Let's Talk

With the explosion of new free tools like Canva, pretty much anyone these days can call themselves a designer. But how about someone who's been a designer since 8? On this episode, I talk with graphic designer extraordinaire Emma Kumer about her love of all things fonts and design, as well as her tips for getting started in the field. 

What's it like being a first time voter now, and in the 1980s? On this episode, I talk with my dad and sister about the different experiences they've had with voting, and how this election could end up being the most important one yet.

Sometimes, just figuring out where to go next is hard. On this episode, I talk about struggling with being still, and the effect it's had on me.

As we inch toward the general election in November, progressive politicians across the country have been fighting to address inequities that have been exacerbated by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and incidents of police brutality. Representative Charles Booker is one of those progressives, a legislator from Kentucky who gained national recognition after narrowly losing a high-profile Senate bid in June. On this episode, he talks about gaining a critical mass of support for progressive policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, his strategy for building broad coalitions of voters, and his new advocacy group, Hood to the Holler, which you can find at https://hoodtotheholler.org/

What do you put on your hot dog? (Wrong answers only) I talk with friend of the program Sam Brief on his career as a professional broadcaster for the Chicago Dogs, including the lessons he's learned along the way and the challenges he's faced as a broadcaster during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How do you do, fellow kids? On this episode, I sat down with Talia Schulhof, a rising sophomore at Northwestern University who also happens to be a budding star on TikTok. We talk about her rise to TikTok clout, the increasing popularity of the app, and where she sees TikTok going forward. 

How would you like some poetry to end your week (it's good for the soul)?!? This episode features me reading three poems aloud -  all with the theme of love and loneliness.

The man! The myth! The legend! On today's episode, I'm joined by my former cross-country coach and longtime friend Billy Poole-Harris, as we reflect on our team's 2015 postseason run and talk lessons learned along the way. 

A derecho roared through Chicago on Monday, leaving me and my family without power for about 32 hours! On this episode, you'll get an inside look on what it was like to be with my parents and I as we weathered the storm in our basement -- and then in the only room in our house with a wall of windows and two skylights...

Today's show is all about gratitude, and I wanted to kick it off by talking about my favorite show of all time, Community (#SixSeasonsAndAMovie)! I binged three seasons this weekend! On this episode, I talk about the reasons the show has had a profound impact on me and why I am thankful to have it in my life.