Always Andersonville: The Podcast

Episode 196: The Story of Remedy Laser Therapy with Jessica Mutsch, LCSW

On this episode of the podcast, CJ and Amelia chatted with Jessica Mutsch,  owner of Remedy Laser Therapy at 5347 N Clark #2. Remedy Laser Therapy uses a non-invasive, low level laser to reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, manage pain, and improve skin health.

Jessica holds a Master's Degree and has worked as a psychotherapist for more than a decade. After experiencing life‑changing results from red light therapy, she set out to expand the way she helps people heal. Enjoy the episode!

Episode 195: The Story of Aville Grows with Nandita Goswami and David Rosetti

Today on the podcast, we are joined by Nandita Goswami and David Rosetti, stewards of Aville Grows, the new community garden in Andersonville located at 5339 N Ashland and 5347 N Ashland. 

Located in the heart of the neighborhood, this shared green space provides residents with the opportunity to grow their own food, learn about urban gardening, and participate in the stewardship of a more resilient and equitable local food system.

Aville Grows is powered by community involvement and is a project of the Andersonville Sustainable Community Alliance (ASCA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to create a greener, more inclusive Andersonville for all.

 

Episode 194: The Story of Vincent with new owners Luke Aronson and Mitch Migliore

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Luke Aronson and Mitch Migliore, the new owners of Vincent, located at 1475 W Balmoral.

With more than a decade of experience in Andersonville, Luke and Mitch share what it means to step into a beloved neighborhood spot and how they’re building on Vincent’s legacy as a true community gathering place. They talk about their vision for the future, their approach to hospitality, and why creating a “home away from home” matters now more than ever!

 

Episode 193: The Story of the Neo Futurists with Connor Shioshita Pickett, Annie Share, and Alé Ramirez

Today, we are joined by members of the Neo-Futurists, the experimental theater company that has been creating bold, original performances in Chicago since 1988. Their signature show, The Infinite Wrench, is a fast-paced, ever-changing production made up of 30 plays in 60 minutes, with the audience deciding the order of what happens on stage. It is unpredictable, personal, often hilarious, and unlike almost anything else you will see in theater.

The Neo-Futurists are known for blending storytelling, performance, and real life, with ensemble members writing and performing their own work and creating new material every week.

Today we talk about the origins of the company, the creative process behind The Infinite Wrench, the role of experimental theater in Chicago, and why spaces for artistic risk-taking continue to matter in neighborhoods like Andersonville.

Episode 192: The Story of Chicago Friends School with Karen Carney

Today, we are joined by Karen Carney, Head of School at Chicago Friends School, along with students Violet and Imogen.

Chicago Friends School, located at 1315 W Berwyn, is a K–8 independent school grounded in Quaker values: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and stewardship. Those aren’t just words on a wall. They shape how students learn, how teachers teach, and how the entire community shows up for one another.

In a supportive and intentionally diverse environment, students are nurtured to reach their full academic, creative, and spiritual potential. Curiosity is encouraged. Voices are respected. Character is built alongside strong critical thinking skills.

Graduates of Chicago Friends School leave not only prepared for high school, but equipped with the confidence, empathy, and real-world experience to help build a better world.

 

Episode 191: The New Story of Cowboys & Astronauts with Tyler Leasher and Brian Mamassian

Today we are joined by Brian Mamassian and Tyler Leasher, co-owners of Cowboys and Astronauts, Andersonville’s independent lifestyle and gift shop. Founded in 2017 and relaunched in 2025, the shop offers a curated mix of apparel, accessories, home décor, and gifts blending rugged grit with cosmic imagination, a welcoming hub for the community known for its warm hospitality, thoughtful curation, and inclusive spirit. Tyler brings over a decade in retail, while Brian draws on 15 years in tech and finance. Known for warm hospitality and thoughtful curation, Cowboys and Astronauts features popular and local brands alike and has earned four consecutive Chicago Reader “Best of Chicago” honors.

Episode 190: The Story of Senator Mike Simmons

7th District Senator Mike Simmons has been a champion of our community since first taking office in 2021. Senator Simmons made history as the first openly gay member of the Illinois Senate and the first person of color to represent his district. He’s a dedicated advocate for equity, housing, and public health, working to uplift communities and ensure every voice is heard in state government.

We're thrilled to welcome back former Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Sara Dinges for a discussion with Senator Simmons on the work he's done for our community and his running campaign for Congressman of the Illinois 9th District.

Episode 189: Talkin Dough with The Good One's Brandon Mensing

This week, we're joined by Brandon Mensing. Owner and head donut fryer at Andersonville’s newest donut business, The Good One who is also our lead sponsor for Taste of Andersonville on Wednesday, August 6 and a stop on the Nosh Route.

Brandon Mensing, Andersonville resident, a queer Midwesterner born just south of Chicago, spent nearly two decades wrangling start-ups before deciding life is better glazed. Hear about Brandon's transition from the tech world to the fried one, overcoming the hurdles of starting a small business, and The Good One's delicious future ahead.

Episode 188: Welcoming Anthony Rapp to Andersonville!

A particularly exciting episode. We're joined by multi-talented performer Anthony Rapp who will be performing at Midsommarfest this year on Sunday, June 15 on our Summerdale Stage.

Anthony hardly needs an introduction with a decades long performance career across stage, screen, music, and even a couple of video games. A Chicago native, Anthony, his husband, and kids have recently joined our great Andersonville neighborhood as new residents and we couldn’t be more excited to have them as a part of our community.

Episode 187: The Power of Pop-ups with Six Point Pet, Floriography Fellows, and Printed Curiosities

In this episode, we’re exploring the world of pop-ups as Andersonville’s InSidewalk Sale returns, bringing deals indoors and debuting the first InSidewalk Sale pop-up market at 5117 N Clark, with over a dozen vendors showcasing their creative products from jewelry to florals, pet supplies to soaps and more.

Joining us are Dave from Printed Curiosities, Ben & Jesse of Floriography Fellows, and Tom from Six Point Pet to discuss the challenges and rewards of running a non-brick-and-mortar business—and why attending, shopping at, and supporting pop-up markets supports our small business community.

The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, anywhere you get your podcasts!