In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry.

John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic language of flowers and wood. Through his work, he champions expertise, creativity, self-care, and personal growth—reminding us that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics, but about purpose and comfort.

He also speaks candidly about navigating an industry that can be dismissive of men, especially Black men, in roles stereotypically tied to care, softness, and design. His response? Stand firm in your skills, honor your worth, and run your business with clarity and pride.

From symbolism to self-knowledge, this episode is a gorgeous exploration of legacy, craft, and the power of knowing and owning who you are.

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry.

John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic language of flowers and wood. Through his work, he champions expertise, creativity, self-care, and personal growth—reminding us that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics, but about purpose and comfort.

He also speaks candidly about navigating an industry that can be dismissive of men, especially Black men, in roles stereotypically tied to care, softness, and design. His response? Stand firm in your skills, honor your worth, and run your business with clarity and pride.

From symbolism to self-knowledge, this episode is a gorgeous exploration of legacy, craft, and the power of knowing and owning who you are.

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

In this episode, we hit play with Ashlyn Sparrow—game designer, educator, and Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago. A proud transplant to Chicago, Ashlyn shares how a father-daughter hobby sparked a career creating interactive experiences that encourages both game designers and players to engage thoughtfully with the medium.

We talk about what makes a game “good,” who the gaming industry is (and isn’t) built for, and why thoughtful design and pure fun don’t have to be at odds. Ashlyn takes us from alternate realities to real-world change—showing how play can be powerful, political, and personal.

Press paly. This one’s full of gems.

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

In this episode, we head to Rogers Park to visit Third Coast Comics, a beloved Chicago storefront nestled on Loyola University’s Lakeshore Campus and a three-time nominee for the Will Eisner “Spirit of Comic Book Retailing” award. We browse the aisles with shop owner Terry Gant—collector, cultural commentator, and die-hard comics evangelist—for a lively exploration of the many facets of the industry.

Terry breaks down the terminology—comics, manga, graphic novels, and more—while guiding us through the vibrant terrain of graphic storytelling, a $1.1 billion sector in North America. Third Coast Comics is known for its sharp selection, inclusive spirit, and the owner's unwavering love of the medium.

Come for the conversation, find your next read: comics welcome the curious.

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved people were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took over two and a half years for the news—and enforcement—to reach some parts of the country, particularly remote Confederate territories like Texas. On June 19, Union Major General Gordon Granger delivered General Order No. 3, which declared:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

That moment became a defining one in American history. Juneteenth—short for June Nineteenth—is a celebration of freedom, liberation, and joy. It became a federal holiday in the United States in 2021.

In this special episode, co-hosts Beuloria and Juelle reflect on the intersectional histories of Juneteenth, the legacies of enslavement within the Black community and across the nation, and the challenges of honoring the holiday amid rising commercialization and opposition. They also explore the importance of Black rest and self-care, and share their deeply personal connections to Juneteenth and the broader Black Diaspora.

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

In this rich and aromatic episode of The Big Dig Chicago, we sit down with a legendary Chicago coffee roaster Greg Stivers who’s been perfecting his craft for 40 years. From the hiss of the first roast to the soul-soothing scent of a morning brew, our guest shares the journey of building a life around beans, blends, and bold flavor.

We dive into the art of intentional roasting, coffee as a connector, and one roaster’s journey from sourcing beans in African highlands to roasting and brewing blends at O’Hare Airport—before finally hand-roasting in Chicago’s Chinatown. A story rich with flavor, community, and the pursuit of the perfect cup.

Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup, and get ready for a warm, caffeinated conversation about legacy, love, and life through the lens of a roaster’s flame.

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

Get ready to be whisked away into a world stitched with creativity, sung with soul, and written with wonder! 🎭🎶📚 In this episode, we sit down with Bryant McLemore Smith— an extraordinary African American set wardrobe designer, singer, and author whose talents weave through every corner of the arts.

From dressing dazzling stages with music greats such as  Mary J. Blige  and the cast of off Broadway plays such as "Bronzeville: The Musical", to hitting high notes that stir the heart, and penning stories rattle the soul, Bryant shares how he spins magic across every medium he touches. We'll talk inspiration, bold leaps of faith, the beauty of storytelling through fabric, song, and ink — and maybe even hear a little melody or two.

So grab your imagination and come along — this episode is stitched with dreams, sprinkled with song, and bound in the most colorful of covers!

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

Pull up a stool and grab a frosty glass — today we're stepping into a world where hops meet heart and tradition bubbles over with bold new flavor! 🍻✨ In this episode, we journey to Moor's Brewing Co., a vibrant Chicago-based African American-owned brewery that's stirring up the craft beer scene with creativity, culture, and a whole lot of soul.

Join us as we chat with Damon Patton, CEO and one of the visionary founders about the stories behind their brews, the magic of merging heritage and hops, and why every pint poured is a celebration of resilience and joy. Expect laughter, a few secret recipes (maybe), and an unforgettable toast to dreams brewed right. Cheers to flavor, cheers to family, and cheers to history — served fresh on tap!

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

Guest Name: Shane-Jahi Jackson

Look who we found! We’ve unearthed Shane-Jahi Jackson, a self-taught visual artist, painter, luthier and overall Renaissance man. Hidden from view, he exerts his craft to add beauty, art and deep joy to those who have the privilege of seeing his vibrant and moving paintings that depict Black bodies as “containers of stories” and music derived from the bass guitars he fabricates. Born in Denver in 1987, Chicagoland and Illinois has been his home for the past three decades. 

Links: www.shanejahiart.com | @shanejahiart | Shane-Jahi Jackson (@shanejahiart) | TikTok

About the Big Dig Chicago

The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”

Host & Show Info

Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley

About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.

Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.

Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago