The longtime talk show — now in its 18th year — begins its fall season with two favorite guests, with more to come!

KATHLEEN ROONEY

Novelist/Poet/Editor, Author of the New Novel “Man Overboard!”

Kathleen Rooney is the author of five novels, including, most recently, “Man Overboard!” Kathleen is also a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, a nonprofit publisher of literary work in hybrid genres, as well as a founding member of Poems While You Wait, a team of poets and their typewriters who compose commissioned poetry on demand. She teaches creative writing and literature in the English Department at DePaul University, and her recent books also include the national best-seller “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk” and the novel “Cher Ami” and “Major Whittlesey.” “Where Are the Snows,” her latest poetry collection, was chosen by Kazim Ali for the X.J. Kennedy Prize.

ERLING WU-BOWER

Chef-Partner of Maxwells Trading, 4X James Beard Best Chef: Great Lakes Finalist

Erling Wu-Bower is Chef-Partner of Maxwells Trading and co-founder of Underscore Hospitality. Erling’s leadership in the kitchen has established him as a four-time James Beard Foundation “Best Chef: Great Lakes” Award Finalist. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree In Philosophy, Erling spent more than a decade rising through the ranks of the One Off Hospitality Group in leadership positions at avec, The Publican and Publican Quality Meats. Erling’s baseline passion is for those that work with him and the community that it takes to run a hospitality enterprise.