HyperLocal(s)

Emily Harrington
  • 4.9 (81)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and Champaign, IL native bringing you a podcast from kitchen table studios in the ever evolving sometimes- boring-flatlands of Champaign-Urbana. HyperLocal(s) is a weekly pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. The podcast was born out of a dormant journalism background mixed with genuine curiosity and the ability to listen without judgement. With two sons now in school, it’s time to ignite the fire that dimmed while my attention was fully on raising two baby boys into two young men. So, listen up to catch the characters behind our beloved twin cities of C-U. Please, please subscribe (so you know when new episodes drop) and share! Search and follow HyperLocal(s) C-U on socials!

  1. Kris Harrington. Living Through a Nightmare and Witnessing a Miracle, a Mother's Story, Part 1.

    4D AGO

    Kris Harrington. Living Through a Nightmare and Witnessing a Miracle, a Mother's Story, Part 1.

    Interviewing family is a funny thing. The words and stories feel precious and protected, sacred and special. This effervescent sparkler defines what it means to be a mom: devoted, selfless, caring and strong. Michigan transplant, but to all that have the pleasure of knowing her, she is a townie, lover of friends and family and a great time.   Listen as Kris Harrington relives her young, seemingly healthy daughter's, fast and steep decline due to off-the-charts triglyceride levels/pancreatitis. Anything that could have gone wrong, did. How did Kris navigate the complicated twists and turns of Blakely's shocking illness and keep up communication with the worried community that rallied around the family? Kris outlines the hospital visits, complications and diagnosis that left her daughter hospitalized for over forty days. I am so incredibly thankful to have Kris be a part of this story. Only a mother can recall the details and emotional strain that a child's illness can have on a family.  I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    55 min
  2. Benny DelValley. Living in a 28-Foot Teepee and Getting Hit with Chopsticks.

    FEB 3

    Benny DelValley. Living in a 28-Foot Teepee and Getting Hit with Chopsticks.

    A great laugh and a warm spirit resonates throughout this passionate self-taught chef.   Listen as this Urbana native talks growing up in the diversity of Urbana, the opposing demographics of the Broadlands, team sports, alternative schools, working in dozens of kitchens, the importance of culture and food, the misery of manual labor, the incomparable feeling when cooking for others, couch surfing, working 20-hours per day and finding a home at the VFW 630. There are so many lows in this story, Benny took a lot of hits. However, he kept finding himself returning to the kitchen to find direction and happiness.  I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    55 min
  3. Nadia Abuamouneh. Child of Immigrants and Nurturing Your Roots.

    JAN 27

    Nadia Abuamouneh. Child of Immigrants and Nurturing Your Roots.

    A podcast listener reached out with the desire to tell her story and the impact her life has had on her profession. On such a sensitive and timely topic, I was happy to have an expert explain their relationship with immigration—both personally and professionally. Listen as this New York born, Palestine rooted, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor talks living out the American Dream, making a family move to Palestine, dividing time and energy between cultures and teaching. What a joy to meet a listener turned guest. Thoughtful and understanding, Nadia has a caring disposition that makes her so easy to talk to.  I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    56 min
  4. Jake Wetzel. The Most Exclusive Club in Town and Working with Sharp Things.

    JAN 20

    Jake Wetzel. The Most Exclusive Club in Town and Working with Sharp Things.

    He wanted to be the 200th episode. He has seen me through the trajectory of the podcast from beginning to now. Request granted.  Listen as this St. Louis adjacent native talks about his education and interest in music, private and public barbering, timeliness, faith, grounding in nature, talk therapy in the barber chair, fishing for sport and relaxation, philanthropy and giving haircuts rooted in cultural traditions. Jake has heard and seen it all. During this interview we get a deeper look into Jake the friend, counselor and confidant. Jake is one of my absolute favorite conversationalists on and off record. I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    55 min
  5. Leslie Kimble. Deconstructing and Starting Over with a Blank Canvas.

    JAN 13

    Leslie Kimble. Deconstructing and Starting Over with a Blank Canvas.

    Two early birds set up and execute a podcast in under eight hours! A record scheduling feat. Patient, soft spoken and flexible, Illinois muralist and window painter, Leslie, brought so much to the podcast table.  Listen as this Peru, Indiana transplant talks about her strict religious upbringing, getting married young, having children young, planting a church, breaking away from her religious roots, teaching music, divorce, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), using art for therapy and beginning life again as a muralist and window painter. She is as vibrant and playful as her creations and a pleasure to interview.  I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    59 min
  6. Dr. Kurt Bloomstrand with Wife Sarah. The Life of an ER Doc and the Passion Project.

    JAN 6

    Dr. Kurt Bloomstrand with Wife Sarah. The Life of an ER Doc and the Passion Project.

    I was delighted when Emergency Department Nurse, Sarah Bloomstrand, came on the podcast a year ago. Now, Sarah returns with husband and fellow ED professional, Dr. Kurt Bloomstrand, to talk life as a doctor in a high pressure, high stakes environment.  Listen as this Loda transplant talks about growing up in a smaller town, developing a yearning and learning to help with medical needs at a young age, surviving medical school and the other educational benchmarks, working in Emergency Services and meeting Sarah, why Emergency medicine over other specialties and finally a passion project that comes to life this week, in the middle of flu season, FirstLine Urgent Care! Our community is so lucky to have these providers at the helm of a project sure to fill a need for availability to urgent, more convenient care. What a lovely pair full of heart, conviction and knowledge. I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    55 min
  7. Andrew & Emily Harrington. Tuesdays with Roger and Remembering the Piano Man.

    12/29/2025

    Andrew & Emily Harrington. Tuesdays with Roger and Remembering the Piano Man.

    My husband and I reflect on the completely unexpected responsibility given to us. This responsibility would become a gift that we will never forget or take for granted. With no family or children, my husband became the caretaker for a recently widowed man with a newly discovered dementia diagnosis.  Listen as my husband and the "Tales From Two Townies" better half returns to talk about a years-in-the-making arrangement that came to fruition, spending each lunch hour with a heartbroken, rapidly aging former piano teacher with no kids or family to rely on, going from the position of student to caretaker, the last email from his ailing wife, navigating insurance, doctors appointments, the health care system and assisted living. After two years of daily visits and chats, Andrew takes time to reflect on how he will remember his childhood piano teacher ... and friend. I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    54 min
  8. Stefanie Pratt. Big Hair and Big Personality.

    12/23/2025

    Stefanie Pratt. Big Hair and Big Personality.

    Don't judge a book by its cover. This realtor that rocks was an open book. She shared vulnerabilities and insights that can only come with experience and reflection, successes and fails.  Listen as this Danville native and former Burger Chef employee talks growing up in Danville, her high school temperament, parenting your kids over friending your kids, rock star Bret Michaels and the band family, speaking your mind, divorce, dating, unemployment, bankruptcy, real estate, giving back, sharing political views and fur babies. What a pleasure it was to get to know the interesting woman beyond the billboards! I’d like to thank this week’s sponsor, Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting in Champaign. Rooted Pathways is unique in its focus on culturally competent, trauma-informed care that centers on relationship building and de-stigmatizing mental health issues. Nurture your roots and inspire liberation and fulfillment at Rooted Pathways Counseling and Consulting. Visit rootedpathwayscounseling.com for all information and by their name on Facebook. Thank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

    56 min
See All (203)

4.9
out of 5
81 Ratings

About

Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and Champaign, IL native bringing you a podcast from kitchen table studios in the ever evolving sometimes- boring-flatlands of Champaign-Urbana. HyperLocal(s) is a weekly pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. The podcast was born out of a dormant journalism background mixed with genuine curiosity and the ability to listen without judgement. With two sons now in school, it’s time to ignite the fire that dimmed while my attention was fully on raising two baby boys into two young men. So, listen up to catch the characters behind our beloved twin cities of C-U. Please, please subscribe (so you know when new episodes drop) and share! Search and follow HyperLocal(s) C-U on socials!

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Harrington
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 HyperLocal(s)
  • Show Website
    HyperLocal(s)

You Might Also Like