Mike Nowak Show Podcasts
Home "The Mike Nowak Show" CG Columns Garden Talks Resources Green Tips Photographs Mike in the News Events Advertising
Special Holiday Podcast (12-20-09):
It's a Wonderful Slice of
'It's a Wonderful Life'
Mike does the entire movie in about 12 minutes.
Producer Heather Frey plays Mary and special
guest star, radio show host Scott Austin joins
the festivities. Oh, yeah. There are a few WCPT
characters in the background singing
"Auld Lang Syne." I don't know how they
got into the studio. Honest.
Podcast Home | Podcast Archive
Mike Nowak Show Podcasts feed:Copy the feed link and paste it into your aggregator
Subscribe to this podcast with iTunes
Want to browse the site while you listen to the podcast?to open the rest of the site in another window.The Mike Nowak Show Podcasts
The entry page for audio files of Mike Nowak's full shows on WCPT Radio, Chicago.
If you missed a show or just want to browse through some past shows, here they are, in their entirety. (Since this is new, we're working out the bugs. If you have any complaints, comments, or suggestions email the webmaster. Please.)
Environment
Subscribe to this category with iTunes
May 19, 2013
- Mike talks to author Billy Goodnick about his new book on landscaping. Two Tree House Humane Society spokespersons describe the Cats at Work Project that has the goal of helping urban feral cats live more productive lives.
May 12, 2013
- Mike helps rescue an endangered strawberry (really!), then revisits the City of Chicago's misguided campaign against citizens growing so-called weeds.
April 28, 2013
- In a jam-packed show, Mike comments on the demise of the Our Town program, talks about landscaping sustainability, explores the Farm to School movement, and reflects on the 100 year anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon.
April 21, 2013
- Mike celebrates his 5th anniversary on WCPT Radio with Dig In Chicago co-host Jennifer Brennan and ComEd Energy Doctor Sandra Henry.
April 14, 2013
- Mike talks garden renewal with garden expert Melinda Myers, learns how a Chicago charter school plans to become a net-positve energy campus, and looks at why Cook County's landfill ban might be under seige.
A Conversation with Chris Ziemann about Bus Rapid Transit in Chicago
- Mike talks to city planner Chris Ziemann about the first steps in bring Bus Rapid Transit to Chicago.
A Conversation with Jim and Jamie Dutcher about Living with Wolves
- Mike discusses the plight of wolves in the American West with Jim and Jamie Dutcher, who lived among them for years and have now written a book about their experiences.
March 31, 2013
- Mike and Dr. Allan Armitage wax poetic about gardening. Then Mike welcomes authors and naturalists Jim and Jamie Dutcher, who lived among wolves for six years and have now written about it.
March 24, 2013
- Mike welcomes three environmentalists, who talk about the progress of a fracking moratorium in the Illinois General Assembly, talks to a woman who picks up home food scraps for composting, and talks about some invasive plants.
March 17, 2013
- Mike talks about fracking in Illinois, questions why the U.S. still doesn't have a new farm bill, and explores the difficulty in preserving urban forests.
An Interview with Mel Bartholomew, the creator of Square Foot Gardening
- Mike talks to Mel Bartholomew, who created the square foot gardening concept more than 30 years ago. His book on the subject has sold more than two million copies.
March 10, 201
- Mike talks to legendary TV news anchor Bill Kurtis, previews the Good Food Festival in Chicago, and interviews Mel Bartholomew, the creator of the square foot gardening technique.
An Interview With The Garden Professors, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott and Jeff Gillman
- Mike chats with two of the four members of The Garden Professors blog and, with them, helps answer listener gardening questions and examines several tough gardening issues.
February 17, 2013
- Mike and Lisa Albrecht broadcast live from the Forward on Climate March in Washington, D.C.
A Conversation With Rich Fischer from Evolve Recycling
- Rich Fischer from Evolve Recycling talks about why his company reuses rather than recycles ink and laser cartridges.
February 10, 2013
- Mike announces that he will be at the Climate Forward rally in Washington, D.C., previews the MELA conference, talks about reducing ink cartridge waste, and previews an electric car rally that re-creates the first car race in America in Chicago in 1895.
February 3, 2013
- On SuperSowSunday, Mike talks to seed starters and seed savers. Then he welcomes an attorney who has been litigating bad "weed ordinance" cases for two decades, who has some advice for homeowners who want to plant natives.
January 27, 2013
- Mike and his guests talk about how community gardeners are working together in Chicago, then he previews a food scrap composting seminar, and talks to Farmer John Peterson about his KickStarter to raise money for Angelic Organics.
Will Wind Turbines in Lake Michigan Be Dangerous to Birds and Wildlife? A Conversation with Bob Fisher of the Bird Conservation Network
- Bob Fisher of the Bird Conservation Network talks to Mike about the potential--good and bad--for wind turbines in Lake Michigan.
January 20, 2013
- Mike talks about three news stories related to food issues, talks to a bird expert about whether wind turbines in Lake Michigan would harm birds and other wildlife, then looks at a financial plan for supporting organic farms.
Blake Davis presents a 50 Year Plan for Surviving Climate Change
- IIT Professor Blake Davis talks about his belief that climate change and economic instability will contribute to the long term decline of our standard of living and how to survive that change.
January 13, 2013
- Mike previews a a comprehensive social justice event in Hyde Park, then talks about what the world will look like in the next 50 years, as climate change combines with economic instability to create a declining standard of living.
January 6, 2013
- Mike updates the story of the Chicago woman fined for growing native plants in her front yard, then talks about the water level of the Great Lakes and the future of fracking in Illinois.
Why Did Chicago Fine an Award Winning Gardener for Growing Native Plants?
- Mike talks to Kathy Cummings, whose award winning garden was fined by the city for violating a weed ordinance.
December 23, 2012
- Jennifer Brennan is surprise co-host of this Christmas special. Mike talks to a Chicago woman who has been fined for growing natives in her front yard, then he presents the annual Its a Wonderful Slice of Its a Wonderful Life.
December 16, 2012
- Mike and Lisa Albrecht talk to authors of books about the environment and green energy, then talk about a suit filed in Springfield against the IDNR as a way to stop a frac sand mine outside of Starved Rock State Park.
Starved Rock Still Under the Gun, While Citizens in Jo Daviess County Beat Back a Megadairy
- Mike reports on the latest setback in the effort to keep an open pic frac sand mine from being dug outside of Starved Rock State Park, then talks to citizens who defeated efforts to build a megadairy in Jo Daviess County.
November 25, 2012
- Mike updates the situation regarding a proposed frac sand mine at Starved Rock State Park, helps celebrate a victory over a CAFO in western Illinois, then helps people answer their holiday plant care questions.
November 18, 2012
- Mike discusses the two-pronged dangers of fracking in Illinois and the assault on farmland by the fracking industry to obtain the sand used in the process.
A Conversation with Arnold Randall, Chair of Chicago Wilderness and General Superintendent for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County
- Mike and Arnold Randall preview the Chicago Wilderness Congress 2012, then talk about the state of the Cook County Forest Preserves.
November 11, 2012
- Mike talks about the expansion of the TreeKeepers program to cities other than Chicago, then previews the Chicago Wilderness Congress with Arnold Randall from the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.
November 4, 2012
- Mike gets information about how to care for a living Christmas Tree, then talks about the 2012 elections and which candidates have strong enviornmental records.
October 28, 2012
- Mike talks about end of growing year activities with an organic farmer-in-training, Rick DiMaio explains why Hurricane Sandy is so dangerous, and Mike and Lisa Albrecht try to unravel the mystery of municipal electricity aggregation.
October 21, 2012
- Mike previews the upcoming Great Lakes Bioneers Chicago gathering, then updates the situation in LaSalle County, where an open pit sand mine may soon be dug next to the eastern entrance of Starved Rock State Park.
A Conversation with Doug Tallamy, Author of Bringing Nature Home
- Mike talks to Doug Tallamy about his ground breaking book and about how important native plants are for biodiversity on our fragile planet.
October 14, 2012
- Mike talks to Doug Tallamy about the importance of native plants for sustaining native biology, then discusses The Great Escape theme music, radio, and local and national environmentalism with callers.
October 7, 2012
- Lisa Albrecht and Sarah Batka join Mike in the studio as he talks to Joe Gardener about pruning tools, does a simulcast with another radio show in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and previews GreenTown Highland Park.
A Conversation about CAFOs with members of Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water.
- Mike talks about the rise of CAFOs in the Midwest with members of Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water and others who are fighting to keep them out of Illinois and other states.
September 30, 2012
- Mike gets a report from a giant pumpkin weigh-off, talks to an organic farmer about fall and spring cover crops, and gets the latest on the fight against CAFOs in the Midwest.
September 23, 2012
- Mike, Sarah Batka from Illinois Extension and Dan Kosta from Vern Goers Greenhouse in Hinsdale discuss bonsai and answer gardening questions.
September 16, 2012
- Mike previews the 2012 Windy City Coop Tour, which gives folks a chance to connect with chicken enthusiasts, then talks fall lawn care with Melinda Myers.
A Conversation with David A. Kraft of the Nuclear Energy Information Service
- Mike talks to David A. Kraft of the Nuclear Energy Information Service about the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. and why drought conditions makes nuclear plants less safe.
September 9, 2012
- Mike talks about a disease that is threatening garden impatiens, then has a conversation about the dangers of continuing to rely on nuclear power as an energy source for the U.S.
August 26, 2012
- Mike talks about a family volunteer opportunity at the end of September for people in the Chicago Wilderness region, then talks to author Amy Stewart about her upcoming appearances in Illinois and Michigan.
August 12, 2012
- Mike gets some late summer gardening tips from Jennifer Brennan, and talks about a new food composting initiative at the Morton Arboretum.
August 5, 2012
- Mike previews three events environmental friendly events in the next week, then revisits the controvery over the planned the open pit silica mine that could be created next to the eastern entrance of Starved Rock State Park.
A Conversation with Beth Terry, Author of Plastic Free, How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too
- Beth Terry talks about her personal journey towards a plastics free life and explains how others can reduce the use of plastics in their own lives.
July 29, 2012
- Mike talks about riding a zip line, how the City of Chicago is waging war on the trees on his block,then talks about ridding the world of plastic, and previews the Monday protest of fracking in Illinois.
July 22, 2012
- Mike talks about non-threatening sustainable interior design, then chats with an author and naturalist about prairies and Project Passenger Pigeon.
A Conversation with Renewable Energy Experpt Lisa Albrecht about the Future of Solar Power in Illinois
- Mike talks to Lisa Albrecht from Solar Service Inc. about the formation of a clean energy PAC to elect advocates of solar power.
July 8, 2012
- Mike talks to an expert about how to keep your plants alive during a heat wave, then looks at why Illinois lags behind other states in solar energy development.
The Good, Bad and Ugly Environmental Legislation to Come Out of Springfield This Year
- Mike talks to a distinguished panel of environmental leaders about the various laws that came out of Springfield in the just-ended legislative session., some of which now sit on Governor Pat Quinn's desk.
July 1, 2012
- Mike previews GnomeDependence Day, which he will be emceeing on July 3, then talks to a distinguished panel of environmentalists about laws--good and bad--that were passed and not passed recently in Springfield.
June 24, 2012
- Broadcasting from the Center on Halsted before the 2012 Chicago Pride Parade, Mike discusses water reclamation issues with MWRD Commissioner Debra Shore, then examines the progress of the 2012 Farm Bill now making its way through Congress.
June 17, 2012
- Mike talks to a suburban arborist about trees on a city street that might be in danger of being strangled by tree lights, then dicusses the coming elections and whether or not food issues will become campaign issues.
June 3, 2012
- Mike reflects on the environmental wins and losses during the recent legislative session in Springfield, then talks to three experts about organics as well as disease and insect problems on plants this year.
A conversation with Charlotte Adelman about Why Native Plants are So Important
- Mike talks to Charlotte Adelman about the book about Midwestern native plants that she recently co-authored with her husband.
May 27, 2012
- Mike interviews Charlotte Adelman about the book she co-authored about native plants in the Midwest, then talks about the 10th anniversary of the CCGT and asks pest expert Rick MosKovitz about this season's infestations.
May 20, 2012
- Mike reports on a meeting this week where the Illinois EPA will answer questions about the permitting process for an open pit sand mine outside of Starved Rock State Park, then talks to Zina Murray about why she is shutting down Logan Square Kitchen.
An Interview with Tom Ogren of Allergy-Free Gardening
- Mike talks to Tom Ogren, who is currently in Canada, reporting on how planting of male cloned trees and shrubs contributes to allergy and asthma problems in that country and the U.S.
May 6, 2012
- Mike talks to representatives of two environmental groups fighting to keep Chicago's landfill ban, then explores the theory that planting too many male trees and shrubs is contributing to allergy and asthma problems.
April 29, 2012
- Mike talks about Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month, and promotes an annual garden and pond show as well as the expansion of a green business in Oak Park.
April 22, 2012
- Mike celebrates Earth Day with co-host Melinda Myers, who helps him answer gardening questions. He then interviews the photographer of a beautiful new book about the Arctic, and warns about bad legislation in Springfield.
Why Were 300 Trees Chopped Down in Evergreen Park?
- Mike talks to Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest Preserves, about clearing of 45 acres of trees in Evergreen Park to construct a shopping center.
April 15, 2012
- Mike celebrates 20 years of successes in cleaning up the Chicago River, talks to an apple grower about recent damaging frosts, looks for answers after 300 old growth trees were felled in suburban Evergreen Park, and previews a green film festival.
April 8, 2012
- Mike talks trash (literally) and recycling, reports on a visit to an organic vegetable at the Field Museum of Natural History, and previews a very green event next weekend.
Is the Michigan DNR trying to outlaw heritage breed hogs in that state?
- Mike talks to a Michigan farmer who tells a disturbing tale of fighting to keep his family farm alive in the face of a new law that might have national repercussions.
April 1, 2012
- To welcome the month of April, has live musical accompaniment in the studio. He talks to a Michigan farmer who explains how that state's DNR is virtually outlawing all heritage breed hogs. Then Mike prepares to shoot Dig In Chicago this week.
March 25, 2012
- Mike gets the lowdown on compost in a tube sock, talks to a Morton Arboretum horticulturist about the crazy weather in the Midwest, and gets some lawn care tips for an early spring.
March 18, 2012
- Mike and co-host Jennifer Brennan preview their new TV show Dig In Chicago, talk about record-breaking warmth in Chicago, discuss the benefits of calcium in your soil, and promote Alderman Joe Moore's attempt to get blue carts in the 49th Ward.
March 11, 2012
- Mike previews a seed swap at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, looks forward to the Good Food Festival, talks about whistleblowing on CAFOs is under attack, and checks in on LaSalle County residents trying to protect Starved Rock State Park.
An Interview with Cheryl Johnson on the Proposed Ordinance to End Chicago's Landfill Moratorium
- Mike talks to Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director of People for Community Recovery about an ordinance proposed by Chicago 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale that would reverse a landfill moratorium that was scheduled to last for another 13 years.
March 4, 2012
- Garden writer Beth Botts sits in with Mike as they discuss the tyranny of social media, the perils of environmental organizations accepting money from large corporations, and how a Chicago alderman is trying to undo a landfill moratorium in the city.
The Plant rises up on Chicago's south side.
- Mike talks to Blake Davis, Carla McGarrah and Tim Sparer, just three of the many people working to convert a former meat packing plant on Chicago's south side into a vision of the sustainable future.
February 26, 2012
- Mike gets schooled by the teachers and students at a Montessori school in Joliet, then gets some learnin' from some of the people behind The Plant on the south side of Chicago.
February 19, 2012
- Mike looks at how the green industry is trying to get greener, talks about a study that encourages America to collect rain water, and explores the little understood world of urban coyotes.
February 12, 2012
- Mike talks about the unexpected discovery of eagles on Chicago's south side, previews a bonsai talk while bonding with a cat over the telephone, and waxes poetic on ecological restoration with Jack Pizzo.
February 5, 2012
- Mike talks about how America's environment will be affected by the 2012 elections, then moderates the Great Herb Debate as part of One Seed Chicago 2012.
January 29, 2012
- Mike previews next week's Great Herb Debate, talks about the new Illinois e-waste recycling law, and previews gardening classes at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
January 22, 2012
- Mike previews Decision Chicago! The Great Herb Debate on February 5, then interviews Openland's Julie Samuels about two classes that will help Chicagoans learn about urban gardening.
January 15, 2012
- Mike does a post mortem on the LaSalle County Board vote that approved a sand mine outside of Starved Rock State Park, and talks about what you need to do (if anything) to protect your plants when cold weather finally hits.
Saving Starved Rock State Park
- Mike interviews a group of citizens and activists who are working to prevent an open pit sand mine from being established adjacent to Starved Rock State Park in Illinois.
January 8, 2012
- Mike previews KAM Isaiah Israel's third annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Weekend, then talks to citzens and activists in and around LaSalle County who are fighting a proposed open pit sand mine next to Starved Rock State Park.
A Conversation with Lisa Kivirist, co-author of Farmstead Chef.
- Lisa Kivirist, who, with her husband John Ivanko, runs a bed and breakfast in Wisconsin called Inn Serendipity, talks about their new cookbook, Farmstead Chef.
January 1, 2012
- On the first day of the new year, Mike gets an update from Barbara Melera, owner of D. Landreth Seed Company, reveals the contestants in the One Seed Chicago competition, and talks about the new cookbook, Farmstead Chef, with co-author Lisa Kivirist.
Will an open pit sand mine be established next to Starved Rock State Park?
- Mike talks to Jack Darin from the Illinois Sierra Club, as well as LaSalle County citizens Mike Phillips and Debbie Burns, about a proposed open pit sand mine that would be located next to Starved Rock State Park, one of Illinois' natural treasures.
An Interview with Peggy Salazar and Tom Shepherd of the Southeast Environmental Task Force
- Mike talks to Peggy Salazar and Tom Shepherd about Governor Pat Quinn's announcement of the Millennium Reserve initiative, which will provide funding for environmental restoration in the Calument region.
December 18, 2011
- Mike talks about how to keep your holiday plants alive, then looks at an environmental success in southeast Chicago and an environmental crisis near Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County, Illinois.
An Interview with Josh Mogerman of the NRDC
- Josh and Mike discuss energy legislation in Illinois, the Keystone XL pipeline, and water quality in the Great Lakes. They are joined by toxicologist Dave Zaber, who cautions people about pesticides in Christmas trees.
December 11, 2011
- Mike interviews the 2011 Chicago Gardener of the Year, gets a report from the D. Landreth Seed Company, discusses enviornmental matters with the NRDC and a local environmental consultant, and talks about GreenPrints Magazine.
November 27, 2011
- Mike previews the WCPT Holiday Harvest food drive from December 1 through December 11, and learns how the National Forest Foundation is stepping up to help the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie restoration effort.
November 20, 2011
- Mike follows up on D. Landreth Seed Company's attempt to sell 1 million catalogs, talks to the company that invented the Number 2 pencil on its 250th Anniversary, and encourages people to Unwrap Chicago: Eat, Drink and Buy Local.
An Interview with former Commissioner of the Chicago Department of the Environment Suzanne Malec-McKenna
- Mike talks to Suzanne Malec-McKenna, former commissioner of the Chicago Department of the Environment about being let go by the Rahm Emanuel Administration and where environmental concerns are headed, now that the DOE is being dismantled.
November 6, 2011
- Mike Nowak and Mike Sanders preview WCPT's Holiday Harvest food drive from December 1 through December 11, then talks to Suzanne Malec-McKenna, former commissioner of the Chicago Department of the Environment.
An Interview with Michael and Amelia Howard
- Mike welcomes Michael and Amelia Howard, two south side Chicago environmentalists who helped to transform a dump site into a nature center that serves to teach children and their parents how to create and care for urban eco-systems.
October 30, 2011
- Mike interviews a south side Chicago couple who helped to transform a brownfield into a nationally recognized nature center, talks about Mayor Rahm Emanuel's food summit, and previews this season's winter farmers markets in the Chicago area.
October 23, 2011
- Mike discusses a new report about climate change with meteorologist Rick DiMaio, talks to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky about Food Day, welcomes some of the people behind Inspiration Kitchens to the studio and chats with commuter farmer Kim Marsin.
October 9, 2011
- Beth Botts fills in for Mike. She talks about the campaign to repair the storm damage Garfield Park Conservatory, reminds Chicagoans of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, just around Lake Michigan, and discusses fall vegetable care.
A follow up interview with Barbara Melera of the historic D. Landreth Seed Company
- Barbara Melera reports on her progress to sell one million catalogs in an effort to save the 228 year old heirloom seed company.
October 2, 2011
- Mike follows up on the effort to save the oldest seed company in America, checks in with a sustainable Illinois farm, previews a first-of-its-kind restoration project in Palatine and explains what "managed competition" will mean for recycling in Chicago.
September 25, 2011
- Beth Botts fills in for Mike and talks about Treekeepers, composting and protecting your spring blooming bulbs from critters.
September 18, 2011
- Mike previews the 2011 STIHL Tour des Trees in Virginia, talks about National Public Lands Day, and checks out chickens in Chicago.
An Interview with Barbara Melera of the Historic Landreth Seed Company
- Mike talks to Barbara Melera, owner of Landreth Seed Company, about her efforts to save the 228 year old heirloom seed business by selling one million catalogs in one month.
September 11, 2011
- Mike comments on the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, then talks to the Dog Poo King, previews an autumn day in an Illinois prairie and works to save a 228 year old heirloom seed company.
Openlands President and CEO Jerry Adelmann previews the opening of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
- Mike talks to Openlands President and CEO Jerry Adelmann about the opening of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, a rare ravine ecosystem on the shores of Lake Michigan some 25 miles north of Chicago.
September 4, 2011
- Mike talks about new challenges for the Logan Square Kitchen, urges people to support an iconic American seed company, previews the opening of a unique Midwestern preserve, and talks to an organic farmer about how weather has changed his operation.
Guy Sternberg talks about Thousand Cankers Black Walnut Disease and its potential impact on Illinois
- Arborist Guy Sternberg warns Mike about a potential environmental disaster on the Illinois doorstep--Thousand Cankers Black Walnut Disease
Meteorologist Rick DiMaio takes the national media to task for their coverage of Hurricane Irene
- Rick DiMaio, meteorologist on Chicago television and The Mike Nowak Show, surprises Mike by his strong reaction to the hyperventilation over category 1 hurricane Irene.
August 28, 2011
- Mike talks to a local food innovator who is fighting back against unreasonable city regulation, gets an earfull about the over-hyped Hurricane Irene, and is warned that a newly discovered disease could wreak havoc on Illinois black walnut trees.
August 21, 2011
- Mike gets help for a cucumber beetle problem in his community garden, discovers how billions of passenger pigeons were wiped out a hundred years ago, and asks whether Rahm Emanuel will help urban agriculture flourish in Chicago.
A conversation about the film documentary Scrappers
- Brian Ashby and Courtney Prokopas talk about putting their documentary Scrappers. It will be shown on August 18 at a fundraiser for the Chicago Recycling Coalition.
August 14, 2011
- Mike previews Monday's #gardenchat event in anticipation of the IGC Show in Chicago, urges people to come to Thursday's CRC benefit and see the documentary "Scrappers," and visits once again with a "commuter" organic farmer.
August 7, 2011
- Mike previews Veggie Fest in Naperville, talks to Duluth Real Women model and farmer Rebecca Claypool, gears up for a Toxics to Treasures tour, and gets a status report on the storm-damaged Garfield Park Conservatory.
July 24, 2011
- Mike interviews the president of Sid's Greenhouses to find out why they are closing their doors, gets tips on how to garden without hurting yourself, learns how a new Illinois composting law is benefitting businesses, and learns how to water properly.
July 17, 2011
- Mike and former Chicago Gardener of the Year Laury Lewis talk about garden walks, the forecast for extremely hot weather this week, and answer gardening questions from listeners.
July 10, 2011
- Mike looks for volunteers to help plant 10,000 native species in an Illinois prairie, explains how beer and the Chicago River go together--environmentally, talks garden shows with Bill Alrich and Dan Kosta.
June 19, 2011
- Mike tries to figure out the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, talks about raising three million bees on the west side of Chicago, and previews his broadcast at the Chicago Pride Parade on June 26.
An interview with Steve Holland of Free Green Can
- Mike talks with Steve Holland, founder and CEO of Free Green Can, a company attempting to create a new recycling model in Chicago.
June 12, 2011
- Mike tells a tale of a fire hydrant across from his community garden, talks to the founder of a company that is launching a for-profit recycling program in Chicago, and follows up with a local "commuter farmer."
June 5, 2011
- Mike reports on the progress of the Green on McLean, previews a "Hosta Happening," chronicles a victory for Friends of the Forest Preserves, and talks about a new farmers market at Loyola University.
May 29, 2011
- Mike talks about why the Chicago River is still too polluted, gets advice from a couple of gardening activists about how to set up a community garden, and examines current and future City of Chicago food policies.
May 22, 2011
- Mike talks to Dr. Earth about his new book, analyzes environmental legislation pending in the Illinois legislature, and previews a benefit for Chicago's largest community garden.
An interview with Alexis Baden-Mayer, Political Director of the Organic Consumers Association
- Mike talks to Alexis Baden-Mayer about her action in Chicago that shows how many food products contain Genetically Modified Organisms.
May 15, 2011
- Mike talks about GMOs, how to preserve funding for Illinois Extension, promotes a Garden Writers Association program on Chicago's south side, and looks at the new farmer's market finder on The Local Beet blogsite.
May 8, 2011
- Mike talks to arborists from The Care of Trees about Emerald Ash Borer, goes out to the WCPT parking lot to visit Truck Farm Chicago, celebrates Chicago River Week, and previews the The annual Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse plant sale.
An interview with Taggart Siegel, director of the documentary "Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?"
- Taggart Siegel, director of documentary "Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?" discusses the film and what the disappearance of bees--or Colony Collapse Disorder--means to the food production on Earth.
May 1, 2011
- Mike gloats over his--and Swiss chard's--victory in the 2011 One Seed Chicago vote, interviews the director of the documentary "Queen of the Sun," talks about how to keep critters from eating your spring plants, and introduces Wild Goose Farm.
April 17, 2011
- Mike and Heather wax poetic on honey badger, then Mike talks about Poo Free Parks, the 9th Annual Growing Home Benefit, the Garlic Mustard Challenge, "Where's My Walderman?" and rezoning the city to accommodate agriculture. Whew!
April 10, 2011
- Mike and Jennifer Brennan from The Chalet in Wilmette answer gardening questions.
Privatizing Recycling: A Conversation with 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack
- In the wake of reports that outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley will privatize the Blue Cart recycling program in Chicago, 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack and Mike talk about the timing of the move and whether it will result in any benefits to the city.
April 3, 2011
- Mike talks about a local congregation that is practicing social justice by gardening, questions the Daley Administration's last-minute attempt to revive the Blue Cart Recycling Program, and talks to an organic farmer about her first tractor auction.
March 20, 2011
- Mike previews a fashion show where the clothes are made from plant material, discusses organic lawn care in advance of a natural lawn care conference, and talks to a farmer about what it was like to be an early propoent of organic growing.
March 6, 2011
- Mike talks to environmentalists about a rally to stop legislation that would create a coal gasification plant in Chicago, and how the current Congress is trying to gut the EPA. Then he chats with author Michele Owens about her new book.
A conversation about the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve with Jerry Adelmann and Aimee Collins
- Mike talks with Openlands President and CEO Jerry Adelmann and Aimee Collins, Openlands Lakeshore Preserve Site Manager about the ambitious conservation project along the shores and ravines of Lake Michigan.
February 27, 2011
- Mike previews the Fernwood Botanical Gardens Spring Garden Symposium in Buchanan, Michigan, has an in-depth talk about the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, and get's the latest from The Local Beet about Chicago-area CSAs.
February 20, 2011
- Mike talks briefly about GMOs and protesting union workers in Wisconsin, then previews next week's WPPC Conference in McHenry County and talks to the owner of a company that offers year-round home delivery in the Chicago area of local and organic produce.
February 13, 2011
- Mike celebrates a victory for front yard vegetable gardens in suburban Northbrook, previews two upcoming seminars about native plants and exotic invaders, and promotes the "people's" clean power hearing at Chicago City Hall.
Opening the GMO floodgates: a conversation with Organic Valley's Theresa Marquez - February 6, 2011
- In the wake of two USDA decisions--allowing both genetically engineered alfalfa and sugar beets to be planted in the U.S.--Mike talks to Theresa Marquez from Organic Valley about where organics goes from here.
February 6, 2011
- Mike unveils his 2012 Caribbean Garden Cruise, talks with Theresa Marquez from Organic Valley about the USDA's decision to allow farmers to plant two GMO crops, and check in on local farmer Kim Marsin of Sweet Home Organics.
January 30, 2011
- Mike promotes "Super Sow Sunday," previews the opening of GreenChoice Bank, talks the effort to stop a coal gasification plant in Chicago, and questions an alderman about a canceled hearing about Chicago's two coal fired power plants.
January 23, 2011
- Mike discusses seed catalogs with Mr. Brown Thumb, explores cloning the champion trees of the world with the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, and looks at proposed new city gardening laws with Martha Boyd from Angelic Organics Learning Center
Green Growth Platform for Chicago's Next Mayor - January 9, 2011
- Conversations with Howard Learner of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Jerry Adelmann of Openlands about the 20 green questions posed by Chicago environmental and conservation groups to the Chicago mayoral candidates
January 9, 2011
- Mike talks to Howard Learner of ELPC and Jerry Adelmann of Openlands about the Green Growth Platform for Chicago mayoral candidates, Zina Murray of Logan Square Kitchen talks about city licensing problems, Mr. Brown Thumb reports on One Seed Chicago
January 2, 2011
- On the first show of the new year, Mike talks about getting dahlias started early, what happens to red wiggler worms in the winter, and what environmental questions should the Chicago mayoral candidates be asked?
December 26, 2010
- Mike and producer Heather Frey talk about the holidays and review some of the gardening and environmental stories that fell throught the cracks this year.
December 19, 2010
- Mike introduces an environmentally friendly artificial fire log made from recycled wax-coated cardboard, talks to a farmer who commutes to work, and performs his 10-minute, 2-person version of "It's a Wonderful Life."
December 12, 2010
- Beth Botts talks about houseplants, squirrels, citizen science, and live Christmas trees
December 5, 2010
- Mike and Scott Schecter from Foresight Design Initiative preview Monday's mayoral forum, Mike does an interview while being interviewed, and Sheri Doyel from Angelic Organics Learning Center talks about training farmers.
November 28, 2010
- After Mike talks to Maria Anna Rafac and Jeanne Phelan about sustainability efforts at Joliet Junior College, the Frozen Robins enter the studio and skewer mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel in song. Mr. Brown Thumb provides some needed substance.
November 21, 2010
- Mike gets advice from arborists about protecting your trees and shrubs while getting the most out of your holiday decorations; looks at how to create great holiday containers; and talks about local food in Illniois.
November 14, 2010
- Recycling in Illinois, the Chicago Gardener of the Year for 2010, GreenBuild returns to Chicago this week, and why Chicagoans are crazy about their chickens.
October 31, 2010
- In this Halloween edition the show, Mike talks to Illinois arborist Guy Sternberg about his class, "Cemetery Botany," Jack Darin and Max Muller talk about their environmental endorsements in Tuesday's election, Mr. Brown Thumb reports for "Good Growing"
October 24, 2010
- Mike interviews Benjamin Cox from Friends of the Forest Preserves; Julie Rizzo, who is making a difference by recycling granite; and Scott Kuntz from Old House Gardens, which preserves and sells heirloom bulbs.
October 17, 2010
- Mike talks to Randy Blankenhorn from GoTo2040; Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., whose book, "Living Downstream," has been made into a documentary being shown in Illinois this week; and Cindy Skrukrud, fighting for Hackmatack Wildlife Refuge bordering IL and WI
