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Storytellers Studio
Storytellers Studio

Storytellers Studio

Classic storytelling can be found around many campfires and in any Disney film. In so many cases, the very best of stories from our personal lives are heard repeatedly over years without ever being recorded. Tim Larson and Liz Wylder knew that WROK radio’s 100th birthday in 2023 would be a great springboard for this project. Future sit downs would certainly rekindle old friendships and, undoubtedly, allow everyone to learn something about the people they thought they knew well. The lightbulbs began to strobe above the heads of Liz and Tim in the parking lot of the Stockholm Inn restaurant in Rockford, Illinois after a lunch with six former radio colleagues. Their cheeks hurt from laughing and both realized they had the equipment and the means to record these soon-to-be-priceless conversations. And so, the Storytellers Studio was born! This project began only three short months after Liz and Tim launched Lifes3x5s podcast. It’s the definition of unpredictable conversation among friends. Each episode takes place at a different remote location. Random questions and observations from listeners are drawn from a stack of 3x5 index cards. Eavesdropping at its finest. And, there is much more to see at www.lifes3x5s.com. Special thanks to Mike Lamb of Podcast Genesis, Greg Orput and Sandy Dingus of Edgebrook Center, Jeff Davis Productions in Los Angeles, California and Kipper McGee of Brandwidth on Demand.

Available Episodes 10

Kat Williams and her group are spearheading the monumental project of bringing an International Women's Baseball Center to Rockford, Illinois. The Rockford Peaches at Beyer Stadium put Rockford on the women's sports map in the 1940's. The world zeroed in on that compass in 1992 through the film A League of Their Own. Learn about the past and the future of this amazing side to the game of baseball.

Recorded at Movement Fitness in Rockford, Illinois on March 5, 2025.

Whitney Martin and Tim Larson have known each other for a long time. Sharing the back stories of television and radio is just the beginning. Charity work together, bloopers and dancing. You'll have to tune in to sort it all out.

Recorded at the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in downtown Rockford, Illinois on January 30, 2025.

Tim Larson founded his promotional advertising company the very same year the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition handed out their first awards. Tim has sponsored, volunteered and supplied trophies even since. Between the three of them, Laura, Kellie and Tim will draw back the curtain and share little know facts about what it takes to conduct this 39 year old winter display.

Recorded in the Rockford Park District Board Room on January 27, 2025.

Tim Johnson and Tim Larson worked side by side at WROK radio in Rockford, Illinois in the med '80s. Our promotional meetings were always a high level of brainstorming. They mastered the art of connecting listeners and sponsors to the overall on-air experience for the good of the station. Say it was simply fun would be a huge understatement. Tim Johnson was also a terrific host in the Houston area when Tim Larson needed it most.

Recorded at the Edgebrook Studio in Rockford, Illinois on December 23, 2024.

Matt Cichella is the Director, Co-Producer and Writer of the upcoming film Hyde Out. Arianna Lexus is the Lead Actress and Co-Producer. The process and struggles for making this film was truly unreal. The circumstances and timing laid barriers at their feet at nearly every turn...yet they kept going. The project was that important to them and those involved. Storytellers Studio host Tim and his wife Sandy are Executive Producers and were extras in the film. Enjoy many behind-the-scenes stories.

Recorded at Edgebrook in Rockford, Illinois on December 14, 2024.

Phil and Sharon Raines have been vendors at Edgebrook's Farmers Market for as long as I can remember. He's never met a stranger and is filled to the brim with bee knowledge.

It was a fun conversation which ranged from "going commando" in a bee suit to selling live bees to veterinarians to treat horses.

Recorded in Rockford, Illinois at our Edgebrook Studio: December 11, 2024.

Brain Thomas and Tim Larson have known each other since the late 80's. They met as members of the Ski Broncs Water Ski Show Team in Loves Park, Illinois. They have literally shared life with each other on so many levels...projects, business, campfires, photo shoots and more.

Recorded on November 20, 2024 in the twelfth floor bar of the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Rockford, Illinois.

Tim Larson and Liz Wylder have known Riley O'Neil since the 80's. He celebrated his twenty third anniversary as WROK's morning show host on Halloween 2023. We all grew up in the radio industry together...getting our feet wet, stumbling and setting several broadcasting milestones. Our memories of course are all contributions to the one hundred year history (est. 1923) and legacy of WROK radio in Rockford, Illinois. WZOK-FM still is the sister station and was established in 1949.

Recorded at the Edgebrook studio in Rockford, Illinois on November 8, 2024.

Tim Larson and John Lombardo had only met just before the tour of Smashed Plastic Record Pressing factory in Chicago, Illinois. The recent resurgence of music on vinyl and the need shown by the region bands encouraged John and his two partners to go all in. You'll find it is a very thoughtful and purposeful manufacturing facility. They and others are housed in the former Hammond Organ plant.

Recorded September 26, 2024.

John and Tim met because of a television report shared by radio friend Lisa Fielding of WBBM-AM in Chicago. Tim's curiosity got the best of him so he contacted John for a tour and show. This amazing collection of manufacturers have assembled in the former Hammond Organ building.

Recorded September 26, 2024.