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The 602 Podcast

@602podcast

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A podcast about Evanston: family life, schools, local gems & what everyone’s talking about. Honest community conversations for all of us.

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Let’s be nice: building community one bike at a time 🚲

We sat down with Kelly and Sam Mack of Mack’s Bike and Goods on Central Street. Our conversation ranges from opening a bike shop on Friday the 13th in 2020, to building custom frames, living above the shop, and fighting for safer streets in Evanston.

Proof that a neighborhood bike shop is about way more than repairs.

🎧 Episode’s live! Link in bio as always. by @602podcast

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5 days ago

From their first smooch to their first restaurant. 🔥

This week, we sit down with Rachel and Tom Carlin, the husband and wife team behind @burlevanston, to talk about the Chicago kitchens that shaped them, their love story, and how they chose Evanston to build a restaurant and raise their family.

We also get into the farms behind the menu, cooking over an open fire, and what it’s like to feed the community you call home.

Listen in wherever you get your pods! And next time you visit Burl, try the cabbage. by @602podcast

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12 days ago

Why mayor? Why now?

Evanston City Clerk and mayoral candidate Stephanie Mendoza joins The 602 to kick off our Mayoral Election Series.

Stephanie shares her path from arriving in Evanston as a young mom to becoming City Clerk, why she’s running for mayor, and what she believes the job should actually be.

The conversation covers affordability, D65, transparency in city government, and how she would bring people to the table and move Evanston forward.

First up: Stephanie Mendoza. LISTEN IN. by @602podcast

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19 days ago

Did you know being mayor of Evanston is technically a part-time job and pays $32,000 a year (up from just $25,000 last year)?

We talked with Mayor Biss about what that actually means for the job, and who can realistically afford to do it. by @602podcast

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23 days ago

The Exit Interview (Sort Of) 🎙️

Mayor Daniel Biss joined us for a wide-ranging conversation about his years leading Evanston, what he’s proud of, what he’d do differently, and why he’s ready to trade City Hall for a run at Washington.

We get into Ryan Field, D65, Envision Evanston, what people misunderstand about being mayor, and what comes next. We also learn that he ran out of math classes by 8th grade, agree that Evanston needs better merch, and tell him that dads are annoying. A very normal mayoral exit interview!

This is the first episode in our mayoral series: starting with the guy who has the job now, followed by conversations with the candidates hoping to replace him.

The Exit Interview (Sort Of): A Conversation with Mayor Daniel Biss is live now. 🎧

Thank you for joining us, Mayor Biss! by @602podcast

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a month ago

This one’s a little different… a little summer recap, a little behind-the-scenes, a little “what exactly are we doing here?” and a look at what’s coming.

Introducing The 602 Sidebar: our occasional excuse to turn the mics on and catch up *without* a guest.

Come hang with us! New episode out now. by @602podcast

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a month ago

No episode today - we’ll be back at it next week! Here’s a quick update :) by @602podcast

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a month ago

What’s missing in Evanston? And what would it take to actually build it?

Claire Seizovic, the force behind Ensemble and Space to Place, joins us to talk empty storefronts, what downtown needs, family-friendly places to gather, and why Evanston’s different business districts each need their own personalities.

This one’s about retail, but it’s really about community and creating more reasons to stick around.

Out today 🎧 taken in Evanston SPACE by @602podcast

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2 months ago

Come for a few months, stay for Lee Street Beach 💙 Maggie Peng shares how one magical Evanston summer changed everything. Listen to our full conversation on our latest episode, out now.

#evanston #evanstonillinois #leestreetbeach taken in Lee Street Beach by @602podcast

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2 months ago

Evanstonians love small businesses. But what does it actually take to run one?

Pink & Tan’s Maggie Peng joins us to talk about her journey to Evanston, the realities of local retail, the community that rallied behind her, and how we can all help grow the small business pie 🥧.

She also shares the stories behind some of her favorite treasures in store, including these handmade ikat pillows and stonewashed linen napkins.

Episode 6 available now - we hope you’ll listen in! by @602podcast

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2 months ago

Why does Evanston breed so many innovators? Maybe it starts with growing up around people who look and think differently and aren’t afraid to disagree with one another. by @602podcast

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2 months ago

Everyone says it takes a village. No one tells you how to find one when you have little kids and need three weeks to schedule coffee.

This week, we’re joined by ParentConnect founders Emma Huntley and Meera Sinha, lifelong Evanstonians who grew up next door to each other and are now trying to recreate that same sense of community for today’s parents.

We talk about why parenting can feel so lonely, what’s changed since the 90s, mom guilt, AirTags, and bringing your children to restaurants that don’t have crayons.

New episode live now wherever you get your podcasts! by @602podcast

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2 months ago