Not Live

FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with Democratic Nominee for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Christian Mitchell. Christian steps away from standard political talking points to discuss his real friendship with Governor JB Pritzker, stepping into a boxing ring to honor his mother’s breast cancer battle, his time working on Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, and his die-hard love for Chicago food, sneakers, and superhero cinema.

Episode Highlights:

• Behind closed doors with Governor JB Pritzker and their "Space Nerds" text chain

• Stepping into a charity boxing match in pink gloves for his mom, a breast cancer survivor

• The unforgettable moment Barack Obama cast a vote for Christian Mitchell

• The definitive Chicago pizza debate: Why tavern-style square cut reigns supreme

• A test of cinema memory: Quoting iconic lines from The Dark Knight

• Rapid-fire takes on Air Jordan culture, washing denim, and hip-hop GOATs

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. In this personal conversation, Juliana reflects on her Far South Side upbringing, her four daughters and their hilarious family group chat, her love for Beyoncé and Chicago house music, and her transformative experience as a caregiver for her parents.
Episode Highlights:
• Why Juliana always starts the dance floor and buffet line
• Meet her four daughters: the project manager, creative, urban farmer, and triple threat
• Lessons from her father's Selma to Montgomery march and his 1965 essay
• The truth about Governor JB Pritzker's storytelling and sense of humor
• Rapid-fire questions on pineapple pizza, curling in the Olympics, and her go-to Chicago spots

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with Mariyana Spyropoulos, Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. In this personal conversation, Mariyana shares her journey from growing up as an immigrant child on Chicago's South Side to practicing law, leading environmental initiatives, and transforming Cook County's court system.

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up first-generation Greek American and comparing her childhood to 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'

• Lessons learned from her late father and the comfort of making homemade Pastitsio

• Transitions from MWRD Commissioner to managing one of the largest court systems in the world

• Stories from working in London's financial district and evaluating Czech crystal

• Rapid-fire choices on phone screen time, bread makers, and favorite flowers

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Plus, he shares an incredible golf redemption story involving Cubs Game 7 and Augusta National, puts his palate to the test in a blind deep-dish taste test, and reveals the secret behind Chicago's favorite pizza.
Episode Highlights:

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with independent candidate for Illinois Governor Collin Corbett. In this personal and funny conversation, Collin opens up about running for office while expecting baby #2, his family's IVF journey, his epic global adventures, and why he takes his grilling and Lego collection very seriously.
Episode Highlights:

How Collin and his wife named their son Theodore Rex ("T-Rex")
Secrets from getting married at Arlington Park racetrack & his dad's jockey past
Adventures abroad: Walking with lions, playing soccer with elephants, and shark diving
Why he uses an overflowing trash can as a secret job interview test
Rapid-fire questions on White Sox baseball, Great White Sharks vs. toddler meltdowns, and smooth peanut butter

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with GOP Candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Aaron Del Mar. In this candid conversation, Aaron shares his journey from growing up in Chicagoland with immigrant roots to competing in Judo at the Olympic Training Center, suffering 80 stitches in cage fights, and building several businesses from the ground up.
Episode Highlights:

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with legendary chef, restaurateur, and author Rick Bayless.

In this candid conversation, Rick reflects on his 40-year journey with Frontera Grill, the secrets to elevating basic home cooking, maintaining a Michelin star for 14 years, and overcoming personal hardship through perseverance.

Plus, he shares his family's holiday traditions in Oaxaca, his passion for yoga, and guides us through a rapid-fire round of where to eat based on your mood.
Episode Highlights:

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with Illinois 10th District U.S. Representative Brad Schneider.

In this personal conversation, Brad reflects on his early career as a camp counselor, meeting his wife Julie, navigating his 65th birthday, and his deep connection to the Highland Park community.

He also shares insights into bipartisan lunchrooms in D.C., his rescued puppy-mill lab Jojo, and sells Lauren on everything from flip phones to middle airplane seats.
Episode Highlights:
Lessons from camp counseling, food fights, and RA duties at Northwestern
Reflections on the 2022 Highland Park July 4th tragedy & community strength
The story behind rescuing Jojo the Lab and the door-opening Labradoodle
Sales Challenge: Pitching flip phones, middle seats, Chicago winters, and Congress
Congressional Superlatives: Trivia champions, the Dad Joke Caucus, and Ravinia concerts

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with former Chicago Bears player Israel Idonije. In this personal conversation, Israel reflects on Super Bowl XLI, life inside Lovie Smith's training camps, building a post-football business empire in Chicago's South Loop, and how he went from dreaming of the NBA to playing 11 years in the NFL.
Episode Highlights:
Devin Hester’s legendary Super Bowl XLI opening kickoff return
Crazy trash-talk stories involving Philip Rivers and Steve Smith
How Israel launched his comic book series, The Protectors
Inside his South Loop hospitality concepts (Buttercup, M Lounge, The Daily)
Rapid-fire game: Bear Down or Back Out & calling former Bears teammates

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FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi is 'Not Live' with GOP Nominee for Illinois Governor Darren Bailey. In this personal conversation, Darren reflects on life on the family farm, overcoming profound personal grief through faith, his 40-year romance with wife Cindy, and he even swaps hilarious hunting stories with Lauren.

Episode Highlights:

The Bailey farm’s surprising connection to Girl Scout cookies

The truth about farm subsidies and modern agriculture

What jobs would Darren give Trump and JD Vance on the farm

Transition from tough father to softie grandpa

Rapid-fire questions on Chicago traffic, heavy metal, and dad jokes

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