IT’S A BIG F*@KING PODCAST EPISODE! We sat down at Maple & Ash with Chef + Managing Partner, Danny Grant, and National Spirits + Brand Director, Christina Demas, to talk all things food and drink! Danny shares the founding story of the hospitality group and how they found their flame. Christina walks us through her cocktail menu and talks about wha…

A canopy of comfort in the hustle & bustle of Chicago’s central loop, Canopy by Hilton is located in the former Chicago and North Western Railway headquarters! This historic building is located next to Willis Tower and is centrally located for all your Chicago fun! We chat with Complex General Manager & Chief Enthusiast, Liz Kraft, about the luxuri…

In our five years of podcasting, we have worked with dozens of PR agents and firms. Today, we have the unique privilege of chatting with one of those firms, Heron Agency. A list of past episodes with their clients are below! Noreen Heron founded the firm in 2000 and has built it into one of the nation’s leading lifestyle communications agencies. We…

Laura Gardner channeled true entrepreneurial spirit when she used her corporate layoff to gift the city of Chicago with its most iconic foodie invention in years, Local Style Chips! Available in Chicago Hot Dog, Deep Dish, Italian Beef, Hot Giardiniera, and Regular Salted, these kettle style chips will leave you feeling like you just bit into your …

Where art thou Aaron & Ioanna? At Chicago Shakespeare Theatre! Meet Edward Hall, a literal “Hall” of Famer on the World Theatre Scene. As Artistic Director, Edward helps oversee overall creative direction for the theatre, including a dozen productions this season! Edward dives into the genius of Shakespeare and shows how the contemporary, new works…

In this special episode, we celebrate five years of Sip with Me with our 180th episode! We give you a behind-the-scenes look at our friendship, spill the tea on some of our podcast drama, and discuss the impact some of the episodes have had on our lives. As always, thank you for listening and allowing us to share so many stories with you! Cheers to…

Emily Kristen Morris defies gravity in all that she does! A Singer, Actress, Content Creator, Vocal Instructor & Founder of EKM Studios, she’s known for her stunning performances on stage and has likely appeared in your social feeds, giving viral voice tips and vocal reactions. Emily was the Elphaba standby on the Broadway National Tour of Wicked (…

There’s 22 acres and a thousand reasons to love Sonny Acres! Aaron’s childhood pumpkin patch and Ioanna’s farm dream come true, this gem of a space in the middle of Chicagoland has 125 years of stories to tell! We meet Jeannine Fontana, who in 2019 purchased the farm with her husband (also a lifelong Sonny Acres fan) and his friend. She shares some…

All aboard the Amtrak to adventure! This week, we’re joined by Liz Owens, Vice President and General Manager of Vacations By Rail, a Chicago-based company that helps travelers explore the world by train! After we trauma dump on Liz for ten minutes about our flying anxiety, we discuss the unique benefits of traveling by rail! Liz breaks down what to…

A podcast for campers, glampers and everyone in between! Pack your cutest flannel and prepare to wander into the rustic summer retreat of your dream! Welcome to Camp Wandawega! This incredible retreat located just north of the border in Wisconsin has it all- a private lakefront, hiking trails, and the most Instagramable accommodations even Martha S…

President Ioanna and VP Aaron would like to formally invite you to hear the tale of Chicago’s “Hotel of Presidents”! Known for its many iconic former guests, including Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, the historic hotel on Chicago’s Michigan Ave blends its historic mystique with modern day luxury. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the ho…

Now boarding iFLY flight 0001 from Chicago to wherever the wind takes us! It’s immersion therapy week for Ioanna and Aaron! To get over their fear of flying, they’ve partnered with iFLY to literally take flight at their iconic indoor skydiving experience! Joe Velez, the Senior Regional Director for iFLY, introduces us to the company and how indoor …

You’ve seen it in the movies- an artist wannabe goes into a studio, throws some clay on the wheel, and SPLAT, it’s all over the walls and ceiling, ruining your $120 Abercrombie jeans and leaving you with nothing to be on your mantle. Lucky for Aaron & Ioanna, they found Penguin Foot Pottery and knew they were in good hands (literally). We chat with…

*THIS IS A LIVE INTERVIEW! Pardon the chocolatey construction noises in the background* Ioanna & Aaron Twizzler Twist and are Jolly as a Rancher at Chicago’s Hershey Super Sweet Adventure! Caitlin Maloney, Vice President of Creative at Original X Productions (OGX), introduces us to the company behind some of the nation’s greatest immersive IP exper…

Meet the Queen of Cute, Creator of Strawberry Shortcake and Key Designer behind Care Bears and The Get Along Gang! Muriel Juneberry Fahiron is know for all the illustrations that made your childhood magical and your adulthood nostalgic. After a decades long career with various greeting card companies and agencies, Muriel now calls Tulsa home and gr…

Raise your glass! This week we’re pouring one out for our friends at Revolution Brewing, Illinois' Largest Independent Craft Brewery! In this episode, we brew up some craft beverage history and learn the founding story from Marty Scott, Barrel Program Manager at Revolution Brewing. He dives into how a small Chicago brewery crafted its own path to s…

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Ballyhoo! At 11 locations and growing, it’s likely you’ve dined at a Ballyhoo Hospitality restaurant before. Their roster includes names like Denucci’s, Gemini, Petit Pomeroy, Coda di Volpe and more! Known for their feel-good vibes and opulent customer service, the group brings “going out for a night in the city” t…

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Learn where the name “Gibsons” comes from and why there’s no apostrophe! • Discover why their signature steaks are so popular • Hear tales of Chicago history and stories of cultural icons who Gibsons can call “regulars” Opened in 1989, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is Chicago’s Classic American steakhouse. Nestled comfortably betwee…

This week, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from 2024, Chicago Boat Company! We recently took a ride on one of their mega-viral “Hot Tub Boats” and just had to share the company story with you again in case you missed it last year. Listen now to hear about how they got a hot tub to float, and check instagram to see us play rapid fire live in…

The name is Bond, James Bond, and I’ll have a Vesper Martini with a side of science to celebrate my movie series, which is the longest-running ever! Chicago’s famous Griffin Museum of Science and Industry welcomes “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond”. The exhibit, open through March 2025, explores the science and technology featured in …

Frohe Weihnachten, Chicago! We put the German lesson we got at the Christkindlmarket to use and head down the street to another one of our favorite holiday spots, The Berghoff! Their claim to fame is that they are nearly the oldest restaurant in Chicago, have OG liquor license number one from the city, and serve both award-winning food and beer wit…

Yule be sorry if you miss this one!From dazzling ornaments to show-stopping trees, the LARGEST Christmas store in Illinois is pure North Pole magic. Their trees go viral on the daily and even appear in the terminals of O’hare! We chat with Christmas Expert and Owner of Treetime Christmas Creations, Laurie Kane, about how she created the largest Chr…

Put us in a bottle and wrap it with a bow! This week, we’re diving nose-first into the art of perfume making with perfume master, Marija Lazarevic, of Aroma Workshop! It’s our 2024 unique holiday gift and winter activity idea for Chicagoans! Aroma Workshop is a perfumery, making custom scent blends that rival all the nostalgic perfumes and colognes…

We put the FAN in Fannie May, because we’re lifelong lovers of these iconic chocolates! From Pixies to Mint Meltaways, Ioanna and Aaron have indulged in Fannie May chocolates every holiday since they were kids. Aaron’s twin brother even worked in a Fannie May shop! Fannie May has been around since the 1920’s when it all began as a neighborhood choc…

What’s better than one jack-o’-lantern? How about 1,000! Exclusively at Chicago Botanic Garden, Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns features professionally carved pumpkins hand carved with a whole host of designs, from album covers, to Chicago icons, and even some TBT cartoons like Courage The Cowardly Dog! Jodi Zombolo joins us for her 2nd appearance …

Podcasters get lost in the world’s largest corn maze read the headlines! Don’t get cornfused- this is indeed the World’s Largest Corn Maze! Meet Richardson Adventure Farm! Located north of the city in picturesque northern Illinois, this is not your typical family farm! Richardson is home to the largest corn maze anywhere. We meet George Richardson …

Hey Pumpkins! At October Cafe, everyone deserves to feel the love of fall ALL YEAR LONG! We meet Audrey Borden & Michelle Gonzalez, owners of the year-round fall themed cafe. A LGBTQ+IA, Latina operated cafe, they’re serving something special that usually only exists for a couple days each year as the Pumpkins glow and the apples crisp. We chat abo…

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Tony Durpetti, longtime Owner of Gene & Georgetti. Tony passed away shortly after our conversation with his daughter, Michelle Durpetti. It is folks like him who make Chicago special and whose stories are the guiding light of what we do. We thank Michelle for sharing some of his story with us in this episo…

Here’s a puzzle for you: what do Settlers of Catan, Cowboy Caviar, and the Enchanted Forest have in common? Well, nothing in the outside world, but everything at Chicago’s premier Board Game Bar & Restaurant! At Snakes & Lattes, the gamers game, the foodies eat, and the worries of the world melt away in the background of its immersive environment. …

Summer might be nearing an end but we’re feeling electric about all the fun things ahead! This week, we meet Ron Silvia, President & Founder of Chicago Electric Boat Company. Famous for their year-round boating opportunities, Ron and his team have been innovators in Chicago’s aquatic tourism field for over a decade. Their notable boating experience…

Grab your favorite color yarn and let’s craft for spooky season! We are so excited to feature Chicago’s Pop Craft Studio. They offer a variety of crafts including Tufting, Cream Glue, Mosaic, Lipstick, and more! We talked with Manager Elvina Malkoc about the founding story, the insane crafting experiences they offer, and why crafting is having its …

Meet the most extraordinary musical artist of our generation! Morgan St. Jean has been releasing hits for years now and continues to climb the charts and our hearts. A genius songwriter, she is credited on several Chappel Roan hits. Morgan joined us in early 2022, prior to she had released her iconic hit “Not All Men” and shortly after did it again…

It's time to eat Chicago! And what a better selection for us to choose from than the award winning Boka Restaurant Group! Ioanna and I have been to many of their restaurants in Chicagoland and always celebrate with them on New Year’s Eve! Examples include Boka, Swift and Sons, Girl and The Goat, and more. Founded by Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm in 2002…

All aboard the Big Bus! One of the most moving experiences we’ve had in the city, the “Sunset Live Tour” by Big Bus Tours explores Chicago while the city’s architecture, historical landmarks, and lake are draped in the velvety shade of golden hour. This tour takes tourists and locals on a 90-minute journey around the Chicago loop and surrounding ne…

Did you know Chicago's Adler Planetarium was the first open to the public in the entire western hemisphere?This week, you’ll learn how the iconic lakefront planetarium came to be nearly 100 years ago and the story behind some of its space artifacts. Plus, Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at Adler, tells us about the Doane Observatory,…

Join us in celebrating National Hot Dog Month with our favorite dog, Portillo's! In this episode, you'll learn the story behind Portillo's Chocolate Cake Shake, whose dog was the inspiration for the iconic hot dog logo, and what Portillo's is doing to celebrate National Hot Dog Day on July 17th!A Chicago legend, Portillo's has been serving up Chica…

With a crystal blue backdrop and a river running through its veins, Chicago is our aquatic queen! Shedd Aquarium is our favorite destination in Chicago for sea otters, penguins, and all things aquatic. We spoke with Senior Director of Marketing LaToyia Strickland-Ledbetter about the century worth of Shedd history, its famous lakefront architecture,…

The best food we’ve ever eaten? Quite possibly! Streeterville Social is the place to be during Chicago’s famous summer rooftop season! Chicago’s “go-to outdoor rooftop terrace serving up alfresco dining, libations, and a celebration of all things summer”, this is the rooftop of rooftops and has year-over-year been voted so by various publications a…

It’s a Blue Man’s World and we’re just living in it! This week, we’re thrilled to be featuring the iconic Blue Man Group! This immersive and transportive show has been around since 1987, but it’s gone through many changes and of course, several Blue Men! You can also see the show in numerous cities around the world, including right here in Chicago!…

Ioanna and I love to leave a meal feeling satisfied. What we often forget to take into account though are the elements of dining at a restaurant that extend beyond the meal itself- the environment, the energy, and even the education you receive on the food you're eating. If you want to feel elevated after a night out, look no further than Loews Chi…

Soldier Field is one of the most recognized and iconic Chicago landmarks. And many of you have likely been to a Bears game there, or perhaps a Taylor Swift concert! What you might not think about when you visit is that the stadium has hosted numerous historic figures like MLK Jr. and NATO, and has had a far reaching impact on the Chicagoland econom…

Take a Shot of Art with us!We all remember the creative days of our childhood when we could color outside the lines and make mud soup in the back yard. Now, there is a super unique experience that will remedy the creative void in anyone’s life and give you a boost of art therapy!This week, we ventured to “Shot of Art” in West Town to try out their …

To celebrate Pi-Day, we’re taking a deep dive into pizza pie history with Chicago’s famous Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta! (look how many pi’s we got into that sentence alone)A Chicago classic, deep dish was created to make a meal out of pizza, which historically had just been seen as a snack. Opened in 1991 by Rudy Malnati Jr., Pizano’s has become a stapl…

We’re SUPERdawg delighted to have Chicago’s famous Superdawg family on the show! At 75 years old, the family owned drive-in located at Devon, Nagle, and Milwaukee, remains a quality classic on the Chicago food scene. With its iconic blue tower and signature Superdawg recipe, there’s something to love for everyone. Not to mention, they just made the…

Fueled by sugar on the daily, Ioanna and Aaron are fun dippingly excited to learn more about their favorite candy shop, IT’SUGAR!Founded in 2006, IT'SUGAR calls itself one of the largest specialty candy "retailtainers" in the world, and at 100+ locations, there’s no sugar coating that!IT'SUGAR is an experience, known for absurd sugar innovations. T…

Start your engines folks, we’re going to the Chicago Auto Show!There’s been nothing like it for Chicago- from the people it attracts to the impact is has on a global market, this is the place to be every February!First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto ex…

Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, joins us for our first episode of 2024! We were pumped to talk about the topic that brought Ioanna and I together ten years ago- DANCE!While a student at Julliard, 19 year-old Linda-Denise was invited to join Hubbard Street Chicago Dance by the company's founder, Lou Co…

Today, we’re cooking up some Voodoo magic, not around a traditional cauldron though, more like a burning hot cauldron filled with delectable fried dough! Started in Portland twenty years ago, Voodoo Doughnut is known for its unique flavors and signature pink boxes. The company offers a sea of freshness and fun in a food and beverage market that has…

Candle Castle & Co. is the most magical and best smelling place in Chicago- especially during the holidays and in winter when we all need a little brightness in our lives!Enter Sunshine- the teacher of our class who led us on our journey of what Ioanna and I would call “therapeutic refined childhood crafts with an elevated twist”. She made the nigh…

Merry Pinkmas! Pink Wonderland is a very merry pink Christmas bar with locations in Chicago and New York. It seeks to “break from traditional Christmas bar norms, aiming to offer a fresh, unique take on the holiday season”. The pop-up has everything pink and opens December 1st! We chat with King Inesse and Miriam Paz from V5 about what you'll exper…