Episode 91: Raffi Arzoumanian- a+c architects
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Raffi Arzoumanian. Raffi founded a+c architects in 1993 in the spirit of forming lasting partnerships with clients and communities through architecture and design. A designer’s designer, he brings a unique vision to every project, delivering solutions that marry functionality with innovation. a + c architects is located in Skokie, and several of their designs have been built throughout the area.
Episode 66: Lena Kim-niceLena & Friends
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Lena Kim from niceLena & Friends. niceLena & Friends is a crafts shop located at 1235 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, in the Main Dempster Mile. Lena says incredibly innovative and custom crafts including prints, candles, mugs, cards and so much more. We talk about her innovative and engaging marketing efforts including the fairy door project, crafting parties in the store and her fun social media posts. We also talk about Lena’s background as moving to America as a 10 year old from South Korea and how that has taught her to be so creative.
Episode 61: Reavens Lee-SparkRaw Media
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Reavens Lee from SparkRaw Media. SparkRaw helps entrepreneurs and businesses to "videolize" the buyer's journey to close the gaps between prospects, customers, and teams without losing their authenticity. They are video experience designers. We talk about Reavens’ journey from Taiwan, her struggles with explaining the value of her work to her family and having the bravery and dedication to become a huge success. SparkRaw has also been instrumental in helping Inside the Skev with the creation of the trailer video, the video of the MWRD O’Brien Facility and the interview of TM Garret.
Episode 55:Tenzin Jamyang-Tibetan Alliance of Chicago
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Tenzin Jamyang from the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago which is located in Evanston. Tenzin was born and raised in Dharamsala, India. He came to the United States after winning the lottery for an immigration visa under the Tibetan Resettlement Project. Tibetan Alliance of Chicago (“TAC”) is a registered 501 3(c) not-for-profit organization seeking to preserve Tibetan heritage and serving the needs of the Tibetan community in Chicago.
Episode 52: TM Garret-Erasing the Hate
Recorded before a live audience, listen to this interview with TM Garret , co-hosted with the Simon Wiesenthal Center. TM Garret, is a German-American author, producer, filmmaker, marketing expert, radio personality, former white supremacist leader turned human rights activist and founder of C.H.A.N.G.E, a Memphis-based non-profit organization which engages in community outreach programs, food drives, seminars, anti-racism campaigns and anti-violence campaigns.
Episode 51: Ilene Uhlmann-JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Ilene Uhlmann who is the Director of Arts and Ideas Programming for JCC Chicago. Ilene is in charge of running the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival. Come see me moderate two discussions with the filmmakers during the festival; the first being, Shepherd, the Story of a Jewish Dog on March 8th, and the second being, Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations on March 15th.
Episode 50: Aaron Masliansky-Inside the Skev
This week, the 50th episode on Inside the Skev, I flip the table on myself, and take up an offer from former guest Victoria Reeves to interview me, Aaron Masliansky! In this episode, you will learn what inspired me to start Inside the Skev, my life, passions and profession.
Episode 39: Brad Sugar-American Jewish World Service
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Brad Sugar from American Jewish World Service (AJWS). Brad is a Skevanston resident, longtime friend, Northwestern University Kellogg MBA graduate and works in AJWS’ local Chicago office.
Episode 38: Susan Abrams-Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Susan Abrams, the CEO of The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Located in Skokie, the Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost and by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference.
Episode 35: Kevin Francis-JaHbat FC
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Kevin Francis from JaHbat F.C. JaHbat FC is committed to the development and advancement of youth soccer in the Chicagoland, Northshore and West Suburb area.
Episode 34: Khemarey Khoeun and Punisa Pov-Skokie Park District and the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Khemarey Khoeun and Punisa Pov. Khem is a Skokie Park District Commissioner, and the President of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial.
Episode 33: Juliana Taimoorazy-Iraqi Christian Relief Council and the Philos Project
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Juliana Taimoorazy. Juliana is the Founder and President of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council, a Senior Fellow at the Philos Project and a Skokie resident..
Episode 32: Sean Simpson-Lanzatech
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Sean Simpson, the co-founder of Lanzatech. LanzaTech is based in the Illinois Science and Technology Park that is located in Downtown Skokie. Lanzatech is a company that recycles carbon waste from steel mills and other carbon producers and turns it into fuel and chemical by-products. In this episode we discuss what brought Lanzatech from New Zealand to the Chicagoland area and specifically Skokie, and what they do.
Episode 29: Sketchbook Brewing Company
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” with Cesar Maron and Shawn Decker from Sketchbook Brewery. Sketchbook Brewery is located at 821 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202 and are building a second facility at 4901 Main Street, Skokie, IL 60077. First opened to the public on November 15, 2014, Sketchbook has come a long way from its early days filling growlers from an alley. Fueled by fierce customer loyalty and a passion for brewing excellence, this Evanston success story is expanding its distribution of cans and kegs quickly.
Episode 25: Lori Lippitz-The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
This week on, “Inside the Skev” we interview Lorri Lippitz from the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. We discuss her passion for music, Yiddish and connections to Jewish culture through music. We also discuss her goals in sustaining music and Yiddish to future generations and how children can enter this world.
Episode 19: Ignite Gaming
In this episode, we sit down with brothers Flavius Maximus and Sam Oanta, the owners of Ignite Gaming. Ignite Gaming is a premier e-gaming lounge with locations in Skokie and Chicago. The Skokie location recently opened on Skokie Boulevard directly across the street from the CTA Yellow Line's Oakton stop.
Episode 15: Yuval Degani-President of Dream Town Realty
In this episode, we hear the story of Yuval Degani, the owner of Dreamtown Realty. Yuval started Dreamtown in 1998 from scratch. Capitalizing on the early internet, he developed a website that was ahead of its time, and helped lead to explosive growth. Now he leads a company with over 400 agents spread out in offices across Chicago and Evanston.