ALL THINGS OAK PARK

Ave Zuccarino joins me this week to share stories from her upbringing as the child of Italian immigrants, her years leading up to opening Kiave, and what she does now post-retirement. From personal hardships to her children's lives to her retirement plans - we covered it all.Thanks for listening!

Dr. Dave Hines joins me this week to share stories of his family's background in medicine, rigorous years of medical school, and how he became a doctor specializing in infectious diseases. Dave and I covered everything from how he met his wife, to medical school in Mexico to his involvement in ASP (Appalachia Service Project).Thanks for Listening!

Nick Mann joins me this week to discuss his business ventures in Oak Park and the Chicagoland area. Nick shares his long journey from a boarding school military academy to working for the Department of Defense to now being the Vice President and Co-owner of Robert's Sheet Metal and starting a charity called Circus Monkey Charity Business LLC. 

This week, Father Carl Morello joins me to share his journey into the priesthood and how he manages the role of being St. Giles' pastor, among many others. Father Carl details the future of priesthood and many stories that convey the struggles and successes of being a priest.  Thanks for listening!

This week on All Things Oak Park, I got to chat with Katie and Krissy Mack, the sister duo and owners of Broken Tart Bakery. Katie, Krissy, and I go into the creation of Broken Tart and all the hard work that brought them to this point. Disclaimer: A few technical difficulties while recording, apologies for any choppy sections. 

Laura Flynn joins us this week to express her experiences within her teaching career and throughout the pandemic. Laura talks about how it has affected students and overall considerations of teaching going forward. 

This week on All Things Oak Park, I am joined by Bill Bower and Fran Scott, FFC instructors and born-and-raised Oak Parkers. Bill and Fran share how they discovered their passion for teaching fitness, practicing wellness, and how they go about keeping themselves in shape today. Thanks for listening!

Reminiscing on his hitchhiking days, Steve Green details his younger years traveling across America to his journey to photographing for the Chicago Cubs. Tune in to hear about the serendipitous nature of Steve's career. 

"Joining us this week is Dave Ellis, who recalls his passion for writing and how he successfully balances his career as both an author and a lawyer. Dave has collaborated with acclaimed author James Patterson on multiple novels, as well as writing solo projects. Stay tuned to learn more about Dave's latest book release!"

Emily Paster grew up in the political arena of D.C., majored in French in college, and went to law school. Now she is a freelance recipe developer, food writer, cook book author, and culinary instructor in Oak Park. Listen and learn more about her journey and how she went from law to cooking!

Born in Korea, Madeline Moon is a River Forest resident and small business owner. She has a Korean food business with her two friends and also runs a business recruiting young graduates to go to Korea to teach English.  Listen to learn more about her journey from Korea to River Forest and how she's grown her businesses. 

Originally from South Florida, Tina Shrader relocated to the Chicago area to attend Adler University to continue her studies of clinical psychology. Post college, she started working for Pillars Community Health and went on to open her own practice, Empower Family Therapy. If you or someone you know is interested in starting family therapy, check out their website https://empowerfamilytherapy.com/  

Georgetown University graduate, Symone Speech, returns to Oak Park after playing professional volleyball in Europe to now aid high schoolers with their own academic and athletic futures. Tune in for insight on Symone's athletic career, her experience abroad and what made her return to the states. 

From the Bay Area,  Alec Nevala-Lee was a curious kid growing up, spending most of his time in used book stores or watching old movies. Since the age of 10, Alec knew he wanted to be a writer, and now, that dream has come true. Alec's newest biography, Inventor of the Future: The Visionary Life of Buckminster Fuller, is out now and you can find a copy of it here!

Cincinnati native, FAMU graduate, and seasoned advertising technology professional...Deanna Barnes! Join me this week in learning about this wonderful, impressive woman from our community - hope you enjoy!

I'm here today with Suze Solari, image consultant and fashion author! Listen to learn all about this Oak Parker's stylish career as well as the amazing places she's lived.

This week we heard from Noel Massie, former UPS senior executive and Oak Park resident. His career at UPS allowed him to explore far beyond Oak Park, IL. Tune in to hear all about his amazing life!

A few weeks ago, I was a guest on Dave Lorenzo's podcast The Inside BS Show! I hope you enjoy this episode, "What If There Was No Tomorrow? Would Your Family Be OK?"Click the link below to check out some of Dave's other interviews:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87y8KXfEUOojEWkMcHWYYw

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Oak Park resident Monica Dalton. We cover lots of ground, from her time spent in Japan during high school to her current career in real estate!

Welcome Will Duncan, owner of Fitzgerald's, to All Things Oak Park! Although Fitzgerald's is technically located in Berwyn, IL many Oak Parkers know it and love it. In this episode, learn how Will's passion for music guided him to where he is today.https://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com 

Welcome back for another solo episode! Feeling like you have to be perfect all the time can be quite stressful. I hope the few tips I provide in this episode can give you a bit of comfort.If you or someone you know is interested in being a guest on All Things Oak Park, reach out to me at theresa.clancy@theresaclancylaw.com. 

Grayson Adelstein is a current junior at Oak Park River Forest High School. Despite being the youngest guest I've ever had on the show, he has accomplished quite a bit. Listen to learn all about his entrepreneurial spirit and business endeavors!

Katie McElligot is a Forest Parker turned Oak Parker. Her creative nature ultimately led her to a career in copywriting and, most recently, authoring children's books. Be sure to check out her website!

Having grown up in Michigan, Steve Bankes began his insurance career in Chicago, first living in Boystown. His growing family eventually made the move to Oak Park where they found a strong sense of community on the 700 block of North Grove.

Lynn Farrell is a Chicago native and current Oak Parker. From delivering airline tickets on foot in downtown Chicago to starting her own travel business, her career is truly inspiring. Connect with Lynn at:https://windycitytravel.com

Mixing it up with a first solo episode. Interviews to come next time. Can we really become a more positive person? Anything is possible, right?

Tim Cozzens is a longtime Oak Park resident, a professor at Columbia College Chicago and a woodworker among many other things. Tim and I dive into his crazy childhood, work life and how kids struggle with adulting. 

Paul Clancy is currently a senior investment analyst for CapX Partners in Chicago, an OPRF graduate and my favorite oldest child. On this episode, Paul and I go back to his grade school, middle school and high school life and where Paul is at now. Along with that, he gives some wonderful advice for college students and young adults.  

Back again is Oak Park resident and co-owner of Spilt Milk, Meg Svec. Meg discusses the struggles she has faced trying to keep a bakery open during a pandemic among other unfortunate complications. Listen to find out how Spilt Milk is doing and where you can now find them.

Mia Reynes is a River Forest resident and currently a freshman at College of Dupage and will be heading off to Colorado State University in the fall. Mia speaks on her childhood in River Forest, her high school career, some things this past year has taught her and advice for teens her age about to embark on their own college journey.  

Pat Carew is longtime resident of Oak Park. Pat talks about his wonderful childhood in Arlington Heights, discovering his love of reading, the college years, the courtship of his wife Kathleen and owning a water purification business. Pat also gives some unique Oak Park recommendations.

Bethany O'Brien is an Oak Park resident and an emerging writer of young adult fiction. Bethany talks about her childhood in Peoria, majoring in music during college, a pit stop in the pageant world, law school, working as a trust lawyer, landing in Oak Park and writing, her latest jam.

Melissa is an Oak Park resident, chef, food writer, editor and author of the column Oak Park Eats. Melissa talks about her Wisconsin childhood, moving to Chicago, cooking school and her accidental foray into food writing.

Shana Taveras is a River Forest resident and the owner of Blackout Bakery. Shana talks about growing up in South Dakota and heading east for school and work in fashion. Shana describes her adventure living in Europe with her husband and the move back to the States, being a parent and her early and current days as the Blackout Bakery business owner.

Meg Svec is an Oak Park resident co-owner of the OakPark bakery, Spilt Milk. Meg talks about majoring in Arabic and Political Science, grad school and professional life in the computer science world and her sharp right turn into bakery ownership.

Laura Pekarik is an Oak Park resident and the owner of Courageous Bakery in Oak Park and Elmhurst. Laura's heartwarming cupcake journey begins in an attempt to help a sister during a family crisis and blossoms until a successful professional journey that continues through today.

Anthony Piptone is the owner of Oak Park Bakery located on Oak Park Ave. and Garfield Blvd. in Oak Park,IL. Oak Park Bakery is my favorite bakery. Anthony talks about working in the bakery as a teen when his dad owned the bakery and now being the owner for over 25 years. Anthony also talks how items are selected to be sold, what is the best selling item and how he will never compromise on quality.

Lisa Parker is a resident of Oak Park and a newswoman. Lisa works as a Consumer Investigative Reporter for NBC 5 Chicago. In this episode Lisa talks about growing up as a curious and somewhat nosy kid in Arlington, VA. Lisa describes her years at Northwestern University and her ups and downs as a newswoman on the journey to her finding her home at NBC 5 Chicago. Finally, Lisa shares the reason for her love of Oak Park and her Oak Park recommendations.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSSLiam Loughran is a film student at the University of Southern California. Liam grew up in Oak Park on the 500 of North Elmwood Ave. in the company of many other talented young artists. Liam discovered his love of filmmaking at a young age and has been honing his craft ever since. Liam offers advice for young filmmakers which also serves as great advice for anyone trying to succeed in anything in life. You can watch Liam Loughran's films on his website loughranproductions.com.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSSIn Part II Amanda Daly owner of the Oak Park bagel shop, The Daly Bagel, talks about her bagel journey. Amanda tells about how The Daly Bagel sprouted from a challenge from her son which turned her home kitchen into a bagel making machine. Amanda also describes all the highs and lows she has experienced on the way to landing in her own retail space and what it took to open the doors of the bagel shop (smack in the middle of a pandemic). Amanda gives her Oak Park recommendations and expresses heartfelt and genuine appreciation for all those who have helped her get to this point in business.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSSAmanda Daly is the owner of the bagel shop The Daly Bagel located on Chicago Ave. and Lombard Ave. in Oak Park, Illinois. Like her bagels, Amanda's story is so chocked full of flavor it took two episodes to capture it. In this episode (Part I) Amanda talks about her childhood and her college experiences including what compelled her to switch gears and study Arabic and the Middle East. Amanda also describes her dogged attempts to be a novelist. In Part II (next week) Amanda describes her Daly Bagel journey.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSSYasmin and Sean Cavenagh are mother and son. They are both residents of Oak Park and share the same profession, nursing. Although they have many similarities, their paths to nursing were quite different. Take a listen to Yasmin and Sean tell their stories about how they arrived at the profession of nursing, what they would like to see happen in the future of healthcare, and why they love living in Oak Park.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSSHenry Griffin has an unusual and fascinating story that at 20 years old has lead him to be an aspiring opera singer and a bird watching tour guide. Henry grew up in Oak Park in a house of music. His dad plays for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and his mom plays for the Chicago Lyric Opera. So, it is no surprise that Henry is now a classical voice major at The Manhattan School of Music. Henry talks about how he developed a love of music and of bird watching. Henry reminisces about one great non music related Oak Park tradition he is grateful for. Henry also gives his Oak Park recommendations.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSS Jill and Brent Showalter live in Oak Park and own three Oak Park businesses; Yuppie Puppy, Doggie Day Play, and Hometown Handyman. Their story began when they were just 12 years old as participants in the world of Drum and Bugle Corps. Learn what brought them to Oak Park and how the lessons they learned as 12 year olds laid the perfect foundation for being business owners. Jill and Brent also give their Oak Park recommendations for fun.

ALL THINGS OAK PARK (PODCAST) RSS Patrick is a third generation Oak Parker who is graduating from University of Southern California. Although Patrick experienced a typical Oak Park childhood, his path to USC was anything but typical. Patrick gives great credit to Triton Community College in helping him achieve his goal of attending USC.

In this episode I talk about my journey to Oak Park, what I found when I arrived and my intent and hope for starting this podcast.