Justin Kaufmann

Anchor, actor, and comedian Mariam Sobh and director Kim Schultz join Justin on Extension 720 to discuss their new Second City show, “Headscarf Above Water.” Mariam and Kim talk about why the decided to put together this show, the importance of putting the Muslim-American story on stage, what she’s learned from doing the show, how she’s fit into the comedy world and why she’s not shy about poking fun at the Muslim experience. This is the podcast for Extension 720. […]

2018 Mr. Olympia winner Brandon Hendrickson joins Justin on Extension 720 to discuss his career,  why did he decide to get involved with bodybuilding, when he realized he could become a competitive bodybuilder, the amount of work it takes to excel at such a high level, how a fear of failure continues to motivate him, the discipline involved in being a competitive bodybuilder, the importance of a clean diet, how he is preparing to defend his title and how it […]

Tonight on Extension 720: Sister Donna runs the women’s program for Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation. She works with women impacted by Chicago violence. She (and the staff) are making a difference in the community. Riot Fest is celebrating its 15th anniversary and we’ll talk to founder Mike Petryshyn about how the late summer festival has evolved. Arcfest is a brand new music and beer festival in Southwest Michigan that was started by a Chicago musician. We’ll talk about what […]

Sister Donna Liette, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, joins Justin on Extension 720 to discuss how she became involved with restorative justice work, why she focuses on working with women who have lost children to violence or incarceration, the importance of continuing to talk about the trauma and loss, using Peacemaking Circles to help women deal with losing children to violence or incarceration, how she deals with being around trauma and how she feels Chicago violence is […]

Riot Fest founder Mike Petryshyn joins Justin on Extension 720 to discuss the fifteenth anniversary of the tremendous summer festival. Mike talks about how Riot Fest has evolved through the years, how they manage to stay independent, the amazing loyalty of Riot Fest fans, the process of booking acts to play the festival, the challenge of finding the right balance of performers, the relationship the festival has with Douglas Park and the city of Chicago, the importance of making the […]

Michael Kunik of the tremendous local band Dream Version and Dave Coyle, founder of Arclight Brewing Company, join Justin on Extension 720 to discuss the inaugural Arcfest Beer Release and Music Festival taking place in Watervliet, MI, on August 17th. Michael and Dave talk about the impetus for starting this festival, the similarities between being in a band and running a brewery, the special beer collaborations being made for this festival, how street festivals have evolved through the years, the […]

Tonight on Extension 720: WGN Bears Insider Adam Hoge gets us excited for the upcoming Bears season. We continue our neighborhood tour with a trip to the South Loop and a conversation with Marj Halperin. Historian John Schmidt tells us about a hidden Chicago landmark in the Loop and we learn about the challenges of running Illinois’ largest waterpark from Raging Waves owner Randy Witt. All that plus an update on a mysterious eggplant. It’s Extension 720 with Justin Kaufmann. […]

WGN Bears Insider Adam Hoge joins Justin on Extension 720 to preview the Bears first preseason game and to tell us the major storylines we should pay attention to this season. Adam talks about the difference between this Bears training camp from last year’s training camp, how the offense looks more comfortable running  the system, the way new coordinator Chuck Pagano has taken a hold of the defense, how some of the new defensive players are getting acclimated, why he […]

It’s the “The Download on Chicago Business” sponsored by Signature Bank. Tonight, Justin speaks with Randy Witt from Raging Waves Waterpark about the business of running Illinois’ largest waterpark. Randy talks about how he got into the waterpark business, when he was “bit by the waterpark bug,” what it takes to become the destination waterpark in the state, the challenge of running a waterpark in the Midwest, why a good weather forecast is imperative to a good day at the waterpark, […]

“Off the Record” is a series of conversations with prominent Chicagoans in their communities. Tonight on Extension 720, Justin is joined by communications consultant Marj Halperin at Akhirah’s Praline Candy & Coffee House in the South Loop. Marj talks about why she chose to meet at Akhirah’s, the health of the small business community in the South Loop, the rich history of the South Loop, the vibrancy of the neighborhood, the amount of development that is happening in the South […]