Journalist Patrick Butler describes the process through which he developed in his career, which includes a shot being fired at him. He discusses his book, Hidden History of Lincoln Park, which explores what the neighborhood was originally built for, and some of its now famed monuments and hauntings.  

Johnny Bash discusses his album, “Something New In My Life,” and developing the covers that his audiences beg him to play. Some of his covers include “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” and “Crying.”  

From Hair, to Ragtime, Musical theatre historian Charles Troy explains what motivated him to investigate the creations of some of America’s best musicals. A couple of his findings involves the impact White Christmas had on the Christmas music industry, and the origin of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” which may have started out as a song of drunkenness. Visit the Skokie Theater December 7th when Charles gives his Christmas music presentation!

Singer and songwriter Jim Post talks about the families whose lives he has entered throughout his time living and performing in Galena. And he describes the inspiration behind “Friend and Lover,” one of his biggest hits. That and more in this hour with Jim Post.

Tom Alexander and Mary MacDiarmid have been living together for eight years. Tonight, they tie the knot. Rick asks the couple the questions a long-delayed wedding day begs.

Podcast creators Tyler Greene, Shannon Cason and Arnie Niekamp, and Chicago Podcast Festival co-founder Jonathan Pitts explain the purposes of their intricate podcasts. They talk about why people want to actually see the creators at the festival, and why they want to see their listeners. Catch the festival yourself, starting tonight at The Promontory, and ending Saturday evening at the same place.

Storyteller Judith Heineman talks about what inspired her love for communicating her life to audiences. Judith has hand-picked a group  of people whose goals range from getting rid of a stutter, to connecting with others in the deaf community. Catch the Tellabration Sunday at the Experimental Station Sunday afternoon, followed by an evening performance at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse.

Jeff Cree, also known as Sunny Gunn, tells Rick and Producer Elif why he writes his music, and why he wrote a song dedicated to baseball. Still celebrating the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, Rick and Elif invite Sunny to tell his story of family, and the happiness that a sport brings him, through “Baseball Dream.” Watch for his upcoming album, summer of 2017.

Author Robert Emmett Smith opens up about the tragic event in his family that brought him to write his book, Justice Delayed, Not Justice Denied. Robert elaborates on why while a victim clearly existed, a killer could not be placed for 23 years.

Musician David Nagler describes how the poetry of Carl Sandburg inspired him to start writing his own music, despite his NU degree. Listen in for some David Nagler originals, featuring several talented vocalists like Jeff Tweedy, and David’s wife. Hear all of it live Thursday for free at the Harold Washington Library!