Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/crooks-nannies Informal interviews with the characters behind Chicago's underground improv comedy scene © 2026 Crooks and Nannies 54a2e773-5904-5ca9-829d-3306d95db574 yes en Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:28:43 -0500 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:29:07 -0500 https://img.transistorcdn.com/796v6Qmd8qXyXy0peoC_nyLJdC_hiH5HX7UadPmWdpU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZGI2/NWNkYTFmM2E1NTU4/OTU0OGU3YmU3YjY4/NDY2Yi5KUEc.jpg episodic Crooks and Nannies Informal interviews with the characters behind Chicago's underground improv comedy scene Informal interviews with the characters behind Chicago's underground improv comedy scene. Brendan Greeley No No 20 20 High School Muse and Mull full ccafb4f9-b1eb-416f-81dd-869f96b641e8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e53c5420 Kirsten is at the helm for this episode of the podcast. She wants to know about the high school versions of her fellow Crooks and Nannies. The crew opens up about power trips, soccer goals, impromptu speeches, fates resisted, and firewood hauled. 

]]> Kirsten is at the helm for this episode of the podcast. She wants to know about the high school versions of her fellow Crooks and Nannies. The crew opens up about power trips, soccer goals, impromptu speeches, fates resisted, and firewood hauled. 

]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:28:43 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1848 Kirsten is at the helm for this episode of the podcast. She wants to know about the high school versions of her fellow Crooks and Nannies. The crew opens up about power trips, soccer goals, impromptu speeches, fates resisted, and firewood hauled. 

]]> No 19 19 Apples and Origins full 2b1bb995-270e-43fa-8848-49b74d49e906 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4c3ee5a7 How did Crooks and Nannies form? When did Sarah befriend Kirsten? Who shared a cry during class scene work? The answers to these questions, and more, are answered on this episode. 

]]> How did Crooks and Nannies form? When did Sarah befriend Kirsten? Who shared a cry during class scene work? The answers to these questions, and more, are answered on this episode. 

]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:07:18 -0600 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1595 How did Crooks and Nannies form? When did Sarah befriend Kirsten? Who shared a cry during class scene work? The answers to these questions, and more, are answered on this episode. 

]]> No 18 18 Twi Hard full 7cc24270-28e9-4161-ab83-fd5116bfb28b https://share.transistor.fm/s/9f3e7db9 Sarah and Kirsten administer a Twilight quiz to Cullen lore novice Brendan. Erin, avowed to Team Bella, bears witness. 

]]> Sarah and Kirsten administer a Twilight quiz to Cullen lore novice Brendan. Erin, avowed to Team Bella, bears witness. 

]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:49:31 -0600 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1872 Sarah and Kirsten administer a Twilight quiz to Cullen lore novice Brendan. Erin, avowed to Team Bella, bears witness. 

]]> No 17 17 Car Trouble full 6b0e56ad-822b-40df-a60b-ec0098f6d9d4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/260d8871 Kirsten's car went missing, and her search brought her to places she'd never been. Brendan represented himself in traffic court. Dan's first car was a Crown Vic. Vaughan learned to drive a stick shift in record time. 

]]> Kirsten's car went missing, and her search brought her to places she'd never been. Brendan represented himself in traffic court. Dan's first car was a Crown Vic. Vaughan learned to drive a stick shift in record time. 

]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:31:10 -0600 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 3546 Kirsten's car went missing, and her search brought her to places she'd never been. Brendan represented himself in traffic court. Dan's first car was a Crown Vic. Vaughan learned to drive a stick shift in record time. 

]]> No 16 16 Obsession by Crooks and Nannies full 00a9a4ef-a611-430d-8a8f-f522dc2f5e0f https://share.transistor.fm/s/ec98a710 Obsessions come in many forms. For Elise, it was Michelle Kwan posters, cat traps, and laminates. Sarah spent countless hours directing and producing Sims music videos. Meanwhile, Erin was learning womanly lessons from an American Girl Doll. Kirsten remained laser-focused on providing a better life for her Webkinz.

]]> Obsessions come in many forms. For Elise, it was Michelle Kwan posters, cat traps, and laminates. Sarah spent countless hours directing and producing Sims music videos. Meanwhile, Erin was learning womanly lessons from an American Girl Doll. Kirsten remained laser-focused on providing a better life for her Webkinz.

]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:40:51 -0600 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2189 Obsessions come in many forms. For Elise, it was Michelle Kwan posters, cat traps, and laminates. Sarah spent countless hours directing and producing Sims music videos. Meanwhile, Erin was learning womanly lessons from an American Girl Doll. Kirsten remained laser-focused on providing a better life for her Webkinz.

]]> No 15 15 Thank U, Necks full ea4d0a0d-0e02-41f3-b189-d2d4c52b1e57 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9ba42dec A turkey beheading gone wrong forever haunts Vaughan's family. Sarah's Thanksgiving centers around green bean casserole, while Brendan sticks with turkey. Kirsten brings a homemade French silk pie to share with her friends. 

]]> A turkey beheading gone wrong forever haunts Vaughan's family. Sarah's Thanksgiving centers around green bean casserole, while Brendan sticks with turkey. Kirsten brings a homemade French silk pie to share with her friends. 

]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:40:00 -0600 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 3541 A turkey beheading gone wrong forever haunts Vaughan's family. Sarah's Thanksgiving centers around green bean casserole, while Brendan sticks with turkey. Kirsten brings a homemade French silk pie to share with her friends. 

]]> No 14 14 Snow Day full 39c6bc87-7462-42a3-88d5-d44d3faa69ae https://share.transistor.fm/s/0fa88d83 The first snow of the season has fallen! Brendan calls Erin and Vaughan on the telephone check on their coziness. Erin leads a discussion about fun snow day activities.

]]> The first snow of the season has fallen! Brendan calls Erin and Vaughan on the telephone check on their coziness. Erin leads a discussion about fun snow day activities.

]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:35:03 -0600 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2713 The first snow of the season has fallen! Brendan calls Erin and Vaughan on the telephone check on their coziness. Erin leads a discussion about fun snow day activities.

]]> No 13 13 Sarah's Wedding full b509e885-5ef9-4df6-825c-8bbbf200b194 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8151d19f Elise and Kirsten join Brendan to recap Crooks and Nannies trip to Gloucester, Massachusetts for Sarah and Patrick's wedding. It was a glorious event. Tears were shed, chowder was consumed, and memories were made.

]]> Elise and Kirsten join Brendan to recap Crooks and Nannies trip to Gloucester, Massachusetts for Sarah and Patrick's wedding. It was a glorious event. Tears were shed, chowder was consumed, and memories were made.

]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 21:20:51 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2708 Elise and Kirsten join Brendan to recap Crooks and Nannies trip to Gloucester, Massachusetts for Sarah and Patrick's wedding. It was a glorious event. Tears were shed, chowder was consumed, and memories were made.

]]> Yes 12 12 Scar Tissue full edd73f3e-50e7-4617-94df-9fbd39077b4b https://share.transistor.fm/s/3503e5cf Elise, Vaughan, and Brendan show off their physical scars and share the stories behind them. From burns to bald spots to bloody teeth, these injuries left a mark. Don't attempt such stunts at home.

]]> Elise, Vaughan, and Brendan show off their physical scars and share the stories behind them. From burns to bald spots to bloody teeth, these injuries left a mark. Don't attempt such stunts at home.

]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:52:43 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2078 Elise, Vaughan, and Brendan show off their physical scars and share the stories behind them. From burns to bald spots to bloody teeth, these injuries left a mark. Don't attempt such stunts at home.

]]> No 11 11 Beer Me full ec3a1d41-280a-467c-ba2a-a3c46dc56da7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/91f782b6 Welcome to the Crooks and Nannies Beerfest! Kirsten, Bryna, and Brendan sign up to take a domestic beer challenge. The featured beverages are Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra. Vaughan administers the test, and the results might jostle your Solo cup.

]]> Welcome to the Crooks and Nannies Beerfest! Kirsten, Bryna, and Brendan sign up to take a domestic beer challenge. The featured beverages are Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra. Vaughan administers the test, and the results might jostle your Solo cup.

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:19:44 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2577 Welcome to the Crooks and Nannies Beerfest! Kirsten, Bryna, and Brendan sign up to take a domestic beer challenge. The featured beverages are Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra. Vaughan administers the test, and the results might jostle your Solo cup.

]]> No 10 10 Erin's Okra Yield full 51eea94d-fcb9-47f3-a2b2-812f880a3cb6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8ee99081 Erin's gardening idol doubted her questionable okra methodology. Over the years, Erin has earned her green thumb. 90s and 2000s angst envy drives some of Erin's musical tastes. A recent pickleball showdown turned bloody. 

]]> Erin's gardening idol doubted her questionable okra methodology. Over the years, Erin has earned her green thumb. 90s and 2000s angst envy drives some of Erin's musical tastes. A recent pickleball showdown turned bloody. 

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:48:42 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1630 Erin's gardening idol doubted her questionable okra methodology. Over the years, Erin has earned her green thumb. 90s and 2000s angst envy drives some of Erin's musical tastes. A recent pickleball showdown turned bloody. 

]]> No 9 9 Growing Pains full ea012c3a-e853-45f1-8270-d428004b514f https://share.transistor.fm/s/2991e0e7 Dan finds a way to satisfy his Malort curiosity before he Vaughan and Brendan dig deep into their pasts to share random and bizarre experiences from adolescence. 

]]> Dan finds a way to satisfy his Malort curiosity before he Vaughan and Brendan dig deep into their pasts to share random and bizarre experiences from adolescence. 

]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:08:44 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2079 Dan finds a way to satisfy his Malort curiosity before he Vaughan and Brendan dig deep into their pasts to share random and bizarre experiences from adolescence. 

]]> Yes 8 8 Libra Risings full a955ef26-67fc-4037-abf8-e6a9b15ba58b https://share.transistor.fm/s/69de3c71 Sarah wows Brendan and Vaughan with in-depth readings of the twelve houses of their astrological charts. Vaughan brings an assortment of essential oils to set the proper mood.

]]> Sarah wows Brendan and Vaughan with in-depth readings of the twelve houses of their astrological charts. Vaughan brings an assortment of essential oils to set the proper mood.

]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:45:38 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2537 Sarah wows Brendan and Vaughan with in-depth readings of the twelve houses of their astrological charts. Vaughan brings an assortment of essential oils to set the proper mood.

]]> No 7 7 Brendan's Lobe Life full 06a05fd5-d0f4-4866-bbb0-544e3d4c7826 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e792a94d Sink your teeth into this episode and you'll get an earful of Brendan's Evander Holyfield moment. Also, which famous rapper did Brendan fanboy at a Halloween parade, and which iconic Chicago skyscraper was said rapper dressed up as for the occasion? 

]]> Sink your teeth into this episode and you'll get an earful of Brendan's Evander Holyfield moment. Also, which famous rapper did Brendan fanboy at a Halloween parade, and which iconic Chicago skyscraper was said rapper dressed up as for the occasion? 

]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:18:24 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 2059 Sink your teeth into this episode and you'll get an earful of Brendan's Evander Holyfield moment. Also, which famous rapper did Brendan fanboy at a Halloween parade, and which iconic Chicago skyscraper was said rapper dressed up as for the occasion? 

]]> No 6 6 Dan's Beard Maintenance full 89608295-2895-412f-8c66-11e9152b4f8c https://share.transistor.fm/s/a118f987 For those considering facial hair, Dan promises that grooming a full beard is remarkably easy. One legendary SNL sketch still bears great significance for Dan each fall. Dan gave Brendan a peppery gift which led to a uniquely Chicago experiment

]]> For those considering facial hair, Dan promises that grooming a full beard is remarkably easy. One legendary SNL sketch still bears great significance for Dan each fall. Dan gave Brendan a peppery gift which led to a uniquely Chicago experiment

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:31:05 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1385 For those considering facial hair, Dan promises that grooming a full beard is remarkably easy. One legendary SNL sketch still bears great significance for Dan each fall. Dan gave Brendan a peppery gift which led to a uniquely Chicago experiment

]]> No 5 5 Sarah's Sun Line full ebf68478-2bb3-47a1-92c4-f24c3bb5007b https://share.transistor.fm/s/e2354573 Sarah dabbles in astrocartography. Her Sun Line guided her to Chicago, with an assist from Love Is Blind. Sarah also reveals the secret to her photoshop proficiency and describes her ideal Home Goods-centric Sunday. 

]]> Sarah dabbles in astrocartography. Her Sun Line guided her to Chicago, with an assist from Love Is Blind. Sarah also reveals the secret to her photoshop proficiency and describes her ideal Home Goods-centric Sunday. 

]]> Tue, 27 May 2025 12:40:40 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1433 Sarah dabbles in astrocartography. Her Sun Line guided her to Chicago, with an assist from Love Is Blind. Sarah also reveals the secret to her photoshop proficiency and describes her ideal Home Goods-centric Sunday. 

]]> No 4 4 Elise's Game Night full 176aeacc-cdef-49e2-9bdf-77741cd6a331 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4a815282 Elise is a fan of the British game show Taskmaster, so much so that her birthday activities pay homage to the program. Elise shares hot takes on rapid-fire random things, from eels to escalators. Also, learn why you might want to abandon your gas grill for a more Icelandic grilling tradition

]]> Elise is a fan of the British game show Taskmaster, so much so that her birthday activities pay homage to the program. Elise shares hot takes on rapid-fire random things, from eels to escalators. Also, learn why you might want to abandon your gas grill for a more Icelandic grilling tradition

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 12:39:54 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1797 Elise is a fan of the British game show Taskmaster, so much so that her birthday activities pay homage to the program. Elise shares hot takes on rapid-fire random things, from eels to escalators. Also, learn why you might want to abandon your gas grill for a more Icelandic grilling tradition

]]> Yes 3 3 Bryna's Wicked Good Advice full c85a469d-0318-41ad-887d-6e9b1b5df6c7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9f308606 Heed Bryna's advice, for she'll rarely steer you wrong. On this episode, she offers recommendations on Pizza Friday dance parties, the most acceptable place to cry in public, and how a musical movie novice should prep for a viewing of Wicked. Bryna maintains faith that Chipotle will someday redeem itself for a most unwelcome change in quesadilla construction. 

]]> Heed Bryna's advice, for she'll rarely steer you wrong. On this episode, she offers recommendations on Pizza Friday dance parties, the most acceptable place to cry in public, and how a musical movie novice should prep for a viewing of Wicked. Bryna maintains faith that Chipotle will someday redeem itself for a most unwelcome change in quesadilla construction. 

]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:19:48 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1874 Heed Bryna's advice, for she'll rarely steer you wrong. On this episode, she offers recommendations on Pizza Friday dance parties, the most acceptable place to cry in public, and how a musical movie novice should prep for a viewing of Wicked. Bryna maintains faith that Chipotle will someday redeem itself for a most unwelcome change in quesadilla construction. 

]]> No 2 2 Kirsten's Happy Place full cef58e66-760e-4dd9-b32e-7b7dc2e5f431 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a1043a4c Kirsten's Chicago happy place isn't the lakefront, the 606, or even Gene's Sausage Shop (although she did bring her family to Gene's for a memorable visit.) Kirsten's off-the-radar, concrete zen garden is adjacent to a different Chicago institution, however. Also discussed: cheese curds, Taco Bell sauce packets, and Charlotte's Web

]]> Kirsten's Chicago happy place isn't the lakefront, the 606, or even Gene's Sausage Shop (although she did bring her family to Gene's for a memorable visit.) Kirsten's off-the-radar, concrete zen garden is adjacent to a different Chicago institution, however. Also discussed: cheese curds, Taco Bell sauce packets, and Charlotte's Web

]]> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:42:14 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1581 Kirsten's Chicago happy place isn't the lakefront, the 606, or even Gene's Sausage Shop (although she did bring her family to Gene's for a memorable visit.) Kirsten's off-the-radar, concrete zen garden is adjacent to a different Chicago institution, however. Also discussed: cheese curds, Taco Bell sauce packets, and Charlotte's Web

]]> No 1 1 Vaughan's Career Tournoi full 8ad932b5-1d77-45bf-a960-4b1f444b486a https://share.transistor.fm/s/095d983a Vaughan schools us on the little-known cajun horseback sport of Tournoi. Vaughan's grandfather was a Tournoi champion, and he's got the T-shirt to prove it. Thrifting on tequila might lead you towards hockey fandom, or you might find garbage in your New Trier hoodie pocket. Plus: Vaughan's big job announcement.

]]> Vaughan schools us on the little-known cajun horseback sport of Tournoi. Vaughan's grandfather was a Tournoi champion, and he's got the T-shirt to prove it. Thrifting on tequila might lead you towards hockey fandom, or you might find garbage in your New Trier hoodie pocket. Plus: Vaughan's big job announcement.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:12:47 -0500 Crooks and Nannies Crooks and Nannies 1910 Vaughan schools us on the little-known cajun horseback sport of Tournoi. Vaughan's grandfather was a Tournoi champion, and he's got the T-shirt to prove it. Thrifting on tequila might lead you towards hockey fandom, or you might find garbage in your New Trier hoodie pocket. Plus: Vaughan's big job announcement.

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