Midwest Grit, Heartfelt Grief, and the Soul Behind His Newest project: "Guess What? I Love You" with Mike Maimone
Out Loud & Laughing by Bryan Ruiz and Jon Ruiz
Episode notes
Most people think grief and heartbreak are just scars — but what if they could be the blueprint for a soulful rebirth? Mike Maimone shares how navigating loss transformed his music, revealing an unfiltered, intimate perspective on love, healing, and resilience. In this heartfelt conversation, he takes us beyond the stage and into the private moments that shaped his latest album and book, Guess What? I Love You — a tribute to his late husband, Howard Bragman.
Discover how a near-death experience prompted Mike to leave behind a corporate career for the raw, unpredictable world of music. He talks Chicago’s gritty scene, the importance of community, and why embracing vulnerability became his greatest strength. You'll hear about the funny and profound stories that helped him process grief, from learning to laugh at life's darkest moment ...