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

The Future of The Hideout with Teri O’Brien

For decades, The Hideout has been one of Chicago’s most beloved music venues, a place where musicians, comedians, artists, and neighbors come together in a way that feels uniquely Chicago. In this episode of Notes From Chicago, Ashley Phillips sits down with Teri O'Brien, the venue’s new owner, to talk about taking over an iconic institution, preserving independent music spaces, and what makes The Hideout feel like home for so many Chicagoans. Teri shares her journey from Hideout intern to owner, stories about legendary performances and surprise comedy shows, the challenges facing independent venues today, and her vision for The Hideout's future. Follow The Hideout: * Website: https://www.hideoutchicago.com/ [https://www.hideoutchicago.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hideoutchicago [https://www.instagram.com/hideoutchicago] 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 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]