Podcasts about Rockford

Is Rockford, Michigan, a good place to live? In this episode of Living in Grand Rapids, Josh May breaks down the schools, home prices, commute, and lifestyle in one of West Michigan's most beloved small towns, and who actually thrives here versus who probably won't.⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS Introduction (0:00) What Rockford, MI Is Known For (1:22) The Rockford Lifestyle: Rogue River & White Pine Trail (2:14) Rockford Public Schools (3:15) Is Rockford Expensive? Home Prices & Inventory (4:03) The Commute to Grand Rapids (5:16) Downtown Rockford & The River Scene (6:08) Tradeoffs: Nightlife, Diversity & Car Dependency (7:02) Who Thrives in Rockford (and Who Doesn't) (7:37) Final Thoughts (8:41)ABOUT ROCKFORD, MICHIGANRockford, Michigan is located about 15 miles north of downtown Grand Rapids, and it has managed to grow over the years while keeping its small-town, community-first feel. People know Rockford for its charming downtown, excellent schools, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community, with local restaurants that know regulars by name and neighborhoods where kids still ride bikes until the streetlights come on.THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLEOne of the biggest reasons people fall in love with Rockford is the lifestyle. The Rogue River flows directly through downtown, and residents spend their summers kayaking, canoeing, fishing, paddle boarding, and relaxing along the riverwalk. Rockford also connects directly to the White Pine Trail, a paved trail stretching more than 90 miles, making it easy to bike, run, or walk right from downtown.SCHOOLS AND REAL ESTATEThe Rockford Public School District is consistently one of the highest rated in West Michigan, and it's a major reason home values here have stayed so strong. Compared to much of West Michigan, Rockford runs on the higher end for home prices, though it's still considered affordable next to major metro areas nationally. Inventory stays limited, and well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods often see multiple offers.COMMUTE AND DAILY LIFEMost residents commute to downtown Grand Rapids in about 20 to 30 minutes, with easy access to the Medical Mile, Corewell Health, and other major employers. Rockford is a car-dependent community outside of downtown, so anyone moving from a highly walkable city should expect an adjustment.DOWNTOWN AND TRADEOFFSDowntown Rockford is small but active, filled with local restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, breweries, and community events, with the river as the backdrop for much of summer life. It's not trying to be downtown Grand Rapids, which is exactly why people love it. That said, it's quieter than other parts of the metro, with less nightlife and less diversity, which matters to some buyers and not to others.WHO ROCKFORD IS RIGHT FORRockford tends to be the perfect fit for families who prioritize schools, professionals who want a quieter lifestyle close to Grand Rapids, outdoor enthusiasts, and buyers looking for long-term stability in both lifestyle and home values.If you're considering a move to West Michigan, we'd love to help you find the right fit.

Club soccer is loaded with buzzwords, but on the field, it still comes down to kids, coaches, and parents either helping or getting in the way. Adam sits down with Rockford Raptors executive director Frank Mateus to talk honestly about development, recruiting, mindset, and what's really happening in youth soccer right now.Episode SummaryYouth soccer has turned into long drives, club fees, showcases, tryouts, and college hopes stacked on top of regular school and life. Frank lays out how Rockford Raptors grew from a doctor buying land for his kids to a full path from three‑year‑olds in rec jerseys to ECNL and USL teams playing under the lights at Sportscore Two.The back-and-forth stays practical: what scouts actually watch, why high school soccer can still matter, and how tech, video, and constant tracking affect how kids think about their game. A big chunk of the talk is parents—sidelines, car rides, and the way one comment can either steady a kid or rattle them for a whole season. It's straight, on-the-ground detail from people who are actually in the gyms, on the fields, and at the tournaments.Key TakeawaysRockford Raptors' path: 3‑year‑olds to ECNL to USLHow Doc Wedgebury's idea became Sportscore TwoWhy big tournaments land in Rockford, not the suburbsClub vs high school soccer and where recruiting really happensVideo, highlight clips, VAR, and how kids now watch the gameTesting and metrics vs reading the game with your eyesHow physical the modern girls' and boys' game has becomeConfidence, mistakes, and what players tell themselvesCoaching the coaches so the standard keeps moving upParents, car rides, and how families can quietly cost a kid chancesEpisode Chapters00:00 Intro, Oak Performance Radio & who Frank is02:11 Doc Wedgebury, early days, and Sportscore Two04:42 Rockford's space, tournaments, and local economy07:22 How club soccer and ECNL changed the landscape11:06 Tech, film, World Cup, and kids copying the pros19:10 Fitness tests, numbers, and the mental side of data23:07 Physicality, strength work, and the girls' and boys' game28:43 Mindset, mistakes, and staying in it after a goal34:04 Coaching coaches and reviewing your own decisions37:29 Parents, college coaches, and the car‑ride problem52:00 Rockford community, facilities, and always upgrading59:47 Where to start with Raptors and Raptors Youth Soccer LeagueResources MentionedRockford Raptors – Competitive club based in Rockford, IL (boys and girls, ECNL, USL2, USLW)Raptors Youth Soccer League (RYSL) – Entry‑level and rec program for young playersSportscore Two / Wedgbury Stadium – Rockford Park District soccer complex that grew from Doc Wedgebury's original fieldsUSL2 / USLW – Pre‑pro leagues Raptors compete inECNL – League Frank points to for top youth competition and recruitingFIFA World Cup (1994 and current) – Used as markers for growth of U.S. soccerEnglish Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga – Pro leagues kids watch and copyVAR / NFL replay – Examples around officiating and video reviewOura Ring / Whoop strap – Wearables mentioned for sleep and recovery dataAbout the GuestFrank Mateus is the Executive Director of the Rockford Raptors in Rockford, Illinois. He helps run everything from the Raptors Youth Soccer League for brand‑new players to ECNL and USL teams on both the boys' and girls' sides. Connect with the Guest:Website: rockfordraptors.orgInstagram: @Rockford RaptorsFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/frank.mateus.353https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057443178175About the PodcastWelcome to Oak Performance Radio, where we talk about what it really takes to perform at a high level. Real talks with athletes, coaches, and leaders about training, preparation, and decisions that show up on the field and in life.Listen & SubscribeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakperformancelabInstagram: @oakperformance

It's Friday, July 31st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Syrians in America have to leave the country The expiration of Temporary Protected Status for Syrians in America this week has renewed attention on the fragile security environment facing civilians in Syria, particularly Christians who remain vulnerable 18 months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship in this 87% Muslim country, reports International Christian Concern. Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian immigration designation that allows nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict to remain and work legally in the United States for a limited period. The designation does not provide a pathway to permanent residency but shields recipients from deportation while conditions in their home country are deemed unsafe for return. In December 2024, rebel forces, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, forced al-Assad from power.  Al-Sharaa's group had previously been associated with Muslim jihadist movements, including al-Qaeda. Before the Syrian civil war, Christians represented a significant minority of Syria's population concentrated in Damascus — where the Apostle Paul was converted on the street. While Christians have not experienced the same level of targeted mass violence as other groups, there has been harassment and attacks on Christian communities. President Trump floats temporarily pulling Blache nomination to be AG President Donald Trump said on July 30 that he was willing to temporarily withdraw his nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General until next year, if two Republican senators continued to withhold their support, reports The Epoch Times. Blanche's nomination has been held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee after Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina said they would not back bringing it to the floor for a full vote. Those two votes are necessary for the nomination to advance. Earlier this year, both Cornyn and Tillis lost their bid for re-election after President Trump endorsed their opponents during the primaries. The president now intends to wait them out. In the meantime, Blanche will remain the acting head of the Department of Justice. You can express your objection to the senators for dragging their feet by calling Senator John Cornyn at 202-224-2934 and Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina at 202-224-6342. You can call 24 hours a day/7 days a week and leave a voicemail. Dr. Fauci invoked Fifth Amendment 90 times in GOP-led committee In a hearing of the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 29th, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, announced in his opening statement that he would invoke the Fifth Amendment and not answer any questions about his culpability in a cover-up about the source of the COVID-19 virus or what happened subsequently. Listen. FAUCI: “Members of the committee, I served at the NIH for over 54 years, 38 of those as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Over that period, I proved that I believe in and respect the value of legitimate congressional oversight. In fact, I testified before and/or briefed Senate and House committees well over 200 times over those 38 years. During and after the COVID pandemic, I have appeared multiple times for hearings in the Senate and the House, usually under oath, and sat for several days-long, transcribed, sworn interviews answering questions about the very issues that are now the subject of this hearing. “However, given Senator [Rand] Paul's obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me, and recently his publicly releasing my unredacted personal diary aimed at embarrassing and intimidating me, the only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, ‘behind bars'. “Any reasonable person who has followed his unhinged obsession with me would readily come to the same conclusion. Therefore, although it pains me to do so because of the respect I have for the legislative branch of government and my decades-long record of cooperating with Congress, under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right, under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, to refrain from answering your questions.” Over the course of his time in front of the Senate Committee, Dr. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment a whopping 111 times, reports Fox News. Dr. Fauci stonewalled Senator Rand Paul numerous times Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly stonewalled Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, the Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The senator started with asking about former President Joe Biden's bizarre “full and unconditional” pardon of Dr. Fauci. PAUL:  “As a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, or the White House COVID-19 Response Team, or as Chief Medical Advisor to the President, have you refused this pardon? Or do you have any reason to believe this full and unconditional pardon, this grant of immunity, would somehow require you to plead the Fifth Amendment?” FAUCI: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer, based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.” PAUL: “Based on the facts presented, I'm going to direct you to answer the questions. The committee has issued a valid subpoena. They have requested your presence here. The questions are very pertinent to your decision making as head of [the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases], as well as a chief advisor to the president, do you still refuse to answer the questions?” FAUCI: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer, based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.” PAUL:  “Were you ever made aware of gain-of-function research on monkeypox being conducted at the National Bio Defense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, and back at Fort Detrick, [the center of the U.S. biological weapons program from 1943 to 1969]?” FAUCI: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer, based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.” PAUL:  “Dr. Fauci, did the CIA ever transfer funds to [the National Institutes of Health] under interagency agreement?” FAUCI: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer, based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.” And Senator Rand Paul took this parting shot. PAUL: “The chairman has denied your assertion of privilege and directed you to answer, but you nonetheless refuse and stand on privilege despite the existence of the pardon. The committee will have to consider after this hearing what appropriate action should be taken against you for the failure to testify after being directed to do so. “It's against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress. There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today.” Watchdog group: Medical groups should condemn transgender surgeries on minors The medical watchdog group, Do No Harm, is calling on 10 major medical associations to explicitly condemn transgender genital surgeries on minors, reports The Daily Signal. On July 29th, Do No Harm sent open letters to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association among others. In the letter, the group wrote, “Do No Harm, and its 54,000 members, are calling on your society to publicly reject genital surgery on minors for the purpose of producing [so-called] ‘gender transitions.' While this process is uncommon, we believe that it should never occur.” In Matthew 19:4, Jesus asked, “Have you not read that [God], who created them from the beginning, made them male and female?” Marijuana should not be reclassified as a less dangerous drug Marijuana could be reclassified as a less dangerous substance under federal law. Kevin Sabet, CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and the former drug policy advisor for the Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama presidential administrations as well as President Trump's former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, thinks that would be a terrible idea. He said that reclassifying marijuana as a drug with accepted medical use and a lower risk of abuse than drugs subject to greater controls would be reckless. Sabet added, “The evidence presented at the hearing confirmed what decades of data have shown: Raw marijuana has no scientifically established medical value and carries a high risk of abuse. Today's marijuana is more dangerous than ever before. [Reclassifying] marijuana would create the false impression that it is safe, would reduce penalties for peddling the drug illegally and would give those who purvey it legally a huge tax windfall. That would be a disaster.”  The Department of Justice held a hearing last month to consider it at President Donald Trump's request. Despite the fact that President Trump is a teetotaler who eschews alcohol and drugs, he told his administration last December to push forward on easing marijuana restrictions, after an aggressive lobbying push by advocates including a cannabis CEO, a Florida sheriff, and a Mar-a-Lago member, the Wall Street Journal previously reported. Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, previously wrote, “Use of cannabis increases a person's chance of developing a bipolar disorder or schizophrenia by an average of 47%. It's also shown to significantly increase hallucinations and paranoia. “In fact, it's been determined that regular use of medical marijuana leads to a higher chance of heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease. … If the established goal is to make America healthy and great again, this objective will not be reached by increasing access to poisonous pot.” In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul asked, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Montana listeners like our brevity and updates on the persecuted Here at The Worldview in 5 Minutes, Winston and Heather Royal in Helena, Montana, wrote, “Adam, we appreciate the newscast because it's short, to the point, and from a Christian perspective. We appreciate hearing about our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. And we often listen to it at breakfast time. Thank you for your work!” Texas listener values boldness and truthfulness of The Worldview And Byron Barlowe in Plano, Texas wrote, “Adam, your newscast is something I've evangelized about for four reasons. I find the integration of a Biblical worldview into reporting the news to be effective and refreshing. Brevity matters more than ever. I also relate to the brevity of your newscast since Probe Ministries, a group I write for, produces a 3-minute daily feature. The candor among you and the two other writers of The Worldview is bold, truthful, and necessary. For example, I appreciate your reference to homosexual faux marriage instead of so-called ‘gay marriage.' Spade-calling is truth-telling and, when done in a gracious spirit led by the Spirit of God, can have good effect. You have a golden radio voice that emanates masculinity without undue forcefulness. Both women and men need that in the era of so-called ‘toxic masculinity' and the feminized Church which follows a confused culture. I just like it, too.” Byron, thanks for your encouragement as we use the instruments of our laptops and voice to communicate. 23 Worldview listeners gave $13,150.04 And finally, by Thursday night at 9:00pm Central, 23 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate and invested their treasure to fund the 6-member team behind The Worldview for another year. Our thanks to Jerry in Angie, Louisiana and Thomas in Spartanburg, South Carolina – both of whom gave $25 as well as David in Wilmington, Ohio and Lori in Rockford, Illinois – both of whom gave $50. We appreciate Tony and Jennie in Palmdale, California who gave $80.04, Samuel in Greensboro, North Carolina who gave $90, and Jeanne in Thomasville, North Carolina and Ron in Orange Park, Florida – both of whom gave $100. We're grateful to God for Jody in Westerlo, New York and Kevin and Shelly in Columbus, Nebraska – both of whom gave $200, Glenn and Linda in Palmdale, California who gave $240, Marlowe in Freetown, Prince Edward Isalnd, Canada who gave $250, Kelly in Rio Rancho, New Mexico who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300, and Vanessa in Templeton, California and Nicki in Carthage, Missouri – both of whom pledged $35/month for 12 months for a gift of $420. We were touched by the generosity of Serge in Simpsonville, South Carolina who gave $500, Charles and Pamela in Sierra Madre, California  who gave $500, Sean in Burlington, Wisconsin who gave $500, and Francesca in Rockaway Township, New Jersey who also gave $500. All four of them were matched by our friend in Naples, Florida who gave another $2,000. And we were blown away by Frederick in Gainesville, Florida who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, Jeff in Sevierville, Tennessee who gave $1,000, and Steve and Carla in Katy, Texas who gave $5,000. Wow! Those 23 gifts add up to $13,150.04. That's the largest total amount in a single day throughout this July 2026 fundraiser. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (drum roll sound effect) $94,270 (sound effect of people cheering) We need to raise $29,230 by midnight tonight, July 31st! That means in order to hit our final goal of $123,500 by midnight tonight, Friday, July 31st, God needs to prompt folks to give an astounding $29,230 in order for the 6-member Worldview newscast team to be fully funded for another year. So, as I've said over the last several days, if you have been waiting until the last minute, this … is … it!  We could really use your help.  The finish line is upon us. Perhaps in our national audience, there are three others, just like Steve and Carla in Katy, Texas, who feel led by God to give a one-time gift of $5,000. If that $15,000 comes in, we would need just 15 people to either give a one-time gift of $1,000 or make a monthly pledge of $83.33 for 12 months which adds up to $1,000. If all of that is way out of your budget, just give what you can. $10. $20. $30. Every dollar gets us closer. Now, if you can't give a dime, then pray. Pray that God would stir the hearts of those who can give! Just go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  And remember this, if you want to continue your monthly pledge to The Worldview that you started prior to July 1, 2026, please let me know so we can count your generous ongoing gift toward our total. This newscast team champions the truth and uses the Bible as our plumbline.  We actually cite relevant Bible verses that really come alive as we look at the news of the day.  Plus, we report, and we're unique in this, on the persecuted church, the battles for life and a godly perspective on sexuality, often including action steps on how you can make a difference as a believer. Don't forget: The Worldview in 5 Minutes is also commercial free. We have no sponsors. Nor do we have a pay wall.  Anyone who wants to access this newscast can get it for free. So, all we have is you! What is God prompting you to do right now? Go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, July 31st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

368 BaseballBiz On Deck Episode Show NotesMark Corbett hosts solo while Mat Germain enjoys vacation in Nova Scotia. Mat continues following MLB trade deadline developments and shares updates on BlueSky. Recommendation to subscribe to Brent Cardy's new Substack, The Cardy Show, featuring Blue Jays analysis and baseball history.  https://thecardyshow.substackDiscussion of Brent Cardy's recent article examining Max Scherzer's future and postseason outlook. Lou Schiff's Miami Marlins endure a 12-game losing streak before taking three games from the Phillies. Brief look at the struggling New York Mets and upcoming Marlins-Mets series. MLB trade deadline preview including speculation surrounding Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, and starting pitcher movement. Rays top draft pick Grady Emerson makes his first visit to Tropicana Field and a rapid development path and possibility of reaching the majors within two years. Curtis Mead is traded from Washington to Boston in exchange for pitching prospect Connelly Early. Explanation of cupping therapy after Rays players are seen with circular treatment marks during batting practice. Rays continue leading the American League Update on Tampa Rays stadium negotiations and the latest City Council developments. Discussion of council members opposing forwarding stadium documents to the state. Mayor Jane Castor and stadium negotiation process. Commentary on Councilman Bill Carlson's criticism of the negotiations and his mayoral campaign. Reflection on the economic and community impact of keeping the Rays in Tampa. Mark encourages Tampa baseball fans to contact elected officials and support efforts to keep the Rays in the city. Recognition of Ken Babby for his public outreach and willingness to answer questions about the Rays' future stadium plans. Additional reaction to new comments from Bill Carlson following meetings with Ken Babby. Review of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage in Rockford, Illinois. Congratulations to Ryan Woodward and the International Women's Baseball Center for hosting a successful international tournament. Teams competing include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, China, and South Korea. Highlights from Team USA players and coverage available through streaming broadcasts. Inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League beginning in Springfield, Illinois. Players to watch Kelsie Whitmore, Danae Benitez, and Valerie Perez. Special replay of a classic interview with All American Girls Professional Baseball League players Sue Zipay and Lois Youngen. AAGPBL, Rockford Peaches, South Bend Blue Sox & Fort Wayne Daisies. Over 100 games a seasonClosing encouragement for listeners to support baseball at every level from youth leagues to professional baseball. Subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck for weekly coverage of MLB, the Tampa Bay Rays, women's baseball, top prospects and the business of baseball. 

We learn about Rockford's Test Site on this latest edition of Under Rocks.

Send us Fan MailAre you tired of retreating to a dark room or popping over-the-counter pills every time a debilitating headache strikes? You don't have headaches from a lack of dark rooms or a lack of medication—there is a mechanical issue going on inside your spine.In this episode of Ask the Chiropractor, Dr. Brant Hulsebus breaks down the structural differences between migraines, tension headaches, and cervicogenic headaches. As a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate and the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs, Dr. Hulsebus shares how upper cervical misalignments place immense pressure on your brain stem and midbrain relay center. You will discover fascinating motion MRI insights that reveal how a precise adjustment restores critical cerebrospinal fluid flow and improves venous drainage to provide instant headache relief.In this episode, you'll discover:The true anatomy of the upper neck (C1 Atlas and C2 Axis) and why there are no spinal discs there to bulge.How "text neck" stretches the spinal cord and applies pressure to the brain stem via the dentate ligaments.The science of the pulsing migraine: How blocked venous return and trapped fluid toxins create intense pressure.Why feeling briefly lightheaded after an upper cervical adjustment means your cranial dam just cleared.The hidden tailbone connection: How a fixated sacrum stops your natural spinal fluid pump when standing up.Why you should always get a chiropractic adjustment before doing physical therapy posture exercises.Have a question about spinal health? Leave a comment or message on our platforms, and you might be featured as our next question of the week!

Send us Fan MailAre you tired of retreating to a dark room or popping over-the-counter pills every time a debilitating headache strikes? You don't have headaches from a lack of dark rooms or a lack of medication—there is a mechanical issue going on inside your spine.In this episode of Ask the Chiropractor, Dr. Brant Hulsebus breaks down the structural differences between migraines, tension headaches, and cervicogenic headaches. As a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate and the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs, Dr. Hulsebus shares how upper cervical misalignments place immense pressure on your brain stem and midbrain relay center. You will discover fascinating motion MRI insights that reveal how a precise adjustment restores critical cerebrospinal fluid flow and improves venous drainage to provide instant headache relief.In this episode, you'll discover:The true anatomy of the upper neck (C1 Atlas and C2 Axis) and why there are no spinal discs there to bulge.How "text neck" stretches the spinal cord and applies pressure to the brain stem via the dentate ligaments.The science of the pulsing migraine: How blocked venous return and trapped fluid toxins create intense pressure.Why feeling briefly lightheaded after an upper cervical adjustment means your cranial dam just cleared.The hidden tailbone connection: How a fixated sacrum stops your natural spinal fluid pump when standing up.Why you should always get a chiropractic adjustment before doing physical therapy posture exercises.Have a question about spinal health? Leave a comment or message on our platforms, and you might be featured as our next question of the week!

From the vengeful Bell Witch to the lingering spirits of Gettysburg, America is packed with haunted spots that refuse to let go of their ghosts – whether it's eerie voices in old asylums, shadowy figures in historic mansions, or phantom footsteps in forgotten graveyards. If you're looking for a brush with the supernatural, these legendary (and lesser-known) locations won't disappoint.EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/HauntedAmericaREAD or DOWNLOAD the full transcript of this episode: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/36de8fpnLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://weirddarkness.com/wdapps*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“America's Most Haunted Places” by Troy Taylor and April Slaughter for AmericanHauntingsInk.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/582mh58k (used with permission)“America's Not-So-Famous Haunted Houses” by Troy Taylor for AmericanHauntingsInk.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p979tsv (used with permission)(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: January, 2022Weird Darkness tours fifteen haunted American locations, starting with the ones every ghost hunter already knows. The Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee, where a spirit claiming to be the witch of Kate Batts tormented the Bell family for years and, some say, retreated into a cave near the Red River. Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, where tuberculosis patients died in numbers large enough to require a body chute running down the hill and out of sight. The Myrtles Plantation, whose most famous ghost stories turn out to be false, though the apparitions on the grounds keep getting reported anyway. The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, where four members of one brewing family took their own lives across five decades. Gettysburg's Devil's Den, the Stanley Hotel that inspired Stephen King, the Winchester Mystery House with its staircases to nowhere, Bachelor's Grove Cemetery outside Chicago, Yorktown Memorial Hospital in Texas, and the Villisca Ax Murder House in Iowa, where eight people were killed in their beds in June of 1912 and no one was ever convicted.Then the show turns to the houses that never made the lists. Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, built on the site of a French and Indian War garrison and later a stop on the Underground Railroad. Tinker Swiss Cottage in Rockford, Illinois, a twenty-seven-room Swiss-style home on a limestone bluff where children's laughter is heard by staff who came in as skeptics. The McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City, where a little girl walks in and out of a mirror. Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin, where a fired servant locked seven people in Frank Lloyd Wright's home in August of 1914, set it on fire, and killed them with a hatchet as they tried to escape. And Prospect Place in Trinway, Ohio, built by an abolitionist who used a cupola signal light to tell escaping slaves that food and shelter waited inside — some of whom never left.

A listener shares his story about the lessons in tenderness, abundance and connection a forgotten cherry tree gave him. GUEST: Andrew Harmon originally from Rockford, MI but spent many of his young adult years living in Grand Rapids. He now lives in Boston, MA. Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfundSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Better Merch... Better Marketing, the podcast where Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider explore how branded merchandise and smart marketing work together to help businesses stand out, build stronger relationships, and grow. This week, the conversation starts with Jade turning the tables and asking Kirby for career advice. From navigating opportunities to making intentional decisions, they discuss lessons that apply whether you're just getting started or looking to take the next step professionally. They also dive into the internet's favorite accidental spoiler, Tom Holland, and debate whether his reputation for revealing movie secrets is really accidental—or a clever marketing strategy. From there, Kirby and Jade tackle one of the biggest challenges in today's digital world: personal branding. They discuss why trying to manufacture an online persona rarely works, why authenticity matters more than perfection, and how being genuinely yourself is the best long-term strategy for building trust. The episode wraps up with the Product of the Week: the Rockford 28 oz Vacuum-Sealed Tumbler, a premium piece of drinkware designed to keep beverages hot or cold while putting your brand in customers' hands every day. Whether you're looking for better promotional products, stronger branding, or practical marketing ideas, this episode delivers insights you can start using right away.

Welcome to Poetically Yours. Poetically Your showcases poems by northern Illinois poets. This week's poet is Rockford's Welsh elementary school student Conner Douglas.

Welcome to Poetically Yours. Poetically Your showcases poems by northern Illinois poets. This week's poet is Rockford's Welsh elementary school student Ka'Miyah Garcia.

David Kohli, Ford & Young Futures, talks market lows and highs from last week.Haley Bode, student and National Association of Farm Broadcasters scholarship recipient, outlines her process for Profit Watch 101.Mark Henderson, Rockford meteorologist, takes a look at the weather.

Please enjoy this preview of our upcoming conversation with Christopher Martini, stepson of Stuart Margolin and the director of Everybody's Angel, a forthcoming feature length documentary that will celebrate the remarkable life and career of the actor known around the world as Angel Martin on The Rockford Files. Topics this segment include the many ways in which James Garner mentored Stuart before, during, and after Rockford. Our complete conversation with Chris will air next week on TV Confidential. There is a crowdsourcing campaign going on right now at Indiegogo to help cover some of the various costs related to production of the documentary. If you're a fan of Stuart Margolin and would like to help contribute to the Indiegogo campaign, go to TinyURL.com/EverybodysAngel for more information. Every contribution helps preserve Stuart's incredible legacy for future generations.

BaseballBiz On Deck: Women's Baseball World Cup, Rays Trade Deadline and MLB EconomicsMark Corbett and Mat Germain break down the latest action from the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage in Rockford, Illinois, including standout performances by Team USA, Canada, Japan and Australia. They also discuss the upcoming Women's Pro Baseball League and where fans can watch the tournament.The conversation shifts to the Tampa Bay Rays, highlighting Chandler Simpson's speed, Griffin Jax's strong outing, the Durham Bulls' hot streak and why Grady Emerson and Junior Caminero could become the franchise's future cornerstone duo.With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching, Mark and Mat analyze the AL East race, the biggest trade rumors, potential buyers and sellers, and whether stars like Tarik Skubal, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto could be on the move.The episode concludes with a discussion of MLB's economic structure, revenue sharing, pitcher compensation, salary cap proposals and how the Rays' long-term future could be tied to a new Tampa stadium.In This Episode WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup updates from Rockford  Olivia Pichardo and Team USA highlights  Women's Pro Baseball League preview  Tampa Bay Rays prospects and organizational depth  AL East standings and MLB Trade Deadline predictions  MLB economics, salary cap debate and CBA reform  Rays stadium outlook and the franchise's future Subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck for weekly coverage of MLB, the Tampa Bay Rays, women's baseball, top prospects and the business of baseball.Keywords: Tampa Bay Rays, MLB Trade Deadline, Women's Baseball World Cup, WBSC, Rockford, Junior Caminero, Chandler Simpson, Grady Emerson, AL East, MLB News, Baseball Podcast, Women's Pro Baseball League.

We packed up our gear and headed to Rockford to catch a set from Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Steph Strings.

Poe Leos, una de las nuevas voces más emocionantes de la Música Mexicana Contemporánea, habla en La Clave Pop sobre La Víctima, su más reciente EP, que reúne los sencillos "Las Partes", "No Fui Yo", "WOW" y el tema que da nombre a la producción: una fusión de Música Mexicana Contemporánea con hip-hop, R&B y sonidos electrónicos.En esta conversación, la cantautora, productora e ingeniera mexicoestadounidense cuenta la historia detrás de "La Víctima" y su reflexión sobre la manipulación en el amor, revela cómo un momento en Polanco, Ciudad de México, inspiró el empoderamiento de "WOW", y habla de su biculturalidad entre Chihuahua y Rockford, Illinois. También comparte cómo su sonido conecta con el legado de artistas como Lucha Villa y Linda Ronstadt, su camino desde cantar en quinceañeras hasta coescribir Bloom de Durand Bernarr, ganador del GRAMMY® 2026, y una reflexión muy personal sobre su relación con su mamá.Además, contamos con que Poe Leos se presentará el 28 de julio en el Sony Music Latin Showcase en la LAMC, en DROM Nueva York, junto a Luck Ra, Elena Sofía, Mariangela, YEИDRY y Yk It's Junaa.Sigue a Marysabel Huston en sus redes sociales: Instagram y Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@marysabelhuston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@marysabelhuston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Marysabel.Huston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (antes Twitter): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hustonmarysabel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Marysabel Huston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Créditos: Producción ejecutiva, edición y mezcla por Marysabel HustonMúsica: Una producción de Techy Fatule

Main Topic:  Pockets of Pivots: Pivoting and Tweaking Your Way Through the First Year as a Full-Time Writer with repeat guest JP Rindfleisch IX       PATREON: Thank you to my existing patrons for believing in my work offline and here in the podcast. If you are a patron, in either tier, you get all my content, always. You can support me and my dreams and my writing and my aligned author life for $11.11 USD, and I will be so so grateful. Truly. Heart to heart. Gratitude for your gifts. If you want coaching too (with TWO LIVE CALLS EACH MONTH, you can BACK me at $55.55/mo USD). You will NEVER find coaching sessions for less money than this. If you've ever wanted continued support for your writing and accountability for your projects, this is the way to do it.    Become a patron of the arts and of me at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.    And you can support my friend and colleague and Visiting Co-Host author Erick Mertz at Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.      Announcements/Author Updates: I've started looking into specific venues for the retreat here in Costa Rica, and I'm going to start working on the sales page today. If you are interested in the updates on the retreat, you can subscribe to the waitlist at  https://valerieihsan.com/retreat. And if you are retreat alumni, look for an email coming very soon. UPDATE: Date for Free Mini writing retreat for patron members (paid and unpaid) is Thursday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. MT. 2 hours long (cozy, candle; oracle card pull to set intention; check-in: 1 struggle, 1 win, what you are working on tonight; guided meditation; writing words; share word count (optional)); The link is in the last post in Patreon. There's a new essay up in Patreon, What are you reading? Just finished:  Mosswood Apothecary (JP Rindfleisch IX) The Reliable Narrator (Grace Sammon) Creative Act (Rick Rubin)  Fiction: Cold Comfort Farm (Stella Gibbons) Do Less by Kate Northrup   (Main Topic):   JP Rindfleisch IX (he/they) writes stories where whimsy meets the weird — cozy queer fantasy and strange fiction about grief, transformation, and unapologetic queer joy. Their first solo novel, Mandrake Manor, won the 2025 IPPY Silver Medal in LGBTQ+ Fiction, the 2024 Reader Ready Award TOP PICK, and a 2023 American Writing Awards Finalist nod. Since then, the catalog has kept growing: Mosswood Apothecary (Tales of Valdaes), (Valdayus) a complete six-book dark paranormal academy series co-written with A.B. Cohen, the paranormal comedy NRDS: National Recently Deceased Services with Jeff Elkins, and more still coming. Away from fiction, JP is a Three Story Method Certified Editor and Dialogue Doctor, the author of the craft guide Story Hypothesis: The Missing Piece of Your Fiction Puzzle, and current co-host of Write Wrong Repeat. They also founded Rockford Area Writers — because someone told them writing was a solitary practice, and they disagreed. The community is now 80+ members strong. JP lives in Rockford, Illinois, with a very chatty African grey parrot and a husky with strong feelings about the walk schedule. When they're not writing, you'll find them cooking something vegan or somewhere on a trail. Represented by Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency, who has placed five audiobook deals with Tantor Media and Simon Maverick. "The Post Glam of Full-Time Authoring, One year out"     Good progress with ads, and then paid ads started dropping off, so doubled down on having more presence. TikTok Lives, talking events, book fairs, draining but what I enjoy, revenue vs what am I enjoying. Rediscovered joys Values shifted, Tarot reminds you monthly; want to vs have to;  Body doubles help with accountability. Sunday Social Media, schedule it out, ability to play is most important   Wake up, walk dog, desk work all morning with pomodoro 30/5, body double on Zoom or TwitchStreams; what can I get done or what's loudest. Morning is creative time; afternoons are for TikTok lives, pack orders, talk to people about books. Lives are "in-person" events.  TwitchLives are Virtual Book Events.   Input: JP is reading right now: One Last Stop (sapphic romance by Casey McQuiston); Upgrade (Blake Crouch)   Want to get used to local events. Rule: it's still worth my time if there are authors at the book event that I can network with. What are the good events in the area? Go to more and more selective ones. Look at their past attendance; refine your book pitch (say them fast)(TikTok hook); practice with fast form short videos, do multiple times to see what works. (learn to say No if not well attended) Knowing your why. Goal is to sell. But know the area writers, what works in the area. Friendship with bookstores, ways the city can uplift, arts councils.      Slump, persistence to correct the dip, checks and balances: recognize patterns, being more honest about what's working, not working, overworking, making sure the various things I spend time on will move the needle forward.   How can I have more community - Writer's Ink Podcast sometimes, The Dialogue Doctor sometimes, Write, Wrong, Repeat.  Pre-orders: Belladonna Bed and Breakfast, Bone and Ward; new audiobook: Mosswood Apothecary Family time and vacation time.  Schedule in the free time.         Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan  Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

That described the two longest active winning streaks and coincidentally our two favorite teams, one of which was going down shortly after recording. More wood was knocked upon. Patti's got two players of the week on her boyfriend roster, congrats to Drake and WIlyer. Several of our guys made their marks in some very lopsided games this weekend. Pottymouth learns that SDI is not what it was in our formative years but Caleb's got a good one. We've got some All Star moments, including mathing out Cuban participation. Women's World Cup Baseball group states are about to begin, coinciding with Baseball for All in Rockford. MLPBA and the league tell very different stories about the state of baseball as bargaining continues. SoFi stadium workers benefit from Men's World Cup timing to gain protections against ICE. As predicted last week, Falklands/Malvinas are a thing, and a thing about which journalists are getting sloppy, and about which the Facist-in Chief is making more phone calls for all the wrong reasons. And we're so happy for Jonah, the Very Good Dog, who did indeed get his dream day at loanDepot park.We say, “11 is purple,” “Where the women at?” and, ”Philly fans do not disappoint.” Fight the man, go see some live baseball, send your game balls to Meredith, and find us on Bluesky @ncibpodcast, on Facebook @nocryinginbball, Instagram @nocryinginbball and on the Interweb at nocryinginbball.com. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to NCiB. Become a supporter at Patreon to help us keep doing what we do. We now have episode transcripts available!  They are available for free at our Patreon site. Say goodnight, Pottymouth. 

I’m on the road in a 16 foot Penske truck  I’m doing this show from a hotel room in Bolingbrook, Illinois. friend Of The Show Jeff  Zelepugas  joins me and my undisclosed beautiful travel companion Music by The Kinks ? Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100 Penske Donation Donate on Venmo Dan Gerawan – $100 Concerned Donation John Morgan – $50 Hang In There Bud Kirk Crawford – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Todd Cunningham – $10 Danny Borden – $5 Steven Cohen $5 Richard Fusey – $4.44 Richard Fusey – $6.66 Bruce McMillan – $3 (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Bradley Lisko – $10 William Bealle – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Peter Spark $5 Andrew Howe – $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Dave Alexander – $2 Adam Croft – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Show Transcript  0 00:00:05 From somewhere in the middle of nowhere, this is the Rock and Roll Geek Show. This is the story of my rock and roll butler. Welcome to the Rock and Roll Geek Show. 00:00:21 My name is Michael Butler. Thanks a lot for joining me. I really appreciate it. 00:00:25 Today is Friday, July 17th, 2026. It’s 540 when I’m doing this. We’re going to do it shortly because we have people in the hotel room. 00:00:37 A friend of the show is here that I met. We’re in, what town are we in? Bowling? 00:00:44 Bowling? Bowling Brook. Bowling Brook. 00:00:46 Bowling Brook, Illinois. Introduce yourself. It’s Jeffrey. 00:00:50 Jeffrey Zalapugas. Zalapugas. I can’t pronounce his last name. 00:00:54 I don’t know why but Zalapugas. Zalapugas. Zalapugas. 00:01:03 It’s not my pizza name. My pizza name is Paige. So is that an Italian? 00:01:07 Zalapugas. Lithuanian. Lithuanian, ooh. 00:01:10 I don’t know what they say about Lithuanians. Yeah, for sure. If I order a pizza, it’s never that. 00:01:18 What do you mean? It’s never a Lithuanian pizza? No, it’s never Zalapugas. 00:01:21 Oh, it’s Zalapulagas. Zalapulagas. That’s what you’re going to hear going back. 00:01:24 I’ve heard it all. Talk into that microphone. You can’t butcher the last name. 00:01:32 Jeffrey Zalapugas. We’re going to meet up with Jeff Thielicke today. That’s who you were with last time when I was in Milwaukee. 00:01:40 And Chicago. And Manitoba. Oh, you were in Chicago as well. 00:01:43 Yeah. Thielicke got pretty wasted, huh? Milwaukee as well. 00:01:48 Yeah. Hats off to Jeff. He’s a fun guy. 00:01:51 Sure is. As you are as well. He’s a good dude. 00:01:54 I was telling undisclosed, beautiful travel companion Raquel how hilarious you got. You crack me up all the time. Last time you were there, I was cracking up. 00:02:07 Well, we had the gentle giant with us, though. Stirring up the pot. Yeah, your bodyguard. 00:02:13 Yeah, we went to a Mexican place. Did you know he came to? Oh, his wife is here, Winnie. 00:02:18 His beautiful wife, Winnie. Say hi, Winnie. Winnie, did you know he came all the way to see… 00:02:26 Yes, yes, he told me about it. Yes, he told me, yes. You okay with that? 00:02:30 Yes, I was. Where are you from, Winnie? I’m from Africa. 00:02:36 You’re from Africa? What part of Africa? East Africa. 00:02:38 East Africa. What country is in East Africa? Uganda. 00:02:41 What is it? Uganda. Uganda? 00:02:44 Wow. I went to Cape Town, and I went to… Oh, fuck. 00:02:51 Botswana? Botswana, oh, yeah. Is that near Uganda? 00:02:55 No, that’s south, south, south, yes. They had no… In Cape Town, because I wanted to have wild game, I wanted to eat wild game. 00:03:02 Wow. Cape Town, they had all kinds of wild game you could eat. Yes, they do. 00:03:06 Botswana and up there, there was no wild game. Yeah, Botswana is a bit a desert of a desert. There were game reserves, but there was no wild game to eat. 00:03:16 No, no, they don’t. What about Uganda? Oh, Uganda is beautiful. 00:03:19 You have… Is there wild… Can you eat wild game there? 00:03:22 Oh, yes. Springbok was delicious. Yes, you better come to Uganda. 00:03:27 I’ll… Can you have… You have a place I can stay there? 00:03:30 No, I’m kidding. Oh, yes, I do. We had… 00:03:32 I had ostrich carpaccio in Cape Town. Okay. That was the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. 00:03:40 Wow. It was so good. You come in Uganda, you’ll eat the luwombo. 00:03:45 Luwombo? Luwombo, yes. What is that? 00:03:49 It’s beef or chicken stewed in banana leaves. Oh, that’s great. Yes, real tender. 00:03:56 Oh, man, I’m hungry. We haven’t eaten today. Zellopagus. 00:04:00 We’ll feed you. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Winnie. Nice to meet you. 00:04:04 So you go back and forth to Africa? Yes, yes, I do. I do. 00:04:08 I had… We had a woman who was a friend… We started off as cleaning our house, but then she became a really good friend and part of the family. 00:04:15 She’s from Cape Town. She goes back. Her husband’s still there. 00:04:19 Her husband stays in Cape Town. She goes back and forth. Now I have my husband here, so I better go see my other family. 00:04:26 You get away from your husband for a while. Does Jeffrey go with you? Yes, for a break. 00:04:30 He hasn’t yet, but we hope to go. You’ve never been to Africa? Not yet. 00:04:34 It’s a hell of a flight. Yes. We got married in Fiji. 00:04:39 I don’t know where that is. Fiji. Is that near Australia? 00:04:43 Yeah, above Australia. Oh, right, yeah. You’ve got to lay flat. 00:04:46 You’ve got to get first class. It’s a shit flight if you don’t lay first class. When I sell the house, we’re going to lay flat in Japan. 00:04:56 Nice. Wow. Yeah, I would love to go to Japan. 00:04:59 Yeah, we’re going to do some drinking and eating in Japan. Come with us. We’re going to go. 00:05:02 It’s beautiful, yes. Tokyo, for sure. Yeah. 00:05:05 We’re going to go to Alcatraz. We’ll let you know where we’re going. Kyoto. 00:05:08 Oh, yeah. We’re going to go to Kyoto, Osaka, maybe even Okinawa. Because they have good beer in Okinawa. 00:05:14 Beautiful place. Yeah. You like sake, brother? 00:05:19 No, I don’t drink sake too much. But I do like a Japanese beer. I’ll take a Sapporo. 00:05:26 Oh, that’s too generic? Well, it depends on which. Now we’re going to geek out on beer. 00:05:30 Because I’ll tell you, if you have a Sapporo 22-ounce can, they’re brewed in Japan. But if you get a 12-ounce can or a bottle of Sapporo, it’s brewed in Canada. It’s by Molson. 00:05:43 Oh, wow. I didn’t know that. Microphone up to your mouth. 00:05:45 Fun fact from Michael Butler. And if you go to a Japanese restaurant, if they have Asahi on draft, that is brewed in Japan. But if you get an Asahi bottle, it’s another Americanized. 00:05:57 It’s like made in America somewhere. What about sake in that goofy barrel? I don’t know anything about sake. 00:06:02 You’re not a sake drinker? My good friend Shaki, Metal Moment, he knows all about it. But I don’t know anything about sake. 00:06:08 How’s he doing? We had dinner. Undisclosed Raquel came. 00:06:13 We had dinner with them on Sunday before we left. Went to a Korean all-you-can-eat place. It was good. 00:06:18 Cool. Glad you reconnected. Yeah. 00:06:21 That was the first time Shaki’s seen me since the shit went down. But yeah. Yeah. 00:06:28 He took it all in stride. Well, good to have friends. Yeah, because his wife was, well, I don’t know if she was friends with the other one. 00:06:37 So she met Raquel, and they were very impressed by how great of a person Raquel was. Well, definitely. This whole mission you’ve been on these last couple of weeks, having a partner in crime, is essential. 00:06:53 So I’m happy for the two of you, and thanks for doing this for Michael. So what brings you to Bowling? What are we at again? 00:06:59 We’re in Bowling Brook, Illinois. The claim to fame was the first indoor amusement park. It’s no longer here. 00:07:07 I saw the Ramones, actually, at that venue called Old Chicago. It’s on YouTube if you guys get bored. But there was a riot afterwards, chair throwing. 00:07:20 Yeah. Oh, nice. And I got one of Didi’s picks. 00:07:23 I should have brought that. Just a brag deal. Chair throwing where they’re like, people wanted to see the punk rock circus or something, and they started to fight with the punk rockers? 00:07:32 No, I don’t know what the uproar was. But there’s some footage of the Ramones walking around Old Chicago in Bowling Brook. Oh, okay. 00:07:41 Maybe I’ll throw that out on the Facebook. You didn’t create that, though, did you? No, I don’t. 00:07:46 No, I did not create it. But let’s not get into that. It’s a running gag. 00:07:51 My brother just became a rock and roll geek, and I asked him about it. He’s like, oh, did I? You’re going to meet him tonight, hopefully. 00:07:59 Oh, good. Did he bring his harmonicas? Well, we were talking about that before we jumped on this cast. 00:08:05 Well, if he gets asked, he needs to be prepared. Well, he doesn’t want to assume. Do I need to bring my harmonicas in case he wants to blow? 00:08:16 Yeah, if they’re handy. He does have them with him, right? He said he wasn’t going to bring them. 00:08:20 Let me look in the truck before we get out of here, and I’ll see. On the way here, go ahead. So Bowling Brook is just a suburb of Chicago. I told you about the claim to fame, the old Chicago, but it’s probably maybe an hour, hour and a half west of Chicago, 00:08:37 just a suburb. You’re pretty much in and out on I-80, but that’s really all Bowling Brook’s about. But we’re going to see a blues band that my brother used to sit in with years ago called the Griff Band, so Don Griffin. So he’s going to do one set, and then somebody’s going to do just 00:08:55 classic rock after that. So we’ve got blues and then classic rock? Blues and classic rock. 00:09:00 All right. Well, good. Where are you coming from? 00:09:04 I live in a town called Lakewood, Illinois, which is next to Crystal Lake. It’s halfway between Chicago and Rockford, as the crow flies. You know Rockford? 00:09:13 I asked beautiful Raquel if she knew what Rockford was famous for. Does she know? She does now. 00:09:23 She knows now. The band that has no past? Yes, exactly. 00:09:28 She thought it was where the famous oysters were from. You’re going to have to. If you guys had time, the Hard Rock Casino has a huge. 00:09:36 In Rockford or in Chicago? In Rockford has a huge. We already passed Rockford. 00:09:41 Yeah, I guess you did, but I mean, you’re not like. I mean, if you were a diehard Rick Nielsen fan. They got Rick Nielsen’s guitars, right? 00:09:49 They got, I’d say, probably 30 guitars, probably 10 outfits. You know, all kinds of, you know. Rick, you know, from Rockford, living in Rockford, has a huge display. 00:10:00 I could probably forward some pictures there. How far is Rockford from here? I don’t know. 00:10:06 Maybe, probably 45 minutes. We got to go back track 45 minutes? No, it’s north and probably a little bit. 00:10:12 It’s probably more due north and probably a little bit east. All right, maybe we’ll see. Or west, rather, sorry. 00:10:19 West, so we got to go back track. We’ll see if we can. I should have mentioned that, but you know that crazy knit jumpsuit that he’s got? 00:10:27 With the, what is it? Is it Glenplaid? With the checkerboards, you mean? 00:10:32 Checkerboards, but kind of like offset. Those pants that he wears? Uh-huh. 00:10:37 You remember when he had the arrow with the red sweater and the goofy hat? Yeah, that’s early, that’s in color. With those knit pants, there’s a pair of those on display. 00:10:46 And a bunch of his guitars. He can’t fit in those anymore. I spent more time taking pictures of that than actually seeing the gig that we were going there to see. 00:10:59 We’re going to Nashville to see them open for GZ Top. Nashville’s great. Joe Pollock invited me to see Cheap Trick and Hart. 00:11:10 That was last year, year before? With the lovely Gina. That was a good time. 00:11:16 Did you go? Yeah, I went. They invited me. 00:11:19 We hung out. Did Robin get up and sing? Love Hurts? 00:11:25 No, I don’t think they did Love Hurts. Did he get up and sing with Hart? I don’t even remember if the kid was there or not. 00:11:30 Robin Jr.? Yeah, Robin Jr. I don’t really recall. 00:11:33 I’ve been to so many gigs. Ann Wilson was in the wheelchair, but I think she’s gotten better since then. We, on the way here, we stopped at the world’s largest truck stop. 00:11:44 You ever been there? I’ve heard of it. I’ve never been. 00:11:46 I was a little disappointed. This is a big shopping mall? Thielicke told us, you need to stop at the world’s largest truck stop. 00:11:54 So we stopped, and it’s not that great. It’s not like you guys have been to the Buc-ee’s, I’m sure, right? That’s what I said. 00:12:01 I said, well, this Buc-ee’s looks as big as this. I like Buc-ee’s better than that place we were at today. Buc-ee’s has all branded stuff. 00:12:10 Yeah, there’s one. Wisconsin has one called Quick Trip. I’m not a Wisconsinian, but on the scale of Buc-ee’s, I don’t know where they fit. 00:12:23 But they’ll have stuff like hard-boiled eggs pickled, stuff like that, weird. Like 110 different kinds of beef sticks. I’m sure the Wisconsinians would know more about it. 00:12:39 But Quick Trip, if you see one, is a little bit of a trip. If we see a Quick Trip, we’ll stop at a Quick Trip. I’m hoping we see a Buc-ee’s, because I would like everybody to experience the Buc-ee’s. 00:12:49 It’s something you should check out once. Yeah, they’re mainly from the south, I think, right? But they’re starting to make a little bit of a jump up north here. 00:12:56 Yeah, I think so. All right, so thank you for meeting up with us, General Paulodoulos. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. 00:13:05 I’ll probably have a beer with you just to get off my sabbatical. There you go. My health sabbatical. 00:13:09 Why are you not drinking right now? I went through some health issues, man. I’m on a bunch of meds, and it doesn’t mix with booze that well. 00:13:16 Do you have a stroke? No, I had AFib about three years ago, and then it came back about nine months ago. And then I had a situation where the blood wasn’t pumping through the heart appropriately. 00:13:29 How did you find that out? Well, I knew it was gurgling, you know what I mean? Were you wearing a watch? 00:13:37 Because if you’re wearing a watch and you have AFib stuff, it’ll blow up. Yeah, so I bought the watch to monitor for it. That’s why I’m wearing one. 00:13:44 Yeah, I started getting it again. And then I had an ablation on May 11th, and I’ve been pretty good since then. What’s an ablation? 00:13:50 They go in there and zap some of the overacting areas of the heart that send electrical pulses to make your heart beat. What do they zap it with? Sound waves or radio waves or something. 00:14:02 And they deaden some of the overactive sites, and hopefully they get the right ones. And since then, they shocked it back in the rhythm and then did the ablation, and I’ve been okay since. So I’ve been staying off the beef, staying off the booze. 00:14:18 Staying off the beef? Yeah, they take you off the beef. Fuck that. 00:14:24 Fuck that shit. Well, they say your good years are between 63 and 73. What’s that? 00:14:31 What do they want you to eat? Chicken, fish, vegetables, fruit. That’s okay, too, but you’ve got to eat. 00:14:38 The beef is… Once in a while. Yeah. 00:14:41 So once in a while. You got money? Not really. 00:14:45 So you better… Sorry, Winnie. If he kicks it, you ain’t going to get much. 00:14:50 You better hope he lives. I mean… I got enough to retire today. 00:14:58 Okay, good. So Winnie’s not going to be homeless until she can die. No, no, no. 00:15:01 She’s… Good. Yeah, yeah. 00:15:03 I’m sure she has her own money. Yeah. You have your own money, right, Winnie? 00:15:07 Yes, I do. Good, good, good, good. She’s got a big compound back in Africa, so she probably, you know… 00:15:12 She mourned for a week and then be back in Africa, probably. But, anyway. Well, I appreciate you coming, Zellablogs. 00:15:18 No worries, man. Thanks for having me. So, friends, we’re trying to get back to New York by Sunday. 00:15:24 We’re taking I-80. I said this yesterday. We’re taking I-80. 00:15:29 So if you’re along I-80 and want to have a beer or something… I think we do get off I-80 at some point, don’t we? Oh, I don’t know. 00:15:36 Very soon, I think. We got two more days. So we’re going to be heading through Pennsylvania, then up to New York. 00:15:42 So if you’re on our route, friends, I’d love to meet up with you and have a beer or something. And, again, thank you to everybody who’s been contributing to this trip. It’s much appreciated. 00:15:55 And it’s been so far so good. Oh, you want a beer? Okay. 00:16:02 I’ll get you a beer. Hold on a second. Now I’m frazzled. 00:16:07 No, I wanted you to have a sip of that fine… Let’s take a sip. Oh, yeah. We’re all drinking, except for Zella Pelugas, 00:16:14 we’re all drinking Modelo in the can and a Yeti knockoff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you, everybody, for supporting the shot. 00:16:21 Take a sip of this fine Modelo. It’s new. There you go. 00:16:26 Ah! You know what they say. The eighth one of the day is always the best. 00:16:32 This is actually the first one of the day. It’s the first one of the day for me as well. Cheers. 00:16:35 Cheers, Michael August. Cheers. That’s not going to give you a heart attack. 00:16:39 What meds are you on? All kinds of shit, man. I’ll tell you offline. 00:16:43 Okay. Well, thank you for listening, friends. 00:16:46 Rockandrollgeek.com is where you can find the show. Find me on the Facebook, R&R Geek. 00:16:51 Rockandrollgeek Facebook group. Going strong as usual. Thanks to the sheriff. 00:16:57 And find me on the Twitter, R&R Geek. Find me on the Instagram, rockandrollgeek. Don’t ask. 00:17:02 Please keep the donations coming. Without your donations, this show would die a horrible, putrid, stenchful death. And if you get any value out of this, please contribute what you can. 00:17:10 And I thank you for everybody who’s been supporting so far. Zella Palougalos. We’re going to go watch some blues and have some beer. 00:17:17 This is not going to be your only beer for the night. I’ve got a feeling. All right, friends. So I’m going to close out with something that Chris Cappell, 00:17:23 the rockandroll copywriter, sent. We’re playing all songs that have road in the title. And this is from the Kinks 1977 sleepwalker album. 00:17:32 You know what song this is? I don’t. You don’t know the Kinks? 00:17:36 Only the hits. This one is called Life on the Road. Thank you for listening, friends. 00:17:40 I’ll talk to you tomorrow.The post On the road in a Penske truck day five -Bolingbrook, Illinois first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

All-Star Game Junior Caminero was hit on the hand by ex-Rays prospect Riley O'Brien during the exhibition. Scans came back relatively positive and Junior was gracious about the incident. Debate on whether star players should risk injury in exhibition games. Mat proposed moving the All-Star Game to Las Vegas after the World Series, bundled with the Hall of Fame ceremony and GM meetings to create a marquee baseball event. Where is the Brotherly love -  Philly crowd booing non-Phillies players Longo Weekend The Rays honored Evan Longoria in a retirement weekend that drew 23,000-plus fans on Sunday, requiring the upper deck to open. Both hosts praised the tribute as long overdue and speculated on his future in coaching or front office roles.Grady Emerson & the Draft Mat called top pick Grady Emerson a potential franchise cornerstone, comparing him to a Longoria/Taylor Walls hybrid at shortstop. Paired with Junior Caminero long-term, Mat sees a legitimate dynasty window. The Rays also selected shortstop Taj Marchand and went heavy on high school pitching, signaling confidence in their current system depth.Junior Caminero Extension Junior publicly stated he wants to stay in Tampa Bay. Both hosts stressed locking him up now. Mat credited Stu Sternberg for building the culture that makes players want to stay.Trade Deadline rumor of Rays-Tigers talks around Tarik Skubal. With only roughly 12 million left on his contract.  A potential package could include Jacob Melton, Brody Hopkins, Xavier Isaac, and pitching prospects.  A playoff rotation of McClanahan, Skubal, and Rasmussen, plus Manuel Rodriguez returning to close, would make the Rays serious contenders.Women in Baseball The Women's Baseball World Cup group stage runs July 22-26 in Rockford, Illinois at the historic Rockford Peaches field (iwbc.org). Special thanks to Ryan Woodward, Kat Williams & Leslie Heaphy for bringing this to Rockford The Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) launches soon with four teams: Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, and San Francisco FireBelles, each named after a historical female trailblazer. MLB.com is covering the league. Mark honored the late Sue Zipay, whose American Girls Baseball initiative laid the groundwork for the WPBL.Season Outlook The Rays head into an 11-game road trip (Boston, Toronto, Cleveland) starting July 17. Both hosts admitted their preseason predictions were off and couldn't be happier about it  

Gold bar scams are becoming more common than many people realize, and they can target victims of any age. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark speak with Tallie Stubbs, an anti-money laundering compliance officer with APMEX, Inc., and Ben Soldat of Grand Rapids Coins in Rockford, Michigan. Tallie shares her insights from the compliance and investigative sides, including how these scams unfold, what warning signs to watch for, and how awareness and patience can help people recognize the danger before they become victims. Ben also offers a valuable perspective from inside the coin and precious metals business, including how he helped prevent a victim from losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.It is a timely conversation about prevention, awareness, and the warning signs that can help protect people before the money is gone.GUEST CONTACT INFO:Tallie's Contact Info: Tallie.Stubbs@apmex.comTallie Stubbs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talliestubbs/AMPEX, Inc.: https://www.apmex.comGrand Rapids Coins (GR Coins): https://grandrapidscoins.com/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Kenzie details the horrific crimes committed by Simon Peter Nelson in Rockford. Chicago’s best morning radio show now has a podcast! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and remember that the conversation always lives on the Q101 Facebook page. Brian & Kenzie are live every morning from 6a-10a on Q101. Subscribe to our channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@Q101 Like Q101 on Facebook HERE: https://www.facebook.com/q101chicago Follow Q101 on Twitter HERE: https://twitter.com/Q101Chicago Follow Q101 on Instagram HERE: https://www.instagram.com/q101chicago/?hl=en Follow Q101 on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@q101chicago?lang=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Rinkcast co-host Sean Fitzgerald, and prospect guru Jimmy O'Malley, Esq. are joined by Rockford IceHogs play-by-play voice Dana Grey to discuss the Blackhawks development camp, the Rockford IceHogs, and much more.Join via YouTube or Facebook to be eligible to win a free #Blackhawks t-shirt from @500LEVEL or use THERINK26 for a 30% discount

The alderman discusses city business and his work with Robin Roberts Stadium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!When Hunter and Jenny Scott bought their dream home in Rockford, Alabama, they thought they were starting a new chapter — until the house started writing one of its own. Shadow figures emerged from dark corners, unseen forces lashed out, and a violent history began to reveal itself piece by chilling piece. This wasn't just another haunting — it was personal.As paranormal activity escalated, even Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, became intrigued by the home's murderous past. What had happened within its walls that drew both the living and the dead? And why did it seem intent on driving its new owners away?In this episode of The Grave Talks, we sit down with investigator Kim Johnson, who helped uncover the dark secrets buried beneath the Rockford home and guided the Scotts through one of Alabama's most disturbing true hauntings.#TheRockfordHaunting #HauntedAlabama #HarperLee #ParanormalPodcast #RealHauntings #GhostStories #TheGraveTalks #TrueHaunting #HauntedHouse #ShadowPeople #DemonicHaunting #HauntedHistoryLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOWhen Hunter and Jenny Scott bought their dream home in Rockford, Alabama, they thought they were starting a new chapter — until the house started writing one of its own. Shadow figures emerged from dark corners, unseen forces lashed out, and a violent history began to reveal itself piece by chilling piece. This wasn't just another haunting — it was personal.As paranormal activity escalated, even Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, became intrigued by the home's murderous past. What had happened within its walls that drew both the living and the dead? And why did it seem intent on driving its new owners away?In this episode of The Grave Talks, we sit down with investigator Kim Johnson, who helped uncover the dark secrets buried beneath the Rockford home and guided the Scotts through one of Alabama's most disturbing true hauntings.#TheRockfordHaunting #HauntedAlabama #HarperLee #ParanormalPodcast #RealHauntings #GhostStories #TheGraveTalks #TrueHaunting #HauntedHouse #ShadowPeople #DemonicHaunting #HauntedHistoryLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

Chicago Rinkcast co-host Sean Fitzgerald and prospect guru Jimmy O'Malley discuss the recent injury news of Connor Bedard and what it may mean for the Blackhawks.Join via YouTube or Facebook to be eligible to win a free #Blackhawks t-shirt from @500LEVEL or use THERINK26 for a 30% discount

Eleven federal agencies spent sixty days working Chicago and Rockford under one flag, and when it ended they had 305 fugitives in custody and 24 children — many of them kidnapped — back home.SOURCES, LINKS, AND PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/OperationNewDawnLook for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://pod.link/1078714736*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.

**Listener Discretion** This episode contains discussions about suicide, mental health, prostitution, pornography, trauma, and religious faith that may be difficult for some listeners.   This week, the guys sit down with Army veteran and author Devin Fish, whose memoir, Answering the Hard Questions, takes readers through a life marked by poverty, constant change, broken relationships, self-hatred, and ultimately, redemption. Devin opens up about growing up in Rockford, Illinois, moving from school to school, joining the Army to escape his circumstances, and the experiences that forced him to confront some of the darkest moments of his life. The conversation explores mental health, loneliness, romance scams, pornography, prostitution, faith, identity, and what it really takes to rebuild yourself after believing you're beyond saving. The guys also dive into the creative process behind writing a deeply personal memoir, the discipline required to tell your story honestly, and why helping just one person can make sharing your story worth it. Whether you've ever struggled with purpose, questioned your faith, battled your own inner voice, or simply wondered how someone finds hope after years of self-destruction, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.       Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com       Stay connected with us: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast       Stay connected with Devin Fish: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.fish.79 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish       Picks of the Week: Answering the Hard Questions (Devin Fish) - https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish A Man at Arms (Steven Pressfield) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393540979?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback       PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

For a few terrifying hours in the summer of 1955, two Kentucky families emptied their guns into small, glowing creatures that swarmed their farmhouse and simply would not die — and to this day, no one agrees on whether they fought off aliens, owls, or something the mind conjured out of the dark.EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/kellyhopkinsvilleREAD or DOWNLOAD the full transcript of this episode: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p86wb4mFEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: It's considered one of the most bizarre and convincing extraterrestrial events ever reported… we'll look at the alien encounter in 1955's Hopkinsville, Kentucky that was experienced by two terrified families. (The Hopkinsville Encounter) *** In the deep jungles of the Congo, natives tell of a giant creature that, once described, sounds exactly like a long-necked dinosaur. But how could this be? And is it pure legend? Perhaps not, as one noted biologist from the area saw it with his own eyes and reported it. We'll look at the supposed real sighting of Mokele-Mbembe, the living dinosaur of the Congo! (Dinosaur Observed In The Congo) *** Running a club during prohibition was extremely lucrative… and extremely dangerous, as one Theodore Lakoff would've learned… had he been awake when he was murdered. (The Mysterious Death of Theodore Lakoff) *** Benjamin Franklin was known not just as one of the father's of the United States of America, but also as an inventor, a womanizer, and a man with a bit of an ornery streak in him – as is evidenced by a series of letters he wrote to the New England Courant, where he pretended to be a woman. (Who Was Mrs. Silence Dogood?) *** The internet is a vital part of modern life. Without web access, all kinds of businesses and jobs would be unable to function. So, as you can imagine, there are plenty of people who would love to see the internet crumble. And many have tried. (Taking Down The World Wide Web) *** In 1983 sightings poured in from people on the California coast who claim they saw a sea monster. (The California Sea Monster)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding00:01:10.244 = Show Open00:03:40.994 = The Hopkinsville Encounter00:13:15.837 = Dinosaur Observed in the Congo ***00:27:07.561 = Taking Down The World Wide Web ***00:36:42.752 = The Mysterious Death of Theodor Lakoff00:43:15.319 = Who Was Mrs. Silence Dogood?00:49:11.286 = The California Sea Monster00:55:29.517 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://weirddarkness.com/wdapps*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Hopkinsville Encounter” by Hannah Collins for Ranker.com's Graveyard Shift:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yp8pnfx7“Dinosaur Observed in the Congo” by Richard Greenwell for the ISC Newsletter: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yc3r3mpp“The Mysterious Death of Theodore Lakoff” by Kathi Kresol for HauntedRockford.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ku5x3cat“Who Was Mrs. Silence Dogood?” by Bipin Dimri for HistoricMysteries.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p868eac“Taking Down the World Wide Web” by Benjamin Thomas for ListVerse.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/c85j5cau“The California Sea Monster” by Malcom Smith for Malcom's Cryptids: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yc2wts7h(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: December, 2021Weird Darkness pulls together a farmhouse siege by little gray creatures in Kentucky, a biologist's claimed sighting of a living dinosaur in the Congo, decades of attempts to knock the internet offline, an unsolved Prohibition murder in Illinois, a teenage Benjamin Franklin's literary hoax, and a hundred-foot sea serpent sighted off the California coast.It opens on August 21, 1955, when Billy Ray Taylor stepped out to the well at Glennie Lankford's farmhouse in Kelly, outside Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and watched a bright object drop behind the trees. Two families spent the night barricaded indoors, firing a 12-gauge shotgun and a .22 rifle at short gray creatures with spindly legs and glowing eyes that peered through windows and swiped at Taylor from the roof, yet the buckshot rang off them like sheet metal before they floated away unharmed. Skeptics later blamed an aggressive great horned owl or a green glow of bioluminescent foxfire, while the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book dismissed the case as a hoax and filed it under C.P., for crackpot.From there the episode reaches the Likouala swamps of the People's Republic of the Congo, where in 1983 biologist Marcellin Agnagna became the first trained scientist to claim he had seen Mokele-Mbembe, the long-necked animal described as a surviving dinosaur for over two centuries. At remote Lake Télé on May 1, 1983, he watched a creature with a long neck, small head, and broad back rising some fifteen feet above the water, judged it a Mesozoic sauropod, and waded out to film it — only to find he had left the lens cap on, and his last roll of film later developed black.Next comes a survey of attempts to knock the internet offline since Tim Berners-Lee launched the World Wide Web. A man named Liu in Weifang, China tore apart four China Telecom junction boxes in 2016 to bury footage of himself joining a public "granny dance," while the Mirai botnet's 2016 assault on the firm Dyn took down Twitter, Netflix, and CNN, and Cornell student Robert Tappan Morris had loosed the first such attack by accident in 1988. It ends on Seth Aaron Pendley, a Texas man arrested in 2021 for plotting to blow up a Virginia data center with C-4 in hopes of crippling most of the web.The show then drops back to January 1931, when roadhouse owner Theodore Lakoff was shot once through the top of the head as he slept in his own Rockford, Illinois resort, a Prohibition den of liquor, gambling, and women he ran under the alias Tony Evanoff. His wallet lay emptied while far more cash sat untouched, and suspicion fell on twenty-year-old Viola Hunsficker, said to be extorting him, until ballistics cleared the pistol found in her apartment. Investigators then turned up five other women who each believed she was his only sweetheart, and the killing was never solved.Then it reaches back to 1722 Boston, where a witty widow named Silence Dogood published letters in the New England Courant skewering religious hypocrisy, Harvard, and fashion, charming readers so thoroughly that several men wrote in offering to marry her. She was the invention of sixteen-year-old Benjamin Franklin, an apprentice in his brother James's print shop who slipped the letters under the door at night for six months before revealing himself, then carried his taste for hoaxes to Philadelphia and a fabricated 1730 account of a Mount Holly witch trial.The episode closes off the California coast, where on October 31, 1983 a highway crew above Stinson Beach watched a dark, slender animal roughly a hundred feet long swim toward shore, trailed by about a hundred birds and two dozen sea lions. Crew member Matt Ratto described three humps rising straight from the water before a head lifted to look around, and days later, near Costa Mesa, a surfer named Young Hutchinson reported a long black eel-like animal with no dorsal fins surfacing ten feet from his board — though a Caltech spokesman offered that the witnesses might have seen a whale or a line of porpoises.

Ronnie sits down with Rockford Smith from Rockford Custom Paint, who recently built a 1976 "Spirit" 4x4 Truck pretty much out of a catalog. 

Canada Day Celebrations & Happy Birthday DadMat & Mark kick off the episode celebrating Canada Day, sharing family plans, backyard traditions, and a few fun Canada facts, including Princess Di's July 1st birthdayCanada at FIFA World CupCanada's men's national soccer team reaches the Sweet 16. Mat breaks down how the women's program, led by icons like Martine Saint-Clair, paved the way for the men's team, and how their American coach has built a culture of fearlessness in the squad.Stanley Cup and Canadian Hockey DominanceThe Carolina Hurricanes win the Cup with 10 Canadian players on the roster. A fun moment: Canadian fans ironically chanting "USA, USA" while cheering the Hurricanes over the Montreal Canadiens.Tim Hortons, Beaver Tails, and Canadian Food CultureMat shares stories of Tim Horton's following Canadian troops to the Middle East, and explains what a Beaver Tail is. Dunkin' Donuts is reportedly attempting a comeback in Canada.Women in BaseballMark highlights Alli Schroder, Canadian women's baseball player and firefighter, competing in the Women's Baseball Classic in Rockford, IL (July 22-26) and the Women's Pro Baseball League in Springfield, IL. The guys also discuss Kelsie Whitmore and the very real possibility of a woman playing in MLB within the next 10 years, drawing comparisons to Toni Stone and the Indianapolis Clowns.Toronto Blue Jays UpdateBo Bichette's emotional return to Toronto as a Met and the crowd's warm reception. Could Bo find his way back, similar to Kawhi Leonard returning to the Raptors? The Jays sit 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. Mat also makes the case for Juan Soto moving to first base with the Mets.MLB All-Star Voting and Canadian PrideA recent Gallup poll shows 84% of Canadians are proud to be Canadian. Blue Jays players top nearly every All-Star ballot position. Mat pitches an idea: move Hall of Fame induction speeches to the All-Star Game for broader exposure and impact.MLB Salary Cap and CBA TalkMLB is publicly campaigning for a salary cap. Mat argues that the Dodgers' spending model undermines the sport's drama, using the Kirk Gibson home run and Mike Brosseau's big moment as examples of what makes baseball genuinely compelling. Both hosts warn that a work stoppage in today's economic climate could permanently damage the league.Rays Farm System and Current StandingsJunior Caminero is named AL Player of the Week and will enter the Home Run Derby. Jake Fraley is on rehab assignment in AAA. Cadin Bodine has been promoted to AA after dominating A+. Michael Forret is knocking on the door in AAA. The Rays system continues to look strong.Links and ResourcesWomen's Baseball Classic, Rockford, IL, July 22-26: iwbc.comWomen's Pro Baseball League: Springfield, IL, AugustLook up Kelsie Whitmore and Alli Schroder online for more on women in baseball.Happy Canada Day! Thanks for listening. Merci beaucoup de nous avoir rejoints!

Chicago Rinkcast co-host Sean Fitzgerald, and prospect guru Jimmy O'Malley discuss Qualifying offers, the draft, pending free agency, and all else Blackhawks.Join via YouTube or Facebook to be eligible to win a free #Blackhawks t-shirt from @500LEVEL or use THERINK26 for a 30% discount

Today's episode is with Randy James from Fire Department Coffee. Randy is a career firefighter and paramedic from Rockford, Illinois, serving since April 2000. His journey took him to Ladder 5, working alongside Fire Department Coffee founder Luke Schneider, before becoming Director of Brand Relations and playing a major role in the Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation and the Rescue One project.Rescue One is not just a fire truck that serves coffee. It is a disaster relief vehicle, morale unit, communications hub and practical support system for communities and first responders facing hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and life changing disasters. This conversation is about coffee, but more importantly it is about dignity, service, purpose, community and the kind of firefighters we should all be trying to become.Find Randy HEREFind Fire Department Coffee HEREPlease support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon CrewPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode:William Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on websitePBI high-performance fabrics FIRST TACTICAL- tactical gear for elite operatorsGORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOIDEXFIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD Send us Fan MailSupport the show***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

Mark and Mat record live during the Rays vs. Royals Wednesday night game, the fourth and final game of a tough homestand series that Tampa Bay lost three games to one. The score at wrap-up is 5-3 in favor of the Rays heading into the final out of the ninth.Topics CoveredRays June Struggles The guys break down a rough June for Tampa Bay, noting the team has been burning through its early-season buffer. Mat walks through the slugging numbers for the month, where league average sits at .400. Only four Rays batters are above that mark in June: Ryan Vilade (.581), Junior Caminero (.461), Yandy Diaz (.453), and Cedric Mullins (.407). Jonathan Aranda and several others are well below .300, pointing to a lineup in a collective funk.Player HighlightsChandler Simpson makes a strong catch after an earlier error and bounces back with a single at the plateJohnny DeLuca returns and brings energy back to the outfieldJunior Caminero continues to lead All-Star voting at third base and is discussed as a possible Home Run Derby participantRoster Moves The Rays DFA Dom Keegan to acquire right-handed pitcher Chris Roycroft from the Cardinals. Mat profiles Roycroft as a Kyle Snyder-type project at 6'8", comparing his pitch mix to Manuel Rodriguez and his build and arm angle to former Ray Aaron Slegers. Mat notes the Rays may look to add a changeup to Roycroft's repertoire and suggests Keegan could be traded to a team needing first base depth, with the Mets mentioned as a possible destination.Trade Deadline Talk: Byron Buxton Mat makes the case for the Rays pursuing Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. Key points:Buxton is signed at $15 million per year through 2028He has stayed healthy the last two seasonsA package of Cedric Mullins and Jacob Melton could be the framework of a dealAdding Buxton alongside Caminero, Diaz, and Aranda would give Tampa a genuinely fearsome lineupJacob Melton is currently excelling in AAA and is expected to be called up or used as trade bait in early July.Pitching Depth Discussion of starter innings limits and how the Rays are managing their rotation. The Giants are dangling arms including Robbie Ray, though Mat suspects the Rays will prioritize lineup help over adding a starter. Brian Baker is discussed as a more confident and committed closer Minor League Notes The Bowling Green Hot Rods are 51 and 19.  The Rays have 15 hitters with an OPS above .800 and more than 100 at bats across their minor league system this season, with only six of those above Double-A.FIFA World Cup Mark and Mat take a detour to discuss the World Cup taking place across the US. Mat talks about attending games in Vancouver with Canadian military personnel, eating barbecue around the clock. They note that the lower alcohol content in American beer has European and Canadian fans drinking more than usual and draining Boston breweries. All three host nations (US, Mexico, Canada) advance out of the group stage. Mat reflects on never seeing Canadian men's soccer at this level in his lifetime, with the team ranked in the top 30 globally.Women's Baseball Mark reminds listeners that the Women's Pro Baseball League launches in August in Springfield, Illinois - https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/ Women's Baseball Classic group stage takes place in Rockford, Illinois in approximately one month. - https://www.iwbc.org/worldcup/ Local Recognition The Rays recognize the University of Tampa Spartans for their NCAA Division II baseball three-peat and St. Leo's women's softball team for their Division II championship. Mark also mentions a recent conversation with Genelle Helen Garverick about the history of women's softball in the area dating back to the 1940s & 1950's.Remember to like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, on YouTube at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com. Also you can find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com and BaseballBiz On Deck with Facebook social 

Toynbee idea in movie 2001. Resurrect dead on planet Jupiter. What? And why is this message on a tile in the streets of Rockford, Illinois? The Under Rocks team investigates.

This episode of "Reelfoot Forward” features a conversation with Curb Records country singer-songwriter Mo Pitney. On July 3, 2026, he will headline the final night of Discovery Park of America's Rhythm on the Rails concert series and kick off the museum and heritage park's America 250 celebration. Pitney shares his journey from growing up near Rockford, Illinois, in a family rooted in gospel, country and bluegrass music to moving to Nashville at 18, where he ultimately found success in the music industry. He discusses his early record deals, his eventual home at Curb Records, his Grand Ole Opry debut and the artists who shaped his sound, including Johnny Cash, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Jimmy Martin and Bill Monroe. The conversation also explores Pitney's current creative season, including his bluegrass project “Cherokee Pioneer,” recorded in Johnny Cash's cabin; his new album, “The Outskirts of Town”; and “Fiddle Around,” a song inspired by his wife, Emily, and her return to playing fiddle. Pitney also talks about their new TikTok Live performances; his YouTube channel, “Wood Feathers and Fur,” which follows his family's bowhunting adventures; and his work with Rahab House, a nonprofit he and Emily co-founded to provide rescue, refuge and restoration for survivors of human trafficking. Pitney also offers a preview of his July 3 performance at Discovery Park, where he will perform with his full country band and later return for a more intimate acoustic set with Emily on fiddle and Pitney on guitar. It's a conversation about traditional bluegrass and country music, faith, family, heritage, the outdoors and the power of songs that tell a story. More: Mo Pitney at Rhythm on the Rails/America 250 Kick-off, Friday night, July 3, 2026 MpPitney.com Mo Pitney - Old Home Place (Official Music Video) Mo Pitney - Fiddle Around (Official Lyric Video) Pitney Meyer - Cherokee Pioneer (Making The Album) Wood Feathers And Fur

Chicago Rinkcast host Andy Campbell, co-host Sean Fitzgerald, prospect guru Jimmy O'Malley, and Rink co-founder Jeff Osborn discuss the Blackhawks recent trade acquisition of Bowen Byram.Join via YouTube or Facebook to be eligible to win a free #Blackhawks t-shirt from @500LEVEL or use THERINK26 for a 30% discount

Schools in Illinois discipline Black students at much higher rates than their white peers. Public radio education reporters Emily Hays and Peter Medlin dug into the data for two schools with the most extreme disparities: Kennedy Middle School in Rockford and Lanphier High School in Springfield. We'll talk about what they found, hear some of the stories behind the numbers, and learn about schools that are doing things differently.

Sometimes the thing that almost ended your life becomes the chapter that defines it. By the time Devin Fish was 18, he had moved 16 times, attended seven different schools, and survived a childhood shaped by poverty, bullying, and his parents' struggles with addiction. He thought joining the Army would be the start of something better. Then in July 2017, a Red Cross message forced him to fly home to make the impossible decision of whether to keep his mother on life support. She passed away just days before his birthday. What followed was a slow, quiet spiral into self-hatred, isolation, and online blackmail that brought Devin to the edge of taking his own life. This conversation walks through the moment he self-admitted to the hospital, the two pamphlets he found there that changed everything, and the single question that became the foundation of his recovery. Devin shares how he learned to use one career goal to climb out of suicidal thinking, why writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait forced him to revisit every dark moment on purpose, and how faith eventually rebuilt the parts of him that survival could not. Through grief, generational trauma, silence, and self-doubt, Devin's story is a reminder that the worst chapter of your life does not have to be the end of your book. Guest Bio Devin Fish is a U.S. Army veteran, debut author, and the youngest of two who grew up in Rockford, Illinois. His childhood was marked by instability, bullying, food stamps, and his parents' struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. By 18, he had moved 16 times and attended seven different schools. In 2017, while stationed at Fort Hood, Devin received a Red Cross message telling him his mother was dying. She passed away on July 9th, just days before his birthday. In the years that followed, unresolved grief, financial collapse, and a series of online blackmail scams pushed Devin to the edge, ultimately leading him to self-admit to the hospital with suicidal ideations. Devin served nearly ten years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and Career Counselor, and in 2021 was awarded the 1st Cavalry Division Retention NCO of the Year. While deployed to Kuwait, he wrote his debut book, Answering the Hard Questions, turning his story into a roadmap for anyone still trying to find their way out. You'll hear About How Devin grew up moving 16 times in 18 years across Rockford, Illinois The day he came home from school and found his apartment surrounded by police Why he stayed silent about his trauma for most of his life Losing his mother and being the one to make the life support decision How online blackmail and isolation brought him to the edge of suicide The two pamphlets in the hospital that helped him rewire how he thought about depression The single question that became the foundation of his recovery How writing his book in Kuwait helped him heal what he had buried for years Why faith became the cornerstone of who he is today Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Devin Fish 02:00 Growing Up in Rockford and 16 Moves in 18 Years 04:30 The Day His Father Was Hospitalized 08:00 Why He Suppressed Everything for Years 10:00 Losing His Mother and the Life Support Decision 13:00 The Blackmail Spiral and Suicidal Thinking 17:00 Thirty Seconds of Courage to Ask for Help 18:00 The Two Pamphlets That Changed His Life 20:00 Using a Single Goal to Climb Out of the Darkness 27:00 Reframing Trauma as a Chapter, Not the Whole Book 28:30 Writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait 33:00 Coming Back to Faith 36:00 Devin's Message for Anyone Still Searching 38:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself one hard question. Not a comfortable one. Not the one you already know the answer to. The one you have been avoiding because you are afraid of what it might say back. Maybe it is, "Why am I really staying in this?" Maybe it is, "What am I numbing right now?" Maybe it is the same one Devin asked himself: "Do I want to live, or am I just surviving?" Because as Devin shared, healing did not start when life got easier. It started the moment he stopped lying to himself in silence and answered honestly. Whatever your hard question is this week, do not run from it. Let it be the end of a chapter, not the end of the book. Connect with Devin Get his book: Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of a Chapter, Not the End of the Book Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Chicago Rinkcast host Andy Campbell, co-host Sean Fitzgerald, prospect guru Jimmy O'Malley, and Andrew Bard are back to talk about the week leading up to the draft for the Blackhawks, recent NHL moves, what's next in a tough trade climate for the Hawks, and final draft predictions for the Hawks from each Rinkcast member.Join via YouTube or Facebook to be eligible to win a free #Blackhawks t-shirt from @500LEVEL or use THERINK26 for a 30% discount

This week on The Journey, Kevin is joined by Heather Hackman for an honest and heartfelt conversation about family, community, grief, and carrying love forward after loss. Heather shares about her life in the Rockford area, her upcoming wedding and event venue, and the importance of staying connected to the community. She also opens up about the significant losses her family has faced, including the pain of traumatic loss and suicide, and how those experiences have shaped the way she supports others. Together, Kevin and Heather discuss the complicated questions that come with grief, the importance of remembering people for how they lived rather than how they died, and how memories, nature, faith, family, and community can help people keep moving through difficult seasons.

Everybody in manufacturing knows the skills gap is real. Far fewer people are doing anything about it. That tension runs through this entire conversation, and it's why we're glad to have Kyra Tillman back on the show as part of our workforce development series. Kyra runs BTM Industries, a small job shop in Woodstock, Illinois, and she's a driving force behind the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium, a group of more than a hundred McHenry County manufacturers, every local high school, and dozens of community partners who decided to grow their own talent instead of fighting over the same shrinking pool.  The numbers back it up. This year 186 students applied for the summer internship program and 85 got placed, with grant funding covering 85 percent of their wages. We get into the parts most people skip. How do you actually build an internship that works when your team is already slammed? Why do so many shops still say they don't have time for an inexperienced kid? And how did this group push back on a new Illinois foreign language requirement that would have gutted high school manufacturing programs, and win? There's a bigger idea underneath all of it. The shortage isn't only a skills gap, it's an opportunity gap. Most students have no idea these careers exist, and the fix isn't complicated. Open your doors, bring kids in, and let them try the work. Whether you run a shop, sit on a school board, or just want to see your community thrive, this one's a blueprint you can copy. What's Covered in this Episode (0:00) Why workforce development gets its own series, and welcoming Kyra back (1:56) Kyra's path to owning BTM Industries, a third-generation Woodstock job shop (4:13) MPC: 100+ manufacturers, every local high school, one focus: the talent pipeline (5:59) Why it works: stop playing the victim and do something about it (8:48) Inside the summer internship program: 186 applied, only 85 placed (10:53) Building a real intern plan instead of winging it (15:16) It's a manufacturing experience, not a polished college internship (16:15) CLA: helping manufacturers find millions in savings and revenue (17:23) Nick's intern Peter and the value of learning what you don't want (20:00) Why this program is oversubscribed when others can't fill seats (22:40) The funding model: grants cover 85 percent of intern wages (25:16) Saving CTE programs from Illinois's new foreign language requirement (27:45) IMTS Job Shops Workshop and Networking Reception, September 15 (28:39) Putting machined parts on guidance counselors' desks (32:46) Connecting with students who don't yet know what they like (35:00) It's an opportunity gap as much as a skills gap, so open your doors (36:42) Scaling means hiring beyond the shop floor, from coders to accountants (40:09) Why we love the quality of SMW Autoblok workholding (41:36) The results so far: 400+ interns, 46 now working in manufacturing (44:00) Help solve the problem: Let's get more manufacturers involved (47:15) How to replicate this: start with your local schools (49:30) Summer events, the Rockford party, and an IMTS kickoff Resources Mentioned Manufacturing Pathways Consortium CLA IMTS SMW Autoblok Connect with Kyra Tillman Manufacturing Pathways Consortium BTM Industries Connect with MakingChips Website: https://www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

A haunted house. A voodoo preacher. A string of mysterious deaths. In this episode of Avery After Dark, we travel to Rockford, Alabama to uncover the terrifying legend of the Rockford Voodoo House and the dark mystery surrounding Reverend Willie Maxwell. This is one eerie episode you don't want to miss...Avery After Dark is a real human hosted podcast that began in 2022. Every episode is hosted and narrated by Avery Ross, a real human and always will be. Never artificial. Enjoy!Watch this podcast episode! Click HERE to check it out & subscribe to the Avery After Dark Youtube Channel!Business Inquires | averyannross@gmail.comJoin the PATREON or Youtube Memberships for BONUS episodes of Avery After Dark! Thank you for your support :)Make sure you are following along for all the latest!TIKTOKINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

Fresh off a "jump in" race in his former stomping grounds, Mike talks about his experience at Ironman 70.3 Rockford. We get into pre-race, the strategy, adapting strategy, the current, the wind, the roads, the volunteers, and much more. We really dive into some tough questions/decisions for triathletes about how to be "satisfied" with your effort. It's a lonely place on that second loop of the run and it's usually the time in a race when you make or break the day. This cast is really a good place to ask yourself some questions and figure out if you're giving it your all or finding ways to give in. Topics: Rockford as a host city Pre-Race decisions Goals for the day and adjustments Swim Course Strong Current Strategy in the water Recalibrating goals on the fly Bike course Tougher than Chatt? Wind strategy Recovery opportunities Another decision off the bike Run/walk or run? Battling the run Mental game Breaking up the run Nutrition Nope Are perfect builds overrated? Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

Chicago Rinkcast host Andy Campbell, co-host Sean Fitzgerald, and prospect guru Jimmy O'Malley are back for round four of Jimmy's pre-draft prospect analysis on left-wing Ivar Stenberg.Join via YouTube or Facebook to be eligible to win a free #Blackhawks t-shirt from @500LEVEL or use THERINK26 for a 30% discount

What if serving Medicaid patients wasn't a drain on your practice… but one of the most efficient and fulfilling business models in optometry? In this episode of 20/20 Money, I'm joined by Dr. Ryan Hansen to discuss a truly unique model he's built inside a public school district that provides eye care exclusively to children on Medicaid — while still creating a financially viable and highly efficient practice structure.   Ryan shares how he operates a school-based satellite clinic inside the Rockford public school system, why the traditional "either/or" mindset around Medicaid and profitability may be flawed, and how he's leveraged simplicity, delegation, and strategic partnerships to create a practice that serves an incredible need in his community. We also unpack the emotional realities of caring for underserved populations, the operational logistics of working within a school district, and the surprising economics behind a model many ODs assume can't work.   We also discuss: How Ryan sees up to 16 pediatric Medicaid patients in just a few hours each morning Why low overhead dramatically changes the Medicaid profitability equation The logistics of scheduling, transportation, and dispensing glasses through the school system The role school nurses and principals play in making this model successful Why many children who "pass" school screenings still desperately need glasses The hidden challenges of working with Medicaid reimbursement and bureaucracy How this model creates remarkable work-life balance and flexibility What optometrists should consider if they want to explore a similar partnership in their own communities   As always, we close the conversation with practical NBSs (Next Best Steps) for listeners who may want to explore opportunities like this in their own school districts and communities.     Resources: Book a Triage call with Adam Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit 20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass OD Mastermind Interest Form Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice   ————————————————————————————— Please rate and subscribe to 20/20 Money on these platforms Apple Podcasts Spotify ————————————————————————————— For past episodes of 20/20 Money with full companion show notes, please check out our episode archive here!   Check out Adam's other podcast!   The Optometry Success Podcast  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4tttng6 Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4tuf0YM 

A three-year-old who could not sit up, walk, or speak arrived at a Rockford hospital with a brain bleed in July of 2023, and Loves Park detectives would spend nearly three years trying to learn how it happened.SOURCES, LINKS, AND PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/lovespark2023Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://pod.link/1078714736*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS

The guys discuss Mike's last minute registration for Rockford 70.3 and the concept of jumping into a race on a whim. They go through the challenges but mostly the benefits and why he'll approach it more like a practice test than a training day. There's a lot to be said for feeling the race environment. The nerves, the speed, and the race energy. It's all waiting and it will be a great 10,000 foot view for an A-Race later in the season. Topics: Why Mike ultimately signed up The approach without a typical build and taper Pacing and racing test Durability check in Why it's a good idea to jump in late What will be the challenges Staying calm when swept up in competition Rockford's course and strategies What can be learned for Ironman later in the year Approaching the swim, bike, and run Staying under control but flirting with edges A $500 triathlon immersion seminar Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com