Nora O'Donnell

History of Red Bull Lords Of The Floor breaking event

Time to Rock: The Aces

When the pandemic botched their 2020 tour plans, the Aces faced the music and went back into the studio. The result is an indie-rock gem that's their most personal album to date. The year is 2023, and these chrononauts are in a band called the Aces.

Larger than Life: Zeb Powell

Snowboarder Zeb Powell is inspiring a new generation of riders who admire his pure joy for the sport and his belief that everyone is welcome to come along for the ride.

Personal Best

With the World Championships looming, high jump phenomenon Vashti Cunningham is ready to make the leap to new heights.

Daughter of the Desert

With sand in her veins and years of training under her belt, off-road desert racer Mia Chapman is a true revelation in her sport. But her real secret weapon is something more familial.

Meet the Brave Volunteers Saving Lives in the Wilds of Iceland

WINNER: Best Single Article, 2018 Folio Awards. THE TEAM IS THE HERO: In Iceland, a team of highly trained unpaid volunteers serve as the island’s rescue crew. Individually, they are ordinary people with day jobs, but together they are what makes the country great.

The Life and Work of Street Photographer Vivian Maier

A LIFE IN SHADOW: The doc Finding Vivian Maier was nominated for a 2015 Academy Award. For Chicago magazine, I broke the story behind Vivian's life, with an exclusive interview with the family that knew her best.

Kumail Nanjiani Q&A

The comedian and Silicon Valley star talks tech and the impending robot apocalypse

A Playboy Conversation with Neil Gaiman about 'Sandman: Overture' and What Haunts His Dreams

From the moment appeared in 1989, it was clear it was a different kind of comic book series. For 75 issues, Sandman's creator, Neil Gaiman, explored a rich, mythological world where the most entrancing and terrifying dreams came to life in every panel.

Women On Top

TV sex is more realistic than ever with women running the show

Jean-Claude Van Damme Wants to Kick Ass in comedy

WINNER: Best Action Photo, 2018 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. JEAN-CLAUDE IS THE REAL DAMME DEAL: The legendary action star returns with a new secret weapon: comedy. We talk to the Muscles from Brussels about his new show on Amazon and why he's ready to crush your funny bone.

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein Q&A

Portlandia returns for another helping of homemade, fully baked comedy

Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton Takes On Sundance

Big Wave surfer Laird Hamilton surfs his way to the big screen to showcase his documentary "Take Every Wave" at Sundance Film Festival.

The Story Behind San Francisco's First Legalized DIY Skatepark

HUNTING FOR TREASURE: In the Bay Area, a few dedicated skateboarders and DIY builders are taking over derelict property and giving their underserved community the skateparks it deserves.

Natasha Lyonne Q&A

A cheeky conversation with our favorite razor-sharp actress

The Real Action Stars

Behind the scenes of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, there are the stunt performers who spend long, hard hours on set, ready to execute fantastic feats of physical power at a moment's notice. They are chameleons of fitness, capable of making the impossible possible.

The Queen of Hearts: Big Freedia

As part of a campaign to support Red Bull's Delta Region during its biggest celebration of the year—Mardi Gras—I conceptualized and produced a cover story with New Orleans's biggest opinion leader (and LBGTQ+ icon) Big Freedia.

Pamela Anderson

For Playboy's final nude issue (before they brought it back a year later), I had the honor of editing the cover story: an interview with Pamela Anderson.

Eye on the Ball: Jaylen Brown

As part of the signing of NBA star Jaylen Brown to the Red Bull family, I collaborated with our regional team to produce a Red Bulletin cover story, demonstrating alignment between the brand and Brown's advocacy.

Interview: Saweetie on fame, love, and her new album, Pretty Bitch Music

THE SAWEET LIFE: After a summer of viral hits, the breakout rapper Saweetie opens up about fame, identity, love, her new album, Pretty Bitch Music—and the work ethic that turned her desire for success into reality.

Ready to Roll: Loren Kaplan Mutch

To the doubters who still think roller derby is just a melodrama of sharp elbows and fishnet stockings, four-time world champion Loren Kaplan Mutch is here to prove you wrong.

How Red Bull dancer Angyil broke out of ballet to become one of the world's hottest freestylers

FLIPPING THE SCRIPT: Growing up in the hood in Kansas City, Red Bull dancer Angela “Angyil” McNeal escaped adversity through years of ballet training, but street dancing was where she finally expressed her voice.

How Sam Heughan Rallies His Fans to Change the World

THE INCREDIBLE GOOD FORTUNE OF SAM HEUGHAN: As his fame soars, the Scottish actor explains why he is rallying his fans to change the world — and their own lives in the process.

Pulling Through

Deep in the Alaskan wilderness, one intrepid dogsled team battles the elements and harsh terrain to preserve a hundred-year-old mountaineering tradition—the long, technical ascent up Denali.

Cuco Is Back with a New Label and a New Sound

CUCO ON THE RISE: Omar Banos is an indie-pop prodigy on the verge of mainstream fame, but last October, his career hung in the balance after a semi-trailer crashed into his tour van. Here's the story of his comeback.

Inside the Movement to Make Surfers Skilled First Responders

CRASH COURSE: Big-wave surfers aren't professional paramedics, but when something goes down in the ocean they often have a chance to save lives. Go inside the movement to make surfers skilled first responders.

The Evolution of Competitive Breaking

BREAKING GROUND: Twenty years ago, a trailblazing event in Seattle—Lords of the Floor— revolutionized competitive breakdancing. Now, with breaking set to make its Olympic debut in 2024, this is the story of how this athletic art form evolved from a fringe activity into a global phenomenon.

Inside the World's Toughest One-Day Mountain-Bike Race

SLAYING THE DRAGON: In the Eastern Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the Tour of the Dragon takes mountain-bike riders over 15,000 feet of brutal climbing in just one day—and on a journey to find their personal well-being.

Full Circle

In Chilean Patagonia, four adventurers follow in the footsteps of their heroes as they attempt a rare ski descent of a volcano surrounded by savage jungle. A new self-produced short film documents their quest for the purest of climbs.

Go behind the scenes of the Red Bull Air Force's Marfa Lights nighttime jump

BRIGHT LIGHTS: In the town of Marfa, strange lights have long attracted curious visitors from around the world, but one photographer set out to capture a different kind of flying object—the Red Bull Air Force.

Eye of the Storm

Last summer, an adventure photographer and her crew shadowed a renowned storm chaser all across the Great Plains' famed Tornado Alley in pursuit of nature's fury. Trust us, they found it.

Bikes, Booze and Burning Outhouses: On The Ground At The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

FREEDOM ON TWO WHEELS: Every year, half a million bikers descend on Sturgis, South Dakota, for the world's largest motorcycle rally. Riders find common cause at the biggest party in town, the Buffalo Chip campground, where the motto is 'you only live once.'

The Future of Entertainment

VR pioneer Danfung Dennis is creating visceral experiences that give you a firsthand look at the world's suffering, as well as it's beauty.

Ilfenesh Hadera

Actress Ilfenesh Hadera is a study in contrasts: A seasoned New Yorker who's overtly compassionate and an intimidating beauty who's refreshingly approachable.

Nitro Circus's Andy Bell Goes For A Wild Ride In The Oregon Wilderness

Known for his crazy, daredevil antics as a former member of Nitro Circus, Andy Bell gives us a driving lesson in the Oregon wilderness, reveals why he stopped performing high-risk stunts and helps a stranger tow a car out of the sand.

This Dog Makes More Money Than You

Kelly Lund brought home Loki, a puppy that would change his life. With over 1 million followers on Instagram, Lund is now a full time social media manager for his furry best friend. Kelly Lund brought home Loki, a puppy that would change his life.

Katheryn Winnick

Known for her role as a fierce shield maiden on Vikings, the actress and martial arts master keeps crushing it.

Rogue One Star Diego Luna On Staying True To Himself As An Artist

On the eve of the release of Rogue One, the Mexican actor and director Diego Luna reflects on his 30-year career and how he stays true to himself as an artist.

The Hollywood Secret You Didn't Know About John Wick, Hunger Games And Wolverine

It's been almost 20 years since Keanu Reeves bended walls in The Matrix, but thanks to a killer stunt team, the 52-year-old actor shows no signs of slowing down.

Beer And Butter Considered A High Performance Diet

We compare the diets of ORACLE TEAM USA to the diet of a Royal Navy Sailor in the 18th century. Oh how times have changed.

This Motorcycle Maven Rides 1,500 Miles A Day Like It's No Big Deal

I started modeling when I was 13 years old, and I got a lot of pushback from both sides. I always said that modeling hurt my riding career, and riding hurt my modeling career. I've modeled for every motorcycle out there, and back in the day, they only wanted me to pose on bikes.

Meet The World's Top Street Fighters

One of the world's top street fighter players comes from Compton. His mentor walked a similar path to esports success. Darryl Lewis and Alex Valle are what happens when your mom tells you to stay inside and play more Video games.

Tracktown Is The Latest Running Film You Have To See

When Tracktown premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival a few weeks ago, it was clear to the audience and to critics that it wasn't a typical sports flick. That's because its star, Alexi Pappas, was not only playing an Olympic running hopeful-she is one in real life.

How Tom Payne from "The Walking Dead" got into ass-kicking shape

The British star reveals how he prepared his body for his role in "The Walking Dead."

Stephen Amell on the Training It Takes to Become a Superhero

The Arrow star is a pro when it comes to performing physical feats on screen. Want his superhero physique? Amell breaks down what it takes to convincingly play a masked crusader.

Seize the Holiday

Edited this travel cover story that includes five endurance tests that'll get your blood pumping.

Why Aaron Eckhart is living the simple life

The serious-minded actor Aaron Eckhart explains how living the simple life gives him a greater sense of self.

Brent Bushnell Has Created The Smartest Circus You Will Ever See

Growing up, Brent Bushnell was the kid on the block with the best toys. As one of the sons of Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, Brent learned early on the joy of invention and the thrill of entrepreneurship. "Making my own games," Brent says, "that was my dream."

The Year in Sex 2015

The Year in Sex

Since the 1970s, the Year in Sex has been an annual Playboy feature.

The Year in Sex 2013

Lina Esco Q&A

The actress and activist gets some thoughts about topless equality off her chest

Dan Harmon Q&A

The Community creator on breaking in and out of Hollywood

Tiki Time

Escapism in a ceramic mug is here to stay

Foul Players

Female comedians are filthier and funnier than ever. Deal with it.

Best Summer Ever 2014

All the parties, drinks, events and random stuff you need to kick summer into high gear

Respect Your Roots

Any guy can cook a steak; chefs train their sights on the carrot. Here's how to kick it up

Hard Core

Think all hard ciders are weak and cloying? Think again. These five sophisticated bottles blow the top off of this divisive drink

Beyond Condoms

Get lost, latex. A competition to reinvent the condom produces some stimulating proposals

Playboy's Top Party Schools

Since the dawn of the great keg tap and the invention of the red Solo cup, the perfect pairing of partying and schooling has evolved into an advanced social and technological spectacle. Here are the top 10 party schools with a higher degree in modern revelry, plus a look at recent campus headlines and the apps that are changing student culture.

Playboy Forum: Porn Police

How do you force actors to wear condoms?

Six Degrees of Fermentation

More celebs than ever are in the business of making booze. Our somewhat scientific breakdown of how they're all connected

Green Awards

In 2006, I cofounded Chicago magazine's Green Awards, an annual feature that honors innovators in environmentalism. The feature won a CRMA award for community service in 2009.

Fall Fashion

As the editor of Chicago magazine's fashion coverage, I traveled to China with fashion director Stacy Jones and photographer Brian Doben for a shoot on the streets of Shanghai.

Chicago's secret photographer: Vivian Maier

The streets of Chicago have been documented by many famous photographers, including Art Shay and Harry Callahan. But during the 1950s and '60s, another shutterbug was busy at work. Vivian Maier was a nanny in Chicago's northern suburbs.

You Should Know ... Eighth Blackbird

Profile on the three-time Grammy-winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird

The Long Road Home: Q&A with Laurie Anderson

Art rocker, spoken-word maven, and Glen Ellyn native Laurie Anderson blends strings, electronica, and technological theatrics in her latest work, Homeland.

On opera's rising star Andriana Chuchman

Inside the Mind of Philip Glass

It's been nearly 60 years since the celebrated experimental composer Philip Glass left his home in Baltimore at age 15 to attend the University of Chicago. "That experience has empowered me my whole life," he says.

Choose Your Own Summer Adventure

My opener to this summer guide, a loving homage to the Choose Your Own Adventure books, was so dead-on that their publisher threatened to sue us. (It never made it to court!)

Fall Travel 2010: Traverse City and The Sleeping Bear Dunes

For a memorable time on the Michigan shore, pair notable restaurants worthy of a big city with towering dunes out of a sci-fi novel

Rufus Wainwright Talks Opera, Shakespeare

Rufus Wainwright is a tough man to pin down. Even before his first opera, Prima Donna, in 2009, the New York-based singer-songwriter, 37, conjured a mystical blend of folk, pop, and Gilbert and Sullivan pomp.

2012 Green Awards

Chicago's 36 Best Local Craft Beers

Coauthored/edited this 2011 cover story about the best beers in Chicago

The Inventor

In 1965, a young and impressionable engineering student at Michigan State University listened to the visionary architect and inventor Buckminster Fuller give a speech on how technology could, more or less, solve the world's problems. The student was Bil Becker, and the speech changed his life.

The Spokesman

Howard Learner may be soft-spoken, but he doesn't skimp on the details. Ask him to name his proudest environmental achievement, and without pause, he'll happily name two: cleaner energy and reducing mercury pollution in Illinois.

The Soprano

n the early 1990s, Nicole Cabell dropped out of her high-school marching band and went looking for something more. She found it, mixed among her mother's album collection of Broadway standards, Joni Mitchell, and the Doors: a cassette tape of the opera great Dame Kiri Te Kanawa singing "Vissi d'arte" from Puccini's Tosca.

How Authentic is 'Transparent?' A Transgender Activist on Jeffrey Tambor and Other Portrayals

There are many reasons why you should be watching Amazon's "Transparent," but is it the best transgender depiction on television? Indiewire chatted with activist and writer Jen Richards, the co-director of the Trans 100 and creator of the website We Happy Trans, about her take on Jeffrey Tambor's performance, the transgender roles that speak most to her, and which upcoming shows she's most (and least) excited about.

SXSW: The 5 Best Things We Learned From 'Boyhood" Post-Production Team

SXSW: The 5 Best Things We Learned From 'Boyhood'' Post-Production Team "Twelve years went by like that," said "Boyhood" editor Sandra Adair with a snap of her fingers. The end result of the Oscar-nominated film appears seamless, but for Adair and her colleagues, the process was unprecedented.

Insider Guide: Best of Chicago

From the restaurant where the Obamas eat to the clubs that make America laugh, welcome to the biggest small town in the States

9 classic U.S. dive bars

What makes a classic dive bar? Is it the sticky floors or the peanut shells? The killer juke box? The heady aroma of stale beer and the haze of a million cigarettes? (In some states, anyway.) These are all things that are worth debating, and we welcome you to disagree with the picks below.