Illinois' Route 66 Hidden Gems

Illinois Made Me: Andy Richter

In this episode of the Enjoy Illinois: Let's Go! podcast, host Catie Sheehan sits down with comedian, actor, and podcaster Andy Richter for a wide-ranging conversation about the state where he grew up—and how the Land of Lincoln shaped him. Best known as Conan O'Brien's sidekick and as a breakout fan favorite on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars, Richter is more than a late-night legend—he's a proud son of Illinois who grew up in Yorkville, spent formative years on the Chicago comedy scene, and carries the Midwest with him everywhere he goes. From his training days at Improv Olympic and The Annoyance Theatre to his many roles on the small screen, Richter reflects on what Illinois gave him. He also offers some fantastic recommendations via the Land of Lincoln Lightning Round.

Illinois' Route 66 Hidden Gems

On this special episode, host Catie Sheehan celebrates the Route 66 Centennial with two guests who know the Mother Road inside and out. The show opens with a word from Governor JB Pritzker on what this milestone year means for Illinois. First up is Amanda Bryden, Registrar of History at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Bryden co-led "Miles of Memories," the Route 66 Oral History Project, a remarkable collection of 100 video-recorded interviews with the people who lived, worked, and traveled the road during the pre-interstate era. She shares stories from the archive, including a striking account of what travel looked like for Black families navigating segregation-era Route 66, and offers her picks for must-see stops along Illinois' stretch of the highway. Next, Sheehan sits down with Josh Waldmire, third-generation owner of the Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield. Waldmire shares the full story behind his grandfather Ed's invention of the Cozy Dog in the 1940s, what keeps the restaurant feeling like a trip back in time, and what's on the horizon for the centennial year, including a Major League Eating contest at the Mother Road Festival this September.

Secrets of Southern Illinois: Giants, Gems, and Grapevines

On this episode, host Catie Sheehan takes listeners to one of her favorite parts of the state—Southern Illinois. She kicks things off by interviewing Shawn Gossman, an avid outdoorsman and tour guide who is also the creative force behind the Hiking with Shawn content brand. Catie and Shawn discuss Garden of the Gods, chasing waterfalls in the Shawnee National Forest, Snake Road, and other top attractions in the region. After that, Catie sits down with Brandy Nance, a double-duty wine insider who knows the terroir as well as anyone. Brandy is both Marketing and Event Director at Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda and the Executive Director of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, and she serves up all sorts of useful insights about wine tasting in this up-and-coming region. Great food, fantastic wine, epic outdoor adventures—Southern Illinois is the real deal.

The Sweet Life: A Culinary Conversation with Chicago Chef Gale Gand

Join host Catie Sheehan as she speaks with Chicago culinary icon Gale Gand. The two-time James Beard Award winner is a Food Network pioneer, the pastry chef behind one of Chicago's most celebrated fine-dining restaurants, and a teacher who has spent decades sharing her love of food—and of Illinois—with everyone from world leaders to first-time pie makers. Beyond sharing insights about her remarkable career, Gand recommends some of her favorite restaurants in the Chicago area and offers statewide suggestions via the Land of Lincoln Lightning Round.