Podcasts about i grow chicago

We Talk About: Highlights and lowlights Dealing with high expectations Leaving space in your life for joy Why playing at a high level brings more challenge   Resources: Follow Jessica: @jessicazweig Follow Alli: @alliwebb Follow Lori: @loriharder Follow Brittany: @britdrisc   Show Notes: Jessica Zweig is CEO of the SimplyBe. agency, a premier personal branding firm based in Chicago, and serving clients across the globe. Named a “personal branding expert” by Forbes, a “top digital marketer to watch” by INC, and honored with the gold and silver Stevie® Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018 and 2019, Jessica facilitates sold-out workshops and speaks on the power of personal branding to corporations including Google, Salesforce, Virgin, Nike, Motorola, Red Bull, and Bank of America. She also hosts the top-ranked marketing podcast, The SimplyBe. Podcast. Jessica's debut book, Be: A No-Bullsh*t Guide to Increasing Your Self Worth and Net Worth by Simply Being Yourself, launched in February 2021 with Sounds True, an imprint of Macmillan. After growing up in Highland Park, IL and attending The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Jessica co-founded CheekyChicago, one of Chicago's premier lifestyle magazines. The website was a huge success and, although Jessica was known as a top ten Chicago “it girl,” behind the scenes, her life was far from perfect. The website began to lose money, and Jessica's relationship with her co-founder turned toxic, but she still strove to maintain the façade of success. After overdrafting her checking account and becoming unable to pay her cell phone bill,  Jessica realized she wasn't being her authentic self. Instead, she was operating from a place of  fear which prevented her from true success. This revelation led Jessica to found her own company, SimplyBe. Agency, in 2014. At SimplyBe., Jessica and her team work with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives to become recognized industry experts and thought leaders. SimplyBe. works with clients including Heineken, Morningstar, Blackstone, Mars, Vishen Lakhiani, Jason Rosenthal, Andrea Levoff, Larry Jordan, and many more to successfully develop their personal brands while highlighting their greatest business asset: their authenticity. Her business provides customized branding, marketing, and creative services with an emphasis on core values like kindness, truth, service, and, of course, authenticity. Jessica believes authenticity is the key to true success, and that being yourself opens up a new world of empowerment that's not just about how much money you're making. She's also on a mission to debunk the perception that personal branding is an act of vanity; instead, when done right, personal branding is an act of service, social responsibility, and a positive investment toward a positive future. Jessica has brought her life-changing and trademarked methodology to clients around the world, taking many from unknown expert to recognized thought leader. In her free time, she loves traveling, meditating, journaling, working out, and reading. She is involved with multiple charities including The Humane Society, The Human Rights Campaign, I Grow Chicago, Black Lives Matter, and more. Jessica currently lives in Chicago with her husband and two dogs.

In This Episode You Will Learn About: Getting over the fear of asking Building an obsession-worthy personal brand in 2021 Expanding who you are Getting on your path Surrounding yourself with people who love you Showing up as yourself   Resources: jessicazweig.com Read: "Be." Instagram: @jessicazweig LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicazweig Visit earthechofoods.com/lowcarbconversations and enter the code LOWCARB to get 15% off your order of Cacao Bliss   Show Notes: Jessica Zweig is a girl on FIRE. Not just because she’s doing big things in the world, but because she’s truly tapped into the power of being herself. You hear it all the time: Being your authentic self is your superpower. But how do you do that? Jessica is going to show you how you can activate this power inside of you at this very moment, reminding you how to get out of your head and figure out what it is about you that makes you unique and apply it to everything you do.   Question Highlights: How did you get comfortable asking for things outside of your comfort zone? What does it mean to build an obsession-worthy personal brand? What do you do when you think you’ve found yourself and then you go and do something new? Why should you build a personal brand in the first place? How do you start building out a personal brand? What is something that you wish more people knew about you?   Guest Bio: Jessica Zweig is the CEO of the SimplyBe. Agency, a premier personal branding firm based in Chicago, serving clients across the globe. Named a “Personal Branding Expert” by Forbes, a Top Digital Marketer To Watch by INC, and honored with the Gold and Silver Stevie® Award for “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2018 and 2019, Jessica facilitates sold-out workshops and speaks on the power of personal branding to corporations including Google, Salesforce, Virgin, Nike, Motorola, Red Bull, and Bank of America. She also hosts the top-ranked marketing podcast The SimplyBe Podcast. Jessica’s debut book, Be: A No Bullsh*t Guide to Increasing Your Self Worth and Net Worth by Simply Being Yourself, launches in February 2021 with Sounds True, an imprint of Macmillan.  After growing up in Highland Park, IL, and attending the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Jessica co-founded CheekyChicago, one of the premier lifestyle magazines in Chicago. The website was a huge success, and although Jessica was known as a Top 10 Chicago “It” Girl, behind the scenes her life was far from perfect. The website began to lose money, and Jessica’s relationship with her co-founder turned toxic, but she still strove to maintain the façade of success. After overdrafting her checking account and unable to pay her cell phone bill, Jessica realized she wasn’t being her authentic self. Instead, she was operating from a place of fear which prevented her from true success. This revelation led Jessica to found her own company, SimplyBe. Agency, in 2014.   At SimplyBe., Jessica and her team work with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives to become recognized industry experts and thought leaders. SimplyBe works with clients including Heineken, Morningstar, Blackstone, Mars, Vishen Lakhiani, Jason Rosenthal, Andrea Levoff, Larry Jordan, and many more to successfully develop their personal brands while highlighting their greatest business asset: their authenticity. Her business provides customized branding, marketing, and creative services with an emphasis on core values like kindness, truth, service, and of course, authenticity.  Jessica believes authenticity is the key to true success, and that being yourself opens up a new world of empowerment that’s not just about how much money you’re making. She’s also on a mission to debunk the perception that personal branding is an act of vanity; instead, when done right, personal branding is an act of service, a social responsibility, and a positive investment toward a positive future.  Jessica has brought her life-changing and trademarked methodology to clients around the world, taking many from unknown experts to recognized thought leaders. In her free time, she loves traveling, meditating, journaling, working out, and reading. She is involved with multiple charities including the Humane Society, The Human Rights Campaign, I Grow Chicago, Black Lives Matter, and more. Jessica currently lives in Chicago with her husband and two dogs. 

In this episode, we talk to Chris Ruder (Founder & CEO of Spikeball, Inc) we discuss his love for the sport, how he is moving his company to be more inclusive, and what he thinks about the prospects of Spikeball becoming an Olympic sport.  Check out Spikeball here.  Spikeball's Facebook page.  **More On Chris** Chris Ruder is the CEO and Founder of Spikeball Inc. The Jonas Brothers, Drake, Julianne Hough, Ryan Seacrest, 21 Pilots, Casey Neistat, and numerous pro sports teams and players have expressed their love for Spikeball. Spikeball's appearance on Shark Tank was voted as one of the best episodes of all time. ESPN went as far as to say Spikeball is mainstream. Chris started the business in 2008 and ran it as a night job for 5 years while keeping his day job as an Advertising Executive. 5 years after its founding, Spikeball hit $1 million in annual sales with zero full-time employees. At that time, Chris quit his day job and went full-time. That was one of the best days of his life. Spikeball's mission is the create the next great global sport. Tournaments appear on ESPN and take place all over the world. Chris lives in Chicago with his 3 great kids and a fantastic wife. He is on the board of I Grow Chicago and the company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help address gun violence, the environment, and education. Visit our website TheStartupLifePodcast.com Follow The Startup Life Podcast Facebook Page Want gear from The Startup Life? Check out our gear! Check out other great podcasts from The Binge Podcast Network. Written by: Dominic Lawson  Executive Producers: Dominic Lawson and Kenda Lawson Music Credits: **Show Theme**  Behind Closed Doors - Otis McDonald  **Break Theme** Cielo - Huma-Huma  **Sponsors/Partners** Listen and subscribe to the Keep Optimising Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you like to get your favorite podcasts.  You can also get more information at https://keepoptimising.com/. 

The Spikeball Story Chris Ruder, Spikeball Inc. – The Sharkpreneur podcast with Kevin Harrington and Seth Greene Episode 467 Chris Ruder Chris Ruder is the CEO and Founder of Spikeball Inc. The Jonas Brothers, Drake, Julianne Hough, Ryan Seacrest, 21 Pilots, Casey Neistat, and numerous pro sport teams and players have expressed their love for Spikeball. Spikeball’s appearance on Shark Tank was voted as one of the best episodes of all time. ESPN went as far as to say Spikeball is mainstream. Chris started the business 2008 and ran it as a night job for 5 years while keeping his day job as an Advertising Executive. 5 years after its founding, Spikeball hit $1 million in annual sales with zero full-time employees. At that time, Chris quit his day job and went full-time. That was one of the best days of his life. Spikeball’s mission is the create the next great global sport. Tournaments appear on ESPN and take place all over the world. Chris lives in Chicago with his 3 great kids and fantastic wife. He is on the board of I Grow Chicago and the company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help address gun violence, the environment and education. Listen to this illuminating Sharkpreneur episode with Chris Ruder about the company Spikeball Inc. Here are some of the beneficial topics covered on this week’s show: ●    How Spikeball is an international phenomenon. ●    Why selling the company isn’t on the table. ●    How Spikeball has been impacted by COVID-19. ●    Why the name of the sport is actually called round net. ●    How the mission of Spikeball is to the next global sport. Connect with Chris: Guest Contact Info Twitter @spikeballchris @spikeball Instagram @spikeball Facebook facebook.com/spikeball LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/chrisruder Links Mentioned: spikeball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allison Cochrane makes her triumphant return to the show to talk about the soul-crushing record that is Lizzy McAlpine's album, 'Give Me a Minute'. Brave Space Alliance is a Black-led, Trans-led LGBTQ organization that is assisting the South Side of Chicago. More information can be found here ( https://www.bravespacealliance.org/ ). I Grow Chicago ( https://www.igrowchicago.org/ ) is fighting COVID-19 in underserved areas. Please assist their battle if at all possible. Host Case Lowe can be found on both Twitter ( https://twitter.com/_caselowe ) and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/_caselowe/ ).

The following is an excerpt of a recent blog post ( https://www.simplybeagency.com/blog-posts/blm ) on the same subject. I recognize that as a white woman with a platform, I have an obligation to do more than simply share a podcast like this. I would like to instead use this as an opportunity to encourage action. Here are some of the steps I am taking and encourage my community to consider as well: * I will: follow Black experts, content creators, influencers and voices. I will engage in their platforms, share their content and get involved in their work: Rachel Cargle ( https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/?hl=en ) , Xavier Ramey ( https://www.xavierramey.com/ ) , Lalah Delia ( https://www.instagram.com/lalahdelia/?hl=en ) , Layla Saad ( https://www.instagram.com/laylafsaad/ ) , Mahogany Browne ( https://www.instagram.com/mobrowne/ ) , Brittany Packnett Cunningham ( https://www.instagram.com/MsPackyetti ) , Eugene Daniels ( https://twitter.com/EugeneDaniels2?s=20 ) , Angel Kyodo Williams ( https://www.instagram.com/zenchangeangel/ ) , Skill In Action ( https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/ ) , Check Your Privilege ( https://www.instagram.com/ckyourprivilege/ ). * I will: donate money to BIPOC organizations and encourage my white peers, colleagues and community members to donate as well. SimplyBe. has already sent donations to help protestors post bail ( https://secure.actblue.com/donate/glp-bail-funds-email-20200531?akid=271.6094087.NRiw4m&amounts=5%2C20%2C50%2C100%2C250%2C500%2C1000&rd=1&refcode=ema20200531-271&refcode2=271_6094087_NRiw4m&t=21 ) and be released for standing up for justice, as well as to the Official George Floyd’s Memorial Fund ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd/ ). * I will: get involved in BIPOC non-for-profit organizations and show up for Black people. Currently, I Grow Chicago ( http://igrowchicago.org/ ) is SimplyBe.’s official social impact partner of 2020 by helping them with their marketing and branding efforts. I Grow is an organization that supports the Englewood community through healing justice, wellness and advocacy. Learn more here ( http://igrowchicago.org/ ). * I will: educate myself through podcasts, essays and books. I won’t just look to social media to get my information. Books I am reading, films I am watching and podcasts I am listening to: Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome ( https://www.chegg.com/textbooks/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-1st-edition-9780985217273-0985217278 ) , White Fragility ( https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566247/white-fragility-by-robin-diangelo/ ) , So You Want to Talk About Race ( https://www.sealpress.com/titles/ijeoma-oluo/so-you-want-to-talk-about-race/9781580056779/ ) , 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice ( https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234 ) , 13th, ( https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741 ) When They See Us ( https://www.netflix.com/title/80200549 ) , Dark Girls ( http://officialdarkgirlsmovie.com/ ) , I Am Not Your Negro ( http://www.iamnotyournegrofilm.com/ ) , 1619 ( https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/podcasts/1619-podcast.html ) , You Had Me at Black ( http://www.youhadmeatblack.com/ ) , While Black ( https://whileblackpodcast.podbean.com/ ) , Airgo Radio ( https://airgoradio.com/ ) , Good Ancestor Podcast ( https://www.instagram.com/goodancestorpodcast/ ) and Code Switch ( https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch ). * I will: attend workshops, seminars and lectures to actively learn about internalized oppression, internalized whiteness and white supremacy. The entire white staff of the SimplyBe. Team has signed up for this workshop ( https://otmtraining.offthematintotheworld.org/p/dismantling-racism2020 ) : “Dismantling Racism,” a 4-part webinar series hosted by Michelle Cassandra Johnson. We hope you join us. * I will: look at my business through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, not only from an internal standpoint, but externally as well. I will ensure the work we create as a company, and the work we develop for our clients amplifies the voices, initiatives, talent and businesses of the BIPOC community. * I will: ask how many people of color are being represented at any event I am asked to speak at. * I will: use my personal platform to spotlight Black voices through my podcast, my social channels, my workshops, my blog and anywhere else I show up. Here is one last piece of truth: talking about this topic is uncomfortable, which is precisely why I have not done so in the past. That is no longer an excuse for my complacency and my silence. Nor is the fear that as a white person I might say the wrong thing or feel awkward in saying it. We need to nonetheless embrace this work with our full dedication to doing better and being better. Not just now in this time of unrest. Not when the news cycle fades and the protests end. But forever and always. This is my commitment to the BIPOC community. I hope you will join me. With Humility, with Sincerity, and always, with Light, Jessica

Reset checks in with the Englewood-based nonprofit I Grow Chicago to discuss their online fundraising campaign and the needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introducing Spikeball Creator Chris Ruder Chris Ruder is the CEO and Founder of Spikeball Inc a new and fun sport that looks like its going to be big everywhere. The Jonas Brothers, Drake, Julianne Hough, Ryan Seacrest, 21 Pilots, Casey Neistat, and numerous pro sport teams and players have expressed their love for Spikeball. Spikeball's appearance on Shark Tank was voted as one of the best episodes of all time. ESPN went as far as to say Spikeball is mainstream. Now our guest today started the business 2008 and ran it as a night job for 5 years while keeping his day job as an Advertising Executive. 5 years after its founding, Spike ball hit $1 million in annual sales with zero full-time employees. How The Dots Joined Up For Spike Ball At that time, Chris quit his day job and went full-time. That was one of the best days of his life and Spikeball's mission is to the create the next great global sport, with tournaments appearing on ESPN whilst taking place all over the world. Chris lives in Chicago with his 3 great kids and fantastic wife. He is on the board of I Grow Chicago and the company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to help address gun violence, the environment and education.  So did he need to spend those five years as a side hustle business, or was it simply a leap into the unknown that scared him. And how do you know that you have a great product on your hands before you ever invest your own money into the business? Well let's find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Chris Ruder Show Highlights During the show we discussed such deep subjects with Chris Ruder such as: Chris shares how Spikeball wasn't his idea at first, but he took an original product that in many ways had failed and made it much better. Why it is such an amazing idea to provide free parts for life to customers as they become your marketing department for free. Chris allows us a glimpse into the starting process of getting his customers to fall in love with SpikeBall. And lastly........... The Spikeball founder talks openly about his appearance on Dragons Den, and what the show truly brings a new business.

Greetings and Welcome back to another episode. This is episode 10 of "TRU CHAT"... A Community Podcast, A MejIMusyK Production, I Am your host JoY of JoYful SoundZ and today, we dig deep into Trauma, the meaning, how we deal with it, and what is restorative justice. You will hear the returning voices of Quinten Mables and Robin Carol of I Grow Chicago as well as the voices of the staff out at Heartland Alliance Healthcare Center. Be sure to tune in next week as we visit taking 100% responsibility through the lens of spiritual and political leaders of Englewood, Chicago. Thank You for your continued support. Please continue to share the links and support with just .99 a month to keep this podcast going. I Am your host... JoY, signing offfff, Peeeeeeeeeaaaaaccce :)! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mejimusyk/support

Hey Hey Everybody, Greetings and Welcome to another episode of "TRU CHAAT"...A Community Podcast, a MejiMusyK Production. I Am your host JoY of JoYful SoundZ, and this is episode 8 entitled "Breaking Down Englewood's How, What, Why, and Who We Are." In this week's episode, you'll hear the voices of returning guest Mulah and King George, and the voices of the staff at Heartland Alliance Healthcare Center on 55hth & Halsted St., and I Grow Chicago on 64th & Honre St. These two organizations share pertinent & supporting details, factors, and professional/person experiences that identifies and demonstrates that Englewood is clearly affected by structural violence without it's residents being aware of the "What" that is happening but can surely feel it! You'll also hear how theses two community based organizations are actively developing and initiating creative community based solutions by sharing their stories with "TRU CHAT"...A Community Podcast, and other Restorative Justice initiatives amongst the community. Be sure to tune in next week for more on how Restorative Justice is showing up, in and around Englewood, and, mental illness, and how the community is tackling this issue. Thank You for listening and your support to keep this podcast (healing) going for our community. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mejimusyk/support

Power Your Story took an incredible field trip to visit the I Grow Chicago Peace House in the Englewood neighborhood. We got a tour, played basketball, took a kai chi do class (which you'll hear about in another episode), visited the greenhouse, met community members, ate lunch... it was a great day! Al, Malik, Justus and Keenan interviewed co-executive directors Quentin Mables and Erin Vogel about the organization's mission, why they personally got involved, what kinds of programs they offer and the importance of offering a safe space for people in what is traditionally known as a rough, under resourced community. The mission of I Grow Chicago is to grow Englewood from surviving to thriving through community connection, skill building, and opportunity.  Powered by community and leading from the streets, all programs work to address the traumatic effects of violence and poverty. You can learn more about I Grow at http://www.igrowchicago.org, on Facebook @igrowchicago, and Instagram @igrowchicago.   http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast *** Power Your Story is produced by students at Ray Graham Training Center High School in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcasting technology. Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and educational pieces about the topics that matter most to us. Season 3 is produced by Alfred, Aliyah, Carzel, Danais, Juan, Justus, Keenan, Malik, Mark, Miguel, Nathanial, Shamar, Shaquan, and Zamire. Production support from After School Matters and The Creative Impostor Studios via the Podcast Tech: Power Your Story program. Cover Art by Emmanuel Johnston, from Ms. Yuridia Trujillo's Digital Media program through After School Matters. Theme Music by DJ Sparkz aka Genaro.

The Trump administration’s decision to withhold funds from health providers that talk about abortions has led Planned Parenthood to leave the federal program Title X and go without the millions in funds that comes with it. We talk about what that means for the organization, and women across the country and in IllinoisPlus we look at the nonprofit I Grow Chicago, and the services and a safe space they provide for the residents of Englewood and beyond.

GUEST Mel Phillips was born and raised in the Carolinas and is a newly certified part-time yoga instructor and full-time devotee to the restaurant industry. She graduated from East Carolina University in 2014 with a Bachelors in Communication and a Bachelors in Merchandising. Mel escaped the South after graduation and moved to Chicago. She spends the majority of her “free” time teaching yoga for special communities and organizations like I Grow Chicago in Englewood and Yoga for Recovery, an organization that brings the practice of yoga and mindfulness to women in Cook County Corrections. Mel has specialty training in trauma-informed yoga and actively pursues bringing mind and body practice to those with limited access. When she isn’t running reservation systems for restaurants or teaching seven-year olds crow pose, she is sitting at home cuddling her hairless cat @sophiathesphynx.
 OVERVIEW Mel, a collaborator with SoapBox’s ongoing Fitness Against Fascism series, brings her trauma-informed yoga experience to the discussion around holistic health, access to wellness care, and the ways in which we challenge systems of oppression in seemingly apolitical industries. What does equity and liberation look like in the allied health continuum? Together, using Fitness Against Fascism as model, we extrapolate the connections between social justice and holistic health at various levels. Mel first speaks on the lack of women of color she noticed in mainstream yoga spaces and the article that changed that perception (see Black Girl in Om) as well as teaching yoga to women in pre-trail detention in Cook County Corrections. With that in mind, BrownTown discusses the different levels and roles people can take in addressing systemic inequality in fitness spaces—both meeting people where they are at and challenging more established institutions (see Trap Yoga Bae and the SoapBox article on her). The gang breakdown Chicago heat maps and critique the un-coincidental lack of access to traditional fitness spaces in the same areas that lack many social determinants of health (see Episode 7 with Jessica Puri). Mel parallels this with the popularization of “self-care” and the power and privilege aligned with the necessary yet commodified phenomenon. She and BrownTown take a step back to investigate the function capitalism has in this regarding worker productivity, paid leave, and owners valuing employees for their humanity versus their ability to sell their labor for longer, both in the US and abroad. The conversation rests on the notion that it's crucial to understand that health and wellness, like everything else in our socialized world, is not apolitical. Our destinies are connected to each other and it's imperative, now more than ever, to be vulnerable and take initiative in and outside of these spaces. Health must be radical in its analysis and holistic in its approach if we are to truly obtain equity in wellness. -- “Fitness Against Fascism" is an on-going SoapBox series of events, dialogues, and community collaborations. The first two events were workout fundraisers at CrossTown Fitness where SoapBox paired anti-oppressive, liberatory-minded high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts with yoga sessions in tandem with a community conversation about the topics of this episode. Other Chicago companies and organizations mentioned: aSweatLife, Healthy Hood, and the Chicago Community Bond Fund. Not mentioned yet relevant: Caullen on aSweatLife’s podcast #WeGotGoals Episode 68 and Episode 87. -- CREDITS: Intro music by Fiendsh. Outro song Fitness by Lizzo. Audio engineered by Genta Tamashiro. -- Bourbon ’n BrownTown Site | Become a Patron on Patreon! SoapBox Productions and Organizing, 501(c)3 Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | Support

Can you imagine walking into one of the deadliest blocks in Chicago and asking the neighbors if they were interested in taking back their streets? Well, this week's guest Robbin Carrol, did just that. Robbin created I Grow Chicago, an organization which works to integrate the practices of restorative justice, artistic expression, and mindful movement to create a new model of social change. This change is all in the hands of the community members; however, Robbin's love and bravery has played a powerful role in transforming this community. Robbin works lovingly and tirelessly to help community members discover they are empowered and to help them create their own change. No one does this for them, the hard work is theirs to do. Detailed Show Notes at www.vickeryandco.com/44

The rise of Carly & Martina has been amazing, These 17 year old singer/songwriting twins from the Chicago area are becoming a force on the pop scene with a message in their songs that is not only catchy, but inspiring. I met these amazing ladies as they graciously volunteered their time for I Grow Chicago's 1st fundraising event, GATHER, and completely wowed the crowd. Since then its been nothing but work for these ladies...new songs, videos, traveling, songwriting, etc. these ladies have been busy.....including toping the charts of Radio Disney! I was lucky enough to have the girls drop by and chat right before the release of their new inspriational song, "Cracks". These girls are incredibly talented and extremely humble and we had alot of fun despite Carly being allergic to my cat. You can find Carly & Martina on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, carlyandmartina.com &Check out the new single "Cracks" by Carly & Martina 1/11!

While I've known I Grow Chicago Co- Executive Director Erin Vogel for a while now, getting her to sit down to talk for more than 3 minutes is almost impossible. Involved in so much and so many things, Erin willingly wears man, many hats. I finally get Vogs to myself fo a long sit down where I get to ask all the questions I've been trying to ask for the past 3 years lol. We talk about I Grow Chicago, the White Sox, beer, music, anxiety and much much more. Erin is genuinely working to change the the dreams and futures of many, & I'm glad we get to hang out and share with you on this episode. Check it out, you may learn a thing or two.Want more info on I Grow Chicago? Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & www.igrowchicago.orgIf you'd like to donate to I Grow Chicago hit the link - https://www.igrowchicago.org/donate/or conect with me & i'll lead you in the right direction!

Miss Emma White gets noticed everywhere she goes, whether its her height, her smile, or her personality, Emma catches your attention without trying, but its her actions in the near future that she really wants you to notice. I've known Em for a minute& this is one of my favorite episodes. Listen as we chop it up about music, self identity, I Grow Chicago and more. Be careful you might learn a thing or two. Need more Emma in your life? Follow her on Twitter @missemmawhitee OR on Instagram at missemmawhitee.

Plush Lunch (aka Natalie Dusek) is another musical talent who happens to be interning at the non-profit I Grow Chicago. This singer-songwriter is barely in her 20's and already is mixing and creating music, including her latest the "First Floor EP" which you can pick up or listen to right here - https://plushlunch.bandcamp.com/. Natalie & I talk about her crazy name, the how & why she does music and of course some I grow stuff and more including a the band Soccer Mommy. Fun interview, check it out & check out her music.

In this episode myself & the homie Heidi talk about everything, from NWA to Rahm fucking up, from pizza to arcades, to OAR to Peace Fest, Penn State, drugs, old school rap, I Grow Chicago, and even where to get the best collard greens in the city. Yeah this one hits all the targets. A fun interview piece with some fun stories Check it out- you might learn a thing or too (done purposely, btw)

E-Money, Vogs, The Vogelmonster...no matter the nickname I give her my homie Erin Vogel keeps doing amazing things and earning new nicknames in the process. The Co-Executive Director of the non-profit I Grow Chicago Erin has made her mark in the Englewood community by helping change lives and the narrative of how one historically troubled neighborhood is looked upon. We chop it up with Erin at the actuial Peace House, and if you know anything about the peace House is you know there's never a dull moment, which is why the interview ends abruptly after about 20 mins. Couldve gone into the vault, however this turns into a very cool 20 ins where we learn so much and hopefully inspires a few people. Biggie playing in the background (we miss you Biggie, dont sue us, Diddy!). If you liked this quick, cut-off interview well have no fear, we'll definitely be hearing more from Erin and the rest of the I Grow team as well. Wanna learn more about I Grow Chicago? www.igrowchicago.org

Recorded live from I Grow Chicago I got to hang out with Eric Mills, the do-everything intern/Grad student from Adler who just happens to be a musical genius. Who knew? We get into the old Prince/new prince debate, why Kanye is a f'n genius, our crazy, beautiful world of @iGrowChi, Quincy Jones, Eric's back story (Berkley College of Music), and Tech N9ne. Eric also explains the whole George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic thing to me. A real fun interview w/ a great musical mind. Definitely more coming. And remember the background interruptions are why we love I Grow Chicago the most! Shout-out to Parliament/Funkadelic, Dre and Prince...we love your music so please dont sue us! @EricTheComposer ‏

Setting goals to create peace and prosperity for an entire community sounds lofty. But Quentin Mables and Erin Vogel are making it happen at I Grow Chicago's Peace House, located in the heart of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. This safe haven is where you'll find regular yoga and art classes, sustainable urban farming and mentorship and skills trainings for community members in Englewood. Listen to how these two are making big change every day for the people that enter the Peace House, and how I Grow Chicago plans to expand to more neighborhoods in the near future.