A great laugh and a warm spirit resonates throughout this passionate self-taught chef. 

 Listen as this Urbana native talks growing up in the diversity of Urbana, the opposing demographics of the Broadlands, team sports, alternative schools, working in dozens of kitchens, the importance of culture and food, the misery of manual labor, the incomparable feeling when cooking for others, couch surfing, working 20-hours per day and finding a home at the VFW 630. There are so many lows in this story, Benny took a lot of hits. However, he kept finding himself returning to the kitchen to find direction and happiness. 

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentcare.com.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

A podcast listener reached out with the desire to tell her story and the impact her life has had on her profession. On such a sensitive and timely topic, I was happy to have an expert explain their relationship with immigration—both personally and professionally.

Listen as this New York born, Palestine rooted, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor talks living out the American Dream, making a family move to Palestine, dividing time and energy between cultures and teaching. What a joy to meet a listener turned guest. Thoughtful and understanding, Nadia has a caring disposition that makes her so easy to talk to. 

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentcare.com.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

He wanted to be the 200th episode. He has seen me through the trajectory of the podcast from beginning to now. Request granted.

 Listen as this St. Louis adjacent native talks about his education and interest in music, private and public barbering, timeliness, faith, grounding in nature, talk therapy in the barber chair, fishing for sport and relaxation, philanthropy and giving haircuts rooted in cultural traditions. Jake has heard and seen it all. During this interview we get a deeper look into Jake the friend, counselor and confidant. Jake is one of my absolute favorite conversationalists on and off record.

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentcare.com.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

Two early birds set up and execute a podcast in under eight hours! A record scheduling feat. Patient, soft spoken and flexible, Illinois muralist and window painter, Leslie, brought so much to the podcast table.

 Listen as this Peru, Indiana transplant talks about her strict religious upbringing, getting married young, having children young, planting a church, breaking away from her religious roots, teaching music, divorce, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), using art for therapy and beginning life again as a muralist and window painter. She is as vibrant and playful as her creations and a pleasure to interview. 

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

I was delighted when Emergency Department Nurse, Sarah Bloomstrand, came on the podcast a year ago. Now, Sarah returns with husband and fellow ED professional, Dr. Kurt Bloomstrand, to talk life as a doctor in a high pressure, high stakes environment.

 Listen as this Loda transplant talks about growing up in a smaller town, developing a yearning and learning to help with medical needs at a young age, surviving medical school and the other educational benchmarks, working in Emergency Services and meeting Sarah, why Emergency medicine over other specialties and finally a passion project that comes to life this week, in the middle of flu season, FirstLine Urgent Care! Our community is so lucky to have these providers at the helm of a project sure to fill a need for availability to urgent, more convenient care. What a lovely pair full of heart, conviction and knowledge.

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

My husband and I reflect on the completely unexpected responsibility given to us. This responsibility would become a gift that we will never forget or take for granted. With no family or children, my husband became the caretaker for a recently widowed man with a newly discovered dementia diagnosis.

 Listen as my husband and the "Tales From Two Townies" better half returns to talk about a years-in-the-making arrangement that came to fruition, spending each lunch hour with a heartbroken, rapidly aging former piano teacher with no kids or family to rely on, going from the position of student to caretaker, the last email from his ailing wife, navigating insurance, doctors appointments, the health care system and assisted living. After two years of daily visits and chats, Andrew takes time to reflect on how he will remember his childhood piano teacher ... and friend.

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

Don't judge a book by its cover. This realtor that rocks was an open book. She shared vulnerabilities and insights that can only come with experience and reflection, successes and fails.

 Listen as this Danville native and former Burger Chef employee talks growing up in Danville, her high school temperament, parenting your kids over friending your kids, rock star Bret Michaels and the band family, speaking your mind, divorce, dating, unemployment, bankruptcy, real estate, giving back, sharing political views and fur babies. What a pleasure it was to get to know the interesting woman beyond the billboards!

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

Previous guest, Cedar King, returns to talk about C-U At Home's largest fundraiser of the year, One Winter Night. Participants spend a night out in the elements to paint a poignant picture of what just a handful of hours can feel like for our local unhoused community. This episode Cedar brings a success story with him, Elizabeth Campbell, to share her story of growth, resilience and the comeback.

 Listen as Cedar, Michigan transplant and Liz Campbell, Bloomington-Normal transplant, talk all things trauma, family dynamics, addiction, mental health, manipulation and the consequences of this dangerous mix of behaviors and events; losing a marriage, a home, kids and yourself. Wait for the end to get to the happy ending of recovery, therapy and putting the pieces of life back together one relationship at a time. Looking to give back? The February 6 fundraiser, One Winter Night, can always use support. Visit p2p.onecause.com/own2025 for more information. 

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

This magnetic ray of chaos, smiles and energy was an easy interview. Proud of both his history as a Marine and present as a DJ and Toys for Tots Coordinator, he brought an energy that was undeniable.

 Listen as this Chicagoland transplant talks about his unique upbringing with a two year high school sabbatical in Japan, using athleticism to shape his diligence and work ethic, surviving and thriving during bootcamp and beyond, the urge and disappointment of never  becoming a drill instructor, getting his MBA, opening a DJ business and mobile tailgating set up and becoming a famous icon at Illini games. On Thursday, December 11, Ceasar, along with the WCIA team, will be behind the WCIA building (509 S. Neil St.) accepting unwrapped kids' toys for the youth in our community. These youth may otherwise be overlooked this holiday season if it wasn't for the contributions from Toys for Tots. 

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

The sweetest vet answered my texts when I needed emotional support, encouragement and someone to say, "You are doing the right thing."

 Listen as Bloomington native and University of Illinois graduate, Dr. Mary Laptew talks about her background in veterinary medicine, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and all things end-of-life animal care. When is the right time to put your animal "down," what are the options for end-of-life services, what does each scenario look like and how do you navigate a couple on different sides of the issue? If you want to know you are making the best, toughest decision for your fur and human family, listen to this ep. 

I'd like to thank this episode's sponsor, FirstLine Urgent Care. Local Emergency Department doc, Kurt Bloomstrand and wife and ER nurse, Sarah, are dedicated to this heart-led passion project. The Bloomstrands are opening a local and modern urgent care, FirstLine, at 2043 S. Neil Street in Champaign. Care you know. People You Trust. Follow firstlineurgentcare on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and visit firstlineurgentc

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.