Image by Alex Johnson
Jon Marshall knows journalism. As an educator and practitioner of the craft, he speaks eloquently about yesterday’s stories, today’s challenges, and tomorrow’s solutions. Plus we find out why he’s the perfect guy to write about Watergate.
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Jon Marshall
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Bob McNees, associate professor of physics at Loyola University, wanted to go into either illustrating or science. He settled on science, and is today devoting his professional life to quantum mechanics, black holes, and all sorts of other fascinating things about our universe.
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Bob McNees
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Jen Wille wants to know: "What do you need today, love?" She talks with me about self-care, life coaching, growing up in foster care, and more. Check out her work; her blog; and her podcast, First + Foremost, at jenwille.com.
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Jen Wille (jenwille.com)
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Brayzill Stevenson III, a.k.a. Savannah Westbrooke, has lived enough for multiple lives. He talks with me about his upbringing, his sexuality, his tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force, his drag career, and much more.
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Savannah Westbrooke
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Bill Savage seems inextricably linked with Chicago. From his Twitter handle, @rogersparkman, to his intimate knowledge of the city’s bars, hot dog stands, history, and even manhole covers, the Northwestern English professor is a fount of knowledge, insight, and Chicago pride.
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Bill Savage
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When you’ve done as much stuff as Matt Cornelison has—winning the national air guitar championship, performing on America’s Got Talent, recording albums, making movies, meeting celebrities—you’re gonna have stories to tell. Matt talks about all these experiences, plus the impact he’s hoping to make on the world. Find his album at www.pledgemusic.com/projects/romeodancecheetah and connect with him at www.dancecheetah.com. Check out his YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/user/DanceCheetah, and his podcast at www.coolmusicdad.com. And you’ll probably want to check out The Flavor Savers, too: www.flavorsaversmusic.com.
Romeo Dance Cheetah in full costume
Matt and band
Matt Cornelison/Romeo Dance Cheetah
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When Jason Glombicki preaches from the pulpit of Wicker Park Lutheran Church in Chicago, he brings to his sermons his experience as a hospital chaplain, his upbringing in a more conservative sect of Lutheranism, and his history as a gay Christian.
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In the final installment of our conversation, Walter Guzy talks about starting his family and what life was like in Chicago in the early 20th century.
Walter Guzy with his family
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In part two of three, Walter Guzy talks about the end of World War II, coming home from the war, and starting his career in earnest.
Walter Guzy with his two daughters and their husbands
In part one of three, Walter Guzy, a 100-year-old veteran of World War II, talks about growing up in Chicago, struggling through the Depression, and fighting in the war.
Walter Guzy
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Reyndell Stockman's career as a musician and photographer took him all over the country before he settled into a haunted house in Eastport, Maine, to retire. Hear about how he gave the KGB the slip, how he staged restaurants to look gorgeous in the middle of the night, and how he deals with the spirit who lives in his house.
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Janice Wright Cheney makes art that explores the spaces between modern life's poles—scarcity and plenty, museums and nature. She discusses her creative process, her inspirations, her works, and ... taxidermy. See Janice's work at www.janicewrightcheney.com. See some footage of her Eastport, Maine, installation, "Sardinia," on Vimeo.
Janice Wright Cheney
"Sardinia" (photo: Hugh French)
"Sardinia" (photo: Hugh French)
"Spectre" (photo: Sarah Fuller)
"Cellar" (photo: Tom Cheney)
"Widow" (photo: Jeff Crawford)
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Bill Johnson has been playing music since he was a kid and has been telling stories and doling out barbs at least that long. Hear him talk about music, anxiety, moving from Illinois to Maine, and much more.
Bill Johnson
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Allison Schier has the game figured out. The writer, actor, improviser, comedian, write clubber, dog walker, and badass talked with me about auditioning, depression, love, and much more.
Allison Schier
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Rick March just wants to connect with an audience. Whether he’s doing it as a comedian, an actor, or a podcast guest, he’s giving it his all. Hear Rick talk about comedy, auditioning, being “damaged,” and what keeps him going as an artist. Catch Rick at @CrankyRicky or at bestcorporatecomedy.com.
Rick March
Bob Sanders has worn many hats and done many things. He's like Forrest Gump without the treacle and dimness. Hear him talk about his WASPish upbringing, his acting career, his involvement with AIDS activism, his time as an artistic director of a theater, and more.
Bob Sanders
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Eltony Williams went from the Chicago suburbs to the Oprah Winfrey Network, on which he plays Randal on Tyler Perry's If Loving You Is Wrong. Hear him talk about his journey from here to there, how he differs from his character, and his childhood dreams of becoming a ninja.
Eltony Williams
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Paul Fedirka devoted his career to helping blind and visually impaired military veterans adapt to life without sight. He talks about his upbringing in New York, the difficulties and joys that came with his profession, and how cross-stitching became one of his favorite hobbies.
Paul Fedirka
One of Paul's intricate cross-stitch creations
A detail of the above cross-stitch
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When Brent Huffman sees injustice in the world, he doesn't stand idly by. He picks up a camera and gets to work. Hear Brent talk about his latest documentary film, Saving Mes Aynak (now on Netflix!), and how his work affects his life—and vice versa. Go to www.savingmesaynak.com to find all things related to the film.
Brent making Saving Mes Aynak.
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Mr. And Mrs. Walter have lived enough for several lifetimes, and they have the stories to prove it. Hear about their crazy family vacations, their heart-warming "how we met" story, and Mr. Walter's brushes with both the Cleveland Browns and the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter