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Jitesh Jaggi
Jitesh Jaggi is a recent immigrant storyteller, poet, and dancer from India, currently living in Chicago. He ended his career in Finance one day when he lost all his data that he forgot to save on an Excel sheet, and realized that he just didn't care. That tipping point led to him becoming a writer and he is currently working on a book of essays. A two-time Moth StorySlam winner and a producer for the Story Collider, he also coaches clients in telling their stories. You can reach out to him at jaggi.jitesh@gmail.com. He loves writing bios because he can refer to himself in the third person. Jitesh can be easily bribed with books and chocolates.
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Kristi Turnbaugh
Kristi Turnbaugh is a writer, editor, and CHIRP Radio DJ. She grew up in various parts of the Midwest and South and has lived in Chicago since the mid-‘90s. For work, she’s interviewed a slew of fascinating folks, including one of the Village People, a Miss America, and thee Mister Rogers—yes, that Mister Rogers (RIP). She’s traveled through 25 countries and 48 states and plans to conquer the remaining two in 2023—she’s coming for you, North Dakota and Alaska! For 13 years, Kristi served as a volunteer docent for the Chicago Architecture Center, leading the world-famous Chicago River boat tours in rain, sleet, snow, and shine. You can hear Kristi on CHIRP Radio as DJ K-Tel every Thursday evening, 6 to 8 P.M.
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Adam Schulmerich
Adam is an actor and writer, graduate of the Purchase College Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film, Artistic Associate with Shattered Globe Theater, and co-founder of The Lincoln Loft creative space. He is thrilled to be joining tonight and wants to thank the team at CHIRP radio for having him be a part of this excellent program. He can be seen now and again on local stages and sometimes on screen. Although woefully infrequently, he does sometimes post on Twitter (@aschulmerich) and Instagram (adamschulmerich)
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Parker Molloy
Parker Molloy is a Chicago-based writer and author of The Present Age, a newsletter about communication in a hyperconnected world. Between 2018 and 2021, Parker was editor-at-large at Media Matters for America, a non-profit progressive media watchdog. There, she wrote about the role right-wing media played in the rise of Donald Trump and the creation of alternate perceived realities. Her work has also appeared in places like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, and VICE.
The Present Age was the 2022 winner of New York University’s American Journalism Online Award for Best Media Criticism. Judge and former CNN host Brian Stelter called The Present Age “an essential part of an informed citizen’s media diet.” -
Carrie Shemanski
Carrie Shemanski is a profoundly Midwestern writer, musician, and bon vivant. By day, she's the Peggy Olson of the L.A. Times. At night, you can find her gracing stages around Chicago with bands like Wolfman and The Bangers. At any hour, she's a fun person to have a drink with.
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Andre Vasquez
Born and raised in Chicago, Andre Vasquez is the Alderperson of the 40th Ward and one of the six Democratic Socialists elected to City Council. Prior to his life in Public Service, he was the Illinois Director for AT&T Connected Communities, a local Community Organizer with the Peoples Lobby, and a Hip Hop Artist. He has brought those different experiences and perspectives to City Council to improve government services while creating community-centered development. He is the Vice Chair of the Committee on Special Events and Cultural Affairs, the Secretary of the Progressive Caucus, and Treasurer of the Latino Caucus.