The Henry Puffer Podcast

Keri Petsche is the owner and driving force behind Iced Custom Cookies by Keri, a successful small business specializing in beautifully decorated, custom cookies. With a passion for creativity and cookies, Keri has turned her love of baking into a thriving business. In Season 7, Episode 4 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, we welcome Keri to share her journey, insights, and the sweet story behind her cookie creations.

🎸 In Season 7, Episode 3 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Briley—a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Downers Grove, Illinois!Briley has been singing since she could talk and has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and at countless festivals, block parties, and open mic nights. She writes her own music, puts her unique spin on fan-favorite covers, and has even shared the stage with Austin Edwards, the 2020 America’s Got Talent runner-up.Join us as we dive into Briley’s inspiring musical journey and celebrate her extraordinary talent.This episode’s amazing production team includes Claire, Hunter, Brooke, Lily, Reagan, Reagan, Emma, Lainey, and Maddie.

🎻 In Season 7, Episode 2 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, we welcome the extraordinary violinist Tiffany Moore! Tiffany’s story is one of resilience and unwavering passion. What began as a dream has grown into a remarkable journey. From her early days as a young artist to performing for thousands and inspiring a devoted community of more than 87,000 followers on Instagram. Her determination and raw musical talent have turned ambition into reality. 🎙️ Join hosts Sam, Lucy, Emma, Lia, Lainey, Maddie, Chase, Ben, Lily, and Brooke as they dive into Tiffany's inspiring journey, exploring her music, her challenges, and her extraordinary talent that continues to captivate audiences everywhere.

Season 7, Episode 1 of The Henry Puffer Podcast kicks off with an inspiring conversation featuring Sam Alden, a seasoned marathon runner and endurance athlete whose journey spans continents and countless finish lines. Originally from Manchester, England, Sam has proudly represented her country on the international running stage. Now based in Aspen, Colorado, she’s built an extraordinary résumé, having completed 45 marathons and counting. Her recent highlights include a 3rd-place overall finish at the Columbus Marathon and 1st place in her age group at a Chicago Marathon ,two standout performances in a long list of personal bests. Before settling in Aspen, Sam grew up in England, where her love for long distance running truly began to take shape. Driven, disciplined, and deeply connected to the running community, Sam brings a rare mix of elite-level experience and down-to-earth enthusiasm to every race and every conversation. You can catch her among the elite runners Sunday at the 2025 Chicago Marathon.🎧 Tune in now to hear Sam’s unbelievable journey from Manchester streets to marathon podiums around the world.

In Season 6, Episode 8 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, Jeff Zimmerman joins as a truly inspiring guest! Tune in as Jeff shares his journey as a renowned Chicago-based muralist, dives into the stories behind some of his most iconic large-scale works, and reflects on how art connects communities across the city. You won’t want to miss this colorful and creative episode!🎙️ Join hosts Ryan, Hunter, Ella, for a fascinating conversation with Jeff Zimmerman, one of Chicago’s most celebrated public artists.

***Be sure to check out the episode when the podcast club interviews Matt Rodrigues of NBC Chicago Today. 🌟 Go Behind the Scenes with the Henry Puffer Podcast! 🌟Get ready for a behind the scenes special episode where Matt Rodrigues sits down with the Henry Puffer Podcast crew for an unforgettable conversation.Expect plenty of laughs, a few tears, and some powerful lessons on the importance of building real-life connections.💬 Don’t miss out on this heartfelt episode that will leave you inspired and reminded of what truly matters. Tune in now!

For this special episode, a group of students came together to discuss social issues that kids face today. As the conversation unfolded, other club members chimed in, offering their insights and perspectives. It's a powerful dialogue that sheds light on important challenges young people experience.🎙️Join hosts, Ryan, Leo, Jackson, Nathan, Julian, and Teddy. We’re excited to share these conversations with you—thanks for listening!

In Season 6, Episode 6 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, Matthew Rodrigues joins as an extraordinary guest! Tune in as Matthew shares his incredible journey, offers behind-the-scenes insights into Chicago Today, and talks about his love for Chicago. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!🎙️ Join hosts Ryan, Abby, Annabelle, Cole, Hunter, Ella, Zoey, Maddie, Samantha, and Lainey for an inspiring and exciting conversation with Matthew Rodrigues of NBC Chicago.

Tune in to Season 6, Episode 8 of the Henry Puffer Podcast as we welcome Nicole Laha—Mrs. America 2022 and full-time Illinois State Representative for the 82nd District, serving portions of DuPage, Cook, and Will Counties. 🎙️Nicole has dedicated her career to advocacy and public service. She previously served as a Village of Homer Glen Trustee (2021-2023) and co-founded the Village of Homer Glen Ability Awareness Committee. As a member of the Village of Homer Glen Parks Committee, she has been a strong advocate for inclusive and accessible communities, especially playgrounds for individuals with disabilities.During her reign as Mrs. America 2022, Nicole worked closely with Victoria’s Voice Foundation to raise awareness about drug addiction prevention and education nationwide. In recognition of her impactful work, she received the Humanitarian Award in 2018.Join hosts Lily, Brooke, Lucy, Maddie, Lainey, and Hunter for an inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss!For more information: https://itssimplebekind.com/

In Season 6, Episode 7 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, Ashley Sterba of Ms. Sterba's Kitchen joins as an extraordinary guest! Tune in as Ashley shares her incredible journey, offers behind-the-scenes insights into her baking world, and talks about her passion for baking. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!🎙️ Join hosts Emma, Lia, Julian, Nathan, Annabelle, and Sam or an inspiring and exciting conversation with Ashley Sterba of Ms. Sterba's Kitchen.

In Season 6, Episode 5 of the Henry Puffer Podcast features an extraordinary guest: Jude Warwick, the rising star shortstop for the Detroit Tigers! ⚾Before being drafted in 2024, Jude was a standout athlete at Downers Grove North, where his passion for baseball and dedication to the sport set him apart. Originally committed to Michigan State University, Jude made waves when he was selected in the MLB Draft, proving he’s a player to watch. Currently highly ranked for the best shortstops, Jude has worked tirelessly to refine his skills and reach new heights. In this episode, Jude shares his journey from high school standout to professional baseball, the challenges he faced along the way, and his advice for aspiring athletes.🎙️ Join hosts Ryan, Abby, Annabelle, Cole, Emma, Ella, and Chase as they dive into an inspiring conversation with Jude.

In the third episode of Season 6, the Henry Puffer Podcast team is excited to host a remarkable local business owner: Jennifer Larkin of Paper Peony in Downers Grove, Illinois. Jennifer is the creative force behind this charming small business, specializing in beautifully crafted candles and an array of cute, thoughtful cards and gifts. With a passion for creativity and community, Jennifer’s shop has become a beloved destination for unique finds and delightful scents that brighten any space. This week’s episode, hosted by Zoey, Abby, Maddie, Lainey, Emma, Brooke, and Lily, Lia, and Lucy. promises a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Jennifer shares her journey into entrepreneurship, the art of crafting her signature products, and the joy of connecting with her customers. Tune in for an engaging discussion about creativity, small business challenges, and the magic of thoughtful gifting! For more information: Be sure to check out www. thepaperpeony.com and Instagram @thepaperpeony for updates and inspiration.

In the second episode of Season 6, the Henry Puffer Podcast team is thrilled to welcome a remarkable guest: Vicki McGrath of Vicki McGrath Art. With over two decades dedicated to her craft, Vicki has perfected a unique Modern Impressionistic style, known for its minimal brushstrokes and vibrant use of color, light, and shadow to create movement and depth. Her work, beloved by collectors worldwide, is featured on Trader Joe’s greeting cards and in Serena & Lily design shops across the country. In addition to her painting career, Vicki also teaches gouache painting classes, sharing her expertise with aspiring artists. This week’s episode, hosted by Ryan, Abby, Maddie, Lainey, Emma, Brooke, and Lily, promises a lively and inspiring conversation. Don’t miss this colorful journey into the world of art! For more information: Please go to @vickimcgrathart

In the highly anticipated Season 6 premiere of the Henry Puffer Podcast, the team is thrilled to welcome a very special guest—Angie Conley, the standout #17 midfielder from the Notre Dame Lacrosse Team. As a freshman, Angie made an impressive impact, competing in 11 games for the Irish, where she tallied seven goals and five assists, amassing 12 points in the 2024 season. She finished second among the team’s rookies in total points, and also contributed two draw controls and one ground ball. To learn more about more Notre Dame Lacrosse please go to: www. fightingirish.com/sports/wlax/This week’s podcast team includes Ryan, Abby, Samantha, Ella, and Cole. Tune in for what promises to be an exciting episode!

In Season 5, Episode 9 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, our team is thrilled to welcome Emily VanHoutan, Matthew Sirota, and Sydney Miller, seniors at Downers Grove North and talented members of the school's musical production, "The Little Mermaid." Join our hosts Cole, Brynn, Hunter, Lily, Sam, Lucy, Brooke, Ryan, Maddie, and Lainey as they dive into the fascinating world behind the scenes of a Downers Grove North Musical. Get ready for an insightful conversation where we'll uncover the magic of how these dedicated cast members bring a beloved story to life on stage. But that's not all – we'll also explore how they're making a difference in their community. Stay tuned for a heartwarming discussion that beautifully highlights the incredible power of community and compassion. For more information, please go to https://www.dgntheatre.com.

In Season 5, Episode 8 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, The team will interview Ryan Gustis, a junior at Downers Grove North and the founder of the Backpack Project. Ryan, a cross country and track member, leads a mission to help those in need by providing backpacks filled with everyday essentials. Join hosts Ella, Abby, Zoey, Jax, Lainey, Maddie, Rohan, Anna, Lucy, Julian, Brynn, and Lily in this upcoming episode as they explore Ryan's inspiring journey and the impactful work of the Backpack Project. Stay tuned for a heartwarming conversation that showcases the power of community and compassion! For more information, please go to https://packthekindness.org

In Season 5, Episode 7of the Henry Puffer Podcast, The team will interview Brad Deel, a dedicated sports photographer and enthusiast known for giving his all in every shot, always delivering 110 percent. As a seasoned professional, he travels nationwide teaching photography and has collaborated with industry giants like Netflix and ESPN. Brad's dynamic style and passion for freezing sports moments in time have made him a sought-after figure in the world of sports photography as well as is contribution to his community. This weeks episode is lead by Ryan, Jax, Cole, Ella, and Julian, and Abby.

In Season 5, Episode 6 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, The team will interview Estelle Czech from the University of Texas-Austin and Payton Janicki from Wagner College in New York—two exceptional college softball players and fierce competitors both on and off the field. Tune in to hear their inspiring journey, from being teammates at Downers Grove North to becoming standout players in collegiate softball. More than just athletes, Estelle and Payton share their commitment to giving back to their community, shedding light on the importance of teamwork, dedication, and making a positive impact beyond the game. Don't miss this engaging conversation with these remarkable individuals who exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship and community involvement. This weeks episode is lead by Lilla, Andrea, Zoey, Abby, Lily, Sam, Brooke, Brynn, Maddie + Lainey.

In Season 5, Episode 5 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, The team will interview Addy Perry, a Division 1 athlete and her journey as a Redstepper at Indiana University. In this exclusive interview on the Henry Puffer Podcast, Addy Perry opens up about the challenges and triumphs she faced in the highly competitive world of collegiate athletics. Addy brings a unique perspective to the podcast, sharing insights into her dual commitment to academics and her passion for film. Beyond her achievements on the field, Addy's commitment to community service shines through as she actively gives back to those around her. Join us as we delve into Addy's inspiring story, exploring the intersection of sports, academics, and community engagement. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the remarkable journey of this Division 1 athlete from Indiana University.This weeks episode is lead by Abby, Zoey, Abby, Lily, Anna, Lainey, Annabelle, + Maddie.

In Season 5, Episode 4 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, The team will interview special guests Jimmy Janicki and Jude Warwick from the Downers Grove North Baseball team and college commits. Join us as we dive into their experiences on and off the field, discover the resilience that propels them through tough times, and explore the exciting journey that lies ahead as college approaches. But that's not all – learn how Jimmy and Jude are making a difference in their community and find out what a Downers Grove Trojan means to them. Tune in for an engaging conversation led by this week's team: Julian, Ryan, Chase, Cole, Nathan, Hunter, and Jax. Batter up!