We're excited to introduce Leona Kuhar, Senior Legal Assistant at SATC|Law and new co-host of the podcast. Leona is a native Chicagoan and shares about her experience growing up on the far southside. She has worked in the corporate and legal industries and has been at SATC for nearly 20 years! Leona also shares about what it was like growing up in such a diverse neighborhood and why individual cultures are important. We're happy to have Leona on our team and for you to connect with her on the podcast.

Season 4 Episode 16: Leona Kuhar, SATC|Law

Sam Simon and Natsutsa Mabwa have always been people who love to help other people. After they met working as social workers here in Chicago, they realized they both were very interested in work that would help other people. An opportunity with Servicemaster became the perfect chance to help others who were dealing with difficult times, and now, as business owners, they continue to help others, especially through the pandemic. They wrote their book, Restore, to help others protect their greatest assets and to be your go-to guide for fire and water damage restoration. Sam and Natsutsa are literally helping others stay prepared and pick up the pieces so that they can thrive again! Visit bridgingchicago.com to learn more!

Season 5 Episode 29: Restoration By Simons

At 210 Design House, design is about much more than simply creating spaces. Rama Dandamudi and his team know that they are designing the spaces that families will call home, spaces where self-expression and love meet comfort and beauty. While they are careful about the products they choose to put in people’s homes, they are also leading the way in innovation and design and their team has years of experience creating amazing vibes. Take a look inside their space and hear about the heartbeat of what makes 210 a special place and how they carry out their social responsibility.

Season 5, Episode 31: 210 Design House

100 years ago, Shriners Children’s Chicago started as an organization with the hope of standing in the health care gap for children who had been previously overlooked. The first Shriners Hospital opened its doors on September 16, 1922 and has been providing care to these children all over the country since. In these 100 years, they have helped over 1.5 million children with various needs become healthy, happy children. Today, the entire organization is full of people who continue this care and the mission to provide care for any child, regardless of their guardian’s ability to pay. As they continue their groundbreaking work, the research and care that Shriners is providing is helping to make the future of medicine better and more accessible. Celebrate 100 years of Shriners Children’s with us!

Season 5, Episode 32: Shriners Children's Chicago

In this second episode in our “coffee-centric” series, we sit down with Dan Weiss, owner and CEO of Dollop Coffee Company—a local’s go-to brand on the Chicago coffee scene. Dan shares with us the lessons he learned in becoming a manager of a growing local business and how mental health and community are some of the bedrock principles of his organization. Tune in to hear how Dan has mastered just the right “blend” in beans and business!

Season 5 Episode 38: Dollop Coffee Co.

Molly Matelski is a veteran of the Chicago food service industry, so she knows what it means to give people a food and beverage experience that impacts more than just that moment. When she and her partner decided to make their dream of curating wines that every person can enjoy a reality, they knew that it had to be a wine that was accessible, genuine and one that you could just enjoy. Now their wines can be found throughout the city and suburbs, and growth is certainly in their future. In this episode, Molly shares how Chicago helped to shape MMMM…Just Enjoy, the role her family played in starting her own business and why they made the choice to highlight Chicago non-profits and the arts in their company.

Season 5 Episode 40: Molly Matelski Of MMMM....Just Enjoy

Patricia Mota is a powerful leader who’s experience and desire to lead by experience makes her story more than compelling. She now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of HACE, the Hispanic Alliance of Career Enhancement, which is seeking to cultivate the pipeline of Latinx/a/o talent, especially in Chicago. The changing landscape in the country has stretched her, but does not change her fixation on member needs and growth. Patricia leads her team, which has turned to a remote-only workplace, and has created Cafecito, a remote learning environment providing leadership guidance and networking. Be sure to check out Patricia’s amazing story today!

Season 6 Episode 9: Patricia Mota of HACE

If you’ve been looking for a podcast that shares the fundamentals of starting and growing a business, creating a network of leaders, and authoring a book with twenty-two of your best friends, look no further than this episode! Martha Razo and Gabriela Gomez, two of the authors of Business Diva join us to share all of this and more. While they have two different stories, they have a shared passion of leadership and sharing what they’ve learned with as many people as possible to help them reach their highest potential. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss this amazing episode!

*Note: This was intended to be a two-part episode, however the footage for part one was damaged and will not be made available. Please check out their websites to find out more information about each of them.

Season 6 Episode 10: Business Diva

HR Expert and Author Myriam Del Angel joins the podcast to share what she has learned about people and the places they work. During her time, Myriam has stressed the importance of self-care and self-awareness, so that employees can be more of who they are at work while also adding benefits to the business. Myriam is also helping to shine a spotlight on Latinas who are shaping the future and providing leadership guidance that we all can use. Her book, Latina’s in Corporate, is her first solo writing project, though she has co-authored previous books as well. Be sure to buy her book on Amazon, you won’t want to miss out on her amazing insight.

Season 6 Episode 11: Myriam Del Angel, Author

Dr. Gordon Siegel is an accomplished ENT doctor who, like many of us, saw the way that the Covid-19 pandemic was changing the world and saw an opportunity to help others make a shift. Gordy, as he’s known by his friends, then took a leap and started SpaceShifts a company dedicated to helping people and businesses find open office space that they can use. With many companies downsizing the number of employees using the office spaces, sharing these spaces allows those who are not ready to rent out a full office have a space to do business. While Dr. Siegel is still practicing medicine, SpaceShifts is something that he feels can help Chicago continue to be the center of business and innovation.

Season 6 Episode 12: Dr. Gordon Siegel, SpaceShifts

As the founder of The Laughing Academy, Kim Greene Hiller has quite the pedigree when it comes to improv comedy, and her roots run deep in Chicago. Sharing a stage with some of Chicago’s most well known actors, Kim knew early on that her path would look different than that of those who’s names you see on marquees in New York or Los Angeles. Her desire to either be an actress or a teacher has come full-circle, and brought her to The Laughing Academy, where she is teaching people of all ages more lessons than just how to act on a stage. The lessons learned have helped with youth dealing with bullying and adults who need to become more comfortable with public speaking. The benefits of improv run deep, and after hearing this episode, you may even want to try out your acting chops!

Season 6 Episode 13: Kim Greene Hiller, The Laughing Academy

Joe Amari returns to host Michael Odongo, founder and CEO of the Angaza Center, which aims to provide resources to children in Africa, to equip them to get the education they need to change their futures. Growing up in Kenya, Michael came to the U.S. to continue his education, doing his post-grad work in IT and began working in the field. Now, as a resident of the Chicago area, Michael has continued his passion for education and ensuring that he helped to provide a ladder for others to climb as well. Though the challenges are real, and sometimes loom large, Michael knew that providing more technical literacy to more people can open a new world of opportunity for every person. Michael and the Angaza Center continue to do their work, impacting lives both in here and abroad.

Season 6 Episode 14: Michael Odongo, Angaza Center

Chicago Cares is an organization that is close to the heart of the Bridging Chicago podcast! This episode features Rosie Drumgoole, now their Chief Executive Officer, who shares not only her story, but how that connects to Chicago and the mission of Chicago Cares. Rosie also shares about how the moments of chemistry with the neighborhoods and people of the city fuel her passion and remind the entire team of what is most important: relationships and resources. Chicago Cares newest program, the Power of Service Training Program, is a program developed out of what the organization has learned with their community partners and neighborhoods. The program, available to everyone, is designed to help change the narrative of volunteerism from transactional to connectivity. Be sure to listen to this episode to learn more about the program and Chicago Cares, you'll definitely be glad that you did!

Season 6 Episode 17: Bridging Chicago x Chicago Cares 2023

As the cooler weather sets into our city and people begin to head back inside, PJ Weiland, business coach with Business Profit and author, joins us to introduce a sport that certainly is not new but is definitely exploding all over Chicago and the country. PJ shares with us about the sport of Pickleball and how being a part of a team and playing sports can teach you lessons in life and business. She wrote Dinking Thru Life: Lessons From the Pickleball Court to challenge herself to share the parallels between how she plays and how she does life, and you’ll hear how her life in Chicago is certainly full and fun! The episode is a lesson in leadership, health and wellness, and staying active to enjoy life.

Season 6 Episode 18: PJ Weiland, Author, Dinking Thru Life

Little Village is a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood in Chicago that is very important to Chicago's cultural and economic impact on the country. Kim Close, Executive Director of Foundation of Little Village joins the podcast to share about why the neighborhood means so much to her and what prompted her to start the organization. Foundation of Little Village is dedicated to ensuring that the people of the neighborhood and its entrepreneurs can continue to start and grow their businesses and reinvest in the neighborhood. Don't miss this episode to close out National Hispanic Heritage Month with us!

Season 6 Episode 19: Kim Close, Foundation Of Little Village

Cheryl Hamilton-Hill is the CEO of Lincoln Park Community Services, an organization that understands that doing good things for good people is important, but doing it in a way that sets them up to allow themselves and their families succeed is better. LPCS does not look at a moment in someones life and identify them by that moment, but they understand that moments aren’t forever, and given the chance, people can lift themselves out of any moment. Her teams desire to walk alongside the people they serve and provide resources that can change lives is truly inspiring. Cheryl shares about the difference housing and education makes for people and what they are doing to tackle these specific needs. Cheryl not only provides insight, but also hope for a better future for our city.

Season 6 Episode 20: Cheryl Hamilton-Hill, Lincoln Park Community Services

Season 7 kicks off with an exciting guest who’s name you may already know, Walter Mendenhall! Walter is a Chicago product, growing up in and around the city and taking his football talents to UIUC. It’s what Walter has accomplished more recently, however that brings him to Bridging Chicago, and we’re so happy he stopped by. This will be a two-part episode, and in part one, you can learn more about Walter’s background and how he was able to balance being a student athlete. You’ll also learn some of the life lessons he obtained from his time at U of I, as well as the big things to come in the future. Be sure to tune in next week for part two.

Season 7 Episode 1: Walter Mendenhall, Male Mogul Initiative

We continue our kick-off of Bridging Chicago's Season 7 premiere with Walter Mendenhall, Founder of the Male Mogul Initiative. In part one, we learned about Walter's childhood in the Chicago area and lessons he learned on the football field at the University of Illinois. Part two features Walter's work post grad, what brought him back to Chicago, and the Male Mogul Initiative. Walter also discusses a new project aimed at helping young people learn how their creative assets can turn into amazing entrepreneurship opportunities! Be sure to listen to part one if you haven't yet.

Season 7 Episode 2: Walter Mendenhall, The Male Mogul Initiative Part 2

Dan Futrell is a Chicago transplant, having lived on both the east and west coasts and is now settled with his family in the Midwest. A Pat Tillman scholar, Dan now leads the nonprofit helping to provide educational opportunities for veterans, which is headquartered in Chicago. Dan and his team at Polymath University are looking to change how people approach higher ed and making it more accessible to everyone. Marrying life and professional experience with classroom learning, Polymath hopes to create more well-rounded students who are ready to contribute to any field. Dan and his team are furthering education as a resource and making it less daunting for others.

Season 7 Episode 5: Dan Futrell, Polymath University

Partners in life and work, Ron & Sue Rescigno of Rescigno’s Fundraising Professionals, join the podcast to share about their work and about how their story is a true Chicago story. Aiming to help nonprofits either get systems in place to help them improve their fundraising efforts, or to put some systems in place, their work  is not a lot of glory but very important. Teaching about how we communicate the needs and goals of the organization, Ron & Sue’s expertise is obvious and incredibly helpful for many different types of organizations. The level of care that Ron & Sue give their work helps to ensure that the needs of the public and the organizations don’t get lost, and that they are fully invested in doing what is best for the mission of the organization. Don’t miss this very insightful and encouraging episode!

Season 7 Episode 6: Ron & Sue Rescigno, Rescigno's Fundaraising Professionals

Ivan Vislavskiy moved to the United States to pursue his version of the American dream, finding Chicago along the way, and the opportunities our city provides. In this episode, Ivan reflects on his time in Chicago, the opportunities higher education in Chicago provided to him, and how his family helped him dedicate his company, Comrade Digital Marketing Agency, to be a family-first company that truly partners with their clients. Ivan also discusses how small companies can make the leap to partnering with a digital marketing company, and what they can consider if they are not ready to make that leap. Ivan gives a masterclass on how keeping the faith, and sometimes bucking the trends, can help you grow your business the way that you want to and stay on the right path. The insights given by Ivan in this episode will be helpful not just for small businesses and marketers, but also to any business that has family oriented, people focused goals.

Season 7 Episode 7: Ivan Vislavskiy, Comrade Digital Marketing

Priscilla Guasso, a bit of a reverse snow bird to Chicago, grew up in the Chicago suburbs, still has a lot of the big city, Midwestern mindset with her today! Priscilla joins the podcast to give share her expertise about the many areas that HR experts touch and how they can be a valuable resource to all employees. She also shares about what makes her so passionate about seeing many different kinds of faces around the table, and what she and her network are doing to help bring chairs to others who may have not had a seat before. Priscilla gives some incredible and inspiring insights, as well as shares about her book, Latinas Rising Up in HR and the many voices you will hear from when reading the stories. Be sure to listen to this absolutely amazing episode, you are sure to connect with Priscilla and how she is working to change the world!

Season 7 Episode 8: Priscilla Guasso, Latinas Rising Up in HR

We are kicking off Season Eight of the podcast featuring Kelly Fair, a Chicago Native, and Cecilia Cuff, a Philadelphia born Chicago transplant who has been shaped in her adult life by our city. These true ladies are truly community leaders and builders who are investing in Chicago neighborhoods. In part one of this two part episode, Kelly and Cecilia talk about Chicago, what makes it unique, and how the difficulties of that sometimes effects it. Their passion for the people of the city, mentorship, and healing is obvious, and pairing that with the fact that these are two women who are not okay sitting on the sidelines, means that Kelly and Cecilia are doing some big things in Chicago, especially on the south and west sides. Be sure to come back and listen to part two next week!

Polished Pebbles Part One

We continue our season 8 premiere of Bridging Chicago with part 2 of our episode with Kelly Fair and Cecilia Cuff. In this part, Kelly and Cecilia talk about why mentorship is so important to them, how it informed their desire to work with Chicago communities, and Polished Pebbles. Both Kelly and Cecilia are laying the groundwork for change in Chicago, especially for girls in the city who will know that there are no limits on what they can accomplish in their lives. The success of Polished Pebbles at this point is only a fraction of what the organization can and will do to help Chicago lead in all areas, and for all people to be a part of the change. Be sure to listen to part 1 if you have not yet, you don't want to miss out.

Polished Pebbles Part 2

Season 8 continues with our guests Jarryd Loyd from Loyd & Co, and returning guest Walter Mendenhall of the Male Mogul Initiative. This is part 1 of our 2 part episode with these gentlemen, who share about what they know about Chicago, its neighborhood, and its needs. Jarryd Loyd has partnered with his sister, WNBA standout Jewell Loyd, to provide opportunities for youth in Chicago to learn more about the opportunities the world has for them and to provide access to resources. Jarryd and Walter share about the role mentorship plays and why they continue to do the work in the trenches for a better future. They also share about the importance of being a part of a team and how the life lessons they learned are still impacting them today. Be sure to come back for part 2 next week!

Season 8 Episode 3: Loyd & Co with the Male Mogul Initiative

Our season 8 series with guests Jarryd Loyd from Loyd & Co, and Walter Mendenhall of the Male Mogul Initiative concludes in this episode of the podcast. In this episode, Jarryd shares about Loyd & Co, its mission, lofty goals, and why they will succeed in making it happen. He also shares about how they are future proofing the organization and the impact that will have on families and neighborhoods. Walter reminds us of the mission of the Male Mogul Initiative and why he decided to align his mission with Loyd & Co. These two organizations are individually and collectively looking to solve long-term problems with the city and our people. Be sure to listen to part 1 if you have not yet, you don’t want to miss any of this amazing episode with these two thought-leaders and change makers. 

Season 8 Episode 4: Loyd & Co Part 2

The spirit of Good Trouble Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s brand has certainly taken on the vibe of its amazing founder, Dee Robinson, who is this weeks guest. Imparting the spirit of her mom, Dee knew that Chicago was the right place to start and build her company, and continues to call the city her home. Dee also sees the entrepreneurial spirit of the city, and how the diversity and culture of the Midwest has impacted its ability to lead the way in areas like innovation and business growth. Because of her willingness to try, her courage to learn through failure, and her passion to keep going, Good Trouble is a brand that is creating award winning Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, but also inspiring other brands to go out and try, creating good trouble. You will certainly connect with Dee’s spirit and we believe you will be inspired to try in your own life!

Season 8 Episode 4: Dee Robinson, Good Trouble

This episode of the podcast features Theresa VanderMeer, Founder and CEO of Work+Shelter. Theresa represents the true spirit of an entrepreneur, bold and courageous, as well as thoughtful and empathetic. Theresa has created more than a place to buy merch/swag for your company, she has created something that will make a lasting impact on so many lives. In this episode, Theresa shares about true sustainability, as well as how Work+Shelter is helping families gain generational wealth. With an interesting and global story, Theresa will make you feel like a fast friend and mentor. Don't miss this episode, you will be truly inspired by Theresa VanderMeer!

Season 8 Episode 6: Theresa VanderMeer, Work+Shelter

On today’s episode of Bridging Chicago, Edda Coscioni joins us to share about the value of human interaction. Edda moved to Chicago after graduating from college, with her skiing roots bringing her family to Colorado. With the hopes of getting in a thriving theatre community, she soon discovered her passion to help people and how beauty can be displayed in so many ways. Her time as a professional coach and teacher has shown to be valuable in her work and entrepreneurship and now she is here to share her thoughts with our listeners. Edda shares about the good and the risky side of starting out on your own, and how the competitive culture of salons inspired her to create a different space. Edda shares some wonderful thoughts and her story is absolutely a valuable one for anyone who wants to continue to grow in any career field.

Season 8 Episode 7: Edda Coscioni, Salon Edda & the Center for Beautiful Living

Continuing Teachers Appreciation Month, Savannah Rountree sits down with Gerardo Rodriguez, a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at Darwin Elementary. Raised in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood in Chicago, Rodriguez attended Chicago Public School from elementary to high school. During his junior year of high school, Rodriguez found himself aiding other students and realizing he had a passion for teaching others about science and math. Graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago, he majored in Urban Education and was mentored by Dr. Edward Podsiadlik, one of Bridging Chicago’s previous guests! He took his newly gained experience and knowledge from his time at UIC to develop his teaching style and overall approach. As a second year teacher, he implements mediation and peace circles to his classroom, and is also a mentor for the Darwin Robotics Club.

Gerardo Rodriguez of Darwin Elementary School

The Bridging Chicago Podcast allows our guests to demonstrate their skills and experience, share their business objectives and perspectives, and engage with listeners. Our goal is to connect our listening community with business leaders in and around the Chicago area by discussing how our guests got to their current positions.

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