First Time First Catch | Micki LeSueur

In addition to writing stories for fun and her own amusement, Micki LeSueur is a creative director and copywriter, writing fiction posing as non-fiction and putting on shows for major corporations and their agencies. She is also the founder and host of Fictlicious, a live reading and music series at The Hideout in Chicago, and president and founder of Coat Angels, a local not-for-profit proving warm winter coats for cold Chicago kids.  

produced by Brian Heath

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Test - Allie Wachowski

explicit language

The self appointed Mariah Carey of the midwest, Allie Wachowski has been described by bouncers as the "Wicked Witch of Logan Square," "Logan Square Famous", and "Can You Stop?" She's an aspiring Instagram honey and one third of the world's only living podcast, Amateur Hour. You can find her in her element on twitter @alliewach. She politely requests you refrain from speaking to her about anything that isn't hot dogs.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Test - Dan Epstein

explicit language

Dan started in radio in the 1990s as a DJ and producer for jazz stations in San Diego and San Francisco. During that time, Dan was co-producer of an occasional radio comedy series called The Cabinet of Dr. Marconi. As a CHIRP volunteer, Dan's been news director, one-third of the production director triumvirate, and features producer. He likes hats, and his 1979 Vespa scooter. Dan can trace his lineage all the way back to the first single-celled organism.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein
 

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Test - Bill Ayers

explicit language

William Ayers, formerly Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has written extensively about social justice and democracy, education and the cultural contexts of schooling, and teaching as an essentially intellectual, ethical, and political enterprise. His books include A Kind and Just Parent; Teaching toward Freedom; Fugitive Days: A Memoir; Public Enemy: Confessions of an American Dissident; On the Side of the Child; To Teach: The Journey, in Comics;  and Demand the Impossible! A Radical Manifesto.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Test - Britt Julious

explicit language

Britt Julious is a twenty-something journalist, essayist, storyteller and filmmaker. She regularly contributes to Esquire, ELLE, GQ, The Guardian,  Vice, Pitchfork, and many others. Her work focuses on the intersection of feminism, race, music, art and culture. She's a columnist for the Chicago Tribune and an editor for Vice’s THUMP. She also hosts The Back Talk, a storytelling podcast featuring original stories from women of color. She wants to remind everyone that although 2016 was been terrible, both Beyonce and Solange released new albums, so there's that.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Test - Sarah Sherman

explicit language

Sarah is a visual artist, stand-up comedian and all-around Gross Girl currently living in Chicago. She runs a monthly showcase HELLTRAP NIGHTMARE: A Night of Comedy Horror and Noise Music Terror, that has been really freaking everybody out.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Issue - Tristan A. Smith

explicit language

Tristan A. Smith is an actor, writer, and comedian born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the city's South Side in the Bronzeville neighborhood. It's a known fact amongst performers that great art comes through Chicago. Tristan has spent more than enough time in the city to provide all the evidence you need of just how special the homegrown talent is. A lot of elements have had a hand in crafting Tristan's artistry both in Chicago and in his travels. From his time in Atlanta at Morehouse College, to his improv and writing training at Act One Studios and Second City, to his everyday experiences. All of it makes an impact. He is honored to be working with Chirp Radio for the first time and happy you are listening.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Issue - Chris Trani

explicit language

Comedian and immigration rights activist Chris Trani tells the story of how he posed as a journalist from Street Wise to interview Jane Fonda and Eve Ensler.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Issue - Dustin Drase

explicit language

If you’ve been to Chicago in the past two decades, you've probably seen or heard Dustin somewhere -- be it DJing, hosting a radio show, or peddling records at local fairs and events. Obsessive record collecting as a teenager led him down the path of music journalism (Magnet, Dusted, MTV2, Stop Smiling), then to hosting a radio show and DJing. You can currently hear Dustin at monthly gigs at Coles or the Whistler in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. A veteran of the local record label scene, Dustin spent time in the trenches at Locust, Drag City, and the archival reissue label The Numero Group. In 2015, he was nominated for a GRAMMY (Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package) an A2IM Award (Creative Packaging) and won an AIM award (UK) for his work on the Numero release, Cities of Darskcorch. As if all that weren't enough to keep him busy, he also runs/owns two boutique record labels, Addenda and Plustapes. In the few instances when he has free time, Dustin enjoys playing board games and indulges his more nerdy interests by collecting comic books and vintage synthesizers.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Gig - Elle Quintana

explicit language

If good stories come from a riotous life, Elle’s background is just the thing. Born in Albuquerque, she traveled her whole life, which involved attending 22 different schools, before landing in Chicago 20 years ago. She’s been a talent buyer (translation: books bands) for 17 years, and loves whiskey, taking naps, bad decisions, and her daughter. In 1980 at Washington Elementary in Kalamazoo, MI, she won student of the month. She considers that the pinnacle of her success.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time podcasts

First Time First Gig - Megan Ensley

explicit language

Megan is a writer, actor, singer, political activist, and aspiring psychologist. She sings with the band, The Mashed Potatoes, has performed in numerous cabarets with Brown Paper Box Co., and has told stories for Story Lab Chicago and TUTA Theatre. She has also been a performer, writer, and director for various sketch comedy shows at The Second City Training Center and Stage 773. When not performing, Megan can be found working on graduate school applications to become a clinical psychologist.

produced by Brian Heath and Dan Epstein

Download this episode Subscribe to all podcasts Subscribe to all First Time 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

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