Join us for a recap from August’s Yarn Factory Listeners live event. Whether you joined us live at our beloved venue or are tuning in on the podcast, this night was one for the books. Full of laughter, nerves, family memories, and local pride. On this episode, host Bill Yohnka, storyteller Kent Wade, Frank Hayden, Angela Shea, and Taylor Baker-O’Brien put a spotlight on what makes our community’s stories so powerful. Spoiler: it’s you.
Ambition, Fear, and Shaking the Status Quo
Kent Wade’s tale reminded us that fear has many faces. “Now, the word fear has two definitions. The first definition is danger… the second definition is anxiety, perceived danger,” Kent explained, before sharing how facing his own insecurities about literacy and belonging helped him rise as a leader and advocate:“You have to face that anxiety, that fear. And if it’s not a leopard, you gotta shake that fear. Like being first on the microphone with five amazing speakers in a room full of people with drinks.”
Nostalgia Meets Comedy: Christmas Disco Meltdown
Frank’s story was a hilarious confession of holiday curiosity gone wrong. As a kid, he couldn’t resist snooping for gifts—culminating in accidentally melting his new disco light… before Christmas even arrived!
“So at that particular time, I started thinking, and I was like, man, what am I gonna do now? …I boxed it back up, put it right back in the exact same spot… [But] my mom, being from Nicaragua, just looked at me and said, ‘bandido.’”
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone – All the Way to Australia
Taylor Baker o’ Brien, a Kankakee native and self-proclaimed “clumsy” adventurer, recounted her canyoning misadventures “high on life and fear.” From shimmying into a too-tight wetsuit to cliff-jumping 30 feet into a mysterious pool below, Taylor’s message was clear:
“Canyoning was an experience that was a great example of why I should continue to push myself to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, because it easily led to one of my favorite days of my life.”
Family Dynamics—Construction, Septic Tanks, and Storytelling Legacy
Otto Stuckmayer took us back to a summer night on his family’s farm, where a simple home renovation turned into a legendary family anecdote—complete with flying over fences and an improvised engineering solution for a misplaced septic tank.
“He leaped right over. And it’s like, whoa, what is going on? … that’s where you start to realize your impression of your parents or grandparents is very jaded… and so that became his story.”
Kankakee’s Merchant Street Music Fest: A Community Vibe
Angela Shea closed the evening with a heartfelt celebration of Merchant Street Music Fest, reading out the stories and comments left in her “chair notebook.” Whether from Pittsburgh, Texas, or right here at home, each person’s note spoke to the sense of belonging Music Fest—like Kankakee itself—creates:
“Every year, it restores my faith in humanity… you cannot recreate the vibe of Kankakee. The city that has been here for however long. Long enough to have exposed brick walls, long enough to have big trees, long enough to have lots of diversity, and long enough to have people like Perry and Gretchen, who were part of our character in Kankakee.”
A Few Announcements, and a Big Thank You
- Bill revealed an exciting October “special night” at the B. Harley Bradley House, all focused on the theme of “home.” Keep an ear out for details!
- Interested in sharing your own story? Let Bill know! “Write your name down… Let’s make it happen.”
Your Story Matters… Keep Sharing It
What made this episode—and this night—unforgettable wasn’t just the tales told, but the camaraderie, the honesty, and the pride in our local roots. Whether you’re the “library guy,” the kid who melted Christmas, or someone who leaves notes on a borrowed festival chair, your story matters in Kankakee.
As always, thanks for joining us—on stage, online, or in spirit. If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to subscribe to the Kankakee Podcast and follow us on social media. To our supporters and listeners: you are the heart of this show.
Until next time, this is the Kankakee Podcast crew – reminding you to shake your fears, celebrate your roots, and never underestimate the power of a good story!
