Illinois Valley Podcast
by John Spelich
The Illinois Valley is an area in North Central Illinois surrounding Starved Rock State Park. We talk local news and local history with a touch of everything else mixed in. We also talk to a lot of interesting people. Since 2010, it is the longest running podcast in the Illinois Valley and Starved Rock area.
Episodes
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Episode 99 BONUS - Fiona‘s Guardians from Dan Klefstad
On Episode 99 John talked with author and NPR morning host, Dan Klefstad. Dan's latest book, Fiona's Guardians, was adapted by Artists' Ensemble Theater for their podcast Mysterious Journey. On this episode 99 bonus edition, we play a teaser for the podcast adaptation of Fiona's Guardians. The…
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Episode 97 - It‘s Been a Minute
Welcome to the Illinois Valley Podcast. We have returned from the podcast doldrums! This week we revisit topics from our last episode including the 2020 derecho, Covid schooling, the Burgoo, and dog fines. We also touch on some new stuff including an update on the Starved Rock State Park &...
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Episode 81 - The Holidays, 2018, and Wet Wipe Clogged Pipes
IVpod 2019 is here! On this episode, we talk about the holidays. Also some talk about Alexa listening to our lives, and a follow up on flushing wet wipes. After that we run through the NewsTribune and Times top news stories of 2018. Oh, and big upcoming news....the IVpod Puppy CAM is coming!...
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Episode 79 - Expansion and Stuff
This week on IVpod we jump right into some exciting talk about the Starved Rock and Matthiessen Park expansion. After that, John and Clayton lay out some of their favorite area hiking destinations. It wouldn't be an IVpod without a little beer talk since there is exciting news: Tangled Roots is...
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Episode 78 - Bridges and Butts - Happy 8 Years!
Happy 8 years of IVpod! On episode 78, we start the show by ripping off a local radio segment. Then we talk beer. After that, we have our "stuff you should know" segment about local bridges. Things finish off with some youtube and podcast talk. www.ivpod.com Music from the Show: Vicious, Secrets…
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Episode 77 - Corduroy Pants
Welcome to IVpod! On this episode we talk asian carp, the Peru Mall, and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. We also talk about what podcasts we have been listening to, plus tangents galore. www.ivpod.com Music from the Show: Vicious, Secrets of the Schoolyard, and Five Card Shuffle by Kevin...
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Episode 76 - One Year of Radium City Beer
One year ago we journeyed to the Radium City Brewery to see if the rumors of a locally made beer were true. We knew it was going to be something special when we tasted our first Radium City beer. Now, one year later, we have seen Radium City Brew expand to multiple restaurant and liquors stores...
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Episode 74 - Take Our Advice
The podcast returns with this beauty of a show. We talk a little about our summer fun and then a little story/lesson on our website outage. After that we hit up a bunch of topics like Mike Tyson's Punch Out, the local craft brew scene thanks to Radium City Brewery, Tangled Roots Brewery, and the...
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Episode 73 - Radium City Brewery Release
Radium City Brewery is here! This week we welcome the guys from Radium City Brewery to talk about beer, how they came to be, and plenty of soon to be RCB trivia. The big release is June 12th and 13th. We got to sample some of their beer and we can honestly report, it is fantastic...! We would…
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Episode 72 - IV Small Talk Meet Up 1
The Illinois Valley podcasting worlds collide this week when we join Mike and Jeff from IV Small Talk..! We talk podcasting, beer, and some random ramblings. If you haven't listened to their show, check it out. They have local guests every week talking about local Illinois Valley topics. Good...
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Episode 70 - Local Action & Our 2014 Pods
This week on the Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast, we hit up some local topics such as the cool things going on with the Carus Foundation. We also hit up the state's position on kids' standardized testing. After that we talk a little bit about Hoar frost and the local marijuana permits that…
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Episode 69 - The 2014 Review: Part 2
IVpod is back again with Part 2 of our special 2014 Review of the top headlines around the Illinois Valley. Lots of stuff covered again this week...here is a breakdown of topics: the Peru Superintendent letter to parents, local beer, speed limit impact, corn production record, concerts for a…
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Episode 68 - The 2014 Review: Part 1
IVpod has returned with a special 2 part review of the top news headlines around the Illinois Valley for 2014..! We talk about a lot of stuff, such as… the big bad winter weather of 2014, the wus-ification of the schools with cold weather, the Peter Miller Center at IVCC, e-cigarettes, littering...
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Episode 67 - We Won!...Sort of.
The @IVPodcast is rocking this week with an episode full of surprises. First off we talk about the latest on the Starved Rock trail closures, plus a couple notes on the LaSalle Canal Boat. After that we jump into the big patent troll case against podcasters. Personal Audio has decided podcasters...
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Episode 66 - Cornhusking Drone Attack
It’s time for some Illinois Valley Podcasting fun! This week on the show we start with some talk on our upcoming class out at IVCC. After that we do a little follow up from last week’s topics. Then we dive deep into the news that LaSalle County is purchasing some drones for search and rescue...
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Episode 65 - Gaming, Hiking, and Tangents
Another episode is rocking the pod-waves! This week we start the show with all sorts of random chatter, but eventually we get the show back on track. We talk about the local gaming parlors that are popping up around the state. Plus we talk about the continued closures and ticketing at Starved…
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Episode 64 - News, Sports, and Hypothetical Confessions
Welcome to the IV Podcast..! This week we hit on a bunch of local topics starting with a rundown on the local Facebook groups we have discovered. Then we talk about some NewsTribune articles such as the decrease in DUI's, the Grand Bear's search for money, and yet again the Peru fireworks. We…
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Episode 63 – Kevin & the Cedar Point Classic (Illinois)
Welcome to Episode 63 and Happy 4th of July!!! This week we chat about craft beer, an update on River City Panic, and the X-Race in Marseilles, IL. Then we welcome our guest, Kevin LaFollette! Kevin comes to the show to fill us in on the Cedar Point Classic. And just to be clear Google searchers,...
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Episode 62 - Tyler Amm from River City Panic
Episode 62 is here! This week we are joined by Tyler Amm from River City Panic. Tyler is here to spread the word about his movie that will film in lovely Ottawa, IL. He also needs our help..! His movie Kickstarter ends this month so be sure to check it out (link below). We also talk with him…
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Episode 61 - Big News, Local fun, and some Johnny D
It took a while to break our slump, but we are back and ready to rock the air waves..! This week we get a return visit from Illinois Valley native and film maker extraordinaire Johnny Derango..! Johnny updates us on his movie Lost on Purpose, plus some of the new projects he is working on. Check...
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Episode 60 - Working the Rust Off
The Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast is back! In this episode of the podcast, John and Clayton give a run down of what they have been up to over the past few months. After that, they hit up some interesting news topics including the sand mines, winter weather, and Skydive Chicago. We also...
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Episode 59 - Best of IVpod - The Matthiessen Episode
This week we are diving into the IVpod vaults and rebroadcasting Episode 29 - Frederick W. Matthiessen - IV All-Stars 1B. This episode was posted back on November 30th, 2011. Around the area, the man's name is best associated with the natural wonders of Matthiessen State Park, just a jog away…
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Episode 58 – Mark Walczynski – Historian, Researcher, & Interesting Dude
This week on the show we have our first sit down interview! We welcome Mark Walczynski to the show to talk about all sorts of IV historical topics. The talk includes the history of Starved Rock, the early days of the Illinois Valley, plus some stories from his days with the Department of Natural...
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Episode 57 - RICL, Wedron, and Flip Floppin'
This week John and Clayton return to the Block RICL topic to review some of the new, more focused messages from the DC power line opponents. After that we give some background on the Wedron water contamination, followed by a story about flip flops. Plenty of other topics covered, including the…
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Episode 56 - And Now…Mr. Chad Errio
This week we get a little help from comedian and episode 56 guest host…Chad Errio! We start out by getting some background about Chad, how he got into comedy, the Rural Route Comedy Tour, and what he has been up to lately. After talking comedy, the team tackles some of the local news stories such...
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Episode 55 – Some Rambling Men
Welcome to IVpod. This week we start with a run down on some local summer events, plus a little plug for an up and coming Illinois Valley band, Curb 11. After that we talk about the police dog tragedies plus the cell phone break in. Then we hit on local skydiving news, in particular the death...
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Episode 54 – Aterra Tale Vocalist Scottie James
This week we add a little music to our lives..! Things start out with a rundown on our first big event, the Downtown LaSalle Canal Market. Then the show starts kicking when we welcome Aterra Tale vocalist Scottie James to the recording booth. We talk about his start, his music, and his love of…
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Episode 53 – I’m Here All Night Homie
This is a hard one to summarize because we were off the hook..! This week’s show tackles all sorts of topics from the big Cedar Point Classic, to the Tim McGraw Concert for a Cause, local sporting news, and so much more. We also review some less known Illinois laws, plus a plug for our first…
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Episode 52 - Best of IVpod: The First Three Interviews
Now that we have a few episodes under our belts, we thought "how about some 'Best of' episodes..?" This week we have our first “Best of IVpod” episode, and this one features segments of our first 3 interviews. We start with John’s brother, Bob Spelich, who joins the team to discuss the effect of...
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Episode 51 – Patent Trolls: No Chicken For You
Please hang with us during this episode as some weird recording issues threw us off our games. We start off the show with some local fun. We go through our results from our Twitter and Facebook poll for the top three fried chicken spots in the Illinois Valley. After that we dive into the national...
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Episode 50 – Jay Repsel: Dreamwave Wrestling Entrepreneur
We are very excited to bring out Episode 50 of the podcast. Thanks so much for listening and thank you to everyone who has helped out in some way. You all rock..! This week we celebrate with a visit from Dreamwave Wrestling’s very own Jay Repsel. It’s an all out LaSalle IL PRO Wrestling talk with...
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Episode 49 – Daft Punked on a Canal Boat
Thunderstorm recording John and Clayton are ready this week with a variety of topics. The J.A. Happ injury update, a fall at Starved Rock, and a story about the LaSalle Canal Boat are the primary topics of the day. We also do some techy talk, podcasts and our favorite Tweets of the Week. And if…
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Episode 45 - Politics, Teachers, and Baseball
With the upcoming Spring Elections only a week away, we decided to review some of the hot questions that will be on many of the local ballots. After our political review, we give an update on the tough times that local schools are facing. After the break we lighten things up with some baseball…
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IVpod Minute - 2-10-13
IVpod and the Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast will return soon. We thought we would prime the feed for our upcoming reboot so here is a quick "hello" from John and Clayton. The podcast will return March 6th...! Music used in this short: Movie Rhythm2 (Sunsearcher) / CC BY-SA 3.0 For more...
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Episode 42 - Skydive Chicago: "They Break Records Every Year"
When you think of Skydive Chicago, what do you think of? Do you think of the fact that right here in the Illinois Valley we have one of the biggest skydiving locations in the nation? Do you think of their amazing facility, with camping, dining, disc golf, and swimming? How about that they break...
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Episode 41 - RICL - Rock Island Clean Line and more
This week we dive into the Rock Island Clean Line project eyeing the Illinois Valley. The project aims to bring a high voltage direct current line through the area but no direct impact to the area. We are all over this topic along with some discussion on the solar activity coming. All that and…
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Episode 40 - Get out of my Town!
We are rocking and a rolling! This week John and Clayton hit all sorts of stuff. Things start out with John’s Dreamwave Wrestling report featuring Dustin Rhodes, aka Goldust. Then the show takes a turn to discuss the story that has swept the nation - the LP football debacle. After that the show...
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Episode 39 - Fired Up
This week John and Clayton cruise through a bunch of local Illinois Valley topics. First thing’s first, we gotta send out some love for the awesome response due to the News Tribune article. A big thanks goes out to the NewsTrib and all the people that gave us some new Likes and Follows. After...
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Episode 38 - Orange Juno, A Probiotic Wonder
Some crazy stuff is going on because John and Clayton have managed to land another guest! This week the guys welcome Lewis to the show to tell everyone about the lost art of lacto fermentation. In addition to Lewis’ Orange Juno product (available at Foothill Organics), the discussion dives into...
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Episode 37 - Ravishing Rick (not Ric)
The Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast, Episode 37 is alive and taking over the web. Look out. After another summer recording slump, John and Clayton bounce back with one of the longest shows ever (sorry about that). So many things this week, but the most important of all is this show includes...
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Episode 36 - We Know Nothing, Sorry.
After taking some time off due to the warm weather, John and Clayton pull together a doozy this week. Thanks to the IVGS, the show starts with the big win from a local Tonica, IL dude in an MTG tournament. Clayton shares his dissatisfaction with the change to the intro music, John explains the...
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Episode 35 - Help Us Expose Ourselves (on iTunes)
The Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast is here again to rock your world. Well, not really. This week we dive deep into the world of Twitter. Before that, we cover some of our usual stuff including Dreamwave Wrestling and the LaSalle Speedway, which by the way, was it just us or is there a little...
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Episode 34 - Ash Bored with DNR Sauce
The Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast is rocking, again. In the first fifteen this week John and Clayton talk about the big wedding, a shout out to Words from Nerds, some random podcast stuff, and our usual Dreamwave and IV Vixen talk. Then things get serious with our inability to stop talking...
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Episode 33 - Racing, Rastling, and some Ruffled Feathers
The Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast, Episode 33 is here to explode your senses. Ok, not really. This week John struggles to talk since he is still in a bit of a sleep/driving coma thing. As usual, Clayton holds things together as the two have plenty to discuss. The week of this particular...
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Episode 32 - Action News Five
The Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast is here to rock the internet radio world. This week John and Clayton hammer through a ton of IV related stuff. Let's see, there is prostitution, crack head behavior, cock fighting and local home invasion altercations, just to name a few. Other topics (that...
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Episode 31 - Some Serious Stuff, No Really
This week's Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast is a little odd because we don't really talk about the Illinois Valley. Instead, the main topic is on the serious side. After listening to the SYSK podcast on Human Trafficking (present day slavery), John and Clayton felt compelled to paraphrase it....
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Episode 30 - Sand, Fires, and Dot Dot Dot
The podcast is out of the holiday slump and back in action. This week John and Clayton throw in their two cents on some of the major issues of the Illinois Valley, including the Starved Rock Sand Mine plus the Peru Westclox fire. There is also a little follow up from the blogger episode and some...
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Episode 29 - Frederick W. Matthiessen - IV All-Stars 1B
This week the IV Alternative Podcast focuses on a major historical figure within the Illinois Valley - Frederick William Matthiessen. Around the area, the man's name is best associated with the natural wonders of Matthiessen State Park, just a jog away from Starved Rock State Park. While this is...
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Episode 28 - Blogs, Stuff, and a Secret
This week John and Clayton enter the internet-sphere in search of the best local blogs. Streator and Peru seem to be the towns to beat, but we are still on the lookout. A wrap up and ramble on the 2012 Podcast Awards, plus John divulges his secret success to playing Roulette. Clayton gives a run...
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Episode 25 - Synthetic What & Musical Who
This week on the Illinois Valley Alternative Podcast, John and Clayton light up some synthetic weed. Ok, not really but they do talk about the banning of the stuff around the area. Other topics include music and how we settle into our musical tastes as we age plus some follow up and our usual...
About this show
The Illinois Valley is an area in North Central Illinois surrounding Starved Rock State Park. We talk local news and local history with a touch of everything else mixed in. We also talk to a lot of interesting people. Since 2010, it is the longest running podcast in the Illinois Valley and Starved Rock area.
Hosted by
John Spelich
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