This One Time in Kankakee
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About This Podcast
This One Time in Kankakee is a storytelling podcast from the new WVLI Podcast Network, hosted by Jake LaMore. Each episode shines a light on the weird, wild, and unforgettable moments that make Kankakee County, IL what it is. These are short, punchy episodes where everyday people share true stories from their lives—funny childhood memories, creepy encounters, embarrassing slip-ups, or heartwarming experiences that stick with you forever.
Think of it as a collection of the kinds of stories you’d hear at a family gathering, on a front porch, or sitting around a campfire—but rooted right here in the Kankakee, Illinois area. Each episode is quick to listen to, but long to remember.
Whether you grew up here, just moved to town, or are simply curious about life in this corner of Illinois, This One Time in Kankakee is a way to connect through laughter, chills, and nostalgia. Real locals. Real stories. Always memorable.
Have an unbelievable local story to share? Email [email protected] to submit your story for consideration.
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Recent Episodes
"I literally ran myself over with a van."
In this narrative episode of This One Time in Kankakee, we travel out to Hopkins Park, Illinois, to meet military veteran Jake Lee. On Mother’s Day weekend in 1991, a mischievous afternoon inside the…
BONUS: "Bodybuilding brought me back to life."
"This one time in Kankakee... bodybuilding brought me back to life."In this gripping bonus episode of This One Time in Kankakee, Kaelin Patterson shares the most harrowing chapter of his life. On…
"We raised over half a million dollars for an inclusive playground in less than a year."
What happens when a single viral video transforms a devastating rare medical diagnosis into a half-million-dollar community miracle?In this feature-length episode of This One Time in Kankakee, host…
"The courthouse burned to the ground."
This episode of This One Time in Kankakee explores a pivotal moment in local history: the October 1872 fire that destroyed the county's first permanent courthouse. Drawing on historical research by…
BONUS: "I knew a Fitness Godfather."
What makes a gym more than just a place to sweat? In this special bonus episode of This One Time in Kankakee, Kaelin Patterson shares the story of Ken Castongia—known to the "Morning Crew" at Fit…
"I was held up at gunpoint by the Pizza Bandit."
In the summer of 1997, Tom Klonowski was in his mid-twenties and just starting his journey as the owner of Pizza by Marchellonis in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It was a Friday night in August when a…
"I locked myself out of the radio station."
On this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, host Jake LaMore turns the microphone on himself to share a hilarious and humbling "rookie mistake" from his early days in broadcasting.Travel back to…
BONUS: "I helped with the search and rescue in one of the most famous train wrecks in county history."
In this special bonus episode of This One Time in Kankakee, host Jake LaMore sits down with Navy veteran Kaelin Patterson for a raw, verbatim account of the 1999 Bourbonnais Amtrak crash.On March 15,…
"I raised over $100,000 for my Eagle Scout project."
What does it take for a 14-year-old girl to raise over $100,000 for her community? In this deeply moving episode of This One Time in Kankakee, we sit down with Alexis McCullough and her mother,…
"I Went to Jail for Hunting."
“This one time in Kankakee... I went to jail for hunting.”In 1959, Lou Perakis was a seventeen-year-old Greek immigrant living on the South Side of Chicago. When his older brother, John, decided to…
"I was on national news to discuss the autopsy findings of Mr. George Floyd."
In this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, we sit down with Dr. Kalisha Hill, the Chief Medical Officer at Saint Mary’s Hospital. While many know her as a local healthcare leader, Dr. Hill stepped…
"A city police officer staged one of the largest armed robberies in the history of the county."
On a Saturday at noon in September 1966, Kankakee experienced a crime that felt like it was ripped from a Hollywood noir film. A gunman ambushed an armored car driver in an alleyway, abducted him,…
"My band turned an Aaron Carter concert into a TMZ headline."
What really happened the night pop star Aaron Carter got into a brawl at a dive bar in Bradley, Illinois?In this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, Jake LaMore sits down with local artist and…
"We counted down the 3 most listened to episodes of 2025."
We launched This One Time in Kankakee on the WVLI Podcast Network in October 2025, and the stories have been nothing short of wild. In this year-end recap, host Jake LaMore cracks open the vault to…
"I planned a flash mob on the courthouse lawn."
Jeff Cross isn’t usually a planner. But for his 30th wedding anniversary, he decided to go big. In this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, we hear the incredible true story of how a 1990s…
"I covered my car completely in duct tape."
It was the winter of 2001. The muffler had just fallen off, and the rust was setting in. But Nick Stalnos wasn't ready to give up on his 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. Instead, he grabbed his…
"My son, Mads Pomranky, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia."
What began as a routine trip to the pediatrician at Riverside Hospital quickly turned into a life-altering journey for the Pomranky family. In this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, host Jake…
"The Village of Bonfield Banned Rhummy."
In the dead of winter 1938, the tiny village of Bonfield, Illinois, made national news for a bizarre reason: it banned the card game Rhummy. On this episode of "This One Time in Kankakee," discover…
Preview: "The Village of Bonfield Banned Rhummy." Episode Out Nov. 3rd
A short preview of what's to come on the next episode of This One Time in Kankakee. Believe it or not, the card game rummy or rhummy was once banned in the Village of Bonfield. Listen to the full…
"Jennifer Hudson came to see our musical."
What happens when an EGOT winner and Chicago legend unexpectedly shows up to your community theater rehearsal? On this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, we hear the incredible true story from…
Frequently Asked Questions
This One Time in Kankakee has published 24 episodes since October 2025, covering topics in Documentary, History.
This One Time in Kankakee is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 14m.
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