Podcast Episodes

Don't Just Guess. Here's a Guide to Voting for Judges.

The political lore in Chicago used to be that if you didn’t know which judges to vote for, you should just pick the most Irish-sounding name. Really, there was a study that confirmed voters did this.…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Remembering Mama Gloria

Trans activist "Mama Gloria" Allen died this week at the age of 76. To honor her memory, we're resharing our conversation with her from December.

In the early 1960s, Gloria Allen, aka Mama Gloria, was…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Demanding Safer Roads and More Trees. Plus, Iconic Lions Get a Bath!

On Sunday, hundreds gathered to march from Lincoln Square to Uptown to memorialize two young children, 2 year old Raphael “Rafi” Cardenas and 3 year old Elizabeth “Lily” Grace, who were killed in rec…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Our Love Letter to Harold's Chicken Shack: A Chi Institution

Harold’s is more than a chicken spot — It’s a Chicago institution. There are stories of NBA MVP Derrick Rose getting bottles of their famous mild sauce brought to his home. Kanye West set a music vid…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago

Pro Soccer Instead of Housing? Sounds Like Another Broken Promise

When the former ABLA Homes on the Near West Side were torn down in the 2000s, the city promised to build new housing. But 20 years later, most of the planned units haven’t been built and most familie…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago

What is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District? Hint: They’re in Your Drains

Early voting is underway for the June 28 primary. But sometimes you’re looking at a list of names, and you don’t even know what they’re running for. Host Jacoby Cochran has often felt that way lookin…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago

Jacoby and Carrie Take On Chi Trivia

In honor of the Chicago Tribune’s 175th anniversary, the paper recently put out a Chicago history quiz. (Happy birthday, Trib friends!) Of course, we wanted to put our knowledge to the test. So we as…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago

Pride at the Beach, School, and Clubs (And Not Just in June)

Happy Pride month! Host Jacoby Cochran is looking back at some key stories from the week with Chicago Reader co-publisher Tracy Baim and Block Club Chicago reporter Jake Wittich, who covers Lakeview,…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago

Paseo Boricua is Changing, But Puerto Rican Pride Remains Strong

Anyone who has ever walked by the Puerto Rican flag at Division and Western in Humboldt Park knows that Puerto Rican pride runs deep and strong in this city. The stretch known as the Paseo Boricua is…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago

A Casino is Coming to River West. But How Do Neighbors Feel?

Whether you’re for or against, a casino is coming to Chicago. The mayor and City Council have both approved a proposal from Bally’s to build a casino at the old Tribune publishing site in River West.…

Published on 3 years, 6 months ago