Community Voices

A preview of Copper Coin Ballet Company's performance of Sleeping Beauty at the Legacy Theatre. Anna Liberman, Cambrie Easley, and Ronda Brinkman tell us more.

Ryan Croke visits to share his personal passion and explain the March 17, referendum to create and fund a Sangamon County Mental Health Board to improve the connectivity between existing services.

Jacob Dinardo speaks about his recent opening of Arrowroot Coffee Co. in downtown Springfield. His journey as a coffee roaster from the farmer's market to his first brick and mortar business.

Jeff C. Williams joins Randy Eccles and other contributors as a new co-host, editor, and producer of Community Voices as it enters its sixth year of production.

Former U.S. National Archives director, Colleen Shogan, appeared at the 2025 UIS Beaumont Endowed Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series to discuss the integrity of our national legacy.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Sojourn's Ron Homann regularly visits schools to teach students how to recognize unhealthy relationships. Call 217-726-5200 for help.

What was it like when public radio first hit the airwaves in Springfield? In the second installment of Radio Rewind, host Evie Rodenbaugh takes listeners back to the voices of 1975.

In a year marked by political division and uncertainty, the UIS Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series asked a timely question: What can Abraham Lincoln's era of disruption teach us today?

Kevin Purcell directs 'Lincoln and Shakespeare,' to examine the president's love of the bard and how Shakespeare's works may have influenced Abe's writing and speeches. Feb. 21-22 at the Hoogland.

Laura Mitchelle returns to to discuss the 2026 f the Illinois History Day contest. This program allows students, 11-18, to interact with history in various formats - April 27 and May 4, 2026.

The premier arts venue has been closed this season as a major plumbing project continues in the building. But it's also brought an opportunity for a needed refresh.

Coordinator Ko'u Hopkins is joined by Girl Scout guest co-host, who is working toward her Gold Award. They discuss immigration enforcement with Illinois State Representative Sharon Chung.

Ryan Napier and Clifton Jones talk gospel music and preview their Feb. 28, performance at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, The Good News Experience: A Journey Through Gospel Music.

Matt Vala returns to the Springfield theatre scene as the theatre director at Rochester High School. His first production is Newsies with senior Holden Nichols in the lead role.

A preview the Valentine's weekend performances featuring Valentin Kovalev and Aiwen Zhang with Carr's Concerto for Two Saxophones, Bernstein from On the Town, and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony.

Tyler Caraballo-Pisani and Jim Leach stop by to preview The Addams Family. The production will take place at the Hoogland Center for Arts, February 6-8 and 13-15. Tickets are available at HCFTA.org.

Stephanie Kamel and Larry Golden share why the Illinois Innocence Project started, its history and achievements, and how it is working to reduce the number of people who are wrongfully convicted.

A coalition of Springfield proponents have come together to create a marketing campaign, My Heart's Downtown, to highlight the positive developments. Leah Wilson, Karen Conn and Jay Shanle share more.

Jessica chats with Elizabeth Wake about her business and her career journey.

Vondra Social House is one of the newest businesses to open its doors in downtown Springfield. Owners Sierra and Eric Ferrell stop by to discuss their new restaurant.

Sara Vanhala shares tips on how the SBA 504 loan program works and how these loans can elevate a small or medium sized business.

The Citizens Club forum features a discussion of the history, role, and the impact of the Hoogland with Gus Gordon, along with how it almost didn't make it. This includes a theatre of the mind tour.

Mahogany Knight, entertainer, Mara Morken, development and fundraising, and Teresa Silva, executive director of The Phoenix Center share the Ozian drag event for kids at Pole Barn Chic Jan. 31, 4 p.m.

UIS grad assistant Evie Rodenbaugh expands on her research into a half century of 91.9 FM in Springfield. In this first episode, she goes back to the beginning. Lincoln Library exhibit, now-May.

Robert Moore, one of the first Black U.S. Marshals, an Illinois State Police Trooper, and UIS student charts his pioneering path in law enforcement in his new book, Off My Neck.

Kate McKenzie is the director of development at NPR Illinois. In this role, Kate is the chief fundraiser. Her background is from the editorial side of journalism, but the need has led her to find funding to inform the community.

Michelle Eccles is the NPR Illinois Morning Edition anchor and host. She also produces the First Listen daily podcast and publshes the NPR Illinois Daily newsletter. Michelle is heavily involved in the Springfield community. She shares more in this Community Voices discussion.

Sean Crawford is the NPR Illinois managing editor, or news director. In this conversation he discusses his earliest radio days to his years at the statehouse before taking the helm of NPR Illinois news operations.

Audrey Bellot is the NPR Illinois business manager. This entails a variety of functions to allow other staff to focus on their assigned duties. These include sponsorship traffic management, purchasing, billing, Day Sponsorships, reception, and more.

Tim Boll is the chief engineer at NPR Illinois. He works with radio requency and internet protocol technology to make sure the audio and digital content of NPR Illinois reaches the audience.

Judah White is the NPR Illinois development coordinator through the UIS Graduate Public Service Intership program. He works to create graphics, promos, and social media to help grow the NPR Illinois audience.

After closing The Wakery, Elizabeth Wake joins NPR Illinois as one of its sponsorship account executives to develop business funding and increase awareness.

Local author Luke McQuillan sits down with Community Voices to discuss his recent novel, "Love in the Light." This is Luke's first published novel. In addition to writing the book, Luke has also created an entire musical for the reader to enjoy as they move through each chapter.

Jonathan Reyman joins Community Voices to discuss his new book Pueblo Bonita and Chaco Canyon Revisited, his time at the Illinois State Museum, and his love of anthropology and archeology.

Todd Snider died November 14, 2025. The following is an archival interview previewing his performance at a NPR Illinois Bedrock 66 Live show January 13, 2012.—Todd Snider says what's on his mind. His music is steeped in his beliefs about war and politics, religion and any other subject often viewed as taboo for most artists. Snider's latest cd “The Storyteller” allows him to further explain his songs and whatever else is on his mind.

New NPR Illinois sponsorship account executive, Eric Murphy, shares his journey that includes Illinois politics and the military.

Ko'u Hopkins is working as an NPR Illinois coordinator while studying international relations at the University of Illinois Springfield. She recently ran the 20th This I Believe program and has already traveled the world.

Jeff Cunningham, Springfield Animal Protective League Events Coordinator and Community Outreach Manager shares how to get your team signed up for APL Trivia Night Friday Nov. 14. This event is one of the most important fundraisers each year for this Sangamon County shelter which provides love and care to more than 2,000 animals every year.

Teacher Crystal Hoadley is helping other teachers with out-of-pocket school supplies expenses through Sunshine Supplies for Teachers

Vanessa Lively and Ben Bedford bring their instruments into NPR Illinois Studio A to share some of their latest collaborations including her new single, Red Wolf.

Director Gwen Harrison of Springfield's Lincoln Library shares her love of books and the variety of resources at our public libraries.

Ladd Mitchell introduced himself to the Community Voices audience to share his first novel, Theory Markspurn. After running a label and playing in California, he's returned home to launch his authorhood with a story of a high performing athlete and how the pressure is fracturing her health.

Kim Villanueva joins Community Voices to discuss her long history of feminist activism with the National Organization for Women. She also speaks about the ways that her experiences in Springfield helped prepare her to lead a national organization. Kim also discusses why it matters and how you should get involved in causes and organizations you believe in.

Professor Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, director, along with cast and stage crew join Craig McFarland to preview this theatre performance of the tragic Matthew Shepard incident at the University of Wyoming.

Steven Herman left VOA after it was shut down earlier this year.

Steve Mann shares his thoughts about the Lincoln penny no longer being minted.Mann is with the Central Illinois Numismatic Association and is the Show Chair for the 35th Annual Fall Coin Show November 9, at the Northfield Center in Springfield.

Matt Brookens grew up in Springfield, got his film degree in Chicago, and works on productions in Los Angeles. Illinois Hell Hole is his passion project he has made into a radio film.

Jacksonville's Jeff Davidsmeyer discusses reunion shows with the New Goat Ensemble, how they got their name, and playing with Brad Floreth and Bryan Leonard in the Way Out Yonders.

Tyler Caraballo-Pisani and Ginny Racette visit to discuss their production of the maneating play, Little Shop of Horrors at the Hoogland Center for the Arts Oct. 24-26, Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Held announced his retirement from professional swimming in August. The Springfield native earned both of his gold medals as part of the U.S. Men's 4×100 Freestyle Relay teams in 2016 and 2024.Held joins Community Voices to reflect on his swimming career, share his ongoing ties to his hometown of Springfield, and talk about the importance of supporting young athletes. He also discusses his career transition to a role at Goldman Sachs, and how swimming will continue to play a role in his life beyond competition.

Nathan Peak, chef at The Foundry Kitchen inside of Anvil and Forge Brewing and Distilling, talks to Community Voices about his passion for making memorable food. He discusses what brought about his passion for cooking, and how his creativity has evolved over his years in the kitchen. Nathan also speaks about what is next on his culinary journey.