We’ve got a lot to be frankful for this holiday season! And it all starts with our love for Chicago Icon, Vienna Beef! Today, we hear the story behind the Chicago-style Hot Dog and more from this absolute Windy City beast!
We’re joined by Maizy Lind, Marketing Coordinator, who serves up the bunbelievable history of Vienna Beef and the Chicago Style Hot Dog! Hear about its roots to the Chicago World’s Fair and the poppy seeded popularity boom that came from the Maxwell Street Market.
Maizy talks about how their dogs are made, why so many ma & pop joints trust Vienna Beef, and what’s in their catalog of products beyond hot dogs!
We end with “Let’s Be Frank” where Maizy tells us her favorite hot dog topping, how she likes her french fries, and what she most loves about Vienna Beef!
Serve up Vienna Beef this holiday season! Order delicious snackies & treats at the link below!
We also want to thank everyone at Vienna Beef for welcoming us into their family on a tour of their manufacturing facility! It was truly impressive to see Chicago eats being made!
SHOP & SHIP: https://www.viennabeef.com/
VIENNA LOCATOR: https://www.viennabeef.com/find-vienna-beef/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/viennabeef/
HOT DOG UNIVERSITY: https://www.viennabeef.com/hot-dog-university
Get ready for a spooky stroll through time! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history of Halloween! From ancient Celtic roots to modern-day trick-or-treating, we uncover the origins of pumpkins, the story behind Halloween’s iconic colors,and the sweet legacy of Reese’s, and candy corn! Plus we learn a few fun spooky facts about Halloween!
**THIS SCARY EPISODE WAS FILMED LIVE ON LOCATION AND MAY CONTAIN HORRIFYING SOUNDS OF WITCHES BREWING, MONSTERS MUNCHING, AND DEMONS DRINKING**
Brew up something scary tasty at this horror-themed coffee shop in Chicago
The Brewed is located in Avondale and features spookily delicious coffee/tea and decor featuring tons of horror movie posters, memorabilia, and frightful vibes!
We meet Co-Owner Jason Deuchler, who tells us the founding story, what they do special for spooky season, and why they went with a horror theme!
Plus, we find out about their Halloween Block Party on October 12th, 11am-8pm! BYOB (Bring Your Own Bones)!
Visit them at 2843 N Milwaukee Ave
MENU/INFO: https://www.thebrewedcoffee.com/
HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY: https://www.thebrewedcoffee.com/events/halloween-block-party
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/thebrewed/?hl=en
This spooky season, we’re casting a glow on all things magical & mystical!
We sit down with Liz Frazier, Founder & Owner of Witch City Wicks, Salem’s spellbinding premier gothic and witchy candle company. From the spark that started her business to the inspiration behind her enchanting scents, Liz shares how she’s built an incredible brand, what inspired some of her scents, and how she handles the busiest time of year in Salem/ Halloween!
Light your favorite candle, settle in, and join us as we chat about entrepreneurship and Salem’s witchy legacy! We end with spooky rapid fire where Liz shares her favorite candle scents, dream collaboration, and more.
SHOP CANDLES: https://www.witchcitywicks.com/
INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/
VISIT: 302A Essex St, Salem MA
This week’s episode is full of good spirits and ghostly fun!
We sit down with Katie Stuck, Chicago’s Lead Tour Guide for Nightly Spirits, to uncover the haunted history, ghostly legends, and spirited nightlife woven into the streets of the Windy City. From eerie encounters in historic pubs to bone-chilling tales that lurk behind Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, Katie shares stories even locals don’t know!
Learn about the tour company, which focuses on smaller, intimate group sizes and offers a tour with booze (of course, the one we went on)! With tours in cities nationwide, you are sure to have a hauntedly good time no matter where you go!
We end this haunting episode with a special round of rapid fire covering everything from the most haunted place in Chicago to Katie’s favorite ghost movie of all time, and MORE!
BOOK A TOUR: https://nightlyspirits.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nightlyspirits/
We’ve got something for you to sink your teeth into! In honor of National Twighlighters Day and to kick off our 2025 Spooky Season, we sat down with Trey Plutnicki, one of the leading cast members in TWIHARD! A Twighlight Musical Parody.
Originating at Chicago’s Otherworld Theatre, the show’s current run takes it to the historic Apollo Theatre, where we sat down with Trey to talk all things Twighlight, fandom, and what audiences can expect when they come for a howling good time.
Known for appearances on Squid Game: The Challenge, Netflix’s Battlecamp, and his many Chicago Theatrical roles, Trey dishes on how he brings parts of himself into the show, including an iconic tap battle, and shares how the show has evolved since it first premiered. As an original cast member, Trey speaks to why the fandom is so strong and how the show perfectly blends actual Twighlight plot with modern comedic relief.
We end with rapid fire, discovering Trey’s favorite line from the show and that Aaron is neither Team Edward not Jacob, but instead pledges allegiance to Team Trey!
See Twihard now through September 28th at The Apollo Theatre.
Use code TIX25 to get 25% off all ticket types, valid for shows through September 21
TICKETS: https://www.twihardthemusical.com/tour
FOLLOW TREY:
https://www.instagram.com/choochootreyn/?hl=en
STREAM THE ALBUM: https://www.twihardthemusical.com/media
IT’S A BIG F*@KING PODCAST EPISODE!
We sat down at Maple & Ash with Chef + Managing Partner, Danny Grant, and National Spirits + Brand Director, Christina Demas, to talk all things food and drink!
Danny shares the founding story of the hospitality group and how they found their flame. Christina walks us through her cocktail menu and talks about what’s trending right now, including zero proof!
As a first timer, Aaron is introduced to the menu and their “I DON’T GIVE A F*@K” option. Danny dishes their iconic seafood tower and what’s called “beefed up butter”. Plus, the reason why cooking with fire is a difficult art worth mastering.
Danny and Christina also give us a taste of what’s cooking behind the scenes, including what’s ahead for this culinary icon.
We end with a round of wood flamed rapid fire, learning their go-to order at the restaurant and what they would cook for us if we came in to eat!
Dine at 8 W Maple, Chicago, IL.
RESERVATIONS + INFO: https://www.mapleandash.com/
SOCIAL:
https://www.instagram.com/mapleandash/?hl=en
Music I Use: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: GEPYSO2SVDRLELQ2
Artist: : Sound EGO
A canopy of comfort in the hustle & bustle of Chicago’s central loop, Canopy by Hilton is located in the former Chicago and North Western Railway headquarters! This historic building is located next to Willis Tower and is centrally located for all your Chicago fun!
We chat with Complex General Manager & Chief Enthusiast, Liz Kraft, about the luxurious property and the fascinating history behind the building. Learn about the hotel’s iconic decor and how they pay homage to the city’s rail history. Discover the seasonal flavors showcased at its 16th floor Mediterranean inspired restaurant, Seville. Plus, Liz shares some of her favorite facts about the Canopy brand at Hilton and what makes a stay here unique.
We end with rapid fire, learning Liz’s favorite spot in the hotel and her favorite drink to get at the hotel bar.
226 W Jackson Blvd.
BOOK A STAY: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chijbpy-canopy-chicago-central-loop/
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/canopychiloop/
In our five years of podcasting, we have worked with dozens of PR agents and firms. Today, we have the unique privilege of chatting with one of those firms, Heron Agency. A list of past episodes with their clients are below!
Noreen Heron founded the firm in 2000 and has built it into one of the nation’s leading lifestyle communications agencies. We chat about her many PR adventures, including how she came to found her own firm and some of the amazing projects and clients she has had along the way.
We discuss the Chicago market and what trends she sees in local businesses and social media.
We end with PR rapid fire, learning if she has a dream client and who the coolest person she’s ever met is (besides us, of course)!
HERON: https://heronagency.com/
FOLLOW NOREEN: https://www.instagram.com/noreenheron/
Sonny Acres Farm
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000712259676
Vacations by Rail
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000710876602
Randolph Street Market
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000629066714
Laura Gardner channeled true entrepreneurial spirit when she used her corporate layoff to gift the city of Chicago with its most iconic foodie invention in years, Local Style Chips!
Available in Chicago Hot Dog, Deep Dish, Italian Beef, Hot Giardiniera, and Regular Salted, these kettle style chips will leave you feeling like you just bit into your favorite Chicago classics!
Hear her founding story and discover how she drew inspiration from Japanese flavors on her honeymoon. Learn about how she landed on her flavors and what it takes to craft the complex layers of each dish.
Laura also shares why Chicago is so special when it comes to food and community.
We end with rapid fire, learning which chip goes well with champagne and what Laura’s dream flavor is!
To secure your own chips, use the store locator at the link below or purchase them online!
STORE LOCATOR: https://localstylechips.com/pages/store-locator
ORDER: https://localstylechips.com/collections/potato-chips
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/localstylechips
Where art thou Aaron & Ioanna? At Chicago Shakespeare Theatre!
Meet Edward Hall, a literal “Hall” of Famer on the World Theatre Scene. As Artistic Director, Edward helps oversee overall creative direction for the theatre, including a dozen productions this season!
Edward dives into the genius of Shakespeare and shows how the contemporary, new works the theater puts on connect to Shakespearean Classics. Hear how CST innovates to create award winning productions that go on to show around the world.
Edward talks about the 2025-2026 season and what you can expect from their shows this year (from tennis, to horror, to classic Shakespeare, they truly have it all). Plus, he outlines some of his vision for the theatre and touches on what makes Chicago’s theatre scene special.
We end with rapid fire, learning Edward’s dream show to put on and where he loves to go in Chicago!
Book tickets and learn about the 25-26 season at the link below!
BOOK TICKETS: https://www.chicagoshakes.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/chicagoshakes/
In this special episode, we celebrate five years of Sip with Me with our 180th episode!
We give you a behind-the-scenes look at our friendship, spill the tea on some of our podcast drama, and discuss the impact some of the episodes have had on our lives.
As always, thank you for listening and allowing us to share so many stories with you! Cheers to many more.
xoxo,
aaron & ioanna
Emily Kristen Morris defies gravity in all that she does! A Singer, Actress, Content Creator,
Vocal Instructor & Founder of EKM Studios, she’s known for her stunning performances on stage and has likely appeared in your social feeds, giving viral voice tips and vocal reactions.
Emily was the Elphaba standby on the Broadway National Tour of Wicked (what a resume credit) and played Bea in the Broadway National Tour of Something Rotten! In just a few weeks, she will play one of her dream roles in our favorite musical, Jenna in Waitress, in Ithaca, NY (ticket link below)!
We sat down with Emily to chat about her career and the many doors that have opened and closed along the way.
We discussed her voice studio, EKM, which has an entire team dedicated to teaching and coaching the next great voices of tomorrow! She shares what getting a voice lesson is like and what you can expect if you work with a coach.
We end with rapid fire, discovering Emily’s favorite show, her dream role (which we like to think we manifested wink wink), and her dressing room essentials!
Sign up for your own voice lesson at the link below and go see Waitress at the Hangar Theatre July 10-19!
EKM STUDIO: https://www.emilykristenmorris.com/ekm-vocal-studio
WAITRESS: https://hangartheatre.org/event/waitress/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/emilykristenmorris/?hl=en
There’s 22 acres and a thousand reasons to love Sonny Acres! Aaron’s childhood pumpkin patch and Ioanna’s farm dream come true, this gem of a space in the middle of Chicagoland has 125 years of stories to tell!
We meet Jeannine Fontana, who in 2019 purchased the farm with her husband (also a lifelong Sonny Acres fan) and his friend. She shares some of the farm’s history and how it grew to be a staple for fall festivals and childhood traditions.
Jeannine tells us about what goes on during their other seasons, including their upcoming summer rodeos, flower sales and Christmas trail.
Jeannine also shares her passion project, building a brand new wedding venue on the farm! Aaron also tries to pitch her on having him be their first wedding (he has been engaged for six years, it’s about time he locks it down)!!
We end with six acres of rapid fire, learning Jeannine’s favorite Sonny Acres food and her favorite ride on the farm!
VISIT/INFO:
https://sonnyacres.com/
SOCIAL:
https://www.instagram.com/sonnyacresfarm/
All aboard the Amtrak to adventure! This week, we’re joined by Liz Owens, Vice President and General Manager of Vacations By Rail, a Chicago-based company that helps travelers explore the world by train!
After we trauma dump on Liz for ten minutes about our flying anxiety, we discuss the unique benefits of traveling by rail! Liz breaks down what to expect for first-timers and spotlights some of the perks, such as constant views and a unique ability to hop on and off along your route!
She shares the must-book experiences for 2025, what’s trending in the world of rail, and shares some of what she envisions for the future of American rail!
We end the episode with a round of rapid fire, featuring her favorite onboard snack, dream rail destination and more! Liz also designs the perfect trip for us (no flying needed)!
Visit their site to browse trips and learn more!
BOOK & INFO: https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/vacationsbyrail/?hl=en
A podcast for campers, glampers and everyone in between! Pack your cutest flannel and prepare to wander into the rustic summer retreat of your dream! Welcome to Camp Wandawega!
This incredible retreat located just north of the border in Wisconsin has it all- a private lakefront, hiking trails, and the most Instagramable accommodations even Martha Stewart couldn’t have designed herself.
With roots in Prohibition and the Catholic Church, its location has many a tale to tell (if only walls could talk are we right)?!
Luckily, we met Tereasa Surratt, Co-Owner of Camp with her husband David, and she does an amazing job telling just a pinch of the camps’s storied past!
From cozy cabins to traditional tents, there is an accommodation for every vibe. Learn about them and the many outdoor activities you and your guest can indulge in during your vacation.
Learn from Tereasa why it’s so important to unplug and unwind, especially for the many creatives who come to the resort each year!
Tereasa also shares some updates on her newest project the “Bureau of Tourism” in West Town and we find out about their bourbon with CH Distillery, a past guest on the show!
We end with rapid campfire, discovering Tereasa’s favorite camp scent and how she likes her s’mores!
BOOK & INFO: https://wandawega.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/campwandawega/?hl=en
President Ioanna and VP Aaron would like to formally invite you to hear the tale of Chicago’s “Hotel of Presidents”!
Known for its many iconic former guests, including Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, the historic hotel on Chicago’s Michigan Ave blends its historic mystique with modern day luxury. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel boasts incredible lake views and enough tales of history to fill a book!
We chat with Violet Tossler, Marketing Manager for the property, who gives us the full historic rundown, from when the Blackstone was the tallest building in Chicago to the time Kennedy learned about the Cuban Missile Crisis from the Presidential Suite. There was even a barbershop inside where Al Capone and many presidents regularly got haircuts!
The hotel is also known for coining the term “a smoke filled room” as it was in one of the hotel suites where Warren G Harding was nominated for president outside the view of the press.
Beyond the history, Violet describes the hotel’s insane amenities, including a ton of original artwork, an on-site restaurant, and the most insane event space perfecting for weddings!
This is the perfect hotel for summer travelers or if you’re a local looking to have a unique staycation!
BOOK: https://www.theblackstonehotel.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/theblackstonehotel/
Now boarding iFLY flight 0001 from Chicago to wherever the wind takes us!
It’s immersion therapy week for Ioanna and Aaron! To get over their fear of flying, they’ve partnered with iFLY to literally take flight at their iconic indoor skydiving experience!
Joe Velez, the Senior Regional Director for iFLY, introduces us to the company and how indoor skydiving came to be! We discuss the experience of indoor flight and breakdown the fascinating science of their wind tunnel.
Hear how it differs from outdoor skydiving and why it’s perfect for even the most anxious flyers (cough cough Ioanna & Aaron).
We end with rapid fire, finding out Jose’s favorite stunt to perform and what’s on his skydiving playlist.
BOOK A FLIGHT:
https://www.iflyworld.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/iflyus/?hl=en
Chicago Locations: Rosemont, Lincoln Park, and Naperville
You’ve seen it in the movies- an artist wannabe goes into a studio, throws some clay on the wheel, and SPLAT, it’s all over the walls and ceiling, ruining your $120 Abercrombie jeans and leaving you with nothing to be on your mantle.
Lucky for Aaron & Ioanna, they found Penguin Foot Pottery and knew they were in good hands (literally).
We chat with Chris and Paige Busse about their Logan Square pottery studio and how they transitioned into full-time studio life!
Hear what’s trending in the world of pottery and find out the many experiences offered at the studio. From classes that last multiple sessions to one-time workshops, there’s something for all of us, even us clay newbies!
We also geek out to some pottery science in honor of Aaron’s Chemistry teacher husband!
We end with a round of rapid fire in the kiln to learn if Chris and Paige have a favorite piece and they describe Aaron and Ioanna as pieces of pottery!
Visit the studio at 2514 W Armitage! And book below.
BOOK: https://www.penguinfoot.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/penguinfootpottery/?hl=en
*THIS IS A LIVE INTERVIEW! Pardon the chocolatey construction noises in the background*
Ioanna & Aaron Twizzler Twist and are Jolly as a Rancher at Chicago’s Hershey Super Sweet Adventure!
Caitlin Maloney, Vice President of Creative at Original X Productions (OGX), introduces us to the company behind some of the nation’s greatest immersive IP experiences, including Harry Potter, Friends, and now Hershey!
We chat about the reopening of this Michigan Avenue experience. Coming at the perfect time as we emerge out of our winter slumber, it’s the refreshing downtown activity we needed!
Sweet surprises are sure to delight the family, especially the kid inside all of us. Featuring Hershey themed challenges, activities, and delectable photo pops, this is the perfect spring break or weekend fun for candy lovers, which let’s face it, is all of us.
Learn how the OGX team took iconic brands like Reese’s or Jolly Rancher and turned them into big, bold, and immersive exhibits. Taking on the role of “Sweet Seekers”, you’ll engage with this timeless American brand in ways you never thought possible!
We end with rapid fire, finding out if Caitlin has a favorite Hershey candy and which Jolly Rancher flavor she picks from the bag first!
Hershey Super Sweet Adventure is now open! Located in Chicago Water Tower Place.
Recommended for candy lovers of all ages!
TICKETS: https://www.hersheysupersweetadventure.com/
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/hersheysupersweetadventure/