Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse

Dr. Daniel Farrugia, Founder at The Playpen Chicago and Heidi Auvenshine, Marketing and Partnerships Director at The Playpen Chicago, guest on Dynasty Podcasts to talk boats, Lake Michigan, and Chicago summers.Farrugia and Auvenshine delve into the Playpen Chicago mobile app, and detail how it connects boat captains, small businesses, influencers, and anyone looking to spend time on the water. They also discuss opportunities for local businesses to partner with The Playpen not only on the water, but also for land-based activations.

Dynasty Podcasts host Jaime Black visits Chicago steakhouse The Alston to interview Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner, Co-Founders at The Fifty/50 Group.Mohr and Weiner delve into the myriad of elevated experiences offered at The Alston, including tableside preparations, the champagne bar and wine room, the year-round outdoor terrace, and more.The Co-Founders also share what Chef Jenner Tomaska brings to the restaurant and detail the members experience at The Alston, revealing what that offers and explaining how a restaurant membership model works in a city like Chicago.

Frank Dattalo guests on Dynasty Podcasts to detail what goes into his role as Chief Creative Officer at Havas Chicago.Dattalo speaks about the high-low strategy the agency employs, and how Havas collaborates with creative talent like social influencers. The CCO also shares his thoughts on the role of AI in creative work, explains the collaborative advantage of the Havas Village network, and more.

Dynasty Podcasts visits Chicago's Camera Ambassador​ at the CineCity Studios campus, where founder Erica Duffy speaks on the film equipment business' model and mission.Duffy reflects on the origins of Camera Ambassador as a service,​ and shares how she and her team help filmmakers find the right gear for their projects. The entrepreneur also details Camera Ambassador​ events and training opportunities, and emphasizes the importance of networking in Chicago's film community.

Dynasty Podcasts visits the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at The University of Chicago to interview Dean Nadya Mason.Dean Mason details the work being done at the PME across science and tech, and shares how the recent $21 million gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren benefits the school's health research and more. Dean Mason also speaks on the PME and UChicago's work in quantum, offering insights on what that research could lead to and how it benefits Chicago as a quantum hub.

Dr. Shyama Majumdar, Director of Science Accelerators and Investments at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak about the Duality Accelerator program for early hardware and software quantum startups.Dr. Majumdar shares how startups benefit from the Polsky Center’s resources, including mentorship and entrepreneurial training. She also speaks about The University of Chicago being early in its focus on quantum operators, and details how IBM’s recently announced involvement and the Alchemist Accelerator both support Duality companies.

Jake Nickell​, Threadless ​and Artist Shops Founder ​and CEO​, and Lance Curran​,​ Artist Shops VIP Accounts Director​, guest on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about 25 years of Threadless.Nickell​ recalls the early of Threadless​,​ and how the business won out among his other entrepreneurial ventures. Nickell​ and Curran​ also delve into the culture of Threadless, and what it means to build community and commerce with creatives and designers. They also share their thoughts on generative AI and how it figures into Threadless' user-submitted design model.

Entrepreneur, event producer, and storyteller Troy Pryor guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak about XL FEST 2025, which happens August 14th through the 23rd at multiple locations across Chicago and brings together filmmakers, studio talent, and other film industry professionals for panels, screenings, and more.Pryor speaks on his Creative Cypher venture, and how it lead to the development of the ambitious XL FEST 2025. Pryor also details what goes into producing and activating the storytelling summit, and shares how filmmakers and creatives can get the most out of attending this year’s event. Finally, the film professional speaks on Chicago as a hub for creative talent, and shares how XL FEST connects to the city’s tourism efforts.

Kelli Lynch, Program and Music Director at WRRG, 88.9 FM, Triton College Radio, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about the suburban indie rock station's 50th anniversary.Lynch delves into the origins of WRRG, and details how college radio stays relevant in the age of streaming platforms. Host Jaime Black also reflects on his time as a WRRG DJ in the 2000s, and Lynch speaks on the next generation of student DJs currently sharpening their radio skills at the station now.

Jaime Black connects with Dr. Brian DeMarco, Director and Chief Technology Officer at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park and Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center​ at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign​.Dr. DeMarco​ breaks down all things quantum ahead of this week's Global Quantum Forum​ conference in Chicago, demystifying the advanced and powerful technology.Dr. DeMarco​ also reveals what quantum computing could mean for business and society in the coming years​ and ​shares what makes Chicago uniquely positioned for a project like the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park​. Finally, he offers resources for anyone looking to break into the emerging quantum industries.

Heidi Auvenshine, Marketing and Partnerships Director of The Playpen Chicago™, and Jordan Williams, Founder at Chicago Run Collective and Press & Play Cafe, come together for the Live Event Strategies With Industry Professionals Dynasty Panelcast at Soho House Chicago.Williams and Auvenshine share what goes into activating a successful event, from sensory elements to building authentic relationships with attendees and more. They also delve into evolving event models, including daytime parties, sober events, and more.

Dynasty Podcasts returns to Choose Chicago to speak with Lisa Nucci, the agency's Chief Marketing Officer, about the new Never Done, Never Outdone campaign.Nucci shares the origins and objectives of the new City of Chicago marketing campaign, detailing how the tourism office connected with residents from all corners of the city for their input on all things Chicago. The CMO also speaks about the perception of Chicago and if it's changing, and shares why travelers should explore Chicago's neighborhoods during visits to the city.

Chicago creators Madeline Ford, Gianna Rieger (aka @g.wizzle_), and Dan Ways (aka Dan Hemenway) speak on the Developing Your Voice as a Content Creator Dynasty Panelcasts event at Soho House Chicago.The three social and digital creators share insights into their process and how they've developed and defined their unique online voices. They also open up about dealing with negative comments on their content, weigh in on evolving their content in different ways, and more.

Lizzie Everett and Catherine Everett of @twosauced return to Dynasty Podcasts to speak about their new entrepreneurial ventures in an interview recorded at Tortello.The content creator sisters share details about their new social dining series Family Dinner, offering their thoughts on expanding into longform storytelling on YouTube.The Everetts also discuss their new Saucy Media House venture, a digital marketing operation set to help restaurants and other clients with all things social and digital.

Jaime Black visits Tortello Pastificio in Wicker Park to interview Dario Monni, the pasta shop'sChef and Co-owner, and Co-owner Jill Gray.Monni and Gray​ speak on the level of care that goes into every element of managing Tortello​, from the emphasis on high quality ingredients to the menu offerings and more. Monni​ also shares his culinary inspirations from his family life in Italy, and Gray​ details how her background in social media and marketing influences the restaurant's digital storytelling.

Jaime Black visits upscale Chinese fast food spot 3LP to talk to restaurant owner and entrepreneur Henry Cai.Cai speaks on the journey of taking 3LP from an Instagram order concept to a ghost kitchen project to setting up shop in a brick and mortar location in the Bridgeport neighborhood.The restaurateur also shares how collaborations with local operators like Seoul Taco and Blind Barber Chicago elevate 3LP's community connectivity and more.

Entrepreneurs Drew Brinkoetter and Chris Tilson guest on Dynasty Podcasts to share what goes into managing Goose, the Chicago-based operating system for pet care companies.Brinkoetter and Tilson speak about Goose raising $13.4M in seed funding and share how that funding empowers the company to better serve pet care businesses. The co-founders also offer insights into the 24/7 reality of running a petcare business and emphasize the joy of working with animals for a living.

Chicago journalist Ari Bendersky guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk about his Something Glorious Substack blog, which focuses on F+B, travel, and more, and details what goes into sustaining an independent media project.Bendersky speaks on how Chicago's local media scene has changed in recent years, and how he's adapted his own freelancing work as traditional journalism opportunities have lessened. The culture writer also shares his advice for any new or experienced writers and creators considering launching their own indie vertical.

Alexander Tammaru and Moon Abbott, Co-Founders and Festival Directors at New Generation Filmmakers Forum, guest on Dynasty Podcasts to discuss their growing film festival operation.The Co-Founders speak on the mission of supporting independent filmmakers through the annual New Generation Filmmakers Forum, and share their thoughts on making films in Chicago versus moving to LA. Tammaru and Abbott also preview what's ahead for the 2026 edition of the New Gen event, including the inclusion of feature length films.

Wesley Julian and Winter Davis, Executive Director and Events and Volunteer Manager, respectively, at the Independent Film Alliance Chicago, guest on Dynasty Podcasts to share how the IFA supports Chicago filmmakers.Julian and Davis reveal how independent filmmakers can find community and connectivity through the IFA Chicago's member events and volunteer opportunities, detail strategies for producing film projects on a limited budget, and discuss the ever-expanding network of film industry startups operating across Chicago.