Never mind the existential dread, here’s Alexis Plaen (Episode 1073)
Release Date: 09/03/2025
Guest host Gillian McGhee (Hi Ho) with Aly Jados (Blood People) - Episode 1101
Car Con Carne
Guest host Gillian McGhee is a local musician, leading bands Hi Ho and Turnspit over the last decade, and is returning to Car Con Carne to interview her friend and fellow musician, Aly Jados. Aly's here to discuss her band Blood People's debut full length record 'Here' - a collection of songs that weave together heavy distortion, intricate guitar riffs, singalong choruses and Aly's unmistakably raw vocals. In short, you need to hear ‘Here.’ Join Gillian and Aly as they have a cozy fireside chat about: Faking sick as a teenager to win Foo Fighters tickets on Q101 How songwriting...
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Guest host Jacques LaMore chats with Guardrail frontman Kevin Andrew (Episode 1099)
Car Con Carne
Guest host Jake “Jacques” LaMore, formerly of Pop-Punk & Pizza, now the voice behind new narrative storytelling podcast, “This One Time in Kankakee”, sits down for a conversation with Kevin Andrew, the lead vocalist of Chicago’s diet punk band, Guardrail. The two discuss: -Kevin’s recent wedding -How their bands used to play shows together -The meaning behind the group’s new single, “Heroes”, now streaming everywhere -The upcoming ten anniversary of their yearly benefit show, Snuzfest ### Jake did an incredible job - and his mic/audio quality are tops...
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2025 Revisited with James VanOsdol (Episode 1098)
Car Con Carne
I’m back for a special end-of-the-year episode! Watch/listen for a handful of memorable highlights from 2025, including two especially wonderful musical performances. As I explain early in this episode, this is in no way meant to be considered a “best of.” With over 80 episodes recorded this year, it would be impossible to pull something like that together (and incredibly unfair to my guests). Consider this an “amuse-bouche” for the podcast; a hint of what made it so much fun to host this year and a promise of more to come in 2026. Thank you to all my guests (who are each...
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Guest host Kevin Kellam talks with SKLAR BROTHERS (Episode 1097)
Car Con Carne
Comedian/radio personality Kevin Kellam returns to guest host and welcome special guests Sklar Brothers! Randy and Jason Sklar have been seen everywhere, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Playing House, Better Call Saul, Roast Battle III, Grey’s Anatomy, Entourage, and Cheap Seats on ESPN Classic. My big takeaway from watching this episode is that I want the Sklars to be my best friends. I think you’ll love this chat - JVO. See Sklar Brothers at The Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee) for two shows on December 13! ## Car...
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Guest host Jaime Black talks architecture with Stewart Hicks (Episode 1096)
Car Con Carne
Guest host Jaime Black interviews Stewart Hicks (Associate Dean of Physical Resources and Planning and Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago) about his eponymous that features deep dives on all things architecture. Hicks details the role of architecture in our everyday lives, reveals the work that goes into producing his YouTube videos, and shares how Chicago influences his architectural productions. ## Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: If you’re looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart,...
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Guest host Kevin Kellam talks with comedian Adam Burke (Episode 1095)
Car Con Carne
Comedian/radio personality Kevin Kellam returns for another guest-hosting stint, and this time around he welcomes comedian Adam Burke. Kevin digs into Adam’s comedy career and the details of Adam's recently-released comedy special, “Unamerican,” recorded at the Den Theatre. There are also a few political tangents, and Kevin learns Amerigo Vespucci’s name for the first time (Ciao, Kevin!). Thanks to Kevin for again selflessly and capably taking the podcast reins. I’m beyond grateful. Thanks for supporting Car Con Carne, especially during this weird period where I’m off the grid....
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Drainage tubes, the colorectal surgeon, appendicitis and me (Episode 1094)
Car Con Carne
Hi. It’s me. James VanOsdol. As my recent (and forthcoming) guest hosts continue to kill it, I’m finally in a physical and emotional place where I can check in and let you know everything that’s been going on with me. This isn’t a traditional episode - it didn’t make sense to read sponsor tags or play the theme song - instead, it’s a full recounting of all the medical stuff going on with me since October. Thank you for your continued support! As I mention toward the end, while I haven’t always been able to respond to all my messages, I’ve read them all and they...
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Welcome to the Family Business: Fiona VanOsdol guest-hosts (Episode 1093)
Car Con Carne
As I continue to recover from a variety of appendix-related issues, I’m turning to capable and talented guest hosts to keep Car Con Carne running. This episode offers something a little bit different: It features the podcast-hosting debut of my daughter, Fiona VanOsdol. Joining her are her college friends Faith Ferry and Fionn Riley, co-hosts of her college radio show called “The F Word” (their names all start with “F,” and they talk about topics that start with “F”). Their topic for this episode is “food,” which pretty much drives home the fact that Fiona’s my daughter....
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Guest Host Evan J. Thomas welcomes Chicago rockers Now It’s Dark (Episode 1092)
Car Con Carne
Guest Host Evan J. Thomas (TAG Publicity, Sound Fury Magazine, Bad Ass Radio Network) fills in for me while I'm recovering from a cruel appendix. For this episode, he welcomes Chicago rockers Now It’s Dark, who are set to play the Bad Ass Radio Network's 4th Anniversary Show at Durty Nellie’s on December 5. Thanks for supporting Car Con Carne, especially during this weird period where I’m off the grid. Please support my guest hosts and their guests (if you’re free on 12/5, head on over to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine)! Thank you for listening and watching. ## ...
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Guest hosts Bellhead talk Killing Joke’s ‘Extremities’ with Martin Atkins (Episode 1091)
Car Con Carne
As I continue to recover (and prepare for a couple of procedures and impending surgery) from appendix issues, I’ve excitedly turned Car Con Carne over to guest hosts. For this episode, Karen and Ivan from the Chicago bass duo Bellhead steal the keys to the car while I recover. Their guest is a post-punk legend, entrepreneur, author, and museum founder: the infamous Martin Atkins (Pigface, NIN, PiL). They recorded at Martin’s Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music (natch) and discuss (among other things): *Martin’s decision to perform Killing Joke’s “Extremities” in...
info_outlineAlexis Plaen releases her sharp, conceptual, and beautifully constructed pop debut, “Enjoy the Void,” on 10/10/25. In advance of that, she joined me for a conversation in Avondale that covered:
*The pervasive album themes of existential dread and finding oneself
*The devastating (and perhaps suspect) house fire that changed everything for her
*The variety of styles and approaches to her music
*The trouble with TikTok
*The hauntingly accurate and memorable lyric, “Too bad a funeral’s cheaper than a hospital”
If you haven’t yet heard Alexis’s music or watched her videos, I think you’ll be impressed by how accomplished it all is. Truly a striking DIY debut.
Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation:
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Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Exploding House Printing.
Exploding House can help with all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merch needs.
They’re a truly local Chicago business, right in the Hermosa neighborhood. And their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between.
They’ve worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante’s Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and so many others (check out explodinghouseprinting.com to see the list).
Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he’s doing - besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices.
Check out their work on Instagram at (at)explodinghouse, or go to their website or email info@explodinghouseprinting.com to get a quote!