11/05/2025
🎬 Behind the Cover: Our Thankful Issue
It’s mid-morning inside a media studio in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, and adjusts the lapels of a gray three-piece suit. Photographer’s lights flash, but Nardulli—broad shouldered, grinning—barely notices. He moves easily, like a man who knows how to hold a room. Because he’s been doing it for decades.
The shoot was part performance, part homecoming. A year ago, he was one of the first faces featured in our magazine. Now, in honor of our anniversary, he’s back — seasoned, grounded, and gracing the cover for a full-circle moment.
His story is one of grit and grace — from Chicago football fields to Hollywood sets, from Tulsa King to his latest film, Dirty Hands, where redemption runs as deep as the city streets it was shot on.
Captured by Ray Martinez of Done by Design, styled by , and written by , this shoot celebrates what defines Our Thankful Issue: roots, resilience, and the stories that bring us home.
✨ Our Thankful Issue is out now — tap the link in bio or visit citylifestyle.com/northshoreil/issues/2025-11 to read the full story.