City Cast Chicago

City Cast

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm.

Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022

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1,360 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes1360

Newest first

Jun 11, 2021 · 14 min
After Tension, Black and Brown Unity in Chicago
Chicago has a long history of Black and brown communities coming together.
Jun 10, 2021 · 15 min
TikTok, Selfie Mirrors and Other Restaurant Gimmicks That Work
Restaurants, cafes and stores across Chicago have tapped into the influence of TikTok to stand out.
Jun 9, 2021 · 12 min
The Historic Effort to Count Chicago’s Trans Population
Research is woefully lacking on the lives of transgender people, especially when it comes to Chicago’s local trans community. But having that data is extremely important in getting resources and services to trans people. The Chicago Area Trans Survey seeks to reach 30,000 trans people in Cook County to learn about their lives. The project is being led by the Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and trans-led LGBTQ center in Hyde Park, and Northwestern University. Jacoby talks with the survey organizers about how this research can help Chicago’s trans community. Guests: Stephanie Sorka, Associate Executive Director, Brave Space Alliance Dylan Felt, Research Coordinator, NU’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing
Jun 8, 2021 · 13 min
The Fight to Replace the Irreplaceable Jesse White
Why is Secretary of State Jesse White, who runs the much reviled DMV office, so popular?
Jun 7, 2021 · 15 min
Conflict Can Be Healthy. ‘High Conflict’ Can Be Deadly.
Journalist and author Amanda Ripley discusses her latest book "High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out."
Jun 4, 2021 · 15 min
Frida Kahlo's 'Most Personal Work' Comes to Town
It’s the first time in more than 40 years that works by Mexico’s most well-known artist are on display in the Chicago area.
Jun 3, 2021 · 15 min
Chicago’s Famous Comedy Scene Can Also be Toxic
Chicago’s comedy scene is legendary. But it’s not always welcoming.
Jun 2, 2021 · 10 min
An End to ‘Quiet Rooms’ in Illinois?
New regulations come 18 months after a joint investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois showed that school staff were secluding and restraining students at astonishingly high rates.
Jun 1, 2021 · 11 min
Nerding Out at the ‘Marvel’ Exhibit
Since City Cast Chicago started, host Jacoby Cochran has wanted to go to the "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.
May 28, 2021 · 14 min
The Maps That Will Change Illinois Politics
This week, we got a peek at proposed legislative district maps. Plus, a look at other issues being debated in Springfield.
May 27, 2021 · 13 min
Chicago Photographer Captures ‘Joyful Revolution’
Photographer Vashon Jordan, Jr. has collected images from last summer in his book “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution.”
May 26, 2021 · 10 min
The Restaurant’s Short-Staffed (So Be Nice)
Restaurants in Chicago are operating again at full capacity, and after losing hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers during the pandemic, they need workers back.
May 25, 2021 · 11 min
‘Racial Battle Fatigue,” A Year After George Floyd
It’s been a year since George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, yet some activists are understandably hesitant about calling today an “anniversary.”
May 24, 2021 · 12 min
The TikTok Couple Getting ‘Black People Outside’
Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton are the couple behind the popular TikTok @black.people.outside.
May 21, 2021 · 14 min
Meet the Raptivist Shaking Up Chicago
When Bella BAHHS speaks, host Jacoby Cochran listens.
May 20, 2021 · 9 min
How to Clear Old Pot Convictions
Recreational cannabis was legalized in Illinois two years ago. But equity is still a big problem. Gov. Pritzker promised licenses for — and revenue from — recreational pot would go to Black and brown neighborhoods disproportionately affected by drug-related offenses and convictions. But the majority of licenses are currently held by white men. Meanwhile, legal groups like New Leaf Illinois work with people with pot convictions to expunge their records. We talk through the expungement process Beth Johnson from New Leaf Illinois. Guest: Beth Johnson, New Leaf Illinois; Illinois Equal Justice Foundation If you have more questions about expungement: newleafillinois.org Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
May 19, 2021 · 12 min
Chi Festivals Are Back. Is That a Good Thing?
With the announcement that Lollapalooza is coming back at full capacity, Chicago’s summer festival season seems to be coming back in full swing. This may be welcome news for some artists and festivalgoers who missed out last year because of the pandemic. But at least two local music writers are nervous about these large crowds. Guests: Leor Galil, Music Writer, Chicago Reader (@imLeor) Jessi Roti, Chicago Columnist, Audiofemme (@JessitaylorRO) Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
May 18, 2021 · 12 min
Little Museums That Show Off Chicago’s Many Cultures
The International Council of Museums has dubbed Tuesday “International Museum Day.” Chicago is home to all kinds of museums big and small, and they showcase the cultural diversity of the city. Host Jacoby Cochran recently visited several of these cultural centers, including the Haitian American Museum of Chicago on the North Side, the Ukrainian National Museum on the West Side, and the Chinese American Museum on the South Side. Links: Haitian American Museum of Chicago Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago Chinese American Museum of Chicago Chicago Cultural Alliance Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
May 17, 2021 · 11 min
A Cautious Return to Normal on 53rd Street
Host Jacoby Cochran heads to the commercial center of Hyde Park to talk to diners, shoppers, and Sunday strollers about how they’re feeling after the CDC’s new finding that masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors for fully vaccinated people. And while that was welcome news for some, others decided to stick with the plan from the last year and stay masked up.
May 14, 2021 · 12 min
The Fight to Stay A Two-Newspaper Town
On Saturday, the Chicago News Guild is hosting a rally to “Save Local News,” particularly the Chicago Tribune. The paper’s parent company is facing a takeover by Alden Global Capital, which has a reputation for gutting the newspapers it buys. Guild President and Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm explains why he thinks the deal is bad for Chicago. And we hear from Tribune reporter and guild organizer Louisa Chu about her perspective from the newsroom. Guests: Andy Grimm, Courts reporter, Chicago Sun-Times (@agrimm34) Louisa Chu, Food and Dining reporter, Chicago Tribune (@louisachu) Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

City Cast Chicago

After Tension, Black and Brown Unity in Chicago

TikTok, Selfie Mirrors and Other Restaurant Gimmicks That Work

The Historic Effort to Count Chicago’s Trans Population

The Fight to Replace the Irreplaceable Jesse White

Conflict Can Be Healthy. ‘High Conflict’ Can Be Deadly.

Frida Kahlo's 'Most Personal Work' Comes to Town

Chicago’s Famous Comedy Scene Can Also be Toxic

An End to ‘Quiet Rooms’ in Illinois?

Nerding Out at the ‘Marvel’ Exhibit

The Maps That Will Change Illinois Politics

Chicago Photographer Captures ‘Joyful Revolution’

The Restaurant’s Short-Staffed (So Be Nice)

‘Racial Battle Fatigue,” A Year After George Floyd

The TikTok Couple Getting ‘Black People Outside’

Meet the Raptivist Shaking Up Chicago

How to Clear Old Pot Convictions

Chi Festivals Are Back. Is That a Good Thing?

Little Museums That Show Off Chicago’s Many Cultures

A Cautious Return to Normal on 53rd Street

The Fight to Stay A Two-Newspaper Town