Episode 130: Eric James-Field Ready
In this captivating episode of Inside the Skev, we welcomed Dr. Eric James, a stalwart in international development and humanitarian aid, to discuss his extensive career and the innovative approaches he's championed in the field. Hailing from Evanston and a proud alumnus of Evanston Township High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Dr. James brought his unique blend of local insights and global perspectives to our discussion.
Episode 129: The Essence of Skevanston: A Conversation with Dick Peach
In this enlightening episode of "Inside the Skev," host Aaron Masliansky engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Dick Peach, a pivotal figure in the Skevanston and Evanston communities. Known for his extensive involvement in various facets of community life, Dick shares his rich experiences, from growing up in a rural-like Skokie to leading significant community initiatives. His roles as the President of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Evanston, along with his contributions to local high schools, environmental efforts, and vocational learning, are just a few highlights of his remarkable journey. This episode promises a wealth of insights into community leadership, the power of involvement, and the evolution of the Skevanston area.
Episode 128: Earth Day Celebration and Environmental Initiatives at Evanston Ecology Center
Welcome to Inside the Skev, the podcast that explores the important stories shaping our community. In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky speaks with Matt Poole and Margaret Isaacson, dedicated professionals at the Evanston Ecology Center. The Evanston Ecology Center is an integral part of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Evanston, fostering environmental awareness and promoting outdoor recreation throughout the community. Matt, the Recreation Manager, and Margaret, the Program Coordinator, share their passion and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Episode 126: The Aux
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Tosha Wilson, Tiffini Holmes and Jaqui White, who are co-developers of the Aux, which is a planned commercial hub dedicated to racial equity and wellness in Evanston.
Episode 120: Peloton in the Skev
This week on Inside the Skev we speak with my wife, Stacey Masliansky from Brainlinks Academics, Inc about an upcoming event at the Peloton Store at Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie. Taking place on Sunday, October 23rd from 9-11am at the Peloton Store at Westfield Old Orchard Mall (Skokie)
Episode 118: Judith Horwitz Glassenberg - Erie Family Health
This week on Inside the Skev we meet Dr. Judith Glasseneberg. Judith is a pediatrician and the co-Site Medical Director with Erie Evanston/Skokie Health and Dental Center. She has been with them since 2013. Judith recently travelled to Poland to help Ukrainian War refugees and has also helped the migrants who recently arrived in Chicago.
Episode 112: Roger Knuth- President and CEO of Lapin Systems
This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Roger Knuth, President and CEO of Lapin Systems. Lapin is Chicagolands Premier Macintosh and PC Service, Repair, and Support Provider. Roger launched Lapin out of his home in the mid-1990s after noticing a lack of proper Mac support in the Chicagoland area. By the year 2000, Lapin’s new storefront had grown enough to become an anchor of the Evanston small business community and a destination for Mac users throughout the North Shore. Lapin now has its main location 2034 N Halsted St in Chicago and a secondary location at 2934 Central Street in Evanston.
Episode 108: Diana Hamann-The Wine Goddess
In this episode, we sit down with Diana Hamann, the Wine Goddess. After graduating from the University of California Berkeley with a Literature degree, she fell into the wine business. After starting as a wine buyer for the Whole Foods in Palo Alto, she worked on the buying team for Wine.com, Napa, and then later returned to her native Chicago. She has consulted for top name resturants such as Japonais, Le Colonial, Le Passage, and Fox & Obel; facilitated programs for the Wine Discount Center; and peddled wine for Vin Divino. In 2012, she opened the Wine Goddess, and has been innovating ever since.
Episode 107: Daniel Aschheim-Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Midwest
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Aschheim. He currently serves as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. He was appointed to this Chicago-based post in September of 2020 where he assumed the role as Consul for Public Diplomacy serving as the spokesperson for the Consulate's nine-state Midwestern region. This episode is also being released on my sister podcast, The Real Estate Diplomat.
Episode 106: Chanel Jeon from TeaRex Bubble Tea Cafe
This week on Inside the Skev, are joined by Chanel Jeon, co-Founder of TeaRex Bubble Tea Café. Chanel opened the store with her husband Clay, in 2017. Subsequently they have opened a second location in Nles. In this episode we talk about why she shifted her career from being a teacher to running a business, why she opened in Skokie, and what makes her bubble tea so special.
TeaRex is located at 5237 Golf Rd, Skokie, IL 60077 and 9109 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714. They can be found on Facebook and Instagram @bubbletearex.
Episode 105: Fritz Kaegi-Cook County Assessor 2022 Update
This week on Inside the Skev, are rejoined by Fritz Kaegi, the Cook County Assessor. Since assuming office in 2018, Fritz has striven to bring fairness, ethics and transparency to the Cook County Assessor’s Office with a vision focused on operational changes, technological upgrades, and the elimination of favoritism. We will talk about how he has accomplished his goals, what property owners should know about the property tax system in Cook County and how Covid is affecting property valuations. We also discuss the upcoming elections.
Episode 104: Jane Shapiro - Orot: Center for Jewish Learning
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jane Shapiro, the co-founder of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning. Jane has been involved in Jewish education for over three decades, and is a pillar of the Evanston/Skevanston community. We first discuss her family's deep roots to Evanston and real estate, and then learn about her career in education.
Orot offers classes, programs, and retreats that provides opportunities for cultivating transformative habits of body, heart, and mind that lead to greater life wisdom, meaning, and compassion. Orot designs learning experiences that integrate ancient Jewish wisdom with meditation, yoga, music, art, and creative writing in an attempt to empower and support individuals as they open up new pathways into Jewish meaning and look to use Judaism as a source for personal, relational, and communal transformation.
Episode 102: Inside the Skev is Back! Catching up with Downtown Evanston
Inside the Skev is back! After a one year hiatus, the show returns to catch up on everything happening in Skokie and Evanston. To mark the return, we are joined by Annie Coakley, from the Downtown Evanston organization. Annie returns to the show to update us on everything new in Downtown Evanston, and how it has weather the storm of the pandemic. Annie is the executive director of Downtown Evanston, which was created in 1987, and provides marketing and management services to the downtown Evanston, Illinois district and is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation for business.
Episode 100: Piven Theatre and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jennifer Green, the Artistic Director of Piven Theatre and Ellen Placey Wadey, Program Director for Chicago Artistic Vitality and Collections from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. For 45 years, the Evanston based Piven Theatre Workshop has remained a nationally respected acting school and professional theatre. Piven is supported by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. The Foundation seeks to sustain and build resilient, engaged and equitable communities in the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina by supporting conservation, arts, and collecting organizations in a variety of ways.
Episode 99: Alan Moy-Viet Nom Nom
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alan Moy, the owner of Viet Nom Nom. Viet Nom Nom is a Vietnamese-inspired fast casual restaurant located in Downtown Evanston at 618 ½ Church Street. They serve a craft, health-inspired menu and strive to put a modern, unique fingerprint on traditional Vietnamese dishes that appeal to all walks of life, while offering customers better-for-you food.
Episode 98: Alecia Wartowski-Foundation65
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alecia Wartowski, Executive Director of Foundation65. In this episode we will discuss the Foundation’s mission, its role during the pandemic and its vision for the future.
Episode 96: Roger Sosa-Evanston Chamber of Commerce
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Roger Sosa, the Executive Director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. In this episode we discuss the Chambers mission, its role during the pandemic and its vision for the future.
Episode 95: Michael Edgar from GWDC/SelectChicago®
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Michael Edgar, President of GWDC/SelectChicago. SelectChicago® is a curated program helping foreign investors and international businesses tap into regional Chicago area economic development programs. The organization has a large impact on bringing global investment to Skokie and Evanston.
Episode 94: Evanston/Skokie School District 65-Dr. Devon Horton and Joseph Hailpern
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, and Joseph Hailpern, District 65 Board Member. Dr. Horton joined the District 65 team in 2020. We will discuss how the district has responded to the pandemic, instituted social equity, and is preparing for the future.
Episode 89: Rebecca Cacayuran-Evanston Community Foundation
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined Rebecca Cacayuran, the VP for Community Investment at the Evanston Community Foundation. Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation helps Evanston thrive now and forever as a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community. It builds, connects, and distributes resources and knowledge through local organizations for the common good. The Foundation builds endowments for current and future opportunities, fosters private philanthropy, focuses the impact of collective giving, finds solutions to community challenges, allocates grants, and provides leadership training. They have been instrumental in supporting Evanston organizations throughout the pandemic.