Episode 49: Dr. Eric Witherspoon-Evanston Township High School
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Dr. Eric Witherspoon, the Superintendent of Evanston Township High School District 202 (ETHS). We talk about his background, what ETHS offers and the exciting new partnership with Oakton Community College.
Episode 48: Paul Hletko-FEW Spirits
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Paul Hletko, the Founder and Master Distiller at FEW Spirits in Evanston. In this episode we talk about why Paul decided to open up FEW Spirits in 2011 after a career in the law and music industry and used his creativity to make award winning craft whiskey and gin that is now sold in 4 continents.
Episode 47: Dr. Jenny Thompson-Evanston History Center
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Dr. Jenny Thompson. Dr. Thompson is the Director of Education at the Evanston History Center. She recently wrote, “The Takeover 1968,” which provides an in-depth look at what started on May 3, 1968, when a group of Black students at Northwestern University made headlines when they occupied the university’s main financial building and announced that they would not leave until their demands were met. We discuss the book, the History Center and the history of Evanston.
Episode 46: Victoria Reeves-Brassy + Intrepid and Soul Stories Live
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Victoria Reeves. Victoria is a true renaissance woman; from her one-woman show Brassy + Intrepid about her life, her monthly spoken word/sound experience Soul Stories Live at the Firehouse Grill in Evanston; teaching at Y.O.U; and her consulting work as a creativity/career coach . We explore all of these facets of her life in this fascinating conversation.
Episode 45: Brandis Friedman-Chicago Tonight
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Brandis Friedman, Skevanston resident and co-host of, “Chicago Tonight.” Chicago Tonight is a television news program broadcast weeknight on WTTW in Chicago. It reports primarily on local politics, education, business, culture, science and health, with a mix of in-studio panel discussions, one-on-one interviews and short documentary-style packages. We discuss the show, media, and Brandis’ story.
Episode 44: Brittany McGhee-The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Brittany McGhee, the Assistant Director of Next Generation at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight on critical global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue about what is happening in the world and why it matters to people in Chicago, the United States, and around the globe.
Episode 41: Kayla Strauss-Looking Glass Pet Shop
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Kayla Strauss from the Looking Glass Pet Shop. Kayla recently purchased Not Just Thee Fishbowl. The Shop was formerly Not Just Thee Fish Bowl, and changed hands after 40 years of ownership by one family. Kayla is deeply devoted to her store and the animals and she has renovated the space and put her own stamp on it.
Episode 40: Its Skokie on Inside the Skev
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Scott Holtz and Ilene Collins from the, “it’s Skokie,” podcast. “It’s Skokie,” is another podcast that chronicles the people and the businesses and happenings of Skokie.
Episode 37: Dave Rahija-NorthShore University HealthSystem
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Dave Rahija from Northshore University Healthsystem. Dave is the President of the Skokie Hospital. In this episode we discuss the history of the hospital and the organization, the change to hospital specialization, the healthcare industry and Dave’s background in medicine.
Episode 36: Dino Robinson-Shorefront Legacy Center
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Dino Robinson. Dino is the founder of the Shorefront Legacy Center. Shorefront collects, preserves and educates people about Black history on Chicago’s suburban North Shore. We discuss the origins of the Center, it’s growth and future. We also discuss the roots of segregation in housing in Evanston, and the topic of reparations in Evanston.
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 28: David Sutton-Sutton Studios
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with David Sutton from Sutton Studios. David has been a photographer for many years and specializes in taking square black and white photos of people and their pets. He is also a musician and writer. He is located in Skevanston at the corner of East Prairie Road and Church Street at 3417 Church Street Evanston, IL, 60203.
Episode 27: Elisabeth Foran-Industrious
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we sit down with Elisabeth Foran, the community manager at the Industrious coworking space in Downtown Evanston. We talk about what coworking is, what Industrious offers and how Elisabeth got to this position.
Episode 26: Nina Barrett-Bookends and Beginnings
This week on, “Inside the Skev,” we interview Nina Barrett the owner of Bookends and Beginnings. Bookends and Beginnings is an independent bookstore located in, “Bookman’s Alley,” located at 1712 Sherman Ave, Alley #1 Evanston, IL 60201. We discuss her ties to the store, why she became a bookstore owner, the book selling industry, her career in writing and her connection to Evanston. Her store is purpose driven in a personal way.
Episode 23: Inside the Evanston-Mayor Steve Hagerty
This week on, “Inside the Skev” we interview Mayor Steve Hagerty from the City of Evanston. Mayor Hagerty discusses his passion for being mayor, his triumphs, his challenges, his hopes and his passions. He also discusses new development projects in the area, both private and public like the new Robert Crown Center and the redesigned Fountain Square.
Episode 22: Inside the Skokie-Mayor George Van Dusen and Trustee Karen Gray-Keeler
In this episode, we sit down with Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen and Trustee Karen Gray-Keeler. We discuss their motivation, how to become civically engaged and what new things are happening in Skokie.
Episode 20: Katherine Gotsick-The Main Dempster Mile
In this episode, we sit down Katherine Gotsick, the executive director of the Main Dempster Mile. The Main Dempster Mile is a Special Service Area for the commercial districts that currently make up the Chicago/Dempster business district and the Main Street business district.
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 18: YWCA-Evanston/Shore
In this episode, we sit down with the leaders of the YWCA/North Shore which includes Karen Singer, the CEO of the organization, Tiffany McDowell, the Director of the Equity Institute at the YWCA Evanston/North Shore and Trimmy Stamell, the Director of Corporate Relations and in charge of the Race Against Hate. The Race Against Hate takes place on June 16, 2019 and is co-sponsored by Dreamtown Realty.