Yes, Dancing with the Chamber is back. Now Brookfield will not be getting another stellar dance performance by myself, but there are a lot of people who are stepping up to make sure the show goes on, lol. In this episode we talk to co-founder Teresa and one of the new competitors, Chris Valadez of Cycle Brookfield. This is an episode you can't miss…

Anthony owns Superior Barbershop on the corner of Prairie and Burlington. I met Anthony when I was in desperate need of a haircut and was driving through Brookfield. I walked in (without an appointment) and they welcomed with open chairs. And they gave me an amazing haircut. Then we realized that we have a few mutual friends. Next thing you know it…

This episode, I interview Illinois Appellate Court Justice Jesse Reyes who is running for the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Reyes is well-known within Cook County as someone who is always present and also advocating for equal access to justice. It is my honor my to call him a good friend, but also an honor to bring him back to Explore Brookfield …

Carla Riseman rediscovered art and in doing so joined the online community, The 100 Day Project. She created a new piece of art every day for 100 and shared it with our community. Her adventure in art was awesome and as we get ready for the Fine Art Festival this weekend, check out this episode. You can see her artwork at @thundermoonstudio.…

The past group of freshman State Representatives was one of the most diverse in Illinois history including representatives of Palestinian, Korean, Indian, and Vietnamese descents. It is amazing diverse. We talk about this diversity with one of Brookfield's new State Representatives, Abdelnasser Rashid. We learn about his recent trip to Palestine du…

Today I interview someone a little outside of Brookfield, but you will see why. I met John Paul Demirdjian, "the Captain," at a golf outing and I knew he would be a hilarious podcast guest. You are going to launch your buttocks off. We talk about how he created his own hot sauce and so much more. Listen, I'm not a huge hot sauce person, but this st…

In April 2023, vandals painted over the beloved rainbow stairs of the Holy Covenant MCC Church on Maple. The church ministers to the LGBTQIA+ community and it's allies. It celebrates love by worshipping and serving our community, so why this act of hate? Well, the greater community of Brookfield responded and the rainbow stairs have been restored. …

July in Brookfield is going to be a lot about biking and we are putting Brookfield on the international map. This week, I talk with Chris Valadez of Cycle Brookfield about two awesome events: the Intelligensia Cup and Bike Brookfield. The Intelligensia Cup is an internationally-known crit race that will bring people from around the world to Brookfi…

Everyone remembers going to the zoo as a kid and seeing that Mold-A-Rama machine and wanting to get a plastic dolphin or even dinosaur. Well, today he hear all about the business. Mold-A-Rama is actually based in Brookfield close to one of the favorite accounts - The Brookfield Zoo. From the zoo to an exhibit all about them at the Museum of Science…

In this week's episode, I talk to Chief Mike of the Brookfield Police Department all about crime and policing in Brookfield. Chief Mike is an extremely interesting guy with a rather surprising, but very useful background. Listen to find out more.

In this episode of Explore Brookfield, I speak with Dr. Freytas from Riverside-Brookfield High School. Dr. Freytas and I fiercely competed in the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Dancing with the Chamber and we had some fascinating conversations backstage. I'm not sure if he realized how impactful it was, but I was really impressed and I told him, yo…

Episode 1015 This week’s episode is a bittersweet one, as your favorite podcast producer (that’s me!) tells his story before saying goodbye. Dialing in from the snowy slopes of France, Ben Clemens interviews me, Dylan Higgins, for the latest edition of FanGraphs Backstories. Ben and I talk about the gateway drug that was Moneyball, how I hopped fro…

In this episode of Explore Brookfield, we talk to John Smego, the franchise owner of the local College HUNKS Moving and Hauling. We talk about his military service, his adventure into starting his business and all about the services they offer. Pay attention to this episode and you can win a copy of "Effortless Entrepreneur: Work Smart, Play Hard, …

Episode 1014 On this week’s show, we discuss the new rules on display in spring training before reacting to Manny Machado’s new extension. Jay Jaffe is joined by Dan Szymborski as they welcome back baseball, now with a pitch clock and bigger bases. The pair discuss the effects of these changes, such as the clock’s impact on relievers vs. starters, …

Today we talk with Brookfield Trustee and Board Liaison to the Conservation Commission, Katie Kaluzny, and Chair, Bridget Jakubiak. We are talking about the creation of a Brookfield Sustainability Plan, either upcoming workshop, and the work of the Conservation Commission.By Jason Baumann

Episode 1013 It’s Prospect Week at FanGraphs, so our scouting department shares how the prospect list sausage is made before we hear from a fellow ranker who is now on the team side. To start things off, lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen is joined by contributor Tess Taruskin to celebrate making it through Prospect Week and to shine a light on…

Episode 1012 On this edition of the pod, we talk to a player/analyst in the Cardinals system before hearing the story of how our RosterResource guru got here. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Ryan Loutus, a 24-year-old right-hander who went undrafted out of a D-III school and now finds himself in the Cardinals’ big league camp. Loutos…

Episode 1011 This week, we sit down with one of the bright baseball minds in Baltimore before getting our lead prospect analyst’s backstory. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Sig Mejdal, vice president and assistant general manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Mejdal tells us about breaking into baseball with the Cardinals, and what his d…

I am super excited about both this episode and something new coming to Brookfield. It's the Intelligensia Cup. This is an international crit bicycle race that is coming to Brookfield on July 26th. It's an awesome opportunity to showcase our Village, our people, our businesses and our neighborhood pride. Hear all about it in this episode. Chris even…

Episode 1010 On this week’s show, we consider the career of a potential Hall of Famer before getting to know one of our writers better. With Joe Mauer destined for the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame and set to arrive on the Cooperstown ballot for the first time this year as well, Jay Jaffe felt it appropriate to chat with Dan Hayes of The Athletic ab…

In episode 3 of Explore Brookfield, we chat with Dylan Kloska of Vines & Vinyl. Vines & Vinyls is a new store to downtown Brookfield that combines plants and music - two passions of its owner. Dylan is super cool and you will love this episode and the store. You need to check it out.By Jason Baumann

Episode 1009 This week, we reflect on the recent Hall of Fame election results before catching up with a top Pirates prospect. First up, Jay Jaffe welcomes Ryan Thibodaux, who leads the team at the Hall of Fame Ballot Tracker, to discuss Scott Rolen’s enshrinement and the wild day leading up to it. Ryan has worked on the Tracker for a decade now, b…

In the second episode of the second season of Explore Brookfield, I speak with Rebecca "Becky" Davis all about her journey from RB athlete to Art-repreneur. She's painted the walls of Tischler's and holiday installations at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and she's an accidental artist. It's a wild journey that you have to hear about.…

Episode 1008 In this episode, we get insight from a professional run-creator before turning the tables on our favorite interviewer. In the first half, David Laurila welcomes Donnie Ecker, bench coach and offensive coordinator for the Texas Rangers, to the program. Ecker, who David also interviewed last year, shares what it’s like to work with manag…

In the first episode of the second season of Explore Brookfield, I speak with Michael Garvey, the Village President. We don't shy away from rough topics at all. We talk water meters and bills, crime and more. I even put him on the spot about what would happen if there was another Chamber dance contest. What do you think? Is he in? Listen and find o…

Episode 1007 This week on the pod, we pair a veteran reliever with a young star before interviewing one of our own fresh faces. To start things off, David Laurila welcomes Spencer Strider and Andrew Miller back to the show. Strider and Miller had not officially met before, but they quickly hit it off, discussing growing up as fans of each others’ c…

Episode 1006 In the first show of 2023, we welcome back a beat writer friend to talk Cardinals before introducing a new series on the podcast. At the top of the program, David Laurila is joined by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (and The Best Podcast in Baseball), who last appeared on episode 903. The duo discuss whether Nolan Arenado …

Episode 1005 This episode, we welcome back another old friend who is casting their first Hall of Fame ballot, then talk about the most surprising free agent move in recent memory. We begin with Jay Jaffe and David Laurila continuing their new annual tradition of discussing their Hall of Fame ballots on the podcast, and […]…

Episode 1004 This week, we talk to the man in charge of an on-the-rise franchise before discussing the international market and a puzzling trade. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners. We hear his thoughts on the wild spending going on around the […]…

Episode 1003 After a big week in baseball, we bring you two face-to-face conversations from the San Diego Winter Meetings before a chat about outfield defense. First up, David Laurila sits down with Fernando Perez, former major league outfielder and analyst and current coach for the San Francisco Giants. We hear what Fernando was doing […]…

Episode 1002 This week on the show, we welcome a long-time major leaguer to chat about the World Cup before going over some recent moves and looking ahead to the Winter Meetings. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Brad Miller, a 10-year major league veteran and a big soccer fan. The pair […]…

Episode 1001 Hot Stove season is upon us and we are ready to start picking apart transactions, but not before we talk about the Kansas City Royals. To kick things off, David Laurila welcomes Joel Goldberg, broadcaster and reporter for the Royals. David didn’t put Bobby Witt Jr. on his AL Rookie of the Year […]…

Episode 1000 That’s right, we have reached our four-digit milestone. Look back through the years with us before we look to the future (or at least this upcoming offseason). It would be impossible to fully encapsulate all 1,000 episodes of FanGraphs Audio, but this producer put together 22 minutes of great memories. Going all the […]…

Episode 999 This week on the pod, the most Philadelphia pairing we have on staff comes together to break down the World Series so far. Michael Baumann is fresh off covering Games 3 and 4 of the World Series in person, and he welcomes lead prospect analyst and old Crashburn Alley pal Eric Longenhagen to […]…