Best Two C S In A Pod Podcasts (2025)

1
John Staab. Winning at Practice and Winning 500 Games. 35:58

1h ago35:58

35:58

Coming in fresh from a day of summer school, this fixture at Central High School takes me through the trajectory of his teaching and coaching career. Listen as this small town Iowa farm kid talks farming, "kids these days," technology, the longevity of his career at our local high school, the approach of empty nesting, travel baseball, emotional co…

1
Jess Wolff. Lily's Little Lungs and Therapy, Baby. 51:23

4d ago51:23

51:23

Busy, kind, funny and self-deprecating. Jess stayed cool, calm and collected under pressure as the definition of a multi-tasking mom unfolded right in front of me in order to get the job done. Listen as this Chicago-area transplant talks micropreemie, losing a twin, infertility, the endless NICU stay, taking home "the sickest, smallest baby at Carl…

1
Carlos Harvey. The Garage Barber and Using Pain as a Motivator. 52:37

11d ago52:37

52:37

I couldn't take in all of the poetic and prophetic words fast enough. Wise beyond words and kind beyond the capacity of most, Carlos has used his tonsorial talent to give back to select groups of youth in our community. Listen as this Champaign native talks all things grooming, the importance of looking good to feel good, feeling good to perform go…

1
Tiegan Reynolds. The Night Shift and "9-1-1, What's Your Emergency?" 59:07

21d ago59:07

59:07

A local newspaper article led me to her. She had surprised herself by winning an award for "Dispatcher of the Year." After talking to the 9-1-1 call center operator, there was no doubt she was deserving of this award. Listen as this Monticello Sage lights up the MIC with her tales from behind the drawn windows of the local 9-1-1 call center, the im…

1
Father Andru O'Brien. Practicing What You Preach and Finding Comfort in the New Pope Being a White Sox Fan. 1:13:31

25d ago1:13:31

1:13:31

Open and honest, warm and approachable. Father O'Brien gives priests a great name. He has made such a positive imprint on our community, and we are sad to see him move on to his next assignment, as is the dedicated life of a priest. Listen as this Bloomington native turned nomadic priest talks rectory life, choosing to attend seminary and the low r…

1
Kenyon Sivels with Wife Melissa. Umbrella of Help and Upholding Promises. 1:02:40

1M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

It is much more than bell ringing and disaster relief, this couple upholds the promise to do the most good with the resources provided by The Salvation Army. Listen as this Nebraska native, Kenyon, talks about his story as a foster youth, how his mother needed and used the Salvation Army to bring their family back together, how the Salvation Army g…

1
Holly Birch. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and Community Over Competition. 43:03

1M ago43:03

43:03

This red-headed delight has come up many times in previous episodes, so I thought it only right she comes on and tells her story. Listen as this Easton, IL native (home to 400 or less) talks about her life as a photographer, the niche she has carved in the industry, going from small town to big city, photographing campus shenanigans as her first gi…

1
Jaelyn Vickery. The Assault, the Attempt and Sticking to the Plan. 1:11:14

2M ago1:11:14

1:11:14

What a joy and pleasure and light and well-rounded person Jae was to interview. There's no shortage of adjectives for this well-spoken delight. She is a That's What She Said Sister, therapist, financial guru and simply a great person to have met. Listen as this Naperville native and University of Illinois grad talks about the lifetime's worth of tr…

1
Brandon T. Washington. The Starving Artist and Encourage With Caution. 1:33:24

2M ago1:33:24

1:33:24

This smooth operator joins me at Kitchen Table Studios after a long day of teaching and dadding. Listen as this Kankakee-born musician talks skipping a grade, clutching a high-honor scholarship, falling a few credits short, mastering his degree later in life, becoming a teacher of music and playing his voice all over our community while trying to m…

1
Julie Gunn. The Music Woman and Highlighting the Next Generation. 1:22:06

2M ago1:22:06

1:22:06

Her intellect, presence and breadth of talent was inspiring. Her disposition and mellow nature was calming. She was a lovely interview and an honor to sit down with. Listen as this German-born, California-raised and Champaign-rooted, talks how music influenced and shaped her education, her love life, her career and her family dynamics. Julie's main…

1
Andrew & Emily Harrington. The Oldywed Game and Kids Say the Darndest Things. 1:04:14

2M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

My family of four gather around our dining table aka Kitchen Table Studios to excitedly provide content. Listen as my children, husband and the "Tales From Two Townies" most requested, graciously provide content during a rousing Q & A game, expose family secrets, tell us why they know mom and dad love them, what are mom and dad not good at, lots of…

1
Natalie Kahler. The Summer We Had To Grow Up and the Real Housewives of NYC Made Me Do it, Part 2. 1:03:28

2M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

We saw the same episode of the same trash TV show. We thought the same thing as the same time. She reached out and I was ready to listen and record. Listen as this Champaign girl turned Bloomington-Normal resident returns to talk about the most controversial topic on the planet. Heated, political, polarizing and emotional. This one is all hers, how…

1
Alex Stewart. Tweeting Donald Trump and Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are. 1:04:49

3M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

Bubbly is an understatement. She is bouncy, beautiful and ultimately driven by a love for her business. Her second child. Listen as this Tuscola woman talks about working at the outlets, always wanting to be at work over school, following what she excelled at over what she envisioned for her future, scaling down the dream of a family of five to one…

1
Kelley Harvey. Hello and Goodbye. 1:01:00

3M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Sweet and hardworking, altruistic and loving. She is the definition of selfless and the embodiment of maternal resilience. Listen as this Urbana-born woman breaks free from a traumatic childhood by seeking refuge at a woman's shelter near her neighborhood, prioritizing work over a higher education, eventually getting straight A's and building a car…

1
Alexis Cain. Removing Barriers and Helping the At-Risk Populations. 1:00:10

3M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

She is a ball of energy with a desire to change and help those that don't have a voice. At our first formal meeting she tells me all about her job at our local alternative school. Listen as this townie talks working at the juvenile detention center, earning trust and respect, becoming an accidental liaison for the lost pets in our community, turnin…

1
Lesa Brandt. The Triplets: Lottie, Lola and Blaze. 1:07:58

3M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

When I saw her on stage at That's What She Said 2025, she shined like a diamond. Authentic, sweet and funny. A few messages later, and I got to meet the star for a long-form interview of her performance. Listen as this Farmer City girl talks about the unique spelling of her name, her career in philanthropy, infertility treatments, the heart-wrenchi…

1
Maggie Taylor. The Flower Farmer and Strategic CEO. 1:04:12

4M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Ommmmmmm. She has a calming affect that is unmatched. Flowers, yoga and an overall conscious lifestyle cloaked in spirituality, sustainability, staying grounded and an appreciation for nature. Listen as this Korea-born, nomadic youth and now local business woman shares a story of yoga, the Dahlia diva, gardening, being a librarian, spirituality, lo…

1
Piano Man and and Make Mondays Great Again. 50:31

4M ago50:31

50:31

What a character! What an entertainer! Energy and talent bubble out of this Jim Morrisonesque style icon while he graces the stages of Champaign-Urbana. Listen as this New York transplant talks about his youth as a performer, relative pitch versus perfect pitch, his ongoing residency at Urbana's Canopy Club, the history and resurrection of Piano Ma…

1
Ella & Jeff Scott. The One-Child Policy and Her Story to Tell. 43:34

4M ago43:34

43:34

When you realize someone you have always known strictly as an authority figure has a personal life, you begin to see them in an entirely different way. A dad, a husband, humanized, vulnerable. My former high school teacher had an entire story unfolding outside of the brick and mortar of Central High School. Listen as this tight local father-and-dau…

1
Mahala Kneller. Spontaneous Parenthood and Sibling Adoption, Part 2. 46:59

4M ago46:59

46:59

A lot can happen in two years. On September 12, 2022 the first podcast was released with this single mom. She returns to give a life update on the growth of her family and her heart. Listen as this Urbana gal talks about her move to a small town, going from a mom of one to a mom of two overnight, her faith, her support system, how she manages stres…

1
Andrew & Emily Harrington. Keeping Austin Weird and a Special Guest. 1:05:12

5M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

An early flight. A long-awaited couple's getaway. A welcome third wheel. Listen as my husband and "Tales From Two Townies" road trip warrior talks with our dear friend, Jamie Wellman, on our way to the airport. We reminisce, discuss our Austin plans, talk music and get to know this repeat podcast guest a little better. Festivals, wookies, concerts,…

1
I'm Blind, I'm Deaf and I Want to Be a REF!? 54:53

5M ago54:53

54:53

For the last two seasons of basketball at my son's school, I've watched this gentleman run back-and-forth while relentlessly trying to keep pace with the unwavering energy of middle school boys. Little pay, evening hours and most importantly an onslaught of unhappy customers makes officiating a job that I had to know more about. Listen as this Peso…

1
Amy Miller. Don't Play the Comparison Game and What Would Amy Do? 1:02:28

5M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Two years ago I started working with her to incorporate weights into my weekly routine. She also overhauled the way I eat, view food and think about cardio. Listen as this Oregon native and professional mover (in more ways than one) has returned to the podcast to talk less about her role as an Illini football wife and more about her role as creator…

1
Ali Kreider. Beer and Ice Cream. 1:05:55

5M ago1:05:55

1:05:55

I took notice of her unique approach to fitness on social media. Approachable, fun, silly, doable and high on positivity/low on shame. Listen as this Danville native talks all things New Year's resolutions, ditching the concept of "new year, new you" and adopting a "word of the year," how she views her own body, "cold girl walks," talking to kids a…

1
Jason Rector. The Smokin' Hot Firefighter Stereotype and Three Calls He Will Always Remember. 1:09:40

6M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

I could have talked to Jason about his profession for hours. The dynamics and processes and protocols and community inside the firehouses in Champaign are tightly aligned and something the residents of CU should hear more about. Listen as this multi-generational townie talks about the testing to become a firefighter, the drop in applicants over the…

1
Jon Rector. "Please Don't Leave Me" and Angels Among Us. 1:08:03

6M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

It was a beautiful day. A beautiful day for a walk. A beautiful day for pickleball. A beautiful day to take the afternoon off work. Listen as this multi-generational townie and all around nice guy talks about the day he was hit by a car, the injuries sustained, the recovery, the stranger that held his hand, the EMTs who came to his side and called …

1
Jeff Kaper, Dawn Bane and Renee Beere. Say "Yes" to the Little Things and It's About Relationships. 1:00:43

6M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

A foursome I will never forget. During construction you become entangled with ALL kinds of people. These people are in and out of your most intimate of spaces for what seems like a long time—under typically stressful conditions. This particular group of people made the experience as painless as possible. Listen as three of the Spectrum Design Group…

1
Joe Piercy. From Living Room DIY to HGTV. 58:58

6M ago58:58

58:58

The only competitor of his high-voltage smile is his unwavering energy and passion. This is the fuel he has to have to oversee storefronts, warehouses, construction sites and a "full" family life. Listen as this Champaign-born Charger talks about his move to the big city, finding his partner in life and business, furniture rehabbing from a small sc…

1
Katie Harlan. Once a Cheerleader, Always a Cheerleader and the Evolution of Katie. 1:01:18

6M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

Pure joy. Full of nostalgic references. The easiest conversation. We talk about a hundred different things in under an hour, and we find many parallels along the way. Listen as fellow Central Maroon talks about hosting impromptu luncheons for high schoolers, marrying at twenty with zero regrets, being average at a hundred things (her words-NOT mine…

1
Loren Tate. That Damn Tate and No Ego Necessary. 59:10

7M ago59:10

59:10

His son, Travis, provided a connection and background on this local legend. He lived up to the hype. Sharp and media savvy, this 93-year-old Illini sports expert is a true icon. Listen as this Kentucky born, raised Monticello Sage, University of Illinois grad and media legend talks playing sports, covering sports, his early and current jobs in jour…

1
Stephanie Hoosen. The Lost Child and Many Unknowns. 1:16:45

7M ago1:16:45

1:16:45

Growing, birthing and losing a child at a month old. There is an unimaginable, almost out-of-body feeling to this interview. How does someone have the strength to progress through life after the worst possible thing happens? Listen as this St. Joseph sweetheart opens up about the details of losing her daughter and first born, Reagan. She talks cand…

1
Tyler Underwood. Keeping it Low Key and Present. 38:52

7M ago38:52

38:52

Surprising. He was so unexpectedly humble, thoughtful and intellectual. A self-proclaimed "nerd," Tyler bucks all the jock stereotypes with his articulate answers and analytical thinking. Not to mention sweet, "Home is wherever my family is." Listen as this Macomb, IL born (add many moves in between), now happily rooted in Champaign, University of …

1
Andrew & Emily Harrington. The Halloween Special and the Stolen Skeleton. 45:29

7M ago45:29

45:29

By the time October 31st comes around it can feel like you've already been tricked and treated a dozen times. You're pooped, and your costumes are looking worse for the wear. This Halloween was no different—eventful would put it mildly. Listen as my husband and "Tales From Two Townies" interrupter talks creeping it real in our Halloween costumes, n…

1
Cary Steinman. Franzia Sweat and Regret. 57:30

8M ago57:30

57:30

AF. Alcohol-free. It's a trend sweeping the nation. No hangovers, decreased anxiety, a clear conscience and no sweat and regret. Listen to this Centennial graduate, banker and Champaign native talk about a complete change to his lifestyle, mood, outlook and relationships based on removing a constant and consistent vice. Booze. Cary reflects on his …

1
Nichole Millage. The Boat Trip that Changed Her Life and Making Paralympics a Household Name. 1:12:42

8M ago1:12:42

1:12:42

You can't keep a good girl down. What would depress and ruin many, she used as a flotation device to give her purpose and direction. Listen to this Centennial graduate and Champaign native talk about a 98' boating accident on Clinton Lake, seeking justice without any resolution, finding and using prosthetics, taking an athletic background and findi…

1
Scott Cochrane. I'm Not Eccentric, I'm Authentic and Raising the Bar. 51:19

8M ago51:19

51:19

He was full of good advice, warm and talkative. Easy to get along with. He is the type of person that will always say hi and always stop to have a conversation. Smart. He will tell you some of the best decisions he ever made were the ones he didn't. He will also tell you he loves taking risks, but he wants to take less and less in the next phase of…

1
Blake Goodman. A Diamond in the Rough and Living as a Female Iron Worker. 50:46

8M ago50:46

50:46

What a doll. I could literally picture her day-to-day baddasery while working alongside a crew of men. The constant battle to prove herself, learn the most and be her best while keeping her femininity hidden behind neon work shirts and ponytails. Listen as this Villa Grove gal talks about her family history in iron working, how her parents met in t…

1
Cedar King. Alcoholism Doesn’t Run in My Family, it Drag Races and Paper Thin Support. 1:09:25

9M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

From afar, I've seen his comments and likes. His support. I asked him to tell his story, as I had a hunch there was one there. Listen as this Michigan transplant, born Edward John King, talks disordered eating, working at a non-profit, decades of sobriety, codependency, mental health struggles, the unwanted hand-me-downs that come with a family of …

1
Andrew & Emily Harrington. The Wheels Fell Off and Listener Complaints. 1:20:56

9M ago1:20:56

1:20:56

On one of our MANY road trips this summer, in the wee hours of the morning, we talk and talk and talk about everything and nothing. Listen as my husband and "Tales From Two Townies" segment producer talk more basement sewage problems, stress, the Illinois Football NIL deal, the band no one has ever heard of, the disaster of a camp drop off, Andrew'…

1
Mike Carpenter. A Polarizing Fan and the Shark Fin. 1:15:43

9M ago1:15:43

1:15:43

Some call him polarizing, some call him an honest fan, an Illini expert and a media personality, he is entertaining, well spoken and not afraid to state his opinion. Listen as this Urbana native talks podcasting, his professional background in radio, his unique hair routine, teaching at a local public middle school, the state of modern kids, taking…

1
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Galaras. A Woman Gave Birth in the Parking Lot and the Patient She Will Never Forget. 58:59

9M ago58:59

58:59

A reunion, an interview a reflection on the moment I want to forget and the moments she will never forget. Working in the Emergency Department is full of the good, the bad and the ugly. The heroes that work the floor deserve more accolades than this podcast could possibly provide. Still, thank you. Thank you for all you do. Listen as this Champaign…

1
Courtney McKay. My Day is Not My Own and the Stolen Recipe. 55:33

10M ago55:33

55:33

More than a year ago I emailed this local business owner. Since the inception of HyperLocal(s) I wanted her to come on the podcast. I wanted to tell her what an imprint her family's business made on my childhood. Thankfully, my email made it to the top of her inbox, and we were able to sit down and talk shop. Listen as this Urbana made mother of tw…

1
Michelle Stallmeyer. A Stomach the Size of a Banana and the Secret to a Happy Marriage. 50:33

10M ago50:33

50:33

Articulate and sweet and obviously loved, Michelle has been through it. However, she has been through it with her high school sweetheart by her side. Listen as this Centennial High School graduate talks not having prescription coverage during kidney failure, a close circle raising more than $70,000 to help pay for prescriptions, undergoing three ki…

1
Ellen Hook. Caring for the Barn Before the House and Marrying an Abercrombie Model. 1:06:27

10M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

She's a mom at my school, and I didn't even know it! Maybe I need to open my eyes more, look up in the hallway and make an effort to know the parents around me. Many of us are so much more than what we see on the surface. Not only are we balancing the biggest job of raising kids, but some of us are keeping massive companies thriving, a family legac…

1
Dalitso Sulamoyo. Transplanted from Africa to Middle America and Surviving on the Kindness of Strangers. 54:05

10M ago54:05

54:05

Unexpected. This interview was an honest conversation about what I take for granted. It's a luxury for most—growing up in a place where opportunity is abundant. Dalitso came to the states for an education with few directions and not enough money to house and feed himself. Listen as this born Malawian moves himself from Africa to the Midwest in sear…

1
Sarah Bloomstrand. Falling in Love in an Ambulance and Working in the ER. 56:03

10M ago56:03

56:03

This gal is 100 percent good, authentic and sweet. She is a ray of light. If you come in contact with her in or outside of the Emergency Department, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. I do! Listen as this Galesburg transplant made her way slowly but surely to Champaign-Urbana where she has planted her roots and grew her family. Married to a p…

1
Claire Pritchard. NICU Noises and Removing All the Barriers. 59:20

11M ago59:20

59:20

Most teachers don't get a unanimous vote of AWESOME from all their students. This one, however, does. Mrs. Pritchard appreciates that all kids learn differently, all kids ARE different, school should be fun and experienced through projects. Listen as this Chicago suburb transplants to our town of CU with her townie husband and young son. This mom f…

1
The Bumba Brothers: Adonai & Peace. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing and Make Some Shake. 49:33

11M ago49:33

49:33

These two absolute shining stars taught me a lot. When they left Kitchen Table Studios, I was in a better mood than when we started. Wise beyond their years, these brothers should be so proud of their accomplishments. I'm excited to see them soar in the upcoming years. Listen as these Urbana brothers explain their parent's journey from the African …

1
Kaitlyn Cornell. Fat Chance and Weight-Loss Drug Talk. 1:01:56

11M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Disordered eating and eating disorders have changed in terms of language, scope and target demographic. What used to be a common topic in library books and after school specials is now talked about less as other mental health topics take center stage. However, more than ever with social media, weight loss drugs and misinformation, disordered eating…

1
Austin Beaty. Fishing Over Hunting Philosophy and the GOAT of Quote. 50:57

11M ago50:57

50:57

Insurance is supposed to be dry. Not a lot of flair, color and charisma involved. Austin bucks that stereotype. His education in communications and creative outlets bring a fresh perspective to the industry, and sales, in general. Listen as this Southern Illinois boy meets even more southern girl and builds a family and a business here in C-U. By d…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Two C S In A Pod Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen