In some ways, Illinois farmers have it good. Much of the state boasts rich, dark soil that helps rank its production of corn and soybeans among the highest in the nation. Because the Prairie State is receiving frequent and more intense rainfall, it is increasingly important that farmers adopt conservation...

Coming up on this episode, we are celebrating the ethnic and cultural diversity that makes the food of the American Midwest unique. In Champlain, Illinois, we meet Alex Sentowski and Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud, the founders of Suzu, a Japanese bakery brings a traditional Japanese menu to a Midwest college town. Then...

Amy Mills was raised up on smoke and sauce. She is heiress to the 17th Street Barbecue empire, which she leads alongside her dad, Mike Mills. Together they co-authored Peace, Love, and Barbecue and Praise the Lard. She also runs OnCue Consulting, the only barbecue business consultancy in the world...

Whiskey enthusiast and wrestling producer (not necessarily in that order) Lolo McGrath joins the band to school everyone on the weird parallels between spirits and wrasslin’, working at a tasting room at the end of an alley and how not to be an asshole when you’re tasting. Plus, turning your...

On this episode of Eat Your Heartland Out, we meet author Peggy Wolff. Peggy is an Illinois native and editor of Fried Walleye and Cherry Pie: Midwestern Writers On Food. She shares her compelling journey into food writing and her secrets to capturing cultural stories through food. Heritage Radio Network...

In this episode, we explore how community fridges, pantries and even ovens are helping address food insecurity across the Midwest. These concepts have popped up in larger cities on the coasts, but are also present in cities and towns big and small in the Midwest. Unsurprisingly, Chicago is leading the...

On this episode Zarela and Aarón are thrilled to present another parent-child duo who dedicate their lives to preserving their culture through food. Juan and Jonathan Zaragoza’s family-run Chicago restaurant Birria Zaragoza is known as the best birria in Chicago and, according to Aarón, Chicago is the best Mexican food...

On this episode, Aarón and Zarela welcome their friend and colleague, Rick Bayless, a pioneer in traditional Mexican cuisine at the highest level, to discuss rice in Mexican cuisine. There isn’t much Chef Bayless hasn’t done or an award he hasn’t won. Owner of a restaurant empire in Chicago, most...

On today’s show, we will meet a trio of craft spirit makers that are as unique as the drinks they produce. Nick Nagle brings us to Whiskey Acres, an Illinois-based farm that harvests grain and, as the name suggests, makes it into whiskey. We will travel from Illinois to Michigan...

Today on What Doesn't Kill You, Katy Keiffer speaks with Annie Speicher and Matt Wechsler, the two filmmakers behind Hourglass Films and a new documentary. Sustainable tells the story of a family farmer in Illinois who fought to keep a sustainable farming model in the midst of transformation in America's...