Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan back to the podcast to talk about some of his recent interviews with Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons and the band Rise Against. They also discuss the recent Rolling Stones concert in Chicago, the Billy Joel/Stevie Nicks show at Soldier Field, Roger Daltrey at Ravinia, and more.

Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the crazy thunderstorms and earthquakes hitting the Midwest, the dawn of TMZ, the new cast of “The Surreal Life,” and who might become the next “America’s Sweetheart.” Plus, they finish up their British taste tests with some banana toffee. [EP262]