There’s 22 acres and a thousand reasons to love Sonny Acres! Aaron’s childhood pumpkin patch and Ioanna’s farm dream come true, this gem of a space in the middle of Chicagoland has 125 years of stories to tell!

We meet Jeannine Fontana, who in 2019 purchased the farm with her husband (also a lifelong Sonny Acres fan) and his friend. She shares some of the farm’s history and how it grew to be a staple for fall festivals and childhood traditions.

Jeannine tells us about what goes on during their other seasons, including their upcoming summer rodeos, flower sales and Christmas trail.

Jeannine also shares her passion project, building a brand new wedding venue on the farm! Aaron also tries to pitch her on having him be their first wedding (he has been engaged for six years, it’s about time he locks it down)!!

We end with six acres of rapid fire, learning Jeannine’s favorite Sonny Acres food and her favorite ride on the farm!

VISIT/INFO:

https://sonnyacres.com/

SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/sonnyacresfarm/

All aboard the Amtrak to adventure! This week, we’re joined by Liz Owens, Vice President and General Manager of Vacations By Rail, a Chicago-based company that helps travelers explore the world by train!

After we trauma dump on Liz for ten minutes about our flying anxiety, we discuss the unique benefits of traveling by rail! Liz breaks down what to expect for first-timers and spotlights some of the perks, such as constant views and a unique ability to hop on and off along your route!

She shares the must-book experiences for 2025, what’s trending in the world of rail, and shares some of what she envisions for the future of American rail!

We end the episode with a round of rapid fire, featuring her favorite onboard snack, dream rail destination and more! Liz also designs the perfect trip for us (no flying needed)!

Visit their site to browse trips and learn more!

BOOK & INFO: https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/vacationsbyrail/?hl=en

A podcast for campers, glampers and everyone in between! Pack your cutest flannel and prepare to wander into the rustic summer retreat of your dream! Welcome to Camp Wandawega!

This incredible retreat located just north of the border in Wisconsin has it all- a private lakefront, hiking trails, and the most Instagramable accommodations even Martha Stewart couldn’t have designed herself.

With roots in Prohibition and the Catholic Church, its location has many a tale to tell (if only walls could talk are we right)?!

Luckily, we met Tereasa Surratt, Co-Owner of Camp with her husband David, and she does an amazing job telling just a pinch of the camps’s storied past!

From cozy cabins to traditional tents, there is an accommodation for every vibe. Learn about them and the many outdoor activities you and your guest can indulge in during your vacation.

Learn from Tereasa why it’s so important to unplug and unwind, especially for the many creatives who come to the resort each year!

Tereasa also shares some updates on her newest project the “Bureau of Tourism” in West Town and we find out about their bourbon with CH Distillery, a past guest on the show!

We end with rapid campfire, discovering Tereasa’s favorite camp scent and how she likes her s’mores!

BOOK & INFO: https://wandawega.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/campwandawega/?hl=en

President Ioanna and VP Aaron would like to formally invite you to hear the tale of Chicago’s “Hotel of Presidents”!

Known for its many iconic former guests, including Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, the historic hotel on Chicago’s Michigan Ave blends its historic mystique with modern day luxury. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel boasts incredible lake views and enough tales of history to fill a book!

We chat with Violet Tossler, Marketing Manager for the property, who gives us the full historic rundown, from when the Blackstone was the tallest building in Chicago to the time Kennedy learned about the Cuban Missile Crisis from the Presidential Suite. There was even a barbershop inside where Al Capone and many presidents regularly got haircuts!

The hotel is also known for coining the term “a smoke filled room” as it was in one of the hotel suites where Warren G Harding was nominated for president outside the view of the press.

Beyond the history, Violet describes the hotel’s insane amenities, including a ton of original artwork, an on-site restaurant, and the most insane event space perfecting for weddings!

This is the perfect hotel for summer travelers or if you’re a local looking to have a unique staycation!

BOOK: https://www.theblackstonehotel.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/theblackstonehotel/

Now boarding iFLY flight 0001 from Chicago to wherever the wind takes us!

It’s immersion therapy week for Ioanna and Aaron! To get over their fear of flying, they’ve partnered with iFLY to literally take flight at their iconic indoor skydiving experience!

Joe Velez, the Senior Regional Director for iFLY, introduces us to the company and how indoor skydiving came to be! We discuss the experience of indoor flight and breakdown the fascinating science of their wind tunnel.

Hear how it differs from outdoor skydiving and why it’s perfect for even the most anxious flyers (cough cough Ioanna & Aaron).

We end with rapid fire, finding out Jose’s favorite stunt to perform and what’s on his skydiving playlist.

BOOK A FLIGHT:

https://www.iflyworld.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/iflyus/?hl=en

Chicago Locations: Rosemont, Lincoln Park, and Naperville

You’ve seen it in the movies- an artist wannabe goes into a studio, throws some clay on the wheel, and SPLAT, it’s all over the walls and ceiling, ruining your $120 Abercrombie jeans and leaving you with nothing to be on your mantle.

Lucky for Aaron & Ioanna, they found Penguin Foot Pottery and knew they were in good hands (literally).

We chat with Chris and Paige Busse about their Logan Square pottery studio and how they transitioned into full-time studio life!

Hear what’s trending in the world of pottery and find out the many experiences offered at the studio. From classes that last multiple sessions to one-time workshops, there’s something for all of us, even us clay newbies!

We also geek out to some pottery science in honor of Aaron’s Chemistry teacher husband!

We end with a round of rapid fire in the kiln to learn if Chris and Paige have a favorite piece and they describe Aaron and Ioanna as pieces of pottery!

Visit the studio at 2514 W Armitage! And book below.

BOOK: https://www.penguinfoot.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/penguinfootpottery/?hl=en

*THIS IS A LIVE INTERVIEW! Pardon the chocolatey construction noises in the background*

Ioanna & Aaron Twizzler Twist and are Jolly as a Rancher at Chicago’s Hershey Super Sweet Adventure!

Caitlin Maloney, Vice President of Creative at Original X Productions (OGX), introduces us to the company behind some of the nation’s greatest immersive IP experiences, including Harry Potter, Friends, and now Hershey!

We chat about the reopening of this Michigan Avenue experience. Coming at the perfect time as we emerge out of our winter slumber, it’s the refreshing downtown activity we needed!

Sweet surprises are sure to delight the family, especially the kid inside all of us. Featuring Hershey themed challenges, activities, and delectable photo pops, this is the perfect spring break or weekend fun for candy lovers, which let’s face it, is all of us.

Learn how the OGX team took iconic brands like Reese’s or Jolly Rancher and turned them into big, bold, and immersive exhibits. Taking on the role of “Sweet Seekers”, you’ll engage with this timeless American brand in ways you never thought possible!

We end with rapid fire, finding out if Caitlin has a favorite Hershey candy and which Jolly Rancher flavor she picks from the bag first!

Hershey Super Sweet Adventure is now open! Located in Chicago Water Tower Place.

Recommended for candy lovers of all ages!

TICKETS: https://www.hersheysupersweetadventure.com/

SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/hersheysupersweetadventure/

Meet the Queen of Cute, Creator of Strawberry Shortcake and Key Designer behind Care Bears and The Get Along Gang!

Muriel Juneberry Fahiron is know for all the illustrations that made your childhood magical and your adulthood nostalgic. After a decades long career with various greeting card companies and agencies, Muriel now calls Tulsa home and graces our feed with her #kitchendance videos!

We chat with her about her early inspirations and what led her down the path of illustration. We talk the early days of her biggest lines like Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. Hear how these iconic brands came to be!

Discover how her sister ended up creating the first Strawberry Shortcake plush and find out even the smallest moments can turn into the biggest ideas!

We end chatting about Muriel’s upcoming themed cocktail event in Tulsa at The Vault, and hear about her studio, “Outta Thin Air”!

SHOP MURIEL’S STUDIO:

https://www.outtathinairstudio.com/

COCKTAIL EVENT:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-vault-16524240625

FOLLOW HER INSTA:

https://www.instagram.com/outtathinairstudio/?hl=en

FOLLOW HER TIKTOK:

https://www.tiktok.com/@outta_thin_air