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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

City Cast Chicago

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1374Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes

NASCAR announced it will not hold a race in Chicago next year. Contributors PJ Walker and Yareni Murillo tell executive producer Simone Alicea what they think should replace it. Plus, ABC is suing over early review of broadcast licenses for stations ... more

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a forthcoming multi-billion-dollar development on the former U.S. Steel South Works site on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Over the weekend, Mayor Brandon Johnson attended a community town hall meetin... more

Last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order aiming to modernize regulations and oversight for Chicago’s data centers. He also called on the City Council to put a pause on new data center approvals and expansions. Host Jacoby Cochran an... more

YouTube

The Illinois Department of Transportation has released the most recent traffic stop data from police departments across the state. While overall traffic stops in Chicago are down, Black and Latino drivers are still three to six times more likely to b... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Bridget Todd
Host of City Cast DC
City Cast DC
Episode: ‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Chicago
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
Viral Mistry
Educator and neuroscientist
Self / City Cast Chicago segment guest
Episode: Why It’s Totally Worth Visiting Every Chicago Neighborhood
Joab Barbosa
Local urban explorer; ran through Chicago hitting neighborhoods
Independent explorer
Episode: Why It’s Totally Worth Visiting Every Chicago Neighborhood
Kenya Merritt
Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
City of Chicago / DKACE
Episode: School Board Passes Amended Budget. Plus, Vote on Park Improvements
Jake Sheridan
Tribune City Hall reporter
The Chicago Tribune
Episode: New Mayoral Candidates, More Grocery Closures, and Chicago’s Rainy Summer
Adora Namigade
Contributor on City Cast Chicago
City Cast Chicago
Episode: Your Guide to August 2026 in Chicago
Yereni Murillo
Contributor on City Cast Chicago
City Cast Chicago
Episode: Your Guide to August 2026 in Chicago

Host

Jacoby Cochran
Host of City Cast Chicago

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 752 ratings
  • 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 States4 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 States5 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 States5 months 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 an inaccurate statement that you should be able to back up.

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Many Thoughts 123
    United States7 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
#85
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#239
France/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#22
Colombia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#73
Colombia/News
Apple Podcasts
#179
Poland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#228
Norway/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Are More Young People Moving to Chicago? Plus, How To Recycle Your Electronics
Q: What are some things that are worth the money in Chicago, and any Chicago-specific examples?
The guests highlight affordable transit passes, theater subscriptions, and experiences like unique local dining and entertainment as valuable investments, emphasizing staying engaged with the city's culture and enjoying weekends without overspending.
Why Are More Young People Moving to Chicago? Plus, How To Recycle Your Electronics
Q: Pj, this week you wanted to put us on a nonprofit out in Garfield Park that's helping Chicagoans to recycle their electronics. Tell me more about this.
The nonprofit Fresh Supply opened two electronics recycling hubs on the west side to collect old devices like phones, tablets, and laptops, and their goal is to refurbish and distribute them to low income families to close the digital divide while expanding collection sites.
Why It’s Totally Worth Visiting Every Chicago Neighborhood
Q: What's your favorite neighborhood or place to show visitors in Chicago?
Each guest emphasizes different angles, from iconic museums to under-the-radar libraries and multi-neighborhood coffee quests, highlighting that Chicago's value lies in the variety and daily life across its community areas.
Can Chicago Save Save-A-Lot Stores? Plus, Safety Net Hospitals Are Struggling
Q: How did we get to this point with the Save-A-Lot stores and community reception?
City and community leaders had approved substantial funding and expected six stores to stay open into the mid-2030s; over time, financial headwinds and neighborhood pushback complicated the rollout, leading to the current uncertainty.
Can Chicago Save Save-A-Lot Stores? Plus, Safety Net Hospitals Are Struggling
Q: What is the latest here?
Yellow Banana has been asked to find a new supplier or investor as Save-A-Lot exits, with potential store closures looming unless new funding or partnerships are found.

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

Where can I find podcast stats for City Cast Chicago?

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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. Code Switch
3. On the Media
4. It's Been a Minute
5. Throughline

How many episodes of City Cast Chicago are there?

City Cast Chicago launched 5 years ago and published 1374 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?

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. Bridget Todd
2. Jane C. Hu
3. Kate Golembiewski
4. Viral Mistry
5. Joab Barbosa
6. Kenya Merritt
7. Jake Sheridan
8. Adora Namigade

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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