Greg & Dan Show Interviews

Greg and Dan talk to Rich Thole, Principal of Princeville High School, about their incredible opportunity to win $1,000,000 in the T-Mobile 5G Lights Competition! What began as a simple contest entry quickly turned into a major success - Princeville won $5,000, then advanced to the Top 25, winning $25,000, and is now competing for the grand prize of a $1 million upgrade!

Even more exciting, Princeville High School is the ONLY school in Illinois still in the running for the top spot. Rich shares what inspired the school to enter, and Greg and Dan also chat with two senior students, Sophie Noonen and Noah Geiger, both passionate about communications, who help manage the school’s social media and news outlets.

They describe how fun and rewarding this experience has been and emphasize how crucial it is to spread the word and vote! Voting runs through October 24th at www.voteprinceville.com

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Greg and Dan talk to Jon Rocke, Executive Director of Pathways Ministries, about the organization’s mission and its roots in a simple act of kindness that sparked a movement 70 years ago. As Pathways celebrates its 70th anniversary this fall, Jon reflects on how the ministry continues to embody the belief that when people care about people, it humanizes everything - building stronger communities through compassion and connection.

They also discuss the shift in society’s willingness to help others, the importance of community support, and inspiring success stories of individuals who, after finding help, now dedicate themselves to helping others.

Jon also shares details about his upcoming event, “Conversations on a Bench,” happening in conjunction with World Homeless Day from Thursday at 2 PM to Friday at 2 PM - a full 24 hours of meaningful conversations, both planned and spontaneous. The event will be streamed live on YouTube, bringing awareness to homelessness and the power of human connection. 

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Greg and Dan talk to Andy Thornton of the Peoria YMCA and Micky McCarthy, an advocate for the Elmwood Community Foundation, about expanding opportunities for people to get involved in local programs and the vision behind building a new community center. They share the motivation behind this initiative, how it will serve families throughout the Elmwood area, and how both organizations are working to grow community connections across the region.

For more information, visit peoriaymca.org or elmwoodcf.org

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Greg and Dan talk to Chris Setti of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and David Aduama about David’s recent achievement of becoming a U.S. citizen and his passion for staying involved in the community. They also discuss The Big Table, an event happening on October 17th from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM at the Four Points by Sheraton in Peoria.

The Big Table is designed to spark open, community-wide conversations about what’s working well in the region and what areas need improvement. Chris also shares what happens after collecting all the ideas and feedback from participants. The event is free and open to everyone - a true celebration of community collaboration!

For more information, visit www.bigtable.com.

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Greg and Dan talk to Dave Johnson of Pearl Technology about InfraGard - its mission, purpose, and partnership with the FBI. Dave shares insights from his recent meeting and highlights the most important takeaways about how InfraGard strengthens collaboration between the public and private sectors to protect critical infrastructure and cybersecurity efforts.

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Greg and Dan talk to Andy Velcoff and Jeffrey Bogart, both accomplished attorneys - Andy specializing in entertainment and Jeffrey in athletics - about what it’s like practicing law in the worlds of media, sports, and entertainment. They share their unique career journeys, the excitement that first drew them into the field, and how that thrill has only grown over time.

They also dive into the connections between Illinois and Hollywood, highlighting movies filmed in the state, and share insights about Bradley University President James Shadid’s vision for the future of the university.

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Greg and Dan talk to Stacey Peterson, City of Peoria Communications Director, about the exciting discovery of a time capsule hidden in Peoria’s Historic City Hall! Stacey shares where it was found, what it looks like, and details about the Grand Opening event on Sunday, November 2nd at 2:00 PM at the Gateway Building. Amazingly, this unveiling will happen 128 years to the exact date and hour of when the capsule was first placed!

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Greg and Dan talk to Gus Faucher, Chief Economist at PNC, about the current government shutdown and its impact on the economy. They discuss how consumer confidence shifts with spending, the challenges of a high-debt market, and whether the next generation will be able to afford homes in the future. Gus also breaks down the latest trends in the stock market reaching record highs, expanding economic growth, and increasing corporate profits.

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Greg and Dan talk to Brian Fox Ellis about the upcoming Cemetery Tours, celebrating their 25th anniversary - and the 20th year held in Peoria’s Springdale Cemetery! The tours are set for October 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th, with shows starting at 2:00 and 4:00 PM.

He shares details about the talented actors and actresses bringing the stories and legacies of Peoria’s past to life. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring folding chairs for a more comfortable experience. All proceeds go to the cemetery, helping restore tombstones and preserve this important local history.

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Greg and Dan talk to Nick McMillion from the City of Peoria Public Works Department about yesterday’s exciting announcement regarding the downtown one-way streets being converted back to two-way streets! He breaks down the new phase starting Monday, including road closures, street parking updates, and the biggest traffic changes you need to know. Everything is still on schedule, with the project expected to be completed within the next six months!

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