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City Cast Chicago

City Cast
Chicago
Chicago, United States
Chicago Public Schools
Data Centers
CTA
Chicago Police Department
Illinois
Madison
Route 66
City Cast Chicago
Gospel Music
Brandon Johnson
City Of Chicago
Chicago Restaurant Week
Black Panther Party
Chicago School Board Election
Open House Chicago
Chicago City Council
Property Taxes
Thomas Dorsey

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1431Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has way more money than any other Chicago mayoral candidate — so why is he aligning himself with one of the City Council's most controversial alders? Contributors Anna DeShawn and Al Scorch break down his recent ... more

Two months ago, White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia released mockups for a new ballpark he hopes to build in the South Loop. The plan assumes that Amtrak will relocate its current maintenance facility two miles south to Bridgeport and Chinatown. N... more

The Infatuation just dropped its Best New Restaurants of 2026, and All Well, Bar Tutto, and others made the list. Adrian Kane and John Ringor talk about Chicago’s winners, from a Hawaiian lunch counter in a Loop parking garage to a $150 duck in Linco... more

Despite positive early signs, Chicago’s voter turnout may not surpass the 46% in the 2022 midterm election. NABJ’s Brandon Pope and Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed discuss what contributed to this year’s numbers. Plus, Roseland Community Hospital fi... more

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Recent Guests

Atavia Reed
Reporter at Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Why Were Chicago Voters Waiting Hours? Plus, Roseland Hospital Files For Bankruptcy
Brandon Pope
President of the National Association of Black Journalists, Chicago Chapter
National Association of Black Journalists, Chicago Chapter
Episode: Why Were Chicago Voters Waiting Hours? Plus, Roseland Hospital Files For Bankruptcy
Heather Cherone
WTTW reporter covering Chicago news and local government
WTTW
Episode: Why Does Chicago Police Keep Going Over Budget? Plus, New Gunshot Detection Pilot
Simone Alicea
City Cast project manager
City Cast Chicago
Episode: It's Election Day! Plus, Taste Tossed 800 pounds of Unsafe Food
Michelle Navarro
Interim executive producer
City Cast Chicago
Episode: It's Election Day! Plus, Taste Tossed 800 pounds of Unsafe Food
Leigh Giangreco
City Cast Chicago contributor and political reporter
Episode: Why Lt. Gov Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought. Plus, a South Side Teen Lounge
Ghazala Irshad
Journalist and founder of Brownline Media Company
Brownline Media Company
Episode: Your Guide to November 2026 in Chicago
Terry Mattson
CEO and president of Galena Country Tourism
Galena Country Tourism
Episode: Your Guide to November 2026 in Chicago
Sasha Ann-Simons
Host of In the Loop with Sasha Ann-Simons at WBEZ
WBEZ
Episode: Who Wants to Be the Next Mayor of Chicago?

Host

Jacoby Cochran
Chicago journalist covering local news, culture and civic life

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 762 ratings
  • Local, inclusive, nitty-gritty neighborhood news

    Big fan of this quick, wide-ranging, local news podcast. They are smart, warm, authentic, and charming, particularly host Jacoby Cochran. Please never go away! Thank you.

    ps: if you’re looking to be recommended the Oprah Winfrey podcast on a daily basis, this is the show for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Matt Gee in Chicago
    United Statesa month ago
  • A blind spot

    How is Israel “imperial in nature” (heard on the 1/29/26 episode)? What is the empire you are referring to?

    I like this podcast for its local coverage but I have noticed on the rare occasion whenever something related to Israel/antisemitism comes up the host reveals a glaring ignorance. Of course you can criticize Israel, but saying in passing that it’s “imperial” is a statement that you should be able to back up.

    Similarly, when you dismiss the IHRA definition of antisemitism as being overly ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ihavethoughts123
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States3 months ago
  • 5-26-2026

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

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    totaljive
    United States6 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 States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the useful daily briefing on Chicago news, civic issues, neighborhood events and local culture.
Listeners praise Jacoby Cochran's warm, engaging hosting and the conversational chemistry among contributors.
Some listeners find recurring topics repetitive and would like more coverage of a broader range of local scenes and issues.
Listeners value the local expertise and practical recommendations, and some note concerns about ads, repeated episodes or feed cross-promotion.
A few reviews criticize uneven handling of politically sensitive subjects and occasional interruptions or distracting speech habits.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#80
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#172
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#130
South Korea/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#147
Ireland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#163
Sweden/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#175
Poland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Lt. Gov Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought. Plus, a South Side Teen Lounge
Q: Why is this lounge in particular so interesting to folks?
The proposed Parke Teen Lounge would provide a much-needed, welcoming third place for teenagers, especially on the South Side. It is planned as an informal social space with a café, lounge, art gallery, food and mental health support.
Why Lt. Gov Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought. Plus, a South Side Teen Lounge
Q: Why is the lieutenant governor's race drawing more attention than usual?
If JB Pritzker runs for president and wins, the lieutenant governor would become governor. That possibility, along with the office's potential role in candidates' political futures, has brought greater scrutiny to the race.
It's Election Day! Plus, Taste Tossed 800 pounds of Unsafe Food
Q: Based on the Chicago Department of Public Health and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events report, were all 81 vendors up to date on their inspections and have a pass on file?
No. Fewer than half of the vendors met the requirement to have a qualifying inspection within six months of the festival application.
It's Election Day! Plus, Taste Tossed 800 pounds of Unsafe Food
Q: If I am preparing to go vote today, what is the most important thing I need to be thinking about before I even get in the building?
Check registration first. Same-day registration is available at local polling places with two forms of identification, and voters should plan for long lines.
Here’s Who Won the Midterm Elections
Q: How did the people who want the mayor's job fare in their elections?
Alexi Giannoulias won the Secretary of State race with about 65 percent, Mike Quigley won his congressional race with 75 percent, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas won unopposed. All remain in office while pursuing the mayoralty.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About City Cast Chicago

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

Daily conversations connect Chicago's civic life, local news and culture with the people shaping the city. Jacoby Cochran anchors the coverage, joined by rotating contributors and reporters from local newsrooms, community organizations and public agencies. Topics range from city and state elections, budgets, housing, public health and transit to neighborhood events, arts, food and local history. Interviews with journalists bring context to policy and politics, while practical guides and lighter cultural conversations help listeners find ways to take part in city life. The mix of accountability reporting and neighborhood recommendations is especially useful for people who want a regular, accessible briefing on Chicago, not just national head... more

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How many listeners does City Cast Chicago get?

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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. Code Switch
3. Political Gabfest
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. The Daily

How many episodes of City Cast Chicago are there?

City Cast Chicago launched 6 years ago and published 1431 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?

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

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What guests have appeared on City Cast Chicago?

Recent guests on City Cast Chicago include:

1. Atavia Reed
2. Brandon Pope
3. Heather Cherone
4. Simone Alicea
5. Michelle Navarro
6. Leigh Giangreco
7. Ghazala Irshad
8. Terry Mattson

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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