Podcast lets listeners delve into the quirky things that make Naperville, Naperville

Chicago Tribune

16 hours ago

Dana Bern and Stuart Meyer share a self-proclaimed nerd-hood for all things Naperville. It's a loving fascination, one the longtime friends relish. Now, they want to get the whole community — and really any potential Naperville buffs out there — in on the intrigue.
Bern and Meyer have started a new podcast dedicated to 'peeling back the layers' on Naperville, the pair says. Dubbed 'Naperville Unwrapped,' the podcast releases weekly. Episodes are short, just over five minutes at most, and focus on the idiosyncrasies — whether that's a person, place or phenomenon — that make Naperville, Naperville.
Launched earlier this spring, nine episodes have been released to date. Topics have ranged from the history of Naperville's Centennial Beach to nature exploration at Knoch Knolls Park.
'We're really just looking to turn Naperville inside out for all to see,' Meyer said.
Meyer and Bern have known each other for years, they said. The pair met through their kids, who attended elementary through high school in Naperville together.
'They were best buddies,' Bern said.
Bern is a real estate agent who has lived in Naperville for more than two decades. Originally from Wilmette, she was living in Chicago when in 2004, her family decided it was time to move, she said. They had a wide breadth of places to choose from but Bern recalled going out to Naperville to attend Ribfest right around when they were weighing their options. The city piqued her interest and 'that was that,' she said.
Meanwhile, Meyer founded and owns Social Frequency Media Communications and lived in Naperville for more than 20 years. He moved to Florida in 2022 but still visits Naperville a few times a year. In that time, Meyer remained in touch with Bern.
Towards the beginning of the year, the pair started toying with the idea of launching a podcast. The venture was born out of their affinity for Naperville and their desire to tell its story — especially from a local's perspective — to a wider audience, they said.
'It's really a fresh lens on a familiar place,' Meyer said. 'I mean Naperville, let's face it, so many of us love it but it can get a bad rap from people who have never stepped foot in our community. My intention (is that this podcast) is a love letter (to the city).'
Meyer and Bern decided to create a concise podcast that gives listeners audio snapshots into anything fun, quirky and quintessentially Naperville.
Their first episode released April 22 and tells the story of how Naperville became Naperville, taking listeners back to the city's founding in 1831.
Another episode highlights Stenger Brewery, one of Naperville's earliest brewhouses. The same episode also offers a fun fact about a famous employee who worked at Stenger (and in the interest of staying spoiler-free, will remain anonymous here).
There's an episode about the Naperville Cow Tunnel, built to be used by cattle more than 100 years ago near Webster Street and the current BNSF railroad north of downtown, and another about stargazing with the Naperville Astronomical Association.
Bern acts as host for the podcast, or as she says to listeners, is 'your local curatorial tour guide' each episode. Meyer, who has previous experience podcasting, stays behind the scenes.
Asked what other subjects they hope to delve into, Meyer and Bern said they already have a list of nearly 100 topics in their back pocket.
With their first batch of episodes out, they say the response so far has been 'incredible.' And the duo is having a pretty good time producing the content too.
'I'm having a ball,' Bern said. 'I'm loving it. I love talking to people. I'm probably talking people's ears off about it, but I'm just having so much fun.'
'We're just really looking forward to seeing what the road ahead has (in store) as people continue to fall in love with the show,' Meyer said. '…Who knows what we'll be able to do once that really starts to happen.'
'Naperville Unwrapped' is streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Episodes are also available at napervilleunwrapped.libsyn.com/.