In My Hometown

This week on In My Hometown, Jamie Stein sits down with Sarah Hall—actress, owner of a local theatre company, and passionate arts advocate for people of all ages. Sarah shares her journey from performing on stage to building a community space where kids can explore theatre and dance, discover their confidence, and fall in love with the arts.

We talk about:

• Her experience in LA as an actress (with her late husband, Will) 
• Expanding her programming for older adults
• The challenges and rewards of running a community arts program
• How theatre can drive resilience, and connection

Whether you’re an arts lover, a parent, or someone who cares about keeping creativity alive in our hometown, this episode will inspire you.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

What does it mean to dedicate your life to faith and community? In this episode of In My Hometown, host Jamie Stein sits down with Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein, Senior Rabbi of Am Shalom, to talk about his journey to the rabbinate, what it's like raising kids as "the Rabbi's children," and the unique role of being a local figure and community leader. From his decision to become a rabbi to his views on organized religion and the state of Judaism, Rabbi Lowenstein offers a candid look at faith, family and finding meaning in today's world.

In this episode, I sit down with Dustin O’Regan, Editor-in-Chief of Sheridan Road Magazine, to explore her inspiring journey into publishing and storytelling. Known as a true social connector or "pollinator" -- Dustin shares how her passion for important causes, celebrating women doing amazing things, discovering meaningful stories, and building community has shaped her career and her life.

We talk about:

• Her path to becoming editor-in-chief
• The impact of spotlighting women’s voices and achievements
• Embracing her role of “social connector”
• Travel 
• Words of wisdom for living authentically and “doing me”

Our conversation is fun and filled with tidbits and teasers behind the pages of the magazine.  

Tune in to hear how she brings people together through words, travel, and a life well lived.

#inmyhometown @newpodcast #lifestyle #northshore #celebratingwomen #socialconnector #travel #doingme

I sit down with painter and installation artist and mom of 3 boys, Nicole Gordon to explore the moments and mentors that shape who we become. We talk about the lasting influence of teachers on our lives and trajectories, Nicole's unique artistic process, and decision to attend University of Michigan vs a small art school. 

This is a conversation about creativity, guidance, and the unexpected ways our paths unfold. 

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube. 

On this week's episode I sit down with Julie and Lou Rubin— the husband-and-wife team behind Hometown Coffee & Juice - THE go-to-gathering spot with locations along Chicago's North Shore.

If you’ve ever walked through their doors, you know it’s more than a cafe. It’s become the beating heart of every community it’s in—a place where people come together and everyone feels like a local. Oh…and a delicious menu too!!

We talked about building a neighborhood spot that feels like home, the challenges (and joys.) of running a restaurant together, making it a family business, and lessons learned.

#InMyHometownPodcast #Podcast #HometownStories #Community

In this episode of In My Hometown, host Jamie Stein sits down with Dan Ponce, WGV-TV Morning News anchor and founding member of the vocal group Straight No Chaser. Journalism runs deep in Dan's family -his father, Phil Ponce, former reporter and long-time host of show "Chicago Tonight" -and his brother Anthony also followed the path into reporting. Dan shares what it was like growing up in a newsroom family, thoughts on the changing media landscape and advice for future journalists. Plus, he shares about his passion for music and performing and and why community matters.  

In the very first episode of In My Hometown, we sit down with Pascal Ibgui, owner of Pascal Pour Elle salon in Glencoe, IL and finalist from the first season of ABC's The Golden Bachelorette.

Pascal shares how he built one of the Northshore's most iconic salons, lessons learned, and what it was like to swap his scissors for a rose on national TV. 

It's a conversation full of style, heart, and zest for life - that reminds us that passion can be a powerful fuel for success and happiness.

Listen now because you never know who in your hometown will inspire you. 

In My Hometown is where we get into the business of our neighbors. Each episode spotlights the people who live and work next door - entrepreneurs, artists, leaders, and everyday people shaping our communities.  Host Jamie Stein sits down for thoughtful conversations about what they do, why they do it, their passions, purpose, challenges, and more.  Because the most inspiring stories aren't always on the front page - sometimes, they're happening right in your hometown.