Hello, and welcome!

The Sauk Valley Spotlight Podcast is the show that shines a light on the people and places of the beautiful Sauk Valley. In each episode, we will take you on a journey to discover the hidden gems and untold stories of our region, and introduce you to the fascinating characters who make the Sauk Valley their home. From local businesses and community organizations, to outdoor adventures and cultural events, we will uncover the many reasons why the Sauk Valley is a great place to live, work, and play. So join us and let’s explore the Sauk Valley together on Sauk Valley Spotlight!

Latest Episode

Mary Thormahlen With NAMI Sauk Area: Suicide Prevention, Finding Passion in Helping Others, and Giving Back as a Way To Get On With Life | SVSP 035

April 23, 2024

Mary Thormahlen’s personal journey with mental health and depression has given her a unique empathy for others in the same battle....

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All Episodes

Mary Thormahlen With NAMI Sauk Area: Suicide Prevention, Finding Passion in Helping Others, and Giving Back as a Way To Get On With Life | SVSP 035

April 23, 2024

Mary Thormahlen’s personal journey with mental health and depression has given her a unique empathy for others in the same battle....

Aurelio Garllardo: Amazing Cakes, Mentors in Business, and Finding Your Life Passion Even When It Isn’t Your First Choice | SVSP 034

April 18, 2024

Aurelio Gallardo moved here when he was 18. He now runs one of the most-talked about bakeries in our area. We talk about his journey from...

Castor Medical With Palani Sakthi: The Gap in Medical Care, Why Every Family Deserves Individualized Care, and How to Solve Problems as a Business Owner | SVSP 033

October 30, 2023

Palani Sakthi (who goes by Sakthi) runs and owns the Castor family of medical businesses here in Sterling. We talk about his multiple...

Ruben Moreno: Twenty Years in Corrections, the Journey of Sobriety, and Finding a Purpose in Fatherhood | SVSP 032

October 23, 2023

Ruben Moreno has been a Sauk Valley local for his whole life, and can trace his roots back to his grandfather, who helped start the steel...

Jeanette Trotter, Living Well Counseling, Dixon: Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Worry, and Healing Our Minds Through Practical Tools | SVSP 031

October 16, 2023

Jeanette Trotter has been helping people for over two decades, and is a licensed clinical professional counselor, as well as a national...

Renewed by Grace Christian Women’s Conference With Ann Cooper & Diana Johnston: A Brand New Local Conference by Women, for Women, and the Lessons of Saying Yes and Starting Out | SVSP 030

September 22, 2023

Ann Cooper and Diana Johnston are both locals to the Sauk Valley who take their faith as seriously as they love this community. They are...

Danny Langloss, Dixon City Manager: Leadership Lessons From Law Enforcement, Career-Defining Moments, and Why Leaders Need to Learn When to Follow | SVSP 029

September 11, 2023

Danny Langloss has served in law enforcement for almost 30 years, and has most recently been serving the city of Dixon as the city manager....

Larry Ybarra: A Sports Complex in Sterling, the Love of Baseball, and Leadership Lessons From Business and Sports | SVSP 028

September 4, 2023

Larry Ybarra loves baseball and he loves the Sauk Valley. He loves other things too, but his current passion project is to bring a...

Rep. Brad Fritts: From Farmboy to Congressman, Why Rural Areas Need Representation, and Working Together for a Better Illinois | SVSP 027

August 14, 2023

Brad Fritts is the youngest Illinois State Representative ever elected to office. We got to chat in his Dixon office about his local roots,...

River Works With Chance Munroe: Why Connection Fosters a Better Work Environment, Little Known Gems in Dixon, and Why Everyone Needs Community | SVSP 026

August 7, 2023

Chance Munroe is the community manager at River Works, a coworking space in Dixon. We got to use their podcast studio room to chat about...

Diana Merdian, Mayor of Sterling: Helping Every Person Feel Their Value, Role Models for Young Girls, and Why Empathy Nurtures Team Dynamics | SVSP 025

July 31, 2023

Diana Merdian is the newly elected mayor of Sterling. We got to chat about what it means for her to be the first elected female mayor, and...

Lundstrom Florist With Ashley Zell: Why Flowers Are Timeless Gifts, Making Flowers Available for Everyone, and Taking Over a Legacy Business as a New Owner | SVSP 024

July 24, 2023

Ashley Zell is the owner and designer at Lundstrom Florist in Sterling. We got to chat about her love of flowers from a young age, what...

Penguin Project With Dawn Arndt: Theatre for Disadvantaged Youth, Why the Creative Arts Humanize Us, and How Everyone Deserves to Be Loved | SVSP 023

July 17, 2023

Dawn Arndt is the Program Director for the Penguin Project here in the Sauk Valley, which mounts theatrical productions with youth who...

Sterling Township With Angie Schneider: Financial Assistance for the Community and Partnering Together for Youth | SVSP 022

July 10, 2023

Angie Schneider is the Superviser of the Sterling Township, which helps with multiple programs and resources for the Sterling community,...

Discover Dixon with Amanda Wike: Non-Profits Who Engage the Community, Working Together vs Silos, and the Power of Feedback | SVSP 021

July 3, 2023

Amanda Wike is the new Executive Director of Discover Dixon, which is the umbrella that oversees Dixon’s chamber of commerce, main...

Allen Przysucha: Time As the Most Valuable Resource To Share, Civic Engagement, and Local Pride | SVSP 020

June 26, 2023

Allen Przysucha is an invested and involved resident of the Sauk Valley. He serves in leadership with the Twin Cities Sunrise Rotary,...

Sheriff John Booker: Law Enforcement Built on Trust, Mentoring Youth, and Promoting Community Involvement | SVSP 019

June 19, 2023

John Booker has been in law enforcement for 30 years, and has been elected as the Whiteside County Sheriff for back-to-back terms. We talk...

Nami Sauk Valley with Maggie Wike: Mental Illness Touches Many Families, Removing Stigma to Support Healing, and Finding Hope Again | SVSP 018

June 12, 2023

Maggie Wike serves with NAMI Sauk Valley, which educates and supports our community to serve those suffering from mental illness. We talked...

Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce with Kris Noble: From Education to the Chamber, High-Risk Youth, and Why Everyone Needs a Champion | SVSP 017

June 5, 2023

Kris Noble serves as the Executive Director of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. We talked about her beginnings in education,...

Sam Ramirez: River Country 101.7 – Three Decades in Radio, the Value of Mentors, Why Local Radio Strengthens Communities | SVSP 016

May 29, 2023

Sam Ramirez is “the voice of the Sauk Valley,” since he has spent almost 30 years as a radio host with River Country 101.7. We...

Peabudy’s with Aaron Gonzalez: Building Relationships With Customers, Expansion as a Small Business, and Music and Entertainment as a Community Builder | SVSP 015

May 24, 2023

Aaron Gonzalez runs Peabudy’s in Sterling as their Operations Manager. We talk about his journey as a local who got his start...

Diversity Alliance of the Sauk Valley with Rashaad Lane – Why Representation Is Important Fuel for the Dreams of the Next Generation and Creating Cultural Moments | SVSP 014

May 17, 2023

Rashaad Lane serves with the Diversity Alliance of the Sauk Valley, helping with communications, marketing, and content creation. We chat...

Sterling YMCA with Trish Klaver and Jamie Alexander – Creating a Opportunities for Health and Connection for All Age Groups, and Responding to Community Needs | SVSP 013

May 10, 2023

Trish Klaver and Jamie Alexander both serve at the Sterling/Rock Falls YMCA, Trish as the CEO and Jamie as the Senior Youth Development...

Kim Ewoldsen: Exec. Dir. Regional Economic Development, SVCC – From Farm Girl to Regional Developer, Entrepreneurs Who Make It, and How Communities Can Work Together To Flourish | SVSP 012

May 3, 2023

Kim Ewoldsen serves at Sauk Valley Community College as the Executive Director of Regional Economic Development and Donor Relations. We...

Dr. Lori Cortez: VP of Advancement, SVCC – Combatting Out-Migration Through Economic and Educational Reform and Encouraging Regionalism Through Working Together Across Community Lines | SVSP 011

April 26, 2023

Dr. Lori Cortez serves at Sauk Valley Community College as the Vice President of Advancement. We talked about her journey to the Sauk...

Skip Lee: Mayor of Sterling – The Importance of Mentors, Gratitude, and Encouraging Collaboration in Public Service | SVSP 010

April 19, 2023

Skip Lee is finishing his term as mayor of Sterling. We chat about his journey from educator to council member to mayor, the importance of...

The Rusty Fox with Darrell Wallace – In Search of Rare and Unique Wines and Beers, Creating a Space for Connection, and the Challenges of Entrepreneurs | SVSP 009

April 7, 2023

Darrell Wallace owns and runs The Rusty Fox Alehouse and Winebar in Sterling along with his wife. We chat about the challenges of needing...

Sterling Main Street With Janna Groharing – The Downtown As Everyone’s Backyard, Listening to the Community, and Taking Pride in Our Main Street | SVSP 008

April 4, 2023

Janna Groharing is the Executive Director of Sterling Main Street, which overseas economic revitalization and community events. We talk...

Whiteside CEO with Le Hartman – Investing in the Next Generation of Business Owners, Giving Opportunities to High Schoolers, and Connecting Business and Education | SVSP 007

March 31, 2023

Le Hartman has been an educator for as long as she can remember, and she has spent the last ten years pioneering the Whiteside County...

Jackie Payne with Bushel Basket Candle Co and The Toy Store – Serial Entrepreneurialism, Finding Your Niche, and Helping Families Create Memories That Last | SVSP 006

March 22, 2023

Jackie Payne is the owner of both Bushel Basket Candle Co as well as The Toy Store in the Sterling Mall. We talk about her journey from...

Visit Rock Falls with Melinda Jones – What Makes Rock Falls a Hidden Gem, the Best Things to do with Your Family this Summer, and the Transition from Medical to Tourism | SVSP 005

March 14, 2023

Melinda Jones is a Rock Falls native who spent many years in the medical field before recently transitioning to work with Rock Falls City...

R Tad Everett: Sterling Superintendent – Sterling as a Desirable Place To Live, Thriving After the Pandemic, and Why Most Superintendents Only Last 2 Years | SVSP 004

March 7, 2023

R Tad Everett is a husband, father, and superintendent of the Sterling Public Schools. We talk about his journey from college athlete to...

Rich Koch – Entrepreneurship, Writing Your Own Story, and Investing in Your Community | SVSP 003

March 1, 2023

Rich Koch is a husband, father, entrepeneur, and real estate investor with all kinds of stories of successes and learning moments from his...

7:24 Fitness on the Rock with Nick Pepper: Physical Health, Creating A Culture Of Care And Family, And Why Everyone Needs Coaching In Life | SVSP 002

January 26, 2023

Nick Pepper is a husband, personal trainer, and owner of 7:24 Fitness on the Rock. We sat down to talk about his journey from being a local...

Live Better Chiro with Dr. Joe Schneiderbauer: Chiropractic Care, Marketing a Small Business, and Building Relationships for the Long Term | SVSP 001

January 19, 2023

Dr. Joe Schneiderbauer is a husband, father, and owner of Live Better Chiropractic in Sterling, IL. We sat down to talk about how...

Sauk Valley Spotlight Podcast Trailer

January 17, 2023

Welcome to Sauk Valley Spotlight, the show that shines a light on the people and places of the beautiful Sauk Valley. In each episode, we...