to discuss how their app has curated each Chicago neighborhood’s java watering holes and give users the opportunity to order ahead of time for expedited pick up. You won’t want to miss our kickoff episode in our “coffee-centric” series here at Bridging Chicago!

This week we are sharing part two of our series interview with Chicago Cares and the Northwest Side Community Development Center. The Northwest Side CDC is an organization whose goals is development without displacement, working with those in the neighborhood to drive local businesses and find innovative ways to help Belmont Cragin thrive. In this episode, Patricia Islas shares why the partnership of Chicago Cares and the Northwest Side CDC matters and Fabian Cisneros shares what they hope to do in the future. One thing is clear, the future is bright for this amazing Chicago neighborhood! Be sure to go back and listen to part one if you missed it to get their full story.

Our series with Chicago Cares rolls on and this week we are joined by the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation. The Northwest Side CDC is an organization whose goals is development without displacement, meaning that they desire to work with the Belmont Cragin neighborhood, its people and businesses to not only help them thrive, but to assist others who are hoping to build a business there get a start that will set them up for success. A vibrant neighborhood deserves unique solutions to barriers, and the Northwest Side CDC is definitely looking at creating these with their neighbors there. The Northwest Side CDC is dedicated to growth, to people and to investing in the future of their corner of Chicago.

Dave Thomas, the Director of the Flexible Housing Pool, a program of the AIDS Foundation Chicago, joins the podcast to share about the big things FHP is doing to help the chronically un-housed people of the City of Chicago. FHP is looking to break the cycle of homelessness, while reducing costs to the public systems, creating a program that will be better for our city and its citizens. Dave shares why housing people can make a lasting impact beyond the obvious and what they hope to do in the future. While housing Chicago can seem like a bog job, Dave and his team are showing that it is one that has a ripple effect that is beneficial for the city and its culture, stability, and success. Take a listen to hear how FHP is engaging directly with its clients, landlord, NGO’s and the city itself to make this work happen!

Maria Castro answered a call from a friend who knew a woman who was in need of some essentials and immediately wanted to come to the rescue. Little did she know that this one act of kindness would turn into an organization that is providing thousands of purses filled with essentials and notes of love to women who are in the most need in our communities. Filled with thankfulness for her Angel Ambassadors and others who have partnered with her, #LovePurse will be hosting their first gala on October 6, 2022 to celebrate what people have accomplished and equip #LovePurse to continue its work. Maria’s bravery in starting the nonprofit in inspiring and is driving her to continue to take #LovePurse to bigger places. Tickets to their exciting gala are on sale now.

Jeffery Leving is a Chicago-based attorney who truly knows the heartbeat of the city. Born on the southeast side, Jeffery spent his childhood in the neighborhoods before heading south to attend college. Coming back to the city, he knew that he wanted to make a difference for the people of Chicago and its future. After working to defend those who needed someone in their corner, Jeffery saw the need for someone to represent dads who were trying exercise their right to spend time with their children. Years later, Jeffery has written multiple books (two of which have been recognized by former president Barack Obama) to share what he’s learned and make sure this important work will continue. *Trigger warning: this podcasts discusses issues of sexual assault and suicide

100 years ago, Shriners Children’s Chicago started as an organization with the hope of standing in the health care gap for children who had been previously overlooked. The first Shriners Hospital opened its doors on September 16, 1922 and has been providing care to these children all over the country since. In these 100 years, they have helped over 1.5 million children with various needs become healthy, happy children. Today, the entire organization is full of people who continue this care and the mission to provide care for any child, regardless of their guardian’s ability to pay. As they continue their groundbreaking work, the research and care that Shriners is providing is helping to make the future of medicine better and more accessible. Celebrate 100 years of Shriners Children’s with us!

At 210 Design House, design is about much more than simply creating spaces. Rama Dandamudi and his team know that they are designing the spaces that families will call home, spaces where self-expression and love meet comfort and beauty. While they are careful about the products they choose to put in people’s homes, they are also leading the way in innovation and design and their team has years of experience creating amazing vibes. Take a look inside their space and hear about the heartbeat of what makes 210 a special place and how they carry out their social responsibility.

Our series with Chicago Cares continues, we highlight their partnerships with organizations doing work throughout the Chicago neighborhoods. Leona Kuhar sat down with Rob Pabon of Chicago Cares and Joel Rodriguez of Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) to share about how their partnership is helping our city thrive! SWOP’s mission is to build a collective of multi-faith organization on the southwest side to ensure people in the communities can grow success in their own lives and the lives of their families. Their dedication to leadership development and collective action leads the charge for what they do and the people they surround themselves with. We’re so excited for you to hear about their work and their hope for the future of our city.

Sam Simon and Natsutsa Mabwa have always been people who love to help other people. After they met working as social workers here in Chicago, they realized they both were very interested in work that would help other people. An opportunity with Servicemaster became the perfect chance to help others who were dealing with difficult times, and now, as business owners, they continue to help others, especially through the pandemic. They wrote their book, Restore, to help others protect their greatest assets and to be your go-to guide for fire and water damage restoration. Sam and Natsutsa are literally helping others stay prepared and pick up the pieces so that they can thrive again! Visit bridgingchicago.com to learn more!

If you can listen to this episode with Jacqueline Ruiz and not get inspired, then it’s definitely time to check your pulse! Jackie is a 29x author, entrepreneur and pilot who does not believe there is anything she cannot do. Raised in Mexico City, Jackie and her family moved to the US at 14 and she used every possible resource available to conquer her dreams. In the challenging moments, Jackie turns to gratitude to get her through, and is thankful for the people who have been placed in her life. She believes that sharing our stories is powerful and necessary and we are certainly glad she shared hers with us. Jackie will be an interviewer at the World Leaders Forum, hosted by Judson University, which you can attend on August 22, 2022 to hear more from Jackie.

In this episode, host Joe Amari welcomes Jennifer Prell, the Founder and CEO of Elderwerks, an organization dedicated to helping people age well. Jennifer shares about the challenges seniors and their families face when they are making a plan to ensure that everyone can thrive in the next phase of life. She also shares about the value of spending time with seniors and what helps them stay young. Jennifer and her team are also preparing for the Aging Better Expo, a free and fun event that will include expert education, tips on aging topics, local resources, and prizes for registrants and attendees. This is a must listen episode for people of all ages!

Amy Wilhelmi is a true rock star who has learned the value of balance in her life. She is a licensed therapist, athlete, author and so much more and brings that life experience with her in her work. In this episode, Amy shares what she has learned along the way, and helps us get inside the mind of competitive athletes and the impact of mental health on competition. Amy also authored her short book, Make Mental Gains, a great book that shares how your growth trajectory is always moving and why wellness is not optional. Be sure to watch for the longer version of the book out on Amazon this fall.

Liz Herrera, a university career advisor, private career coach, and fellow podcast creator joins Bridging Chicago to describe her path to become a career counselor and how she coaches her students and clients to “find their truth” when evaluating opportunities. Originally hailing from Pilsen, Liz is a born and bred Chicago native with deep roots in the city and connections to one of Chicago’s main metropolitan universities—UIC—where she attended undergraduate studies and now serves as a Director of Career Development. These days, Liz also wears the entrepreneur hat—she started her own career coaching business, offering values-based and strengths-based coaching for clients looking to launch their career or those in the market for a career change. No formal interview questions here; Liz candidly discusses with our host Nathan her approach to being a job search ally. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

This episode features Chicago native Torriente Toliver, owner of Mind Body Defense, which is much more than a kickboxing studio. Torriente has been involved in the martial arts practically his whole life, after discovering at a young age that he had a natural skill in it. After getting encouragement from his now wife, he decided to open his own studio to help people learn skills that would help them become better, more balanced people. Torriente has an amazing mix of confidence and respect for the art that makes him an amazing teacher and a motivating force. After hearing Torriente’s story, you will truly believe that your dream is achievable too!

On this Part 2 of our discussion with Jim and Tinamarie from Diveheart, we take a deep dive into the history and mission behind Diveheart’s initiative to help individuals “imagine the possibilities.” The idea to form Diveheart rose to the surface over time. Founder Jim took scuba diving in college on a whim, and his dives gave him what he now calls the “astronaut moment”—teaching him that when you remove external triggers and enter exploration in weightlessness, scuba diving provides the tools to pursue and tackle other challenges in life. Jim and Tinamarie discuss how Diveheart’s programs show disabled peoples or participants recovering from injury how broad the horizon really is by focusing on each participant’s abilities and creating connections through the diving support network. Years later, today Diveheart is at the forefront of providing safe scuba opportunities for disabled and injured peoples, and breathing life into new opportunities for the greater Chicagoland community.

Tinamarie Hernandez and Jim Elliott join Bridging Chicago in this two-part series to discuss Diveheart, a volunteer-driven organization providing individuals with disabilities the space and training to realize their ability to scuba dive and other related water activities. At Diveheart, the organization’s leaders and instructors all live by the same mentality—that underwater, everyone is equal. In this Part 1, we float questions to Tinamarie, the Executive Director, and Jim, the Founder and President, so that we can better understand their journey to become advocates for disabled peoples and their ties to the greater Chicagoland area. Tinamarie and Jim each spent their youth years exploring the Chicagoland area (while making it home by the time the lights came on—at least most times!). They share how these initial escapades lead to even greater expeditions, including careers that started in different states and different industries and eventually culminating with bringing Diveheart to life. Don’t hold your breath; take the plunge with us on Part 1 with Diveheart!

Today for our “on the road” series, we get fiscal with Bernadette Joy, CEO and founder of Crush Your Money Goals, an academy she started to coach individuals at all stages of life how to become future millionaires. Bernadette crunched the numbers, crushed her own debt, and found the recipe for financial independence—we’re willing to wage a bet you haven’t heard some of these tips before! On this episode, Bernadette discusses her unique approach to achieving financial literacy (hint: you don’t need to be the richest or smartest person in the room to retire before age 65). To Bernadette, the equation can be simplified and personalized, as she shares how she made cents (pun intended) from the lessons she learned along her own journey to financial success. This is one episode you cannot risk missing!

Class is in session for this episode and Seth Hanford, Head of School of Elgin Academy in Illinois, joins the podcast to show and tell listeners about his experience as a leader of an independent school. Seth highlights the importance of being administrators responsive to student, family, and community needs, embracing inclusivity, and acting as facilitators for authentic relationship building. Don’t miss this grade A conversation!

To try and introduce Lou Sandoval is quite a task, given his wealth of experience and skill in many different areas. Lou is a fascinating personality and native of Chicago’s south-east side, who over time has been a professional in pharmaceuticals, an entrepreneur, a diversity coach and now an author! In this episode of the podcast, Lou shares about what it was like growing up in Chicago, being educated here, and what was most important to him as he started life as an adult in the city. An entrepreneur by nature, Lou gives some great thoughts for young entrepreneurs and how he was able to stick it out and create something that had value. Lou collected these thoughts and pieces of advice into his new book, Tenacity for Life: Lessons in Life, Business and the World. Lou’s experience (and failures) is absolutely a valuable resource for everyone, regardless of where you are at in life and your career.

Reading in Motion is a nonprofit organization that is leveling up reading in Chicago by creating exciting, creative methods to help students read at their level or a level higher! They know that students who are unable to read by third grade are unlikely to catch up, so they come alongside teachers to stand in the gap and enjoy reading on their own! Working in small groups to coach these kids drives the arts-infused mission of Reading in Motion to meet the kids where they’re at and how they learn. Thank you to Lauren, Avo and Brenda for joining us to share all about how Reading in Motion is acting as a partner in education to make reading fun!

Today Dr. Jordan Carqueville, President of the Chicago Dermatological Society joins the podcast to share about her work with the association and important health concerns for everyone as we dive into summer! Dr. Carqueville also shares about how she created the upcoming Art of Skin Gala and why it's helping spread the word about skin cancer. She notes that under the surface our skin is more similar than we realize and those similarities speak volumes to how we see each other and care for our skin.

Tomy Sanchez is a long-time veteran of Chicago personal care services. After gaining experience at a prominent salon on Michigan Avenue, Tomy struck out on her own with the goal of creating an unparalleled salon experience on Chicago’s south west side. These days, Tomy operates her nail salon, Simone’s Nail Lounge, and she runs it her way. With her deep Chicago roots, Tomy believes in supporting her community by offering other small businesses’ products in her Lounge and serving as a resource for other women business owners. Tune in to this episode to hear about Tomy’s entrepreneurial journey!

As a self-proclaimed “refugee” of the corporate world, Robert Finkel brings to the table decades of experience working in venture capitalism and private investment for his most recent undertaking—brew pubs. What started as a personal passion shared with colleagues to give them a taste of the craft beer experience, Robert has constructed into a successful grouping of botanical brew pubs, known as Forbidden Root, in which Robert’s team of alchemists join classic ingredients to create innovative flavors. Quench your thirst for imaginative entrepreneurism on this episode!

This week’s guest, Megan Roudebush, is more than a networking expert. She is an entrepreneur who knows that the people you surround yourself with are essential to growing, leading, and creating change in the world around you. As young as 10 years old, Megan wanted to be a lawyer, and took the opportunity to interview some amazing leaders. This helped fuel her passion for connecting people, and led her to today, where she and her team have just launched the keepwith app. This networking app is a new way to connect with each other, built to create impactful, reciprocal relationships. Check out the keepwith app today!

Leslie Vickrey is truly the definition of a leader. A CEO, founder, author and so much more, Growing up throughout Michigan before eventually moving to Chicago, Leslie's passion and values have led her to start her own company that has inspiring loyalty as a core value. Leslie and the Lady Leaders Book Club have co-authored Together We Rise, a book the recounts the stories of 15 female leaders. Leslie's journey is sure to motivate you to look for the leader within you.

This week's episode was an amazing reminder of why we at Bridging Chicago decided to start a podcast. Chicago Cares and Teamwork Englewood is a partnership that is making a real difference in Chicago and the lives of individuals and families. Both these organizations are focused on providing resources to empower people in Chicago's south and west sides. Their partnership means that more people in Chicago will not only care for themselves and their families, but they will thrive in doing so.

In this episode you'll meet Victoria Cejka, one of SATC|Law's newest attorneys in our estate planning department. Victoria grew up in Arizona and moved to Chicago for law school. Despite being an Arizona transfer, the cold hasn't bothered Victoria, even after she survived the polar vortex in her first winter! Since coming to the firm, Victoria has proven herself to be a dedicated attorney who is continuing to learn while advising her clients. Visit satclaw.com to find out how to connect with Victoria.

Dr. Cynthia Tucker has spent her whole life and work in Chicago and has fond memories of growing up on the city’s south-side. Almost 17 years ago she began working with the AIDS Foundation Chicago and is continuing the work to help women navigate and get access to care, find housing that works for their families and give them access to important social services. Cynthia and her team are working to help resource black, transgender women who are seeing injustice and violence at an unbelievable rate. The AIDS Foundation Chicago has many programs that help a diverse population that is helping lift Chicagoan's into a safer, more empowered and equal future.

Though Jessica Mlinaric isn't a Chicago native, her love for the city led her to writing books on Chicago that will help even natives learn more about our history. Reaching many different neighborhoods and landmarks, Jessica's book, Secret Chicago, will uncover some of the weird, wonderful and obscure locations that make Chicago truly unique. Her adventurous spirit and infectious energy makes her an amazing tour guide and author, painting a picture most of us never imagined. Her next book, Chicago Scavenger, is a treasure map that will take a deeper dive into the city and is now available for pre-order. You won't want to miss this adventurous episode!

For those debating about starting a small business, Stella Medina is here to say forget the fear and take a leap of faith—it just may be the best decision you can make! As the owner and founder of CardioBlast, a local fitness center devoted to providing fun and energetic workouts that fortify the body and the mind, Stella turned her dreams of providing lifestyle coaching into a reality as a successful side hustle. Stella shares how Zumba® helped her reverse her prior health problems and gave her the motivation to build a stronger, more energized, and centered version of herself. Now she’s calling everyone to the dance floor to see how movement can positively impact your wellness journey. Get in the groove with Stella on this week’s episode! You can connect with Stella at https://www.stellascardioblast.net/.

Medical student Dan Bergholz saw firsthand the gaps in health care available to un-housed individuals and decided to bring house calls streetside. Dan joins the podcast to share his journey from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to entering the street medicine movement to build Miami Street Medicine, a program with the goal of improving his community’s access to medical care. Tune in to hear how these doctors are filing the gaps to provide accessible care for their neighbors and put Miami on the mend. It’s just what the doctor ordered!

Let’s get physical! As a matriarch, personal trainer, nutrition coach, and best selling author, Donna Fatigato knows what it’s like to be on the move. On this episode, Donna describes her journey to become a leader in mindfulness education and her passion for helping others lead a lifestyle that incorporates self-love through nutrition and movement. Through her beloved children’s book characters, Bucky and Daisy, she’s even found the secret to helping kids develop healthy habits (and eat their vegetables) too!

From a career in the NFL as a professional athlete, to starting his own company in the creative arts, Kyle Prater is no stranger to big goals. In fact, Kyle is the embodiment of agility—exemplifying the notion that being multi-faceted is not a detriment to success, but rather, a key ingredient. Now the CEO of Chasing Greatness Productions, Kyle has directed and produced some amazing works since discovering his passion. In this episode, Kyle shares how he has made his passions the centerpiece of his different careers by creating high expectations for himself, adding the elbow grease, and leading with authenticity, vulnerability and intensity. It’s clear that Kyle’s drive motivates film-making that tells a compelling story and speaks to culture.

In this episode of the podcast, we finish our conversation with Alida Miranda-Wolff, who has dedicated her work to helping organizations consider diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in everything they do. Alida has been a very open and honest guest and that has allowed us to learn about her story and inspired us to create change in our lives. Alida's book, Cultures of Belonging is due to be released February 2022, will continue these lessons and help you integrate DEI & B practices in ways that work and create real change. Thank you Alida for your time and inspired thoughts.

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Alida Miranda-Wolff talking about empathy in the work place and how it's changed in recent times. Alida shares about why it's okay to consider emotions and giving yourself grace to live out your true emotional self. We also discuss fairness and it's impact on marginalized groups, and what impact that has on justice. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the final part of the conversation next week.

As the Founder and CEO of Ethos, an organization dedicated to closing the gap for underrepresented and underserved groups in organizations, Alida Miranda-Wolff brings her past experiences into her work with the hope of creating transformation--and that is just the tip of the ice berg with Alida. In this episode, Alida shares about multiculturalism and how Chicago changed the ways she saw herself. Though it is difficult, leaning into her trauma has taught Alida lessons in belonging and empathy, influencing how she lives and works today. This is the first part of a multiple part episode that will teach us all about identity and our impact on the world.

We're so excited to start of season 5 of the podcast with a bang: our friends at The Eisenberg Foundation to share about what the organization is up to and the upcoming Real Bright Summit 2022! Eisenberg is an organization dedicated to GI cancer research and real estate education, especially for those communities often under-represented. Cassandra Murff, an associate board member on the foundation joins us to share about why she was so excited to partner with Eisenberg and what she hopes for the future. Visit eisenbergfoudation.org to learn more about their mission and the Summit starting January 31, 2022.

As we wrap up Season 4 of the podcast, we wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season. Thank you to our listeners; you inspire us to continue to tell the stories of Chicago leaders working towards change. Thank you to our guests for being so vulnerable and sharing your story with us. Thank you for your partnership and for inviting us into your life. And thank you to the Bridging Chicago team. Thank you for using your talents to share stories and to highlight so much good happening in our city. We'll be taking a short break and will be back in January 2022!

[Please excuse the audio issues in this episode as we were on location for the first time recording this episode] Our last episode of the year features Donna Van Eekeren, an entrepreneur with a deep business background. Donna loved art so much that she realized her collection had grown to the point that she should open an art studio. After consulting with experts, Donna chose Wicker Park to open her beautiful studio where they showcase artist from around the world! There is so much value in the lessons Donna's learned over the years of leading the Land O'Frost team to envisioning what's next for her and her art.

Jennifer Sobecki, Chief Executive Officer of Designs 4 Dignity, joins host Nathan Ciulla to discuss how physical surroundings directly impact our ability to engage with others, to hope, and to heal. Jennifer’s story begins with her homegrown Midwest values; which are based in honesty, integrity, treating others the way you want to be treated, and being true to yourself. These values have fueled her passion through nearly two decades of service with Designs for Dignity, an organization offering one-of-a-kind design support to Chicago social services centers and their clients by curating spaces focused on creating dignity, safety, and comfort. Jennifer shares about her firm belief to meet people where they are, and how listening and placing herself in someone else’s shoes allows Designs for Dignity to turn a waiting room into a welcoming space and a shelter into a home.

With the holiday season fast approaching, we acknowledge that this isn’t always a season of joy for everyone. Some people silently deal with mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide that can be exacerbated when the rest of the world seems joyful. Amy Kartheiser knows firsthand how difficult it is when someone acts on those thoughts and envisions a world where no one must grieve a family member who has committed suicide. She founded Under the Same Sky, an organization aimed at raising awareness, opening conversations and creating additional funding for areas of need in suicide awareness and survivor support. Thank you so much to Amy for her courage in sharing her story with us. If you are in need of support due to suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, please visit UTSS at www.utsscharity.org or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

Photos have become as prevalent as words as a form of communication in today’s world. New podcast host, Joe Amari, joins Karen Irvine, Chief Curator and Deputy Director, and Natasha Egan, Executive Director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography to discuss the power of the visual arts in activism. Both Karen and Natasha share how the Museum gives artists the platform to show new perspective and spark dialogue around the issues of our time, from gun violence to racial disparity to environmental ruin. Tune into this episode to discover how Natasha and Karen collaborate with artists to bring unique viewpoints center stage as an exhibition for change.

Peter Toepfer joins the podcast to discuss no small feat—combating homelessness in Chicago. As Executive Director of the Center for Housing and Health (“CHH”), Peter firmly believes that we have the tools to end homelessness and to help people live their healthiest lives at their fullest potential. Peter shares that one way to combat homelessness is to identify the true drivers of housing instability and wielding community resources to offer a unique blend of assistance for each individual’s situation. Through these methods and leveraging the organization’s extensive resources and partnerships, CHH is changing the stigma around what it means to be “homeless.” After all, every person deserves to have a place to call their home.

After hearing Kyle Evangelista speak at the 2021 NFMA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nathan knew he wanted to invite him to share with the Bridging Chicago listeners. With their three core values in mind, Gratitude, Greatness and Grit, Kyle encourages leaders to share their story and lead with purpose. He shares with us lessons learned from his youth and why the ceiling is a constantly moving target. We hope you are as inspired by Kyle's words as we were!

Angela Mason, the senior director of Windy City Harvest never imagined she would be leading an urban farm here in Chicago, but that’s exactly where she finds herself. Starting with a small group of youth, Angela joined the Chicago Botanic Garden in their efforts to bring urban farming to Chicago and utilize open space here in the city. The farm has grown and the programs have multiplied so many times over, and Angela shares with host Leona Kuhar about what that has meant to her. More than 12 years later, Angela is going and growing strong with Windy City Harvest and shares her life lessons with us.

Shoshana Buchholz-Miller works tirelessly as Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Chicago managing an organization that provides low-income Chicagoland families the essential items children need to thrive. In this episode, Shoshana shares about her path to finding her niche in non-profits, the trials and triumphs of working in the non-profit sector, and how her role as a mother influences the passion and vigor she brings to her leadership. Listen now to discover how Shoshana’s work levels the playing field for children living in poverty and learn about opportunities to partner or volunteer with Cradles to Crayons Chicago in order to further their mission.

In this Bridging Chicago short, we follow up with Ed Podsiadlik, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and season 2 guest! Ed recently published License to Transform: An Alphabet of Student Teaching alongside some of his former students who are now teaching in and around the Chicago region. Ed shares about what inspired him to write the book and why he chose to bring his students in on the project. Ed is a great guest, amazing educator and wonderful person!

A first for Bridging Chicago, host and senior producer Nathan Ciulla travels to Las Vegas , Nevada to record an episode in front of a live audience to share about the benefits of podcasting! We had a great time networking with and learning from members of the National Flea Market Association at their 2021 Annual Conference. Check out this episode where we interview members Kristina Doukas and Lisa Povich and highlight our trip to Vegas.

John Peller joins the podcast to share about the AIDS Foundation Chicago and the fight to get Illinois to Zero! Hear about how John came to Chicago and why he is passionate about his work with the Foundation, which continues to lead the charge in building a healthier future. For 35 years, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) has led the fight to create health equity and justice for people living with and disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS.

New host Leona Kuhar welcomes her first guest, Grace Rios of Grace Rios Photography to the podcast. In this episode, Grace shares about how she got her start in photography at such a young age and why she chose to photograph weddings to start her career. Grace has a beautiful eye and is a huge part of making a couples special day that much more memorable. She also shares about what it took to start her business and some of the early challenges, as well as her hopes for the future. Be sure to check out her Instagram to see some of the amazing weddings she’s been able to capture!

We're excited to introduce Leona Kuhar, Senior Legal Assistant at SATC|Law and new co-host of the podcast. Leona is a native Chicagoan and shares about her experience growing up on the far southside. She has worked in the corporate and legal industries and has been at SATC for nearly 20 years! Leona also shares about what it was like growing up in such a diverse neighborhood and why individual cultures are important. We're happy to have Leona on our team and for you to connect with her on the podcast.

Meet our newest colleague at Bridging Chicago, Sally Rodriguez-Diaz. Sally is joining the team as a Content Artist. She was born and raised right here in Chicago and got her degree in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago. Sally shares about her family, her love for Chicago history, and how growing up in Little Village inspires her to dream big! Be sure to interact with Sally on all our social media platforms and at www.BridgingChicago.com.

Theresa Goodrich is an Emmy award winning author and true storyteller. In her book, Living Landmarks of Chicago, she tells the story of 50 of Chicago's landmarks, delving into what makes them special to our city and its rich history. Theresa shares about her childhood as a young leader and how she came to know she was a writer at heart. She also shares about her battle with breast cancer and why it's important to her to help others who are fighting as well. Theresa shares very vulnerably about her life and work and what keeps her motivated for future projects.

To last 30 years as a restaurant in Chicago is certainly no easy task! It takes a great deal of innovation, hard work, and a great partnership team to thrive through everything that's happened over three decades. Helen Cameron joins us to share how she and her husband, Mike, have persevered to not only survive, but thrive with Uncommon Ground in Chicago. Uncommon Ground is truly a restaurant unlike any other. They were the first certified organic rooftop farm in the US, right here in our city. Helen and Mike are helping people rethink about the ingredients that make up what they eat and drink! They also started Greenstar Organic Brewing, where they brew all their beers with all organic ingredients. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

In part II of our conversation with Brendan Cournane, we learn about what motivated him to run his first marathon and what it was like to run in Antarctica. Brendan has now run over 100 marathons, completing his first and 100th right here in Chicago! He now serves as a coach for the Ronald McDonald House Charities marathon team, a team which host Nathan Ciulla ran with in 2017. Brendan gives his thoughts on how to keep yourself motivated to finish the race and what to do when challenges come your way. Be sure to check out part I of our interview with Brendan if you haven't already.

Brendan Cournane has certainly lived a full life and he loves to share all of the lessons he picked up along the way with others. Brendan and his family moved to Chicago at a young age after immigrating to Canada from Ireland. He has run over 100 marathons and also serves as the chair of the Chicago Bar Associations Wellness and Mindfulness committee. Brendan shares about the importance of family and what it was like for him beginning his career as a young attorney. Be sure to watch for part II coming next week!

As wedding season gears up again, many of us are left wondering what it will look like after most were canceled in 2020. Carlene Hartline, owner of Naturally Yours Events joins the podcast to share about the big pivot they had to take and how they started Neighborhood Nuptials as a way to give people the special day they've dreamed of. Carlene also shares about the how the people she has put around her have helped motivate her to keep going, and how she has been able to be an amazing business owner, wife and mom!

A Chicago native, Kevin Gillespie knows what it takes to start a successful business. Kevin had to persevere through personal struggles and a failed business venture to begin Headline Solar, a company he hopes will help people get the energy they need while providing for a cleaner future for the planet. Kevin shares about why putting the right people around you and focusing on your goals is so important. You won't want to miss this episode filled with great insights from a Chicago entrepreneur.

In this episode of the podcast, Sarry Ibrahim shares about the level of care and empathy he brings to financial planning and why it's never too early (or late!) to think about your financial goals. Sarry seeks to put his clients first and prides himself on attending each client meeting without preconceived notions. Sarry also shares about why it's important to teach young people about the importance of money and how to save. No information contained in this episode shall constitute financial, investment, legal and/or other professional advice and that no professional relationship of any kind is created between you and podcast host, the guests, SATC Solution Center L3C, or SATC Law. You are urged to speak with your financial, investment, or legal advisors before making any investment or legal decisions.

Dr. AJ Acierno knows that changing people's views on going to the dentist isn't easy, but that's exactly what he's set out to do. With a focus on people and preventative care, Dr. AJ began his dental practice with his brother, creating a family business focused on making lasting change in the industry. Dr. AJ shares about starting the practice, their social responsibility and women in the dental field. He also shares why you don't have to be afraid to go to the dentist anymore!

The importance that Danielle Vaughan puts on relationships blankets everything she does, including her work with Point B. This plays itself out in Point B's desire to lead and consult with empathy. Though it hasn't always been valued in the corporate world, a focus on the whole person motivates Danielle to be a leader in the industry, especially in the areas of diversity and inclusion. This focus is changing the way that her clients approach their work and their relationships with clients. You won't want to miss the great insight Danielle shares in this vulnerable episode.

We continue our conversation with Sarah Spunt, Executive Director of LIFT's Chicago community. Sarah shares about the female wage gap issue and leaders in her own life who inspire her everyday. Sarah's personal mission of leaving the world better than she found it drives her to lead her team to reshape Chicago's most under resourced communities. We're thankful to Sarah for sharing her story and inspiring us to dream bigger for our city.

In this episode, we are re-visiting our friends at LIFT-Chicago, who are lead by Sarah Spunt, their Executive Director. Sarah shares about what it's been like to lead the team in the current climate and why LIFT is focused on investing in parents and families. Their work in the City of Chicago to build relationships with people is helping them achieve economic mobility and break the cycle of poverty.

This episode is a really exciting opportunity for our listeners to meet Audrey Gamble and Tara Coffman, Associates with SATC|Law. Audrey and Tara share their experience in law school and starting their careers as attorneys. They also share about the perception of females in the legal field and their hope for the future of women in law. Be sure to listen to hear the journey of these amazing young leaders.

Jasmine Lopez has an energy that can only be described as contagious! In this episode, Jasmine chats with Nathan about growing up Latina in the Chicago region, starting her photography business and partnering with her husband Jeremy to start The Firehouse Dream. Through this nonprofit, the Lopez family aims to bring creative resources to kids and teens to encourage them to thrive in their own ways. Though the road hasn’t been easy, Jasmine’s resolve and her love for people has kept her going.

Are you a self-proclaimed comic nerd, or maybe just curious about the comic world? In this episode, Nathan chats with Terry Gant, owner of Third Coast Comics in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood about how he grew his passion for comics into owning his own shop. Terry, a Chicago native, is the only black owner of a comic book shop in Chicago and one of few in the Midwest. Be sure to listen to this fun and enlightening episode.

Pongee Barnes joins us for this episode and is sure to inspire you with her journey from her first property purchase as a junior in college, to starting Little Owners! Pongee is passionate about the future of home buying in Chicago's south side neighborhoods and teaching children of all ages about how they too can become entrepreneurs. Don't miss Pongee's story and be sure to check out her books written to inspire everyone to build generational wealth. Pongee's energy and insight are sure to energize you into action.

Season 4 of the podcast kicks off with Ashley Pollock joining our hosts, Savannah Rountree and Nathan Ciulla discussing diversity in their industries. Ashley is an Associate Board member of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation and obtained her masters degree from Roosevelt University. Ashley, Savannah and Nathan discuss their own experiences with diversity and inclusion in partnership with the Eisenberg Foundation's Real Bright Summit. You can also check out this episode on YouTube by searching Bridging Chicago.

In this episode, Nathan welcomes Tim McCormick, the CEO of SOS Children's Villages Illinois, an organization that is committed to providing safe, stable, loving homes for children throughout the Chicago region. As they celebrate 30 years of work in Illinois, Tim shares about his passion for people and what motivates him and his team to continue their work in keeping families together. Despite the current landscape, SOS Children's Villages Illinois continues to thrive and hit milestones that would inspire anyone to dream big!

At the Center for Enriched Living, its easy to see that their members are #1. Their mission to ensure that people with developmental disabilities can be fully included in the community, achieve personal success, and enjoy a good quality of life drives everything they do. April Booze joins us in this episode to share about the heart of the organization and how they are working to make Chicago a better place for those living with developmental disabilities. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode!

Jason Coleman’s story takes him from growing up in Chicago, to the sun of L.A. to attend USC and back, and you won’t want to miss out on hearing about his journey to co-founding Project SYNcERE! STEM has always been a part of Jason’s life and he felt it was important to make sure that every youth who wants to has the chance to gain science and technology related skills. Jason shares what it’s like to create new technology and see it in the marketplace and why it was important to start this organization. Project SYNcERE is working to make groundbreaking change for the youth of Chicago, and we can’t wait to see where it goes.

Nothing can stop the Inspiration Corporation from helping people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency. Shannon Stewart, their Executive Director and CEO joins the podcast to share her story as well as the story of the organization. Shannon leads an amazing team of staff and volunteers who are working to make Chicago a better place for everyone. Their organization is truly an inspiring one!

Jenna Goebig, the Associate Board President of the Eisenberg Foundation, joins the podcast to share about Eisenberg's work in GI cancer research and real estate education. After connecting with the Eisenberg Foundation through their Real Estate Development Challenge, Jenna went all in with the foundation, and is now pushing barriers to help make a difference in the lives of real estate students and everyone who has been effected by cancer. Jenna's passion is obvious, you won't want to miss out on hearing how she is shattering ceilings in her circle and beyond!