The Chicagoland Guide

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky visits one of the last working farms in Cook County: Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview, Illinois. Joined by Director Jonathan Kuester, the conversation covers the surprising depth of history, education, and innovation happening just off Lake Avenue.

Jonathan shares how Wagner Farm blends historic preservation with modern agriculture, offering programs for students (including special education farmers), operating one of the region’s most vibrant farmers markets, and even exploring robotic milking systems and crop science.
 

Highlights include:

The transformation of Wagner fro...

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky interviews Chef Mona Sang, the visionary behind Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

More than a restaurant, Khmai is a deeply personal tribute to Mona’s mother—a survivor of the Cambodian genocide—and a celebration of Cambodian culture through food. Mona shares how cooking helped her mother heal, how their journey together brought Khmai to life, and how traditional recipes passed down through generations continue to shape every dish on the menu.

From humble beginnings to being recognized as a James Be...

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky interviews Karla Koziura, co-owner and Marketing Director of FRÍO Gelato, an Argentinian-style gelato company with storefronts in Evanston, Navy Pier, and Wilmette.

What started as a craving for authentic flavors turned into a beloved local business known for its commitment to artisanal quality, allergen-friendly options, and a welcoming community vibe. Karla shares the journey of bringing Argentinian gelato to Chicagoland and what makes FRÍO unique—from their approach to flavor creation to their local partnerships and cultural roots.

Topics discussed in this episode incl...

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, I sit down with my longtime friend Rabbi Jeremy Fine. Jeremy is the Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Illinois, and the founder of 2econd Wrestling, a fast-growing independent wrestling promotion based right here in Chicagoland.

We’ve known each other since high school, so it’s especially meaningful for me to share this conversation with you. We talk about his unique journey—how he balances leading a congregation while building a professional wrestling brand that brings people together from all walks of life.

Jeremy shares what it...

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, Aaron Masliansky is joined by Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Real Estate Research at the National Association of Realtors®. They explore how global trade dynamics, tariffs, and macroeconomic shifts are impacting the U.S. housing market — and what that means for Chicagoland.

Nadia shares insights from her latest research, including a closer look at which U.S. states are most reliant on exports and imports and how trade exposure influences job growth and home prices. They also discuss trends in interest rates, inflation, immigration, remote work, and foreign inv...

In this episode of The Chicagoland Guide, host Aaron Masliansky sky introduces Inside the Skev listeners to the Chicagoland Guide,  reconnects with longtime friend, scientist, and conservationist Dr. Becky Barak of the Chicago Botanic Garden to explore how native plants can play a key role in the future of urban and suburban living across the region.

Becky will be speaking at Skokie Public Library on April 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in an event titled “Rethinking Lawns: Incorporating Native Plants into Home Landscapes.” In this conversation, we go in-depth on what native plants are, why they matter for our local...

Welcome to The Chicagoland Guide! I’m your host, Aaron Masliansky.

This podcast is for anyone who wants to explore what makes Chicagoland one of the most vibrant, diverse, and fascinating regions in the country.

In this kickoff episode, I share what to expect in Season 2—from local business spotlights to neighborhood tours, cultural insights, interviews with community leaders, and real estate updates.

This show is an evolution of Inside the Skev, and I’m excited to expand the conversation to include more of what makes our region a great place to live, work...

In this captivating episode of Inside the Skev, we welcomed Dr. Eric James, a stalwart in international development and humanitarian aid, to discuss his extensive career and the innovative approaches he's championed in the field. Hailing from Evanston and a proud alumnus of Evanston Township High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Dr. James brought his unique blend of local insights and global perspectives to our discussion.

Our conversation took us through the riveting journey of Dr. James, exploring how his formative years led to a lifelong commitment to aid and development. Dr. James...

In this enlightening episode of "Inside the Skev," host Aaron Masliansky engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Dick Peach, a pivotal figure in the Skevanston and Evanston communities. Known for his extensive involvement in various facets of community life, Dick shares his rich experiences, from growing up in a rural-like Skokie to leading significant community initiatives. His roles as the President of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Evanston, along with his contributions to local high schools, environmental efforts, and vocational learning, are just a few highlights of his remarkable journey. This episode...

Welcome to Inside the Skev, the podcast that explores the important stories shaping our community. In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky speaks with Matt Poole and Margaret Isaacson, dedicated professionals at the Evanston Ecology Center. The Evanston Ecology Center is an integral part of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Evanston, fostering environmental awareness and promoting outdoor recreation throughout the community. Matt, the Recreation Manager, and Margaret, the Program Coordinator, share their passion and commitment to environmental stewardship.

In this engaging conversation, we discuss the Earth Day events planned for April 22, 2023. Residents can look...

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down Jennifer LaMell Goldstone from Horwitch, Goldstone & Shaw, Deanne Cooper from Fidelity National Title Insurance and Beth Lewis from CrossCountry Mortgage. We speak about the work of attorneys, title companies and lenders, how these industries support real estate investments here locally in Chicago and the United States. We also discuss the current state of the real estate market in February 2023. This episode was also released on my global podcast, The Real Estate Diplomat.

According to Beth Lewis, she issued the following update regarding the mortgage market:

Mortgage...

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Tosha Wilson, Tiffini Holmes and Jaqui White, who are co-developers of the Aux, which is a planned commercial hub dedicated to racial equity and wellness in Evanston. The Auxiliary Cord LLC (the “Company”) has purchased a 16,000 square foot warehouse located at 2223 Washington Street in Evanston, IL 60202. The Company plans to fully renovate the building, converting it into a commercial hub for Black-owned small businesses and organizations that focus on community wellness. 

To learn more about the Aux, go to: https://www.theauxevanston.com/

To learn about i...

Today, I am releasing a podcast with my plans for 2023. 

First, I talk about the events I have planned for the month, especially the first event on January 19th at Ignite Gaming Lounge which is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Evanston's charitable foundation. This is the event for the who's who of Skokie and Evanston to hear from the leaders of the community of what to expect, and for everyone to get to meet. Monthly events will follow. You can sign up for the event by clicking here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skevanston-social-tickets-484542699257

This week, on Inside the Skev, we sit down with Len Joy, the author of the new book, Dry Heat.  Dry Heat, is a crime novel about a young man who loses everything but his heart. Len is an author of several novels, a Skevanston resident and a nationally ranked triathlete and competes internationally representing the United States as part of TEAM USA. 

More information about Len can be found on his website which can be found here: https://www.lenjoybooks.com/ 

Len was previously featured on Inside the Skev in Epsiode 72 in which we dis...

This week on Inside the Skev we meet many members of Girls Playing Sports (GPS). GPS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering leadership skills and confidence in girls through participation in a wide variety of sports. The program engages girls, grades 3-8, in multiple sports without a long-term or expensive commitment. GPS engages girls in meaningful conversations about current topics that affect young women today. 

More information can be found here: https://www.teamgps.org/

On the show we had:

Liz Brieva-Co-Founder and Program Director

Tosha Wilson-Board Member

O...

This week on Inside the Skev we meet Sabrina Ehmke, the founder of the Skokie Swifters Run Walk Club. Skokie Swifters is a run/walk club for anyone from beginners to experienced distance runners. Whether you just want to get moving outside, are looking to make some new friends, or are looking for a little motivation while you train for an upcoming race, you'll find a welcome community in the Swifters! Sabrina is also an ETHS teacher on Sabbatical, and has her own podcast called, “For Your Run.”

More information can be found here: https://www.skokieswifters.run...

This week, on Inside the Skev, we speak with Tazima Parris from Infinite Relating. Tazima is a Sex Coach & Pleasure Mentor for high-achieving women 35+ who overthink, over-give, and and end up overwhelmed. She creates space for women to prioritize pleasure and go from resentful to radiant. Tazima uses communication tools and practices from her 25+ years of research and experience to help women increase their sexual confidence, clearly communicate needs, and hold better boundaries. 

More information on Tazima can be found here: 

Website: https://www.infiniterelating.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tazimaparris

Free...

This week on Inside the Skev we speak with my wife, Stacey Masliansky from Brainlinks Academics, Inc about an upcoming event at the Peloton Store at Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie. Taking place on Sunday, October 23rd from 9-11am at the Peloton Store at Westfield Old Orchard Mall (Skokie).

Sign up for one of three exercise classes, treat yourself to a Reset by Therabody massage, and grab a coffee to kickstart your day. Peloton and Therabody will also be offering some great discounts for attendees.

Limited bikes, treadmills, and rower machines will be a...

This week on Inside the Skev we meet Dorothy Rosen, co-founder of Women Belong. Women Belong was born out of a vision founders Dorothy Rosen and Kate Alpert had for bringing women together in an authentic way, with the mission of advancing business growth through deepening personal relationships. Women Belong re-imagines what business networking looks like. They come together and explore business honestly, relationships form, and connections deepen. These relationships create spaces and opportunities for a higher vision of what can collectively be achieved. 
 

More information can be found here: https://womenbelong.com 
 

Insi...

This week on Inside the Skev, we meet Dr. Judith Glasseneberg. Judith is a pediatrician and the co-Site Medical Director with Erie Evanston/Skokie Health and Dental Center. She has been with them since 2013. Judith recently travelled to Poland to help Ukrainian War refugees and has also helped the migrants who recently arrived in Chicago. 

Erie is a regional health care resource serving more than 82,000 patients a year at 13 health centers spanning the west side of Chicago to Waukegan. These sites include four large primary care centers that offer integrated medical and dental health services, three additional lar...

This week on Inside the Skev we meet Kellie O’Brien. Kellie helped create the O’Brien School for the Massai in Tanzania. The O'Brien School for the Maasai is more than just a school. It's an organization that believes education can change the world, that economic opportunity can shift harmful gender norms, that leaders can come from the most rural and difficult environments.

Learn more at: https://www.obrienschool.org 

Inside the Skev is a one stop shop for all things Skokie and Evanston hosted by Aaron Masliansky. Be the first to know about local...

Inside the Skev is a one stop shop for all things Skokie and Evanston hosted by Aaron Masliansky. Be the first to know about local events, new podcast episodes, real estate and the latest stories about the great people in these towns by going to http://www.skevanston.com. Sign up for the newsletter and reach out to Aaron Masliansky at aaron@skevanston.com with any questions or suggestions.

Thank you for listening to The Chicagoland Guide!
For more insights into the best places to live, work, and explore in Chicagoland, visit thechicagolandguide.com. Connect...

This week on Inside the Skev we meet David Lloyd, the founder of David Lloyd & Associates, the world’s most elite private travel concierge. With over 30 years of experience, David Lloyd brings his creative and contemporary experience to every project. Globally and philanthropically minded, his bespoke experiences are both sustainable and modern.

Managing the logistics of these multifaceted enterprises requires a distinctive skill set. Raised in Madagascar, educated in Europe, and working in the travel industry, He has visited 75% of the globe. All of this assists David in his career as a Lifestyle Concierge and Global Travel Gu...

This week on Inside the Skev, we meet Jon R. Marquardt, the Skokie Park District's Superintendent of Facilities. Marquardt administers the district's revenue facilities and their staffs. He also is charged with developing innovative partnerships and outreach within the Skokie community. Marquardt also serves as the diversity committee head, which oversees DEI initiatives and diversity events throughout the district. In this episode, we talk about his role and the upcoming Backlot Bash event.

The Backlot Bash which is taking place from August 26-28th. Skokie's downtown summer street festival is held annually over three days in late...

This week on Inside the Skev, we are Jennifer Engel, Market Manager for the Skokie Farmer’s Market. The 2022 Skokie Farmers’ Market began on Sunday, June 5, and will be open every Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through November 6. The 2022 market features many longstanding vendors as well as some exciting new ones, too! The Village of Skokie Farmers’ Market mission is to provide a platform to bring nutrient dense produce to all members of the community, while supporting local farmers and the local economy in Skokie. 

Learn more at: https://skokie.org/434/Skokie-Farmers-Market

Inside...

This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Roger Knuth, President and CEO of Lapin Systems. Lapin is Chicagolands Premier Macintosh and PC Service, Repair, and Support Provider. Roger launched Lapin out of his home in the mid-1990s after noticing a lack of proper Mac support in the Chicagoland area. By the year 2000, Lapin’s new storefront had grown enough to become an anchor of the Evanston small business community and a destination for Mac users throughout the North Shore. Lapin now has its main location 2034 N Halsted St in Chicago and a secondary location at 2934 Cent...

This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Mark George, the CEO of the Music Institute of Chicago, which is located in Evanston. The Music Institute of Chicago is a nonprofit community music school that leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music by providing widely accessible resources for high-quality music teaching, performing, and service activities—and harnessing the power of music to educate, inspire, and bring comfort to the communities it serves.

Learn more at: https://www.musicinst.org

Inside the Skev is a one stop shop for all...

This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by Rachel Moore. Rachel is a Collaborative Divorce Institute Fellow and has a private practice devoted exclusively to collaborative law, facilitative mediation, and representing parties utilizing mediation.  A collaborative process divorce provides an alternative process to litigation. Rachel is based in Skokie.  

Prior to starting her own practice in 2013, Rachel worked in family law for five years and served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois for eight years. As an attorney, Rachel advocated for hundreds of individual clients and always sought to find creative wa...

This week on Inside the Skev we are joined by John Hewko, the General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Rotary, which is based in Evanston, has over 1.4 million members in over 46,000 clubs around the world. Rotary is an organization of people who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Previous to Rotary, John was the Vice President for Operations and Compact Development for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency established in 2004 to...

In this episode, we sit down with Diana Hamann, the Wine Goddess.  After graduating from the University of California Berkeley with a Literature degree, she fell into the wine business. After starting as a wine buyer for the Whole Foods in Palo Alto, she worked on the buying team for Wine.com, Napa, and then later returned to her native Chicago. She has consulted for top name resturants such as  Japonais, Le Colonial, Le Passage, and Fox & Obel; facilitated programs for the Wine Discount Center; and peddled wine for Vin Divino. In 2012, she opened the Wine Goddess, and has be...

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Aschheim. He currently serves as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. He was appointed to this Chicago-based post in September of 2020 where he assumed the role as Consul for Public Diplomacy serving as the spokesperson for the Consulate's nine-state Midwestern region. This episode is also being released on my sister podcast, The Real Estate Diplomat.  

In this episode we discuss a multitude of topics such as the role of the Consulate; Israel's programming within the Midwest; issues relating to te...

This week on Inside the Skev, are joined by Chanel Jeon, co-Founder of TeaRex Bubble Tea Café. Chanel opened the store with her husband Clay, in 2017. Subsequently they have opened a second location in Nles. In this episode we talk about why she shifted her career from being a teacher to running a business, why she opened in Skokie, and what makes her bubble tea so special.  

TeaRex is located at 5237 Golf Rd, Skokie, IL 60077 and 9109 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714. They can be found on Facebook and Instagram @bubbletearex. 

Inside the Skev is a one...

This week on Inside the Skev, are rejoined by Fritz Kaegi, the Cook County Assessor. Since assuming office in 2018, Fritz has striven to bring fairness, ethics and transparency to the Cook County Assessor’s Office with a vision focused on operational changes, technological upgrades, and the elimination of favoritism. We will talk about how he has accomplished his goals, what property owners should know about the property tax system in Cook County and how Covid is affecting property valuations. We also discuss the upcoming elections. 

More information can be found here: http://www.cookcountyassessor.com and https://fri...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jane Shapiro, the co-founder of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning. Jane has been involved in Jewish education for over three decades, and is a pillar of the Evanston/Skevanston community. We first discuss her family's deep roots to Evanston and real estate, and then learn about her career in education. 

Orot offers classes, programs, and retreats that provides opportunities for cultivating transformative habits of body, heart, and mind that lead to greater life wisdom, meaning, and compassion. Orot designs learning experiences that integrate ancient Jewish wisdom with meditation, yoga, m...

In this episode, we catch up with Katherine Gotsick, the executive director of the Main Dempster Mile. The area has survived the pandemic, and in many ways has reinvented itself. We learn about new businesses like Pour, the Custer Oasis and so much more. 2022 has a great lineup of events that will be taking place as well in the district. The Main Dempster Mile is a Special Service Area for the commercial districts that currently make up the Chicago/Dempster business district and the Main Street business district. 

Inside the Skev is a one stop shop for a...

Inside the Skev is back! After a one year hiatus, the show returns to catch up on everything happening in Skokie and Evanston. To mark the return, we are joined by Annie Coakley, from the Downtown Evanston organization. Annie returns to the show to update us on everything new in Downtown Evanston, and how it has weather the storm of the pandemic. Annie is the executive director of Downtown Evanston, which was created in 1987, and provides marketing and management services to the downtown Evanston, Illinois district and is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation for business.

Inside the Skev...

Listen as host Aaron Masliansky tells the audience of his plans to pause Inside the Skev as he begins work on a new project with a much wider focus.  

Reach out to Aaron Masliansky at aaron@skevanston.com with any questions or suggestions. Make sure to listen to all of the previous 100 episodes at http://www.skevanston.com

Thank you for listening to The Chicagoland Guide!
For more insights into the best places to live, work, and explore in Chicagoland, visit thechicagolandguide.com. Connect with us on social media for more updates and beh...

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Jennifer Green, the Artistic Director of Piven Theatre and Ellen Placey Wadey, Program Director for Chicago Artistic Vitality and Collections from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. For 45 years, the Evanston based Piven Theatre Workshop has remained a nationally respected acting school and professional theatre. Piven is supported by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. The Foundation seeks to sustain and build resilient, engaged and equitable communities in the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina by supporting conservation, arts, and collecting organizations in a variety of ways.<...

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alan Moy, the owner of Viet Nom Nom. Viet Nom Nom is a Vietnamese-inspired fast casual restaurant located in Downtown Evanston at 618 ½ Church Street. They serve a craft, health-inspired menu and strive to put a modern, unique fingerprint on traditional Vietnamese dishes that appeal to all walks of life, while offering customers better-for-you food.

Inside the Skev is a one stop shop for all things Skokie and Evanston hosted by Aaron Masliansky. Listen live on Sunday mornings at 10AM Central time on WCGO-95.9FM, 1590AM, Youtube or Face...

This week on Inside the Skev, we are joined by Alecia Wartowski, Executive Director of Foundation65. In this episode we will discuss the Foundation’s mission, its role during the pandemic and its vision for the future. 

Foundation65 is an independent grantmaking organization that invests in educator-led initiatives to support educational equity through literacy and arts in a child’s foundational years.

Alecia brings more than 20 years of experience working to transform the lives of children through advocacy, education, and engagement. She has worked in youth development, as a legal aid attorney representing women and childre...