Alyssa and Captain Scoot from the maritime podcast ShipWrekt go back to the early 1900’s when schooners lined the main branch of... more

Are we living in the most debaucherous era? To figure it out Alyssa and Risen Lady Heathen travel back to... more

Alyssa updates John about the insanity that was Danny Solis' testimony. Words cannot express the plot twists.  This is a stand alone... more

In this episode we talk about Fred Hampton who is perhaps the most important Civil Rights Activist you have never... more

Two geeky gals discuss an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum with some fun digressions. Learn more about your ad choices.... more

Alyssa is joined by David Baxter (Thank You Five, Friends of the Countess, The Twelve Months of Christmas) to discuss the history... more

I am joined by The Pat Whelan from BestEveningEver! to discuss Peter Schivarelli best known as the manager for the band Chicago and owner... more

In this episode, Alyssa gets Morgan Stringer's takes on three upcoming Chicago lawsuits: Thompson V United States, The Hoover Case, and Hubbard Inn.  Directly related... more

In this episode Alyssa tells Ben Panko about the 1992 and 2021 versions of the movie Candyman and the urban legends which... more

Alyssa updates John Zinn about the Madigan trial which organically invokes William Shakespeare, Steven Sondheim, and David Axelrod and others.   Stay for... more

Alyssa is joined by Molly McAleer from Mother May I Sleep With Podcast and Trend Lightly to discuss "The Steve Bartman Incident" and some parallels to the... more

In this episode I tell Jeff Tischauser from Southern Poverty Law Center about the time the Chicago Tribune created a LGBTQA Moral Panic in... more

In this episode I am joined by Captain Scoot and we discuss Block 37 which was nothing better than a... more

In this episode we discuss Sears, Roebuck and Company. Show Notes: WTTW: The Rise and Fall of the Mail Order Giants (Article) WTTW:... more

This is not an episode about the history of Mike Royko. Instead, Alyssa is joined by writer and actor Mitchell... more

Alyssa is joined by Risen Lady Heathen to discuss innovator Aaron Montgomery Ward and his contribution to retail and the... more

I am joined by Vanessa to talk about Dan Proft. A man who hates Chicago.  Digressions include:  Veggie Tales Disqualifying resume items for Chicago pols Why is... more

This week Mo Sting from Hot Dockets and I discuss the trial of the Chicago Seven. So much laughter. Show Notes: Conspiracy... more

Chicago will host the 2024 DNC convention but is is worth exploring the most tear-gassed convention in 1968. The parallels are... more

This episode was released last summer but next week Chicago will host the DNC and given how crazy the last... more

Twenty-years ago a driver working the the Dave Mathews Band dropped 800lbs of poop which landed on a boat full... more

We finished our Madigan Series.   Much like historians trying to write about the period from the June Trump Biden debate until the... more

In this episode John and Alyssa talk more about Mike Madigan's career while looking at his impact on patronage jobs,... more

Bob Cooley, the central character from Operation Gambit, wrote the judge in Ed Burke's case a twelve page letter. Alyssa... more

In this episode, Alyssa and John talk about the Blago impeachment and political dynasties in Illinois. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Column: Madigan’s... more

John Zinn and I are embarking on a journey to look at the career of former Speaker of the Illinois... more

In this episode Alyssa is joined by Captain Scoot to discuss the history of Taste of Chicago. Was Chicago Fest... more

In this episode I am joined by legal expert Morgan Stinger and John Zinn to discuss the Ed Burke sentencing.  Image from Hare Brained Show... more

In this episode Alyssa is joined by Risen Lady Heathen to talk about the rise and fall of the KKK... more

In this episode, Alyssa is joined by Hugh Yeman to discuss "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault" an event that... more

In this episode Alyssa is joined by David Baxter to discuss the history of Pride in Chicago.   Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: A Brief History... more

Alyssa is joined by Pat Westmacott of The Grinning Barretts to talk about Chicago's Punk Icon, Wesley Willis with a... more

Alyssa takes a break from crime and corruption to tell Vanessa from Reel Relationships about a living local hero and one... more

With Ed Burke Day mere days away, Alyssa invited Morgan Stringer from Hot Dockets to the Dirksenverse to explore Operation GAMBAT which involved putting away... more

In this episode Alyssa is joined by Steven Ray Morris of See Jurassic Right and formerly My Favorite Murder to discuss the 1950's murder of the... more

Alyssa is joined by Ben Mandelker of Watch What Crappens to discuss the life and times of Chef Charlie Trotter. Some of you might be asking,... more

The Chicago Bears and the City of Chicago held a press conference so stunning Alyssa had to sit down for... more

Alyssa and Scoot talk about Mayor Daley's "Plan for Transformation" and the current state of Cabrini-Green. Show Notes: Block Club Chicago: Cabrini-Green:... more

In this episode we discuss how Mayor Jane Byrne sorta takes up residence in the projects and throws the most... more

Alyssa tells Captain Scoot about early years of Cabrini Green which, for rightful reasons, was considered to be the most... more

In this episode we discuss two tragedies that shaped Chicago and made national news. Show Notes: Time Out Chicago: The E2 tragedy... more

Alyssa is joined by Pat Westmacott to discuss the history of Soldier Field as well as the Bears history of... more

Alyssa is joined by Molly McAleer of Trend Lightly and Mother May I Sleep With Podcast to discuss Chicago's Most... more

Alyssa is joined by Ronnie Karem from Watch What Crappens to discuss a Chicagoland Icon Show Notes: ABC 7 Chicago: Betty Loren-Maltese... more

Alyssa is joined by Pat Westmacott to talk about the last time the White Sox wanted a new stadium. Chicago has... more

In this episode Alyssa is joined by John Zinn to discuss Chicago's beloved weather man but first we have some... more

Alyssa is joined by Nikki Patin from R.A.G.E to discuss Oscar DePriest: Chicago's First Black Alderman. Digressions include: Tucker goes grocery shopping... more

Alyssa is joined by Vanessa from Reel Relationship Podcast to discuss The St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Which has more layers... more

In this episode Alyssa tells Morgan Stringer from Hot Dockets about bat shit crazy corruption happening on Cook County Courts. Alyssa... more

Overall this episode is about transportation. Alyssa tells Cap't Scoot about a 1977 "L" train derailment which leads to the time... more

Alyssa tells John about Disco Demolition. Show Notes: Do you Think I'm Disco? Countdown with Keith Olberman Steve Dahl's Notorious Disco Demolition Remembering 1979’s ugly... more

Forty-five years ago, between January 12-13 Chicago experienced a snow fall that not only inconvenienced residents but impacted an election.  Alyssa... more

Alyssa is joined by David Baxter to discuss Mayor Anton Cermak and conspiracy theories surrounding his death. Alyssa missed out on... more

John Zinn drops in the hear about the verdict and its aftermath. Some of the takes are infuriating. They discuss... more

In this Episode Alyssa tells Molly McAleer the history of a Christmas Icon. Digressions include: Malort Pearl Davis Are Vixen and Prancer gay? Tucker The Nutcracker Show... more

In this prefect Christmas episode Alyssa is joined by Jeff Barrett from the "It's No Fluke" podcast to discuss the... more

Once upon a time, people had to pay to use a public toilet. In this episode we discuss the history,... more

Ed Burke's trial as underway and it has been both tedious and wacky. In this episode Alyssa tell John her... more

In this episode, Alyssa Tells David Baxter about William Hale “Big Bill Thompson” who is considered to be the most corrupt... more

In this episode, Alyssa tells Cap’n Scoot about the reversal on the Chicago River. An alternative title could be “A River... more

Welcome to Juicyverse! In this episode Alyssa tells Vanessa Murphy from Reel Relationships about the marketing mastermind behind the Gum... more

In this episode Alyssa tells Pat about the 1919 Race Riots which are considered to be, simultaneously, amongst the least... more

Ultimately this episode is about Ed Burke's current, and long time coming, legal woes. We also talk about all the... more

In this Episode Alyssa tells John about the long and bitter custody battle for "Baby T." The only digression is potty... more

In Chicago Politics there are people who benefit from graft and those people who investigate it. These are their stories. This... more

Ever hear about the "Council Wars?" In this episode Alyssa tells John about the Eds' efforts to obstruct Chicago's First... more

This is the beginning of a five-part series where Alyssa tells John Zinn about someone who might be Chicago’s most... more

You might of heard about the guy who claimed to have had sex with Obama and the resulting conspiracies, including... more

As the White Chili simmers in the crockpot, Alyssa tells Risen Lady Heathen about some elephants who consumes alcohol and... more

After two downer episodes, Alyssa invites Molly McAleer on to discuss many things about Hostess Twinkie. They have been around for... more

In this episode Alyssa tell David Baxter about a maritime tragedy worse than the Titanic. SHOW NOTES: Coast Guard Smithsonian: The Eastland Disaster... more

Alyssa tortures David Baxter with details about a fire. No, not The Great Chicago Fire. Another important one. Show Notes: Failure Magazine History... more

In this episode Alyssa tells Vanessa Murray host of Reel Relationships about The Great Chicago Flood, one- hour photo, parking spots... more

After a few weeks of dark content, Alyssa thought we could use some fun so she tells John Zinn about... more

This episode was released last summer but next week Chicago will host the DNC and given how crazy the last... more

Chicago will host the 2024 DNC convention but is is worth exploring the most tear-gassed convention in 1968. The parallels are... more

Spoiler Alert. Streeter dies. You shouldn't be shocked this started in over a hundred years ago. In this episode things take a... more

In this episode, Maria goes to jail. Streeter goes to Prison. SHOW NOTES: In my research, I found many conflicting reports. In some... more

In this episode, we discuss two very important aspects of Streeter Lore the letter from Grover Cleveland and the District... more

Mona Aburmishan and I discuss Chicago's most colorful character. Was he OG militia, a conman or both? Enjoy this series. Digressions include: Proud... more