PODCAST · society
The Chicagoland Guide
by Aaron Masliansky
The Chicagoland Guide explores how the Chicagoland area actually works, through conversations about housing, infrastructure, development, and the civic decisions shaping the region’s future.Hosted by Aaron Masliansky, a Chicago-area real estate advisor and urban planning graduate, the show features in-depth discussions with mayors, developers, policy leaders, business owners, and cultural institutions. Rather than surface-level neighborhood highlights, each episode examines the forces influencing growth, investment, and community life across Chicagoland.For residents, investors, and civic leaders who care about long-term thinking and how place shapes opportunity, The Chicagoland Guide offers thoughtful, grounded conversations about the region’s trajectory.
Episodes
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Episode 146: Exploring Hyde Park Through the 57th Street Art Fair
Episode 146: Exploring Hyde Park Through the 57th Street Art Fair In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky sits down with Cate Slighton, longtime volunteer and leader of the 57th Street Art Fair, for a conversation about Hyde Park, neighborhood identity, public space, art,...
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Episode 145: Mayor Nancy Rotering on Highland Park’s Future, Housing, Community, and Leadership
Aaron Masliansky sits down with Mayor Nancy Rotering of Highland Park at City Hall for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, housing, placemaking, and the future of one of Chicagoland’s most distinctive communities. Mayor Rotering, now serving her fourth term, shares the story of how a...
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Episode 144: How Housing, Infrastructure, and Development Actually Work in Skokie with Johanna Nyden
Aaron Masliansky sits down with Johanna Nyden, Community Development Director for the Village of Skokie, to explore how local government navigates housing, infrastructure, and development in a built-out suburban community. This conversation goes beyond headlines and breaks down the real-world...
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Episode 143: Building the Workforce Behind Chicagoland’s Housing Future with Jennifer Yonan
In Episode 143 of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky visits Youth Conservation Corps in Waukegan to explore a critical but often overlooked part of the housing conversation: workforce development. As Lake County and the broader Chicagoland region face a persistent housing shortage, rising...
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Episode 142: Chicago Real Estate Outlook 2026 with Adrian Brizulea (CoStar)
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky sits down with Adrian Brizulea of CoStar to unpack the Chicago real estate outlook for 2026. They discuss multifamily rent trends, housing supply, downtown office recovery, industrial and logistics markets, data centers, suburban...
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The Future of Chicagoland: Quantum Tech, Data Centers, Transit, and Regional Growth with CMAP’s Kyle Schulz
In one of the most forward-looking episodes of The Chicagoland Guide to date, host Aaron Masliansky sits down with Kyle Schulz, Deputy of Strategic Advancement at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). This conversation breaks down where Chicagoland is heading over the next decade,...
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Movement as Medicine: How Dance Therapy Helps Chicagoland Process Stress with Erica Hornthal
Licensed clinical professional counselor and board-certified dance/movement therapist Erica Hornthal (“The Therapist Who Moves You”) joins Aaron to explain how changing the way we move changes the way we feel. Recorded on November 3, 2025, the conversation grounds movement therapy in the…
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Keeping Culture Alive in Highland Park featuring Diana Gran | The Chicagoland Guide – Episode 139
How can celebrating cultural traditions strengthen a community? In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky is joined by Diana Gran — Founder of Diana Gran Portraits and Director of Día de los Muertos (DDM) Week in Highland Park — to explore how honoring heritage can create unity, healing, and...
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Ravinia’s Legacy & Future: A Conversation with Jeff Haydon
Episode Overview In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky sits down with Jeff Haydon, President & CEO of the iconic Ravinia Festival in Highland Park — America’s oldest outdoor music festival. Jeff shares how Ravinia began as a railroad amusement park over a century ago and...
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Growing the Future: Inside Historic Wagner Farm with Director Jonathan Kuester
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky visits one of the last working farms in Cook County: Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview, Illinois. Joined by Director Jonathan Kuester, the conversation covers the surprising depth of history, education, and innovation happening just…
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A Taste of Cambodia in Chicago: The Story of Khmai Fine Dining with Chef Mona Sang
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky interviews Chef Mona Sang, the visionary behind Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. More than a restaurant, Khmai is a deeply personal tribute to Mona’s mother—a survivor of the Cambodian genocide—and a...
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From Argentina to Evanston: The Story of FRÍO Gelato with Karla Koziura
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky interviews Karla Koziura, co-owner and Marketing Director of FRÍO Gelato, an Argentinian-style gelato company with storefronts in Evanston, Navy Pier, and Wilmette. What started as a craving for authentic flavors turned into a…
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Faith, Wrestling, and Community with Rabbi Jeremy Fine
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, I sit down with my longtime friend Rabbi Jeremy Fine. Jeremy is the Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Illinois, and the founder of 2econd Wrestling, a fast-growing independent wrestling promotion based right here in Chicagoland. We’ve known...
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Global Trade, Tariffs, and the U.S. Housing Market with Nadia Evangelou
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky is joined by Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Real Estate Research at the National Association of Realtors®. They explore how global trade dynamics, tariffs, and macroeconomic shifts are impacting the U.S. housing market…
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The Chicagoland Guide-Rethinking Lawns with Dr. Becky Barak: How Native Plants Can Transform Chicagoland Landscapes
In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky sky introduces Inside the Skev listeners to the Chicagoland Guide, reconnects with longtime friend, scientist, and conservationist Dr. Becky Barak of the Chicago Botanic Garden to explore how native plants can play a key role in the...
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Welcome to The Chicagoland Guide – Season 2 Begins
Welcome to The Chicagoland Guide! I’m your host, Aaron Masliansky. This podcast is for anyone who wants to explore what makes Chicagoland one of the most vibrant, diverse, and fascinating regions in the country. In this kickoff episode, I share what to expect in Season 2—from local business...
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Eric James-Field Ready
In this captivating episode of Inside the Skev, we welcomed Dr. Eric James, a stalwart in international development and humanitarian aid, to discuss his extensive career and the innovative approaches he's championed in the field. Hailing from Evanston and a proud alumnus of Evanston Township High...
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The Essence of Skevanston: A Conversation with Dick Peach
In this enlightening episode of "Inside the Skev," host Aaron Masliansky engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Dick Peach, a pivotal figure in the Skevanston and Evanston communities. Known for his extensive involvement in various facets of community life, Dick shares his rich...
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Earth Day Adventures and Eco-Innovations at Evanston Ecology Center
Welcome to Inside the Skev, the podcast that explores the important stories shaping our community. In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky speaks with Matt Poole and Margaret Isaacson, dedicated professionals at the Evanston Ecology Center. The Evanston Ecology Center is an integral part of the...
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Real Estate Update
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down Jennifer LaMell Goldstone from Horwitch, Goldstone & Shaw, Deanne Cooper from Fidelity National Title Insurance and Beth Lewis from CrossCountry Mortgage. We speak about the work of attorneys, title companies and lenders, how these industries support…
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The Aux
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Tosha Wilson, Tiffini Holmes and Jaqui White, who are co-developers of the Aux, which is a planned commercial hub dedicated to racial equity and wellness in Evanston. The Auxiliary Cord LLC (the “Company”) has purchased a 16,000 square foot…
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Plans for 2023
Today, I am releasing a podcast with my plans for 2023. First, I talk about the events I have planned for the month, especially the first event on January 19th at Ignite Gaming Lounge which is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Evanston's charitable foundation. This is the event for the who's…
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Len Joy-Dry Heat
This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Len Joy, the author of the new book, Dry Heat. Dry Heat, is a crime novel about a young man who loses everything but his heart. Len is an author of several novels, a Skevanston resident and a nationally ranked triathlete and competes internationally...
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Girls Playing Sports
This week on Inside the Skev we meet many members of Girls Playing Sports (GPS). GPS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering leadership skills and confidence in girls through participation in a wide variety of sports. The program engages girls, grades 3-8, in multiple sports without a...
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Sabrina Ehmke-Skokie Swifters
This week on Inside the Skev we meet Sabrina Ehmke, the founder of the Skokie Swifters Run Walk Club. Skokie Swifters is a run/walk club for anyone from beginners to experienced distance runners. Whether you just want to get moving outside, are looking to make some new friends, or are looking for…
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Tazima Parris-Infinite Relating
This week, on Inside the Skev, we speak with Tazima Parris from Infinite Relating. Tazima is a Sex Coach & Pleasure Mentor for high-achieving women 35+ who overthink, over-give, and and end up overwhelmed. She creates space for women to prioritize pleasure and go from resentful to radiant. Tazima...
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Peloton in the Skev
This week on Inside the Skev we speak with my wife, Stacey Masliansky from Brainlinks Academics, Inc about an upcoming event at the Peloton Store at Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie. Taking place on Sunday, October 23rd from 9-11am at the Peloton Store at Westfield Old Orchard Mall (Skokie)....
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Dorothy Rosen - Women Belong
This week on Inside the Skev we meet Dorothy Rosen, co-founder of Women Belong. Women Belong was born out of a vision founders Dorothy Rosen and Kate Alpert had for bringing women together in an authentic way, with the mission of advancing business growth through deepening personal relationships....
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Judith Horwitz Glassenberg - Erie Family Health
This week on Inside the Skev, we meet Dr. Judith Glasseneberg. Judith is a pediatrician and the co-Site Medical Director with Erie Evanston/Skokie Health and Dental Center. She has been with them since 2013. Judith recently travelled to Poland to help Ukrainian War refugees and has also helped…
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Kellie O’Brien-The O’Brien School for the Massai
This week on Inside the Skev we meet Kellie O’Brien. Kellie helped create the O’Brien School for the Massai in Tanzania. The O'Brien School for the Maasai is more than just a school. It's an organization that believes education can change the world, that economic opportunity can shift harmful...
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An Update from Aaron Masliansky
Inside the Skev is a one stop shop for all things Skokie and Evanston hosted by Aaron Masliansky. Be the first to know about local events, new podcast episodes, real estate and the latest stories about the great people in these towns by going to http://www.skevanston.com. Sign up for the…
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David Lloyd-David Lloyd & Associates
This week on Inside the Skev we meet David Lloyd, the founder of David Lloyd & Associates, the world’s most elite private travel concierge. With over 30 years of experience, David Lloyd brings his creative and contemporary experience to every project. Globally and philanthropically minded, his...
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Jon R. Marquardt- Skokie Park District
This week on Inside the Skev, we meet Jon R. Marquardt, the Skokie Park District's Superintendent of Facilities. Marquardt administers the district's revenue facilities and their staffs. He also is charged with developing innovative partnerships and outreach within the Skokie community. Marquardt...
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Jennifer Engel - Skokie Farmers Market
This week on Inside the Skev, we are Jennifer Engel, Market Manager for the Skokie Farmer’s Market. The 2022 Skokie Farmers’ Market began on Sunday, June 5, and will be open every Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through November 6. The 2022 market features many longstanding vendors as well as...
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Roger Knuth- President and CEO of Lapin Systems
This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Roger Knuth, President and CEO of Lapin Systems. Lapin is Chicagolands Premier Macintosh and PC Service, Repair, and Support Provider. Roger launched Lapin out of his home in the mid-1990s after noticing a lack of proper Mac support in the Chicagoland...
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Mark George-Music Institute of Chicago
This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Mark George, the CEO of the Music Institute of Chicago, which is located in Evanston. The Music Institute of Chicago is a nonprofit community music school that leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music by providing widely accessible…
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Rachel Moore-Collaborative Divorce Attorney
This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Rachel Moore. Rachel is a Collaborative Divorce Institute Fellow and has a private practice devoted exclusively to collaborative law, facilitative mediation, and representing parties utilizing mediation. A collaborative process divorce provides an...
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John Hewko-CEO of Rotary International
This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by John Hewko, the General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Rotary, which is based in Evanston, has over 1.4 million members in over 46,000 clubs around the world. Rotary is an organization of…
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Diana Hamann-The Wine Goddess
In this episode, we sit down with Diana Hamann, the Wine Goddess. After graduating from the University of California Berkeley with a Literature degree, she fell into the wine business. After starting as a wine buyer for the Whole Foods in Palo Alto, she worked on the buying team for Wine.com…
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Daniel Aschheim-Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Midwest
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Aschheim. He currently serves as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. He was appointed to this Chicago-based post in September of 2020 where he assumed the role as Consul for Public Diplomacy serving as...
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Chanel Jeon from TeaRex Bubble Tea Cafe
This week on Inside the Skev, are joined by Chanel Jeon, co-Founder of TeaRex Bubble Tea Café. Chanel opened the store with her husband Clay, in 2017. Subsequently they have opened a second location in Nles. In this episode we talk about why she shifted her career from being a teacher to running…
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Fritz Kaegi-Cook County Assessor 2022 Update
This week on Inside the Skev, are rejoined by Fritz Kaegi, the Cook County Assessor. Since assuming office in 2018, Fritz has striven to bring fairness, ethics and transparency to the Cook County Assessor’s Office with a vision focused on operational changes, technological upgrades, and the...
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Jane Shapiro - Orot: Center for Jewish Learning
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jane Shapiro, the co-founder of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning. Jane has been involved in Jewish education for over three decades, and is a pillar of the Evanston/Skevanston community. We first discuss her family's deep roots to Evanston and real estate…
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Update from the Main Dempster Mile
In this episode, we catch up with Katherine Gotsick, the executive director of the Main Dempster Mile. The area has survived the pandemic, and in many ways has reinvented itself. We learn about new businesses like Pour, the Custer Oasis and so much more. 2022 has a great lineup of events that…
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Inside the Skev is Back! Catching up with Downtown Evanston
Inside the Skev is back! After a one year hiatus, the show returns to catch up on everything happening in Skokie and Evanston. To mark the return, we are joined by Annie Coakley, from the Downtown Evanston organization. Annie returns to the show to update us on everything new in Downtown…
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Inside the Skev is Pausing
Listen as host Aaron Masliansky tells the audience of his plans to pause Inside the Skev as he begins work on a new project with a much wider focus. Reach out to Aaron Masliansky at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions. Make sure to listen to all of the previous 100 episodes at...
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Piven Theatre and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jennifer Green, the Artistic Director of Piven Theatre and Ellen Placey Wadey, Program Director for Chicago Artistic Vitality and Collections from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. For 45 years, the Evanston based Piven Theatre Workshop…
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Alan Moy- Viet Nom Nom
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alan Moy, the owner of Viet Nom Nom. Viet Nom Nom is a Vietnamese-inspired fast casual restaurant located in Downtown Evanston at 618 ½ Church Street. They serve a craft, health-inspired menu and strive to put a modern, unique fingerprint on...
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Alecia Wartowski-Foundation65
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alecia Wartowski, Executive Director of Foundation65. In this episode we will discuss the Foundation’s mission, its role during the pandemic and its vision for the future. Foundation65 is an independent grantmaking organization that invests in...
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Jackie Melinger-Home-Instead and My Personal Bookkeeper
This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jackie Melinger, co-owner of Home Instead in Skokie and My Personal Bookkeeper. The two businesses go hand-in-hand, as they provide critical support services for the senior communities of the North Shore and are located in Skokie. Home Instead is a...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Chicagoland Guide explores how the Chicagoland area actually works, through conversations about housing, infrastructure, development, and the civic decisions shaping the region’s future.Hosted by Aaron Masliansky, a Chicago-area real estate advisor and urban planning graduate, the show features in-depth discussions with mayors, developers, policy leaders, business owners, and cultural institutions. Rather than surface-level neighborhood highlights, each episode examines the forces influencing growth, investment, and community life across Chicagoland.For residents, investors, and civic leaders who care about long-term thinking and how place shapes opportunity, The Chicagoland Guide offers thoughtful, grounded conversations about the region’s trajectory.
HOSTED BY
Aaron Masliansky
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Chicagoland Guide have?
The Chicagoland Guide currently has 145 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Chicagoland Guide about?
The Chicagoland Guide explores how the Chicagoland area actually works, through conversations about housing, infrastructure, development, and the civic decisions shaping the region’s future.Hosted by Aaron Masliansky, a Chicago-area real estate advisor and urban planning graduate, the show features...
How often does The Chicagoland Guide release new episodes?
The Chicagoland Guide publishes regularly with 145 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Chicagoland Guide?
You can listen to The Chicagoland Guide on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Chicagoland Guide?
The Chicagoland Guide is created and hosted by Aaron Masliansky.
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