This week, Taryn Grant came back in to discuss the Holidays and the upcoming production of The Nutcracker at SYPG, including Rocki in the cast! For all details and Holiday feels, listen in! 

Today Ryan McCrady was in from the SSGA, and discussed important information on the new Data Center coming to Sangamon County. Tune in for the details. 

This morning was great talking to the manger of the IL State Fair, Becky Clark! 

To help people in the 217 with food security, The Salvation Army is holding the "Feed The Need" Food Drive with our sister station WQLZ. Listen in for all the details on how you can be part of the solution!

We spoke with Jeramie Guy, the store director from Hy-Vee Springfield, about the new meal offer they are doing to help fight food insecurity during this time of reduced SNAP benefits. "Let’s share a meal together. This week, every Hy-Vee store with hot food service will offer free kids' meals for children 12 and under, along with $3 hot meals for all other customers. Stop by Monday, Nov. 3 – Friday, Nov. 7, from 4-7 p.m. for a hot meal. Learn more about our ongoing community support efforts: https://ms.spr.ly/6183tGitV"

Enjoy all the great insight brought to us from our friend, RaeAnne Dutz!

Check out the conversation below!

The Morning Routine with Rocki & Lacey was joined by the fantastic Stacey Skrysak from WICS Newschannel 20. Stacey is a local news anchor and storyteller for the community, and she shared some life updates with Rocki & Lacey in regards to her kiddos and the upcoming Halloween. She also shared with us about a special piece she is working on for WICS Newschannel 20 about the children who were lost in the YNOT Chatham tragedy and the conversations she had with their families. If you listen to one bit of the Morning Routine today, make it this one!!

The Morning Routine with Rocki and Lacey was joined by Michael Thomas from Express Employment Professionals for the 10/22/2025 edition of Circle of Friends. We caught up about his work with therapy horses and the current job market in the 217 area and around. We also got his best tips for being a good interviewee-be sure to check all of that out at the podcast below!

This morning, Rocki and Lacey spoke with Josh Flanders of Buzz Bomb Brewing Co. They concentrated on all things Halloween! For all the details, check out the conversation!

The Morning Routine with Rocki and Lacey were joined by Ryan McCrady from the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance to talk about all of the growth happening in and around the Sangamon County area. Ryan updated us on all of the big thing happening at the new Scheel's Sports Dome, and educated both of us on what potential data centers would bring to the Springfield area.  We're always excited to learn from Ryan!

This morning, Rocki and Lacey spoke with Austin. They got a great update on all things "Vegan Chef Challenge." Listen to the conversation for great updates and tasty menu items!

Today, Lou Bart and CEO Angie Sowle of the YMCA came in to talk about all of the amazing things happening at the Y this fall season. Get all the details in the convo! 

Josh and Ed Carter are so fun to talk to. Get all the info in the conversation on how to get spooked this Halloween season! 

The Morning Routine with Rocki and Lacey was joined by Circle of Friends Ward 5 Alderwoman LaKeisha Purchase. They talked about the recent Friends of the Farmer's Market Dinner, the Mother Road Festival over the previous weekend, and our upcoming collaboration raising funds for the Strong Kids Fund at the YMCA. We had several callers join in the conversation! Listen to all this and more from Lakeisha here.

The Morning Routine with Rocki & Lacey was joined by Scott Dahl, director of tourism for Visit Springfield, for Circle of Friends. Scott came with shirts for the 24th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and information to boot! We discussed Scott's summer and highlighted the upcoming Diabetes Awareness Month in November. His daughter has type 1 diabetes, which has been a journey for his family to navigate.  We also spent a bit of time highlighting the upcoming Route 66 Mother Road Festival, happening September 26-28, 2025. You can find more information about the Route 66 Mother Road festival here.

The Morning Routine with Rocki and Lacey were joined by the man of visions himself, Ryan McCrady from the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. He had a lot to update us on what is growing and changing in the 217 area, including Robin Roberts Stadium, the demolition of the Pillsbury Plant, updated rail lines, and the change in zoning for the new crane company that’s moving into Springfield.   We also spoke at length about the exciting new changes at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. They are offering early morning and late evening flights to O’Hare, which is a big change in flight schedule, so we are hopeful this will make getting out to business meetings much easier for the Springfield area!  

The one and only Tiffany Mathis-Posey joined the Morning Routine with Rocki & Lacey to speak about her work with the Central Illinois Boys & Girls Club.  

The Morning Routine with Rocki & Lacey were joined by Zach Adams from 1221 Photography and the Illinois Times. They spoke about Zach’s time working in photography, working in Springfield, his work with Illinois Times, and the upcoming 50th anniversary lunch with Illinois times.   We also spoke about mental health, the struggle for men to open up, and the topic of the day, which was “One things that always make me smile is ______.” He was a joy and pleasure to have with us today, and even gifted the 98.7 WNNS studio with some super cool “Your Anxiety is Lying to You” hoodies to wear on our Mental Health Mondays.  

This week was all about self care. Taylor Stevens talked about all the ways she has committed to taking care of herself this year. It was a pretty inspiring conversation. Check it out now!

Rocki & Lacey from the Morning Routine were joined by Deb Martin from the Jared’s Keepers Foundation to discuss suicide prevention in teens, mental health education, advocacy, and their upcoming event, The Healing Plate.   The Healing Plate is a signature fundraising and awareness event that brings together community members, mental health advocates, chefs, and supporters for an evening of culinary inspiration, storytelling, and hope. This year’s event proudly features Chef Alex Belew, winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 21, who will showcase his culinary talents in support of the foundation’s mission.  Chef Alex will lead a unique dining experience with thoughtfully crafted dishes that symbolize healing, comfort, and resilience. The menu features: Squash Risotto, Confit Shrimp, Fried Herbs Thai salad Mushroom Dusted NY Strip, Truffle Demi, Crispy Potatoes, Cauliflower Puree Sticky Toffee Pudding, Salted Butterscotch, Vanilla Ice Cream The evening includes impactful stories from survivors, advocates, and those affected by teen suicide, aiming to break the stigma surrounding mental health. All proceeds support Jared’s Keepers Foundation programs—such as school presentations, mental health first aid training, and community outreach. The plate symbolizes nourishment and healing. Just as a meal can comfort, conversation and awareness can save lives. This event combines both, inviting people to sit together, share stories, and support change—with world-class dishes prepared by Chef Alex Belew. 

Rocki & Lacey from the Morning Routine were joined by Taryn Grant from the Springfield Youth Performance Group to talk about their upcoming event, Rock the Conservatory on Saturday, September 13, 2025 8 PM. Taryn is a regular guest for Circle of Friends – we caught up with her about her trip to Paris this summer, back to school, and the excitement of having older children.  Rock the Conservatory is a contemporary fusion of live music and dance featuring the Studio Company Members of SYPG and local musicians directed by Sherman native Tommy Sagins.  This exciting performance will feature rock and roll music performed live, with choreography by professional dance artists.  Live shows take place at 8pm and doors open at 7pm.    Tickets are available here. Use code ROCKWITHROCKI  Rock the Conservatory will be held at Grant Conservatory of Music & Dance at 501 W Elliott Avenue, Springfield, IL.  Sponsored by Landmark Automotive Group. 

This morning on the Morning Routine with Rocki & Lacey, they were joined by Ryan McCrady from the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance for the Circle of Friends. They covered a variety of topics including the Springfield State Fair, horse racing, a variety of fish, and the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance partnership with CAP 1908 to host new Monthly Business and Community Sessions. Dominic Watson from CAP 1908 will be hosting the first session on Wednesday, September 25th from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. These sessions are free to attend and will provide entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members with knowledge, tools, and connections to succeed. Each month will provide insights, resources, and learning opportunities. Upcoming sessions include SSGA101, the basics of site selection, Local & State incentives for business, and marketing on a limited budget.  To learn about about SSGA, go to www.thriveinspi.org.

This morning, Melissa Horn came in to discuss the Springfield Chamber's upcoming Job Fair! Listen in for all the details plus some extra laughs! 

This week, Jenna Broom came back for a great Circle of Friends Segment. Since the Fair is in full swing, we discussed her favorite fair foods and activities. We also discussed her roll with the Levitt Amp music series and broke down this seasons series of events!  Listen in for great details! 

This morning, Rocki spoke with Staff Srgt. Adam Huntoon of the U.S Army.  They have a pretty cool set up during the fair, and it's definitely worth stopping by! Listen for more details!

It was so great welcoming our friend Jim back in the studio for the Circle of Friends.  He's usually a guy who knows what he likes and sticks with it. Recently he's has been trying different things for a new experience, and it sound like he's been enjoying himself. Tune in for laughs and insight!

This morning, Rocki spoke with 3 fantastic representatives from the Springfield Road Runners Club: Carrie, Heather and John. They came in to discuss two upcoming runs the club is putting on. For all details, listen in! 

This morning, Rocki soke with Becky Clark from the IL State Fair, for the Circle segment. She has some great insights into "Momming" while working such a demanding job, plus tons of things to look forward to with the Fair! 

Returning to school can be stressful for both parents and children.  There are a lot of questions that children have about what to expect for the new school year, how hard their classes will be, or how they will fit in with others. For parents, they worry about how their child will do, if they will be happy, or if they’ve done enough to prepare them.

Today for the Circle, Rocki and Ryan spoke about growth here in the 217! 

Listen to the holidays and give yourself something to look forward to! 

This week, we spoke to Michael Thomas for our Circle segment. Michael brought a lot of fun to the table discussing 'morel mushroom hunting' and fishing. We also discussed the job market here in the 217. Enjoy the conversation and and all the insight Michael has to offer! 

This week for the Circle, Angie Sowle, CEO of the YMCA of Springfield, was in to talk about all sorts of positive topics. A couple highlights included discussion about her recent trip with her family and all the different kinds of camps the Y has to offer! Listen for all the details! 

Listen for todays holidays! Excellent way to give yourself something to look forward to! 

🎙️ Today on the show, Rocki caught up with Ryan McCrady from the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. Ryan shared some great insights on two exciting topics: The Scheels Sports Park – Get the latest on this major development and what it means for the local community and economy. The Annual Washington, D.C. Trip – Learn about the important conversations happening in the nation’s capital to advocate for funding and support in the 217 area. Tune in and enjoy the full conversation—Ryan brings plenty of valuable info and a fresh perspective on what’s happening in our region!

A loss of engine power is being seen as the most probable cause of the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad that killed more than 270 people on Thursday. Viswash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of Thursday’s Air India crash, escaped the wreck with only cuts and bruises. Filmed calmly leaving the scene, the 38-year-old British citizen told a reporter how he made his way through a broken door to get help. Listen for more.

Today, Rocki and Lakeisha talked about everything from the Black Caucus to working on the east side of Springfield. She's always bring so much fun and insight to the conversation - and this one was no different.  Enjoy the conversation! 

Today at the Circle, we had the pleasure of welcoming Melissa Horn from the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. She and Rocki had a lively and engaging conversation, catching up on everything from family travel—comparing the joys and challenges of flying versus road trips—to the rewarding, yet demanding, journey of returning to school as an adult. Melissa shared her experience of balancing life as a mom, a professional, and a full-time student. Her ability to juggle so many responsibilities with grace and determination is nothing short of inspiring. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with perseverance and passion. We hope you enjoy this thoughtful and motivating conversation!

Scott Dahl, Director of Tourism, Joins Circle of Friends with Exciting Updates This morning, we welcomed back Scott Dahl, Director of Tourism, for another insightful segment of Circle of Friends. Scott brought his signature energy and enthusiasm as he shared highlights from his recent trip to Indianapolis, where he connected with tourism professionals and explored new ideas to bring back to our community. The conversation also dove into the exciting developments happening along the historic Route 66. From revitalization projects to upcoming events and community initiatives, Scott painted a vibrant picture of what’s ahead for one of America’s most iconic highways. His passion for preserving and promoting our local heritage was evident throughout the discussion. Whether you're a longtime resident or just passing through, there's a lot to look forward to in the months ahead. Tune in to hear Scott’s stories, insights, and the latest on how our region is gearing up for a bright future. Enjoy the full conversation—you won’t want to miss it!

This morning, Rocki called out for people's hidden talent! He found Summer, who had the ability to transform her voice.

This morning, during the Circle, Rocki and Ryan, along with Abby Powell, spoke about the newly passed Springfield Master Plan. This initiative will bring exciting new projects to downtown and the medical district, right here in Springfield! Listen to the conversation for more details!

The Fray will be playing this Saturday, May 24th at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheatre. Listen to the conversation for great insights to the show! 

Catching Up with Taylor Stevens Today we caught up with our friend Taylor Stevens. It’s always great to see what she’s been up to! Since we last spoke, Taylor returned from a couple of trips to Washington, D.C., where she lobbied for home care and accompanied veterans on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flights. With such a busy schedule, Taylor has come to appreciate the importance of making time for herself. She recently shared how vital self-care has become in her life, reminding us that taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. As she put it perfectly: “If your cup is empty, how will you be able to help anyone else?” All in all, it was a great conversation and a meaningful reminder that no matter how hectic life gets, it's always important to take care of yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was so nice coming together with Taryn Grant again. This week, during the Circle, we spoke about the importance of staying connected with your community.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When terrible things happen on the news, its horrible to see. When terrible things happen to your community, it hits a little different. This morning, Rocki spoke to Jim Watts from Impact life about how the community has come together in response to the tragedy that occurred in Chatham. Please listen and consider donating yourself.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rocki welcomed Jenna Broom back to the radio ranch for another great interview.  She shared about her time lobbying in Washington D.C. for funding to combat malaria. Jenna’s passion was clear as she discussed her efforts to secure critical resources for funding. She also talked about her time in Los Angeles, where she connected with the Levitt AMP music series, an initiative that brings free concerts to different communities. During the conversation, Jenna highlighted the power of both advocacy and music to bring people together and make a lasting impact. It was a great segment full of inspiring updates and important causes to look forward to. Enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a little weird to buy a trophy second hand.  There are people in the world who do it however, and there is nothing wrong with that - but is it weird-ER to display trophies from when you were a kid? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This morning, Rocki talked about dietary restrictions, highlighting a woman who hasn't eaten fruit or vegetables in 20 years!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a recent conversation, Rocki and Ryan McCrady talked about Illinois’ significant relationship with Mexico and the value it holds for both places. The discussion focused on the significance of international collaboration, particularly when it comes to economic development and cultural exchange. With a packed itinerary of key meetings, the trip was more than just a diplomatic gesture— it was a move toward building lasting and productive partnerships. The visit to Mexico included meaningful conversations with influential leaders and organizations, all aimed at opening doors for Illinois-based businesses and creating economic cooperation. Ryan emphasized how both sides found common ground and shared goals, from manufacturing to agriculture and technology.  Enjoy the conversation and learn more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.