Yak Channel Podcast Network

WWE Superstar Damian Priest is having a very good year, starting with his Royal Rumble entry in January, continuing through his tag match at WrestleMania, alongside Bad Bunny. He joins me today to talk about his career, the music he listens to, and what transitioning from NXT has been like. See Damian Priest at RAW, LIVE IN CHICAGO on Monday August 2 … then watch him at SummerSlam from Allegiant Stadium in Vegas on Saturday, August 21. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry, who present a special live performance with Chicago band Broken Robots this Saturday (7/31) at 7pm!

WWE Superstar Apollo Crews has become one of the most-talked about and exciting wrestlers to watch in 2021. He joined me to talk about the Intercontinental Championship, its legacy, his career trajectory and whether or not there’s a stable in the making. Watch Apollo Crews on Smackdown Friday night, and see him at SummerSlam on August 21!Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry, featuring Broken Robots in an in-store performance, Saturday night!

Old school blues has been reinvented for the future by Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, who emerges from a debilitating and brutal pandemic year with their best album to date: “Dance Songs for Hard Times.” Rev joins me for a spirited talk about music, the evolution of his band, the miserable circumstances that birthed the new album, their super-cool DIY music videos, and why the upcoming Chicago show at Reggie’s (8/20/21) will be radically different and better from their last time through. All hail "front porch blues!" Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry

John Carruthers has dedicated his life to pizza: Making it. Talking about it. Writing about it. Using it as a force for social justice. From his Crust Fund Pizza initiative to the just-released “Pizza for Everyone” book, John’s efforts are inspired, engaging and delicious.   He returned to Car Con Carne today to talk about the overly-successful crowdfunding of the second pressing for “Pizza for Everyone” (the overflow of which is going straight to charity). He also freshly baked one of his Crust Fund Pizzas for the recording: A sausage pizza that, without exaggeration, is one of the best pizzas I ever had. No joke.   John’s turned his obsession with mastering the art of pizza making into a legit life calling, and we’re here for it. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry.

Frank has been battling a cold and cough and he will share how he is feeling, talks about his excitement for football, booking their trip to the waterpark, his new Dad Cave and much more!

The man behind the delicious food menu of Cobra Lounge, Chef Jason Gilmore, joined me to talk about his food creations.   In addition to chatting about current favorites like the “Jerk Store” sandwich and buffalo cauliflower, we also talked about his epic soup creations (hot dog! Italian beef!).   We dug into the Jerk Store and Chicago Hot Chicken sandwiches during the recording. The Hot Chicken was spiced perfectly... not obnoxiously hot, but with enough heat to let you know what you're eating. The Jerk Store may very well be my new favorite sandwich. Chef explained all the flavors involved in putting that one together. Cobra Lounge is at 235 N. Ashland. Go there. Support their staff. Drink their beer. And definitely eat their food. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry

This week, I’m thrilled to welcome the return of musician Aaron Williams, whose Homegrown Arts and Music Festival returns for its 9th annual event. We talk about Homegrown while on location at the site of the event: Basecamp in Lisle (5750 Lakeside Drive). Thanks to Basecamp for keeping the conversation moving with delicious food from their menu!   Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry

What an episode! I’m joined today by Mikey Kay of Fire and Smoke BBQ Company and Mike Pallen of Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village. Over mouth-watering BBQ from Fire and Smoke, we talk about the state of business for both Fire and Smoke & Mikerphone, Mikerphone and Fire and Smoke’s history and why what they both do is similar to running a DIY band. Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry

Sex work: The stigmas. The realities. The narrative. This episode covers it all. My guest is one of sex work’s most impassioned advocates, Kaytlin Bailey, who hosts the well-researched and entertaining  “The Oldest Profession” podcast (give it a listen on your platform of choice). We talk about her “stubborn crusade against whorephobia,” the impact of SESTA-FOSTA, the conflation of all sex work and human trafficking, and a lot of history that got us to this point.   Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry

Tim Tuten, Hideout owner/activist/CIVL member, comes on Car Con Carne for a spirited talk about the state of local independent venues, this weekend’s Pine Valley Cosmonauts fundraiser at the Hideout, and what the future looks like for the industry and fans.   Car Con Carne is sponsored by Siren Records McHenry