Candid Candace Jordan-The Podcast!

Episode #43 - Wrapping up the year with cheer!

In our final podcast of the year, my producer and co-host, John St. Augustine, and I dive into the spirit of Christmas with some fantastic “gifts that give back” ideas—perfect for spreading joy while making a difference. We’re excited to chat with Will Harris, president of Darvin Furniture and Mattress. From his roots in a 4th-generation furniture business in New Hampshire to leading Chicagoland’s largest—and the nation’s top-performing single location furniture and mattress store —his journey is nothing short of inspiring. We also share highlights of upcoming events to kick off the new year, including First Bites Bash, Chicago Restaurant Week, Giordano Dance Chicago’s “Studio 62” gala, the CYSO Gala, and more. And don’t miss our intriguing (scary?) update on drones and a fascinating report on rare toys that might just be hiding in your attic. Food lovers, take note: the best fried shrimp in the land has arrived and, as we wrap up the year, Conde Nast has bestowed another exciting title on Chicago. On a personal note, John and I want to thank you for listening and supporting us throughout the year. We look forward to bringing you more news from the city we love with exciting content that you will only find on this podcast going into 2025. Have a great holiday and we look forward to seeing you next year! XXOX, Us

Episode #42 The Magic of Chicago

In this latest “Candid Candace - The Podcast!,” my co-host/producer, John St. Augustine, and I unwrap the magic of Chicago during the most wonderful time of the year. We’ll share why, in my opinion, Chicago is hands-down the country’s ultimate Christmas city. We also go behind the scenes at some of the city’s top nonprofit events. But that’s just the start. We’ll also dive into an award-winning screenplay with Judy Faulkner that tackles a tough but vital topic—one that will, hopefully, spark a lot of important conversations and maybe even hit the big screen soon. Plus, we’ve got a wild and wacky drone drama to dissect and some jaw-dropping movie memorabilia sales—let’s just say Dorothy’s slippers aren’t the only items fetching big bucks! So, grab a cozy mug of eggnog, a slice of fruitcake and join us for a festive mix of wonder, conversation and holiday cheer!  

Episode #41-Holiday Extravaganza!

“Candid Candace – The Podcast!”  Get ready for a jam-packed holiday extravaganza! My co-host/producer John St. Augustine and I are unwrapping all the festive fun coming to the Windy City, along with thrilling recaps of recent standout events. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s under the podcast tree: 

✨ Behind the scenes at the PAWS Fur Ball, where one show-stopping auction item fetched a jaw-dropping $67K! 

🎬 An exclusive chat with legendary filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, fresh off receiving the Founder’s Legacy Award at the Chicago International Film Festival. 

🥊 Tyson fight talk—the hits, the hype, and the heartbreak. 

🎡 A preview of the magic coming to Navy Pier with “Light Up the Lake.” 

🎆 Insider details on Wintrust’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, the largest evening parade in the country! 

💡 A glittering guide to The 900 Shops’ "Illuminate 900" event. 

🎄 What’s fresh at the Christkindlmarket and the festive finds at Randolph Street Market’s December edition (Dec. 14/15). 

💰 Plus, the scoop on how you could win $250,000 in furniture—yes, really! 

And if that’s not enough, John delivers a heartfelt and captivating tale of his travels through Paris, London and Normandy. 

This is holiday cheer with a twist, and you won’t find this kind of inside scoop anywhere else. So, grab a cozy spot, press play and let’s dive into the season together!

Episode #40 Our Kind of Town!

A literal potpourri of Chicago’s hottest events right here in “Candid Candace – The Podcast”! Join my producer/co-host John St. Augustine and me as we take a deep dive into all the events, parties and fundraisers with a special emphasis on Chicago Fashion Week! I take you behind the velvet ropes for a peek into some of Fashion Week’s biggest triumphs- including the “Chicago Fashion Showcase” at Union Station; “A Celebration of Chicago Style” at the Cultural Center; the Rising Star Awards in the magnificent Empire Room and so much more! We also chat with the delightful Mary Ann Rose about her upcoming “True Blue” gala benefiting the Chicago Police Foundation and all that entails. Next, I take you to Giordano Dance Chicago’s “Dancing with the Giordano Stars”; Randolph Market’s “Modern Vintage” pop-up; the Service Club of Chicago’s 134^th gala; the exciting Chicago International Film Festival (especially on closing night!); two doggie costume contests for Halloween; the Lynn Sage fundraiser at Theater on the Lake and More, More, MORE! Enjoy this glorious fall day and take a listen!

Episode #39 Brande Roderick!

Welcome to “Candid Candace – The Podcast!” the only place where you will find the BEST news from Chicagoland shared most engagingly! In this week’s edition, my co-host/producer, John St. Augustine, and I chat with a much-loved Playboy Playmate/friend, Brande Roderick! Brande, as you may know, was Playboy’s 2001 Playmate of the Year and she’s also an actress, director, and producer. We talk about her recent film, “Wineville,” as well as what it was like to date Hugh Hefner, her advice for younger women, and SO much more! And, as always, I share the latest events and happenings from around town, including the beautiful mass for the late, great legend Tony Durpetti; the heavenly 39^th birthday of the adored Chilli Pepper; Sunday’s Chicago Chefs Cook event for hurricane relief; Giordano Dance Chicago’s “Dancing with the Giordano Stars”; Chicago’s Fashion Week; Modern Luxury’s 30^th anniversary; Costume Council’s Golden Jubilee; what Tavern on Rush’s opening looked like, and more. So, celebrate this beautiful fall day with a nice steaming pumpkin latte and take a listen.

Episode #38-SEALS, FLAIR, ZEMECKIS AND MORE!

Welcome to “Candid Candace – The Podcast’s” FriYAY edition! As summer winds down, the events are ramping up! Catch all the cool insider news right here with my co-host producer John St. Augustine- including a recap of the uber-inspiring Navy SEALS Foundation gala, with a harrowing account of a teacher captured by Somali pirates and rescued by SEAL Team 6; exciting highlights from Navy Pier’s “Collective ExPIERience” gala; a special thank-you party for Cubs’ great Randy Hundley; The Chicago Lighthouse’s beautiful and heart-warming FLAIR fashion show; Music of the Baroque (and Chicago’s) historic river cruise; Chuck’s intimate birthday party; Prentice and Symphony galas; details of Tavern on Rush opening; the 60^th anniversary of the Chicago International Film Festival and SO much more! So, grab a martini, put on a little Duke Ellington, get comfortable on the porch and take a listen.   

Episode #37-A Slice of September!

Summer’s ending but you wouldn’t know it, not with all the fun events going on! In this week’s “Candid Candace – The Podcast,” Candace and co-host/producer John St. Augustine take you on a grand tour of Chicago beginning with the Chicago Men’s Fashion Awards and ending with a new series about Playboy and Huge Hefner (with an appearance by Candace) that you won’t want to miss. Next, John and Jen Weigel want you to join them at the Climate Action Museum on Wed., Sept. 11 for a thought-provoking talk on “Earth Matters." Finally, last but not least, Candace shares all the event news (past and present) that’s fit to print! So, sit back, enjoy the last of the cicadas on the front porch with a cold one, and listen in!

Episode #36 Summer Stuff!

In this latest edition of the award-winning “Candid Candace – The Podcast!,” John St. Augustine and I chat about all the excitement surrounding the DNC in Chicago and what celebs were where. I also share all the wonderful event news our city has to offer, including Mane in Heaven’s “Minis & Magic”,  the Navy SEAL Foundation’s “Evening of Tribute (and the exciting speakers that are planned), what Taste of Greektown has to offer, why you need to attend the Chicago Lighthouse’s FLAIR event, who the Costume Council’s Men of Style are, what brand new gala is planned at Navy Pier and who will be the honorees, the Rising Star Awards presented by Fashion Group International, and so much more. We also share two very special events hosted by John, one a panel discussion on “Earth Matters” with the fabulous media star Jen Weigel and another, an intimate book signing with "The Rebel,” the one and only Randy Hundley. You won’t want to miss this fun-filled, light-hearted, informative discussion of the who, what, where and WOW in Chicago!