Bridging Chicago

John Peller joins the podcast to share about the AIDS Foundation Chicago and the fight to get Illinois to Zero! Hear about how John came to Chicago and why he is passionate about his work with the Foundation, which continues to lead the charge in building a healthier future. For 35 years, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) has led the fight to create health equity and justice for people living with and disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS.

New host Leona Kuhar welcomes her first guest, Grace Rios of Grace Rios Photography to the podcast. In this episode, Grace shares about how she got her start in photography at such a young age and why she chose to photograph weddings to start her career. Grace has a beautiful eye and is a huge part of making a couples special day that much more memorable. She also shares about what it took to start her business and some of the early challenges, as well as her hopes for the future. Be sure to check out her Instagram to see some of the amazing weddings she’s been able to capture!

We're excited to introduce Leona Kuhar, Senior Legal Assistant at SATC|Law and new co-host of the podcast. Leona is a native Chicagoan and shares about her experience growing up on the far southside. She has worked in the corporate and legal industries and has been at SATC for nearly 20 years! Leona also shares about what it was like growing up in such a diverse neighborhood and why individual cultures are important. We're happy to have Leona on our team and for you to connect with her on the podcast.

Meet our newest colleague at Bridging Chicago, Sally Rodriguez-Diaz. Sally is joining the team as a Content Artist. She was born and raised right here in Chicago and got her degree in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago. Sally shares about her family, her love for Chicago history, and how growing up in Little Village inspires her to dream big! Be sure to interact with Sally on all our social media platforms and at www.BridgingChicago.com.

Theresa Goodrich is an Emmy award winning author and true storyteller. In her book, Living Landmarks of Chicago, she tells the story of 50 of Chicago's landmarks, delving into what makes them special to our city and its rich history. Theresa shares about her childhood as a young leader and how she came to know she was a writer at heart. She also shares about her battle with breast cancer and why it's important to her to help others who are fighting as well. Theresa shares very vulnerably about her life and work and what keeps her motivated for future projects.

To last 30 years as a restaurant in Chicago is certainly no easy task! It takes a great deal of innovation, hard work, and a great partnership team to thrive through everything that's happened over three decades. Helen Cameron joins us to share how she and her husband, Mike, have persevered to not only survive, but thrive with Uncommon Ground in Chicago. Uncommon Ground is truly a restaurant unlike any other. They were the first certified organic rooftop farm in the US, right here in our city. Helen and Mike are helping people rethink about the ingredients that make up what they eat and drink! They also started Greenstar Organic Brewing, where they brew all their beers with all organic ingredients. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

In part II of our conversation with Brendan Cournane, we learn about what motivated him to run his first marathon and what it was like to run in Antarctica. Brendan has now run over 100 marathons, completing his first and 100th right here in Chicago! He now serves as a coach for the Ronald McDonald House Charities marathon team, a team which host Nathan Ciulla ran with in 2017. Brendan gives his thoughts on how to keep yourself motivated to finish the race and what to do when challenges come your way. Be sure to check out part I of our interview with Brendan if you haven't already.

Brendan Cournane has certainly lived a full life and he loves to share all of the lessons he picked up along the way with others. Brendan and his family moved to Chicago at a young age after immigrating to Canada from Ireland. He has run over 100 marathons and also serves as the chair of the Chicago Bar Associations Wellness and Mindfulness committee. Brendan shares about the importance of family and what it was like for him beginning his career as a young attorney. Be sure to watch for part II coming next week!

As wedding season gears up again, many of us are left wondering what it will look like after most were canceled in 2020. Carlene Hartline, owner of Naturally Yours Events joins the podcast to share about the big pivot they had to take and how they started Neighborhood Nuptials as a way to give people the special day they've dreamed of. Carlene also shares about the how the people she has put around her have helped motivate her to keep going, and how she has been able to be an amazing business owner, wife and mom!

A Chicago native, Kevin Gillespie knows what it takes to start a successful business. Kevin had to persevere through personal struggles and a failed business venture to begin Headline Solar, a company he hopes will help people get the energy they need while providing for a cleaner future for the planet. Kevin shares about why putting the right people around you and focusing on your goals is so important. You won't want to miss this episode filled with great insights from a Chicago entrepreneur.