Ted Listens: Stories Behind the Businesses of Chicago

Justin Kaufmann of Axios Chicago

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Justin Kaufmann of Axios for a conversation about Chicago, journalism, storytelling, and the future of media. Justin shares his journey from interning at WBEZ in the 1990s to hosting at WGN Radio and eventually helping launch Axios Chicago. The conversation explores: * How Smart Brevity changed modern journalism * Why Chicago still feels like a “small town in a big city” * The realities of media in the AI era * The importance of authentic voice in storytelling * Why local journalism still matters * How personality and perspective shape great reporting This episode is for the Chicago fanatics and the Chicago curious alike. More on Axios Chicago: https://www.axios.com/newsletters More on Justin Kaufmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-kaufmann-57642b6/ More on Ted Novak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tednovak/

Mitul Patel of MP Consulting

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Mitul Patel, founder of MP Consulting, for one of the most fascinating business conversations I’ve had. What started after four former Motorola Mobility colleagues left stable jobs and landed on their faces in a failed startup became a thriving engineering company with 130 employees, global talent, manufacturing operations, and multiple business ventures. We talk about: * How desperation can create entrepreneurial momentum * Why businesses must pivot when markets change * Building products, manufacturing, and solving impossible engineering problems * Why hardware isn’t “hard” if you understand process * The hidden challenge of scaling from doer to leader * Turning personal tragedy into purpose through a women’s health foundation * Why “What do you want to do?” is a better question than “What do you want to be?” This is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and building opportunity from chaos. Learn more about Mitul here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrpatel624/

Nicole Shaver of Nicole Shaver Coaching & Consulting

Nicole spent years building a successful career in finance and leadership at a fast-growing consulting firm, then walked away from the comfort (and the title) to bet on herself. In this episode, we talk about what inspired her to make that leap, how she chose coaching as her next chapter, and what she learned while making that decision. Nicole shares what it’s like to start from scratch, build a business through relationships, and help other high performers navigate transition, burnout, boundaries, and the hard conversations that come with growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a role you’re great at, or you’re quietly wondering what your own “next thing” could be, this one will hit. Topics we cover: * Leaving a stable career without a “perfect” plan * Turning your real strengths into a business * Coaching vs therapy vs mentoring (and why it matters) * Why burnout and change are showing up everywhere right now * The hidden cost of comfort—and how to move anyway #CareerChange #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Coaching #Burnout #WorkTransitions #Chicago #TedListens

Abin Kuriakose of World Business Chicago

Chicago isn’t a single industry city, and that’s exactly its advantage. In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Abin Kuriakose, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at World Business Chicago, to unpack how Chicago really works as a place to build and scale a business. From why global companies are placing innovation hubs in Chicago, to how talent, climate resilience, and cross-industry collaboration are shaping the city’s future, this conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at economic development through the lens of entrepreneurs and operators. If you’re a founder, investor, or business leader curious about where opportunity is quietly compounding, this episode helps reveal why Chicago strategic market. 🎧 Topics include: * Why Chicago’s industry diversity is a competitive advantage * How startups gain access to enterprise decision-makers * The role of talent, universities, and workforce development * Climate resilience as a business strategy * What founders often underestimate about building in the Midwest #ChicagoBusiness #Entrepreneurship #StartupEcosystem #EconomicDevelopment #BuildInChicago #MidwestTech #InnovationEconomy #Founders #VentureCapital #BusinessLeadership #CivicInnovation

Brynn Michelich of Jellyvision

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Brynn Michelich, Chief Operating Officer at Jellyvision, the Chicago tech company behind the wildly successful benefits-education platform ALEX. Brynn shares the fascinating evolution of Jellyvision, starting with educational films in the late ’80s, moving through the CD-ROM gaming era (yes, including You Don’t Know Jack), and ultimately becoming a leading HR-tech company helping millions of employees understand and use their benefits. From transitioning a services business into a scalable product, to navigating healthcare complexity, AI adoption, employee communication, and hybrid-work culture shifts, Brynn offers candid insights on leadership, operations, and what it really takes to build a company that blends behavioral science, empathy, humor, and technology. If you're an operator, founder, HR leader, or simply love great Chicago startup stories, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. More on Jellyvision: https://jellyvision.com/ More on my company: https://cliquestudios.com/