In our last episode of season 3, we sit down with Ben Rodriguez Chicago native, Puerto Rican proud, and international boxing referee. He is the proud father of an intelligent and athletic 15 year old young man and now lives in the Little Italy area of Chicago. Ben shares his journey from growing up with a father who was a professional referee to officiating over 200 pro fights worldwide.

We talk about the state of boxing, how referees keep fighters safe, and what drives his passion for the sport. Outside the ring, Ben is a longtime Teamsters union member and benefits representative who continues to balance work, family, and his love for boxing.

💥 Tune in to hear how discipline, dedication, and community shaped Ben’s path from Logan Square to rings around the world.

The 500 and Growing welcomes Rob Hultz also known as Bobby Good Times.

In this episode, Rob opens up about his journey as a bassist, electrician, and motorcycle builder, while sharing candid reflections on addiction, recovery, and the power of second chances.

Rob’s musical career started at just 15, sneaking into New Jersey bars to play with the crossover hardcore band Lethal Aggression. Over the years, he’s taken part in numerous projects, ultimately landing in Chicago where he plays with doom metal legends Trouble and continues his role with New Jersey’s Solace.

Outside of music, Rob finds balance in building custom choppers at Chicago’s Bravetown motorcycle collective. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and inspiration, this episode is not to be missed.

In this episode, we sit down with CJ “BlakAtak” Williams — co-owner of Steadfast Dance Studio, educator, and renowned Chicago B-Boy. He opens up about his journey growing up in the 80s and 90s, when Hip-Hop culture in Chicago gave young people an alternative to violence through creativity, dance, and community.

CJ shares how he discovered his passion for B-Boying and Hip-Hop culture, the obstacles he faced, and how perseverance helped him reach his highest potential. With over 20 years of experience performing, competing, and teaching across the U.S. and internationally (Germany, Holland, Mexico, Poland, and more), CJ has dedicated his life to uplifting communities through dance, movement, and art.

A graduate of Northeastern Illinois University (BA in Physical Education & Community Health), CJ has taught fitness, P.E., and Hip-Hop arts throughout Chicagoland. Today, he serves as Program Coordinator at CircEsteem, a respected youth development nonprofit in Uptown, and continues to mentor the next generation as co-owner of Steadfast Dance Center in Chicago’s Pilsen community.

✨ Listen now to hear how CJ “BlakAtak” Williams turned adversity into artistry and continues to inspire youth through Hip-Hop and dances.

For more information visit: https://500andgrowing.com

In this episode, we sit down with Gerald Brennan, founder of Tortoise Books, a fiercely independent Chicago-based publisher that’s rewriting the rules of the literary world. Tired of the "hare today, gone tomorrow" approach of mainstream publishing, Brennan champions a slow and steady philosophy—where depth, longevity, and quality take the lead over quick sales and fleeting fame.

We dive into what it means to be a modern-day tortoise in an industry obsessed with speed. Gerald shares how Tortoise Books blends old-school publishing values—meticulous editing, strong pre-release strategy, and genuine author investment—with new-age flexibility through print-on-demand. The result? Books that are built to last, not just to sell.

If you’re a writer, reader, or creative entrepreneur looking for inspiration outside the mainstream, this conversation will spark ideas and maybe even remind you that the race isn’t always to the swift.

🎧 Tune in and find out why slow and steady still wins the race.

Gerald Brennan earned a B.S. in European History from West Point and an M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University. He's the author of Resistance, which Kirkus called “an extremely impressive debut,” and four space books including Island of Clouds ("Speculative sci-fi at its finest." - Neal Thompson, author of Light This Candle) and Alone on the Moon ("Brilliant." - Rick Kogan, WGN Radio). His writing has appeared in the Chicago Tribune and Newcity, and he was on the latter's 2019 and 2022 and 2025 Lit 50 lists of notable literary Chicagoans; he's also the founder of Tortoise Books, a Chicago-based independent press that WGN Radio's Rick Kogan recently called “…one of the best, most provocative, and rewarding publishing houses in the entire country.”

For more information visit: https://500andgrowing.com

In this episode, Jasmin Cardenas shares what it was like being the only Colombiana (Latina) in her university program and how social justice shapes her creative work. With honesty and heart, she reflects on her growth as an actress, playwright, storyteller, producer, and leader.

Jasmin Cardenas, Founder of Artivista LLC, a Chicago creative firm that uses embodied artistic practice of storytelling, theater techniques and facilitation to create connections and unite people across communities. A life-long Chicagoan, Jasmin is an experienced Arts Educator, Facilitator, award-winning bilingual storyteller and “theatermaker” who uses story and play to facilitate spaces where people can connect and spark change. A bridge builder, this Colombian-American believes in the power of art & stories to grow us, unite us and activate us.

The last few years have been incredibly exciting years of travel as Jasmin’s dream came true when she was a Featured Teller at The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. Also featured at the biggest storytelling festival in the USA at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Lehi, Utah. In 2024 her newest album CUENTOS FROM THE AMERICAS won The Storytelling World Award. Available on her website www.JasminCardenas.com you can travel through the Americas through stories, music and learn about unique instruments. Jasmin was honored to be the week-long Storyteller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN. Last year, Jasmin, a LAB Fellow of Georgetown University’s Laboratory of Global Performance and Politics was a Master Class Teacher for the Seraj Storytelling Retreat in Supino, Italy, working with a storytelling cohort of new international voices, including women storytellers from the West Bank, Palestine.

A Collaborator with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Children’s Theater, Jasmin adapted a children’s book bilingually. Jasmin is the Adaptor and Bilingual Narrator of Maybe Something Beautiful, a new puppet film for children,of how art transforms a neighborhood, available on YouTube. Recipient of the 2022 USArtists International MidAtlantic Arts Grant Jasmin travelled to Zimbabwe and South Africa to perform her solo show DISPOSABLE and teach Master Classes in Theater of the Oppressed. One of the first Latina’s to receive The Race Bridges Storytelling Fellowship Jasmin uses storytelling and theater to pursue justice and humanity. An experienced Actress Jasmin has performed in Chicago at The Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago Children’s Theater, Teatro Luna, Urban Theater, Lifeline Theater (to name a few) and toured regionally to Seattle Children's Theater. A proud SAG-AFTRA member, TV credits include NBC Chicago Fire, Showtime’s The CHI & ABC’s Betrayal.

Currently a Facilitator for the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, she is a leader and thought partner for the Civic Actors Studio program, working with Chicago’s non-profit leaders. Recognized for her arts and civic engagement work, she was awarded a 2020-2022 international LAB Fellowship by The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. Co-Founder of WorkersTEATRO, a collective of low-wage Chicago workers humanizing the politics of labor using theater. A seasoned Facilitator, Jasmin has led strategic planning retreats and professional development workshops internationally and nationally. Her Frierian approach came from training with Augusto Boal, Founder of Theater of the Oppressed, whose pedagogy is the framework of her practice. Jasmin is a current member and previous Board Member of The Pedagogy and Theater of the Oppressed, an international organization where she Co-Chaired conferences, Twenty years of facilitation in public & private spaces is what ultimately developed Artivista LLC.

For over 25 years, Demetrio Maguigad has dedicated his career to building a more just and equitable world through the power of design, storytelling, and authentic human connection.

Demetrio's journey began with a deep-rooted commitment to social justice. As a young organizer, he witnessed the transformative power of community action firsthand. Using music, theater, and popular education methodologies like Theater of the Oppressed, he mobilized disempowered voices, working with Filipino youth and immigrant domestic care workers in Chicago. These formative experiences instilled in him a lifelong passion for addressing critical issues such as human rights, environmental justice, and social equity.

He developed his expertise in communications strategy and media production while leading initiatives at organizations like Public Narrative. There, he managed, researched, and scaled the production of Getting On Air, Online, and Into Print, a widely used communications resource guide for media and journalists. He also trained nonprofit communicators and journalists in digital media and was selected for a U.S. State Department mission to Morocco in 2012 to share his knowledge with local communicators and government officials.

Demetrio later emerged as a leading voice in social impact design during his 12-year tenure as Principal Director of Design Strategy at LimeRed, a certified B-Corp. He led innovative projects with nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, co-designed the Idea Accelerator in San Francisco and Washington D.C., and co-authored Branding for Changemakersand ARC: A Communications Guide for Small Arts Organizations Making Big Impact.

As an educator and mentor, Demetrio has taught at Columbia College Chicago for over 12 years, inspiring students in courses on social media, digital strategy, and content creation. He has also guided entrepreneurs and startups at Chicago’s innovation hubs, including 1871, 2112, and MHub, helping them apply design thinking principles to their missions.

His artistic contributions include co-founding Bagwis, a multigenerational music collective focused on human rights, and long-standing involvement with CIRCA Pintig, a local Filipino theater company, where he provided music direction and original scoring for award-winning productions.

Today, Demetrio leads Polyrhythmic, a venture devoted to creating stories and designing experiences that challenge perspectives and inspire collective action. His career is a testament to the enduring power of creativity, collaboration, and purpose-driven work.

Pastor Phil Jackson has served on the front lines of urban youth ministry interrupting violence in the life of youth and young adults one relationship at a time through the arts and faith since 1987.
Pastor Phil has served in North Lawndale since 1993, when he came from Kansas City where he served as youth Pastor under Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. He served as Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor of Lawndale Community Christian Church until 2016.

In 2003 Pastor Phil planted a church called The House Covenant Church or more known as “The House - a Christ-centered, hip-hop worship service”. The House has been featured on BET, Fox News Chicago, MSNBC Nightly News, PBS, WGN, Jet (2006), Ebony (2010), Campus Life (2005), The New York Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and The Chicago Defender.

Pastor Phil is the Founder and CEO of The Firehouse Community Arts Center (FCAC) a converted 100-year-old Chicago Firehouse. We work to interrupt the cycle of violence in the life of youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts and faith. We engage youth in violence prevention through poetry, dance, culinary arts, audio engineering, film, tech and visual arts. The Firehouse Community Art Center seeks to “Spark New Flames One Life at a Time”!

He is co-author of the book The Hip-Hop Church (Intervarsity Press, 2006) which is in its twelfth publishing (sold over 15,000). His writing is published in theological journals, magazines and he has also contributed chapters and articles in several books relating to youth and young adults and infusing the arts into life transformation.

Pastor Phil currently teaches as a part time professor for NorthPark Seminary, classes taught at Stateville Correctional Center for Ministry Identity and Practice courses.

In 2023 Pastor Phil was awarded “The New Leaders of Chicago Award” from the Field and MacArthur Foundation.

Pastor Phil was the lead host of a weekly Sirius XM Radio Show in April of 2022 called: The Church on the block; Real talk about the streets, Hip-Hop and the church.

He won a Midwest Emmy as Co-Producer of the film, “Chicago at the Crossroads” for best Documentary 2019-2020, (nominated for seven, and won five, including the Best Documentary).

Phil has his Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity International University (Deerfield) in communication, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Northern Theological Seminary with a with an emphasis in Christian community development as a John Perkins scholar.

Joe’s artwork creates an experience where bright colors and simplified imagery engage the viewer’s ideas and fantasies. These informal and empowering creations are designed to bring a spark of joy to the viewer’s life. He creates things for the fun of it.

Some of the fun things he creates are black and white fantasy illustrations that evoke the style of the old school renaissance, being heavily influenced by the art of the Dungeons and Dragons red box basic set as well as the art in the first Monster Manual. Since January of 2022 he has been doing black and white spot illustration work for Goodman Games. His work has appeared in many current releases including; The May 2022 Gazette, DCC Holiday #11 Came the Monster of Midwinter, Empire of the East #1 The Hunt for the Howling God, DCC Classics Horror #8 Night of the Bog Beast, and MCC #14 Mayhem on the Magtrain. He has also done illustration work for Forbidden Games Inc. and Paradigm Concepts, Inc. and has had his artwork featured in several Adventure League modules including the 2018 Ennie Award winning module “End of the Line.”

Joe has also had the amazing opportunity to paint some of the large murals around Oak Park, Illinois. He has painted four mini murals as part of the mini mural program, including the Val’s Halla (Val Camiletti memorial) mural near the corner of South Boulevard and Oak Park Ave. He’s painted two larger murals as well, the children’s playzone mural inside the community recreation center and most recently the front of Wonder Works titled “Dream Bigger, Work Wonders.”

Joe believes that if we give people a reason to smile, we might just get to smile too and if more of us are able to smile early and smile often, we can create a world in which we lift each other up and do amazing things.