Posted in blog

What does it take to create a podcast in 2023? (BLOG)

The checklist for podcasting in 2023 is starting to look longer than a CVS receipt.

Posted in blog Comics conventions

My visit to FAN EXPO Chicago 2023

$100 for a Randy Quaid autograph? The bullshitter’s full.

Posted in Announcements Awards blog

Best Music Podcast – Best of Chicago 2022

The Chicago Reader’s “Best of 2022” issue is out, and Car Con Carne took First Place in the “Best Music Podcast” category. Over 800 episodes in, I’m really proud of the work I do on the show … especially as…

Posted in blog Episode 800

9 lessons learned from 800 podcast episodes

(Photo by Carson Masterson)

Posted in blog capsule review Chicago International Film Festival movies

Chicago International Film Festival – ‘Plan 75’ (capsule review)

(Film viewed as part of the Chicago International Film Festival) Dystopian fiction done right feels just plausible enough that you can envision those events playing out in real life. Just ask Margaret Atwood. Director Chie Hayakawa’s new film, “Plan 75,”…

Posted in blog capsule review Chicago International Film Festival movies

Chicago International Film Festival – ‘Rounding’ (capsule review)

(Film viewed as part of the Chicago International Film Festival) “Rounding” is a psychological thriller that slow-burns its way through the emotional and physical unraveling of a medical resident wrestling with PTSD and trauma. Visually, the film offers plenty of…

Posted in blog capsule review Chicago International Film Festival movies

Chicago International Film Festival – ‘Shorts 3: After Dark — Things Aren’t What They Seem’ (capsule review)

(Film viewed as part of the Chicago International Film Festival) ‘Shorts 3: After Dark — Things Aren’t What They Seem’ collects eight horror shorts from U.S., U.K. and Mexico filmmakers. Of those eight, half are worth recommending. Of those, two…

Posted in blog capsule review Chicago International Film Festival movies

Chicago International Film Festival – ‘Band’ (capsule review)

(Film viewed as part of the Chicago International Film Festival) Look, getting older sucks, and it’s something that’s even harder to deal with when you’re an independent musician. At some point, bands who’ve yet to break through their respective “scene…

Posted in blog What can $10 buy

BLOG – What can $10 buy at a record store? (Half Price Books – Niles, IL)

I’m conducting an experiment: Is it possible to walk into a record store with $10 and walk out happy? I explained the concept here. When it comes to record shopping, Half Price Books is always a roll of the dice….

Posted in blog Evanston vinyl What can $10 buy

BLOG – What can $10 buy at a record store? (Vintage Vinyl – Evanston, IL)

I’m conducting an experiment: Is it possible to walk into a record store with $10 and walk out happy? I explained the concept here. After leaving Squeezebox in Evanston, I headed north for a mile and a half to visit…