27. Brendan Hunt on Ted Lasso, The Beatles, and Coming Home to Chicago

Brendan Hunt joins DIBS for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in Chicago, the emotional impact of Ted Lasso, and returning home for his deeply personal one-man show, The Movement You Need at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. From Boom Chicago in Amsterdam to the global phenomenon of Ted Lasso, Brendan reflects on the moments, music, and relationships that shaped him.The episode dives into Brendan’s lifelong connection to The Beatles, especially “Hey Jude,” and how their music became intertwined with family, grief, and fatherhood. He also opens up about his mother’s alcoholism, therapy, and how The Movement You Need became both a love letter and a way to process complicated memories with humor and honesty.Mallory and Nick also talk with Brendan about:The lasting influence of Chicago’s improv scene and Boom ChicagoWhy Ted Lasso became a source of comfort for so many peopleThe cultural rise of women’s sports and what’s ahead in Season 4His “Sox fan, Cubs sympathizer” philosophyWhy Chicago’s wit, humor, and people make it unlike anywhere elsePlus: Paul McCartney stories, Dutch humor, Malört discourse, and one of DIBS's most heartfelt conversations yet.Tickets to The Movement You NeedListen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and comment; it helps us continue to bring you the voices behind the institutions, people, and places that make Chicago extraordinary.Connect with the hosts of DIBS on Instagram, Nick Sarantos and Mallory Waxman