The Chicagoland Guide

12/22/2025

Lunch at Manny’s, a pass by the old Chess Records building — which hit a little differently after recently learning about a family connection — then the Chicago Cultural Center, one of the city’s best free spaces, where I stumbled into an exhibit on rethinking housing beyond conventional models.

Finished the afternoon wandering Millennium Park, watching how people actually use shared space.

Chicago works best when you let it surprise you.

12/01/2025

Kyle Schulz from left me with one last thought in our conversation — and it stuck with me.

We talked about what makes Chicagoland work, where the region is headed, and why planning for the future matters more than ever. This clip gets right to the heart of that.

Full episode at the link in bio.
More conversations like this coming soon.

11/25/2025

New Episode! "The Future of Chicagoland: Quantum Tech, Data Centers, Transit, and Regional Growth with CMAP’s Kyle Schulz"

In one of the most forward-looking episodes of The Chicagoland Guide to date, host Aaron Masliansky sits down with Kyle Schulz, Deputy of Strategic Advancement at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). This conv...

In one of the most forward-looking episodes of The Chicagoland Guide to date, host Aaron Masliansky sits down with Kyle Schulz, Deputy of Strategic Advancement at t…

10/28/2025

New Episode! "Keeping Culture Alive in Highland Park featuring Diana Gran | The Chicagoland Guide – Episode 139"

How can celebrating cultural traditions strengthen a community? In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky is joined by Diana Gran — Founder of Diana Gran Portraits and Director of Día de los Mu***os (DDM) Week in Highland Park — to explore how honoring heritage can create unity, healing, and connection across generations and cultures. Diana shares her journey from Acapulco to Highland Park, how reclaiming her roots transformed her life and art, and why DDM Week has become a meaningful celebration for the North Shore community. We discuss the power of remembrance, the importance of cultural authenticity, and how local businesses, libraries, and community organizations have come together to support this growing annual tradition.

How can celebrating cultural traditions strengthen a community? In this episode, host Aaron Masliansky is joined by Diana Gran — Founder of Diana Gran Portraits and…

10/23/2025

Most people don’t realize Ravinia isn’t run by a corporation — it’s actually a nonprofit organization that’s completely independent. 🎶

That’s part of what makes it so special — it’s about music, community, and education, not just business.

🎧 Watch my full interview with Ravinia CEO Jeff Haydon: [link in bio]

10/21/2025

🎶 Ever wonder how started?

It wasn’t always the world-class music destination we know today — it actually began as an amusement park built by a railroad company to attract weekend travelers between Chicago and Milwaukee.

In this clip from my conversation with Jeff Haydon, Ravinia’s President & CEO, we dive into the fascinating history behind one of Chicagoland’s most beloved institutions — and how it evolved from farmland and train stops to a hub for world-class performances.

🎧 Watch the full episode of The Chicagoland Guide here: [link in bio]
🎶 Learn more: thechicagolandguide.com/raviniafestival

09/19/2025

🌾 “Until about 100 years ago, most Americans lived and worked on farms.”

Jonathan Kuester grew up on a farm in Indiana, but his path led him to museums—and eventually to directing Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview. In this clip, he shares how farming and American history are deeply connected, and why understanding our agricultural roots still matters today.

🎧 Full episode at TheChicagolandGuide.com/wagnerfarm
📍 |

05/27/2025

This is what it means to be The Chicagoland Guide.
Each pin on this map represents a client I’ve helped—families finding their forever homes, sellers making their next move, and buyers discovering new neighborhoods across the city and suburbs.

From the lakefront to Libertyville, from Lincoln Park to Lake Zurich, I know this market because I’ve worked it. This isn’t just about real estate—it’s about understanding the fabric of our communities and helping people navigate life’s biggest transitions with confidence.

If you’re thinking about a move, let’s connect. I’m here to guide you—wherever you’re headed.