"The Sacredness of Storytelling" Through the power of stories that speak to the heart, Otis Moss III tackles the theme of democracy—and what we can do in this moment, when we fear that ours is coming apart at the seams. “Appropriate storytellin

Shermann 'Dilla' Thomas and the Leo High School Choir

Feb 4th, 2024 1h 1m

Shermann 'Dilla Thomas: "Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago" : Chicago's Urban Historian Shares his passion for teaching people about the city he loves. Also, a special performance from the Leo High School Choir.

Illinois AG Kwame Raoul

Jan 7th, 2024 46m 3s

Join us to hear how the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul traces his commitment to social justice back to his Haitian immigrant parents and his childhood on Chicago’s South Side

Howard Reich

Dec 13th, 2023 44m 57s

Howard Reich, son of Holocaust survivors and journalist for the Chicago Tribune, was handed a simple assignment to interview Elie Wiesel, best known for his famous Holocaust memoir Night and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Daily phone calls

Barbara Gaines and Rick Kogan

Nov 5th, 2023 45m 1s

Arts in Chicago: Remaining Relevant Barbara Gaines, founder and recently retired Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, has been instrumental in bringing outstanding stage productions to Chicago for 37 years. Beginning in 1986, with

Fr. Michael Pfleger

Oct 27th, 2023 47m 41s

Violence in Chicago - Do We Want a Solution or a Band-Aid? Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina parish has long been an impassioned voice against injustice in its many forms in our city and our nation. He will address what Chicago must do to st

Mike Mulligan: Co-host of the Mully and Haugh show on WSCR 670-AM

Jul 14th, 2023 43m 5s

Sports in our changing culture: Why we still lavish faith, hope, and love on America’s second religion Certain questions in sports have more serious ramifications than the ever-popular “How ‘bout dem Bears?” Consider the meteoric rise of sport

Scott Turow: Practicing Lawyer and Bestselling Author

Apr 19th, 2023 47m 55s

A lawyer first, an author second: A reflection on the development of the law in his lifetime and its impact on society and his books. For more than 30 years, Scott Turow has been fortunate to be a bestselling author.. Beginning with Presumed In

Sister Barbara Reid, OP: President of Catholic Theological Union

Mar 5th, 2023 43m 57s

Sometimes it causes me to tremble: Let Lent lead us through our fears for the future of the church The Catholic Church in the US faces some daunting realities: falling attendance, suspicion of the institution, and young people who are opting ou

Pastor Corey B. Brooks: Founder of New Beginnings Church and Project Hood

Feb 8th, 2023 44m 57s

Rooftop Pastor works to break the cycle of violence, poverty and racism in Woodlawn Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church and founder of Project Hood is leading the Woodlawn neighborhood as they create a safer place and give their childr

Sally Blount: President & CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Jan 14th, 2023 46m 55s

A Wild Ride: How the Holy Spirit Propelled me from Business School to the Boardroom to Battling Poverty Heralded by her peers as a “natural change agent,” Sally Blount has made her mark not only in the corporate world but in the field of academ

Fr. John Kartje: Astrophysicist and Parish Priest

Jan 14th, 2023 48m 23s

Rediscovering Awe and Mystery: What Science and Faith Can Tell Us This Advent Long before he became a priest, Chicago’s Father John Kartje was a scientist, getting a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Chicago. What’s the one constant

Dr. John Duffy, Clinical Psychologist and Best-Selling Author

Jan 4th, 2023 45m 8s

Friday, November 4, 2022 12:00 PM 1:15 PM Union League Club Chicago (map) It's a Whole New Ballgame: Guiding Our Next Generation Through Anxious Times As depression rates increase dramatically, especially among teens and young adults

Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ

Nov 28th, 2022 41m 42s

The First Friday Club welcomes Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries

Mayor Lori Lightfoot

Jun 8th, 2020 33m 27s

On May 20th, 2019, Ms. Lori Lightfoot succeeded in becoming the first black female and openly gay Mayor of Chicago. We welcomed her to be our March 2020 speaker.

Philip Andrew

Feb 10th, 2020 46m 23s

In May 1988, Phil Andrew, then a 20-year-old college student, was shot in the chest in the aftermath of the Hubbard Woods elementary school shooting in Winnetka—one of the nation’s first modern mass school shootings. Andrew survived his injurie

Fr. Charlie Rubey

Jan 10th, 2020 47m 1s

"Suicide: The Aftermath" The painful reality of suicide has become too prevalent in our culture today. It has been said that one soldier in our military takes his life every day. The rate of suicide among veterans is not far behind. There is al

Fr. Edward Foley

Dec 10th, 2019 39m 21s

On Friday, December 6, 2019, at Noon, in the President's Hall : 2nd Floor of the Union League Club The First Friday Club Welcomes Fr. Edward Foley Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality, Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Uni

Edward J. Wehmer - "Faith at Work...Let's Talk About It"

Dec 1st, 2019 42m 33s

The First Friday Club Welcomes Edward J. Wehmer Founder, President & CEO of Wintrust "Faith at Work...Let's Talk About It" A great champion of local business and advocate for entrepreneurs, Wehmer will discuss the challenges of maintaining fait

#1911 - Edward J. Wehmer

Dec 1st, 2019 42m 33s

Alan Krashesky

Oct 4th, 2019 45m 44s

Alan Krashesky walked through the door of Channel 7 in Chicago as a 21 year old. Now, 37 years later, he has become the dean of broadcast journalists in the Chicago television market. He is considered one of the top reporters in the Chicago mar

Fr. John Cusick and Rick Kogan

Sep 23rd, 2019 48m 3s

In a conversation format Rick Kogan will chat with Fr. Cusick about the issues he raises in his recently released book, “Never Be Ordinary – Wisdom from My Father.”

Patrick J. Kennedy

Apr 30th, 2019 48m 6s

“Challenging One of the Last Social Taboos – Discrimination Against Mental Health, Addiction, and Other Brain Diseases”

Joy Loverde

Mar 4th, 2019 43m 41s

The First Friday Club of Chicago in Cooperation with the Authors Group (Union League Club) Welcomes Ms. Joy Loverde Author: Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old? and The Complete Eldercare Planner Who will address the topic: “Caring for Ag