Lisa Dent

Executive Director of the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater Makeda Crayton joins Lisa Dent to talk about the troupe’s 30-year celebration happening at the Auditorium on Saturday, May 30th. She highlights her career in dance and emphasizes the importance of giving younger dancers opportunities to succeed.

Hector Corona, founder of City Kids Camp, along with Bob Evans, Development, City Kids Camp, join Lisa Dent and John Williams in-studio to talk about City Kids Camp during the 2026 Radiothon, the different activities and amenities that the money will go to, and later, we hear from some of the many kids that have gotten the opportunity to go!

Thanks to you and our sponsors at Republic Bank, Alpha Wealth Group and Jewel Osco, we raised $142,225 which means 237 kids are headed to City Kids Camp this summer. Thank you for helping us fill the buses and making a massive impact for these children! You can still continue to donate and fill more buses for the summer. Make your donation here.

Ilyce Glink, ThinkGlink.com and the Love, Money + Real Estate newsletter, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the new inflation numbers, grocery and gas prices, and the highest total American credit card balance since 1999.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories including the restaurant Smyth being named one the 50 best restaurants in North America, Northwestern University’s new football stadium to also be used for a high school game, and Mary asks, “what’s with” multi-step job interviews?

Local musician, videographer for Ottawa, and owner of both Small Dog Candle and Fantzy’s Clothing Store Ryan Witherspoon joins the Lisa Dent Show to not only talk about his stores but how he fell in love with Ottawa since moving to what he now considers his new hometown. He gives a shout-out to his wife and stepdaughter while discussing Fantzy’s as they’re the ones who actually run the women’s clothing store he humbly admits. In addition, his dog Fantzy is currently the face of Small Dog Candle, which offers a variety of candles, clothes and treats for pets, and other small gifts.

Owner of the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat Gentry Nordstrom joins the Lisa Dent Show to talk about the boating experience he offers in Ottawa. He starts off by sharing the origins of how he purchased a boat named the Mark Twain which then got caught in some rocks during a storm. After fixing the boat, he named it the Sainte Genevieve after the patron saint of Paris as well as the area in Missouri where they got it repaired. He later highlights the different activities you can do while on the riverboat, including private events, wedding receptions, family and class reunions, and tours around Starved Rock.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories including an even newer pickle moment, Angine de Poitrine heading to Riot Fest, and a bag of soggy tortilla chips.

Ron Brown, news anchor for WGN Radio, joins Lisa Dent to dish out some Brownie Points. This week he reviews The Mandalorian and Grogu and The Passenger.

Ashley Podjasek, Media Relations and Communications Associate for PAWS Chicago, joins Lisa Dent to talk about the 28th annual Angels with Tails adoption event on Sunday, May 31st. The event will be happening across 36 different Gold Coast storefronts from noon to 4pm.

President of the Chicago Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness Jamie Cutler joins Lisa Dent to talk about how her son, Ari, could be the youngest person to have their partial vision restored using experimental gene therapy. She goes on to highlight the Foundation’s VisionWalk happening Sunday, May 31st, at Busse Woods. The event features a 5k, a marching band, and family-friendly games. All proceeds go to the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ mission.