On this new podcast, author and Fox News analyst Juan Williams is out with a new book, “New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement” which looks at what Williams calls an historic new movement that follows the efforts begun in the 1960’s, as covered.

This time, it’s the elevation of Barack Obama to President that is the impetus. There is so much more to be dissected, and nobody does it better than Juan Williams. The highs, the lows and the challenges…all set out in this look at where the country has been and what challenges lie ahead.

New Prize for These Eyes is available now and can be purchased at www.Amazon.com

Second City began training and entertaining back in 1959 and has not stopped since. Producing talents including Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Dan Aykroyd, Tiny Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray, Jane Lynch….the list is endless.

Each year new students get trained to enter the field of comedic improv, or to just enhance their lives by confronting the anxiety of presenting, living with Autism or Parkinson’s. So much you may not know about Second City beyond the incredible comedy shows they present all year round.

Joining the conversation are Program Alum and Faculty member Anthony Leblanc, Vice President of Training Centers Julie Dumais Osborne, and one of the ensembles funniest and most engaging talents: Tim Metzler.

Check out the lively conversation about the history, programs and shows offered by this gem of Chicago’s comedy scene. For more information, visit: www.SecondCity.com

It is likely that this show’s title caught your attention. Well, in reality, this is the intimate and very personal story of Black Ensemble Theater founder and CEO Jackie Taylor who also wrote and directed this autobiographical work. Indeed Jackie as a young girl was in love with Elvis and that was something she shared intensely with her brother Joe. She wrote Elvis hundreds of letters…but did he ever write back? And just how does young Jackie (called Janet in the play) work with the family dynamics and difficulties dealt with by her brother. And yes, the musical is filled with all the Elvis songs you would hope to hear as only BET can perform them.

Joining in the conversation is indeed Miss Jackie Taylor who talks about her vision in this production, but also for the Black Ensemble Theater campus that is developing. Also chatting is Rhonda Preston, who has been performing with BET for about 30 years and knows Jackie so well, it makes sense for her to play Jackie as we all know her today. In addition, one of the “newer” performers in the BET family, Britt Edwards plays young Jackie (called Janet in the show) and she shares what it means to be part of the BET performing family.

An engaging conversation to be sure because BET is not your typical theater production company. It’s a family with a mission: to eradicate racism in our lifetime.

Tickets for the production can be purchased at: www.BlackEnsemble.org  and performances run through April 20th.

Check out the theater at their website…it’s a real jewel of the community.

Brad Meltzer is a New York Times Best Selling author of thrillers, non-fiction plots and conspiracy books and even children’s books. He’s an amazing author with an incredible writing style.

On this new podcast, Brad talks about his latest works: “The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill  Kennedy – and Why it Failed “ and “Make Magic: The Book of Inspiration You Didn’t Know You Needed.” Plus he talks about his latest childrens book coming out in May on the Beatles!

Also Brad shares stories from his life…he’s as engaging in conversation as he is in his writing.

You can learn more about him at: www.BradMeltzer.com

This new podcast is also the PREMIERE episode of the show on WGN+. You can download that app on Apple TV, Roku and Firestick. Behind the Curtain streams on WGN+ on Saturdays at 10:30am, 4:30pm and Sundays at 4pm.  Catch it there!

After the show airs on WGN+ you will find it on WGNRadio.com, YouTube, Spotify, Apple and also at www.AroundtheTownChicago..”

Paul chats with Burt Kearns, author of a new biography of Shemp Howard, one of the original Three Stooges. Lots of surprises in this discussion as Burt shares that many of the facts relayed by Shemp’s real life brother Moe in his autobiography just aren’t true. Kearns has done extensive research of this more complex member of the Stooges. Shemp had a career outside of the Stooges and you might be surprised to learn all that he did on his own.

Plus, is the cause of Shemp’s death what the doctors said it was? Lots interesting questions raised in this new book available from www.Amazon.com and signed copies plus more at: www.ShempBook.com

Moulin Rouge was long awaited when it first came to Chicago a few years ago and now it is back!! The winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical! It’s been called spectacular and euphoric…this show is truly beautiful to watch. With music from Lady Gaga to the Beatles, this high energy wonder is back.

Playing the lead role of Christian is Jay Armstrong Johnson. His previous performances on Broadway include: Parade, HAIR, Catch Me if You Can, and Phantom Of the Opera. Jay has appeared in concert at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center among other venues. If you have never seen the production of Moulin Rouge, this is your chance…

And you only have until April 20th. Tickets can be purchased at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

In this new podcast, Paul chats with author and podcast host Aaron Mahnke whose new book “Cabinet of Curiosities” is an incredible page-turner of fun! The stories told in the book bring history to life and the amazing tales of coincidence and fates determined by chance or perhaps fate make every page of this book a page turner! From the individual who wanted to be buried in a Pringles can, to Abraham Lincoln’s son being rescued by the brother of…John Wilkes Booth, and hundreds of other stories that amaze and astound.

Aaron has produced a number of popular and incredible podcasts and programs you have likely come across and enjoyed.

Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of The Unbelievable, the unsettling, and the Bizarre is an incredible read, a fantastic listen…and why not begin your journey with this fascinating conversation here.

The book is available at www.Amazon.com and www.StMartins.com

We hold presidents accountable for how they handle the federal budget and overall economic condition of the country. But, what is to be learned when we study how a president handled their own money? It’s a fascinating book and author Megan Gorman has all the scoop on all the presidents.

Which president handled their money better than all the others? What about how our most recent Presidents Trump and Biden handled their finances? It’s all part of the discussion, the answers will likely surprise you!

Perhaps most importantly, what is to be learned from the presidents for us to better handle our own finances? As Gorman says, a president is just like us, ordinary people who worry about their own money and budgets, they just reach a pinnacle that the rest of us can only dream about, so what lessons can we take from that very small club?

All the Presidents’ Money can be purchased from www.Amazon.com and www.allthepresidentsmoney.com

One of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s earliest works (written when he was just 17!) and a classic in musical theater, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is playing now through March 30th at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre as its kick-off to the 50th season. But with orchestration and some re-imagining that makes it current for today’s audience, this show is full of energy, delight and songs you wont’ be able to get out of your head. Joining in the conversation are the Narrator (Played by the amazing Kaitlyn Davis last seen in her Jeff Award winning performance as Carole King in Beautiful), Joseph himself (played by the charming Devin DeSantis, previously seen in Honeymoon in Vegas, and Goodman’s Matchbox Magic Flute), and production director Amber Mak (who also directed Buddy, Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast in Chicagoland theaters). And to add a different twist, Brent Mulvey, the Director of Food and Beverage for the Marriott talks about the special “Joseph” curated menu offered in the on-site Three Embers restaurant, and Brent shares the plans for the upcoming season’s food show tie-ins.

It’s a delightful conversation about the meaning of the show today, the power of the music and how the show has shifted from its roots.

Joseph is playing through March 30th and tickets can be purchased at: www.tickets.marriottheatre.com

Most people know Robert Sean Leonard from his role as Dr. James Wilson in the medical drama House, or his star turn as a young man in Dead Poet’s Society (1989) with Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke and others. Now, Leonard appears as Jerry, the best friend of Robert (played by Ian Barford) and who is having an affair with Robert’s wife Emma (played by the legendary Helen Hunt). The work of Harold Pinter, the play is based on true events in Pinter’s own life. In this conversation, Robert talks about his amazing career, the challenges of being in a play that tells the story in reverse time order, and his view of Chicago theater audiences.

Playing through March 30th Only! Tickets can be purchased at: www.GoodmanTheatre.org

Paul Lisnek with Robert Sean Leonard