Podcast Episodes

What happened to Chinatown’s family associations?

Family associations were once the backbone of social and economic organization for Chicago’s Chinatown. Their evolution over the decades tells the history of the community.

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Is women’s pro softball here to stay?

What is it about softball?

“What is it not about softball?” replies Megan Faramio, a star pitcher for the Talons in the all-new Athletes Unlimited Softball League, or AUSL. “I can literally talk about…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

A league of Chicago’s Own: The other women’s pro league of the 1940s

There 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 …

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Car, bike, public transit: What’s the best way to get around town?

What 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, pe…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Who thought traffic circles were a good idea? Do we need them?

Mini 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.

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

The curious case of the Swami Vivekananda Way street sign

Swami Vivekananda is credited with introducing Hinduism to the West. His work earned him an honorary street sign on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, but it went missing.

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Chicago’s LGBTQ+ library is a space for people to ‘find themselves in the shelves’

Early LGBTQ+ history can be hard to find. Photos, letters, literature and other artifacts have been destroyed or hidden away, in acts of homophobia, out of a fear of repercussions, and even by wittin…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Where are the girls? A look at early lesbian nightlife in Chicago

It’s not hard to find the LGBTQ+ hangouts in Chicago these days, but at one point it was. There’s a history of lesbian nightlife that goes back more than 100 years.

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Yes, people really do win pledge drive giveaways at WBEZ

One Curious City listener was skeptical about whether real people actually win WBEZ’s pledge drive giveaways. They do. But there’s a little more to that answer. Plus, an economist who studies fundrai…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Do people actually donate cars to public radio?

An on-air spot soliciting car donations is a fixture of public radio, but do people actually donate? Yes, about 50 cars are donated a month.

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago