HyperLocal(s)

When I saw her on stage at That's What She Said 2025, she shined like a diamond. Authentic, sweet and funny. A few messages later, and I got to meet the star for a long-form interview of her performance.

 Listen as this Farmer City girl talks about the unique spelling of her name, her career in philanthropy, infertility treatments, the heart-wrenching ending to the birth of her triplets, how to approach a grieving mother and family and the effects child-loss has on parenting her son Hudson and girl Cooper. We then make the worst transition ever into divorce, online dating, dating coaching and her future in divorce coaching. Finally, and most importantly, Lesa talks about how she has never been happily. No one deserves a happier ever after more than this bright light. 

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.

Ommmmmmm. She has a calming affect that is unmatched. Flowers, yoga and an overall conscious lifestyle cloaked in spirituality, sustainability, staying grounded and an appreciation for nature.

 Listen as this Korea-born, nomadic youth and now local business woman shares a story of yoga, the Dahlia diva, gardening, being a librarian, spirituality, losing her mom after healing their relationship, living in a co-op household, the COVID business boom, delivering flowers on her bike and now planting and harvesting cut flowers on her 5-acre farm. Delight Flower Farm. Aptly named as Maggie is the definition of delightful.

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 character! What an entertainer! Energy and talent bubble out of this Jim Morrisonesque style icon while he graces the stages of Champaign-Urbana. 

 Listen as this New York transplant talks about his youth as a performer, relative pitch versus perfect pitch, his ongoing residency at Urbana's Canopy Club, the history and resurrection of Piano Man, the most requested songs and finally how many unbuttoned buttons is too many buttons unbuttoned?

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.

When you realize someone you have always known strictly as an authority figure has a personal life, you begin to see them in an entirely different way. A dad, a husband, humanized, vulnerable. My former high school teacher had an entire story unfolding outside of the brick and mortar of Central High School.

 Listen as this tight local father-and-daughter combo come to Kitchen Table Studios to talk adoption, the One-Child Policy in China, the influx of adoptions and societal dynamics only a few decades ago, the families that connected during this time for the same goal, the weekend that pivoted the Scott's life plan and the big brother. I will never forget the independent thinking daughter, Ella, and the respect and space that she was given by her dad to tell her story, pursue her lineage in any way she chooses and the consideration she gave to where she came from. 

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 lot can happen in two years. On September 12, 2022 the first podcast was released with this single mom. She returns to give a life update on the growth of her family and her heart.

 Listen as this Urbana gal talks about her move to a small town, going from a mom of one to a mom of two overnight, her faith, her support system, how she manages stress, the adoption process, how they celebrated the adoption, sibling rivalry, managing stress, dating and the part I'm really in awe of, her selflessness. There was a need and she met it. There was a little girl who needed her and she raised her hand. She added to her mental, physical and emotional load because she believes this is what she was called here to do. The world needs more Mahalas.
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Please, please subscribe (so you know when new episodes drop) and share! Find at linktr.ee/hyperlocals_cu or wherever you find podcasts.

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.

An early flight. A long-awaited couple's getaway. A welcome third wheel.
 
 Listen as my husband and "Tales From Two Townies" road trip warrior talks with our dear friend, Jamie Wellman, on our way to the airport. We reminisce, discuss our Austin plans, talk music and get to know this repeat podcast guest a little better. Festivals, wookies, concerts, interrupting, lunch dating, caregiver stories, being a landlord, Veo bikes, a rogue bug and so much more. Need a random stream of consciousness? This is it. 

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.

For the last two seasons of basketball at my son's school, I've watched this gentleman run back-and-forth while relentlessly trying to keep pace with the unwavering energy of middle school boys. Little pay, evening hours and most importantly an onslaught of unhappy customers makes officiating a job that I had to know more about.

 Listen as this Pesotum-adjacent lifer talks about his own sports history from the beginning. He even includes present day full-circle moments with his children's athletic endeavors. He is my husband's cousin who I never got to truly know until this delightful sit down. We dive into his side hustle as an IHSA referee, diffusing situations on the court, in the stands and on the bench and how he keeps his cool. Chaotic, overstimulating and high-stakes, how does he keep all of the pressure from boiling over? Good, respected refs are in high demand and it's no wonder why. Officiating isn't exactly a glamorized position. Whether umping baseball or tossing flags on the football field, you are often the punching bag during losses and simply background noise during wins. Not a lot of thanks for the ones that truly allow us to play ball. 

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 years ago I started working with her to incorporate weights into my weekly routine. She also overhauled the way I eat, view food and think about cardio. 

 Listen as this Oregon native and professional mover (in more ways than one) has returned to the podcast to talk less about her role as an Illini football wife and more about her role as creator of Amy Miller Fitness, gym etiquette, the old-school fear of women being "too buff," the simplification of calories in vs. calorie expenditure, our love of the walking pad, imposter syndrome, the comparison game, using the new year as a time to take inventory of the past, present and future, longevity and SO much more. She has forever changed my approach to health and wellness, influences me in the most positive ways and makes me want to be better. Thank you Amy for your researched, thoughtful and challenging approach to health and fitness. 

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 took notice of her unique approach to fitness on social media. Approachable, fun, silly, doable and high on positivity/low on shame.

 Listen as this Danville native talks all things New Year's resolutions, ditching the concept of "new year, new you" and adopting a "word of the year," how she views her own body, "cold girl walks," talking to kids about food, fitness events culminating in a brewski or ice cream, building community, Ozempic and what's wrong/right in the wellness industry. Ali is a delight. She is fun, energetic and would be a great coach aka friend to support those wanting to shift their health and wellness goals. 

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 could have talked to Jason about his profession for hours. The dynamics and processes and protocols and community inside the firehouses in Champaign are tightly aligned and something the residents of CU should hear more about.

 Listen as this multi-generational townie talks about the testing to become a firefighter, the drop in applicants over the decade, moving up the firehouse ranks at a comparatively young age, attending a college that specialized in a firefighting career, the alarming suicide rate and toll on mental health firefighting has on its employees, PTSD, the spouses left at home, cooking in the firehouse, Dancing With the Stars and why firemen have a reputation of being hotties!?

 

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.