Greg & Dan Show Interviews

Greg and Dan talk with Shawn Potts, Race Director and Promoter for the Peoria Motorcycle Race Club, about the highly anticipated AFT National Peoria TT event. Held in a stunning natural park that doubles as a perfect amphitheater, the race offers not only thrilling action but also breathtaking scenery.

This all-day motorsport celebration will feature exciting racing, delicious food and drinks, and even appearances from legendary racers returning to the track. One standout feature of the Peoria TT is its unique layout which includes a rare right hand turn, setting it apart from most racing tracks!

Shawn also shares his personal connection to the event, his grandfather was one of the founding members of the Peoria Motorcycle Race Club, and his parents were members as well which makes him a proud third-generation steward of this racing tradition.

Tickets and more information are available at Walter Brothers Harley-Davidson and online at www.peoriatt.com.

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Greg and Dan talk with Dillan Vancil, candidate for Illinois's 17th Congressional District. The conversation dives into Dillan’s diverse background, from his leadership roles on multiple school boards, including serving as Vice President on one, to his entrepreneurial journey as the owner of a growing series of coffee shops (with the closest location currently in Chillicothe). Dillan shares how his experiences living in multiple states, working in blue-collar jobs, and running businesses have shaped his perspective on perseverance, self-motivation, and following your own path to success.

A father himself, Dillan says one of his driving motivations for running for Congress is to create an easier and clearer path to opportunity for his children and future generations. Drawing on his business experience, he discusses the challenges of navigating “red tape” regulations when building in different states and emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment where small businesses can thrive. As a business owner, Dillan understands the vital role employees and local entrepreneurs play in building strong communities and he actively invests his time and energy into supporting them.

Learn more about Dillan Vancil’s platform, vision, and campaign at www.vancilforcongress.com.

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Greg and Dan chat with John Amdall, a member of the Washington Bicentennial Community, about the exciting events planned for the city’s 200th anniversary celebration, taking place August 14th-23rd in Washington, IL.

This milestone festival will feature a wide variety of activities for all ages, including delicious local food vendors, family-friendly games, live music performances, historical displays, and community gatherings honoring the city’s rich heritage. Visitors can also enjoy special events highlighting Washington’s history, culture, and the people who have shaped it over the last two centuries.

Full schedules, event details, and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.washingtonbicentennial.org.

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Greg and Dan talk with Nate Heinhold, Director of Central Illinois’s Ledgestone Disc Golf Pro Tour, about the highly anticipated tournament teeing off this Thursday, August 14th.

He explains how the Ledgestone event has grown over the years, now drawing an estimated 2,400 players, fans, and spectators from across the country throughout the week.

The tournament offers something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just curious to try the sport. For just $5, attendees can participate in certain public activities and enjoy a week full of high-level competition, community engagement, and family-friendly fun. Nate emphasizes the welcoming atmosphere and hopes to see both longtime fans and first-time visitors come out to experience the excitement in person.

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Greg and Dan welcome Marcellus Sommerville from the Friendship House to share exciting updates about their pantry and ongoing efforts to gain new partnerships and sponsorships. He emphasizes that anyone in the community can get involved, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word. The Friendship House’s mission is to serve in the name of Jesus Christ, offering hope and fostering prosperity for Peoria residents. 

Looking ahead, the Friendship House has an inspiring goal which is to build a state-of-the-art community center in Peoria. This space would become a hub for support, resources, and connection for everyone.

On August 20th, the Friendship House will host The Putt Club: Celebrity Golf from 6–9 PM. This gives participants the chance to play alongside local celebrities, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and support a worthy cause. There are still team spots available! To register, visit: www.friendship.house/the-putt-club-celebrity-golf.

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Greg chats with Chelsea Carmona and Nate Domeneghini about the upcoming Ignite Peoria event, happening this weekend at the Peoria Civic Center! This completely free event, from 9-5, including free parking and is a celebration of Central Illinois’ vibrant creative economy, featuring over 80 vendors across a wide variety of art forms and experiences.

Open to all ages, Ignite Peoria offers something for everyone. Kids can dive into hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and help them explore new interests, while adults will find plenty of opportunities to engage with local creators, entrepreneurs, and performers. From visual arts and live music to dance, cosplay, innovation, and more, there’s no shortage of inspiration.

Chelsea and Nate also share powerful success stories from past participants whose involvement in Ignite Peoria helped launch businesses, grow audiences, or find their creative voice. Plus, Greg checks in with both of them about their personal projects and what they’ve been up to outside of this year’s event.

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Greg talks with Stephanie Cole, Co-Chair of the Jeep Creep, an annual fundraising event that supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event brings together Jeep enthusiasts from across the region for a day of off-road fun while helping charity. 

Participants embark on a surprise route through the scenic backroads of Central Illinois, stopping at local businesses along the way for games, food, and community fun. One of the unique features of the Jeep Creep is that the route remains a secret until the day of the event, adding an extra layer of excitement. Each participant also has the opportunity to create their own fundraising page to support the cause further, with all proceeds going directly to benefit St. Jude.

This year’s event takes place on August 16th, and registration is now open at www.stjudejeeps.org.

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Greg talks with Rick Edgar, Peoria Civic Center Authority, about the highly anticipated Broadway production of Wicked, which will be in town for a two-week run.

Rick emphasizes the importance of purchasing tickets exclusively through Ticketmaster, the official vendor, to avoid inflated prices from third-party sellers. He reassures listeners that affordable tickets are still available through the authorized platform.

He also offers insight into the behind-the-scenes logistics, including the extensive "load-in/load-out" process required to bring a production of this scale to life, from stage setup to technical construction.

Rick highlights the ongoing success of the Civic Center, attributing it to a strong, positive culture and deep-rooted community engagement within Peoria.

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