Best Stranger Things Brothers Podcasts (2024)

1
Home Funeral Advocate Tawnya Musser 1:08:04

5h ago1:08:04

1:08:04

In this episode, I talk with Tawnya Musser about her role and experiences in the Home Funeral industry. Already in school to become a funeral director when her brotheer Robert died, Tawnya found the traditional funeral and death rituals to be lacking when it came to the way that her family wanted to celebrate Roberts life and give family and friend…

1
77: Legally Blonde & 10 Things I Hate About You 1:12:41

29m ago1:12:41

1:12:41

We're back in the era of our formative youth, aka the Y2K era, to visit and dissect the costumes of Legally Blonde & 10 Things I Hate About You. Join us as we dive in to Trashy Lingerie, Shakespeare's inspiration, and a third thing (for comedy)! Alert: baby on board for much of this episode! She was a very thoughtful guest. Lots of opinions on plat…

1
Courtney McKay. My Day is Not My Own and the Stolen Recipe. 53:47

3h ago53:47

53:47

More than a year ago I emailed this local business owner. Since the inception of HyperLocal(s) I wanted her to come on the podcast. I wanted to tell her what an imprint her family's business made on my childhood. Thankfully, my email made it to the top of her inbox, and we were able to sit down and talk shop. Listen as this Urbana made mother of tw…

1
Michelle Stallmeyer. A Stomach the Size of a Banana and the Secret to a Happy Marriage. 48:47

7h ago48:47

48:47

Articulate and sweet and obviously loved, Michelle has been through it. However, she has been through it with her high school sweetheart by her side. Listen as this Centennial High School graduate talks not having prescription coverage during kidney failure, a close circle raising more than $70,000 to help pay for prescriptions, undergoing three ki…

1
Ellen Hook. Caring for the Barn Before the House and Marrying an Abercrombie Model. 1:04:41

7d ago1:04:41

1:04:41

She's a mom at my school, and I didn't even know it! Maybe I need to open my eyes more, look up in the hallway and make an effort to know the parents around me. Many of us are so much more than what we see on the surface. Not only are we balancing the biggest job of raising kids, but some of us are keeping massive companies thriving, a family legac…

1
Comedian Liz Glazer 1:00:22

24d ago1:00:22

1:00:22

In this episode, I talk with comedian Liz Glazer about her album, "A Very Particular Experience," recorded on the one year anniversary of Liz and her wife's first daughter’s Leo Pearl stillbirth. We talk about the difficulty of even making jokes about such a heavy topic, let alone putting together an entire album. However, we also highlight how imp…

1
Dalitso Sulamoyo. Transplanted from Africa to Middle America and Surviving on the Kindness of Strangers. 52:19

24d ago52:19

52:19

Unexpected. This interview was an honest conversation about what I take for granted. It's a luxury for most—growing up in a place where opportunity is abundant. Dalitso came to the states for an education with few directions and not enough money to house and feed himself. Listen as this born Malawian moves himself from Africa to the Midwest in sear…

1
Sarah Bloomstrand. Falling in Love in an Ambulance and Working in the ER. 54:16

21d ago54:16

54:16

This gal is 100 percent good, authentic and sweet. She is a ray of light. If you come in contact with her in or outside of the Emergency Department, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. I do! Listen as this Galesburg transplant made her way slowly but surely to Champaign-Urbana where she has planted her roots and grew her family. Married to a p…

1
76: The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) & Shakespeare in Love 1:28:51

25d ago1:28:51

1:28:51

We're back from our summer hiatus and ready to rock! Join us in a nice long episode where we dissect the costumes in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002 version) and Shakespeare in Love. Will we answer the questions, when was the Romantic era (don't Google it!!!)? Are peacock feathers unlucky? A third question? Find out by listening! Follow along with …

1
Author Joseph Alvaro - "I'm One Of The Lucky Ones." 1:14:28

1M ago1:14:28

1:14:28

In this episode, I talk with Author Joseph Alvaro about his book, "I'm One Of The Lucky Ones: Remembering A Soulmate." After Joseph's wife Francés died in 2009, followed by a brother in law, an uncle, his daughter and his father, as well as a handful of friends. "It seemed like all I did was go to funerals for 14 months." In the wake of such trauma…

1
Claire Pritchard. NICU Noises and Removing All the Barriers. 57:33

28d ago57:33

57:33

Most teachers don't get a unanimous vote of AWESOME from all their students. This one, however, does. Mrs. Pritchard appreciates that all kids learn differently, all kids ARE different, school should be fun and experienced through projects. Listen as this Chicago suburb transplants to our town of CU with her townie husband and young son. This mom f…

1
The Bumba Brothers: Adonai & Peace. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing and Make Some Shake. 47:46

1M ago47:46

47:46

These two absolute shining stars taught me a lot. When they left Kitchen Table Studios, I was in a better mood than when we started. Wise beyond their years, these brothers should be so proud of their accomplishments. I'm excited to see them soar in the upcoming years. Listen as these Urbana brothers explain their parent's journey from the African …

1
Kaitlyn Cornell. Fat Chance and Weight-Loss Drug Talk. 1:00:10

1M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Disordered eating and eating disorders have changed in terms of language, scope and target demographic. What used to be a common topic in library books and after school specials is now talked about less as other mental health topics take center stage. However, more than ever with social media, weight loss drugs and misinformation, disordered eating…

1
Austin Beaty. Fishing Over Hunting Philosophy and the GOAT of Quote. 49:10

2M ago49:10

49:10

Insurance is supposed to be dry. Not a lot of flair, color and charisma involved. Austin bucks that stereotype. His education in communications and creative outlets bring a fresh perspective to the industry, and sales, in general. Listen as this Southern Illinois boy meets even more southern girl and builds a family and a business here in C-U. By d…

1
Andrew & Emily Harrington. We’ve Run Out of Content and What’s the One Thing We Don’t Know About Each Other. 1:01:59

2M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

This pod is an oldie but a goodie. We pushed this episode back to release the Boston ep for timeliness reasons. When we have nothing left to talk about, we play a game. Art imitating life. We do this sometimes when walking or waiting impatiently for something. Listen as my husband and "Tales From Two Townies" segment star talk "bringing the funk, u…

1
Jennifer Shelby. Finding Love at a Tailgate and Bringing Hollywood to Central Illinois. 58:42

2M ago58:42

58:42

Another That's What She Said cohort visits Kitchen Table Studios. She is smart, powerful, commanding and confident in her abilities and talents. Jen is no stranger to business, grief and going after what she wants. Listen as this Arizona born, Champaign raised, fixture in our community shares her opinion of our little-big community, her love of ani…

1
Connor Block. Breeding the Horse and Falling off the Bull. 33:38

2M ago33:38

33:38

Unfiltered. He warned me. This sweet guy isn't afraid to speak his mind, speak the truth and raise a little hell once in a while. Please excuse the MIC sounds, we did our best with the remote location. Listen as this proud Villa Grove born-and-raised seasonal farmer, horseman and new business owner talks about his family farm, "Team Block," assisti…

1
Bridgett Evenson-Laird. Big Changes Cause Big Breakdowns and Taking off the Mask. 56:26

3M ago56:26

56:26

Authentic, sweet, vulnerable and warm. She is everything you'd want in a teacher, her first vocation. She is everything you'd want in a realtor, her career now. Listen as this townie talks about switching careers, her ultimate purpose of helping people, building the life that you want, low level anxiety and spells of sadness turning into debilitati…

1
Patrick Stokes. A Different Kind of Interview and Seán’s Fight Against Tragedy. 23:29

3M ago23:29

23:29

Because of sound quality and the irreplaceable connection that comes with face-to-face interviews, I avoid Zoom and phone interviews at all costs. However, if something or someone’s message trumps those variables, I make an exception. That’s the case for Patrick Stokes and his son, Seán. Listen to a recall of May 17, 2024 when Patrick got a call no…

1
SoeYun Song. Using Humor to Heal and Toxic Positivity. 1:09:06

3M ago1:09:06

1:09:06

I met SoeYun during the 2024 That's What She Said (TWSS) rehearsals. She was well spoken and full of good advice and thoughtful observations. Then came the humor. Her storytelling was second-to-none, sandwiched with takeaways and pearls of wisdom. Listen as this now midwesterner explains how she went from Seoul, Korea to the tiny town of Tolono! Sh…

1
Author Courtney Deane 1:06:01

4M ago1:06:01

1:06:01

In this episode I got to talk to Author Courtney Deane about her new book, "When Happily Ever After Fails." Courtney's father died when she was just 14, and her mother when she was just 28. In order to process her grief and make sense of her feelings about her own identity as a now parentless person, Courtney wrote a romantic comedy novel about a y…

1
Emily Donohoe. Back Breaking Work and Done at One. 1:16:37

3M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

I met Emily D. when I was an eager mom who has since peaked at parenthood. Sign up for all the things. Take all the notes. Fill up the calendar. She was president of our pre-k board and patient with my onslaught of questions. At this time, Emily was laid up and recovering from one of MANY surgeries to repair and reconstruct the bones that keep fail…

1
Grace (Khachaturian) Hurtubise. It's OK and Finding Peace in Unexpected Places. 1:09:11

4M ago1:09:11

1:09:11

What a pleasure it was to sit across from a professional in communications. I had a lot more in common than I expected with this old soul, wise-beyond-her-years, grounded girl. Listen as this Champaign native talks purity before marriage, leaving the popular ciLiving local lifestyle show, maintaining uncompromisable roots while being flexible enoug…

1
Nicole Morgan. Prison Break and the Lead Tree in Peter Pan. 1:07:26

4M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Big personality. Red hair. Red lip. Huge heart. Her life ballooned beyond blue collar expectations into a higher education in performance. A built-in family and a special needs child lead her to a life of nurturing, advocating and creating a new normal. Listen to this Pontiac, Illinois transplant talk operatic music, singing as a learned skill, big…

1
75: Beetlejuice & Batman Returns 1:19:43

3M ago1:19:43

1:19:43

It's Tim Burton (and Michael Keaton!) month here on the Costume Plot, so join us as we gab all about two of Burton's early films, Beetlejuice and Batman Returns. Featuring latex, piping, and child brides! Follow along with the visual analysis via these links! Beetlejuice: Instagram, Pinterest Batman Returns: Instagram, Pinterest Questions? Comments…

1
Brett Shaw. Addicted to Feeling Good and Vibe Setter. 1:04:14

4M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Electric. Energetic. Magnetic. He doesn't even drink caffeine anymore. He is high on life. Brett feeds off people, hard work, momentum and passion. New to his schedule and routine, is the hard-to-achieve concept of BALANCE. This is the only podcast I didn't have to edit and the only podcast guest that brought a professional videographer/photographe…

1
Author and Podcaster Brooke Carlock 1:11:36

5M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

In this episode I talk with Author and fellow grief podcaster, Brooke Carlock! After a two year span in which she lost both her parents, her stepmother AND her 10 year old daugher Libby, Brooke has found a miriad of ways to process her grief, as well as help others through thier own. Her podcast, "Mourning Coffee" is an open and honest discussion a…

1
Nicole Allen. Cold Calling and It's Not Always Black and White. 44:48

5M ago44:48

44:48

A farming family gave Nicole the foundation for a degree in agriculture, a husband in agriculture and a first job in agriculture. Two kids later, Nicole has traded in corn and soybeans for color analysis. This home-run business has kept her calendar full beyond her wildest expectations. Listen to this Ursa native, a town of 600 people, talk small t…

1
Andrew & Emily Harrington. The Boston Massacre and Andrew the Male Nurse. 1:11:05

5M ago1:11:05

1:11:05

My husband, Andrew Harrington, and I podcast from our Boston hotel room. Our third guest, the hotel housekeeper, makes multiple off-MIC cameos. We are in Massachusetts in an effort to follow the Illini Basketball Team through March Madness. This obsession (of Andrews) leads to an achilleas injury from overuse of the gas pedal during these 14-hour u…

1
Airiel Sadler. Reasons to Celebrate Get Taken Away and the Importance of Fresh Shoes. 58:01

5M ago58:01

58:01

I had the pleasure of meeting weekly with Airiel Sadler during the 2024 rehearsals of That's What She Said. She was shy, then sweet, then vulnerable, then funny then articulate. Each time I listened to her speak, her words became more dynamic and more meaningful. She got 7 minutes on stage. Here is the full story of her glorious mess. Listen as thi…

1
74: Once Upon a Time & Riverdale 1:17:29

4M ago1:17:29

1:17:29

Consider this your stop if you want to get on a soapbox about TV shows that started really good and then crashed and burned. Because we're getting into two episodes of a couple of shows that did exactly that--Once Upon a Time (episode 1x07) and Riverdale (episode 1x01). Get into it! Follow along with the visual analysis via these links! Once Upon a…

1
Rachel Lindemann. I've Been Told I Register Young and Slashers. 1:04:18

5M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

It's not easy to follow your dream, to start something from scratch, to hustle and practice and hone your craft in the hopes that you are talented enough, or lucky enough, to one day be discovered for the gifts that you have to share. Listen as this local talks about her background in dance. This background would create a craving for the stage. She…

1
Wes Hanner. The Modern-Day Ice Cream Man and a Need for Redemption. 48:58

6M ago48:58

48:58

How did this once cubicle dwelling-ad salesman turn into the modern-day ice cream man? Listen as this local talks about his college days: the good, the bad and the ugly, how these days led to a need to prove himself, how my own good, bad and ugly days overlap with his, his full circle return to his fraternity house as a mentor to the younger guys, …

1
73: The Princess Diaries & 27 Dresses 1:19:59

5M ago1:19:59

1:19:59

It's time for some fun chick flicks today! Join us as we get into the costumes in The Princess Diaries and 27 Dresses, discussing Harry Winston, Gone with the Wind, and of course, the many charms of James Marsden. Note: something that came up when Sarah looked for IG accounts to tag from these designers is that DeBora Rachelle was a huge name in pr…

1
Comedian John Moses 1:02:03

6M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

In this episode I talk to my good friend comedian John Moses! John's father Ken managed to live for 18 months after being given a terminal diagnosis that was much shorter. Now a year after his passing, John is starting to process his relationship with his dad, and finding ways to let his new perspective make him a better man and father. We also tal…

1
DeAngelo Newson with Wife Stef. Love at First Bite With the Meat Man and High Expectations Lead to Heated Conversations. 1:03:25

6M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

This professionally trained chef, with wife Stef, fell in love with cooking food when he saw his cousin's face light up while eating his first solo dish. This passion won out over his second love, basketball, and would lead him to the pursuit of higher education at Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta. This militant environment would widdle a thousand student…

1
Anthony Corapi. Under a Microscope and Growing up in a World Where Everything’s Permissible but Nothing’s Forgivable. 1:05:12

6M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

This retiree of the US Navy, changed his course entirely at the height of his military career. Move up or move out. He didn't opt for travel and noon naps, rather he chose steering a ship full of high school students. Listen as this Brooklyn-born New Yorker talks about meeting the woman that will get him to Heaven, being the Chief Operating Officer…

1
72: Avatar: The Last Airbender with costume designer Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh 42:24

5M ago42:24

42:24

We're so excited to welcome back Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh, our first repeat guest! She's back to discuss her work on the new Netflix adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. We also get the chance to ask her what she values in her team, and what advice she'd give her younger self. Follow Farnaz on Instagram and her website! Follow along with the visual…

1
Ryann Monahan. When are You Finally Considered a Townie and Rewriting the Script of Your Life. 1:08:51

6M ago1:08:51

1:08:51

Once upon a time at a local baby pool, a talkative, pretty, friendly mom with a 100-watt smile struck up a conversation with me. Almost a decade later, this mom and I would end up living in parallel orbits as our sons traveled through summers, sports and school together. Listen as this Chicago suburbanite talks about her life raising three boys int…

1
Author Deborah Kasdan 1:02:34

6M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

In this episode, I talk with Author Deborah Kasdan about her book, "Roll Back The World - a sister's memoir." After being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a young adult, Deborah's sister Rachel lived most of her life in and out of hospitals and institutions. Now 20 years since her death, Deborah felt the need to tell Rachel's story, to honer her mem…

1
Ryan Groff. The Music Man and Modern Drugs. 53:06

6M ago53:06

53:06

I finally meet the multi-talented, teacher, musician, YMCA Body Attack King and hair God, Ryan Groff. Ryan has been on my potential list since the beginning of the podcast as a male "gotta" interview. Listen as this Southern Illinoisan talks about his crossover from jock to rock, teaching all musical abilities through tons of instruments over 60 le…

1
71: The Brothers Sun with costume designer Vera Chow 42:49

6M ago42:49

42:49

A bonus episode just for you! We're so excited to welcome costume designer Vera Chow to chat all about her work on Netflix's new show The Brothers Sun. We had a great time discussing not just the show, but fighting for AAPI justice, why jade is so important, and her a-ha moment at Cirque de Soleil. Follow Vera on her website and Instagram! Follow a…

1
Steve Friend With Wife Megan. Pay to Play and the Creative Athlete. 51:49

7M ago51:49

51:49

I catch up with a current LA (former Urbana) couple while they visited family during the holidays. A sweet email from Steve's biggest cheerleader, wife Megan, brought the potential interview to my attention and ultimately my kitchen table. Listen as Steve talks about his former professional life in baseball, the current state of the sport, starting…

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Stranger Things Brothers Podcasts

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