Best Cool Side Productions Podcasts (2025)

1
Pokémon Crystal 1:03:10

7h ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In their third release of their second generation, Pokemon decided to go for it and made a game that pioneers nearly everything we know and love about the series today. Animated sprites, battle towers, and YES you can play as a girl. Despite being the lowest selling mainline Pokemon game it’s become known as one of the greatest and also one of the …

1
Supplements Demystified: What Works, What’s Hype, and More with Cymbiotika Founder, Chervin Jafarieh 56:00

2d ago56:00

56:00

Everywhere you look — TikTok, Instagram, TV — someone’s telling you what supplements you should be taking. Nine pills before breakfast, powders, green drinks, gummies… it’s a lot. But what’s actually working and what’s just hype? Today, we’re cutting through the noise with the ultimate wellness truth-seeker himself: Chervin Jafarieh, founder of Cym…

1
OTL #968: Why everyone hates white liberals, The Secret History of Hot Mama Silver 57:02

5d ago57:02

57:02

Mike Stephen sits down with Kevin M. Schultz, chair of the history department at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the author of a new book called Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals), and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s and 80s rockers Hot Mama Silver.By Mike Stephen

1
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - The Game 1:14:45

7d ago1:14:45

1:14:45

This is where the fun begins. Mike & Neil are back to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith coming to theatres. A lot has changed since 2005 but the boys’ love of Episode III remains constant. Josh, host of Star Wars Escape Pod joins the show to discuss his early memories of the movie and to talk about the Revenge of the Sith game f…

1
Love Bombing, Breadcrumbing, “The Spark,” and Red Flags You Can’t Ignore with Dating Expert Kimberly Moffit 51:11

9d ago51:11

51:11

Dating has changed—dramatically. From ghosting to breadcrumbing, love bombing to the pressure of “the spark,” navigating modern romance can feel like a minefield. Enter Dr. Kimberly Moffit, renowned relationship therapist and dating expert, here to break it all down. In one of our most requested episodes ever, we dive into dating after divorce, how…

1
OTL #967: The origins of gun violence in Chicago, Andy Madden’s new music 43:56

12d ago43:56

43:56

Mike Stephen discusses the origins of gun violence in Chicago with Jens Ludwig, author of the new book called Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, and then sits down with local musician Andy Madden about his new music and upcoming record release performance.By Mike Stephen

1
Remakes & Remasters 1:09:01

14d ago1:09:01

1:09:01

Video games have truly entered the age of remakes yet the terms are extremely divisive amongst gamers (just go to reddit for an eye popping amount of squabbling). To bring some of that reddit energy here, except without the hate and vicious arguing, friend of the show Kira (@toonietwirls) joins the episode to discuss her thoughts on remakes, remast…

1
Want to Be an Influencer in 2025? Conor Begley on the Do’s and Don’ts of Influencer Marketing 45:57

16d ago45:57

45:57

In this episode of Lipstick on the Rim, we dive deep into the ever-evolving world of influencer and creator marketing with Conor Begley, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of CreatorIQ. From beauty and fashion to entertainment and beyond, Conor unpacks what’s really driving success in the creator economy—and why trust, authenticity, and communit…

1
OTL #966: Bonuses for City Council aides on the rise, Greenlight Family Services offering support, The Secret History of The Notations 39:33

19d ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen talks to Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin about how Chicago City Council staffers are getting more and more bonuses, learns about the impact of Chicago’s Greenlight Family Services with CEO Dr. Maria Nanos, and discovers the Secret History of the Chicago-based soul band The Notations.…

1
The GameCube Virtual Console 1:12:40

21d ago1:12:40

1:12:40

There have been many great achievements in human history and on June 5th 2025, The Nintendo GameCube will finally be acknowledged by Nintendo and take it's rightful place on their online service, a truly massive accomplishment. Mike & Neil definitely take a big chunk of the credit but another tireless GameCube advocate is friend of the show Marcell…

1
The Truth About Mammograms, Ozempic, and the One Risk Factor No One Talks About with Dr. Elisa Port 1:14:32

23d ago1:14:32

1:14:32

Feeling overwhelmed by the nonstop flood of information about breast cancer? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to bring clarity, calm, and empowerment. Dr. Elisa Port, world-renowned breast surgeon and Director of the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai, joins us for a candid and deeply informative conversation about what every woman needs t…

1
OTL #965: Funding cuts for Illinois Humanities, The future of journalism 39:40

26d ago39:40

39:40

Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of federal funding cuts for Illinois Humanities with executive director Gabrielle Lyon and Macomb-based singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo and then chats about the future of journalism with Prospect High School multimedia teacher Jason Block and seniors Claire Wynkoop and Kenny Munao while attending this ye…

1
Yoshi's Island 1:37:00

28d ago1:37:00

1:37:00

"Yoshi!! Gulp!" Switch 2 The Past continues it’s torrid pace with episode 2 all about Mario’s most faithful sidekick. No not Luigi, but he is green, it’s Yoshi! Travel back 30 years in the past to a simpler time when dinosaurs did indeed roam the earth. Special guests Dave (@remember64) and Cam (@cpawx) return to the podcast to chat about their fav…

1
Breaking Free: Perfectionism, Self-Discovery & the Truth About Success with Amy Griffin 50:21

1M ago50:21

50:21

This week, we sit down with the ultimate girlboss, powerhouse investor, and founder of G9 Ventures—Amy Griffin. Known for backing iconic women-led brands like Goop, Bumble, and Hello Sunshine, Amy opens up for the first time about the truth behind her picture-perfect life. In this raw and revealing conversation, she shares the emotional journey tha…

1
OTL #964: Chicago’s immigration court, I Am Flytism, The Secret History of Jim Brewer 42:40

1M ago42:40

42:40

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia about how Chicago’s immigration court works, learns about I Am Flytism, an organization on the South Side of Chicago that helps those impacted by autism, from founder Stephanie Butts, and discovers the Secret History of 20th century local bluesman Jim Brewer.…

1
Switch 2 Direct 1:24:00

1M ago1:24:00

1:24:00

We are back!!!! Mike & Neil get the podcast back on track with a new name and new format. It’s been almost a year and a half since the two last spoke on the air and there’s so much to discuss. There have been a lot of life sidequests going on in the past year but the boys are ready to sit down and chat about not one but TWO nintendo directs that we…

1
Celery Juice, Heavy Metals & The Shocking Truth About Inflammation—What the Medical Medium Wants You to Know 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

In this fascinating and highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Anthony William—better known as the Medical Medium—the man behind the global celery juice movement, Brain Shot Therapy, and a wave of viral wellness revelations. A #1 New York Times best-selling author and chronic illness expert, Anthony has spent his life sharing advanced healing…

1
OTL #963: Living as a profitable author, The Surabhi Ensemble unites through art, The West Side Book Fair 40:23

1M ago40:23

40:23

Mike Stephen talks to Conspire Creative founder Sharon Woodhouse about her new book The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books, previews the Surabhi Ensemble’s live performance with guitarist Carlo Basile, and gets the lowdown on the upcoming West Side Book Fair from Bridgett McGill.…

1
Debunking Wellness Myths: Eat Your Way to Better Skin + 4 Must-Have Supplements with Sakara’s Founders 51:26

1M ago51:26

51:26

Spring is the perfect time for a full-body reset, and who better to help us do just that than Sakara founders, Whitney Tingle and Danielle Duboise? These two built a $150M wellness empire based on the philosophy that food is medicine, and today, they’re breaking down how what you eat impacts your skin, gut health, and energy. We’re diving into the …

1
OTL #962: The immigrant experience in Chicagoland, New music from Steve Knight, The Secret History of Bobby McClure 42:41

2M ago42:41

42:41

Mike Stephen talks to Sandra Diaz, co-founder of the Center for Immigrant Progress, about the efforts to help Chicagoland immigrants in the wake of a hostile federal government, learns about the new album from local jazz guitarist Steve Knight, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago soul singer Bobby McClure.…

1
Ultimate Spring Edit: What to Buy, What to Skip & What’s Trending in Fashion, Wellness, + Beauty! 53:46

2M ago53:46

53:46

It’s that time of year again—time for our Spring must-haves! We’re diving into all things beauty, fashion, and wellness to get you prepped for the season ahead. From the it blush that gives an instant glow to the game-changing skincare products that will have you rethinking your entire routine (yes, we’re talking about your neck!), we’re covering o…

1
OTL #961: The importance of the Freedom of Information Act, Proposed legislation to regulate homeschooling in Illinois 41:07

2M ago41:07

41:07

Mike Stephen talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning local journalists Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute about the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and then gets an update on a proposed bill to regulate homeschooling in Illinois from Capitol News reporters Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker.…

1
The Truth About Hair Loss: Lars Skjøth Shares the Secrets of Healthy Hair and How to Cure Thinning 45:39

2M ago45:39

45:39

If your hair is thinning, shedding, or just not as full as it used to be—this episode is for you. We’re sitting down with Lars Skjøth, founder and lead researcher of Hårklinikken, the globally renowned clinic revolutionizing hair and scalp health. With over 30 years of expertise in hair biology, dermatology, and nutrition, Lars has helped thousands…

1
OTL #960: The Illinois nuclear power controversy, The Flamenco Quartet Project returns, The Secret History of Donald Rafael Garrett 41:32

2M ago41:32

41:32

Mike Stephen discusses the controversial push to increase nuclear power production in Illinois with David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, previews the return of the Flamenco Quartet Project with Wendy Clinard, founder of Clinard Dance, and discovers the Secret History of local avant-garde bassist Donald Rafael Garrett.…

1
The 5 Foods You Should Eat Every Day, Simple Habits That Can Improve Your Life, and What Really Adds Years to Your Life with Blue Zone Founder, Dan Buettner 42:55

2M ago42:55

42:55

What if you could add 10 extra healthy years to your life — without extreme dieting or intense workouts? This week, we’re diving into the Blue Zone Diet & Lifestyle with the man behind it all, Dan Buettner. A National Geographic Explorer, multiple New York Times Bestselling Author, and creator of Netflix’s Emmy-winning series “Live to 100”, Dan has…

1
OTL #959: Bridging the wealth gap in Chicago, Supporting local nonprofits 42:12

2M ago42:12

42:12

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to bridge the wealth gap and to provide worker dignity at the local level from Julian Posada, President & CEO of LiftUp Chicago, and then discusses supporting the important work of local nonprofits with Jessica Nepomiachi, Director of Special Projects for the Real Estate Solutions Team at IFF.…

1
Fashion Icons, Emerging Brands & Industry Secrets with NYFW Creator Fern Mallis AKA The Godmother of Fashion 49:55

2M ago49:55

49:55

She’s been called the Godmother of Fashion for a reason—Fern Mallis is the visionary who created New York Fashion Week, forever changing the fashion industry and putting NYC on the global style map. From working with the CFDA and IMG Fashion to launching her own consulting firm, Fern has spent decades shaping the careers of iconic designers and inf…

1
OTL #958: Continuing the fight against homelessness, The Secret History of Ruffian, Chicago Women of Color Fest 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

Mike Stephen discusses ongoing efforts to fight homelessness in Chicago despite the chaos in the federal government with Carolyn Ross, president and CEO of All Chicago: Making Homelessness History, learns the Secret History of 1980s rockers called Ruffian, and then chats about a new local festival highlighting marginalized voices with festival foun…

1
How to Move Forward Without Letting Go: Navigating Grief, Trauma & Rebuilding After Tragedy, with Grief & Trauma Therapist Gina Moffa 52:30

3M ago52:30

52:30

Grief is something we all experience, yet most of us don’t know how to talk about it, process it, or support others through it. In light of the recent LA wildfires and devastating tragedies, this conversation is more important than ever. Today, we’re diving deep into grief, trauma, and healing with licensed grief and trauma therapist Gina Moffa, wh…

1
OTL #957: The history and impact of Fitzgerald’s, New music from Falling Stars 42:57

3M ago42:57

42:57

Mike Stephen sits down with Jess King and Will Duncan, the owners of Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn, to learn about the venue's history and impact on Chicago and then gets the lowdown on new music from the local band Falling Stars with guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehy.By Mike Stephen

1
Amy Schumer & Brianne Howey on the Importance of Female Friendships, Navigating Hollywood's Double Standards, Sharing Their Birth Stories, and MORE 50:05

3M ago50:05

50:05

This week, in what might be the funniest episode yet, Molly and Emese are joined by co-stars Amy Schumer and Brianne Howey. They get candid about motherhood, career evolution, and their new film, Kinda Pregnant—which unexpectedly led to Amy’s latest health discovery. Amy opens up about how public criticism led her to uncover her Cushing syndrome di…

1
OTL #956: The future of the Chicago Reader, The Secret History of The Monteras 37:58

3M ago37:58

37:58

Mike Stephen talks to Amber Nettles the publisher of the Chicago Reader and Salem Collo-Julin, the paper's editor in chief, about the dire financial situation of the publication and its future and then discovers the Secret History of the local 1960s garage rock band The Monteras.By Mike Stephen

1
Your Anxiety Toolkit: Everyday Strategies, The Anxiety Myth Keeping You Stuck, Taking Control & MORE with Kimberly Quinlan 50:12

3M ago50:12

50:12

If you’ve ever felt like anxiety is running your life, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Kimberly Quinlan, a licensed therapist, anxiety expert, and host of Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast—recognized by The New York Times as one of the top six podcasts to calm your anxious mind. In this conversation, Kimberly breaks down the biggest myths about…

1
OTL #955: The future of electric vehicles in Illinois, Restorative justice in North Lawndale 40:10

3M ago40:10

40:10

Mike Stephen explores the potential impact of the Trump administration’s position on environmental funding with Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association, and learns about the impact of restorative justice practices in the North Lawndale neighborhood from Cliff Nellis, president and CEO of th…

1
New Year, New You: How to Create Lasting Lifestyle Changes: The A/B Workout Routine, What Should Be on Your Plate, the Truth About GLP-1s, Molly’s Nutrition Plan, and MORE with Celebrity Nutritionist Sarah ... 40:29

3M ago40:29

40:29

As we dive into the new year, it’s the perfect time to refocus on your health and wellness goals. This week, Molly and Emese sit down with Sarah Wragge, founder and chief nutritionist of Sarah Wragge Wellness—and Molly’s personal nutritionist—to explore her game-changing approach to nutrition, fitness, and sustainable living that transformed Molly’…

1
OTL #954: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, The Secret History of Yama & The Karma Dusters 38:59

3M ago38:59

38:59

Mike Stephen learns about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative renewal in Congress from Don Jodrey, director of federal relations at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and then discovers the Secret History of the 1970s counterculture band Yama & The Karma Dusters.By Mike Stephen

1
Parenting in the Digital Age: How to Simplify, Connect, and Raise Confident Children with Developmental Psychologist Aliza Pressman 48:19

4M ago48:19

48:19

Guess who’s back, back again—Aliza Pressman! And if you caught last week’s rerun with the magnificent Dr. Pressman, you know you’re in for a treat. This week, it feels especially important to sit down with the woman responsible for quite literallysimplifying parenting—yes, you read that right. Dr. Pressman is a developmental psychologist, bestselli…

1
OTL #953: Chicago’s “Taping Guy,” The Surge Institute’s civil rights work 42:54

4M ago42:54

42:54

Mike Stephen talks to Aadam Jacobs, a Chicagoan who has recorded thousands of local live music performances, about why he’s making his collection public and then discusses the ongoing civil rights work of The Surge Institute with executive director Ulric Shannon.By Mike Stephen

1
Parenting Tools for Raising Good Humans: Developmental Psychologists Bronwyn Charlton and Aliza Pressman on Raising Independent Thinkers, Helping Your Kids Through Difficult Times and More 1:14:01

4M ago1:14:01

1:14:01

EPISODE RERUN: The Seedlings Group is an amazing organization. Co-Founders, Bronwyn Charlton and Aliza Pressman, not only happen to be the best at what they do in their field of developmental psychology but they are also both very near and dear to Molly and Emese’s hearts. We really wanted to do an episode dedicated to parenting styles and specific…

1
OTL #952: Are we in dark civic times?, The impending “TIF Cliff,” HelloBaby expands 39:03

4M ago39:03

39:03

Mike Stephen explores the impending "TIF Cliff" and its ramifications for Chicago with civic educator Tom Tresser, discusses the state of local civic life, and gets the lowdown on the expansion of HelloBaby on the South Side of the city with founder Debbie Frisch and Leva Family Foundation president Craig Leva.…

1
Is Pain the Most Powerful Teacher? Celebrity Integrative Health Expert Vicky Vlachonis on the Mind-Body Connection, Holistic Pain Management, the Daily Ritual to Ensure Glowing Skin, and MORE 45:46

4M ago45:46

45:46

It’s that time of year again—time to set your New Year’s resolutions. But with that comes a lot of pressure, which is why we’ve brought in the most calming and positive person we could think of -Vicky Vlachonis! Vicky is an integrative health expert, osteopath, and the founder of Saint Supply. Renowned for her holistic approach to pain management a…

1
OTL #951: Local education issues in 2025, Illinois corrections’ programs that work, New music from Poi Dog Pondering 46:30

4M ago46:30

46:30

Mike Stephen gets an update on important education issues in the new year from Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Reema Amin, discusses the positive impacts of a few Illinois Department of Corrections programs with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, executive director of the John Howard Association, and previews an upcoming show by the local band Poi Dog Pondering with…

1
Our Producer Interviews Us: The Most Asked Listener Q's, Who Knows Who Better, Current Fashion Faves, and MORE! 42:21

4M ago42:21

42:21

For our last episode of 2024, we’re celebrating the new year and fresh beginnings in our brand-new studio with a fun, candid, and slightly chaotic catch-up. For this special episode, we're flipping the script —our producer Rosie is in the hot seat as she grills us with questions we definitely weren’t prepared for. From playing “Who’s Most Likely To…

1
OTL #950: A look back on Chicago in 2024 41:52

4M ago41:52

41:52

Mike Stephen highlights a few local conversations from the show in 2024. See you in 2025!By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #949: The lack of Chicago environmental regulations enforcement, The Secret History of JD, Foster, and Eastman 40:16

5M ago40:16

40:16

Mike Stephen talks to Neighbors for Environmental Justice board president Anthony Moser about how local politics and a lack of enforcement are impacting Chicago’s environmental policies and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s Chicago country rockers JD, Foster, and Eastman.By Mike Stephen

1
What's Hot Now: Trend Forecasting, the Only Red Lip Color You Need, Undiscovered Travel Spots to Know, and More with Editor in Chief of Cultured Magazine, Sarah Harrelson 45:25

5M ago45:25

45:25

From her early days at Elle to launching one of the most coveted indie publications, CULTURED Magazine, Sarah Harrelson has established herself as a key tastemaker at the intersection of art, fashion, design, and architecture. In today's episode, we dive into how she stays ahead of trends, what’s hot now in fashion, beauty, and home decor, her favo…

1
OTL #948: Re-mapping Chicago, The state of local food journalism, Quimby’s calls it quits 38:58

5M ago38:58

38:58

Mike Stephen gets an update on the effort to re-map Chicago community areas from Emily Talen, director of The Urbanism Lab at the University of Chicago, discusses the state of local food journalism Mike Gebert, editor of Fooditor, and reflects on the good work of the soon-to-be-sold Quimby’s bookstore in Wicker Park.…

1
Dealing with Heartbreak - Finding Strength, Balance, and Personal Growth After a Divorce with Jacey Duprie (+ Her Fashion and Beauty Must-Haves) 45:40

5M ago45:40

45:40

In this deeply personal episode, we dive into one of our most listener-requested topics: healing after a divorce or separation. Jacey Duprie, best-selling author and digital entrepreneur, known for her authentic approach to life and style, shares her experience navigating heartbreak while balancing motherhood, self-care, and personal growth. She di…

1
OTL #947: Local housing assistance in 2025, What’s left behind after gun violence, The Secret History of Dee Clark 47:10

5M ago47:10

47:10

Mike Stephen discusses proposed housing measures for Chicago in the new year from Alejandra Cancino, investigative reporter at Injustice Watch, learns about a new documentary that focuses on gun violence victims’ families and loved ones called What's Left Behind from director Dr. Janice Collins, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s soul and do…

1
Our 4th Annual Beauty Hall of Fame - The TOP 24 Beauty Products (+ A Few Extra) That Got Molly and Emese Through 2024 38:01

5M ago38:01

38:01

And just like that, it’s somehow already the end of another year! To celebrate, we’re back with one of our favorite episodes of the year – The Beauty Hall of Fame. This year, we did our best to narrow it down to our TOP 24 beauty products in honor of 2024 (though we may have sneaked in a few extras). From the absolute best mascara to the most flawl…

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Cool Side Productions Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen