CO-HOST

Esmeralda

Leon

Esmeralda Leon, a native of Joliet, Illinois, found her passion for radio broadcasting in the vibrant city of Chicago. Her career took root alongside legendary radio personality Jonathon Brandmeier at 97.9 The Loop, where she honed her skills and gained invaluable experience in the industry.

 

Esmeralda's warm and engaging presence behind the microphone quickly made
her a beloved figure among listeners.
Her journey in Chicago radio continued as she transitioned to traffic reporter for many stations throughout Chicago ending up overnights at WGN Radio with Nick Digilio.

 

Beyond radio she’s expanded into voiceover work as well as collaborating on the live podcast You, Me, Them, Everybody with Brandon Wetherbee for about 14 years. And now joins Nick Digilio on the Nick D Podcast. She lives in Albany Park with her partner Colin and cat Jake.

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REGULAR GUESTS

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Dan Fienberg TV CRITIC

TV critic Dan Fienberg is a bi-weekly guest on The Nick D Podcast, he has been talking television with Nick for many, many years (going back to WGN), and he currently serves as the chief TV critic of The Hollywood Reporter. He also has a website called The Fien Print and travels everywhere to cover the latest in television, and streaming news and developments. Dan is the most knowledgeable television journalist I know, and his website is a must-follow.

 

Herb Weisbaum CONSUMER EXPERT

Herb is a regular on The Nick D Podcast’s monthly “For The People” episodes. Herb has been helping the public navigate the sometimes tricky world of managing everyday finances, dealing with scams, and keeping your money safe for over 40 years. He answers all of your questions and covers the latest consumer news every time he appears on the podcast. Find him at ConsumerMan.com.

 

Tom Appel AUTO EXPERT

Tom is also a regular on The Nick D Podcast’s monthly “For The People” episodes. Tom is a car expert, who has been covering the automotive world for decades, and is the publisher of “Consumer Guide Automotive,” which has the most comprehensive coverage of the car world anywhere. He answers all of your questions and covers the latest in automotive news every time he appears on the podcast.

 

Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy, MOVIE CRITICS

Erik and Steve are professional movie critics whose reviews can be heard (and read) online and in publications everywhere, and they appear bi-weekly on The Nick D Podcast reviewing all of the latest releases. They have both been reviewing movies for well over 20 years, covering film festivals all over the world, interviewing filmmakers and stars, and, like Nick, are members of The Chicago Film Critics Association.

 

Nell Minow, MOVIE CRITIC/FINANCIAL & POLITICAL EXPERT

Nell is one of Nick’s favorite guests of all time, who appears monthly on The Nick D Podcast. She is not only an expert in the legal, financial, and political worlds, but she is also the beloved “Movie Mom,” and has been reviewing movies from a mother’s point-of-view since the dawn of the internet era. Her incredible knowledge on a wide variety of topics makes her one of the most entertaining and informative guests you will ever hear.

 

Dr. Keith Lipinski, PRO WRESTLING EXPERT

Not many people know and understand the wonderful world of professional wrestling as much as Keith Lipinski does. A producer with Chicago’s own AAW Pro wrestling promotion, and a true pro-wrestling fan, Keith appears regularly on The Nick D Podcast to have a blast discussing the latest stories and news in WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and more.

 

Marnie Shure, FOOD & HORROR

Marnie has served as a writer, reporter, editor, producer, and host in the world of food and culture for many years. Her fantastic coverage of food trends, and regular-everyday-culinary delights has enchanted readers and listeners for a long time. She is also a producer/contributor with “Mortified Chicago,” a wonderful group, that puts on shows in which adults tell stories about their lives by sharing their most mortifying childhood artifacts…she also LOVES horror movies. Marnie appears monthly on The Nick D Podcast to discuss food, horror, and being mortified. You can follow her on the socials at @marnieshure.

 

Jim Ryan, MUSIC JOURNALIST

Jim is a Chicago based music journalist, radio and television broadcaster, reporter and freelance writer. He reported news and traffic on Chicago radio stations like WGN, WBEZ (NPR), WCPT, WLUP, WDRV and more. Jim is now a journalist who covers the music scene, and interviews people in the entertainment world for The Daily Herald and Forbes Magazine. He appears monthly on The Nick D Podcast, covering the world of music, reviewing concerts and just shooting the bull with Nick. Find Jim here.

 

Stephen Tobolowsky, ACTOR & STORYTELLER

Stephen is one of the best guests ever, and is one of the leading character actors today. He has appeared in over 200 movies and television shows. He has played everything from Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day to Sandy Ryerson in Glee. He has appeared almost naked as Stu Beggs on Californication and has worn the same suit for seven years as Principal Earl Ball on The Goldbergs. Most recently, Stephen appeared as Dr. Leslie Berkowitz in the remake of One Day at a Time. Stephen has always been a storyteller. In sixth grade he won his school’s storytelling contest and over that summer won the award as best storyteller in the City of Dallas (13 years old and under division.) That impulse led him into writing. He wrote the screenplay for True Stories with David Byrne and Beth Henley. He has two books of stories published by Simon & Schuster: The Dangerous Animals Club and My Adventures with God. He appears regularly on The Nick D Podcast, and knocks it out of the park every time. Find Stephen here.

 

Monica Eng, FOOD & CULTURE

Monica, who has been a colleague of Nick’s for many years, appears monthly on The Nick D Podcast and reports and on food, health, and ethnic culture in Chicago and beyond. She was a food, culture and watchdog-investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune for 16 years. Before that she wrote and edited for the Daily Southtown and Chicago Sun Times. Monica has won multiple writing awards and been nominated for the James Beard Award five times. She has served as an Axios Chicago reporter since the summer of 2021, and is the co-author of the book “Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites.”

 

Amy Guth, FILM & CULTURE

Amy is a writer, producer, filmmaker, public speaker and broadcaster, and has spent her career sharing stories and information on multiple platforms. She’s a journalist/broadcaster, producer, essayist, and award-winning screenwriter, as well as an author and voice-over artist, and her work is sharply focused around underrepresented stories and narrative challenging. She worked with Nick for many years at WGN-AM, and appears monthly on The Nick D Podcast. Amy sometimes steps in when co-host Esmeralda Leon is unavailable….and in general, she rules. Find Amy here.

 

Slap Slapply, INTERNATIONAL BON VIVANT

He’s British. He’s timeless. He’s a game show host. He’s hilarious.

He may or may not be great friends with the WLS-AM Executive Producer (and former producer of The Nick Digilio Show) Tom Hush….we don’t really know.