Ted Listens: Stories Behind the Businesses of Chicago

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Justin Kaufmann of Axios for a conversation about Chicago, journalism, storytelling, and the future of media.Justin shares his journey from interning at WBEZ in the 1990s to hosting at WGN Radio and eventually helping launch Axios Chicago.The conversation explores:How Smart Brevity changed modern journalismWhy Chicago still feels like a “small town in a big city”The realities of media in the AI eraThe importance of authentic voice in storytellingWhy local journalism still mattersHow personality and perspective shape great reportingThis episode is for the Chicago fanatics and the Chicago curious alike.More on Axios Chicago: https://www.axios.com/newslettersMore on Justin Kaufmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-kaufmann-57642b6/More on Ted Novak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tednovak/

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Mitul Patel, founder of MP Consulting, for one of the most fascinating business conversations I’ve had.What started after four former Motorola Mobility colleagues left stable jobs and landed on their faces in a failed startup became a thriving engineering company with 130 employees, global talent, manufacturing operations, and multiple business ventures.We talk about:How desperation can create entrepreneurial momentumWhy businesses must pivot when markets changeBuilding products, manufacturing, and solving impossible engineering problemsWhy hardware isn’t “hard” if you understand processThe hidden challenge of scaling from doer to leaderTurning personal tragedy into purpose through a women’s health foundationWhy “What do you want to do?” is a better question than “What do you want to be?”This is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and building opportunity from chaos. Learn more about Mitul here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrpatel624/

Nicole spent years building a successful career in finance and leadership at a fast-growing consulting firm, then walked away from the comfort (and the title) to bet on herself.In this episode, we talk about what inspired her to make that leap, how she chose coaching as her next chapter, and what she learned while making that decision. Nicole shares what it’s like to start from scratch, build a business through relationships, and help other high performers navigate transition, burnout, boundaries, and the hard conversations that come with growth.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a role you’re great at, or you’re quietly wondering what your own “next thing” could be, this one will hit.Topics we cover:Leaving a stable career without a “perfect” planTurning your real strengths into a businessCoaching vs therapy vs mentoring (and why it matters)Why burnout and change are showing up everywhere right nowThe hidden cost of comfort—and how to move anyway#CareerChange #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Coaching #Burnout #WorkTransitions #Chicago #TedListens

Chicago isn’t a single industry city, and that’s exactly its advantage.In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Abin Kuriakose, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at World Business Chicago, to unpack how Chicago really works as a place to build and scale a business.From why global companies are placing innovation hubs in Chicago, to how talent, climate resilience, and cross-industry collaboration are shaping the city’s future, this conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at economic development through the lens of entrepreneurs and operators.If you’re a founder, investor, or business leader curious about where opportunity is quietly compounding, this episode helps reveal why Chicago strategic market.🎧 Topics include:Why Chicago’s industry diversity is a competitive advantageHow startups gain access to enterprise decision-makersThe role of talent, universities, and workforce developmentClimate resilience as a business strategyWhat founders often underestimate about building in the Midwest#ChicagoBusiness #Entrepreneurship #StartupEcosystem #EconomicDevelopment #BuildInChicago #MidwestTech #InnovationEconomy #Founders #VentureCapital #BusinessLeadership #CivicInnovation

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sit down with Brynn Michelich, Chief Operating Officer at Jellyvision, the Chicago tech company behind the wildly successful benefits-education platform ALEX. Brynn shares the fascinating evolution of Jellyvision, starting with educational films in the late ’80s, moving through the CD-ROM gaming era (yes, including You Don’t Know Jack), and ultimately becoming a leading HR-tech company helping millions of employees understand and use their benefits.From transitioning a services business into a scalable product, to navigating healthcare complexity, AI adoption, employee communication, and hybrid-work culture shifts, Brynn offers candid insights on leadership, operations, and what it really takes to build a company that blends behavioral science, empathy, humor, and technology.If you're an operator, founder, HR leader, or simply love great Chicago startup stories, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.More on Jellyvision: https://jellyvision.com/More on my company: https://cliquestudios.com/

Peter Wilt has built more professional soccer teams than anyone in the Midwest, including the Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Stars, and now the Chicago House Athletic Club, where he serves as President and CEO.In this episode of Ted Listens, Peter and I talk about what it takes to start a professional sports franchise from scratch, and the surprising similarities between launching a team and launching a startup.From community-driven growth and transparent leadership to the importance of purpose-driven branding, Peter shares decades of wisdom that apply far beyond the field. You’ll hear stories of early wins, hard lessons, and how Chicago House is creating a new model for inclusive, community-based athletics including men’s, women’s, youth, and adaptive sports.Whether you’re a sports fan, entrepreneur, or community builder, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about what it means to lead, to build, and to belong.More on Chicago House: https://www.chicagohouseac.com/Connect with Peter Wilt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wilt-26a7171/More on Clique Studios: https://cliquestudios.com/Connect with Ted Novak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tednovak/#BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurPodcast #LeadershipPodcast #GrowthMindset #StartupStories #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #FoundersJourney

Brian shares his journey from banking and real estate to launching a company that combines software, strategy, and social entrepreneurship to transform distressed properties into thriving assets.We discuss:What land banks are and why they matter for entrepreneursHow land banks serve as innovation labs for housing and technologyThe intersection of public sector rules and private sector opportunityWhy social entrepreneurship is key to sustainable economic growthIf you’re an entrepreneur, strategist, or community leader looking for fresh ways to create opportunity, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.#chicagorealestate #chicagobusiness #tedlistens

Have you ever thought, “I think I’ve got a book in me someday”?Bestselling author Adrienne Gunn joins Ted Novak on the Ted Listens Podcast to talk about how she turned that thought into reality, while continuing to thrive in her career.This episode covers the discipline of writing, the behind the scenes reality of publishing, and why community matters more than “networking.”Listen in and get inspired to finally start your own book project.

My guest today is Camilo Escalante, the Executive Director of Diverse Segments for Rate, and we’re really going to cover some ground. The episode was recorded live in the Ramova Theatre, so you’ll need to pardon some of the echoes, but what an amazing venue, we even had the energy of that nights performance soundchecking towards the end of the interview.Camilo is an accomplished Chicagoan making a real impact both for his community and on the national stage. We’ll start by diving into the opportunity he saw to launch an industry first end to end lending platform in Spanish, then navigate to his role and insights on the opening of Ramova Theatre and brewery in Bridgeport.Many of the details he shares are inspiring whether you’re working in a company or starting something new, I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

Today's interview is a bit different. It's not often I get to interview both owners of a business at the same time. Today I was fortunate enough get an audience with both Adam Ratner & Wendy Hayum-Gross, the Co-Owners of Grow Wellness Group. The Grow Wellness Group is a premiere provider of therapy, counseling, neuropsychological testing, psychiatry, sports psychology & performance improvement, yoga therapy and employer mental wellness solutions in Chicagoland.We dive into topics such as career transitions, starting and growing a wellness business, how to give back to your team and community, and the dynamics of a successful business partnership.Learn more about Grow Wellness Group and their foundation here: https://www.growwellnessgroup.com/

My guest today is Kasey Foster, Artistic Director for Chicago’s Lookingglass theater.Founded in 1988 by graduates of Northwestern University and located in a functioning pumping station that still supplies water to Chicago fire Departments, Lookingglass Theatre Company is a tony award winning nationwide leader in the creation and presentation of new cutting-edge theatrical works. Not only that, the theater contributes to Chicago’s community with Education and Community Programs, all based on their core values of collaboration, transformation, and invention.I got to record our conversation in a dressing room of the theater, and Kasey brings us further behind the scenes into how shows are selected, business operations, and their commitment to bringing new and original work to their audiences.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

My guest today is Evan Shy, CEO of Coding Temple.  Coding Temple, is a top-ranked tech training provider based in Chicago that’s helping people launch new careers in Software Engineering, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Quality Assurance, and they’re doing this in just six months. In our conversation, Evan not only shares insights on their blended learning model that produces an average $20 thousand dollar salary increase, and has a guaranteed job placement…  He also gives insights on how the business itself is managed.  With a track record leading other companies prior to Coding Temple, along with currently being an entrepreneur in residence with Chicago’s P33, Evan shares a lot from his unique perspective.  I hope you enjoy the conversion as much as we did.

***If you were inspired by this episode, please head to https://www.btschicago.org and make a donation***My guest today is Coach Mike Powell, Executive Director of Beat The Streets Chicago.  For those who don’t know, Beat the Streets Chicago is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to empowering Chicago youth through wrestling.  With the vision that all Chicago youth can be life champions, Beat the Streets Chicago has built and continues to build a city-wide network of wrestling programs that emphasize the values of integrity, accountability, excellence, gratitude and grit.In our conversation, Coach Powell takes us on his journey with the organization, gives a behind the scenes look on how it all works, shares some incredible stories of lives that have been impacted by the program, and gets into why wrestling specifically is helping shape tomorrow's leaders.I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

My guest today is Elizabeth Arnott, Director of Marketing & Publicity at Music Box Films.  Music Box Films is dedicated to curating a diverse repertoire of films and television from around the world, and bring them to theaters and into our homes through streaming services. In partnership with the iconic Music Box Theatre, considered Chicago’s premier independent cinema, and their mission is to engage audiences with exciting alternatives to mainstream entertainment.Elizabeth and I get into how the business works, from selecting films and what they look for, through some of their unique ways of marketing films, all the way through the ever evolving space of video streaming.  If you take notes while listening to podcasts, I recommend being prepared to jot down several film titles Elizabeth mentions.  I hope you enjoy the conversion as much as we did.

My guest today is Tommy Richards. Tommy is the National Entertainment Director for Howl2Go, which delivers the Howl at the Moon experience at events across the world. For those that don’t know, Howl at the Moon is famous for their dueling pianos, and is considered a top nightlife destination for live music with 15 locations nationwide… they even take up residence on 3 Norwegian Cruise Line ships.  If you’ve never been, I can speak from my own experiences that it’s a party and their performers make it an incredible evening. A musician and performer himself, Tommy shares insights on what it’s like to deliver the Howl at the Moon experience pretty much anywhere, and dives into examples on how they make it such a unique experience for their audience regardless of venue.  I think you’ll find his stories entertaining, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

My guest today is Andrew Sargis, Director of Sales and Chief of Operations at both Chicago Water Taxi and Wendella Tours & Cruises. Family-owned and operated since 1935, Wendella is Chicago’s Original Architecture Tour, and offers the greatest variety of tours and cruises on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Wendella also owns and operates the Chicago Water Taxi, which provides transportation along the Chicago River.If you’ve never taken one of their tours, buy a ticket.  If you have, buy a ticket. It’s easily one of the most Chicago experiences you can get and it’s different every time. My personal favorite is the Chicago River Architecture tour, but I’ll leave links in the show notes for you to check out all they have to offer.In this episode Andrew not only shares insights on how a 90 year old business tied to the city’s history operates, I learned he is quite a historian himself as he dives into the history of the Chicago River and the role it continues to play in Chicago’s economy.I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!Link to show notes: https://www.tedlistenspodcast.com/

My guest today is Julie Drainville of Edlong Flavor Solutions.  This Chicago business has a global footprint and focuses on re-creating one of the most complex flavor profiles out there, dairy and dairy free.  Julie is the Director of Global Sensory & Innovation for Edlong where she focuses on ensuring the flavor's Edlong develops for their clients will be enjoyed by consumers.  We learn how it’s not as simple as asking people if they like it, in fact she avoids that question altogether when conducting tests.Her role made this conversation particularly interesting as she shares insights into the process and science of what it takes to create a flavor people will actually enjoy.I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!Show notes and links to learn more about this guest and business: https://tedlistenspodcast.com/

RevenueShift is a fast growing organization based in Chicago that's helping organizations sell better. They have a unique set of tactics that not only blend organizational design with incentive strategies... they bring focus to what they call the "data side of sales."My guest today is George Lagone.  George is a partner at RevenueShift and has over 20 years experience in sales. In our discussion, he shares insights on the problems they solve for clients, what their typical customer looks like, and the people they hire.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.You can check out more about George and RevenueShift at https://www.tedlistenspodcast.com

In this episode, Jacob and I dive into the world of wireless charging technology. We learn how the Chicago-based NuCurrent came to be, and how their business is enabling some of the largest organizations to bring new products to market.

My guest today is Jeffrey Dirrenberger.  Jeffrey is the founder of Vault Innovation, an innovative software and mobile development agency.  But more than that, Jeffrey is what you might call totally immersed in Chicago’s startup and tech scene.  He’s a partner in multiple startups, investor in others, he’s highly engaged in the community…  We bump into each other all the time. In this interview Jeffrey shares insights on VAULT’s business model, the type of talent he hires, and the problems he and his team solve.  I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

In this episode, I interview Teresa Ging, the CEO and Founder of Sugar Bliss. Teresa shares insights on starting a business in Chicago, drawing from her experience launching Sugar Bliss bakery, expanding into big-box retail, and the lessons she learned along the way.