From working in a 'war zone' to eating diner food in a Mazda: 'Blues Doctor' Dan Ivankovich (Episode 73) - a podcast by James VanOsdol

This week, I'm joined by one of CNN's "Heroes of the Year," "Blues Doctor" Daniel Ivankovich. Wikipedia explains his work better than I can: He's the "leader of the Bone Squad, a group of medical professionals who treat the city's uninsured and underinsured." We visit the long-standing White Palace Grill on Roosevelt (it's been there since 1939!) for delicious diner food and a conversation that includes: *Getting the call from CNN *The bizarre transformation fo the South Loop into a home for Whole Foods and Bed, Bath and Beyond *Why he doesn't practice on Chicago's North Shore: "I probably would have slit my wrists" *His work in the "war zone" ("Chicago is home to five of the most challenged communities in America") *What would happen if he switched to the dark side: "I have paralytic agents at my disposal... I could drop you in the blink of an eye." *The worst of what he's seen *What the blues mean to him *Chicago's role in the blues *His band, Chicago Blues All-Stars (we even end the show with a full song from the band: "Mad Hatter's Blues") Note: There is infrequent coarse language in this episode.

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