Posted in Authors Episodes

Talking 90s with ‘Talk 90s with Me’ author Matt Pais (Episode 787)

Author Matt Pais returns with a new book that broadens his 90s pop culture net: “Talk ’90s with Me: 23 Unpredictable Conversations with Stars of an Unforgettable Decade.” The book’s a super fun collection of interviews with TV/film entertainers from…

Posted in Authors Episodes

Destination: 1990s Chicago. Exploring ‘Ninety Days in the 90s’ with author Andy Frye (Episode 768)

Chicago-based writer and author of “Ninety Days in the 90s,” Andy Frye is the guest on this episode. We talk at length about the inspiration behind his first fiction book: The Chicago music scene of the 1990s. We get into…

Posted in Authors Episodes movies

Oscars Biggest Mistakes – An Academy Awards rundown with author Eric Litt (Episode 710)

The 94th Academy Awards happen on March 27th, and I invited author Eric Litt (“Oscars Biggest Mistakes: A Super Fan’s Guide to the Academy Awards: 1969-2021”) to talk about Academy Awards history. He talks about times they got it right……

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Pizza for Everyone! Crust Fund Pizza’s John Carruthers talks new book, Chicago charities and PIZZA (Episode 638)

John Carruthers has dedicated his life to pizza: Making it. Talking about it. Writing about it. Using it as a force for social justice. From his Crust Fund Pizza initiative to the just-released “Pizza for Everyone” book, John’s efforts are…

Posted in Authors Episodes history

Mapping America: Using maps to tell America’s ‘origin story’ (Episode 631)

The first two guys I’m picking for my “imaginary bar trivia team” draft are Neal Asbury and Professor Jean-Pierre Isbouts. Together, they co-authored the stunning, full-color, new book, “Mapping America: The Incredible Story and Stunning Hand-Colored Maps and Engravings that…

Posted in Authors Episodes journalism

Rock critic Jessica Hopper talks about her newly revised and expanded ‘First Collection’ book release (EPISODE 628)

Author Jessica Hopper (The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic and Night Moves) joins me today to talk about the revised and expanded version of “The First Collection…” You’ve read her stuff everywhere: the Chicago Reader,…

Posted in Authors Episodes Quarantine Con Carne

‘The Surprise Restaurant Manager’ – Author/consultant Ken McGarrie talks about the hospitality business (Episode 602)

Ken McGarrie’s been in the hospitality business for decades, and his career has led him to major food locales like Ontario, Dallas and New Orleans. Here in Chicago, he was the director of operations for DineAmic Group. More recently, he…

Posted in Authors Episode 600 Episodes Quarantine Con Carne Restaurateurs

Episode 600 (Part One) Josh Caterer, Martin Atkins, Broken Robots and more!

“The Night of 1000 Stars” was a live, 5-hour podcast recording that included dozens of guests who’ve appeared on the show through the years. In this first segment, JVO is joined by Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes), Tyler Wildey (Epic Deli),…

Posted in Authors Episodes Quarantine Con Carne

Making dystopias fun again with ‘Utopia PR’ author Adam Bender (Episode 587)

Author Adam Bender jumps on Car Con Carne to talk about his new book, “Utopia PR,” “A sci-fi satire about a public relations rep seeking work-life balance while managing crisis after crisis for a dystopian American president.” Car Con Carne…

Posted in Authors Episodes Quarantine Con Carne

The perils of being an independent musician: Author/songwriter Kat Goldman (Episode 546)

Is the music industry a “lousy business,” as singer/songrwiter Kat Goldman suggests in her new book, “Off the Charts?” We tackle that question, and all the other aspects of the business, on tonight’s Car Con Carne! Vote Car Con Carne…