Dynasty Podcasts: Chicagoverse

VU Rooftop‘s Executive Chef Debbie Gold​ guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on the Motor Row rooftop lounge and everything it has to offer. Chef Debbie recalls her culinary journey, which brought her to France before establishing herself in Chicago. She also emphasizes the views from VU Rooftop​, which offer multi-directional perspectives across Chicago, discusses offering convention-goers at McCormick Place their first taste of Chicago cuisine​, and previews VU​’s upcoming renovation.

Sweet Void Cinema Founder and Owner Jack McCoy guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on Chicago's film communities and industry. McCoy details the mission of Sweet Void Cinema and how the organization supports Chicago filmmakers. He also weighs in on Chicago's place in the film production landscape, shares about Sweet Void Cinema's professional partnership with FACETS, and encourages anyone with an idea to attend his screenwriting workshop.

Scott McNiece, Founder at Uncanned Music, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on his career in both hospitality and music and explain how those two worlds intersected for him. McNiece shares how his time working for the Hogsalt restaurants laid the foundation for turning Uncanned Music’s hospitality soundtracking services into a business, and the role Hogsalt founder Brendan Sodikoff played in supporting McNiece’s vision. The music entrepreneur also details what really goes into creating a high quality playlist for a restaurant, bar, or hotel, emphasizes why sound design at a venue matters, and previews what's ahead for Uncanned music.

Michael Pettersen​,​ Historian ​a​t Shure​,​ returns to Dynasty Podcasts for a deep dive into the history of the audio company across the past 100 years. ​The historian shares insights into Shure's earliest days in the 1920s, and details how founder Sidney N. Shure​ set the company on the path to becoming the audio powerhouse it is today. Pettersen​ also runs down a list of highlights from Shure's history across the decades and speaks on the 60th anniversary of the SM58​, the microphone of choice for Dynasty Podcasts host Jaime Black.

Following his 2025 Dynasty Podcasts interview in support of Crying Tiger, Chef Thai Dang checks in for another interview and tasting session, this time at his HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen restaurant in Pilsen. Chef Thai recalls the early day of HaiSous, from detailing the emotional toll involved with opening a new restaurant following the traumatic events at Embeya to describing how the Pilsen neighborhood has changed since the restaurant opened its doors. The Chef also speaks on being recognized by both James Beard and the Michelin Guide, and shares how his learnings from both Crying Tiger and HaiSous benefit both restaurants. Chef Thai also shares a HaiSous tasting menu with host Jaime Black and explains how his bento box collaboration with TenGoku's Chef Danny Rodriguez came to be.

Tim Corpus, Vice-Chair at The SCL Chicago, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on the Chicago chapter of The Society of Composers & Lyricists. Corpus shares insights on how The SCL Chicago’s networking and educational events can benefit local musicians, audio artists, producers, and creators. The SCL Vice-Chair also offers his thoughts on building a creative career in Chicago versus the coasts and speaks on the strength of the city’s creative industries including film, music, video games, and more.

Event producer and entrepreneur Samantha Boehlen returns to Dynasty Podcasts after speaking at 2025’s Monetizing Your Creative Career panel. Boehlen details her multiple creative ventures, including experiential operation Boehlen Curation, which specializes in event production, marketing, and creative direction, as well as 2 Girls, 1 Windy City, her parties and pop-ups collaboration with Nicole Skokna. The multi-hyphenate producer also speaks on her event spaces, Mixed Mediums and the new Chateau By Boehlen, with the former a crafts-focused art studio and maker space and the latter designed for curated educational events like panels and more.

Karla Orozco​, Vice President, Economic Development ​a​t World Business Chicago, guests on Dynasty Podcasts for a deep dive on the SelectChi​ initiative and event, taking place April 30th through May 1​st. Orozco​ speaks on SelectChi​'s mission of bringing international business to the greater Chicagoland area, detailing the program's dual Clean Energy/Climate Tech ​and Food & Beverage Manufacturing​ tracks. The Economic Development​ VP also reveals how Chicagoland businesses can benefit from SelectChi​ and shares how SelectChi​ connects to World Business Chicago​'​s larger Chicago 2050​ initiative.

​Jaime Black visits Class Act​ to interview Chef Nicolai Mlodinow and Co-Founder and Owner Shreena Amin about their tasting menu-centered dining experience. Chef Nicolai recounts the humble origins that would eventually lead to Class Act, with the concept originating as dinner parties held for friends in cramped apartments. Amin describes what her business background brings to the operation, and the restauranteurs detail exactly what goes into a night at Class Act for its tasting menu service, including how community plays into the meal.

Multi-hyphenate business leader Kara Demirjian Huss guests on Dynasty Podcasts to delve into her work across both DCC Marketing and TCCI Manufacturing. Huss shares what goes into her role as Founder and President of DCC Marketing, reflecting on how marketing has evolved across her time with the company and revealing what sets DCC Marketing apart from other creative agencies. Huss also details her work as Senior Vice President at TCCI Manufacturing, speaking on the mission and impact of the company’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub and more.

Ox Bar & Hearth Chef John Asbaty and Co-Owner Alain Uy guest on Dynasty Podcasts days after the opening of the Lincoln Park restaurant. The culinary professionals recount how their respective journeys led to them opening up Ox Bar & Hearth together, including time together at The 3 Arts Club Café at RH Chicago. Uy and Chef John also share the challenges and advantages of managing their own restaurant concept, the latter of which includes the opportunity to pursue their own vision and grow their business. The duo also speak on the modern Midwestern influences on the menu and explain why fire is a key element in the preparation of their dishes.

Jon Gately and Angela Spadoni, Principals at bKL Architecture, guest on Dynasty Podcasts to delve into a few of the design firm's noteworthy Chicago projects. Gately and Spadoni detail the vision and development behind the firm's work on projects like Wolf Point West, The Dylan, and 300 N Michigan, and speak on how everything from amenities to reimagined work spaces impact their decision making process. The Principals also share what sets bKL Architecture apart as a design firm and preview upcoming architectural projects on the horizon.

Jaime Black visits Atelier in Lincoln Square for an interview with the restaurant’s Executive Chef Bradyn Kawcak, Beverage Director Ali Martin, and Owner Tim Lacey. The Atelier team detail what went into the restaurant’s move to a larger location in 2025, and share how crowdfunding helped empower the move. The team also explains how the new, larger space allows Atelier to evolve and offer more to its visitors, and reveal how women-made wines and produce from local farms enhance the ever-changing menu.

Dynasty Podcasts host Jaime Black visits Trino in the West Loop for an interview with restaurant partner Henry Mizhquiri and Chef Stephen Sandoval. Mizhquiri and Chef Stephen reflect on their culinary backgrounds and share how their respective paths led them to opening Trino. They detail the inspiration behind the cultural identity of Trino’s menu, reveal what sets a 5 Sueños concept apart, and explain how Trino stands out among Chicago’s many steakhouses. The culinary professionals also share how poetry and mood influence the cocktails at Laberinto and speak on the significance of the Trino name.

Ted Novak, Partner & Managing Director at Clique Studios, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to speak on all things web design and user experience. Novak​ reflects on how the web experience has changed over the decades and shares why having a dedicated website is still essential in the age of AI, LLMs, and mobile apps. The web designer also details how initiatives like Clique University ​and Clique Labs ​have​ benefited Clique Studios​ and its employees.

Chef Jakob Peterson ​and restaurateur​ Steve Gogolab​ sit down with Dynasty Podcasts host Jaime Black at new Bucktown Italian steakhouse Dēliz​. Gogolab​ and Chef Jakob reveal their respective culinary paths and share how they came together for the development of Dēliz​. The duo detail the quick turnaround involved in turning 1840 W North Ave​ from its previous concept (etta) into Dēliz​ in a matter of weeks and speak on their tour of various cities to help inspire the menu and identity of the restaurant. The hospitality team also expand on the role of creativity and inspiration​ across the restaurant’s F&B offerings​ and tease a new restaurant coming to Chicago this summer.

Andrea and Anthony Vizzari, Founders at Strip Club Photobooth Studio, guest on Dynasty Podcasts to speak about their new photo booth business in Wicker Park. The co-founders detail their passion for vintage photo booths and share how they turned that into a business via A&A Studios. The married entrepreneurs also reveal how A&A Studios led to the opening of Strip Club Photobooth Studio, and offer their thoughts on why physical experiences and tangible takeaways are resonating with Gen Z right now.

Bill Jacobs, Founder at Piece Chicago, guests on Dynasty Podcasts to talk all things pizza and partnerships.Jacobs looks back on the early years of Piece, reflecting on how different Wicker Park was in the early 2000s, and shares as his take on bringing New Haven-style pizza to Chicago.The restaurateur also details the current Slice To Meet You promotion currently running at Piece, which supports PAWS Chicago via limited time pizza collaborations with Wiener’s Circle, CM Punk, and Chef Rick Bayless.

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.