https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/7/1/158c2c58-ee92-481b-8449-9897b34ccf43__on_the_illinois_prairie_-_brandon_merano_-_v1.mp3

Brandon talks about his experience of joining the Illinois Air National Guard age 17 and his experience as a boom operator (in-flight refueler for combat aviation) over Afghanistan. He is helping founder and president of OHG,Rich Darby, grow the number of veterans to help give military veterans a proper military rights at their funerals.

Brandon Merano is a combat veteran, former journalist, and Executive Director of Operation Honor Guard

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/30/2/7b826d54-c730-4fa5-b120-ca331a01389a_fe_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_tara_restore_-_v1.mp3

Tara shares the importance of people donating to and shopping at the ReStore and how it funds home building projects. She also tells about the application process and the selection process for those interested in buying a Habitat home.

Tara is the manager of the Sullivan, Illinois ReStore for Habitat For Humanity

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/23/22/05077b4f-8a2e-46e5-a264-351a03b41ccb__illinois_prairie_-_cadillac_and_converse_-_v1.mp3

Wendy talks about agency and getting past other people&#39;s limitations of us.

Converse and Cadillacs

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/16/13/10c294f0-a0be-4153-99a3-e41de0515974_life_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_rob_farmer_-_v2.mp3

Mattoon, Illinois native, Rob Farmer shares his DNA story and the surprising results. He gives insights for others facing the same or similar situation.

Best of Life on the Illinois Prairie: Rob Farmer shares his DNA story

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/10/1/eac636b1-8364-4029-9057-7129244263a2__on_the_illinois_prairie_-_bernie_debuhrs_-_v1.mp3

Replay: Bernie shares his family&#39;s rich history in Mattoon, Illinois, beginning with his great-grandfather. We talk about his community involvement and work with Celebrate Downtown Mattoon.

Best of Life on the Illinois Prairie: Bernie is the owner of deBuhr's Feed and Seed Store in Mattoon, Illinois.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/2/0/69192e64-daad-42f0-9194-9083a39d0f49_ife_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_milo_miller_-_v1.mp3

Milo left his Amish life and became a truck driver, then a social influencer. He enjoys making videos telling about Amish home remedies. He also likes educating people about Amish life and clearing up common misconceptions.

Milo Miller is an ex-Amish man who became a social influencer.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/24/23/12390229-621f-4017-84a7-d8a6c7d5308c_is_prairie_-_parting_is_such_sweet_sorrow_-_v1.mp3

Wendy shares how a chance encounter affected her life and how the loss of that special person affected her and Stacy.

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/19/15/16cf3dca-5735-47cf-8611-f3d1316defdb_the_illinois_prairie_-_jeremy_david_higgs_-_v1.mp3

Jeremy serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?cd=&opi=89978449&psig=AOvVaw2sfjt9y2tP7S0jao1Q3Ynn&rct=j&sa=i&source=web&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.openpr.com%2Fnews%2F4580708%2Fmidwest-stratospheric-data-systems-successfully-completes-dry&ust=1786727244267000&ved=2ahUKEwi7vfTmi56WAxWTqysGHUhwMO4Qy_kOeggIAggBCA0QAw" rel="nofollow">Midwest Stratospheric Data Systems (MSDS)</a>, an aerospace company specializing in custom high-altitude balloon (HAB) payloads and atmospheric data collection.

Jeremy David Higgs discusses his launch of the X2 Griffon on September 19, 2026

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/4/20/a2f978e8-d4a9-425d-b2bc-9ec7c8e6d934_e_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_randal_rhoads_-_v1.mp3

Randal Rhoads is a well-known keyboardist throughout central Illinois and far beyond. He shares stories from his many years of performing as well as some serious health issues along the way.

Randal Rhoads is a well-known keyboardist in central Illinois and across the US.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/4/20/c5bd2b8a-1760-4779-9532-1408e9c28249_e_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_jamie_poorman_-_v1.mp3

When Jamie received a diagnosis of diabetes from her physician, the researcher in her kicked into high gear. In this episode she shares some of the helpful information she has gathered.

Jamie Poorman is a librarian, professional genealogist, and farm owner

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/29/16/634453fc-4244-4af7-9237-1ba2ed82db18__illinois_prairie_-_the_unknown_sister_part_18.mp3

Summer Replay: Wendy shares rediscovered letters purportedly written by her mother, but clearly written by Mike Ahmed.

Summer Replay: Wendy shares more about the Unknown Sister story.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/22/1/4aea5380-fe41-41fb-bf7d-f87f67c7fbc1__illinois_prairie_-_grand_prairie_friends_-_v1.mp3

Sarah and Taylor share the many opportunities for people to volunteer to help protect and conserve our precious vanishing remnant prairie. They also share a great upcoming event at The Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon in Mattoon.

Sarah is Executive Director of Grand Prairie Friends and Taylor is the Event Coordinator for Grand Prairie Friends

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/14/21/f5cabf01-e554-49d8-b2c1-69024861d04d_ois_prairie_-_ann_winkler_hinrichs__2026__-_v1.mp3

Ann returns to the podcast to share news of upcoming events, including visiting gravesites of Coles County Revolutionary War soldiers.

Ann Winkler Hinrichs is President of the Coles County Genealogical Society

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/7/18/8b6c81ec-6d14-4a08-8803-c35ea91c97d0_e_illinois_prairie_-_stacy_s_tornado_tale_-_v2.mp3

Stacy describes his experience living through a tornado that hit Charleston, Illinois on June 17, 2026

Stacy's Tornado Experience

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/1/2/09812a79-d629-44cb-845d-19263ef13804_prairie_-_patty_richards___tom_daughhetee_-_v1.mp3

Summer Replay: Learn about The Big 250, Casey Celebrates America! The town known for Big Things has Big Things planned for America turning 250 this summer!

Summer Replay: Tom Daughhetee and Patty Richards share Casey's plans to celebrate 250 America!

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/24/0/41334946-631e-4418-9322-b88c274d08a1_the_illinois_prairie_-_permission_granted_-_v1.mp3

Wendy discusses her personal experiences with perspective, perception and permission. We are never too old to give ourselves permission to have our own voice and explore the world.

Permission granted

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/16/16/bcea162e-60e1-4eac-8f73-6645802b6c26_n_the_illinois_prairie_-_chrissy_spurlock_-_v1.mp3

Chrissy shares the story of how her son, Charlie and his best friend, Jack, were in a devastating accident. Charlie&#39;s recovery at Shirley Ryan in Chicago lasted nearly a year, and his physical therapy is still ongoing.

Chrissy, mother of Charlie Spurlock, shares about his recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/9/17/4613de62-1893-46dd-949e-1c981143e6bc_ife_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_perspective_-_v2.mp3

Wendy shares insights about perspective during these challenging times we live in.

Perspective

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/2/17/b2db95ca-b829-4b3d-a4ef-a7ca15a8000a_n_the_illinois_prairie_-_if_not_now__when_-_v1.mp3

Wendy encourages everyone, no matter their age, to step out of their comfort zone and try something different.

If Not Now, When?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/27/21/7222299b-195c-4bdc-b832-64c8f869fe92_on_the_illinois_prairie_-_shelby_thomason_-_v1.mp3

Join us in revisiting this timely episode: Shelby tells how the careless behavior of a driver changed the lives of many in her family, as we come to the 3rd anniversary of the loss of her mother and stepdad.