For 4 1/2 years I've interviewed townies and transplants orbiting the Champaign-Urbana area. What an immense privilege. That's 224 consecutive Tuesdays where I have released an episode first from kitchen table studios and finally from WCIA. Special thanks to my husband, Andrew, for being my first, last and reoccurring guest.

This was an idea born out of a need to do something creative, tap into a dormant space in my brain and carry me through the transition of full-time stay-at-home-mom to the bit of "free time" that comes when your kids grow to school age.

From the name to the concept to the content, it was all mine. All mine and 200 plus brave, wonderful souls that let me dive deep into some of the most vulnerable parts of their being. Champaign-Urbana is not short on amazing people with incredible stories. I never scrambled to find guests, people to feature here were abundant. This experience has made me proud of the townie title. What I used to hide, I now feel pride.

To the listeners. If I didn't receive the messages, comments and words of encouragement, I may not have had this long of a run. Thank you so much for giving me your priceless time.

I wanted to do something I enjoyed and something that I was good at. Podcasting became a natural fit. Making a house a home is also what I love to do. The next adventure will be running our new Airbnb. This is already proving exciting, challenging and FUN.

In addition to mom, wife, retired communications liaison, I get to add "podcaster" to my bio. Thank you for making that happen, C-U and beyond.

My eps will always be up if you need a friend. See you around, byeeeeeee.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

Anthony joins me AGAIN on the podcast to talk about life after the military, including the simple joy that dog training brings him.

Listen as this South Carolina country kid talks about becoming a dog trainer, injuries in the field, what a typical day looks like, how his training cycles go and box store dog walks. I couldn't believe the many layers to Anthony. The more he talked, the more I discovered about this former military man turned dog trainer.
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Please, please subscribe (so you know when new episodes drop) and share! Find at linktr.ee/hyperlocals_cu or wherever you find podcasts. WATCH on the WCIA3+ streaming app (Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, Roku) and on YouTube @hyperlocals_cu.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

What a high energy, community-driven all-around good guy. I thought my email would get buried under stacks of more important notices. I was delighted with a quick response and a willingness to be a pod guest.

Listen as this trademark townie talks philanthropy, Dancing With the Stars, dogs, real estate, community development, fatherhood, local art, picking up trash around our park, the nepotism stereotype and Robeson's Department Store. This family namesake forever shaped Champaign-Urbana, and for that we are grateful.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

This all-American sport has his whole heart. From hosting batting practice to watching his son coach to learning from the pros, he loves it all.

Listen as this perfect representation of a melting pot; born in Jamaica, Bronx raised and Midwest rooted, talks travel baseball, glove restringing and restoration, service above self, the long last art of the conversation, Panera's social network, the importance of education, working with young baseball players, bringing back nuggets from pro games, dating his wife for 15 years, raising a future lover of the game and the brother and sisterhood of baseball. Anyone who wants to learn, he'll teach. Any glove that needs help, he'll repair.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

Barber, marketing consultant, friend and trading card aficionado RETURNS to discuss his current passion/hobby and big source of JOY, trading cards. His alter ego, J. Bizzler, literally enters the chat.

Listen as this St. Louis area-born, Champaign-rooted, scissor master talks all things trading cards. The hobby from my generation's youth has made a comeback in a BIG way. With modern tech and platforms only fueling the fire, trading cards have become big business and big money for the buyer and seller. The art, the player and the pristine level of the card all contribute to its value. We also talk about the continued fandom behind Pokemon. We are in a flow state convo over this fascinating subject.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

I am so grateful to meet, know and interview such an exceptional human being. She gives selflessly to others and wants to make a difference in the community.

Listen as Fort Wayne native talks about boundaries and work-life balance, licensed social work, teaching a course in grief (not only in death but in life changes) and teaching a course about hospitalized children at U of I, the role of a Child-Life Specialist, displaying a passion for pediatric health care, mentoring professionally and leaving a legacy through foster parenting. She has the ability to overlook the to do list in order to prioritize mothering and teaching others. A real gift.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

My husband and I recount the highs, lows, ups, downs and incredible core memories from our two week family vacation in Italy.

Listen as Andrew comes back to the studio after a brief hiatus to talk about why my phone keeps going off, why hasn't been on an episode in a while, helping a friend, the flight, Venice, Sorrento, Rome and meeting Pope Leo, pasta, pizza, gelato and McDonalds and everything that went right and the few flubs that come with every vacation.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

This sweet, soft spoken gentle man, joins me on the podcast to talk about his road to and from the air force. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Listen as this South Carolina country kid talks about the decision to go into the military, childhood and police officer parents, performing/entertaining in the military, wheelchair basketball and adaptive sports, shoe sales, gig musicianship, healing through music, the pivot to dog training, St. Joe, The Blend Spot and Crones. I couldn't believe the many layers to Anthony. The more he talked, the more I discovered about this former military man turned dog trainer.

Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops!

Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.