Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse

Creative multi-hyphenate Justin E Arnett - Graham guests on Dynasty Podcasts to detail his digital and experiential ventures across F&B and more, and explain his mission to center authentic community across everything he does.Arnett - Graham delves into his process and focus for the Terms of Service podcast, where he, along with co-host Nariba Shepherd, highlights talent from Chicago’s hospitality communities whose voices aren’t heard often enough. He also reveals the work and intention that goes into staging a live podcast event, and shares plans for his beCo and Garn:t ventures.

Executive Chef Matt Ayala hosts Jaime Black at Francois Frankie for a Dynasty Podcasts recording feet away from the restaurant's impressive rotating carousel bar.Chef Matt shares his beginnings in the restaurant industry and details how his experience working in fine dining realized his larger culinary ambitions. The Executive Chef also reveals how the restaurant's rotating carousel bar operates, offers his choices for the menu items first time visitors need to order, and explains how he's training his current kitchen talent for the next stages of their careers.

J​aime Black catches up with Tyler Michael Balentine​, Programmer/Curator​ at Music Box Theatre​ and FACETS​ and Host/Producer of The Thursday Script​ on Que4 Radio, in an interview recorded in Theatre 2 of the Music Box.Balentine​ delves into his film programming work and his focus on showcasing Black filmmakers and filmmakers of color on the big screen, including curating programming around Black History Month​ and Juneteenth​.T​he programmer also speaks on the current renaissance of Black filmmakers in Chicago, including 2025 Dynasty Podcasts guestGeorge Ellzey Jr.​, and reveals what goes into interviewing local film industry professionals every week on his Que4 Radio​ show The Thursday Script​.

​Jaime Black visits the home of Chef Andy Suarez for a deep dive into the world of a private chef.Chef Andy reveals the journey that led to him launching his own private cooking business, and shares the skills he gained along the way.Chef Andy also delves into the diversity of his culinary offerings, services, and clients, the latter of which includes cooking both on Lake Michigan and on land for The Playpen Chicago.He also explains that you don’t need to be a celebrity to hire a private chef, previews plans for expanding his business, speaks on the entrepreneurial logistics of running a private chef business, and more.

Jaime Black sits down with Tony Frausto, Partner @ Jōtō Sushi, to delve into the West Loop spot’s dry-aged offerings.Frausto details how his previous culinary industry experience, including time with the Boka Restaurant Group, impacted his current role at Jōtō Sushi. The restaurant partner also shares how Jōtō Sushi continues the spirit of Jinsei Motto and explains how CH Distillery paved the way for the sushi restaurant.Frausto also describes the difference dry-aging fish makes across Jōtō Sushi’s menu, and speaks on the challenges of making Jeppson’s Malört shine among the restaurant’s cocktail offerings.

Jaime Black connects with Nathan Graber-Lipperman, Writer and Publisher at Creator Mag and Founder at Powder Blue, for a deep dive on the creator economy.Graber-Lipperman details his beginnings in the worlds of social and media, recalling his time working with popular creator team Colin & Samir. The writer and publisher speaks on the origins of and motivations for launching his Creator Mag and Powder Blue ventures, emphasizes his mission of curating community through live events, and shares his thoughts on Chicago as a city for creators.(Note: This episode was recorded prior to the announcement of retiring Creator Mag’s print edition.)

Dynasty Podcasts host Jaime Black visits Kindling to interview Chef Jonathon Sawyer.Chef Sawyer speaks on bringing his vision and personality to dishes he’s passionate about at Kindling and his Sawyer’s Supper events, reveals how becoming happy with himself elevated both his personal and professional life, and shares why he looks for curiosity in his kitchen talent.The culinary professional also offers insights into his role as Host Chef of this year’s First Bites Bash, which kicks off Choose Chicago‘s Chicago Restaurant Week on Thursday, January 22nd at the Field Museum, details what Kindling is offering for this year’s Chicago Restaurant Week, and shares the spots he’s looking to visit during CRW 2026.

Jordan Engerman, Vice President of Partnerships at Choose Chicago, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to preview Choose Chicago’s Chicago Restaurant Week and the First Bites Bash.Engerman reveals what to expect from the First Bites Bash, the kick-off party for Chicago Restaurant Week happening January 22nd at the Field Museum, and shares why Chef Jonathon Sawyer from Kindling is the right choice for Chef Host of this year’s event. (And look for Chef Jonathon Sawyer to guest on the episode after this one, Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse #37​7.)The VP of Partnerships also speaks on the scope and diversity of the more than 550 restaurants participating in this year’s Chicago Restaurant Week, happening January 23rd through February 8th at restaurants across the Chicagoland area. Engerman shares a few spots that diners shouldn’t miss, emphasizes the importance of not just trying new restaurants but also exploring neighborhoods you haven’t visited before, and previews what’s ahead for both Chicago and Choose Chicago in 2026

Culinary entrepreneur Mindy Segal ​guests on Dynasty Podcasts in an interview recorded at Mindy’s Bakery​.Segal ​​details her cooking and baking style, comparing it to a freeform method akin to jazz and improvisation, and reflects on how working in different kitchens in Chicago informed her own process.The bak​ing entrepreneur also ​reveals how the pandemic factored into the transition from her previous concept, Hot Chocolate​, to Mindy’s Bakery in the present, and speaks on her leadership style when it comes to her staff and engaging with customers.

Dr. Aymar Jean “AJ” Escoffery, Co-Founder at OTV | Open Television and Professor and Director at the Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises and Margaret Walker Professor of Communication Studies at Northwestern University, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk independent media and creative entrepreneurship in higher ed.Dr. Escoffery offers a deep dive into Northwestern’s Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program, detailing the school’s curriculum and opportunities for students in the arts and media concentrations seeking to turn their creative pursuits into a career.He also explains how the MSLCE taps into Northwestern’s successful alumni network, speaks on the ever-changing role of indie storytelling for entrepreneurs, and shares what goes into developing a successful creative career while living in Chicago.The accomplished media professional also reflects on his own creator journey with independent and intersectional media operation OTV and touches on his recently rele

Leiah Breitfelder​, founder of CLIQUEBAIT​​, guests on Dynasty Podcasts in an interview recorded at Blind Barber.Breitfelder​ details the mission of CLIQUEBAIT​, her event production company with an emphasis on showcasing and connecting creators in and beyond Chicago. The event producer also shares networking tips for introverts at her CLIQUEBAIT​ gatherings, and weighs in on why so many young Chicagoans aspire to be content creators.

Independent filmmaker Sam Hayes​ guests on Dynasty Podcasts to dive into his directorial debut Pools.​Hayes details the multi-year journey that went into the making of Pools, as well as speaking on the film’s cast and experiential promotional strategy. ​The director also shares stories from shooting Pools on location in Lake Forest,​ IL, and offers his advice for aspiring DIY filmmakers.

C​hicago journalist Jesus J. Montero​ guests on Dynasty Podcasts to delve into his impressive media career.Montero​ shares his thoughts on the state of independent journalism in 2025, as well as operating as an independent media producer in Chicago. He also details his approach to his community and activism​-focused journalism, ​a​nd speaks on balancing that with his cultural and entertainment-​f​acing media work.

​Jaime Black visits Dimmi Dimmi​ to connect with Chef Matt Eckfeld​ over a plate of housemade cheese sticks.Eckfeld​ details the steps that led to opening his own concept in Lincoln Park after years in other kitchens and other locales. The chef also speaks on h​is approach to Chicago Italian, emphasizes Dimmi Dimmi​'s​ handmade pasta, and shares why it's important for the restaurant to be a welcoming destination for neighborhood residents.

Filmmaker Noah Guardado guests on Dynasty Podcasts to preview the Loose Ends & Friends indie film festival, happening Thursday, December 18th at the Ramova Theatre.Guardado details his filmmaking origins and shares how the film festival came together. The director also previews the local filmmakers involved with the Loose Ends & Friends festival, and speaks to the feasibility of creating a short film on a DIY budget.

Official in-game DJ at Chicago Sky and Chicago Bulls concourse and atrium DJ Ca$h Era (@djcashera), helicopter camera operator Kamil Galimski (@chiheliguy), and digital and visual artist/photographer art.meder (@art.meder) come together for the second of two Monetizing Your Creative Career Dynasty Panelcasts events at Chicago Athletic Association.The trio of panelists share how they developed their creative crafts into sustainable careers. Ca$h, Galimski, and Meder also speak on overcoming imposter syndrome, weigh in on making a career as a creative in Chicago, and offer insights for finding community and collaborators as an artist.

Event producer Samantha Boehlen (@boehlencuration) and social creator Keez Carter (@richoffimpact) hold court for the first of two Monetizing Your Creative Career Dynasty Panelcasts events at Chicago Athletic Association.The two creatives reveal how they were able to turn their own entrepreneurial pursuits into professional ventures. Carter and Boehlen weigh in on how to price your creative work as well as finding the right clients and projects that connect with your story. The panelists also speak on the process of branding yourself as a creative professional, share insights into developing a first time media kit, and more.

Local Style Chips​ Founder Laura Gardner ​guests on Dynasty Podcasts to detail the origins of her Chicago-centric venture.Gardner​ speaks on the DIY approach behind Local Style Chips​, including visiting local businesses in person to pitch the snack line.​ She also reveals the process behind developing Chicago-centric flavors (Deep Dish Pizza, Chicago Hot Dog, Italian Beef, Hot Giardiniera, Classic Salted), shares insights into the chips’ design and branding process, and previews what the future of Local Style Chips could look like.

Jaime Black visits Crying Tiger in River North to share a meal with Chef Thai Dang.Chef Dang delves into the culinary, cultural, and familial inspirations behind the Crying Tiger menu, with he and Black sampling Crying Tiger's prawn toast, crispy h.k. pork belly, green papaya som tum salad, and hamachi crudo. (PIctures available @DynastyPodcasts and on the Dynasty Podcasts Substack.)The chef also details the unseen work that went into bringing Crying Tiger to life, and speaks on the collaborative, expansive, and supportive nature of his partnership with Lettuce Entertain You.

Landon Campbell, Investor & Chicago GM at Drive Capital, returns to Dynasty Podcasts two years after his first visit.Campbell speaks on his Landon's Loop newsletter, which covers the city’s tech industries and developments, and shares his objectives for that venture.The GM also details how his Bullish On Chicago directory serves as a resource for Chicago's tech communities, and emphasizes the importance of live events showcasing and engaging with Chicago's current and incoming tech talent.