Advertise on podcast: Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse

David Zapata, CEO and Founder at Zapwater Communications, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on managing a travel agency in the 2020s. Zapata shares how Zapwater Communications’ mission expands beyond just travel and tourism, and explains how he’s seen how client work has changed over the past two decades. The CEO also details how he sees his role at Zapwater Communications as Chief Vision Officer, reveals what he looks for in a client, and more.

Kristen Chase, GM, CPG Division at Tricoci guests on Dynasty Podcasts in an interview recorded at the Oak Brook salon. Chase details how Tricoci's service offerings correspond with self care, and explains what sets the Oak Brook location apart as a flagship destination. The GM also outlines Tricoci's Med Spa offerings and speaks on the salon's new collaboration with Ulta.

Nicole McCarthy, Executive Director at the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to delve into the organization's work supporting and showcasing the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. McCarthy speaks on what sets West Town apart from other neighborhoods, emphasizing the independently owned businesses found throughout the community, and shares how the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce gives fledgling entrepreneurs reduced rent storefront opportunities. The Executive Director also outlines the myriad of live events the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce produces across the year, including Do Division and West Fest, and more.

Lucas Lopresti, Director of Sales at Kimpton Gray, guests on Dynasty Podcasts’ sister series A HOTEL PODCAST in an interview recorded at the hotel’s Vol. 39 cocktail bar (picture above). Lopresti highlights the cultural attractions within walking distance of the hotel’s downtown location and speaks to the recovery of Chicago Loop’s district in the years since the pandemic. The Director of Sales also explains why the hotel’s iconic marble staircase is a favorite for wedding parties and photographers alike, offers recommendations for Kimpton Gray’s Vol. 39 cocktail bar and Pan-Latin rooftop restaurant Boleo, and more.

Chef Devin Denzer​ guests on Dynasty Podcasts in an interview recorded onsite at his West Town restaurant Atsumeru. Denzer​ recounts how his Loon​ pop-up dining events during the pandemic would lead to him opening his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Atsumeru​. ​The Chef also speaks on the inspiration behind his custom Nordic Japanese​ tasting menu​, describes the vibe of the restaurant’s downstairs lounge​, and more.

Jaz Rodriguez guests on Dynasty Podcast to speak on the inspiration and process behind her art. Rodriguez ​recalls how art has been a constant across her entire life, encouraged by her family since she was young. The artist also​ emphasizes persistence​ and courage​ as essential practices for establishing your creative voice, details the importance of Chicago as an influence across her portfolio, describes what goes into making her art a full-time entrepreneurial​ pursuit, and more.

Matt Rucins, Director of Content and Programming at the United Center, guests on Dynasty Podcasts for a deep dive into The 1901 Project. Rucins previews what’s to come and when from the massive development and investment project, including the forthcoming Music Hall, and how that concert venue will connect to live music programming at the United Center. The Director of Content and Programming also speaks to The 1901 Project’s impact on Chicago’s West Side in terms of economic opportunity and housing, and looks ahead to how Chicago could change over the next decade as a result of The 1901 Project, The 78, The Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, and more.

Celia Marrero, Director of Operations at The Robey, guests on Dynasty Podcasts' sister series A HOTEL PODCAST, in an interview recorded onsite at the Wicker Park hotel. Marrero details the hotel’s dual tower structure and the difference between The Robey’s Tower Rooms and Annex Lofts. The Director of Operations also speaks on The Robey’s rooftop pool Solana as a destination for guests and locals alike and more.

Billy Helmkamp​, Executive Director ​a​t Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), guests​ on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on the importance of Chicago’s independent music halls. Helmkamp​ provides a deep dive on both the cultural and economic impact of Chicago’s indie music venues, and details the work CIVL is doing to support the city’s live music ecosystem. The Executive Director​ also digs into the relationship between music fans and indie venues, emphasizing that Chicago’s smaller stages offer opportunities for concertgoers to discover emerging talent.

Draymond Washington, Founder at Three Cities Social Club, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to share what goes into growing and managing two members clubs in Chicago. Washington reflects on how his own search for community in Chicago led to him launching Three Cities Social Club and details the types of members events offered by the club’s River North and Wicker Park locations. The Founder also weighs in on the loneliness epidemic, shares how club members find connection by hosting their own events, and looks ahead to Three Cities Social Club’s future.

Shot Bar MedSpa Founder Lindsey Sikora and Esthetician Allison Fish host Dynasty Podcasts at their Lincoln Park spa for a deep dive on the myriad of services they offer for faces, bodies, wellness, hair, and more. Sikora speaks on the origins of Shot Bar MedSpa and reveals how her previous life as a level 1 trauma nurse translates to her current calling as an entrepreneur. Sikora and Fish also speak on the Glo2Facial that they provided to friend of Dynasty Podcasts Morgan Digre, offering insights into the process and benefits of the science-informed facial treatment.

Nick Farina, CEO of EeroQ, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk quantum in Chicago. Farina shares how EeroQ differs from other operators in the quantum space and explains what it means to build quantum computers responsibly. The CEO also weighs in on when quantum technologies could become more accessible, details how he views leadership in quantum as a generational opportunity for Chicago, and reveals what he wants people outside of tech to know about quantum capabilities.

Liz Jones, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Genesys Works, and Sean Neilsen, Manager of Talent Pathways at Relativity, guest on Dynasty Podcasts for a conversation about creating career training opportunities for Chicagoland high schoolers. Jones shares how she connects high school seniors from underserved communities with Chicagoland partner companies for paid ten-month work study internships, and explains how she finds company partners via the city’s top business leaders. Neilsen also details how bringing on Genesys Works students aligns with Relativity’s social impact mission, and speaks on equipping students with career skills during their internship with the data software company.

Russell Ferro, Director of Operations @ The Bellevue, hosts Dynasty Podcasts host Jaime Black at the restaurant for an interview and tasting menu. Ferro​ shares what goes into operating a family-owned restaurant​, speaks on The Bellevue​’s place among other legacy hospitality operators in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and explains how the restaurant developed its own identity separate from previous legacy tenants Tavern on Rush​. The Director of Operations also dishes on The Bellevue​’s evolving menu, including podcast tasting options like the Filet Sliders​, the Grilled Spanish Octopus​, the Tuna Tartare​, and more.

Saurabh Narain​, President and Chief Executive ​at the National Community Investment Fund​, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on the NCIF’s work supporting “the people and places too often overlooked by traditional finance.” Narain details how the NCIF’s impact ​is felt​ in Chicago’s underserved ​communities, via the nonprofit​’s larger mission of creating economic opportunity in rural​ and urban America through finance. The NCIF President and Chief Executive​ also speaks to the inequality felt across Chicago’s South and West sides, shares how ​the NCIF​ supports the city’s arts and culture sectors, reveals what he learned from the organization’s CEO Perspectives on Community Development Impact report​, and more.