Kankakee Podcast

On this Kankakee Podcast episode, Kankakee County’s own Gregory Thompson joins host Jake for a captivating conversation. They dive into Gregory’s background, growing up in Kankakee County, and of course discuss his work in creative writing. Jake and Gregory dig into Gregory’s passion for storytelling, which was in part inspired by reading Stephen King’s works.…

In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Jake introduces Brian Prairie, Chief Creative Officer at Pathfinder. They explore Brian’s creative journey, from his small-town upbringing in Clifton, Illinois, to his college years at Columbia College in Chicago. Brian traces his career path, from retail and wedding videography, to corporate infomercials and starting his own business,…

Not everyone can say the beginning of their life started with a police escort to the hospital. Celia Carr can though! It’s the classic story of a couple speeding in their car to get to the hospital to give birth to their child. The couple gets pulled over by the cops. The officer learns of…

Focusing on community and connections, that’s what the annual Converge Conference is all about! This interactive leadership conference will happen Friday, October 13th, 2023 inside the former Love’s Bookstore building on South Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee. Dr. Jeff Williamson of Converge joins us on this bonus episode of Kankakee Podcast to give us all the details about what to…

Jake LaMore is out and Bill Yohnka is in as your guest host for this thunderous edition of Kankakee Podcast! For several years now, Yonka has been the announcer for the races that take place every Friday night during the summertime at the Kankakee County Speedway. If you follow Bill on social media, you know just…

One of the most famous urban legends in Kankakee’s history is that we had a choice between having the University of Illinois or the Illinois Eastern Hospital for the insane being built in our city. The legend claims the City of Kankakee chose the hospital over the university. However the question remains, is this urban…

A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the…

On today’s episode of the Kankakee Podcast we delve into the rich history and evolution of A.N. Webber, the oldest logistics company in Kankakee. Our guest, Alan Webber, takes us on a captivating journey, starting with the company’s humble beginnings in the 1930s, to today, where A.N. Webber has grown to operate a fleet of over 200…

On this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Jake sits down with Josh Humphries, a member of the alternative rock band ‘Hotter Than June.’ Josh takes us on a journey through the band’s history, from its inception in 2005, their disbandment in 2008, and finally their eventual reunion just last year. Discover how ‘Hotter Than June’…

On this episode of the Kankakee Podcast author and life coach Micki Abels joins the show. From exploring her roots to delving into her role as a “transformational life coach,” Micki shares insights into her profound methods of guiding individuals towards life-changing transformations.  Unveiling the story behind her book, Micki recounts her journey of conflict,…

In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Mayor Paul Schore takes the spotlight. Sharing his background and upbringing, Mayor Schore recounts his family’s settlement in the area and offers anecdotes that illuminate the evolving landscape of Bourbonnais over the years. Mayor Schore goes on to describe his role in preserving history, citing the log cabin…

On this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Jake welcomes Mary Bass, Celia Carr, and Corin Rose to discuss the collaboration between the Kankakee Public Library and the Obama Foundation to create a TikTok. The trio, each of whom were instrumental to the creating the TikTok, unveil the creative process, logistical challenges, and the thematic focus…

On this episode of The Kankakee Podcast, Jack Klasey and Jorie Walters of the Kankakee County Museum return to the show. They discuss the fascinating history of Bird Park, located at the center of Kankakee. Originally a stone quarry, Klasey jokes that the park is commonly misidentified as “Bird’s Park.” Jack and Jorie go on to discuss…

In this episode of The Kankakee Podcast, Jake welcomes Hollywood Harwell and Broke Dusty, hosts of The All In Show. They kick off with humorous banter, discussing the backstory of their show and how it came into existence. Sharing nostalgic memories of growing up in Kankakee, they delve into personal experiences that shaped their perspectives.…

In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Erik Olson joins Jake to share his remarkable life story leading up to his final wrestling match with Southland Championship Wrestling. Erik’s passion for wrestling was ignited during his childhood as he avidly watched WCW and NWA matches on Saturday mornings. In 1999, he ventured into the wrestling…