Episodes

Lawyer and author Patrick Wohl joins Karen Conti to talk about his new book, ‘Something Big’, which focuses on the Brown’s Chicken murders in Palatine in 1993. Patrick shares the victims’ stories and explains the impact this crime had on the franchise. Patrick also discusses how this crime was eventually solved and why the death penalty wasn’t utilized. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7507097/Patrick_Wohl_7-6-25_2025-07-06-235237.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti Damon Cheronis: Huge vic...

Ronald Allen, a Northwestern Law School Professor, joins Karen Conti to discuss two U.S. Supreme Court decisions that were handed down this week. Ronald touches on the issue of birthright citizenship and how the 14th Amendment impacts it. Ronald also talks about a Maryland case that gives the right to parents to opt out their children from LGBTQ materials in school. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7497753/Professor_Ronald_Allen_6-29-25_2025-06-29-213753.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti ...

Colin Diamond, attorney at Mathys and Schneid Injury Law, joins Karen Conti to talk about summer legal issues. Colin details which fireworks are legal and illegal in Illinois and the consequences of bringing fireworks from other states into Illinois. Colin discusses swimming pool liability, bicycle and car accidents, nursing home liability, and dog bite liability. Colin […]

Attorney and animal rights activist Jane McBride joins Karen Conti to speak on animal and owner rights to wrap up National Animal Rights Week. For more information on Jane and her organization, visit illinoishumane.org. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7484848/7484848_2025-06-22-233048.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:even...

Dr. Jillian Peterson, forensic psychologist and professor, joins Karen Conti to discuss the recent politically motivated shootings of the Minnesota law makers as well as common criminal profiles of school shooters, and if any link lies between the two. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7484837/7484837_2025-06-22-212137.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of...

Dave Zehner joins Karen Conti to discuss recent cases including the Karen Read settlement, jury issues in the Weinstein case, and why a juror was removed from the P. Diddy case. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7484832/7484832_2025-06-22-215632.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Animal rights and where the line is ...

Former Department of Justice prosecutor Gene Rossi joins Karen Conti to talk about the legalities of the federal government using the National Guard in the California protests. Gene also details some of statutes that give the President authority to federalize the National Guard. Gene also discusses some of the court rulings that resulted from California Governor Gavin Newsom wanting President Trump to consent an agreement with him before federalizing the National Guard. https://serve.castfire.c...

Retired lawyer and Sports Illustrated and ESPN author Lester Munson joins Karen Conti to discuss the new law regarding the compensation of college athletes. Lester shares that most money will be given to college football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball athletes. Lester also explains the impact the settlement has on some schools over others and how non-athletes will be affected by the decision. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7472869/Lester_Munson_6-15-25_2025-06-15-233009.64kmono.mp3...

Melody Winston, President of Board of Directors at KLEO Community Family Life Center, and Carrie Boyd, CEO of Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, join Karen Conti to discuss domestic violence and a new bill regarding the parole board. Carrie details the level of knowledge necessary for judges in domestic violence courts. Melody also talks about what family life should be like at home to help minimize domestic violence. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7472866/Melody_Winston_and_Carrie...

Dan Herbert, former Chicago Police officer and now lawyer, joins Karen Conti to talk about the tragic death of Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera who was killed in the line of duty. Dan explains what a felony murder charge is and whether it applies to this case. Dan also details the specific situation when a police officer can use deadly force. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7459810/Dan_Herbert_6-8-25_2025-06-08-225210.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in bi...

Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize winning author and podcaster, joins Karen Conti to talk about the value of both writing books and doing podcasts on wrongful convictions. Gilbert dives in on the Leo Schofield case that resulted in Leo serving 36 years for the 1987 murder of his wife that he did not commit. Gilbert and Karen also discuss season 2 of his podcast, Bone Valley, which focuses on the suspect in the Leo Schofield case. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7459808/Gilbert_King_6-8-25_2025-06-0...

Jolene Babyak, author and expert on Alcatraz, joins Karen Conti and Sylvia Perez to talk about the Alcatraz prison in light of President Trump announcing he would like to reopen it for use. Jolene also details the history of the prison and talks about her experience living on the island.

Chicago news reporter Sylvia Perez joins Karen Conti to talk about her four-decade career and new podcast, Supper with Sylvia. Sylvia explains the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act and how it affects online reservations. Sylvia and Karen also talk about how the state of news has changed since Sylvia began her career. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7459805/Sylvia_Perez_6-8-25_2025-06-08-221505.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cl...

Dr. Lance Williams, Professor of Urban Community Studies at Northeastern Illinois University and an expert in gang violence, joins Karen Conti to discuss President Trump’s commutation of the sentence of Gangster Disciples’ leader Larry Hoover. Dr. Williams talks about the role of Larry Hoover’s childhood home in his life and his involvement with local gangs. He also talks about how the gang world has changed throughout the decades. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7445517/Dr_Lance_Williams_6-1-...

Julian Morgans, journalist and podcaster of Scammerland, joins Karen Conti to discuss the issue of scammer farms in southeast Asia. Julian and Karen detail the farms that have imprisoned over 400,000 people and are forcing them to work online to scam people. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7445514/Julian_Morgans_6-1-25_2025-06-01-224514.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal i...

Gabriella Rago, spokesperson for the Italian American Human Relations Foundation, joins Karen Conti to discuss ‘Venetian Night’ in Chicago. Gabriella details the food, entertainment, and boat parade that will all be featured at the event. Karen also talks more about the boating competition that she will be judging. The event will take place on the Chicago Riverwalk on Saturday, July 26th at 6:00 PM. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7445513/Gabriella_Rago_6-1-25_2025-06-01-221813.64kmono.mp3 Re...

Elder law attorney Kathryn Casey joins Karen Conti to discuss the importance of estate planning with family members sooner rather than later. Kathryn explains the difference between elder law attorneys and estate planning attorneys and dives in on the role of a power of attorney. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7434056/Kathryn_Casey_5-25-25_2025-05-25-234556.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin D...

Military lawyer and Army veteran John Maher joins Karen Conti to share some stories and insights on the Memorial Day holiday. John details the medals that veterans can be honored with and breaks down the basis of military law. John also explains what the law says for soldiers who are in combat. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7434057/John_Maher_5-25-25_2025-05-25-232257.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:eveno...

Scientist and genealogist Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, Founder & President of Identifinders, joins Karen Conti in-studio to highlight how forensic genetic genealogy can be used to help solve cold cases, find missing people, and even identify Holocaust survivors. For more information, visit identifinders.com.

Criminal psychologist, professor, and author Dr. Katherine Ramsland joins Karen Conti to talk about women who fall in love with notorious inmates. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7410250/7410250_2025-05-11-214350.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Animal rights and where the line is drawn .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-ru...

Dr. Susan McConnell, Executive Director and Founder of Let It Be Us, joins Karen Conti on Mother’s Day to highlight the organization which works to provide solutions for children in adoptive and foster care. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7410244/7410244_2025-05-11-204944.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Animal...

Criminal Defense Attorney Damon Cheronis joins Karen Conti to preview the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial in New York. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7397860/7397860_2025-05-04-215400.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Animal rights and where the line is drawn .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Difference between pol...

Attorney and wellness coach Erin Clifford joins Karen Conti in-studio. Erin is the author of Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony. In light of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, she shares tips and tricks to managing your stress levels and maintaining a proper work-life balance.

Ron Onesti, President of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, and his lawyer, Enrico Mirabelli, join Karen Conti to discuss the settlement of a lawsuit regarding the removal of a Christopher Columbus statue in Arrigo Park. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7397843/7397843_2025-05-04-204643.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Karen Conti The 14th Amendment’s role in birthright citizenship .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Colin Diamond: Summer legal issues to be aware of .cls-7{fill:#fff;...