Pull up a chair. The mic's open.
The Lake Forest Podcast is your virtual public house — a weekly hangout where neighbors pull up a chair and talk about what's really going on in 60045. No journalists. No fact-checkers. No spin. Just real talk, humor, and the occasional strong opinion.
We document. You decide.
Content may include adult themes and strong language. Intended for mature audiences. Opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes and do not represent professional advice. Managed by Pete Jansons.
Let's keep the spirit of Lake Forest lively and laughing.
Pulling shifts at the virtual public house
Head Bartender
Pete Jansons is the founder and host of the Lake Forest Podcast — the guy who opens the door, pours the drinks, and keeps the conversation moving. He started the show after joining the Lake Forest Caucus as a volunteer, where he saw an opportunity to help school board candidates get exposure. He interviewed them all, hit record, and never stopped. When the Caucus gave him an ultimatum — the board room or the mic — he chose the mic without hesitation. He's never looked back. Pete believes he has more influence behind a microphone than behind any board room door, and his mission is simple: leave Lake Forest more transparent than he found it. He also produces NeuroNoodle, HogPod, and SAASholes, and brings 20 years of business and technology experience to everything he touches.
On Shift
Jeff Urso is a Lake Forest native, restaurateur, and co-host of the Lake Forest Podcast. He owns Donati's Pizza and Duffer's Pub in Lake Forest and Bratski's in Lake Bluff, with a new Irish pub, Hatricks, coming to Mundelein. A former Shields Township board member, Jeff's mission is simple: make a meaningful impact in his community through food, conversation, and showing up. In early 2026, Jeff was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. Rather than step back, he launched Puck Cancer — a fundraising campaign benefiting Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Because if kids can fight it, so can he.
On Shift
Paul "Skoo" Walker is a lifelong Lake Forest resident, Lake Forest High School grad, and Indiana University alum with 30+ years of insurance and financial services expertise. He and his wife Pam co-own Dakota Insurance Group, an independent agency serving Chicagoland and the Midwest since 2011. Skoo is a member of LEAD, serves on the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board, and is the voice you hear announcing Lake Forest High School football and basketball games. He's also a proud supporter of Autism Speaks.
On Shift
Joe Weiss brings a career's worth of civic experience to the public house. A former Village Trustee in Morton Grove, two-term school board member, and veteran of four Illinois Governor administrations, Joe has spent decades in the rooms where local decisions get made. He managed a team of 80 state employees and worked alongside figures including the late Judy Baar Topinka. Recently elected to the Lake Forest Third Ward Caucus, Joe now serves his new community in an official capacity — which means you'll see him around 60045, just not always at the mic.
On Shift
Susan Garrett spent a decade representing Lake Forest in Springfield — first in the Illinois House, then as State Senator for the 29th District from 2003 to 2013. A Lake Forest College grad and longtime Lake Forest resident, Susan brings firsthand knowledge of how state and local government actually works to every conversation at the public house. When the topic turns to civic process, redistricting, or ethics reform, she's been in that room.
On Shift
Philippe Melin is a strategic advisor, campaign veteran, and Lake Forest parent with 15+ years navigating complex political and policy environments. As Chief Strategy Officer of Parents Care, he's on the front lines of school oversight in Lake Forest — pushing for transparency, fiscal accountability, and academic standards in District 67 and beyond. When the topic turns to education, school board politics, or how institutions make decisions, Philippe has already mapped the terrain.
On Shift
Lori Fitzgerald is a Lake Forest Academy alum who came back to 60045 in 2015 to raise her three kids in the same community she grew up in. A Lehigh University grad with 15 years in IT infrastructure consulting, she's worked on large-scale projects for the State of Illinois and Chicago Public Schools. Elected to the D67 School Board, Lori brings a data-driven, accountability-first lens to local education. She's also completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors and is a passionate advocate for girls in STEM.
Jeff Urso was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia in February 2026. His response? Raise $10,000 for kids fighting cancer.
Grab a $20 Puck Cancer T-shirt — 100% of proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital. Every shirt makes a difference.
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See something shady at City Hall? Know something the city doesn't want you to know? Heard something at the coffee shop? Tell us. We document. You decide.