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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

City Cast Chicago

City Cast
Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Police Department
Chicago, United States
ICE
Data Centers
Chicago Restaurant Week
Obama Presidential Center
CTA
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Chicago City Council
Property Taxes
Bears
City Cast Chicago
O'hare Airport
Chicago Winter Weather
Chicago Bears
Structural Deficits
Illinois
Cook County

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 b... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1386Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes

As Mayor Brandon Johnson prepares to make a big announcement about his “political future” on Sunday, Sept. 13, we visited City Hall for a one-on-one interview. Thanks to the City Cast Chicago audience, we had plenty of questions to ask spanning budge... more

Former Loretto Hospital COO Anosh Ahmed was finally in federal court this week, where he pleaded not guilty to defrauding the safety-net hospital and federal government. Block Club Chicago’s Manny Ramos is here with the latest. Plus, Tatyana Najee jo... more

YouTube

Today we are joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and Leigh Giangreco to discuss the tragic mass shooting in Washington Park over the weekend, both Ye and North West performing in Chicago, and the upcoming Printers Row Lit Fest.

Good News: Fact Check... more

YouTube

An immigration judge in Chicago ordered 6 children to be deported. We break down what children are facing in Chicago immigration courtrooms. Plus, how to not get finessed when looking for parking for a Sox Game, and the world record meetups we would ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Carlos Tortolero
Program Director of Programming and Performing Arts at D-Case, Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
DCASE
Episode: Why Are Chicago Judges Deporting More Kids? Plus, Sox Parking Scam
Ghazala Ershad
Journalist, Chicagoan and founder of the Brown Line
Brown Line Chicago
Episode: Your Guide to September 2026 in Chicago
Lucia Whelan
Chicago comedian who highlighted a near-window obstruction case
Independent/Block Club involvement mentioned
Episode: Chicago’s Chaotic Immigration Court. Plus, What to Do When a Wall Blocks Your Window
Emmi Mack
Creative Producer, City Cast Chicago
City Cast Chicago
Episode: Data Center Moratorium, 'ICE Out' Pledge, and Chicago Singles Mingling
Dan Mihalopoulos
Reporter from WBEZ
WBEZ (Chicago Public Radio)
Episode: Funeral Home Under Investigation, Aspira Charter Files Bankruptcy, and Chicago Fire Heats Up
Dario Durham
Guest from 77 Flavors
77 Flavors
Episode: Let’s Play Chicago Scattergories! Plus, Moving Tips
Sara Faddah
Guest from 77 Flavors
77 Flavors
Episode: Let’s Play Chicago Scattergories! Plus, Moving Tips
Jane C. Hu
Host of City Cast Seattle
City Cast Seattle
Episode: ‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Chicago
Kate Golembiewski
Local science writer and museum professional
Field Museum
Episode: Why It’s Totally Worth Visiting Every Chicago Neighborhood

Host

Jacoby Cochran
Host of City Cast Chicago

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 756 ratings
  • Recycled Topics

    The show has gotten very repetitive. I’ve heard the same conversation around the film festivals multiple times. Haven’t heard anything on Riot Fest, Taste of Polonia, the local punk scene, the rise in country and honey tonk dancing.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    TexasToast890
    United States13 days ago
  • 5-26-2026

    Could the one guy stop saying “you know what I mean” so annoying!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    totaljive
    United States3 months ago
  • No more

    You guys focus so much on if the mayor is successful and do not talk enough about city council not doing what the city elected him for the city council gets away with being so conservative it’s pathetic and you just like the rest of the news won’t call them out

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katgeary
    United States5 months ago
  • Great but can be better

    Less Simone, she constantly interrupts and gets excited about things that aren’t remotely Chicago. More Michelle and Jacoby.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    fly1480
    United States6 months ago
  • great show

    so glad for this! Love staying plugged in and not just relying on WBEZ and SunTimes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr Hendrick
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners frequently say the show helps them stay connected with Chicago beyond traditional media.
Critiques note interruptions by a guest and seek tighter moderation.
Listeners appreciate hands-on local reporting and practical tips for civic life.
Many praise the show for staying local and offering diverse guest perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#118
Brazil/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#124
South Korea/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#159
Colombia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#217
Norway/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#242
Sweden/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ShotSpotter Replacement, Tollways Price Hike, and Crosstown Delivers Classic
Q: How does the SplitSec AI app work and what are the privacy concerns?
The app uses the phone's microphone to detect gunshot sounds and can alert users within a mile; concerns focus on surveillance, privacy, and whether the system relies on crowdsourced data to train the model.
ShotSpotter Replacement, Tollways Price Hike, and Crosstown Delivers Classic
Q: What's the latest on the gunshot-detection replacement and pilot programs?
Two aldermen have started testing a new option, SplitSec AI, with free pilot offers for all 50 aldermen; the program is two months long and currently Android-only.
Why Are Chicago Judges Deporting More Kids? Plus, Sox Parking Scam
Q: What should first-time attendees know before showing up to Millennium Park for the festival weekend?
Listeners are encouraged to expect a diverse, multi-stage activation with free performances at various venues, and to plan ahead to enjoy the full breadth of jazz programming across the city.
Why Are Chicago Judges Deporting More Kids? Plus, Sox Parking Scam
Q: What should Chicago listeners have on their radar this year regarding the Jazz Festival and related programming?
Carlos explains that the festival emphasizes free, multi-stage experiences across venues, with a Citywide Jazz Series that builds up to the main event and a free opening day at the Chicago Cultural Center, plus a strong local and touring artist presence.
Mayor Walks Quantum Tightrope. Plus, Chicago's Got Talent
Q: What is the mayor's stance on the data center aspect of the Quantum Campus, and how is it affecting community trust?
The mayor has signaled support for the Quantum campus while pushing for protections and benefits; there is ongoing tension as residents demand more transparency and a clearer plan about environmental and health impacts, particularly around water and energy usage.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About City Cast Chicago

What is City Cast Chicago about and what kind of topics does it cover?

City Cast Chicago delivers daily morning coverage focused on Chicago's local news, culture, and civic life. The show pairs a charismatic host with a rotating roster of journalists, policymakers, artists, and community voices to unpack city issues—from education funding and food access to housing, crime perception, and neighborhood events. Episodes often blend policy context with on-the-ground reporting, practical tips for residents, and calls to civic action, making it useful for listeners who want a current, city-centric pulse and actionable takeaways. A notable strength is the mix of locally grounded reporting with cross-city guest perspectives and a willingness to explore everyday city-life dilemmas through a hopeful, human lens.

The pr... more

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How many listeners does City Cast Chicago get?

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How many subscribers and views does City Cast Chicago have?

To see how many followers or subscribers City Cast Chicago has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to City Cast Chicago?

These podcasts share a similar audience with City Cast Chicago:

1. Curious City
2. Crain's Daily Gist
3. The Rundown | Chicago News
4. The Block Club Chicago Podcast
5. The Daily

How many episodes of City Cast Chicago are there?

City Cast Chicago launched 5 years ago and published 1386 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact City Cast Chicago?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for City Cast Chicago?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for City Cast Chicago from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on City Cast Chicago?

Recent guests on City Cast Chicago include:

1. Carlos Tortolero
2. Ghazala Ershad
3. Lucia Whelan
4. Emmi Mack
5. Dan Mihalopoulos
6. Dario Durham
7. Sara Faddah
8. Jane C. Hu

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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