Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is an award-winning journalist based in Chicago, whose reporting tackles race, housing, economic development, food injustice and violence. Her work has helped shift the way Chicagoans today think about segregation in the region. Natalie’s acclaimed book The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation received the 2016 Chicago Review of Books award for nonfiction and was Buzzfeed’s best nonfiction book of 2016. She is also co-author of The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang and Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation. Haymarket Books published her play “The Billboard” in March 2022. The play is part of the 2021 Bridge Program of the National New Play Network. It was performed by 16th Street Theater in June of 2022.

<a href="http://www.natalieymoore.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Natalie Moore</a> is an award-winning journalist based in Chicago, whose reporting tackles race, housing, economic development, food injustice and violence. Her work has helped shift the way Chicagoans today think about segregation in the region. Natalie’s acclaimed book The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation received the 2016 Chicago Review of Books award for nonfiction and was Buzzfeed’s best nonfiction book of 2016. She is also co-author of The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang and Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation. Haymarket Books published her play “The Billboard” in March 2022. The play is part of the 2021 Bridge Program of the National New Play Network. It was performed by 16th Street Theater in June of 2022.

Natalie Moore: Chicago Native, Journalist, and Author

Gail Morse is the Director of Volunteers for Big Apple Greeter, the world's first free “Welcome Visitor” program. Big Apple Greeter was founded in 1992 and has nearly 300 volunteers who accompany about 5,000 visitors a year to over 100 neighborhoods in all five of New York City's boroughs. Today, there are free Greeter programs in over 120 cities across more than 30 countries.

Gail Morse is the Director of Volunteers for <a href="https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Big Apple Greeter</a>, the world's first free “Welcome Visitor” program. Big Apple Greeter was founded in 1992 and has nearly 300 volunteers who accompany about 5,000 visitors a year to over 100 neighborhoods in all five of New York City's boroughs. Today, there are free Greeter programs in over 120 cities across more than 30 countries.

Gail Morse: Brooklyn Transplant and Big Apple Greeter Volunteer Director

Eric Rogers

Eric Rogers is the Manager of Events and Communications at the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. He joined the Conservancy staff in early 2020 after six years at the Chicago Architecture Center, where he worked on and ultimately managed the major annual event Open House Chicago. Eric is passionate about exploring cities by bike, transit, and foot, and photographing the built environment, particularly historic and architecturally-significant places. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and has called the South Side of Chicago home since 2006.

Eric Rogers is the Manager of Events and Communications at the <a href="https://savewright.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy</a>. He joined the Conservancy staff in early 2020 after six years at the <a href="https://www.architecture.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Architecture Center</a>, where he worked on and ultimately managed the major annual event <a href="https://openhousechicago.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Open House Chicago</a>. Eric is passionate about exploring cities by bike, transit, and foot, and photographing the built environment, particularly historic and architecturally-significant places. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the Social Sciences from the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">University of Chicago</a>, and has called the South Side of Chicago home since 2006.

Eric Rogers: A Chicagoan Passionate about Cities and Architecture 

Billy Lombardo

Billy Lombardo is the 2011 Nelson Algren Award winner for Fiction. He is the author of four books of fiction – The Logic of a Rose: Chicago Stories, How to Hold a Woman, The Man with Two Arms, and Meanwhile, Roxy Mourns. His novel, How to Hold a Woman was re-issued as Morning Will Come by Tortoise Books in January 2021.  A high school English Literature and creative writing teacher for 25 years at The Latin School of Chicago, and for nine years at other Chicago-area high schools, he now runs his own writing and editing business called Writing Pros/e. Billy is the founder of Polyphony Lit, a global literary platform for high school writers and editors, at the core of which is a literary magazine run by an international staff of more than 200 high school editors around the world who comment on every one of the thousands of submissions that come to them every year.

<a href="https://www.billylombardoauthor.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Billy Lombardo</a> is the 2011 Nelson Algren Award winner for Fiction. He is the author of four books of fiction – The Logic of a Rose: Chicago Stories, How to Hold a Woman, The Man with Two Arms, and Meanwhile, Roxy Mourns. His novel, How to Hold a Woman was re-issued as Morning Will Come by Tortoise Books in January 2021.  A high school English Literature and creative writing teacher for 25 years at The Latin School of Chicago, and for nine years at other Chicago-area high schools, he now runs his own writing and editing business called <a href="https://www.writingprose.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Writing Pros/e</a>. Billy is the founder of <a href="https://www.polyphonylit.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Polyphony Lit</a>, a global literary platform for high school writers and editors, at the core of which is a literary magazine run by an international staff of more than 200 high school editors around the world who comment on every one of the thousands of submissions that come to them every year.

Billy Lombardo: Chicago Native, Author, and Teacher

Wendy Bright grew up in the Milwaukee area. She has lived in both Milwaukee and Chicago, and she was a tour guide in both cities. Her podcast, Cream City-Windy City explores the connections between Milwaukee and Chicago. Wendy currently lives in Lexington, Kentucky where she works as the Marketing and Communications Manager at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, a museum that promotes the legacy of statesman Henry Clay. 

<a href="http://wendycitychicago.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wendy Bright</a> grew up in the Milwaukee area. She has lived in both Milwaukee and Chicago, and she was a tour guide in both cities. Her podcast, <a href="http://wendycitychicago.com/category/podepisode/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cream City-Windy City</a> explores the connections between Milwaukee and Chicago. Wendy currently lives in Lexington, Kentucky where she works as the Marketing and Communications Manager at <a href="https://henryclay.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate</a>, a museum that promotes the legacy of statesman <a href="https://henryclay.org/meet-henry-clay/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Clay</a>.

Wendy Bright: Milwaukee Native, Former Chicagoan, and Tour Guide

Serena is a Londoner with a passion for supporting locally owned restaurants. As a vegetarian, she focuses on vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots. On Instagram @serenalikesfood, she shares her restaurant recommendations, along with vegetarian and vegan recipes.  Here are her restaurant recommendations:  Bubala in Shoreditch  Booma in Brixton  etch. by Steven Edwards in Brighton  Lissome in Dalston  Nandine in Camberwell Sugarcane London in Clapham

Serena is a Londoner with a passion for supporting locally owned restaurants. As a vegetarian, she focuses on vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots. On Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/serenalikesfood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@serenalikesfood</a>, she shares her restaurant recommendations, along with vegetarian and vegan recipes.  Here are her restaurant recommendations:  <a href="https://bubala.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bubala</a> in Shoreditch  <a href="https://booma-brixton.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Booma</a> in Brixton  <a href="https://www.etchfood.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">etch.</a> by Steven Edwards in Brighton  <a href="https://www.lissomerestaurant.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lissome</a> in Dalston  <a href="https://nandine.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nandine</a> in Camberwell <a href="https://www.sugarcanelondon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sugarcane London</a> in Clapham

Serena: Londoner and Vegetarian and Vegan Food Blogger

Justin Kaufmann

Justin Kaufmann is a reporter for Axios Chicago and part of the ensemble that created Chicago4Real, a new Twitch channel that features great Chicago content. He's also part of Schadenfreude, a Chicago sketch comedy group. Justin previously worked in Chicago radio, both at WBEZ and at WGN.

Justin Kaufmann is a reporter for <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Axios Chicago</a> and part of the ensemble that created <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/chicago4real" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago4Real</a>, a new Twitch channel that features great Chicago content. He's also part of Schadenfreude, a Chicago sketch comedy group. Justin previously worked in Chicago radio, both at <a href="//wbez.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WBEZ</a> and at <a href="//wgnradio.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WGN</a>.

Justin Kaufmann: Chicago Journalist and Sketch Comedian

Ghian Foreman is the President and CEO of the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, a group that works to develop and support South Side communities through a focus on commercial-corridor expansion, sustainable housing, and workforce development. Foreman sits on several boards including serving as President of the Chicago Police Board and member of the Rebuild Foundation. He earned his BS from Florida A&amp;M University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He lives in Kenwood with his wife Traci and daughter Jade.

Ghian Foreman is the President and CEO of the <a href="https://emeraldsouth.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative</a>, a group that works to develop and support South Side communities through a focus on commercial-corridor expansion, sustainable housing, and workforce development. Foreman sits on several boards including serving as President of the Chicago Police Board and member of the <a href="https://www.rebuild-foundation.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rebuild Foundation</a>. He earned his BS from Florida A&amp;M University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He lives in Kenwood with his wife Traci and daughter Jade.

Ghian Foreman: Promoter of Development in South Side Chicago Communities

Tova Katz

In this episode, I speak with Ryan Tova Katz. Ryan is a Chicago-based artist and muralist. In 2009, she started her first custom art and mural company. She has painted murals in hotels, private homes, schools, restaurants, galleries, orphanages, and on buildings in 9 countries.

In this episode, I speak with <a href="https://ryantovakatz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ryan Tova Katz</a>. Ryan is a Chicago-based artist and muralist. In 2009, she started her first custom art and mural company. She has painted murals in hotels, private homes, schools, restaurants, galleries, orphanages, and on buildings in 9 countries.

Ryan Tova Katz: Chicago Artist and Muralist

Caroline MacMillan

In this episode, I speak with Caroline MacMillan. Caroline is a tour guide who offers both group tours and private walks around West London. She has also written multiple books about West London that are part of the Wild About series, including books about Hammersmith and Brook Green, Shepherd's Bush and Askew Road, and Fulham. We talk about why she loves exploring London on foot and giving tours as well as her most memorable experiences as a tour guide.

In this episode, I speak with Caroline MacMillan. Caroline is a tour guide who offers both group tours and private walks around West London. She has also written multiple books about West London that are part of the Wild About series, including books about Hammersmith and Brook Green, Shepherd's Bush and Askew Road, and Fulham. We talk about why she loves exploring London on foot and giving tours as well as her most memorable experiences as a tour guide.

Caroline MacMillan: West London Tour Guide and Author

In each episode I talk with a city dweller to learn about their perspective on city life.

Elaine Glusac

In this episode, I speak with Elaine Glusac. Elaine is a freelance travel writer based in Chicago. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Gold Medal as Travel Journalist of the Year in 2019 from the Society of American Travel Writers, and the Silver Medal as Travel Journalist of the Year in 2018. Her work has appeared in many publications, including the New York Times where she writes the Frugal Traveler column.

Elaine Glusac: Chicagoan and Travel Writer

In this episode, I speak with Fred Schübbe. Fred was born in Flensburg, Germany, along the Danish border. He moved to the Hamburg area in 1989, where he lives with his wife and son. For over 25 years, he worked in Human Resources Management. Since 2019, he's been a volunteer greeter for Hamburg Greeters. He's also a project manager for the Worldwide Greeter Communication project that encourages communication among greeters from around the world.

Fred Schübbe: Transplant to Hamburg, Germany and Hamburg Greeter

Monica Eng

Monica Eng is reporter for Axios Chicago with a specialty on food, health and the environment.  Monica came to Axios from WBEZ where she was a reporter for 8 years. Before that she spent 25 years editing and reporting at the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Monica has won multiple writing awards and been nominated for the James Beard Award five times.  The daughter of Chinese and Puerto Rican parents, Monica is a fourth generation Chicagoan whose children are fourth generation Chicago Public School graduates.

Monica Eng is reporter for <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Axios Chicago</a> with a specialty on food, health and the environment. Monica came to Axios from <a href="//wbez.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WBEZ</a> where she was a reporter for 8 years. Before that she spent 25 years editing and reporting at the <a href="//chicagotribune.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a> and <a href="//suntimes.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Sun-Times</a>. Monica has won multiple writing awards and been nominated for the <a href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Beard Award</a> five times. The daughter of Chinese and Puerto Rican parents, Monica is a fourth generation Chicagoan whose children are fourth generation Chicago Public School graduates.

Monica Eng: Fourth Generation Chicagoan and Journalist

Tonika Johnson

Tonika Johnson is a photographer, social justice artist and life-long resident of Chicago’s South Side neighborhood of Englewood. She is also co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective and Resident Association of Greater Englewood, which seek to reframe the narrative of South Side communities, and mobilize people and resources for positive change. Tonika’s art often explores urban segregation, documenting the nuance and richness of the black community to counter media depictions of Chicago’s violence. Her Folded Map™ Project visually connects residents who live at corresponding addresses on the North and South Sides of Chicago. She investigates what urban segregation looks like and how it impacts Chicago residents. For more information about topics discussed in this episode, please check out the following: Rogers Park - Encyclopedia of Chicago Evanston Reparations

<a href="https://www.tonijphotography.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tonika Johnson</a> is a photographer, social justice artist and life-long resident of Chicago’s South Side neighborhood of Englewood. She is also co-founder of the <a href="https://englewoodartscollective.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Englewood Arts Collective</a> and <a href="https://ragenglewood.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Resident Association of Greater Englewood</a>, which seek to reframe the narrative of South Side communities, and mobilize people and resources for positive change. Tonika’s art often explores urban segregation, documenting the nuance and richness of the black community to counter media depictions of Chicago’s violence. Her <a href="https://www.foldedmapproject.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Folded Map™ Project</a> visually connects residents who live at corresponding addresses on the North and South Sides of Chicago. She investigates what urban segregation looks like and how it impacts Chicago residents. For more information about topics discussed in this episode, please check out the following: <a href="http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1086.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rogers Park - Encyclopedia of Chicago</a> <a href="https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/city-council/reparations" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Evanston Reparations</a>

Tonika Johnson: Chicago Native and Social Justice Artist

Darley Newman

In this episode, I speak with Darley Newman, a media entrepreneur, TV host, writer and multimedia producer. She is the creator, producer and host of Emmy Award-winning "Equitrekking" and "Travels with Darley." We discuss her love of travel and her love of living in New York City.

In this episode, I speak with <a href="https://darley-newman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Darley Newman</a>, a media entrepreneur, TV host, writer and multimedia producer. She is the creator, producer and host of Emmy Award-winning "Equitrekking" and <a href="https://darley-newman.com/tv-show/pbs-tv-preview/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Travels with Darley."</a> We discuss her love of travel and her love of living in New York City.

Darley Newman: New York Transplant and Travels with Darley Host

Chris Nix

In this episode, I speak to Chris Nix, Assistant Director at the London Transport Museum and one of the hosts of the Hidden London Hangouts, a weekly YouTube series that explores the secret and mysterious spaces of London’s transport system. In addition to discussing the inspiration behind the hangouts, we discuss Chris' experience of growing up near Manchester, England and now living in London.

In this episode, I speak to Chris Nix, Assistant Director at the <a href="https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">London Transport Museum</a> and one of the hosts of the <a href="https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london/hangouts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hidden London Hangouts</a>, a weekly YouTube series that explores the secret and mysterious spaces of London’s transport system. In addition to discussing the inspiration behind the hangouts, we discuss Chris' experience of growing up near Manchester, England and now living in London.

Chris Nix: London Transplant and Hidden London Hangouts Host

Robert Loerzel

In this episode, I speak with Robert Loerzel. Robert is a freelance journalist and photographer in Chicago. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska, where he lived until he was 9; later in his childhood, he lived in Onarga, a small town in central Illinois. He received a bachelor’s degree in news-editorial journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and he has lived in the Chicago area since graduating in 1988. He is the author of two books, Alchemy of Bones: Chicago’s Luetgert Murder Case of 1897 and Walking Chicago: 35 Tours of the Windy City's Dynamic Neighborhoods and Famous Lakeshore.

In this episode, I speak with <a href="http://www.robertloerzel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robert Loerzel</a>. Robert is a freelance journalist and photographer in Chicago. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska, where he lived until he was 9; later in his childhood, he lived in Onarga, a small town in central Illinois. He received a bachelor’s degree in news-editorial journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and he has lived in the Chicago area since graduating in 1988. He is the author of two books, <a href="http://www.alchemyofbones.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alchemy of Bones: Chicago’s Luetgert Murder Case of 1897</a> and <a href="https://shop.adventurewithkeen.com/product/walking-chicago/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Walking Chicago: 35 Tours of the Windy City's Dynamic Neighborhoods and Famous Lakeshore</a>.

Robert Loerzel: A Chicago Transplant Explores His City on Foot

Lee Bey

In this episode, I speak with Lee Bey, a writer, photographer, consultant and lecturer, whose work deals with the documentation and interpretation of the built environment—and the often complex political, social and racial forces that shape spaces and places. We discuss his experiences as a South Sider and a Black architecture writer. We also discuss the complex political, social and racial forces that have contributed to shaping Chicago. His book, Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago’s South Side, showcases his architectural and social commentary and his architectural photography. Bey is member of the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board and an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture.

In this episode, I speak with <a href="http://leebey.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lee Bey</a>, a writer, photographer, consultant and lecturer, whose work deals with the documentation and interpretation of the built environment—and the often complex political, social and racial forces that shape spaces and places. We discuss his experiences as a South Sider and a Black architecture writer. We also discuss the complex political, social and racial forces that have contributed to shaping Chicago. His book, <a href="https://nupress.northwestern.edu/9780810140981/southern-exposure/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago’s South Side</a>, showcases his architectural and social commentary and his architectural photography. Bey is member of the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board and an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture.

Lee Bey: The Intersection of Race and Architecture on Chicago's South Side

In this episode, I speak with Katie Law, the creator and manager of Chicago Greeter, a free visitor service for the City of Chicago that taps locals to highlight what they love about their city and share it with visitors. Katie shares her experience of moving from the West Coast to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and why she decided to remain in Chicago. She also discusses her experience of creating and managing Chicago Greeter.

In this episode, I speak with Katie Law, the creator and manager of <a href="//chicagogreeter.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicago Greeter</a>, a free visitor service for the City of Chicago that taps locals to highlight what they love about their city and share it with visitors. Katie shares her experience of moving from the West Coast to attend the <a href="https://www.saic.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">School of the Art Institute of Chicago</a> and why she decided to remain in Chicago. She also discusses her experience of creating and managing Chicago Greeter.

Katie Law: From California Native to Chicago Greeter Manager

In this episode, I speak with Eliza Fournier from the Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest department about the ways that they promote urban agriculture in Chicago. For more information about topics discussed in this episode, please check out the following: Farm on Ogden VeggieRx Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship Windy City Harvest Collaborations

In this episode, I speak with Eliza Fournier from the Chicago Botanic Garden's <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/adult_education/windy_city_harvest" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Windy City Harvest</a> department about the ways that they promote urban agriculture in Chicago. For more information about topics discussed in this episode, please check out the following: <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/farm_on_ogden" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Farm on Ogden</a> <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/veggieRx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VeggieRx</a> <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/apprenticeship" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship</a> <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/collaborators" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Windy City Harvest Collaborations</a>

Eliza Fournier: Manager of Urban Agriculture Apprentice Program in Chicago

City Dweller

The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Self Improvement, Growth & Development

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!