CHIRP Radio Podcasts

Andy Friedman is a CHIRP DJ whose show airs Monday afternoons from 3-6 PM, and is a longtime broadcaster and marketer. Andy's roots are in radio. He worked as a news reporter and anchor for stations on the west coast in the 90s. Andy covered earthquakes, fires, riots, and court cases including the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Since moving to Chicago in 1999, Andy has worked for CBS Radio, iHeartMedia, and the Tribune among others. Today, Andy lives in North Center with his wife Jen and, when not volunteering for CHIRP, spends time on random marketing projects.  The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

This week, Features contributor Safiya Ratliff speaks with Tara Shedor of Chicago-based rock 'n' rollers Everyday Specials. They discuss the creation of their new EP Doggy Bag and the various dog references contained within, their college-era battle of the bands musical roots, and writing songs about the socialist values of now-defunct car manufacturer Saturn. "Politics are infused in everything. I feel like it comes through and we want our songs to, you know, actually remark about the world in addition to being fun. And we're out here having fun, but we're having fun in blazing fires around us, right?" - Tara Shedor of Everyday Specials Photo Credit: Tom Moffitt Produced by Brian Szpak. For a transcript of this interview, visit the blog.

Jason Narducy is a Chicago musician. When he isn't touring with Bob Mould, Superchunk, or Sunny Day Real Estate, he writes and sings in Split Single. Jason has performed with Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), The Pretenders, Liz Phair, Eddie Vedder, Michael Shannon, R.E.M. and many more. Jason and his first band, Verböten, were featured in the Foo Fighter's HBO series Sonic Highways and in Dave Grohl's NYT best seller, Storyteller. Playwright Brett Neveu wrote a musical about Verböten (featuring music by Jason) that opened in Chicago in January 2020.  The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Eileen Tull (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary theatremaker, poet, educator, and one-woman show person based in Chicago. Her work has been seen throughout the country in United Solo Festival, Minnesota Fringe, Dallas Solo Festival, San Francisco Fringe, Cincy Fringe, and Tampa’s New Seeds Festival. In Chicago, she has worked with The Factory Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, Theatre Wit, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, among others. Eileen recently founded Fat Theatre Project, a creative collective committed to telling stories by/about/for/with fat artists. Coming up in 2025, she'll be directing "Funny, Like An Abortion," with FTP, co-produced by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Theatre Directing from Randolph College. www.eileentull.com The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

This week, Features contributor Michal Gliszewski speaks with Jeff Kelley, Heather Perry, and Karissa Talanian of Chicago-based post-punk group Plum. They discuss moving out of their "Chicago band hustle" phase of musicianship, the process behind writing their debut album Can't Hold Onto It, and a special string of live performances, including a train tour through Japan and opening for Jack White at a secret show at Reggie's. "Doing so many shows in such a short time span in such an unfamiliar context, I think we got a lot tighter. We got a lot more confident in our ability to play. If we can play these songs jet lagged on the tiniest stage we've ever been on, we can play them anywhere, any context." - Jeff Kelley of Plum Produced by Liz Mason. Photo Credit: Shannon Marks For a transcript of this interview, visit the blog.

Jennifer L. Husbands was born and raised in the Philadelphia area.  Her two lifelong passions are music and education, though once she moved to Chicago, she made room in her heart for hometown boys Wilco, her now-husband CHIRP DJ Mike Bennett, and their amazing tween Skylar. Jenn has been a frequent guest DJ on WLUW 88.7's “The Mixtape Show” with Lou Berkman and appeared on a recent episode of “The Songseekers” podcast, where she discussed her love for Wilco and how she tells her life's story through music.  She is also producing a documentary film about Chicago folk-soul artist Terry Callier.  Professionally, Jenn has held senior roles in philanthropy, at several education nonprofits, a charter management organization and a large school district.  She recently launched a consulting practice, Steward Education Advisors.  She currently serves on the advisory boards of the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Public Education Foundation. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

This week, Features contributor Noah Haynes speaks with Sean and Ben Chicago-based cow punk band 96 Cougar. They discuss their newest full-length album, Forklift Radio, the evolution of "cow punk" as their genre, their love of releasing music on tape, and being a band of inside jokes. "I think we kind of have an unofficial rule of no idea is too dumb as long as it rocks." - Sean, 96 Cougar 96 Cougar will be playing Cafe Mustache on April 14th. Produced by Noah Haynes. Photo Credit: Chris Semel For a transcript of this interview, visit the blog.

This week, Features contributor DJ Ninja speaks with jazz vocalist and composer Keri Johnsrud and woodwind specialist, performer, recording artist, and composer Shawn Maxwell. They discuss their musical beginnings, their collaborative album C8H10N4O2, and the nods to hometown Joliet in the tracklisting. "Composing and coming up with tunes that tell stories, I feel it's a lot easier for me now than it was 20 years ago. I feel like I have so many ideas and if I could, I'd probably put out an album a month." - Shawn Maxwell The Keri Johnsrud-Shawn Maxwell Band will be playing at City Winery on Tuesday, April 8. Produced by DJ Ninja. Photo Credit: Michael Barton For a transcript of this interview, visit the blog.

Natalie Whalen is a local comic, CHIRP DJ, and mediocre guitarist. She also loves to support and appreciate people who share their own version of these arts with the world. Natalie likes dogs, sandwiches, running, and adventure and chuckles in the face of a monotonous routine. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Steve is an Actor and Storyteller living in Chicago, IL. He's worked with several theatre companies in Chicago, most notably with Shattered Globe, The Mercury, and First Folio. He toured seven times with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and is currently understudying Macbeth at Invictus Theatre. If you didn't see him go on two days ago, then you blew it, that was his one guaranteed performance. As a storyteller, Steve has been a repeat performer at Writer's Theatre's "Show and Tell" series, at The Gift Theatre's first annual "CampFire Stories", and has been featured on "The Moth Radio Hour," having won two Moth StorySlams and one Moth GrandSlam at the Athenaeum Theatre here in Chicago. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.