Linked Local Elgin

10/15/2026

A box of seeds can hold more than a future garden—it can carry family stories, traditions, and connections across generations.

Join Dr. J and Mei Liu on Healing Steps Wellness as they wrap up their visit to the Diné/Navajo Nutrition Summit. They speak with Marge Bluehorse-Anderson at the summit and she quizzes Dr J on seeds. Through photos, interview clips, and personal reflections, they share memorable encounters and explore the connections between food, culture, community, and whole-person wellness.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Stories and perspectives shared by Margie Blue Horse.

A multigenerational family farm’s treasured box of seeds.

Dr. J’s search for seeds and an exciting trading post discovery.

Blue corn waffles, juniper ash, and traditional corn bread.

The Diné Power Plate and the summit’s focus on community nutrition.

Organic gardening challenges and personal reflections on caring for plants.

A fun side trip to Four Corners.

From blue corn to family seed traditions, this journey offered opportunities to listen, learn, and appreciate the stories behind the food.

Which person featured in our Navajo Summit videos would you like to hear more from? Leave their name in the comments—we may invite them to a future episode! Subscribe for more conversations about whole-person health, one step and one bite at a time.

This episode shares cultural perspectives and personal experiences for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

Join the Lotus Health Foundation Online Community: https://lotushealthfoundation.org/lotus-community

10/08/2026

In this episode, Michele Rempel speaks with educator, special education specialist, and author Suzanne Feit. Drawing from her 40-year career in assistive technology and her personal journey raising a son with Down syndrome, Suzanne shares how artificial intelligence—specifically ChatGPT—can be harnessed to bring families and friends closer together.

She introduces her book, Family Adventures from A to Z using ChatGPT, which offers over 90 hands-on activities designed to spark wonder, connection, and communication across generations.

From capturing family oral histories to designing custom travel itineraries and personalized learning tools, Suzanne shows how accessible technology can empower parents, educators, and seniors alike [3–5, 16, 17, 26].

Key Highlights & Topics Covered
From Assistive Tech to AI: How Suzanne's background in special education led her to view ChatGPT as an all-in-one multi-sensory learning tool.

Intergenerational Adventures: Using AI prompts to discover local hidden gems, plan travel itineraries (like hiking Red Rock Canyon or finding the Mob Museum), and gather family anecdotes from grandparents.

Preserving Family Memories: Transforming old, handwritten 3x5 recipe cards into formatted legacy cookbooks using ChatGPT and Canva.

AI for Literacy & Special Education: Generating personalized bedtime stories, modifying reading levels, creating custom Mad Libs, and supporting students with IEPs through actionable learning strategies.

Overcoming Tech Hesitation: Helping seniors and tech-intimidated community members feel comfortable using AI for everyday connection and fun.

Guest Information & Resources

Website: chatandsuzanne.com

Book: Family Adventures from A to Z using ChatGPT (Available on Amazon)

Special Offer: Listeners who purchase the book and reach out to Suzanne can receive a free strategy session to help tailor these tools for their family or classroom.

10/01/2026

What does success really mean after four decades in finance, investing, entrepreneurship, and advisory work?

In this episode of the Distinguished Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Dr. Mosongo Moukwa and Valorie Smith sit down with Andrew “Andy” Akers—a seasoned financial executive, investor, entrepreneur, and advisor.

Andy reflects on a career that took him from engineering to Wall Street, institutional finance, private investing, real estate, entrepreneurship, and business advisory. He shares the enduring lessons behind building successful businesses: lead with curiosity, solve the right problem, create happy clients, and recognize that behind every spreadsheet, deal, and KPI are human beings.

The conversation explores:

How Andy’s first car-waxing business taught him the importance of customer experience and repeat business

Why the best entrepreneurs are often builders, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners

What happens when money, ownership, family, and relationships collide

Why capable people can make poor decisions when emotion overrides judgment

How to slow down, regain clarity, and make better decisions amid uncertainty

Why financial achievement alone is not a complete measure of success

How family, fulfillment, purpose, and personal growth reshape the definition of a meaningful life

The work Andy does through Resolve Advisory with business owners, investors, and individuals navigating consequential decisions and conflict

Andy also discusses his work with Resolve Advisory, where he helps clients navigate issues involving capital, ownership, leadership, relationships, conflict, significant assets, and uncertainty.

Guest: Andrew “Andy” Akers
Hosts: Dr. Mosongo Moukwa and Valorie Smith
Podcast: Distinguished Entrepreneur Podcast

Connect with Andy Akers and learn more about Resolve Advisory:
🌐 https://resolve-advisory.com
💼 LinkedIn: Search for Andrew Akers (A-K-E-R-S) and send him a direct message.

If this conversation gave you a fresh perspective on business, leadership, decision-making, or success, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with an entrepreneur who would benefit from it.

09/24/2026

What happens when the life you planned is no longer an option?

In this episode of the Distinguished Entrepreneur Podcast, Dr. Mosongo Moukwa and Valorie Smith sit down with Ron Nussbaum—U.S. Marine veteran, entrepreneur, author, host of the Construction Champions podcast, and co-founder of Ask a Shop Owner.

Ron shares how he went from BMX racing and basketball dreams to serving as an infantry Marine, including deployment to Iraq. After leaving the military without a clear next path, he took a chance on a Craigslist construction job—even though he had no construction experience—and found the mission, camaraderie, and opportunity he had been searching for.

The conversation goes far beyond construction. Ron breaks down a leadership truth every entrepreneur needs to hear:

You cannot scale past unresolved problems—you only scale them bigger.

He explains how hiring struggles, weak training, unclear expectations, and culture breakdowns often trace back to ownership and management. Rather than blaming employees or applying temporary fixes, leaders must examine the root cause, check their ego, and build systems that allow people to succeed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Ron transitioned from the Marines into entrepreneurship and construction

Why construction can offer extraordinary opportunity for people willing to show up and learn

The mindset shift from chasing material success to building a peaceful, meaningful life

Why the real source of many “employee problems” starts with leadership

How to identify root causes instead of putting band-aids on business issues

Why hiring faster will not solve a broken culture or unclear systems

The leadership question Ron uses in difficult meetings: “Is the problem in this room?”

How Ask a Shop Owner uses real-world business-operator insights to help small-business owners build actionable plans

Ron also shares the vision behind Ask a Shop Owner, an AI-powered platform designed to give entrepreneurs, skilled-trades professionals, and shop owners practical, on-demand guidance when they face real business challenges. The platform is built around insights gathered from thousands of business owners, entrepreneurs, and operators—not simply generic internet answers.

If you are building a company, leading a team, hiring employees, navigating a career change, or trying to create a life that feels successful on your own terms, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Ron Nussbaum on LinkedIn, and explore his work with Ask a Shop Owner and Construction Champions

06/15/2026

Please join the Elgin Area Chamber in welcoming Authentix South Elgin to our Chamber community!

Their dedication to excellence and commitment to serving others make them a valuable addition to the vibrant network of businesses and organizations that help strengthen our region. We look forward to supporting their continued success and the positive impact they will make throughout the Elgin area.

https://business.elginchamber.com/list/Details/authentix-south-elgin-4755094

06/15/2026

Elgin has been named one of the best places to live in Illinois and the United States by U.S. News & World Report, ranking #6 in Illinois and #74 nationally on the 2026–2027 Best Places to Live list. 🎉

The annual rankings evaluate communities across the country based on quality of life, value, desirability, job market and overall livability. Elgin's recognition reflects the strength of our neighborhoods, local businesses, parks and trails, arts and culture, public services, community programming and continued investments in quality of life.

We invite you to experience what all the City in the Suburbs has to offer!

Read the full story on our website: https://elginil.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2974

06/15/2026

🎉125 YEARS OF EMPOWERING ELGIN! 🎉

For a century and a quarter, the YWCA of Elgin has been right here growing alongside our community. To celebrate this historic milestone, you are officially invited to our 125th Anniversary Celebration! 🥂✨

Mark your calendars for the celebration of the year:
📅 Date: Friday, August 21 at 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Carmina's Banquet

Get ready for an incredible evening of community pride, fantastic food, awards, and an exciting live auction—all supporting vital YWCA family programs.

🎟️ Tickets & Sponsorships:

Early-Bird Tickets: $100 (Price increases to $125 on July 1st!)

Table Sponsor: $1,500

Spaces are limited, so let’s fill the room! Secure your spot today: www.ywcaelgin.org/125celebration

06/15/2026

Help support CCC at Portillo’s!
Join us on June 23 for our Portillo’s Giveback Night!
A portion of the sales will be donated back to the Community Crisis Center- just mention our fundraiser when you order. (Or use the code on the flyer if ordering online).
Easy dinner, great food, and a simple way to support survivors in our community.
Please help us spread the word and share with friends & family.

06/15/2026