Sip With Me

We can’t quite pin it, but there’s something very special about this week’s episode!

Tour the Stern Pinball headquarters with us to hear from the world‘s largest pinball manufacturer about the nostalgic game! We had no clue so much of the game’s history ties right back to Chicago!

Zach Sharpe, Senior Vice President of Marketing and also one of the top players in the world, converted us into the newest pinheads after everything we learned!

He shared pinball history, including how decades ago, pinball became illegal! Luckily, his father played a pivotal role in getting that overturned! We also trace back the roots of Stern to a father & son who helped the game evolve and become the beloved worldwide activity it is today.

Zach walks through the creative process of licensing an intellectual property and eventually crafting that into a pinball machine! From rock bands to cartoons, they’ve been trusted with some of the most iconic IP on the planet.

We talk pinball trends and the evolution of tech used in the machines, including “Insider Connected”, Stern’s platform that allows you to track achievements, find pinball machines near you, and extend your gaming experience.

We end with rapid fire, learning some of Zach’s favorite machines and his favorite element in a game!

WEBSITE: https://www.sternpinball.com/

SHOP: https://shop.sternpinball.com/collections/games

BECOME AN INSIDER: https://insider.sternpinball.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sternpinball/

We carve up your most nostalgic Halloween traditions and teach you a thing or two about America’s spooky season rituals.

Burger King is coming for McDonald’s! Plus, the shocking truth behind who owns Spirit Halloween.

Did you know the original 3 Musketeers had 3 flavors in a bar? We talk candy history.

And, our blunt opinion on modern day trick-or-treating, which includes more trunks than treats, and lacks the old school pillow case candy sack!

Happy Halloween to all the houses that give out full-size chocolate bars!

No f*cking ketchup on this podcast episode! Welcome to the world’s most iconic hot dog joint, The Wiener’s Circle!

Sit down with Operations Manager, Emma Kreis, to talk about the juicy history of this local joint and how their famous employee sass became a central part of the dining experience.

We dig into the menu and hear stories about what it’s like to train for the unique role of hot dog and insult slinger.

Discover the story behind some of their viral pop culture moments, including how they come up with phrases for their marquee. Plus- you can rent the marquee and their patio!

We end with a round of rapid fire, learning Emma‘s favorite hot dog topping and someone she’d love to host (hint, it’s Lady Gaga).

Thank you to everyone who hosted us and trained us to work a shift! We were welcomed in like family and it was so therapeutic to hurl F-bombs at complete strangers.

VISIT AT 2622 N Clark

MENU: https://www.wienerscirclechicago.com/menu

EVENT AND MARQUEE BOOKINGS: https://www.wienerscirclechicago.com/events

INSTAGRAM: @wienerscircle

Lights, camera, CHICAGO!

We’re rolling out the red carpet for the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival!

Running October 14–25, North America’s longest-running competitive film festival once again brings filmmakers and movie lovers from around the world to enjoy global & local storytelling.

We sat down with CIFF Programmers Sophie Gordon and Nicola McCafferty. Get an inside look at what went into curating this year’s lineup and the films they’re most excited about.

We also dive into the Festival’s more than 60-year history and how it has evolved with the moving picture. Plus, we highlight how the festival boosts local filmmakers and communities.

We end with their favorite movie snacks, most-watched films, and dream red carpet encounter!

LEARN MORE: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/

SCREENING & EVENT CALENDAR: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/events/

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/chifilmfest/

Spooky season is extra spooky this year at 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago! The massive Schiller Park experience returns for the 2026 season with two nightmares waiting inside: Black Hollow Institute and The Woman in White!

We sat down with Production Artist Dani Panek to learn what it takes to create a haunted house from the graveyard ground up. Go behind the scenes to discover how actors learn the art of the scare and what happens inside when the guests are gone!

Hear about the two storylines guests will experience this year and discover why going through a haunted house can actually be therapeutic! Plus, her pro tips for first timers.

We end with spooky rapid fire learning her favorite Halloween movie and her dream theme for a haunted room!

Open now select nights through November 8th! Get your tickets below!

TICKETS: https://13thfloorchicago.com/

13th FLOOR INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/13thFloorChicago/

FOLLOW DANI: https://www.instagram.com/danipanik?stkn=ZmxudWdsaml2d2tw

“Professional Pumpkin Carver” is probably the coolest job title you could ever put on your LikedIn! This week, we met America’s Premier Pumpkin Carver, Adam Bierton!

Well known for winning his season of Food Network’s “Halloween Wars”, Adam has mastered one of the coolest art forms out there!

We got to know how he fell in love with carving and what the process is like to actually carve a masterpiece. From picking the right pumpkin to knowing your tools, he shares some very helpful tips and tricks that all of us at home can utilize!

Learn about several methods of carving and how to approach each design. Plus, he shares some of his famous brand partnerships with us!

Carving into a round of rapid fire to end the episode, Adam shares a little known fun fact about canned pumpkin and tells us one design he would love to make!

WEBSITE: https://www.adambierton.com/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adambierton/?hl=en

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@adambierton

Every fall, we welcome the two major food groups into our homes: Chocolate & Cheese! We fell in love with Vosges Haut-Chocolat after our Smashing Pumpkins interview last year (linked below)! This year, we are literally falling for them again as we explore their innovative fall collection!

We sat down at the luxurious chocolate temple to discuss their exploration of chocolate and cheese pairings. They walk us through their Rogue Creamery Cheese and Chocolate Gift Set while explaining some of the food science behind why the two pair so well.

Learn about why Rogue’s “River Blue” Blue Cheese pairs perfectly with hand rolled chocolate ganache. Plus, we taste some super flavorful Halloween chocolate skulls and get a lil’ peak of what’s to come in the 2026 Christmas Advent Calendar!

Rapid fire ends the episode, finding out their favorite chocolate/cheese combination, as well the flavor pairing that surprised them the most!

Shop the Rogue collaboration and their other chocolate & cheese pairings now!

CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE: https://www.vosgeschocolate.com/collections/fall-favorites

ROGUE CREAMERY: https://www.vosgeschocolate.com/products/rogue-creamery-x-vosges-cheese-chocolate-gift-set

ADVENT CALENDAR: https://www.vosgeschocolate.com/products/a-chocolate-calendar-of-advent

https://www.vosgeschocolate.com/pages/limited-edition-calendar-of-advent

OUR 2025 INTERVIEW AT VOSGES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000736271033

Book lovers rejoice- Printers Row Lit Fest is back for its 41st year! The iconic, free event takes over several city blocks with books, authors, speakers, and more!

We sat down with Director of Programming, Amy Danzer, to hear about this year’s highlights and her tips for first-timers! She talks about the history of the event and how the literature world comes together each year to give voice to emerging authors and ideas.

Hear why the fest is the perfect medicine for those looking to connect with others and slow down in our fast-paced world.

We end with rapid fire, in which Amy explains why re-reading a book can be like reading it for the first time. Plus, she shares why she might prefer paperback to hardcover!

EVENT INFO

The 2026 Printers Row Lit Fest is set for Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13, 10AM – 6PM. This FREE event takes place on the streets of South Dearborn, from Ida B Wells to Polk St, Chicago, IL. Come Rain or Shine!

https://printersrowlitfest.org/

“A New School for an old craft”! That’s how Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts has created a space for the timeless & historically important craft of leatherwork and shoemaking. Right here in Chicago you can make your own shoes, bags, belts, and more!

We sat down with Manager Deborah Janssens and Marketing Manager Leah Zimmerman, both of whom also teach, to hear Sara McIntosh’s founding story and how years in New Mexico eventually led to the school’s opening here.

We talk “why leather” and what about it makes artists get so addicted!

Hear about their classes, both for beginners like us and seasoned artists who use the studio to develop skills.

We chat about the history of shoes and why making your own is good for the planet and your soul.

We end with rapid fire, learning their favorite leather goods and what’s trending right now!

USE CODE “SIP15” FOR 15% OFF A LEATHER WORK 101 CLASS!

LEATHER WORK 101: https://chicagoschoolofshoemaking.com/leather-work-101/

INFO: https://chicagoschoolofshoemaking.com/

INSTAGRAM: @leatherschoolchicago

Go! Go! Go! Visit the new F1® Arcade in Chicago’s River North! The popular racing experience and social gaming venue has arrived in Chicago!

Featuring the fuel you need to rev your engines and the competitive fun Chicago loves, the Arcade is action-packed and ready to be your next pit stop.

We sat down with Liz Norris, VP of Launch Strategy, to discuss the experience. She talks about concept creation and why they chose Chicago as their next home.

Hear about their top-of-the-line simulators, which allow you to be fully immersed and driving on some of the most famous tracks in the world. We talk the tech and how even first-time drivers like us can become accomplished racers! Race your friends or compete in groups for points- it’s going to get competitive either way…

Liz also walks us through their amazing menu, which features cocktails like the “Flame & Glory” and “Welcome to Miami”. Plus, they have a “Designated Driver” mocktail section which features drinks like the “Pit Lane Perk” and “Circuit Bloom”. The food is incredible too, we recommend The Grand Trio Mini Hotdog Flight or the Chipotle Tiger Shrimp Tacos.

We end with rapid fire, learning Liz’s favorite track and race car!

Arcade opens August 14! Located at 1 W Grand Ave.

BOOK: https://f1arcade.com/us/booking/venue/chicago

WEBSITE/MENUS: https://f1arcade.com/us/chicago