Notes from Chicago

How to Create Joy with Vending Machines with Steph Krim

Steph Krim, founder of Good Things Vending, joins Notes From Chicago to share how she transformed old snack vending machines into one of Chicago’s most innovative community art platforms. From sourcing vintage machines to supporting hundreds of local artists, Steph discusses: * Starting Good Things Vending from scratch * Entrepreneurship and creative risk-taking * Building a Chicago-based brand * CTA collaborations and future expansion * Why Chicago is central to her mission Follow Good Things Vending: * Website: https://www.goodthingsvending.com [https://www.goodthingsvending.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodthingsvending [https://www.instagram.com/goodthingsvending] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/goodthingsvending [https://www.tiktok.com/goodthingsvending] Follow Notes from Chicago: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z [https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago [https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi [https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago [https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago]

How Lincoln Park Zoo Is Helping Save Wildlife Worldwide with Lisa Faust

What if one of Chicago’s most beloved family destinations was also quietly helping save endangered species around the world? In this episode of Notes from Chicago, Ashley Phillips sits down with Lisa Faust, Senior Director of Population Ecology at Lincoln Park Zoo, to explore the groundbreaking conservation work happening behind the scenes. From modeling wildlife populations to supporting species recovery efforts for elephants, Tasmanian devils, Puerto Rican parrots, and more, Lisa shares how data and science are shaping the future of global conservation. They also discuss: * How Lincoln Park Zoo supports wildlife beyond its exhibits * The hidden science most visitors never see * Why Chicago’s cultural institutions play a bigger role in conservation than many realize * Practical ways everyday Chicagoans can support wildlife * Lisa’s favorite memories from nearly 30 years at the zoo Follow Lincoln Park Zoo: * Website: https://www.lpzoo.org [https://www.lpzoo.org] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lincolnparkzoo [https://www.instagram.com/lincolnparkzoo] Follow Notes from Chicago: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z [https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago [https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi [https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago [https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago]

Chicago Spring Survival Guide with Tanisha Blakely

Spring in Chicago means one thing: unpredictable weather, cautious optimism, and finally finding ways to enjoy the city after a long winter. This week on Notes from Chicago, Ashley Phillips welcomes returning guest and producer Tanisha Blakely to the mic for a fun, candid conversation about surviving Chicago winters, navigating “fake spring,” and making the most of the city as it begins to thaw. Follow Tanisha Blakely: * Website: https://www.tanishablakely.com [https://www.tanishablakely.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tanishablakely [https://www.instagram.com/_tanishablakely] Follow Notes from Chicago: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z [https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago [https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi [https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago [https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago]

Inside Second City: How Comedy Legends Are Made with Jen Ellison

What does it take to create world-class comedy? In this episode of Notes from Chicago, we sit down with Jen Ellison, Vice President of Creative at Second City, the legendary comedy institution that launched the careers of stars like Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Amy Poehler. Jen takes us inside the creative process behind improv and sketch comedy, how ideas evolve from spontaneous moments into iconic performances, and why collaboration, not ego, is the secret to great comedy. Follow Jen Ellison, The Second City: * Website: https://www.secondcity.com [https://www.secondcity.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenjen1138 [https://www.instagram.com/jenjen1138] Follow Notes from Chicago: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z [https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago [https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi [https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago [https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago]

How to Fix Chicago’s Housing & Transit Problems with Nina Idemudia

What would it actually take to fix Chicago’s biggest challenges? In this episode of Notes from Chicago, the CEO of Center for Neighborhood Technology, Nina Idemudia breaks down real, actionable solutions, from accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to bus rapid transit. She explains why change might be closer than we think. We discuss: * Why affordable housing is still out of reach * How simple policy shifts could transform neighborhoods * What everyday Chicagoans can do to push change forward Follow Nina Idemudia: * Website: https://www.cnt.org [https://www.cnt.org] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplannerwithapurpose [https://www.instagram.com/aplannerwithapurpose] Follow Notes from Chicago: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z [https://open.spotify.com/show/0qkYwUroGt4hMZQlhTg32z] * Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-chicago/id1838675173] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago [https://www.youtube.com/@NotesfromChicago] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi [https://www.tiktok.com/@notesfromchi] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago [https://www.instagram.com/notesfromchicago]