Byers & Co. Interviews

September 16, 2026 - Director of the School of Education at Millikin University, Dr. Chris Cunnings, and student ambassador, Katie Howell, joined Byers & Co to talk about the 2026 Annual Conference of Tomorrow's Teachers and navigating the modern classroom. Listen to the podcast now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 16, 2026 - Decatur Memorial Hospital CEO Tanya Andricks and Senior Director of Hospital Operations, Dr. Anna Weisbruch, joined Byers & Co to talk about Dr. Weisbruch's path to DMH and approaches to leadership and culture. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 16, 2026 - Clay Gerhard of the Decatur Park District joined Byers & Co to talk about A Zoorific Evening, upcoming zoo upgrades including a new train and alligator exhibit, Peter Pan Jr, and Boo at the Zoo. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 15, 2026 - Dave Wendt of the Village of Forsyth joined Byers & Co to talk about the Chick-fil-A opening, TIF districts, dog park rules, new fishing docks, bike trail work, Forsyth Fall Festival, and small electric vehicles laws. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 15, 2026 - Andrea Gerhard of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and David Lane of Greater St. Louis Area Scouting joined Byers & Co to talk about the Foundation's previous gift to help them acquire their STEM Lab vehicle and to announce a new $5,000 matching grant to help in updating the programming for it. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 15, 2026 - Dale Colee joined Byers & Co to preview Pharmacy Facts with Friends that will feature Debbie Bogle as a co-host and discussions about the United Way, WSOY Community Food Drive, and foot and ankle health. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 15, 2026 - Kyle May of Fleet Feet joined Byers & Co to talk about going to the Illini football game and tailgate, cyclocross, and new in-store exclusive shoes from On. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 2026 - Voice of the Illini, Brian Barnhart joined Byers & Co to talk about the Illini football loss to Duke and to preview Monday Morning Quarterbacks. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 2026 - Jami Fawley and Katie Dunscomb of the Decatur Area Arts Council joined Byers & Co to talk about Arts in Central Park and a special event to create art and raise funds for the WSOY Community Food Drive. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 2026 - Dr. Juanita Morris joined Byers & Co to talk about their expanded use of their building and farm for DCLI, the WSOY Community Food Drive, and public art. Listen to to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 2026 - Julie Moore Wolfe joined Byers & Co to talk about the busy weekend in Decatur. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 2026 - George Streckfuss and Ryan Spurlock of the Brass Horn joined Byers & Co to talk about how they continue to support the WSOY Community Food Drive as they have from the beginning. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 2026 - Carl Muench of Speed Lube and Tim Layman of HSHS St. Mary's Hospital joined Byers & Co to talk about the long time support of the WSOY Community Food Drive from their organizations. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 11, 2026 - Angela Foulke joined Byers & Co to talk about what her day was like on 9/11 and her experience at the Illini football home opener. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 11, 2026 - DPS 61 COO Tom Osborne, Safety & Security Admin, Val Talley, and Safety & Security Supervisor, Adam Banner, joined Byers & Co to talk about new safety protocols put into place ahead of the MacArthur High School home football game. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 10, 2026 - Debbie Bogle of the United Way joined Byers & Co to talk about Food Truck Frenzy, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and their campaigns. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 10, 2026 - Vice President of Carbon Capture and Storage at ADM, Matt Kaloupek, joined Byers & Co to talk about their upcoming CCS Community Learning Day. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 10, 2026 - Corinne Sessions and Cindy Luedke joined Byers & Co to talk about the America 250 Celebration presented by Argenta, Cisco, and Oreana. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 10, 2026 - Former mayor Paul Osborne joined Byers & Co to talk about the events of 9/11 and the reaction of the community in the days after. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 2026 - State Senator Doris Turner joined Byers & Co to talk about the Brush College overpass project, the Women's Pro Baseball League, and the WSOY Community Food Drive. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 2026 - Dan Diskey joined Byers & Co to talk about the 2026 Strike Out Cancer Co-ed Softball Tournament as part of his Men Wear Pink Campaign to help raise money for the American Cancer Society's efforts to battle breast cancer. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 2026 - Molly Berry and Shelby Baum of Millikin University joined Byers & Co to talk about upcoming Campus Visit Days, Explore Days with immersive experiences, the Macon County College & Career Fair, and the needs of the modern student. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 2026 - Tanya Andricks and Dr. Mohan Ravi of Decatur Memorial Hospital joined Byers & Co to talk about what inspired Dr. Ravi to be an interventional pain physician and his path to Memorial Pain Center. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 2026 - Clay Gerhard and Aly Delatte of the Decatur Park District joined Byers & Co to talk about the remaining and recent shows at the Devon, Labor Day weekend, A Zoorific Evening, and the Decatur Parks Foundation. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 2026 - Kyle May of Fleet Feet joined Byers & Co to talk about an upcoming demo run at Rock Springs, the Sand Creek Trail Run, and his recent travels. Listen to the podcast now!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director and Ashton Dukeman, Marketing Specialist joined Byers & Co to talk about the latest updates with MCCD projects include the new Woodbine farm. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Alysia Callison, Director of Program Services and Taylor Buley, Animal Care Naturalist, joined Byers & Co to talk about the programs offered at MCCD. MCCD offers a wide range of programs designed to connect people with nature, conservation and local history. Programs serve children, families, schools, scouts, adults and community groups through hands-on education, outdoor recreation, camps, special events and living-history experiences. Many programs are offered at MCCD properties, while others can be brought directly into schools and community. Taylor Buley also talked about caring for MCCD's educational animals Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Natalie Beck of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and Niki Fenderson, Boys and Girls Club board member and volunteer acting director joined Byers & Co to give an update on the Boys and Girls Club fundraising efforts to re-open the facility. Listen to the podcast now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Ashton Dukeman, Marketing Specialist, and Lonnie Williams, Volunteer, joined Byers & Co to talk about volunteer opportunities. Every year, hundreds of passionate volunteers help bring the conservation areas and historic sites to life. Whether you’re welcoming visitors, leading programs, or getting your hands dirty in the great outdoors, your contributions make a huge impact in Macon County. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director and Ashton Dukeman, Marketing Specialist join Byers & Co to talk about Marketing and Outreach. MCCD connects the community with its conservation mission through education, public relations, social media, newsletters, events and community partnerships. Outreach introduces residents to MCCD's natural areas, historic sites and programs while creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn, volunteer, participate and become stewards of the resources the District protects. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director and Jimmy Rade, Macon County Conservation District Board Trustee, joined Byers & Co to talk about the MCCD board. The Macon County Conservation District Board of Trustees is the governing body of MCCD. The five-member Board provides the leadership, oversight and long-term direction for the District and makes sure the organization is carrying out its mission to protect and preserve Macon County’s natural and cultural resources. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Phil Julius, Director of Operations and Executive Director, and Mitch Lovgren, Natural Resources Manager joined Byers & Co to talk about MCCD Natural Resources and Operations. MCCD currently manages more than 3,800 acres of natural areas, historic sites and recreational property in Macon County. Its mission is not simply to provide parks—it is to acquire, maintain, restore and permanently protect natural and cultural resources. That means every acre requires ongoing management decisions: what gets planted, what gets removed, where fire is used, how wildlife populations are managed, how trails are maintained and how public access is balanced with habitat protection. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director, and Robin Caceres, Macon County Conservation Foundation Board President, joined Byers and Co to talk about the Macon County Conservation Foundation History and board. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director, and Melody Arnold,  Naturalist, joined Byers & Co to talk about the history of the Conservation District. MCCD began with a threat to the land. A proposed federal reservoir in the 1930s and 1960s threatened farmland and natural areas around the Sangamon River and Allerton Park. Local people decided they needed a voice in what happened to their land. Citizens from the Audubon Society, Historical Society, outdoor organizations, schools and other community groups came together. They built a conservation district from the ground up. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 4, 2026 - Tom Brinkoetter joined Byers & Co to talk about the stabilizing real estate market and to highlight a home with a lake view. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 4, 2026 - Alyssa Patrick joined Byers & Co to talk about her new role as the Director of Communications for Decatur Public Schools and her career in news. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Dr. Zak Standerfer, Grant Administrator and Work Study Program Coordinator, and Heather Ethell, Asst. Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about Building Inspections and Compliance and ROE's new Work Study Program.  Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Shane Brandel, Retired Decatur Police Chief and Regional Director of School Safety, and  Jill Reedy, Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about school safety, support, and safety training in schools. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Holly Kelly, Director of Social Emotional Learning Hub, and Amy Jones, Social Emotional Learning Hub Coach, joined Byers & Co to talk about student mental health, behavior, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Sarah Smith, Professional Development Coordinator, and Nancy Brodbeck, Grant Administrator, joined Byers & Co to talk about professional development opportunities leveraged cross county, cross district, cross grade level collaborations to highlight cumulative professional knowledge. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Dee Williams, Licensure Specialist, and Mary Lynn Mann, Business Office and Admin Assistant, join Byers & Co to talk about ROE's work with Educator Licensure and bus driver training. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Katie O'Dell, IMPACT Coordinator, and Mariah Koehler, IMPACT Liaison, join Byers & Co to continue the conversation about Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs through ROE #39 and additional layers of support for students struggling with academics, attendance, behavior or social-emotional skills. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Brian Plummer, Director of Futures and Milligan and Crystal Whetstone Asst. Director of Futures and Milligan and Director of Option 3, joined Byers & Co to talk about the regions alternative education options and its ultimate goal. Alternative education isn't about lowering expectations — it's about finding another path to the same goal: graduation and a successful future. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Attendance Specialists and Retired Decatur Police officers James Callaway and Charley Hendricks, joined Byers & Co to talk about why school attendance matters. ROE is to support schools—not simply enforce attendance. Attendance specialists help identify concerns early and understand why a student is missing school. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 3, 2026 - Jill Reedy, Regional Superintendent and Heather Ethell, Asst. Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about the role of ROE #39. The Regional Superintendent is a position that dates all the way back to 1865, when Illinois established the elected County Superintendent of Schools. Today, Regional Offices of Education serve as the bridge between the Illinois State Board of Education and our local school districts. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 2, 2026 - Beth Creighton of Millikin and student performers, Sarah Semon and Dylan Carlyon, joined Byers & Co to talk about the upcoming production of Ordinary Days in commemoration of 9/11 and connecting the show and Millikin University to the events of that day. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 2, 2026 - DMH CEO Tanya Andricks, Jill Andrews at Memorial Cancer Care in Decatur, and oncologist Dr. Harold Yoon, joined Byers & Co to talk about DMH Cares: Cruise-In for Cancer Car Show and advancements in prostate cancer care. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 2, 2026 - Clay Gerhard and Tracy Whitten of the Decatur Park District joined Byers & Co to talk about the Hispanic Heritage Festival, Hype for Hikes, Turkey Trot, Putt the Kids to Bed, and shows at the Devon. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 1, 2026 - Natalie Beck of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, Stacey LeFeber of the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, and Shelith Hansbro joined Byers & Co to announce that Shelith was selected as the 2026 Diamond Honoree to be honored at the Girl Scouts' Lead Like a Girl event. Listen to the podcast now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 1, 2026 - Jerry Stocks, Kris Lutt, and Dan Smallwood joined Byers & Co to talk about the the public meeting held to discuss the future of data centers in Macon County. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.