President Ioanna and VP Aaron would like to formally invite you to hear the tale of Chicago’s “Hotel of Presidents”!

Known for its many iconic former guests, including Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, the historic hotel on Chicago’s Michigan Ave blends its historic mystique with modern day luxury. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel boasts incredible lake views and enough tales of history to fill a book!

We chat with Violet Tossler, Marketing Manager for the property, who gives us the full historic rundown, from when the Blackstone was the tallest building in Chicago to the time Kennedy learned about the Cuban Missile Crisis from the Presidential Suite. There was even a barbershop inside where Al Capone and many presidents regularly got haircuts!

The hotel is also known for coining the term “a smoke filled room” as it was in one of the hotel suites where Warren G Harding was nominated for president outside the view of the press.

Beyond the history, Violet describes the hotel’s insane amenities, including a ton of original artwork, an on-site restaurant, and the most insane event space perfecting for weddings!

This is the perfect hotel for summer travelers or if you’re a local looking to have a unique staycation!

BOOK: https://www.theblackstonehotel.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/theblackstonehotel/

Now boarding iFLY flight 0001 from Chicago to wherever the wind takes us!

It’s immersion therapy week for Ioanna and Aaron! To get over their fear of flying, they’ve partnered with iFLY to literally take flight at their iconic indoor skydiving experience!

Joe Velez, the Senior Regional Director for iFLY, introduces us to the company and how indoor skydiving came to be! We discuss the experience of indoor flight and breakdown the fascinating science of their wind tunnel.

Hear how it differs from outdoor skydiving and why it’s perfect for even the most anxious flyers (cough cough Ioanna & Aaron).

We end with rapid fire, finding out Jose’s favorite stunt to perform and what’s on his skydiving playlist.

BOOK A FLIGHT:

https://www.iflyworld.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/iflyus/?hl=en

Chicago Locations: Rosemont, Lincoln Park, and Naperville

You’ve seen it in the movies- an artist wannabe goes into a studio, throws some clay on the wheel, and SPLAT, it’s all over the walls and ceiling, ruining your $120 Abercrombie jeans and leaving you with nothing to be on your mantle.

Lucky for Aaron & Ioanna, they found Penguin Foot Pottery and knew they were in good hands (literally).

We chat with Chris and Paige Busse about their Logan Square pottery studio and how they transitioned into full-time studio life!

Hear what’s trending in the world of pottery and find out the many experiences offered at the studio. From classes that last multiple sessions to one-time workshops, there’s something for all of us, even us clay newbies!

We also geek out to some pottery science in honor of Aaron’s Chemistry teacher husband!

We end with a round of rapid fire in the kiln to learn if Chris and Paige have a favorite piece and they describe Aaron and Ioanna as pieces of pottery!

Visit the studio at 2514 W Armitage! And book below.

BOOK: https://www.penguinfoot.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/penguinfootpottery/?hl=en

*THIS IS A LIVE INTERVIEW! Pardon the chocolatey construction noises in the background*

Ioanna & Aaron Twizzler Twist and are Jolly as a Rancher at Chicago’s Hershey Super Sweet Adventure!

Caitlin Maloney, Vice President of Creative at Original X Productions (OGX), introduces us to the company behind some of the nation’s greatest immersive IP experiences, including Harry Potter, Friends, and now Hershey!

We chat about the reopening of this Michigan Avenue experience. Coming at the perfect time as we emerge out of our winter slumber, it’s the refreshing downtown activity we needed!

Sweet surprises are sure to delight the family, especially the kid inside all of us. Featuring Hershey themed challenges, activities, and delectable photo pops, this is the perfect spring break or weekend fun for candy lovers, which let’s face it, is all of us.

Learn how the OGX team took iconic brands like Reese’s or Jolly Rancher and turned them into big, bold, and immersive exhibits. Taking on the role of “Sweet Seekers”, you’ll engage with this timeless American brand in ways you never thought possible!

We end with rapid fire, finding out if Caitlin has a favorite Hershey candy and which Jolly Rancher flavor she picks from the bag first!

Hershey Super Sweet Adventure is now open! Located in Chicago Water Tower Place.

Recommended for candy lovers of all ages!

TICKETS: https://www.hersheysupersweetadventure.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/hersheysupersweetadventure/

Meet the Queen of Cute, Creator of Strawberry Shortcake and Key Designer behind Care Bears and The Get Along Gang!

Muriel Juneberry Fahiron is know for all the illustrations that made your childhood magical and your adulthood nostalgic. After a decades long career with various greeting card companies and agencies, Muriel now calls Tulsa home and graces our feed with her #kitchendance videos!

We chat with her about her early inspirations and what led her down the path of illustration. We talk the early days of her biggest lines like Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. Hear how these iconic brands came to be!

Discover how her sister ended up creating the first Strawberry Shortcake plush and find out even the smallest moments can turn into the biggest ideas!

We end chatting about Muriel’s upcoming themed cocktail event in Tulsa at The Vault, and hear about her studio, “Outta Thin Air”!

SHOP MURIEL’S STUDIO:

https://www.outtathinairstudio.com/

COCKTAIL EVENT:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-vault-16524240625

FOLLOW HER INSTA:

https://www.instagram.com/outtathinairstudio/?hl=en

FOLLOW HER TIKTOK:

https://www.tiktok.com/@outta_thin_air

Raise your glass! This week we’re pouring one out for our friends at Revolution Brewing, Illinois' Largest Independent Craft Brewery!

In this episode, we brew up some craft beverage history and learn the founding story from Marty Scott, Barrel Program Manager at Revolution Brewing.

He dives into how a small Chicago brewery crafted its own path to success in a world of big beer. Plus, we learn what inspired the iconic name and eye-catching packaging of the brand.

Marty walks us through the brewery and how barrel aging works to impact flavor and drink experience.

Hear about the rapid growth and constant evolution of the industry over the last decade, and find out what’s ahead for famous products like “Hero IPA” and “City Series”

To end our episode, make sure you grab a cold one, you’re gonna need it for rapid fire! We learn Marty’s all time favorite craft beer, his favorite beer accoutrement, and more!

VISIT THE BREWERY: https://revbrew.com/visit

WHERE TO BUY: https://revolution-brewing.myshopify.com/

FOLLOW:

https://www.instagram.com/revbrewchicago/?hl=en

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Ballyhoo! At 11 locations and growing, it’s likely you’ve dined at a Ballyhoo Hospitality restaurant before. Their roster includes names like Denucci’s, Gemini, Petit Pomeroy, Coda di Volpe and more!

Known for their feel-good vibes and opulent customer service, the group brings “going out for a night in the city” to the suburbs and offer a vibey way to have “lunch with friends”.

We meet Kayla Morrison, Vice President of Operations, who introduces us to Founders Ryan and Anna O'Donnell. They started with a single location just days after their wedding and turned that into the thriving restaurant group that exists today.

Discover some of the many culinary options sprinkled throughout Chicagoland and how they bring a concept to life. From Ryan’s in-office Pinterest board to opening day, the Ballyhoo is in the details.

We discuss where they’re going next and what’s to come in 2025 (new spots are opening)!!

We end with rapid fire, in which Kayla describes Ioanna and Aaron as a Ballyhoo restaurant! Plus, her go-to entree and cocktail!

ALL BALLYHOO LOCATIONS:

https://ballyhoohospitality.com/

EVENTS/CATERING:

https://ballyhoohospitality.com/private-events-and-catering/

FOLLOW:

https://www.instagram.com/ballyhoo.hospitality/?hl=en

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn where the name “Gibsons” comes from and why there’s no apostrophe!

• Discover why their signature steaks are so popular

• Hear tales of Chicago history and stories of cultural icons who Gibsons can call “regulars”

Opened in 1989, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is Chicago’s Classic American steakhouse. Nestled comfortably between State & Rush, the restaurant is a decades-long favorite of celebrities, world leaders, and foodies alike. And even though we’re small fish, we’ve begun to celebrate every New Year’s Eve at the restaurant with hopes that one day we too will have our signed photo on the famous walls!

We’re cutting into the details of this tasty Chicago eatery with Liz Lombardo Stark, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Gibsons Restaurant Group, and daughter of Owner Steve Lombardo.

Under the umbrella of Gibsons includes Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, LUXBAR, Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar, Gibsons Italia, The BOATHOUSE Orlando, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House (on behalf of Rivers Casino), Bazaar Meat Chicago, and Bar Mar!

Our Episode Menu:

Drinks (Gibsons Martini)

To start off, we talk Gibsons history & find out who opened the restaurant and why. Plus, an exploration of their menu classics and a rundown of the other famous brands under the restaurant group.

Appetizer (Crab Cake, Fries, and Garbage Salad)

Getting hungry, we breakdown the details behind their famous steaks. We talk what makes Gibsons Prime Angus so special, and hear how their aging/cooking processes help enhance flavor.

Main Course (W.R.’s Chicago Cut Steak and Planked Lake Superior Whitefish)

We sizzle up some foodie folklore with Liz, including stories of the many celebrities who have dined at Gibsons. Plus, we talk why Gibsons quality service has helped it to span generations of customers (including our fave waiter, Karl)!

Dessert (Famous Carrot Cake)

A sweet round of rapid fire to end, we learn Liz’s favorite Gibsons steak, go-to cocktail, and the coolest person she’s met while at Gibsons!

MENU/RESERVATIONS: https://gibsonssteakhouse.com/gibsons-chicago/

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

ORDER & SHIP: https://gibsonssteak.com/

ALL RESTAURANTS: https://grgmc.com/restaurants