Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse

In an interview recorded at Shure HQ in Niles, IL, Jaime Black sits down with Shure Corporate Historian Michael Petterson to discuss the audio company's iconic microphone, the SM7.Petterson recalls the mic's humble beginnings in the early '70s and shares how the SM7B reached its current popularity with the rise of podcasting in the 2000s. The Corporate Historian also details the 50th anniversary celebration of the mic with a limited box set edition of the SM7B featuring custom backplates, a signature from company founder Sidney N. Shure, and more.

Toni Witt and Andrew Gunderman of Chicago-based startupGENESISguest on Dynasty Podcasts to talk all things entrepreneurship.The co-founders share their respective backgrounds and how they came to form GENESIS, a startup focused on connecting and empowering Gen Z talent. The duo discuss their journey learning and launching outside of the traditional college system, and preview their future plans for GENESIS and young tech talent in and beyond Chicago.

Anton Jeludkov, Creative Director at Someoddpilot, guests on Dynasty Podcasts in an interview recorded at the creative agency’s Wicker Park offices.Jeludkov details Someoddpilot’s work producing the branding for this year’s Lollapalooza, from drawing inspiration from the festival’s early ‘90s origins to including Chicago touchpoint in the design work for the festival’s assets.The Creative Director also shares his advice for pursuing the career you want, and previews what’s next for the creative agency and its Public Works Gallery art space.

ThinkChicago Program Manager Beatriz Kauffmann guests on a Dynasty Podcasts interview recorded at World Business Chicago’s downtown offices.Kauffmann details how World Business Chicago and its ThinkChicago initiative support the city’s Get Z students via student-focused programming, including the annual three-day Lollapalooza initiative, which connects students with business leaders and professional opportunities in Chicago.The PM also speaks on how Chicago as a business ecosystem can best support Gen Z students, and shares why she feels strongly about her work in support of the city’s college talent.

Bruce Finkelman returns to Dynasty Podcasts to speak on spaces for Chicago’s music communities.The live music professional revisits the early days of the Empty Bottle, including the “Next Seattle” era of Chicago music in the early ‘90s. Finkelman also details the evolution of the 16 on Center music, F&B, and nightlife collective that he co-founded with Craig Golden, including Pilsen’s Thalia Hall.Elsewhere, the lifelong Chicago music veteran reveals the origins and future vision of the Salt Shed, and shares the motivation behind expanding into the food hall space, including Chicago’s From Here On and Revival Food Hall.

@properties co-founders Mike Golden and Thad Wong guest on a Dynasty Podcasts interview recorded at the real estate agency's Chicago offices.Wong and Golden revisit how a shared sense of professionalism brought them together in the ‘90s, and emphasize the importance of relationships in @properties’ business model from the company’s early days up through now.The duo also speak on the importance of Chicago as a business market and a home for creatives, while discussing @properties’ growth into other markets and the company’s acquisition of Christie’s International Real Estate.

Hyperlocal media personality Brandon Pope makes his Dynasty Podcasts debut to talk about his work across Chicago TV, digital, and more.Pope talks about his role hosting WBEZ’s Making podcast and shares his thoughts on hosting the recent episodes deconstructing the rise and fall of Kanye West. He also delves into his work telling Chicagoans’ stories as host of On The Block, a collaboration between WCIU and Block Club Chicago. Finally, Pope speaks on his work mentoring the next generation of journalists in his roles as an instructor at Columbia College Chicago and as the President of the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Jaime Black visits The Green at 320, an outdoor park in Chicago's West Loop at 320 South Canal, for a live Dynasty Podcasts broadcast.Joining the broadcast is Connor Kelly, Park Event Program Manager at The Green at 320. Kelly speaks on the outdoor space's many event offerings, including live music, a farmers market, and more. He also details the importance of green spaces in Chicago's downtown district, and shares how the park connects to its neighboring communities.

In an interview recorded at 21c Museum Hotel in Chicago, entrepreneur Tom Brown visits Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his client-facing production work and his Chicago Podcast Studio business.Brown reveals how setting up a recording studio in his mother’s basement in high school set the foundation for his recording work. He also details his work in video production, and speaks on his approach to finding clients for the podcast studio.

Multi-talented creative Ryan Luciani returns to Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his new venture, video production company GoodFriend.Luciani delves into the origins of his video service boutique agency, and shares how his years of drumming in Chicago's Empires allowed him to build a network that empowers his entrepreneurial work today. The agency director and founder also details how his talents have allowed him to travel both nationally and internationally, whether through his drumming or his visual media work.

In an interview recorded at the Goettsch Partners offices in the historic Railway Exchange Building building in Chicago’s Loop, Paul De Santis, Partner at Goettsch Partners, talks to Dynasty Podcasts about the firm’s extensive architecture work across Chicago.De Santis shares insights about multiple standout GP projects, including:320 S. Canal150 N. RiversideOne ChicagoThe ViceroyLondonHouseAnd more.

Rob Fojtik, Vice President of Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago and digital creator Jenny LeFlore, AKA @MamaFreshChi, join Dynasty Podcasts to talk about all things Chicago!Fojtik and LeFlore speak on Choose Chicago's Neighborhood Strategy initiative, from the organizer and creator perspective. They also emphasize the importance of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods, residents, and local businesses, detail what it means to be a creator in Chicago, and more.

Chicago tech evangelist Landon W. Campbell visits Dynasty Podcasts to speak on his journey into the tech industry!Campbell shares how he got his start in the tech scene in Chicago, including college internships with companies like Motorola and Cameo. He also shares about his current role as Chicago General Manager at Drive Capital, weighs in on how others can pursue a career in tech, delves into the challenges that tech founders and startups face, and more.

Multi-creative Vashon Jordan Jr. returns to Dynasty Podcasts in an interview streamed from 21c Chicago.Jordan talks about his role as Director of Digital Media and Photography at the Office of the Governor JB Pritzker, detailing how his previous political experience led him to that position.The photographer and author also speaks on his love of Chicago and his work detailing the city across various forms of media, including his impressive aerial drone shots of the city.

Entrepreneur Jeremy Hodges guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his career in the creative industries and his multiple professional endeavors, including founding Project Art Collective, Fresh Laundry, and V.O.Y.D.Hodges recalls his origins coming up doing promotion for events, and how that helped build his network. He also speaks on developing and activating cultural experiences that connect with audiences and supports creatives, talks about his campaigns with artists like SZA and Lady Gaga, and reveals how collaborating with his team of artists keeps his work authentic.

In an interview recorded at Chicago's 21c Museum Hotel, Emily Robinson, President at the DePaul Music Business Organization (DMBO) and Nick Heineman, Executive Director at the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), come together to talk about live music in Chicago.Robinson and Heineman talk about their respective orgs, and speak on DMBO and CIVL's Venue Chats Instagram interview series with Chicago's live music professionals. They also delve into the return of live music in the wake of the pandemic, and emphasize the importance of behind the scenes talent in making live productions happen.

Digital creator chicago.by.ren visits Dynasty Podcasts at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago to talk about her work as a social media personality.Ren reveals the reality of being a digital creator, details how she approaches showcasing Chicago's F&B scenes, shares how she manages brand partnerships, and more.

Cresco Labs  Chief Communications Officer Jason Erkes visits Dynasty Podcasts to talk about the business of cannabis.Erkes shares how he first connected with Cresco Labs and reveals why Chicago is a hub for cannabis as an industry. He also speaks to misconceptions around cannabis as a culture and emphasizes that the industry is open to innovators.

In an interview streamed live from Chicago's 21c Museum Hotel, Briahna Gatlin, CEO & Principal Publicist at Swank PR, returns to Dynasty Podcasts to talk about the fifteen year anniversary of her career as a PR entrepreneur.Gatlin reflects on a decade and a half of Swank PR, shares how she found opportunity to adapt during the pandemic, reveals how she’s established longevity in her career, and more!

In an interview streamed live from Chicago's 21c Museum Hotel Chicago, Claude Cimeus, Director of Platform at P33 Chicago, visits Dynasty Podcasts to talk about Chicago's tech ecosystem.Cimeus shares his story of how he broke into the city's tech scene, reveals how he connected to his role at P33, and shares his thoughts on what Chicago can do to support both startups and founders.