Taking The Plunge

In this inspiring episode of Taking the Plunge, we delve into the heart of Curt's Cafe, a transformative initiative dedicated to empowering young people to rewrite their stories and lead fulfilling lives. Join us as we chat with founder Susan Garcia Trieschmann and executive director Tanya Jenkins, who share their journeys, the challenges they've faced in building this impactful program, and the incredible stories of the students they serve. Discover how Curt's Cafe not only changes the lives of youth in the community but also enriches the lives of those who work there. As we celebrate a week dedicated to kindness, we invite you to share your own acts of kindness for our collaboration with Hallie225. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that underscores the power of compassion and community support!

For more information about Curt's Cafe: https://curtscafe.org

To share an act of kindness, or nominate a small business that gives back to be on our show, email us at: [email protected]

or follow us on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

In this engaging mini-episode of "Taking the Plunge," we delve into a wellness-filled weekend that opened doors to creativity and self-discovery. We begin by recounting our experiences at the Evanston Conscious Movement Fest, where we took part in a thought-provoking process painting event that emphasized the importance of the creative journey over the final product. This experience prompted us to confront our inner critics and embrace the joy of artistic expression. We then ventured to the enchanting Witchy Bitches Spring event, where we explored a vibrant array of vendors and even had our past lives read, uncovering surprising insights into our personal histories. Join us as we reflect on these transformative experiences and the lessons they imparted.

To follow Taking The Plunge or to share an act of kindness with us: https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

Or email: [email protected]

We’re spreading kindness and celebrating creativity on this uplifting episode of Taking the Plunge! We’ll start by sharing our latest wellness find - a puppy yoga experience that was as adorable as it was unexpected. Then, we’ll share an unexpected random act of kindness that one of our listeners surprised us with, and we’re encouraging you to send in your own stories to inspire others. After that, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Art Makers Outpost, an Evanston small business cultivating community, sustainability, and artistic expression through unique classes, events, and recycled materials. From their sustainable maker camps for kids to their intimate live music series, there’s something for everyone at this vibrant hub. Join us for an inspiring look at how one person’s passion is making a difference!

To Follow Art Makers Outpost:https://www.instagram.com/artmakersoutpost/

To follow Taking The Plunge or to submit random acts of kindness:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

This is our special monthly episode featuring our ongoing collaboration with The Hallie225 Foundation, where we will be discussing our initiative, the Kindness Connection, along with many other important topics. In this moving episode, we welcome Lori Grossman, the mother of Hallie Grossman, who valiantly battled a rare form of cancer. Lori, one of the founders of the Hallie225 Foundation, shares her profound experiences of love, loss, and resilience while navigating the challenges of Hallie's illness alongside her own health struggles. As she recounts the emotional complexities of coping with grief and the impact of her vision loss, Lori emphasizes the importance of hope and the unique journey of healing. She offers practical advice for families facing similar challenges and discusses the mission of the Hallie225 Foundation, which honors Hallie’s legacy by providing scholarships and medical grants to those in need. Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of community, kindness, and the enduring spirit of Hallie.

To learn more about Hallie225: https://www.hallie225.org

To follow or to share random acts of kindness with us: https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

Or email us: [email protected]

In this week’s episode of "Taking the Plunge," we embark on an exhilarating journey as we share our first experience with the invigorating combination of an infrared sauna followed by a chilly cold plunge, sharing the benefits and surprises we encountered along the way. We’re also excited to welcome our special guest, Jason Price, a renowned therapist and one of the owners of Affiliates In Counseling,  a leading therapy practice in the Chicagoland area, who shares his expert insights on AI relationships, continuing our conversation from last week. To wrap up the episode, we chat with Laura, the executive director from Elawa Farm, a fantastic nonprofit dedicated to enriching Great Lake County through experiential learning. She shares the community activities Elawa offers to promote nutritious food access and support local farmers. Tune in for an inspiring, laughter-filled episode that dives deep into wellness, relationships, and community impact!

For more information on Jason and his practice:https://affiliatesincounseling.net

To follow Taking The Plunge, or to share an act of kindness: https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

In this week’s episode we tackle some intriguing relationship questions, exploring the new trend of forming connections with AI and what that means for the future of love. Join us as we delve into the implications of these digital relationships and how they might reshape our understanding of companionship.Additionally, we spotlight our Small Business of the Week, featuring an exciting conversation with Ernesto, of El Molcajete Sauces, a talented sauce creator from Evanston. We then dive into his creative process, the inspiration behind his flavors, and what makes his sauces a standout in the culinary scene.Tune in for a delightful blend of insightful discussions and delicious stories that are sure to spice up your day!

To follow El Molcajete Sauces: https://www.instagram.com/el.molcajete.sauces/

To follow our show or suggest an act of kindness for our "Kindness Connection" initiative: https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

In this week's episode, we delve into the intersection of wellness and entrepreneurship at Spin Art Nation in Chicago, a vibrant space that beautifully blends art, movement, and mental well-being. We'll share our personal experiences and insights from this inspiriting venue, highlighted by an enlightening conversation with the owner. We're especially excited to re-announce our collaboration with The Hallie225 Foundation, launching a new monthly segment focused on the "Kindness Connection." We believe that small gestures can have a big impact, and we invite our listeners to chime in with their ideas and share their own acts of kindness. We'll also share some of the acts of kindness we've done that bring us joy. Lastly, we'll reflect on our wonderful experience being interviewed by Rudy Ruiz, from the Evanston RoundTable. Join us for a fun and uplifting episode!

In this week's special episode, we sit down with David Grossman, a dear friend and co-founder of the Hallie 225 Foundation, established in memory of his daughter, Hallie Grossman. He is also the owner of Epic Burger. David shares heartfelt stories about Hallie’s kindness and the foundation’s mission.  In partnership with the Foundation, Taking the Plunge will be launching a monthly segment called "The Kindness Connection," aimed at spreading positivity through acts of kindness. We invite our listeners to share their own acts of kindness, and we will choose several of these stories to feature on future episodes,  Additionally, we discuss an acts of kindness giveaway at Epic Burger and the ISH initiative, which promotes acceptance of feeling "ish" in life. Join us as we honor Hallie’s legacy, share inspiring stories, and encourage everyone to engage with the foundation and spread positivity. This is a touching episode you won't want to miss! 

For more information on The Hallie225 Foundation :https://www.hallie225.org

To follow Taking The Plunge:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

In this week's episode, we dive into the transformative power of taking leaps of faith as we share our personal journeys of individual and collective plunges into the unknown. From some risks we've taken in our lives to the unexpected adventures we've embarked on together, we explore how these experiences shaped us. We also shine a spotlight on a remarkable small business owner who took a giant leap by opening her own apothecary shop, crafting handmade lotions, potions, oils, and so much more. Her heartwarming story serves as a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding experiences come from daring to take that first step into the unknown. Join us as we celebrate the courage to pursue what once seemed impossible!

To follow Taking The Plunge, or to nominate a small business that gives back to be on our show:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

For more info about Witchy Woman World Apothecary:https://www.instagram.com/witchy_woman_world_apothecary/

In this week’s episode of the podcast, we kick things off by exploring our wellness find of the week: foot detoxes. We discuss their potential benefits and playfully ponder whether they’re truly effective or just a passing trend. Next, we delve into the multifaceted topic of forgiveness, examining the different perspectives and judgments that come into play, and highlighting some of the beneficial aspects of embracing forgiveness in our lives. Finally, we wrap up with our small business spotlight on Ward Eight, an amazing cocktail bar in Evanston. Join us as we chat with owner Jeremy, who shares his experiences and insights about running a vibrant bar in the community. Tune in for a thought-provoking and enjoyable episode!

To follow  Taking The Plunge or to nominate a small business to be featured on our show:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

Check out Ward Eight: https://www.instagram.com/wardeightbar/