Spilling the Village Tea

Latest Episodes:

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in Dupage County Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Spilling the Village Tea, Dr. Duong "Tony" Nguyen, Chief Medical Officer of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), details the purpose why a couple hundred Dupage County residents have been invited via mail to participate in the survey. The operation has been set up in Burr Ridge this October and Dr. Nguyen explains various testing and how the results are used to improve the health of all!

Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

On whatever platform you listen, please follow us and rate us so the platforms will offer our podcast to others like you who care about local government!

Thank you for listening!

November 2026 Ballot Intiative: 708 for Downers Grove Township with Debbie Hare and Mike Murray Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Hello Villagers! In our continued efforts to prepare for the November 2026 election, this episode targets those of you in the Downers Grove Township which includes: east of County Line Road, west to Woodward Ave., north to 39th Street and south to to the I & M Canal which means not all of Downers Grove is within the boundaries. Westmont and Darien are within the boundaries while parts of Woodridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook and Lemont are also within the boundaries. 708 for Downers Grove Township will be on the ballot for thosewithin the boundaries listed above and here is an opportunity to learn more about it. A 708 Board, also known as aCommunity Mental Health Board, provides essential mental health, intellectual, developmental, and substance use disorder support services. It is funded locally and managed by experienced community members. Downers Grove Township is the only township in Dupage County that does not have a 708 board currently and that is what brings Debbie Hare and Mike Murray onto the podcast! They will tell you what you need to know or you may attend an event Wednesday, September 16, from 7-8:30 pm at the Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien to learn more about this important initiativeon the November ballot.

Links:

https://www.advocatefor708.org/downers-grove-landing-page

https://www.facebook.com/708forDownersGroveTownship/

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Follow us on Instagram at SpillingTheVillageTea_podcast and on Facebook at Spilling the Village Tea. On whatever platform you listen, please follow us and rate us so the platforms will offer our podcast to others like you who care about local government!

Thank you for listening!

Introducing Digital Democracy with Travis Misurell of FiNC, Future is Now Coalition Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Hello Villagers! This episode features Travis Misurell, founder of the Future is Now Coalition (FiNC). Travis has been concerned about issues many Americans are also concerned about and he identifies it thusly: "right now, big money and party gatekeepers control who you are even allowed to vote for. You're stuck choosing between two pre-approved options and hoping one is slightly less bad." FiNC is building a new civic infrastructure, owned by citizens, where every candidate gets a fair shot. The goal is that citizens can find leaders they feel truly represent them. Listen to the many facets of this digital democracy: politician report cards, candidate matchmaker, changing the lens from "Left vs Right" to Up or Down, and the role of media.

Links:

www.futureis.org

hub.futureis.org

https://discord.com/invite/yFNB2XqWtA

https://www.youtube.com/@FutureIsOrg

https://www.facebook.com/FutureIsOrg

https://www.instagram.com/FutureIsOrg

https://www.tiktok.com/@FutureIsOrg

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin

Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook at Spilling the Village Tea and Instagram at SpillingTheVillageTea_podcast. On whatever platform you listen, please let that platform know you enjoyed our podcast with likes or stars, and follow us officially through that platform!

Thank you for listening!

Christopher Espinoza, Primary Candidate for Dupage County Board Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Hello Villagers! Sitting board member Christopher Espinozaupdates us on his experiences serving on District 99 School Board and dives into why he is now running for the Dupage County Board. This is your chance to get to know your candidate better! He references his experience growing up in Downers Grove and how it shapes what he brings to the table. There will be a link to our previous episode where he goes deeper into his history for those who may want the deeper dive.

My apologies that as host of the Spilling the Village Tea, I had life circumstances limiting my time so I did not pursue the wide variety of primary candidates who are working hardto get the chance to serve their communities.

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspinozaforDuPage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espinozafordupage

Website: www.espinozafordupage.com

Spotify episode from 2025 featuringEspinoza candidancy for District 99 School Board

https://open.spotify.com/episode/562rInVMlWAAeEGwZxzpXN?si=S3hRI-QCR1mM1vHcIIABRw

Here are the links to the PoliticalIntegrity Project & Stocking the Capitol

Political Integrity Project: https://www.instagram.com/politicalintegrity.us/

https://www.instagram.com/stocking_the_capitol/

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin

Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening!

Green Energy and Sustainability Intiatives of the Dupage County Forest Preserve District with President Daniel Hebreard Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

You know how people comment that a duck moves so smoothly, like gliding on the surface of the water yet underneath it is paddling madly? That is how I feel about the forest preserve district. So much serenity and beauty when out on the trails but there is so much going on under the surface and Forest Preserve District of Dupage County president, Daniel Hebreard covers so many particulars of thesuccesses and plans for Green Energy and Sustainability Intitiatives. Want to hear about local endangered speciesand medical care for injured wildlife? Done! Do you want to hear about renewable electricity, solar hot water, a green fleet and the net zero Wildlife Conservation Center? Got that covered too! We have river restoration and landfill sustainability with a suggestion of what to order at the Greenway Table and Tap!

Links:

https://www.dupageforest.org/

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening!

Introducing "Disclosure", A New Podcast with Matthew Topic and Jason Leopold Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Villagers, have I got something for you! Spilling the VillageTea is thrilled to have Matthew Topic (President of the Downers Grove Public Library Board) tell us all about his new podcast “Disclosure”. Outside of his service to the community, Matt is a lawyer specializing in AI and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and he has partnered with journalist Jason Leopold exploring the world of FOIA for all of us listeners. I know we are going to learn a LOT and am excited to hear the fascinating stories of what they have encountered through the years. Please be sure to listen to “Disclosure” on your podcast platform of choice!

Links:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3EJCObpztK6octVEsxGx2W?si=ab6dcb7ee31e4b63 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disclosure/id1847986591
Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook at Spilling the Village Tea and Instagram at SpillingTheVillageTea_podcast. On whatever platform you listen, please let that platform know youenjoyed our podcast with likes or stars, and follow us officially through that platform!

Thank you for listening!

Ghost Stories in Your Neighborhood - Halloween 2025 Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

You know what, Villagers? It happens. It happens much more than you think. People have strange, unexplained things happen to them. This collection of stories are from people in my social circles, all but one from Downers Grove specifically. No Amityville Horrors by any means, but if you haven't heard stories like this in person, take a listen and consider.....are things happening to you too and you dismissed? Or thought you were crazy? All these happened to people just like you and you probably don't even realize it since they aren't dressed like Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice. Lululemon hides this but not much else!

Enjoy some spooky tales and my cosmic thoughts about it all!

Links:

https://dgnomega.org/14190/arts/the-downers-ghosts-in-the-groveyard/

https://illuminatingthefoolsmirror.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/when-the-veil-thins-why-halloween-falls-on-october-31st/

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening!

More Spooky Season with Paul Schmidt, founder of The Illinois Paranormalist Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Hey Villagers! Do you have things that go bump in the night in your house? Are you seeing things when you pass by the cemetery? Why is that doll you placed on the shelf looking at the wall now?! Who you gonna call to help? Paul Schmidt of The Illinois Paranormalist (TIP) of course! You may have watched Ghostbusters or Ghosthunters but TIP is Glen Ellyn's very own "go to" if you want to gather evidence of a haunting. Take a listen to Paul's story and how paranormal investigations work!

Links:

www.theillinoisparanormalists.com

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by RobinRutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening!

Celebrating Spooky Season with Deidre Como, Psychic Medium Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

It’s spooky season, Villagers! Halloween is days away as well as the Day of the Dead and then the time change! Spilling the Village Tea is bringing on the paranormal of it all with guest Deidre Como. Deidre is a psychic medium and we will bring light to what some deem dark subjects when really it is about those who have passed before us who still have connections with us from the beyond!

Please take a listen and join her live event on October 29, 2025 (Wednesday) at Flapjack Brewery in Berwyn. See the links for more information!

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17UjjT3Dy2/

www.soulscapesreadings.com

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by Robin Rutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook at Spilling the Village Tea andInstagram at SpillingTheVillageTea_podcast. On whatever platform you listen, please let that platform know you enjoyed our podcast with likes or stars, and follow us officially through that platform!

Thank you for listening!

Closing the Book on the Ad Hoc Downers Grove Public Library Board with President Matt Topic Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

I know you want to know, Villagers....I wanted to know! Board President Matt Topic joined Spilling the Village Tea to give us the summary on the conclusions of the ad hoc board studying whether the Downers Grove Public Library should remain as is or convert to a library district. In addition, Topic illuminates other undertakings the board is working on and as always, more enlightenment on AI as that blends his professional life with his service to his community life and is now part of all our lives too!

Links:

https://dglibrary.org/board/

https://www.downers.us/joint-ad-hoc-committee-of-the-village-council-and-library-board-of-trustees

Thanks to the media lab at the Downers Grove PublicLibrary.

Our logo was designed by Qwurk Communications.

Spilling the Village Tea is hosted and created by RobinRutkowski and edited by Jay Wadhwa.

You can email us at SpillingTheVillageTea@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook at Spilling the Village Tea andInstagram at SpillingTheVillageTea_podcast. On whatever platform you listen, please let that platform know youenjoyed our podcast with likes or stars, and follow us officially through that platform!

Thank you for listening!

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