Comedian and actor David Alan Grier has always been a mix of the outrageous and thoughtfulness. In this episode of The Big Questions, the Tony-nominated actor and alum of “In Living Color” is both when we talk about the dangers of meeting you

Jonathan Eig on sex and "The Birth of the Pill"

Oct 30th, 2014 29m 23s

Jonathan Eig is best-known as the biographer of Al Capone, Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson, but his latest book breaks new ground.In “The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution,” Eig chronicles the histo

Tristen on Bob Dylan, Tori Amos and her life soundtrack

Oct 28th, 2014 36m 36s

She’s a synth-pop alt country queen in search of even more adjectives.Tristen Gaspadarek, who records and tours under her first name, is equal parts Paul McCartney, Tori Amos and Henry Rollins. In her short career, the songstress has crafted

Sal Abbinanti on art, comics and selling your childhood

Oct 15th, 2014 47m 37s

Sal Abbinanti is best known as a comic book artist (“Atomika”) and art dealer for fellow artists such as Alex Ross (“Kingdom Come,” “Astro City”) and Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra: Assassin”).In this edition of The Big Questions, Oak Parker Abbi

Author Jen Lancaster on bucket lists, conservatism and (not) writing about sex

Oct 15th, 2014 27m 7s

Jen Lancaster has built a career on reinventing herself. In “Such a Pretty Fat,” she tackled weight loss. In “My Fair Lazy,” she sought high culture. In “The Tao of Martha,” she lived a life informed by Martha Stewart.In recent years, Lancast

Tom Dreesen on Sinatra and the evolution of comedy

Oct 10th, 2014 53m 29s

Comedian Tom Dreesen has seen it all.In the 1960s, the Harvey native pioneered the first interracial stand-up comedian team, Tim & Tom, with Tim Reid (best known for his later role as Venus Flytrap on “WKRP in Cincinnati”). In the 1970s, he h

Wendy McClure on orphan trains, Laura Ingalls Wilder and 'un-remembering'

Oct 10th, 2014 39m 48s

Author Wendy McClure’s writing is expansive — not only because her books cover vast geographic areas and topics, but also because she writes for both children and adults with depth and understanding.Best known for her memoir “The Wilder Life:

Phil Hartman biographer Mike Thomas

Oct 3rd, 2014 36m 5s

In this episode, we explore the life of comedian Phil Hartman (“Saturday Night Live,” “NewsRadio,” “The Simpsons”) with biographer Mike Thomas of the Chicago Sun-Times.Below is an excerpt of our conversation, recorded live at the Book Stall i

Joanne Zienty, author of "The Things We Save," on well, the things we save

Sep 29th, 2014 40m 12s

Joanne Zienty recently won the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project for her debut novel "The Things We Save." In this episode of The Big Questions podcast -- recorded in front of a live audience in Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library -- Zie

Christine Wolf on Judgement vs. Opinion

Sep 23rd, 2014 34m 2s

Pioneer Press welcomes new columnist Christine Wolf, who talks about what she learned from a social media mistake and the nature of public apologies. Check out her first column, about social media theft, here: http://evanston.suntimes.com/201

Jim Peterik (Survivor, Ides of March) on songwriting, redemption and reinvention

Sep 19th, 2014 43m 30s

For 50 years, Jim Peterik has been a staple of the Chicago-area music scene. He first hit it big with Berwyn-based band the Ides of March and their brassy single “Vehicle,” before co-founding Survivor, best known for its anthemic “Eye of the Ti

Ron Funches on Chicago, Robin Williams and Lucille Ball

Aug 14th, 2014 27m 35s

Comedian Ron Funches is everywhere. He's got a new sitcom on NBC ("Undateable") and is arguably the best panelist on Comedy Central's "@Midnight." Recently, Funches has brought his pothead panda bear adorableness to appearances on "New Girl," "

Mo Ryan on 12 Strategies for Dealing with Grief & Family Crisis

Jul 29th, 2014 1h 24m

“Grief is a form of love,” says my friend Maureen “Mo” Ryan.Best known as the LaGrange Park-based television critic for HuffPost TV, Ryan has had a rough few years that she’s dubbed the “Parent Apocalypse.”Four years ago, he mother was a di

Scott Turow on Amazon.com, the Supreme Court & latest book, "Identical"

Jul 3rd, 2014 55m 9s

Author Scott Turow calls his latest novel, "Identical," a "weird stew of personal things."Indeed it is. The book centers around a set of twins — state Sen. Paul Giannis and his brother Cass, a recently released ex-con who served 25 years for

The Politics of Sainthood, Marriage Equality and The Evolution of the Catholic Church

May 23rd, 2014 27m 53s

By Robert K. Elder | [email protected] | @robertkelderBy contemporary terms, Cristina Traina is an enigma. A driven Roman Catholic and professor of religion at Northwestern University, Traina is a prolific writer on religious ethics and s

Dustin Lance Black on Harvey Milk, "Under the Banner of Heaven" & How Love Is Good For You

May 9th, 2014 36m 56s

"I believe loving someone makes you a better person," says Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black. Moreover, Black doesn’t believe the state can tell you who that person is.Gay right activist Black won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for

Elizabeth Berg on her writing process, theater & her forthcomig book on George Sand

May 6th, 2014 26m 1s

Best-selling author Elizabeth Berg ("Durable Goods," "Tapestry of Fortunes") is the guest editor for this issue of the Oak Leaves and is our guest on "The Big Questions" podcast.Berg, an Oak Park transplant and former nurse, has enjoyed a suc

Colt Cabana talks WWE, Mental Health & The Art of Wrestling

May 6th, 2014 42m 36s

Wrestler Colt Cabana (aka North Shore native Scott Colton) is our guest on this edition of "The Big Questions" podcast, and he's also serving as the guest editor for his hometown newspaper, the Deerfield Review.Cabana—who has wrestled for WWE

MLB Umpire Bias, Baseball Technology and Reputation Management with Brayden King

May 1st, 2014 24m 22s

Brayden King and Jerry Kim found bias played a role in new research that confirms what baseball fans knew all along: umpires blow calls.What’s surprising is why umpires miss calls, especially at the plate.Northwestern University professors

Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan on his home, his upcoming spiritual memoir & 2 new records

Apr 15th, 2014 46m 3s

Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan is a busy man. Not only is he recording two new Pumpkins records, but he’s also a quarter of the way through a sprawling spiritual memoir and gearing up to release a cycle of songs inspired by Chicago.

Mitch Fatel on Sex, Swinging & Why He's Not Sad to See David Letterman Retire

Apr 11th, 2014 36m 56s

“If you are married and you are not having better sex, you are doing something wrong,” says comedian Mitch Fatel.Fatel spent decades talking about his sexual adventure, and the pursuit of them — until he got married. Now, married to a bisexua

Ralphie May on death, cursing and legalizing pot

Apr 4th, 2014 35m 15s

Comedian Ralphie May stops by the studio to talk about his near-death experience, overcoming PTSD and getting busting for pot in Guam. He advocates for the legalization of drugs and being honest with kids about what swear words mean. The Big

Mark Bazer on friendship and how you break up with a friend

Mar 26th, 2014 35m 11s

In this episode, Oak Park residents Mark Bazer ("The Interview Show") and host Robert K. Elder talk about how friendships change over time, how it works for men hurdling toward midlife and how you break up with friends.Comedian Ralphie May st

Bert Kreischer takes over

Mar 14th, 2014 38m 32s

Bert Kreischer came in Friday and completely took over The Big Questions Podcast — in the best possible way.The high-energy comedian and host of Travel Channel's "Trip Flip" didn't even let me get the show intro out before he launched into ru