Talking Travel with Justin Spencer

Founder of the music group Recycled Percussion and creator of the Chaos and Kindness brand, Justin Spencer is living temporarily in Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. He is doing this to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month, while he finishes his book, Terminal Anxiety.

I interviewed Spencer live from the airport during his stay (which is still happening). Spencer discussed his career, life in the airport and his book. Spencer has led an interesting life, including running seven Marathons in seven days. Amazingly, he just added his eighth in the airport.

It was a fun interview and I was happy to have it in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. As Spencer says, where there is chaos, bring kindness.

Find the interview and recap at Talking Travel with Justin Spencer. Also, please subscribe to the Global Traveler YouTube channel. It's free, easy, doesn't require anything more than one click and you won't be bothered by emails.

Darth Vader at PopFest Chicago

Last summer, I attended my first PopFest Chicago. I was extremely impressed.

While PopFest was not a huge convention, it was run so smoothly I couldn't believe it. There was only one celebrity guest, but Kurt Angle was a great guest, who drew a huge crowd.

While the Olympic medalist was the sole celebrity, he wasn't the only photo opportunity. Walking among the attendees was a great Darth Vader cosplayer. Not only did he (?) have the perfect garb, he had the voice thing working great.

I applaud cosplayers like this. He spent most of the time taking pictures with other folks. At some point, it has to be tiring, especially when folks fumble with the pictures or linger too long. Maybe he gets out of the costume at some point and actually checks out the con.

As for the con, every aspect ran like a machine. From checking in at the press table to the food lines and all in between, I did not see one flaw. A special shout out goes to the young (teenager?) lady assistant at the front desk. Unflustered and very engaging, she andled herself like a seasoned veteran.

For more info, go to popfestevents.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Darth Vader and me in Naperville, IL-July 2024.

Friend Encounters: Adrienne Barbeau and Jack

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I am not the only one who recognized the talents and work my pal Jack has contributed to Johngy's Beat. At Wizard World several years ago, actress Adrienne Barbeau gave him props.

Jack has been my photog on and off for many years. During our interaction with Barbeau, I took a picture as I always do. Then Barbeau surprised us by asking if my camera man wanted a picture, too. Actually, it was more of a suggestion than a question. Who are we to deny Barbeau. 

Barbeau might be best-known for her role as the daughter on television's Maude. Of course, she also has a lengthy resume of other work. Perhaps a bit of a surprise, Barbeau has a great singing voice. I was very impressed when I found some songs she performed.

Our Barbeau encounter is just one of the many fun moments we've had at Wizard World and many other conventions. Every celeb isn't as engaging as Barbeau, but many have given special moments to me over the years.

Wizard World was bought by Fan Expo. Now it is basically the same show with a different name. For more info on the great convention, go to fanexpohq.com.

Adrienne Barbeau and Jack in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #739 Chris Collins & Allison Guth

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams.

Son of former NBA player and coach Doug, Chris Collins starred at Duke and played two seasons in Finland before starting his coaching career in 1998. After stints as an assistant in the WNBA and college, Collins was named Head Coach at Northwestern in 2013. For his NU career, he is 194-190, with only one really bad season. Collins tossed a ceremonial pitch for the Chicago Cubs to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card, but I suspect the Chicago area native had at least one Cubs jersey in his collection.

Chicago area native Allison Guth played for the University of Illinois, before embarking on a business career. Her love of basketball pulled her into coaching though. After a few years as an assistant, including at Loyola and DePaul, Guth was named Head Coach at Yale, a position she held from 2015-22. She spent the last three seasons as Head Coach at Loyola, where she raised the enthusiasm level on and off the team to the highest I have seen it. Guth is an amazingly positive and engaging person. I can't speak highly enough of her. Somehow it seems fitting that she appears with Cubs mascot Addison on her Celebrity Jersey Card. It echoes her fun personality.

The Taco Salad Tour Continues

After a several month hiatus, The Taco Salad Tour resumed a couple weeks ago. My The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast partner Tommy Else and I ventured to Alfie's in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

While I do not usually seek out taco salads, it is one of Tommy's favorite dishes and I am always willing to join an adventure. The the Taco Salad Tour was born. It has taken us to about six spots already, including my nearby staple The Village Inn in Skokie. Tommy gave their taco salad a B, lagging behind his favorite spot near his home.

Another longtime favorite of his, Tommy was delightfully surprised to see a taco salad appear on the menu at Alfie's. The full results can be found at The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast - Ep. 80: "Taco Salad Tour and a Twisted Colon." The two title subjects are not connected.

In a short spoiler, we both gave a high rating to Alfie's taco salad. Tommy admitted a slight misstep in not using their sauce, but he corrected that in a later visit (without me, which raised my ire).

If you're in the Chicago area and you know of a great taco salad or if you own a restaurant with one, let us know and we will give it a try.

Tommy and me in Glen Ellyn, IL-April 2025.

As I readily admit, I rarely recognize celebrities (and even friends sometimes) when I am out. It's frustrating at events like Northwestern softball games, where former players are often in attendance. Such was the case last weekend, but I defied the odds.

Oh sure, former outfielder Rachel Lewis basically walked right up to me, but I still knew it was her. (Score one for me). On the positive side, I did recognize her quicker than some of the others around me.

Rachel was a stud player for the Wildcats. She left Northwestern with several records, including career home runs. She was a monster at the plate.

Rachel went on to play a season for Athletes Unlimited, but barely got playing time. This exposes one of the biggest flaws in the AU system. Because the league is based on a fantasy points scoring system, players want and need to play more to be in contention for the player champ title. A first year player like Rachel sometimes gets minimal time to shine, despite having the credentials.

As big of a monster at bat as Rachel was, she was and is a sweetheart off the field. If you can't tell, she is one of my favorite Wildcats of all time.

In her post-playing days, Rachel found love with former Nebraska star pitcher Tatum Edwards. She also got heavily into weightlifting.

It was great seeing Rachel. I know there were other former Wildcats there, but they escaped my eyes. Still, I was happy meeting one of the best.

Rachel Lewis and me in Evanston, IL-April 2025.

Nick Digilio at Flashback Weekend

Chicago's longest-running and largest horror convention returns in one month. Running August 1-3, it will once again feature plenty of horror stars and events and once again, I will be joined "On the Beat" by Cuzz Gekas.

Although I have attended almost every Flashback Weekend from its debut, I somehow never got to meet or get a picture with film critic, podcaster and media personality Nick Digilio who serves as a host of sorts there. Digilio is usually busy running a panel or conducting his own interviews. Last year though, I had a secret weapon. My eagle-eyed pal Tony was on a mission to get me to finally meet Digilio.

Tony has a unique ability to sport people from across convention halls, between screens, in crowds and more. Sure enough, Tony spotted Digilio and introduced me to him, as Tony had previously met him. Digilio was a bit rushed, but she graciously stopped for us. Mission accomplished.

This is just one of many stories I have from Flashback Weekend. I am sure this year will bring more good ones.

Go to flashbackweekend.com for more info and scheduling. Hopefully I will see Digilio again.

Nick Digilio and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2024.

Mascots: Bucky Badger

Recently, my buddy Tony and I made a day trip to see the Wisconsin Badgers host the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten Softball matchup. Despite Wisconsin losing, we had a fun time there and around town.

If you know me, I have a fascination with mascots. If one is around, it is my mission to get a picture with the fuzzy creature. Such was the case at Goodman Softball Complex.

Bucky Badger made his appearance early in the game. He was busy for a few innings interacting with young fans. While I kept a close eye on him, I didn't want to barge in on the kids. When I saw him walking through the stands, I had my opportunity and I took it.

The official mascot of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Buckingham U. Badger debuted in 1940. In 2016, Bucky was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Originally drawn by California-based commercial artist Art Evans in 1940, and first sold from Duffy's Book Store in Madison, Bucky was later drawn with boxing gloves by Madison artist Thomas Spiece. After a badger and a raccoon proved too fierce at games, art student Carolyn Conrard created a Bucky head-piece and cheerleader Bill Sagal, wore the outfit at the homecoming game. 

As the college softball season nears the end, my mascot opportunities turn to baseball. Stay tuned for more mascot fun.

Bucky Badger and me in Madison, WI-April 2025.

Talking Travel with Pauline Frommer

My latest interview guest on Talking Travel is Pauline Frommer. Who better to interview about travel than the President of the Frommer Travel Guides.

The daughter of Frommer guides founder Arthur, Pauline took over as President after her father's death late last year. Prior to that, Pauline had an impressive resume in the travel writing field. A writer, reporter, editor, podcaster and more, Pauline did it all. In our interview, she shares her incredible story, as well as her opinions on current travel topics.

Find the interview and recap at Talking Travel with Pauline Frommer. Also, please subscribe to the Global Traveler YouTube channel. It's free, easy, doesn't require anything more than one click and you won't be bothered by emails.

 

Friend Encounters: Scott Blair and Noah

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today's post is bittersweet. It brings a great memory and a sad reality.

I go to the throwback machine to recall when my then-little cousin Noah joined me "On the Beat" at Wizard World (now Fan Expo). It was fun seeing young teen Noah mix it up with the creators in Artist Alley. Noah did a few interviews. With really little prep, Noah handled the interviews like a pro. I was so impressed.

Noah was a good kid and is now a great young man. I don't see him often, but I follow him on social media. He's got a great future. I hope he looks back on these experiences and smiles like I do.

Now the sad part. The artist here is Scott Blair. Sadly, Scott died last year. He was a tremendous talent and just an awesome person. I think of Scott every time I walk through Artist Alleys now. Scott is missed by all/

Noah and Scott Blair in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.