Batavia Public School Superintendent Tom Kim was forced to grow up fast. But as a second generation immigrant surrounded by family, teachers, and mentors willing to help him achieve his goals, he found his place in the world. Now, he's looking to do his same for Batavia's children. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with Tom Kim …

This episode was first published on March 8, 2024. Building on a successful candle-business, Ariane Scholl wanted to create a space that was welcoming, people-oriented, and comfortable. And with her new location, she found a place perfectly situated to accomodate anyone. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, I talked to Ariane (who also goes by An…

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Zen Loft Collective, a collection of wellness spaces located in the heart of downtown Batavia. Register now to receive $20 off a class or package with the code AREACODE. Kelly Vida has always dreamed of creating a supportive community space for women. When the chance to turn her aspirations into re…

Before Paula Mueller started Paula’s Couture Consignment, she was a stay at home mom, and a self-described 'follower'. But after a painful period in her life, she found the courage to pursue her passion for fashion and establish a business that doubles as a safe haven. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the owner of Paula's …

Jo Colagiacomi and Jay Weichun are not afraid to dream. When they moved to the midwest, they brought with them a dream of a vegan bakery that opened its doors to all, vegan or not. Now they're living that dream. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, I spoke to Jo Colagiacomi about how she combined her conviction, her passion for food, and her inve…

This is part two of a pair of conversations with the Batavia Mayoral candidates. You can hear our conversation with mayoral challenger, Tom Connelly, in the previous episode. Since 1981, Mayor Jeff Schielke has been a fixture in the community of Batavia, drawing on a rich tapestry of historical knowledge passed down through six generations. With an…

For the next two episodes, we'll be featuring a pair of conversations with the Batavia Mayoral candidates. In 2018, Tom Connelly found a home in the community of Batavia. And from the beginning, he set out to make a difference in his town through local government. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, we speak to the attorney and former alderman a…

As we round out our end of the year coverage, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look back at last year and at the podcast since it began one year ago. On this episode, I revisit the five (okay, six) most popular episodes of the year, and talk through the ways each conversation impacted me personally as a Batavia resident. This episode of …

In 2024 there were new businesses, a new mayoral challenger, tornadoes, mysterious foam, and unnerving things in the walls. It can be easy to forget how much has happened in a year, so we thought it would be a good idea to set aside some time to take a look back. This episode: Sam Kraft, the man behind Tri-Cities Central, returns to the podcast to …

For Steve Warrenfeltz, starting a record store was a lifelong dream. Once he shared that dream with a friend, it became inescapable. And after more than 30 years, Steve and his friend, Mike, made that dream a reality. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the owner of Kiss The Sky about why he chose Batavia as the home of Kiss …

It's the busiest shopping weekend of the year, and shopping local isn't just a worthy cause: it's a great way to get more meaningful gifts for those you love. This week, we go holiday shopping in the heart of downtown Batavia with former guest, Jamie Saam. Listen in as we walk-and-talk about the myriad of options for everyone in your life. As a co-…

This week, I welcome Sam Kraft, the publisher behind Tri-Cities Central to the podcast to discuss Thanksgiving traditions in Batavia, specific opportunities to experience belong in the area during the holidays, and what we Batavians have to be thankful for this year. Tri-Cities Central is an absolutely essential newsletter for listeners of this pod…

To commemorate Area Code: Batavia's 20th episode, I've invited our collaborators, Ben Wydra and Lauren Purdy from Plimsoll, to take a look back on what the stories we heard in the previous episodes of the podcast meant to us, and what they mean for our community. We talk about how COVID disrupted and deepened the stories of so many, whether or not …

When David Fraccaro and Claudia Kabanyana host "Becoming Neighbors," they're taking part in a unique and messy exercise of hope and potential. So what exactly are the risks and rewards of exploring our differences? On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the people behind the quarterly gathering that brings people together in a p…

Joanne Spitz is the co-chair of CHIP IN Batavia, a non-profit that works to ensure every child in our town has the opportunity to thrive - from basic necessities to prom dresses and college laptops. But Joanne's story isn't just about helping others belong. It's also about her own journey to find her place in Batavia over the past 32 years. In this…

Logan Street Missionary Baptist Church, located just east of the river off of N. Washington Avenue and currently pastored by Rev. David J. Seymour, wasn't created in a vacuum - it was founded based on a need for black Batavians to have a place to go where they felt safe, comfortable, and accepted. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversati…

After receiving so much support from his community as a high school student, Dennis Piron felt obligated to succeed. But after trying his hand in the business world, he quickly realized that giving back to Batavia was the best way to find fulfillment. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, I spoke to the Batavia High School football and track and f…

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a walking tour with local sculptor and art booster, Bill McGrath. As a board member of Water Street Studios and a former city administrator, Bill is the ideal person to lead us through downtown and walk us through the unique artistic landscape that makes up the downtown environment. Feel free to listen to this…

We might take the Batavia Creamery for granted now, but its fate wasn't always so cut and dry. After working as a Baskin Robbins franchisee, Kirk Jansons wanted to sell ice cream on his own terms. But challenges with the bridge and COVID threw the whole thing into question. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the owner of the…

Bridget Johnson, a Cuban immigrant, and Thomas Freeman, a Chicago south-side native, shared a dream. But their perspectives on that dream have been drastically different. And complimentary collaboration is exactly what makes Red Hive Market work so well. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with Bridget and Tom about creating a div…

Hey everybody. We're dropping into your feed on an off week to let you know about a new segment: "Settling In." On each installment of "Settling In," we'll be diving deeper into what it means to make Batavia home,  with insights and advice from our title sponsor, local real estate expert, Kristine Clemens of @Properties Christies International Real…

Walk around Batavia's downtown and you'll see a host of women-led businesses, of all kinds. But it wasn't always this way. It happened because of people like Start Something Studio's Jamie Saam, who put collaboration and mutual support ahead of a solely competitive mindset. In addition to being the owner of Bulldog Plumbing and the co-founder of St…

As we continue to explore the significance of flags in the Batavia community, we talk about the origins and impact of the Batavia Community flag, and the Unity Pride flag, relatively new symbols in the town. Featured on this episode: Flag expert Marty Callahan, chair of the Batavia flag design contest committee High school student Rachel Agro, desi…

The day this episode is released, June 14th, is Flag Day, and it's the first Flag Day to be observed at Batavia's brand new Flag Day Monument. Meanwhile, across the lawn of the Pegbond Center, a few other flags are flying. What is it about flags that instills such reverence in those whose community they represent?And what role do flags play in this…

When Austin Dempsey had the opportunity to step into a long-term leadership role in the family business, he took it. But in the face of a global pandemic, he recognized how investing in Batavia's community would pay off for everyone in the long run. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the CEO of BEI Commercial Real Estate abo…

Every year, an entirely new group of entrepreneurs set up shop on the corner of Wilson and River street, with their hearts set of finding a home and community in Batavia. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, we talk to all the boardwalk shop owners about their hopes for their time in Batavia, what led them here, and what it means to be part of th…

For the latest episode of Podcasting For Humans, I spoke with Jamie Golden, co-host of The Popcast, about her fascinating journey in podcasting. Jamie and I talked at length about the unexpected turns and constant changes she's faced throughout the years, and how she's learned to embrace the chaos and find her own unique voice along the way. We div…

Craig Foltos grew up in Batavia, cleaning his Dad's barber shop. He has almost never ventured outside of the town where he was raised (once he stayed overnight in Warrenville). But when his dad died, Craig had to come to terms with his fate, as a barber, as a Batavian, and as a consistent presence in a constantly changing town. On this episode of A…

A "blind date" between two beer aficionados. A day spent praying and fasting. A wedding invitation with a familiar passage. A pre-designed logo featuring a familiar building. These are just some of the serendipitous moments that lead to Sturdy Shelter Brewing, and that made the founding of the brewery in Batavia, IL seem almost fated. On this episo…

When Juliana Cancelo's mom, Sylvia Sanchez had a dream of Batavians craving empanadas, Juliana was skeptical. But it took a change of perspective to realize that her mom's dream could also be an act of empathy and resistance. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation Juliana Cancelo, one-half of the Bocaditos founding duo, about the cou…

When Tyler and Natalie Anderson set out to start their own barbershop in Batavia, they knew they wanted to make it their own. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the co-owners of Beardsgaard Barbers about why they chose Batavia to host their vision, and why they're so passionate about creating a barbershop as a place to belon…

Last week, I had a conversation with Danielle Desir Corbett, a seasoned travel creator and the host of 'The Thought Card' and 'Road Trip Ready.’ We talked about Danielle's transition from blogging to podcasting in spite of her audience’s initial opposition, and the ways her career has changed after years of podcasting. Danielle has some lived exper…

Building on a successful candle-business, Ariane Scholl wanted to create a space that was welcoming, people-oriented, and comfortable. And with her new location, she found a place perfectly situated to accomodate anyone. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, I talked to Ariane (who also goes by Annie) about the tensions between creating a space th…

This week, I spoke to Kirk Hamilton, a co-host on Triple Click and the creator and host of Strong Songs. Strong Songs is a critically acclaimed music podcast that has been recommended by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and won the support of popular podcasters Merlin Mann and Leigh Sales. I spoke to Kirk about how the decentralized nature of podcasting made St…

Fernando Martinez is everywhere. He spends most of his time running his business all over town. But how does one feel a sense of belonging when they're always moving from place to place? On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, I talk to Fernando Martinez about the tension between tradition and progress, and how that tension applies to Mexican food, …

In the first edition of a new, more open-ended approach to Podcasting for Humans, I spoke to Katelyn Beaty, the co-host of Saved By The City. In addition to her podcasting work, she’s also a writer, and the difference between writing and podcasting is not lost on her: “I’m a lefty. And writing will always be my left hand. Podcasting has been like t…

Joy and Leah had a dream of running a thriving community space. When the chance to turn their aspirations into reality presented itself, Leah and Joy jumped at the opportunity. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the co-owners of Limestone Coffee and Tea about how their friendship began, their experience in Batavia, and the r…

Podcasting for Humans is known for “honest conversations about podcasting problems,” but we're making a slight pivot this year. In our new format, we’ll be featuring “honest conversations about the art and heart of podcasting.” Starting next week, the podcast will have a slightly different feel, but the core will remain the same: exploring human si…

This week, I had the opportunity to speak to Grammy-nominated musician and producer, Yons. This has been an eventful year for Yons. In addition to finding himself with his first-ever Grammy nomination, he’s been producing two extremely distinct podcasts, helping them with everything from the technical side of recording and production, to providing …

Coming this February, a podcast about what it means to belong in Batavia, IL.By Area Code Audio

This week: Jessica Schroeder is preparing to start an entirely new podcast, and she’s trying to figure out how to best find her people. I very much appreciate this framing more than the typical “how do I grow my audience” question, not only because it’s simply more interesting and asked less often, but because it’s a question that gets to a deeper …

I hate monologuing (i talk more about why in this episode), but I’m devoting an episode to just talking to you, the listener, about what I learned from this year about the art of podcasting. Here’s what I came up with: * We Don’t Even Know What Podcasting Really Is Yet * Podcasting and Video Are Having a Moment: One of the most significant developm…

We're all drawn to podcasting for different reasons: creative expression, social connection, the opportunity for personal growth and self discovery. But those reasons often become second-tier when we're faced with the realities of making a podcast. The more invested we become, the more we actually have to invest, meaning questions of sustainability…

This week I welcomed Alex, veteran host behind the hobby podcast Time For Your Hobby, a podcast that’s gone well beyond the 200 episode mark. As someone who's witnessed the podcasting world evolve for over half a decade, Alex has noticed a change to the podcasting world over the years. What began for many of us as a collaborative medium driven by c…

Chris Staron pours his heart and soul into making sure each episode of Truce meets his standards, and he wants to release on a consistent schedule. But sometimes life gets in the way. We explore: The tension between podcast episode quality vs. quantity The real reason a podcast's Patreon subscribers are supporting your podcast Sharing your podcast'…

After 200 episodes, Ellen Weatherford, finds herself itching to shake up her successful animal review podcast, Just the Zoo Of Us. How could she keep things fresh without disappointing loyal fans? We dive into the psychology behind her distaste for routine, exploring how to balance audience expectations with personal creative needs. We explore: Nav…

Matthew Bliss has worked hard to curate and craft a video game news experience that is both entertaining and informative, without all the fluff and clickbait that often dominates other gaming outlets. But what should he do with the suspicion that some of his listeners would simply rather read the headlines and move on? We explore: Whether or not po…

Kelly Wolfe started a podcast for people like her, and she's talking to people she's always wanted to talk to. But you know what they say about meeting your heroes... We explore: What to do when your guests aren't meeting your expectations How to prepare your guests for your show How awkward moments can affect a podcast The importance of calling ou…

Kiel Hauck has been producing successful music podcast, Long Live the Music, for years. It was always supposed to be for fun. Now that his life has changed, he has less time to keep up the consistency. So what can he do with the shame he feels when he drops the ball? We explore: How podcasting is good for friendships When consistency is important f…

Arielle Nissenblatt runs a podcast recommendations newsletter and a podcast called Feedback with Earbuds. But lately she's been wondering if there's really an audience for a podcast made up entirely of other podcast episode recommendations. We explore: The nature of typical podcast listening habits Newsletter vs. podcast audiences The role video pl…