Thanks to a Healing Illinois grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Field Foundation of Illinois, administered by the United Way of Central Illinois, the NPR Illinois team is visiting several diverse communities to discuss what it's like to live in central Illinois. In this LISTEN session you hear from members of the Indian community at The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield as they discuss their vibrant community and why they love living in Springfield.

Nathan Essex recently joined the Springfield Park District as the Director of Marketing and Recreation. He spoke to Community Voices about his time as a teacher and principal, his love of music, and his initial plans through his new position at the park district. Nathan also discussed some of the great events and activities that will be happening this summer.

Christi Walden, coordinating chair, Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series, joined NPR Illinois to share the announcement of the 2024 headliner lineup.

Blake Wood is the Director of Media Strategy at UIS. He spoke to Community Voices about how his early interests in broadcasting led him to a career working in media. He also shared what it’s like mentoring students and the role social media plays in spreading the word about UIS.

The Beardstown Ladies Investment Club is an organization which gained worldwide fame after publishing a book on investing in the 1990s. The two remaining charter members Cornell Korsmeyer and Ann Brewer spoke to Community Voices about the history of the club, its rise in popularity, and their legacy of encouraging others to invest.

John and Nicole Sivak are directing Springfield Theatre Centre's production of The Bridges of Madison County. The show set in 1960s Iowa, follows the forbidden love and the unfolding events surrounding an Italian-American housewife and a National Geographic photographer. Nicole and John spoke to Community Voices about their journeys with community theater, the various couples involved in the production, and the synopsis of the musical. They also discuss how audiences may leave the theater with conflicted thoughts surrounding the plot of the show. The show runs May 10-12 and 17-19 at The Hoogland Center for the Arts. Tickets are available here.

Jane Cutright is the owner of the Petersburg Observer, a newspaper catering to the Menard County area. Cutright spoke to Community Voices about how she joined her family’s business and the challenges her paper faces in an increasingly digitalized world.

Joel Styzens is a composer and musician originally from Springfield, Ill. He spoke to Community Voices about his latest album Resonance and his upcoming performance in Springfield on May 10. He also shared how a hearing issue led him to pivot from jazz percussion to music composition.For more information visit: relaxyourears.comFor tickets to the May 10 performance visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joel-styzens-resonance-tickets-870741149217?aff=oddtdtcreator

Illinois' legalization of recreational cannabis has resulted in significant revenue and career opportunities. The University of Illinois Springfield Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) unit now offers educational training to prepare for work in the industry through five different cannabis certificate programs. Rob Kerr, Executive Director Innovation and Opporunity, UIS; and Max Simon, CEO at Green Flower, a cannabis education company; join Community Voices to share the need to understand the complexities of the field.

Sid Stanton and Ed Gonet are the cofounders of Soil Food, a local business out of Cantrall and Petersburg, which produces natural fertilizers made from word castings. Stanton and Gonet explained how the quality of their product stands out among competitors and how their pet tortoise Erma led to the development of their organic worm farm.For more information about Soil Food visit: https://soilfoods.com/