Jim Laski: Politics, Prison, Radio

Former City Clerk Jim Laski, who has a show on WGN Radio, talks about how he got into Chicago politics, how he felt when he was convicted of corruption, what prison was like, and how he got into radio. He also talks about what he thinks of the negative feedback he's gotten.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG31.mp3

Dick Kay: TV News Veteran and Radio Host

Dick Kay, who worked in TV news for over 40 years and spent most of that time at NBC 5 Chicago, talks about how TV news and the biz have gotten worse, and how corporations have ruined radio. He now has a radio show at independently-owned WCPT in Chicago.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG30.mp3

Rick Kaempfer: writer and former radio producer

Rick Kaempfer, who worked in radio for several years with personalities such as John Landecker, Garry Meier, and Steve Dahl, talks about what he thinks of radio, why he doesn't want to work in it, and his writing pursuits, including his blog Chicago Radio Spotlight, his novel $everance, and The Radio Producer's Handbook.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG29.mp3

Ohio, Illinois: Tolerance from a Tiny Town

Maureen McDonald, who works in radio sales, talks about her tiny hometown called Ohio, which is in Illnois, and how it taught her tolerance. She's one of the nicest people I've ever met.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG28.mp3

Ask the Managers of WLS: Drew Hayes and Michael Damsky

WLS-AM bosses Drew Hayes and Michael Damsky talk about Steve Dahl, the demise of Free-FM, Citadel boss Farid Suleman, Roe Conn, the radio biz, syndicated vs local programming, how much they love working in talk radio, and more.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG27.mp3

Chet Coppock: Godfather of Sports Talk Radio

Chet Coppock, godfather of Chicago sports talk radio, explains why he doesn't like Larry Lujack, what he thinks of the business, who he thinks the talented people are on radio and TV, how he deals with haters, and how he's been able to survive for so long.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG26.mp3

Geoff Pinkus: Livin' Large with a New Cigar

Geoff Pinkus from the Livin' Large Show talks about his new cigar called The Pinker and shares some motivational advice.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG25.mp3

Mike Stephen from Outside the Loop Radio

Mike Stephen talks about his excellent show and podcast Outside the Loop Radio, described as "Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine." It airs on WLUW and is also archived online.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG24.mp3

Kevin Metheny: Infamous Program Director (aka Pig Virus/Vomit)

Kevin Metheny, who is currently the program director of WGN Radio and became infamous through Howard Stern's book and movie, Private Parts, talks about Howard Stern and WNBC, the radio biz, his favorite on-air personalities, programming stations, the direction of WGN, and lots more.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG23.mp3

Radio can break your heart

Sometimes radio, or anything you love to do, can break your heart. After I posted the written version of this online a few years ago, someone said it sounded like his ex-girlfriend. It might sound like a dysfunctional relationship, or something else you've put your heart into. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt this way about radio, or anything else.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG22.mp3

Brent Payne: Bald SEO Guy

Brent Payne, the Bald SEO Guy, talks about a lot: SEO, his personal and professional life, Mormonism, hicksville Oregon, his family's plantation, marriage, divorce, ambition, and gives advice about SEO and professional success. He's one of the most interesting people I've ever met and is truly passionate about what he's doing. And considering he's very successful, he's not snobby at all. I'm surprised he's not all over the media because he's a great talker. He's also the most appreciative person I've had on the podcast. Thanks Brent!

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG21.mp3

Duff on West Palm Beach

Chris Duffy, a production and voiceover guy (currently at WGN radio) talks about West Palm Beach in Florida, where he used to live, and compares it to Chicago, where he lives now. He also talks about Rush Limbaugh, who lives in Palm Beach.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG20.mp3

Steve Cochran: radio broadcaster and comedian

I talk with Steve Cochran, who has a show on WGN radio in Chicago, about standup comedy, the elements of humor, what makes a good radio show, Howard Stern, Steve Dahl, Jonathan Brandmeier, the future of radio, talent, and contracts.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG19.mp3

Mark Carman Goes to Kansas City

I talk with sports producer and broadcaster Mark Carman, who's been on this podcast before, about his new gig in Kansas City at KCSP-AM, right before he goes on Chicago Tribune Live, a TV sports show.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG18.mp3

Garry Meier: Radio Legend

Garry Meier, who's worked in Chicago radio for years and has been with two of the most popular duos (Steve Dahl and Roe Conn) on American radio, talks about his career at WCKG, WLS, WLUP, and his current gig at WGN in Chicago.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG17.mp3

Phil Rosenthal: Successful Journalist and Columnist

Phil Rosenthal, who's a columnist with the Chicago Tribune, talks about his newspaper-writing career; where he thinks the newspaper business is headed and what he thinks of online media; why Jay Leno and Jamie Farr called him; how he met Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Lorena Bobbitt, and Vendela; and what advice he has for people who want to go into journalism. He also admits that he's been very lucky and is very grateful to have a great job.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG16.mp3

How Ken Jennings Overcame His Fear of Toyota

Ken Jennings, who's been working in radio and TV for years, talks about how he overcame his fear of buying a Toyota. This was recorded before the highly publicized Toyota recalls, and since then, Ken has not reported any problems with his car. BTW--this isn't an ad for Toyota because they don't sponsor this podcast, but it's timely, since it's pretty much today's top news.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG15.mp3

How Simon Knows Elle Macpherson and Snowboarders on Powder

Since the Winter Olympics are going on right now, I talk to snowboarders Chris and Nick about snow and why powder is best after Simon Badinter explains how he knows supermodel Elle Macpherson. We also talk about what beauty really is.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG14.mp3

Greg Jarrett: Experienced Radio and TV Guy

I talk to Greg Jarrett, who's now the morning host at WGN radio (after spending years at KGO-AM in San Francisco), about how he got his Chicago gig, his experiences covering wars, what it's like to work in radio and TV, what he thinks about the media, his hobbies and other stories, and lots more, including advice he has for folks who want to work in the media.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG13.mp3

Michael Savage was Nicer than a Guy from Public Radio

I compare a Chicago Public Radio snob I met to Michael Savage, who has a reputation for being controversial and bombastic, but who was surprisingly friendly.

Click the link below to play, or download it by right-clicking (on a PC) or holding down the CTRL key and clicking on it (for Mac).

http://radiogirl.us/audio/RG12.mp3