Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists. Newsy stories that try to capture what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s the most popular weekly podcast in the world, and winner of the first ever Pulitzer Prize for a radio show or podcast. Hosted by Ira Glass and produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago.
…
continue reading
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
…
continue reading
The latest Chicago Bears news and analysis from the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ. Listen as we evaluate games, make predictions, provide insights and analyze the day’s big stories. Stay informed this football season with Chicago Sun-Times reporters and columnists Patrick Finley, Jason Lieser and Steve Greenberg.
…
continue reading
Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, where people who love music can come together.
…
continue reading
In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.
…
continue reading
WBEZ's Reset brings context to the latest Chicago-area news with experts, journalists and newsmakers. Want to be a connected Chicagoan in the know? Subscribe to this podcast! You can email the team behind Reset at [email protected]. Or leave us a voicemail at 888-915-9945.
…
continue reading
Chicago gangs: Real people. Real stories. A way forward. The new season of Motive explores violence on the streets of Chicago and the former gang members working to stop it.
…
continue reading
Making: Stories Without End takes you on a journey to learn about daytime soap operas and their broad reach on television.
…
continue reading
Nerdette is a weekly interview show that helps you unwind with fun conversations, inspiring ideas, and delightful recommendations. And join us every month for the Nerdette Book Club!
…
continue reading
'South Side Stories' is a celebration of the real-life people and places that inspired Comedy Central’s hit new comedy series, 'South Side.' With lots of laughs, love and plenty of real talk, 'South Side Stories' proves that what you see on the news is only a small slice of a big city. btb.
…
continue reading
Dueling theater critics Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel discuss the latest stage productions and dissect the best — and the worst — of Chicago's theater scene.
…
continue reading
'Public Official A' uncovers the rise and fall of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. How he did whatever it took to reach the top. The trail of destruction left in his wake. And how the complexities, charisma, and tragic flaws of this public official resonate today.
…
continue reading
PleasureTown is a story-based podcast told in serial form that details the history of a little-known, failed Oklahoma utopian society. The town’s history is crowdsourced, piece by piece, by the producers, collaborators and audience members. PleasureTown is created and produced by Keith Ecker and Erin Kahoa, along with the assistance of WBEZ in Chicago.
…
continue reading
Asians have long been ignored, fetishized or made the butt of the joke in America. Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast wants to put that to rest. Each week, we celebrate badass Asians who are making a mark on pop culture and entertainment. Co-hosts Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Susie An hang out with trailblazers in comedy, film, music and other fields—inviting them to reflect on their identities and redefine “sexy” on their own terms.
…
continue reading
Axios podcast host Niala Boodhoo digs deep with leaders you know — or need to know — in business, politics and culture. Every week, all in under 20 minutes. About Axios: Axios is a digital media company launched in 2017. Axios helps you become smarter, faster with news and information across politics, tech, business, media, science and the world. Subscribe to our newsletters at axios.com/newsletters and download our mobile app at axios.com/app. About Niala Boodhoo: Niala Boodhoo is the host ...
…
continue reading
Excepts from Vocalo's afternoon show hosted by Luis Antonio Perez & Shantell Jamison
…
continue reading
A four minute weekly radio comic strip. ...It's what Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne might be hotly debating as they walk into the studio -- just before they get on mic. This short radiostrip plays out in the kitchen of 11 Central Ave, the home of an extended family where a hodgepodge of other characters regularly drops in.As they rush around in the morning drinking coffee, reading the paper, looking for their shoes, they're talking about everything from the most compelling topics of our ti ...
…
continue reading
producer: Lynnea Domienik
…
continue reading

1
A league of Chicago’s Own: The other women’s pro league of the 1940s
6:37
6:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:37There was the Rockford Peaches, women’s pro baseball team of the 1940s that was celebrated in the movie "A League of Their Own." But there was also a pro softball league at the time that had Chicago fans going wild.
…
continue reading
In this bonus episode, Greg salutes the father of zydeco, an artist whose influence reaches far beyond the bayou. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.By WBEZ Chicago
…
continue reading

1
Violence Intervention Groups Aren’t Letting Trump Funding Cuts Slow Them Down
27:12
27:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:12Chicago just saw its most violent non-holiday weekend so far this summer. This comes just three months after local violence prevention groups learned the Department of Justice grants those groups depended on. Despite all that, however, community violence intervention efforts in Chicago are growing, with shootings and homicides down during the first…
…
continue reading
An extreme heat watch in Chicago goes into effect Wednesday morning. The world premiere play Billie Jean follows the rise of tennis legend and women’s rights activist Billie Jean King. And, the Cubs have dropped from first place in the National League Central. Plus, WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad has more on a couple she’s following that are seeki…
…
continue reading
Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser tackle the three biggest topics of Bears report day.
…
continue reading
While Ford City Mall in West Lawn faces demolition and going the way of many of its mall brethren, two other suburban shopping centers in the area are thriving. A “reader’s choice” report from USA Today says Oakbrook Center in the western suburbs and The Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont are among the best in the nation. Reset looks at what ma…
…
continue reading
A federal judge is imposing a two-year prison term on ComEd’s former CEO for her role in a long-running conspiracy to illegally influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is among a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling for the release of investigation files into Jeffrey Epstein. Dangerously hot condit…
…
continue reading

1
‘Cheap Food Is Dead’: Behind Rising Grocery Prices In Chicago
26:56
26:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:56An ongoing Sun-Times investigation tracking items at Jewel, Mariano’s, Target and Walmart shows most common grocery purchases cost more today in the Chicago area than they did when President Trump came into office promising lower prices. And local shoppers are struggling to keep up. Reset learns more about how Chicago residents and business owners …
…
continue reading
The story of the most commonly performed surgery, and what goes wrong with it – terribly wrong – 100,000 times a year in the United States. We’re excited to bring you the first episode of The Retrievals, Season 2, the new show from longtime This American Life producer and editor Susan Burton. It’s from Serial Productions and The New York Times. Vis…
…
continue reading
Chicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell said the company will continue to serve the city following Congress' approval of a rescissions package. Demolition of the Damen Silos is moving quickly. A pilot program to bring rat contraceptives to Lincoln Park will launch later this summer.Plus, WBEZ’s Mary Dixon talks more with Bell about the forthcoming cu…
…
continue reading
Producer: Andrea Guthmann Editor: Daniel Tucker Mixer: Micah Yason
…
continue reading
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share new music they're digging that flies under the mainstream radar, buried treasures! They also hear buried treasure picks from the production staff. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donatio…
…
continue reading
Producer: Micah Yason, Gina Montagna Editor: Dan Tucker Mixer: Micah Yason
…
continue reading
Chicagoans will gather tonight downtown for the “Good Trouble” Day of Action honoring the legacy of civil‑rights icon John Lewis. The Democratic U.S. Senators from Illinois are slamming Senate approval of a $9 billion dollar rescissions package. A statewide campaign is sounding the alarm and trying to raise funds to address homelessness. Plus, for …
…
continue reading

1
Car, bike, public transit: What’s the best way to get around town?
21:48
21:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:48What would win in a race between a car, bike and the Chicago Transit Authority? Over the past few years, Chicago has been abuzz with road construction projects. There are more protected bike lanes, pedestrian refuge islands and curb bump-outs across the city. As we learned in our last episode, that also includes the installation of miniature traffi…
…
continue reading
producer: Lynnea Domienik
…
continue reading
Ira Glass talks with longtime producer Nancy Updike about the most personal stories they have put on the radio. This is a sample of the bonus episodes we regularly release to our This American Life Partners. To gain access to all the bonus episodes AND help us keep making This American Life, join at thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners.…
…
continue reading
Chicago Police will not be able to enact so-called "snap curfews." The mother of a 13-year-old girl is suing Chicago Public Schools - accusing the district of allowing her daughter to be subjected to race-based bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is not seeking reelection but is leaving the door open t…
…
continue reading

1
Power-Hungry Data Centers Gobble Up Illinois’ Energy, Water
21:59
21:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:59Producer: Aaryan Kumar Editor: Meha Ahmad Mixer: Cianna Greaves
…
continue reading

1
The History Of Chicago’s Mecca Flats Comes Alive In Floating Museum
20:46
20:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:46Producer: Cianna Greaves Editor: Meha Ahmad Mixer: Cianna Greaves
…
continue reading

1
Who thought traffic circles were a good idea? Do we need them?
6:44
6:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:44Mini traffic circles at the intersections of residential streets might annoy drivers because they force cars to slow down. But their safety features outweigh the inconvenience.
…
continue reading
In this bonus episode, Jim adds an obscure avant-garde composition to the Desert Island Jukebox that features a brass band, a children’s choir and helium. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3d…
…
continue reading

1
Are Modular Homes The Answer To Chicago’s Housing Crisis?
26:06
26:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:06Producer: Gina Montagna Editor: Meha Ahmad Mixer: Cianna Greaves
…
continue reading
State Farm is defending a looming rate increase in homeowner insurance for 1.5 million Illinois customers. FX’s “The Bear” received 13 Emmy nominations for its third season. And, a drinking water notice has been issued for Aurora and Elgin after samples collected this year had elevated levels of lead. Plus, Chicago has more lead pipes than any othe…
…
continue reading

1
Flood Insurance Is Getting More Expensive In Illinois
15:49
15:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:49State Farm will raise home insurance premiums for new and current Illinois customers starting mid-July, saying it’s getting too expensive. In 2024, the company said it paid out more in claims than it collected in premiums. Illinois residents will see an average increase of 27%. Reset hears how this could affect residents, with Nedra Sims-Fears, exe…
…
continue reading

1
Is Chicago Ready For The Next Big Heat Wave?
18:20
18:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:20Producer: William Balk Editor: Meha Ahmad Mixer: Micah Yason
…
continue reading
A former ComEd executive convicted of falsifying business records and conspiracy is going to prison. An air quality alert is in effect for multiple counties in northwestern Illinois. And, Chicago's newest piping plover chicks now have names - Bean, El and Ferris. Plus, Food and Drink contributor Maggie Hennessy talks about restaurant reservation et…
…
continue reading

1
Health Impacts Of Extreme Heat In A Hotter World
22:04
22:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:04Producer: Lynnea Domienik Editor: Dan Tucker Mixer: Cianna Greaves
…
continue reading
When you’re the only one who can see something, sometimes it feels like you’re in on a special secret. The hard part is getting anyone to believe your secret is real. This week, people trying to show others what they see—including a woman with muscular dystrophy who believes she has the same condition as an Olympic athlete. Visit thisamericanlife.o…
…
continue reading
Producer: Andrea Guthmann Editor: Dan Tucker Mixer: Micah Yason
…
continue reading
The U.S. Department of Education said federally-funded programs cannot provide career and technical and adult education to undocumented students. The state Department of Public Health said a measles outbreak in southern Illinois is over. The Chicago Public Library added more than 400 new events this year tailored specifically for adults.Plus, Chica…
…
continue reading

1
Knowing Your Neighbors Could Save Their Life (And Yours)
25:57
25:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:57As we mark 30 years since Chicago’s deadly 1995 heat wave, we look at the way social isolation contributed to the death of hundreds of residents and what’s being done today to prevent that from happening again. Reset speaks with Carol J. Sharp, president and CEO of The Night Ministry; Jahmal Cole, CEO and founder of My Block My Hood, My City; and M…
…
continue reading