The Mike Nowak Show Podcasts

Kylee Baumlee, author of The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly, visits the WCGO studios to discuss the future and fate of this iconic species. She is joined by Carol Niec and Kerrie Rosenthal, the founders and proprietors of The Seed Keeper Company. , which is in the middle of The Seed Keeper Project, which annually recognizes school gardens throughout the country.

Lisa Albrecht of he Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) comments on a decision to impose a tariff on imported solar panels to the U.S. Steve Neumann from Logic Lawn Care and Jeff Swano of Dig Right In Landscaping explain why they are working to get Illinois park districts to adopt natural lawn care programs.

Mary Tiedeman from the Soil Science Society of America talks about how roots and soil organisms respond to snow and freezing weather. Zhenwei Zhu, of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola University Chicago, promotes the new  Loyola Environmental Testing Laboratory (LETL). Tony Abruscato, President and Show Director of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, previews the 2018 edition of this classic Chicago event.

Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), reports on winter farmers markets and new ways to connect farmers to markets to consumers. Garden expert Charlie Nardozzi previews his presentation at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show and has advice about winter gardening and containers. Francis Thicke, PhD, is leaving the National Ogranic Standards Board (NOSB) and comments on his statement about what he perceives as a threat to the organic label in America.

Julie Brazeau from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes their upcoming Solar Training Academies with instructors Clay Sterling and Alex Jarvis. KAM Isaiah Israel's Robert Nevel comes to the studio to preview their 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend.

On the final show of 2017, Mike and Peggy talk to Jennifer Molski from hfchristmastreerecycling.com and Kay McKeen from SCARCE about the best ways to keep Christmas trees, lights and other holiday trimmings from ending up in landfills. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio drops by to talk about Chicago's cold snap and the year in climate and weather.

Bird conservationist Judy Pollock stops by the studio to talk about how citizen scientists play a key role in the annual Christmas bird count. Then it's Katy bar the door, as the Not-Even-Ready-for-Weekends-Smart-Talk-Players, featuring Bill Turck from Playtime with Sid & Bill, Featuring Kerri Kendall, Ron Cowgill from Mighty House Home Improvement Radio, and our very own Peggy Malecki, help Mike perform the 10-minute It's a Wonderful Slice of It's a Wonderful Life.

Adam Federman of The Nation Magaine reports on his investigative series, The Plot to Loot America’s Wilderness about how our natural areas are in danger of being turned over to mining and oil interests. Friend of the show, farmer and activist Beth Vercolio-Osmund talks about her decision to run for the Illinois 16th Congressional District seat. She is joined in studio by Whitney Richardson, co-director of the Logan Square Farmers Market, regional development manager for The Kitchen Community Chicago.

Doris Taylor, manager of the Plant Clinic at the Morton Arboretum explains why trees in the Midwest have been reluctant to drop their leaves this fall, and whether that will harm them going into winter. Kate Green from Lurvey Garden Center in Des Plaines, has advice on keeping your indoor holiday plants healthy. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio makes a special studio visit to talk about devastating wildfires in California and their relationship to climate change.

'Redneck Rosarian' Chris VanCleave has advice for winter rose care and promotes his upcoming Rose Kings Sustainability Tour with fellow rosarian Brian Puckett. Carey Gillam, author of Whitewash: The Story of Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science explains that there are still unanswered questions about the world's most popular weed-killer.

Michelle Byrne Walsh, editor at State-by-State Gardening, Inc., returns to the show to join with Mike and Peggy in presenting the Good, the Bad and the Wha? of horticultural and environmental holiday gifts. Polly McGann and Victor Zaderej from Happy Leaf LED talk about growing plants indoors with their sophisticated grow lights.

Mitch McNeil reports on how the Surfrider Foundation is suing U.S. Steel for “repeated Clean Water Act violations at their Portage, Indiana facility.” Bird City Wisconsin Director Bryan Lenz talks about how this program is making a difference in local bird conservation efforts across his state. Michele Hoffman is back at the Science Desk and introduces us to Dr. R. Eric Collins of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, who explains why the loss of permafrost is so consequential.  

Anna Stork is co-founder of LuminAID, which supplies portable, inflatable LED solar lanterns for disaster relief around the world. She explains how the lanterns work and how they are helping people affected by natural disasters around the world. Chicago Alderman Scott Waguespack comments on the City's inability to raise its recycling rates. 

Scott Stewart, executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation, talks to Mike and Peggy about how plants, art and design come together in urban parks. Environmental writer Kari Lydersen reports on how a relatively new Illinois law will affect fracking efforts in the state.    

Mike Nowak and Peggy Malecki broadcast their final Saturday show on WCGO from the 10th Anniversary Green Living Expo at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Their guests include Kim Hankins, director of the Sustainability Center at McHenry County College, members of the Eco Illini Supermileage Team, Lori McConnville and Freddy Lagunes from Marvin’s Toy Store in Crystal Lake, and Paul LaBarbera, founder and CEO of Magitek Energy Solutions, Inc..