Joiners

Episode #63 - Katherine Duncan of Katherine Anne Confections

It’s all things chocolate on Joiners this week as we sit down with the one and only Katherine Duncan. You know her from her Irving Park based company, Katherine Anne Confections, where she has been delighting patrons since 2006 with inventive treats and a community focus. In an episode that will certainly pique your sweet tooth, Katherine joins us to dispel myths about truffles, provide insight into Chicago’s small but mighty chocolate scene, tell us all about her business and craft, and (as always) so much more.

Episode #62 - Brad Bolt of Bar DeVille

This week, we’ve got Brad Bolt on the show. Brad stands as a trailblazer of Chicago's cocktail movement, and his resume is rich with time spent at the helm of some of the city's most iconic bars. We talk about the opening of Bar Deville, whether or not bartending is a young person's game, what happened to that beautiful Chartreuse sign, and as always, so much more. Plus: Brad provides an updated recipe for his signature Hard Sell cocktail.

Episode #61 - Derrick Westbrook, Sommelier

This week, we're treated to a delightful series of framings and meanderings by sommelier Derrick Westbrook. Derrick, who served as the Cellar Manager of Alinea Group's NEXT and Beverage Director for Elizabeth, harbors a profound passion for wine that is crystal clear and infectious. With spirited storytelling and an inclusive attitude, he is generous with his knowledge, inviting everyone to discover their voice by trusting their senses. He tells us all about his journey into the world of enology, schools us on wine textures, digs deep into the sociology of hospitality, and much more.

Episode #60 - David Manilow of Check, Please!

David Manilow understands the magic of bringing people together with an unforgettable meal. In fact, he made a whole television show about it, one of this very podcast’s spiritual progenitors: Check, Please! Hundreds of episodes later, his passion for people, places, and food is undoubtable, and he has stories galore to back it up. He stops by the Joiners studio to tell us all about his inspiration for the show, some of its more notable guests, and what he’s working on now. Plus: a deep dive into the avant-garde, a reflection on the “hidden gem” category, chef tattoos, and so much more. 

Episode #59 - Matt Eisler of Heisler Hospitality

This week, we're joined by the founder of Heisler Hospitality (and half of its portmanteau namesake), Matt Eisler. With the uncanny ability to impliment a signature vision, Eisler is one of the most respected names in the industry -- and along with his partner Kevin Heisner, he's responsible for some of the city's most enduring and innovative establishments, from Estereo to Sportsman's Club to Lone Wolf. He tells about transitioning from playing Hockey in Calgary to buying Spike's Rat Bar, reminisces about opening a bar in Wicker Park during its salad days, walks us through the many phases of Heisler, and as always, so much more.

Episode #58 - Bridget Albert, Cocktail Educator

Don’t let her down-to-earth approach and genial humility fool you: Bridget Albert is an absolute legend of the craft cocktail scene, a powerhouse of creativity and raw performance whose keen sensibility and passion for education helped make the scene what it is today. With a raucous story that spans 19th century small-town taverns, airplane rescues, and riverboat casinos, she walks us through her storied career, and what inspired her to create one of the most influential and innovative mixology courses of all time (of which Danny is a proud alumnus.) This episode is rich with classic yarns and invaluable insights from an industry titan — we can't wait to have her back for a second round.

Episode #57 - Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread

This week, we’re joined by Chicago’s preeminent bread head, the wheat wizard of West Town, Greg Wade. Greg runs Publican Quality Bread and cut his bread-making teeth all over the city — his knowledge of the rising staple is vast, and he conveys it all in a low-key and relatable way, made evident on this episode and in his new book, Bread Head: Baking For the Road Less Traveled. We talk the history of flour, how to assess a loaf of bread, the intricacies of gluten, and so much more. Plus: Grateful Dead trivia in honor of Dead & Company’s last show. 

Episode #56 - Elise Bergman of Judson & Moore

This week, we have the multi-talented Elise Bergman on the pod. A musician and apparel designer, she is also one of the creative powerhouses behind Judson & Moore, an award-winning whiskey distillery based in Chicago that she founded alongside her husband, Collin Moore. We go deep into the spirit distilling process, with an insightful conversation about barrels and proof, as well as the puzzle of branding whiskey (a thing they’ve clearly solved.) Plus: Tim reveals an old tennis rivalry, we discuss the intersections between parenthood and running a business, and so much more.

Episode #55 - Michael Nagrant of The Hunger

For our longest episode yet, we are talking with prolific food writer and critic Michael Nagrant. A long-time champion and observer of Chicago’s food scene, he takes us through his storied career, from his pioneering podcasting days to covering the scene in an independent fashion on his Substack, The Hunger. In a sprawling and delightful interview, we talk the ethics of food criticism, taking precautions to ensure an authentic dining experience, breaking the Publican story, and lots more.

Episode #54 - Anders Erickson, Cocktail Content Creator

Our guest this week is more than just a bartender (though there's no questioning his bonafides in that arena) -- he's a glorified YouTube sensation who's managed to successfully marry his love of making craft drinks with his panache for storytelling and performance. Anders Erickson stops by the Joiners studio to tell us all about getting his start as a soda jerk in Door County Wisconsin, his thespian roots in Chicago, and the unintended consequences of running a drink-making YouTube channel. Plus: the curious seasonality of online engagement, the challenges of working with pals, and Danny's questionable pants.