Shows
The 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
Black Romance PodcastKatrina JacksonToday’s guest is Katrina Jackson, best-selling writer of over twenty novels. She joins me to discuss her prolific career. Katrina discusses some of her early reading practices, writing her first romance, a self-published book titled Encore, and why she publishes affirming images of Black women. She also recounts how her life as a pre and post tenured historian in the Academy informs some of her novels’ themes. She and I also discuss several of her books: From Scratch, Office Hours, The Hitman, Encore, Grand Theft New Year’s Eve, and her current release Back in the Day. An A...
2021-06-2252 min
Black Romance PodcastPiper HuguleyBest-selling writer Piper Huguley joins Julie to talks about her experiences writing, publishing, and marketing historical novels with African American Christian characters. She talks about developing her online platform to self-publish her novels, including her first The Lawyer’s Luck and the books in her “Home to Millford College Series.” In addition, she talks about A Virtuous Ruby from her “Migrations of the Heart Series” as well as her forthcoming books: her Hallmark novel Sweet Tea, and By design: The Story of Ann Lowe, Society’s Best Kept Secret, a historical fiction which will be published by William Morrow. Piper...
2021-06-151h 16
Black Romance PodcastKennedy RyanBest-selling writer Kennedy Ryan joins Julie to talks about how she developed her writing craft, which led to the 2014 publication of her first book, When You Are Mine. She talks about her experiences self-publishing, starting a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, and she recounts her experiences at the 2019 RWA award ceremony when she won the Rita award for her self-published novel Long Shot in the Contemporary Romance Long area. They deep dive into her books series All the King’s Men, Queen Move, and her latest release Reel. Kennedy Ryan is a RITA Award Winner and T...
2021-06-081h 19
Black Romance PodcastLaQuetteBest-selling writer LaQuette joins Julie to discuss her successful writing career, which began with the 2013 publication of her first book, My Beginning. They discuss how she came to write and publish romance, her role as the current President of the Romance Writers of America, her publishing company Brooklyn Girl Ink, and her books Jackson and Bedding the Enemy. LaQuette is a 2021 Vivian award finalist for her book titled Under His Protection. This award-winning writer has received the 2016 Author of the Year Golden Apple Award and the 2016 Write Touch Readers Award Creator and Producer of the Bla...
2021-06-021h 10
Black Romance PodcastReese RyanBest-selling writer Reese Ryan joins Julie to talk about her successful writing career, which began with the 2013 publication of her first book, Making the First Move. They discuss Ryan’s recent nomination for the Vivian Award in the Contemporary Romance Short area as well as her experiences writing and publishing romance. They also deep dive into three of her novels: Making the First Move, Second Chance on Cypress Lane, and Waking up Married. Reese Ryan is the author of over twenty novels. She is the past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and the 2018 Do...
2021-05-251h 04
Black Romance PodcastShirley HailstockBest-selling and award-winning novelist Shirley Hailstock joins Julie to talk about her successful writing career, and they deep dive into her novels Whispers of Love (Under the Sheets) and Love in Logan Beach. Shirley Hailstock is the author of over 40 novels and novellas. She writes contemporary romantic suspense, paranormal, historical romance, and mainstream women's fiction. She holds a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York City Chapter of RWA, and an Emma Merritt Service Award from RWA. Her novel, Legacy is listed as one of the 100 Greatest Romance Novels of...
2021-05-1854 min
Black Romance PodcastDonna HillBest-selling writer Donna Hill joins Julie for the first episode of Season two of the Black Romance Podcast. They discuss Hill’s experiences writing and publishing romance, and they deep dive into three of her novels: Rooms of the Heart, Chances Are, and Confessions in B Flat. Donna Hill is a prolific writer who has published romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, erotica, and mysteries. She has even had her books adapted for TV. Her career started in 1990 when she published Rooms of the Heart. Since then she has gone on to publish more than 80 novels and nove...
2021-05-111h 01