Shows
The Big Dig Chicago!Building CommuniTAY: Taylor & Maya Mason’s Taco Empire - Part 1In this episode of The Big Dig Chicago, we sit down with Taylor and Maya Mason, the couple behind Taylor's Tacos Chicago, a Black- and LGBTQ+-owned brand that has served over half a million tacos across the city.West Side native and Whitney Young High School alum Taylor Mason first discovered street tacos while attending Pepperdine University and brought that LA inspiration back home to Chicago. Maya Mason — a graduate of Chicago Academy for the Arts and Columbia College Chicago — added culinary artistry rooted in a fami...
2026-02-1533 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Floral Fresh: Arranging Joy One Stem at a Time with John Caleb Pendleton" | Part 2In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry.John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic language of flowers and wood. Through his work, he champions expertise, creativity, self-care, and personal growth—reminding us that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics, but about purpose and comfort.He also speaks candidly about navigating an i...
2025-07-2125 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Floral Fresh: Arranging Joy One Stem at a Time with John Caleb Pendleton" | Part 1In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry.John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic language of flowers and wood. Through his work, he champions expertise, creativity, self-care, and personal growth—reminding us that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics, but about purpose and comfort.He also speaks candidly about navigating an i...
2025-07-1829 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "She Got Game: Pressing Start with Ashlyn Sparrow"In this episode, we hit play with Ashlyn Sparrow—game designer, educator, and Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago. A proud transplant to Chicago, Ashlyn shares how a father-daughter hobby sparked a career creating interactive experiences that encourages both game designers and players to engage thoughtfully with the medium.We talk about what makes a game “good,” who the gaming industry is (and isn’t) built for, and why thoughtful design and pure fun don’t have to be at odds. Ashlyn takes us from alternate realities to real-world change—showing how play can...
2025-07-0326 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Comics, Collectors, & Connoisseurs: Terry Gant & the Medium of Graphic Narratives"In this episode, we head to Rogers Park to visit Third Coast Comics, a beloved Chicago storefront nestled on Loyola University’s Lakeshore Campus and a three-time nominee for the Will Eisner “Spirit of Comic Book Retailing” award. We browse the aisles with shop owner Terry Gant—collector, cultural commentator, and die-hard comics evangelist—for a lively exploration of the many facets of the industry.Terry breaks down the terminology—comics, manga, graphic novels, and more—while guiding us through the vibrant terrain of graphic storytelling, a $1.1 billion sector in North America. Third Coast Comics i...
2025-06-2726 minThe Big Dig Chicago!Juneteenth: A Reflection on Freedom DayOn June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved people were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took over two and a half years for the news—and enforcement—to reach some parts of the country, particularly remote Confederate territories like Texas. On June 19, Union Major General Gordon Granger delivered General Order No. 3, which declared:“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”That moment became a defining one in Ameri...
2025-06-1927 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Roast, Grind, Repeat: Greg Stivers, The Life of a Chicago Coffee Alchemist"In this rich and aromatic episode of The Big Dig Chicago, we sit down with a legendary Chicago coffee roaster Greg Stivers who’s been perfecting his craft for 40 years. From the hiss of the first roast to the soul-soothing scent of a morning brew, our guest shares the journey of building a life around beans, blends, and bold flavor.We dive into the art of intentional roasting, coffee as a connector, and one roaster’s journey from sourcing beans in African highlands to roasting and brewing blends at O’Hare Airport—before finally hand-roasting in Chicago’s Chinatow...
2025-06-1226 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Threads, Tunes, and Tales: The Many Worlds of Bryant McLemore Smith"Get ready to be whisked away into a world stitched with creativity, sung with soul, and written with wonder! 🎭🎶📚 In this episode, we sit down with Bryant McLemore Smith— an extraordinary African American set wardrobe designer, singer, and author whose talents weave through every corner of the arts.From dressing dazzling stages with music greats such as Mary J. Blige and the cast of off Broadway plays such as "Bronzeville: The Musical", to hitting high notes that stir the heart, and penning stories rattle the soul, Bryant shares how he spins magic across every medium he touches. We'll talk in...
2025-05-2927 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Hops, Dreams, and Heritage: Brewing Magic at Moor's Brewing Co."Pull up a stool and grab a frosty glass — today we're stepping into a world where hops meet heart and tradition bubbles over with bold new flavor! 🍻✨ In this episode, we journey to Moor's Brewing Co., a vibrant Chicago-based African American-owned brewery that's stirring up the craft beer scene with creativity, culture, and a whole lot of soul.Join us as we chat with Damon Patton, CEO and one of the visionary founders about the stories behind their brews, the magic of merging heritage and hops, and why every pint poured is a celebration of resilience and joy. Ex...
2025-05-1533 minThe Big Dig Chicago!The Big Dig Chicago Presents: “Strings & Strokes: Where Music Meets the Muse” featuring Shane-Jahi JacksonGuest Name: Shane-Jahi JacksonLook who we found! We’ve unearthed Shane-Jahi Jackson, a self-taught visual artist, painter, luthier and overall Renaissance man. Hidden from view, he exerts his craft to add beauty, art and deep joy to those who have the privilege of seeing his vibrant and moving paintings that depict Black bodies as “containers of stories” and music derived from the bass guitars he fabricates. Born in Denver in 1987, Chicagoland and Illinois has been his home for the past three decades. Links: www.shanejahiart.com | @shanejahiart | Shane-Jahi Jackson (@shanejahiart) | TikTok
2025-05-0127 min