Kankakee Podcast

#8: Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Molly Ehrich

Several months ago I saw my fellow 2009 Bishop McNamara High School classmate, Molly Ehrich, post a status on Facebook stating that she was going to hike the Appalachian Trail. Mind you, this isn't some excursion you attempt to do on a Sunday afternoon. The trail is over 2,000 miles long. So when I read Molly's Facebook status, I commented on it saying, "When you finish, come onto Kankakee Podcast and tell me about it!" Molly replied, "I probably won't remember much." When she got back to Illinois, she messaged me right away and said, "I remembered".

So did Molly successfully hike the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail? Listen to find out how the adventure ends!

Thank you for talking with me, Molly. It was great catching up with you!

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

#7: The Inception of Kankakee County - Kankakee County Museum

High-angle view of downtown Kankakee, taken from the City National Bank building (at Court & Schuyler). View is to southeast, toward Kankakee County Courthouse. Probably taken between 1912 and 1920. Photo provided by the Kankakee County Museum.

I’m excited to celebrate “Kankakee Day” for the very first time! I don’t believe I’ve ever celebrated this important day in our county’s history before. It might just be the first time for you as well.

It was on this very same day in 1853 that Kankakee Depot was chosen as the county seat. Hence why we call it, “Kankakee Day”. Executive Director, Veronica Featherston and Research Coordinator, Jorie Walters, of the Kankakee County Museum join us to celebrate this historic day. Jorie is also giving a special presentation at the museum today starting at 1pm.

KankakeeDay.com is also another great resource to find ways to celebrate this special day.

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

The post Episode 7: The Inception of Kankakee County appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

#6: Lupe Carroll

When I first started developing the idea of Kankakee Podcast in the fall of 2020, I knew I wanted Lupe Carroll to write the theme song. There was no doubt in my mind that Lupe had the voice and songwriting style I was looking for. So on this episode, we break down how Lupe created the Kankakee Podcast theme song and also dive into his days from being on NBC’s The Voice.

Thank you Lupe for creating such an amazing song for the podcast and being a good friend!

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

The post Episode 6: Lupe Carroll appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

#5: Mike Tomano

I was one year into my broadcasting career when I first met Mike Tomano in 2015. I hosted the midday show on River Country 101.7 FM and Mike was hired to do the morning show. At that point, Mike had been out of radio for a year or so and wanted to give it one last go around. I’m thankful he did. Otherwise, we may not have met. I remembered him from his days at The Kat 105.5 FM hosting mornings with Steve Touhy. I was excited to meet someone like him who was well known in the Kankakee Valley radio market. We quickly learned we had a lot in common and became friends. I also learned quite a bit of radio hosting skills from him as well.

Now at this point in 2021, Mike is in his 2nd year hosting mornings on The Valley 92.7 FM and celebrating his 30th year in radio broadcasting. As you can imagine, he has several stories to share. The good, bad, and the ugly. Buckle up because this is a wild two hour ride through Mike Tomano’s life. He was kind enough to open up to me about some sensitive subjects and I’m grateful he did.

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

The post Episode 5: Mike Tomano appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

#4: The Story of Col. James H. Kasler

Colonel James H. Kasler. Photo from the United States Air Force.

Today, as we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, we also learn about the story of the late Colonel James H. Kasler. While the Colonel didn’t pass away during his time in service, he still has an incredible story I think we all need to hear. I had the honor of being at Kasler’s former home in rural Momence, IL a few weeks ago. Seth Burkey, who now own’s the estate, invited me over to share the Colonel’s story with me. I was quickly captivated by the beautiful piece of property. Burkey even built a memorial to honor Kasler called, Aileron Cove. You can see the memorial yourself if you wish. It’s open to the public. I could type all day long about Colonel James H. Kasler’s story. I think it would be best if you listen to this episode of Kankakee Podcast instead to hear Seth tell his story.

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

Here are some photos I took during my visit at Kasler’s former home:

The post Episode 4: The Story of Col. James H. Kasler appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

#3: Kent Wade

Kent Wade, Public Speaker.

I first met Kent Wade when I was doing a video shoot in December of 2020. Eric Peterson had asked both of us to be in a “Dad Joke Battle” video to support Toys For Tots. It turned out we had something in common other than being fathers. We both spoke to people for a living. Kent being a public speaker and I a broadcaster. After the video shoot was over, he gave me his business card and we became Facebook friends. It was then that I learned about his mantra, “Shake The Fear”. Those words struck a chord with me and I was curious to learn more about Kent. I thought, whenever I start recording episodes of Kankakee Podcast, I HAVE to talk to Kent. Five months later and here we are! It turns out, Kent has an incredible story to tell and I’m grateful he felt comfortable telling it to me. Thank you for being on, Kent!

Learn more about public speaker, Kent Wade, at iamkentwade.com.

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

The post Episode 3: Kent Wade appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

#2: Kankakee County Museum

The Kankakee County Museum Campus is beautiful. Especially in the spring when the trees are blooming or in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. It’s a hot spot for taking for photos. We’ve all done it, right? I know we once shot photos there for when my son turned 18 months old. How many of us have actually taken the time to go into the museum though? Not many if you ask me. I know I’m guilty of that. I didn’t step inside the doors of the Kankakee County Museum until March of 2021. I immediately felt regret that I hadn’t visited there sooner.

Once a month on Kankakee Podcast, we will be joined by staff members of the Kankakee County Museum to focus on a certain place, person, or topic in our county’s history. This first episode is merely an introduction and overview of what the museum has to offer. I can personally tell you there is more than meets the eye. Please welcome Executive Director, Veronica Featherston and Collections Assistant, Barbara Dubravec, to Kankakee Podcast.

Learn more at KankakeeCountyMuseum.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

The post Episode 2: Kankakee County Museum appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

#1: Eric Peterson of Project Headspace & Timing

Eric Peterson of veteran nonprofit organization, Project Headspace & Timing.

When I started developing Kankakee Podcast in the fall of 2020, I couldn’t decide where to start. Who should be on the first episode? Who should be the first guest? There were so many great places and people to start with. I knew that I wanted Eric Peterson to be a guest at some point. I just wasn’t sure when. Then, one Saturday afternoon a few months ago, Eric volunteered to help move some big desks into the recording space I was setting up in my basement. That’s when it became clear to me that he should be the first guest on Kankakee Podcast.

Eric Peterson is a lifelong resident in Kankakee County. He is on a mission to bring veterans together with their communities, nature, and themselves, while affecting change in regard to the mental health treatment of his fellow veterans through his 501(c)3 organization, Project Headspace and Timing.

Find out more about Project Headspace & Timing at the following links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Thank you for being the very first guest on the podcast, Eric!

Much Love,

Jake LaMore

The post Episode 1: Eric Peterson of Project Headspace & Timing appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.

Kankakee Podcast Premieres May 10th

“It’s easy to see your hometown in black and white. However, if you open your eyes and take a second look, you’ll see that it’s full of life and hope.”

Kankakee Podcast premieres Monday, May 10th at kankakeepodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by, Jake LaMore. Logo by, Brandi Price. Theme song by, Lupe Carroll. Promo video shot and edited by, Becky Skoglund.

The post Kankakee Podcast Premieres May 10th appeared first on Kankakee Podcast.