We're seeking new members for our 2025 Board of Directors, as well as our founding Associate Board for young professionals 35 and under. Details and application at each of the links above.
CHIRP Podcasts
First Time First Gig - Rachel McCartney
explicit language
Rachel McCartney has performed in way too many bars to still look so out of place in them. Based in Chicago, she is a regular at the Laugh Factory, and recently made her Comedians You Should Know debut opening for Drew Michael at his album recording. She has also performed at the Comedy Exposition, the Green Gravel Comedy Festival, and the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival.
The Chicago Tribune once described her as a "New Year's treat," which probably made more sense when the article was published in early January. In less calendar-sensitive praise, local legend Peter-john Byrnes once called her "Chicago's foremost grammar comedian," and she plans to have that distinction carved into her headstone.
produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein
Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts
News Chicago’s Cajun Connoisseur Serves Deliciousness and Opportunity
Kyle Kelly is the co-owner and head chef of The Cajun Connoisseur. He's a self-taught Cajun chef starting out his second winter in the “deliciousness business” of Chicago’s food truck scene. With his crew of family on board, Kelly serves grits, jambalaya and po'boys, makes plans for his brick-and-mortar restaurant, and offers opportunities to young people from his Englewood neighborhood. But his mantra of good food and forgiveness can't prevent gun violence from touching his business and his life.
This story was produced as part of new collaboration between CHIRP Radio and City Bureau, a Chicago journalism lab. City Bureau reporter Sarah Conway worked with CHIRP producer Dan Epstein to create this day-in-the life radio portrait as part of City Bureau's fall 2016 cycle on Englewood's food desert.
Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all News podcasts
First Time First Gig - Ada Cheng
Ada Cheng is renegade academic and a professor turned storyteller, improviser, and comedian. She is a recent Moth story slam winner, Bughouse Square Debate runner up, and presenter at The National Storytelling Network Conference. In her free time, she loves sleeping (with or without cats) and playing with cats (sleeping or not). Her motto is: Make your life the best story you tell.
produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein
Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts
First Time First Gig - Alicia Swiz
explicit language
Alicia Swiz is a professor and performer who facilitates conversations about feminism and pop-culture through humor, candid observation and being really smart. She teaches Media & Gender Studies at Harold Washington College and is the creator of SlutTalk, a performance that raises awareness of slut shaming and encourages sex positivity. Sometimes she's funny; sometimes she's not. Find her on the Internet @popgoesalicia
produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein
Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts
First Time First Gig - Billy Kalb
explicit language
Billy is a CHIRP Radio lifer – he was there the weekend it first came together, and they've been stuck with him ever since, as a board member, erstwhile DJ, and even Music Director for the station's first five years. In his 30 years on this planet, he's owned three iPods, gotten his picture taken with Ludacris, and had a letter published in Yahoo! Internet Life, not necessarily in that order. When he's not striving to make an honest living, he lives with his wife and their two pet rabbits in Humboldt Park, where he cooks, mourns the decline of the modern super hero comic, and tries not to drink his beer so fast.
produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein
Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts