This week on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour, the Houlihan bros. dive into the strange new world of job interviews, professional personas, and whether or not it’s ever okay to dip your hot dog in a tequila cocktail. Paddy shares some recent experiences navigating today’s interview scene and reflects on how much the process has changed. Bill offers his take on selling yourself without sounding like a robot and how much of our “work self” is performance versus pure Billy.

The conversation, as always, takes a few wild turns. From AI bots silently judging your Zoom call to the existential panic of someone asking for your Instagram handle in a job interview, Paddy and Bill explore the weird overlap between our online lives and the real humans behind them. They talk about how humor, honesty, and just the right amount of bull can actually help you land the gig, unless of course the bot gets you first.

Later, it’s all about the Windy City Hot Dog Fest. The guys debate what really makes a proper Chicago dog, preview a sport pepper and tequila cocktail, and issue a formal warning: if you dip your dog in your drink, you will attract attention. Bill also makes a triumphant return to bartending and confirms that slinging cocktails is still part performance, part therapy session, and part cardio.

Shoutout to our proud sponsors:
Fox’s Pizza in Orland Park and Mokena, serving hot, crispy, tavern-cut perfection for over 55 years
Flood Brothers Disposal, taking out Chicago’s trash with pride and an Irish tricolor dumpster
Madden Funds, Mike and Dan Madden are the brothers you want on speed dial when your “hot dog content creator” career doesn’t pan out

This week, Hibernian Radio host Paddy Houlihan welcomes Caitlin Brennan, CEO of the 100 Club of Illinois, for an eye-opening and deeply important conversation. With nearly 60 years of service, the 100 Club supports families of fallen first responders and is now leading the charge in mental health advocacy across Illinois.

Caitlin shares her powerful personal journey, from her South Side Irish roots and post-9/11 calling to public service, to her global work in emergency management and trauma-informed care. As a subject matter expert in critical incident response, Caitlin sheds light on the high suicide rates among first responders, particularly in Chicago, and the urgent need for preventative mental health measures, legislative support, and year-round wellness resources.

She walks us through the evolution of the 100 Club’s mission, from financial and educational assistance for families of the fallen to confidential support tools for active-duty police, fire, and EMS personnel. Caitlin also outlines how the organization is working closely with agency leaders, unions, and policymakers to provide better support systems and remove the stigma surrounding mental health in these high-stress professions.

It is an essential listen for anyone who believes in backing the brave men and women who keep our communities safe.

Take Action:

Visit 100ClubIL.org to learn more

Become a member or donate to support their mission

Follow the 100 Club on social media for upcoming events and initiatives

If you or someone you know is a first responder in need, reach out for support

Proudly sponsored by Fox’s Pizza, Flood Brothers Disposal, and Madden Funds.

This week on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour, Paddy and Bill take a swing at life, parenting, and the future of humanity. It all starts with baseball nostalgia, sparked by a lost glove at a Chicago Dogs game and some less-than-friendly minor leaguers. A school field trip goes sideways, setting off a conversation about the high price of youth sports gear and how today’s kids show up to little league games with $400 bats and gloves that cost more than their parents’ first cars. The conversation shifts to May being Mental Health Awareness Month, and things get personal. The brothers talk about the pressures of modern life, the post-pandemic haze many are still navigating, and how important it is to check in with yourself and with friends. They also explore the quiet impact of loneliness and the value of reconnecting with real people offline.Then it’s on to AI and the weird world we’re heading into. The guys unpack the new “screenless” AI device being developed by OpenAI and designer Johnny Ive, and Paddy tells the story of teaching their 75-year-old dad how to use ChatGPT. Now the old man wants to become an influencer, and honestly, he just might pull it off. The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to George Wendt, beloved actor and friend of the Houlihan family. Paddy shares memories of visiting Wendt backstage on Broadway, the time Black 47 played at a Wendt party, and the thoughtful notes George would send about his films. A true Chicago legend who never forgot where he came from. Brought to you by Fox’s Pizza in Orland Park and Mokena, Flood Brothers Disposal, and Madden Funds. Come for the glove trauma, stay for the robot dread, and leave with a little love for Norm. Only on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour.

This week on Hibernian Radio, host Paddy Houlihan takes on one of the most urgent and often overlooked issues facing Chicago law enforcement: the silent epidemic of police suicides. With more than 50 CPD officers lost in the past decade, Paddy welcomes two experienced voices who are working to bring change—Gene Roy, former Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department, and Brendan McCrudden, a longtime officer now serving as Director of Development at The Well Resource Center.

Gene and Brendan share powerful personal stories of loss that led them to become advocates for mental health support in the law enforcement community. They discuss the emotional toll of the job, the lack of trust in internal support systems, and the cultural stigma that often prevents officers from seeking help. The conversation underscores the importance of peer support, chaplain services, and confidential access to qualified mental health professionals.

A central focus of the episode is The Well Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services, peer support programs, and wellness events to first responders and their families. Brendan shares updates on the Center’s expansion efforts to open a new location on the Southwest Side of Chicago, as well as the growing need for more licensed therapists to meet demand.

Listeners are encouraged to support these vital efforts and spread the word about available resources, including the Haymarket Center’s First Responder Retreat and the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The episode closes with a call for stronger leadership within the department, continued community support, and a reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength.

This conversation offers both hope and urgency as it amplifies the voices working to create a healthier, more compassionate future for Chicago’s law enforcement officers.

Learn more or donate at https://www.thewellrc.org/

Proudly sponsored by:

Flood Brothers Disposal

Fox’s Pizza

Madden Funds

Local 150 

Hibernian Radio Hour #321: The Battle for North Riverside’s Firehouse

This week on Hibernian Radio, we welcome retired North Riverside firefighter Austin Nicholl and filmmaker Colin Hughes, the creative force behind the gripping new documentary film Fire Department, Inc. — a powerful exposé on the privatization fight that rocked a small Illinois fire department and the union brothers who stood their ground.

Austin recounts his 24 years on the job, the bruising eight-year war with village leadership, and how a red light ticket sent young Colin down the rabbit hole that led to his first feature-length film. Together, they dive into the legal battles, political betrayals, and union solidarity that defined a generation of North Riverside firefighters.

We also discuss Austin’s books — including Smile On Your Brother and Expecting to Fly — and how music and writing helped him heal post-retirement.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Madden Funds, Local 150, Fox’s Pizza, and Flood Brothers Disposal. And don’t miss the final tribute from Mike Houlihan, plus our ongoing push to support the 11th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley. Donations welcome at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-hibernian-st-patricks-day–2025

This week on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour, Paddy and Bill go full philosopher on everything from cold sores and khakis to bird ownership and bizarre food habits. It all starts with summer heat, stinky garbage, and the reliable comfort of a Flood Brothers Disposal dumpster. From there, the guys get into personal hygiene taboos—Bill’s battling a cold sore, Paddy’s grossed out by couples who share food, drinks, and ice cream cones in public, and they both agree: COVID may be over, but people are way too comfortable again. Things take flight when Bill mentions a co-worker who wants a parrot, sparking a deep dive into pet bird ownership—from the cost and maintenance to a hilarious (and slightly tragic) tale of two family birds, Peachy and Cha Cha, who didn’t exactly survive a cage-cleaning gone wrong. One flew back, the other… you’ll have to tune in. From there, the boys turn their attention to dress codes: Starbucks baristas are striking, Cannes is banning nudity and long gown trains, and Gen Z has officially declared war on khakis. Paddy reminisces on his Robert Evans fashion inspired era, complete with tinted glasses, and pitches Fast Drip, a fashion inspired YouTube series devoted to fast food uniforms. They also tackle the economics of coffee addiction as Paddy dumps Dunkin’ in favor of a cheaper 7-Eleven brew—and dreams up a new brand activation concept: make-your-own-coffee bars for control freaks and caffeine snobs alike. Brought to you by the legends at Fox’s Pizza, the cleanup crew at Flood Brothers, and the financial whizzes at Madden Funds. Come for the laughs, stay for the bird trauma, and maybe rethink that secondhand sip off your date’s cocktail. Only on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour.

This week on Hibernian Media… Paddy Houlihan sits down for a one-on-one with retired Cook County Sheriff’s Police legend Jeff Lange, who brings 30 years of gritty, front-line law enforcement experience to the mic. From nightclub DJ on Division Street to undercover narcotics officer chasing some of Chicago’s most dangerous criminals, Jeff’s story is a masterclass in street smarts, survival, and service.

Lange walks us through his early years at the jail, his path into the Sheriff’s Police and evolution into a trusted deep-cover agent working everything from high-level drug buys to wiretap cases. He shares war stories from his time in the MEG unit, dives into the details of the Michael Gargiulo case, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Palatine Brown’s Chicken mass murder investigation—including the infamous piece of chicken that helped crack the case.

Now serving as First Vice President of the Emerald Society of Illinois, Jeff also reflects on his days as an instructor at the Cook County Sheriff’s Academy and the joy of mentoring a new generation of officers. He speaks candidly about the importance of deconfliction in undercover work, the challenges of protecting crime scenes, and the lasting impact of teaching.

If you care about justice, Irish heritage, and real-deal stories from the field, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Proudly presented by Fox’s Pizza, Flood Bros. Disposal, Local 150 and Madden Funds.

This week on The Houli’s Hooley…

Paddy opens the show with a dream so vivid, so strange, it might require a sequel. Picture this: his ex-wife’s best friend’s father, a lake house barbecue, and a sudden tsunami that whisks the smug patriarch out to sea. There’s a Terry Bradshaw lookalike, some passive-aggressive banter about dental work, and a final demand to throw boat shoes into the surf—which Paddy flatly refuses.

All of it is proudly sponsored by the dream team: Fox’s Pizza, Flood Brothers Disposal, and Madden Funds—investing in dreams, even the weird ones.

From surreal to corporate satire, Paddy and Bill shift gears into the latest in LinkedIn lunacy—breaking down terms like “return on emotion” and “human cloud”. They explore whether today’s job market is more about storytelling than skills and ask the big question: is your LinkedIn profile just your one-man show?

Bill recounts his recent Cinco de Mayo pub crawl adventures, featuring multiple bars, one dramatic game of Uno, and a lot of questionable small talk. He also shares his recent trip to a Chicago Hounds rugby game, where the real spectacle happens after the final whistle—when both teams hit the town together in the name of sportsmanship and strong pours.

Finally, the lads close out with a reflection on Pope Leo XIII—a newly elected Chicago native. Could we be looking at the first pontiff with a beef sandwich in one hand and the catechism in the other?

Dream analysis, corporate jargon, pub crawls, rugby, and a Chicago Pope—just another glorious mix on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour.

This week on Hibernian Radio Hour, we welcome back two legends of Chicago’s Irish American community—Tom “Crash” McKenna and his brother Dennis—longtime members of the Emerald Society and living proof that cops really do tell the best stories.

Hosts Mike and Paddy Houlihan guide this unforgettable conversation filled with laughter, memories, and a few outrageous tales you won’t believe (but will definitely want to hear again).

Tom, a proud member of the Shannon Rovers, and Dennis, a Vietnam veteran and former Air Force man, take us on a journey through their days growing up in St. Theodore’s Parish, attending St. Rita High School, and serving the city of Chicago as police officers. From tales of the 1968 Democratic National Convention to Tom’s time in major accident investigation, these guys have seen it all—and lived to laugh about it.

We hear about Dennis playing in a high school band with Ray Manzarek of The Doors, their shared love of cop bars, and post-retirement adventures like Dennis’ gig as a Chicago tour guide. There’s also a healthy dose of reflection, as the brothers share some deeply personal stories from the force, reminding us that behind the badge is a beating heart—and a sharp Irish wit.

From goodwill to grief, from military service to mass transit mishaps, this episode is a full tour of Chicago, Irish pride, and the brotherhood that binds us all.

As always, Hibernian Radio is brought to you by our loyal sponsors:

Local 150 – Powering Chicaog
Fox’s Pizza – Serving up tavern-cut comfort
Flood Brothers Disposal – Proud supporters of our Irish heroes
Madden Funds – Helping keep our legacy strong

This week on The Houli’s Hooley Radio Hour… aliens, Goodwill, and hot garbage season—just another day at the office.

Paddy and Bill are back with a deep dive into their two favorite topics: second-hand shopping drama and intergalactic diplomacy. First up, the Goodwill Chronicles—outrageous prices, missing pink tag deals, and the underground art of tag-switching (purely hypothetical… of course). They even pitch a VIP program for “legacy families” of thrift shoppers. Early access. Velvet rope. Champagne at checkout. Then the show blasts off—literally—with the re-introduction of Doug, an alien allegedly living beneath the White House. He may be consulting presidents, speaking in clicks, and communicating telepathically with Elon Musk. The CIA’s confused. We’re entertained. And yes, HBO is rumored to be developing the series.

Also on the docket:
Rugby networking with the Chicago Hounds
A crash course in “soft launching” jobs on social media
And a big question—will aliens save us from AI?

All powered by:
Fox’s Pizza – Tavern-cut legends of Orland Park & Mokena
Flood Brothers – Cleaning up hot garbage since forever
Madden Funds – Keeping our money slightly less chaotic

It’s thrift store wisdom meets sci-fi madness—only on the Hooley.