Karen Conn was recently interviewed on Tony Stang’s podcast, The Mosiac Project. Stang is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, located at 501 S. Fourth St. in downtown Springfield, and created the podcast as a means of “archiving moments of humanity.”
The conversation with Conn reflects the wider vision of The Mosaic Project, which seeks to capture the texture of life in Springfield through meaningful conversations and place-based reflection. Rather than focusing on headlines, achievements and platforms, the podcast draws out the meaning found in everyday, ordinary experiences, inviting listeners to hear the city through the voices of those who live and shaped it.
Expanding beyond the podcast, The Mosaic Project now includes other creative ventures such as A Liturgy for the City, a series that pairs local architecture with brief prayers offered by various ecclesiastic leaders and the Ampersand Concert Series – their version of the Tiny Desk Concert Series but meant for musicians in Springfield. Fittingly, the church has the honor of being the green room for the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series.
Find podcast episodes on illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in April 2-8, 2026.
