This week, we celebrate our official 100th episode with a special look back at the origins of this podcast including choosing the name, discovering our partnership with Studio C, developing our style of storytelling narrative, and creating plenty of off air bloopers along the way! Plus, our Chamber staff reflects back on memorable episodes and gives a look into their roles at the Chamber.

The Andersonville Chamber Staff (from left: David, Heather, Joelle, Laura and Sara) recording Episode 100 in Studio C.
“There’s nothing we can’t do if we work work hard, never sleep, and shirk from all other responsibilities in our lives.”
-Lesley Knope
Listen to Episode 100 with the Andersonville Chamber Staff!
This episode is full of fond recollections, but here are a few details and sources you may want to check out further:
- The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce launched the #AlwaysAndersonville campaign for Holidays 2017. The podcast name continued the efforts of that campaign and hashtag.
- The first recording Laura and Joelle did in Studio C was with Georgia Jones, former owner of Chicago Mindful Psychotherapy, but it actually aired as Episode 2. Listen now!
- Sara makes a reference to the recent Block Club Chicago article about Bryn Mawr Jewelry coming to the neighborhood. Check it out here.
- Sara also makes a reference to the 2004 Andersonville Study. You can view the study here.
- We share some fun stats near the beginning of the episode. Our top five downloaded episodes include: Cowboys and Astronauts with Matthew Buccila, Lost Larson with Bree and Bobby Schaffer, Vincent/Episode 1 with Michael Bransford, Scout with Larry Vodak, and Simon’s/Svea with Scott Martin
- This podcast has allowed us to create external partnerships, like our one with WGN Radio’s Outside the Loop. Check out the January 2019 Podcast Summit episode featuring #AlwaysAndersonville: The Podcast, and our recent collaboration over the Holidays in early December 2019.
- This is not a drill! Our podcast is now on Spotify
- What does $5 buy you in Andersonville? Some of our favorites include the lunch special at Ranalli’s Andersonville, two hand pies at Middle East Bakery, a kabob or soup from Taste of Lebanon, any coffee at our nine coffee shops, or a cookie at defloured Bakery.
- Our staff reflects on some of our memorable episodes. They include:
- David: Vincent – Episode 1
- Heather: RAYGUN – Episode 76
- Joelle: Steep – Episode 47
- Sara: Rattleback Records – Episode 74
- Laura: Terry Opalek and Michael Frontier – Episode 46
We’ve gone through and talked about our favorite podcast moments, and now we are throwing it back to our listeners. We want to hear from you. What stories have inspired you over the last two years? What episodes have been your favorites? What new businesses have you discovered? Where are you at when you listen? We are looking for listener testimonials! Please email them to us directly at info@andersonville.org