Busy, kind, funny and self-deprecating. Jess stayed cool, calm and collected under pressure as the definition of a multi-tasking mom unfolded right in front of me in order to get the job done.

 Listen as this Chicago-area transplant talks micropreemie, losing a twin, infertility, the endless NICU stay, taking home "the sickest, smallest baby at Carle," trach life, regrets and therapy, COVID isolation, long-term challenges, sharing her family's story publicly and the decision not to monetize, getting to kindergarten in a public school, the decision to have another child and non-profit work. This is what a superhero looks like. 

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 couldn't take in all of the poetic and prophetic words fast enough. Wise beyond words and kind beyond the capacity of most, Carlos has used his tonsorial talent to give back to select groups of youth in our community.

 Listen as this Champaign native talks all things grooming, the importance of looking good to feel good, feeling good to perform good, abuse, divorce, being a dad to a big brood, the priority to support your children, athletics, failing to pass a college entrance test, selling drugs, getting caught, getting shot, creating a business plan, the love of a loyal woman and cutting hair throughout it ALL. The artistry and talent behind cutting hair led him to give back through, "A Cut Above the Rest Barber Academy." What an honor to meet someone who is representative of coming full circle. 

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 local newspaper article led me to her. She had surprised herself by winning an award for "Dispatcher of the Year." After talking to the 9-1-1 call center operator, there was no doubt she was deserving of this award. 

 Listen as this Monticello Sage lights up the MIC with her tales from behind the drawn windows of the local 9-1-1 call center, the importance of food on the job, night shift adjustments, car napping, busy signals, changes to the influx of calls with weather and seasons, the trope of annoyed dispatchers, dating within the industry, multitasking computer screens, triaging emergencies, swatting and why not to hang up on 9-1-1. If I were to call in an emergency, I would want this human sparkler on the other end.

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.

Open and honest, warm and approachable. Father O'Brien gives priests a great name. He has made such a positive imprint on our community, and we are sad to see him move on to his next assignment, as is the dedicated life of a priest.

 Listen as this Bloomington native turned nomadic priest talks rectory life, choosing to attend seminary and the low rate of graduates, what his parents thought of his life choice, keeping a line between being the "cool" priest and reverence, the new pope and the excitement that brings to the country and the faith, relying on a greater power to inform all decisions and finding peace in that. What an honor to interview someone so open to any and all questions regarding a calling that is often stigmatized. Father O'Brien was a pleasure, thoughtful and a great example of practicing what you preach.

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.

It is much more than bell ringing and disaster relief, this couple upholds the promise to do the most good with the resources provided by The Salvation Army.

 Listen as this Nebraska native, Kenyon, talks about his story as a foster youth, how his mother needed and used the Salvation Army to bring their family back together, how the Salvation Army gave them the opportunity to have a Christmas, how the couple met through their faith and continue to serve the community through this valuable resource and the structure and military influence the Salvation Army uses as a framework for their processing. Between the two of them, they know all things Salvation Army, and I was lucky to learn how much the organization provides to those in need. 

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 red-headed delight has come up many times in previous episodes, so I thought it only right she comes on and tells her story.

  Listen as this Easton, IL native (home to 400 or less) talks about her life as a photographer, the niche she has carved in the industry, going from small town to big city, photographing campus shenanigans as her first gig, volunteering for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (an organization that takes precious photographs in the hospital of newborns that have passed) and how she views the competitive photography market in our area having best friends as her direct peers. Keep documenting the beautiful in each of us, Holly.

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.

What a joy and pleasure and light and well-rounded person Jae was to interview. There's no shortage of adjectives for this well-spoken delight. She is a That's What She Said Sister, therapist, financial guru and simply a great person to have met.

 Listen as this Naperville native and University of Illinois grad talks about the lifetime's worth of trauma she has experienced in just a decade. Jae describes her suicide attempt, sexual assault, travel sports and the huge impact that had on her life, disordered eating, college softball, boxing, depression, "little T and big T trauma," financial therapy, clinical therapy and bridging the gap between wealth and wellness. I was and am in awe of the progress, outlook and perspective Jae has gained in her short 23 years.

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 smooth operator joins me at Kitchen Table Studios after a long day of teaching and dadding. 

 Listen as this Kankakee-born musician talks skipping a grade, clutching a high-honor scholarship, falling a few credits short, mastering his degree later in life, becoming a teacher of music and playing his voice all over our community while trying to manage a tricky relationship with finances. Finally and after some persuasion, Brandon sings for the podience to my delight!

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.

Her intellect, presence and breadth of talent was inspiring. Her disposition and mellow nature was calming. She was a lovely interview and an honor to sit down with. 

 Listen as this German-born, California-raised and Champaign-rooted, talks how music influenced and shaped her education, her love life, her career and her family dynamics. Julie's main instrument is piano, however: conducting, directing, teaching and most recently heading the Lyric Theater with husband and previous guest, Nathan, at the University of Illinois is her main gig. While growing her career and resume, she also raised five children! Saying she is impressive would be selling her short. Lovely, kind and generous of her time and gifts would help fill the dictionary of adjectives that define this renaissance woman. 

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 family of four gather around our dining table aka Kitchen Table Studios to excitedly provide content. 
 
 Listen as my children, husband and the "Tales From Two Townies" most requested, graciously provide content during a rousing Q & A game, expose family secrets, tell us why they know mom and dad love them, what are mom and dad not good at, lots of secret fast food content, what makes our kids laugh, what are least favorite article of clothing for each other is, the first thing we bought together and if Andrew and I were a traffic sign what would we be? A real look at our perfectly imperfect family dynamic.

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.