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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

City Cast Chicago

City Cast
Chicago
Bring Chicago Home
Cook County State's Attorney
Illinois
Onions
Women's History Month
Reparations
Speakeasies
Supper Clubs
Kim Foxx
Governor Pritzker
Maternal Mortality Rates
St. Patrick's Day
Jibarito
Chicago School Board
Eileen O'neill Burke
Restorative Justice
Clayton Harris III
Medical Debt
The Field Museum

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1272Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes

The Chicago school board seems to have its pick for ⁠permanent CPS CEO⁠, finally… and it’s interim CEO Macquline King. Ahead of the board’s meeting this morning, host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea take us through how we got here... more

More affordable housing is needed in places like Chicago. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by s... more

The Chicago Police Department has been under a federal consent decree, required to “change the way it trains, supervises and disciplines officers,” for seven years. Since it was introduced, CPD has reached ⁠full compliance with just 22%⁠ of mandates ... more

Alpha Academy, a private school that operates teacherless classrooms with AI-developed lesson plans and curricula, is coming to Chicago next fall. And we have questions and thoughts. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down... more

Key Facts

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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

Manny Ramos
Investigative reporter for Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Mayor Walks Back ICE Order. Plus, West Side Hospital Closing
David Plotz
CEO of City Cast, host of the Political Gab Fest
City Cast / Slate
Episode: AI School Coming to Chicago and Delivery Robots Are Crashing Out
Nicole Garten
The Other Art Fair's global fair director
The Other Art Fair
Episode: The Pritzker Machine, O’Hare Madness, and Loose Eggs
David Figler
Former City Cast Las Vegas host and Nevada attorney
Independent attorney, City Cast Las Vegas contributor
Episode: 'Your City Could Be Better': Could a Nevada Brothel Help Redefine Labor Standards Nationwide? — Presented By City Cast Chicago
Katie Prout
Reporter for Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
Episode: Freezing Tipped Wage Hikes, Encampment Evictions, and West Town Restaurant Week
Jake Sheridan
Reporter for Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Episode: Freezing Tipped Wage Hikes, Encampment Evictions, and West Town Restaurant Week
Michael Schaffer
Co-host and executive editor of City Cast DC
City Cast DC
Episode: ‘Your City Could Be Better’: DC’s Plan To Hold Federal Agents Accountable — Presented By City Cast Chicago
Jessica Mordacq
Reporter
Austin Weekly News / Forest Park Review
Episode: Election Day Countdown, CTA’s New Safety Plan, and Orchids Blooming
Britt Julious
Freelance music journalist
Freelance journalist, contributor to Chicago outlets
Episode: Chance the Rapper in Court, Music Venues Struggling, and Chicago Spring Playlist

Host

Jacoby Cochran
Host of City Cast Chicago, facilitating discussions with various personalities across different fields of expertise.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 730 ratings
  • great show

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr Hendrick
    United States18 days 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 States2 months ago
  • Jacobe and the entire crew at citycast bring a wonderful mix of accessible neighborhood events and hotspots backed by deep understanding of politics around the city and state. They bring in knowledgeable and interesting guests that unpack events. Indispensable daily listen.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    honor
    9 months ago
  • Good Journalism

    This is a great way to be aware of what’s going on in the city of Chicago and also learn about events in the city that you can participate in

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lower line
    United States9 months ago
  • Great Pod but

    Feb 21’s show on this ad free version of the podcast had multiple ads. What gives?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    J. C. L.
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel certain topics become repetitive, expressing a desire for more varied content.
The podcast is frequently highlighted for its ability to connect listeners to their community while providing thoughtful, relevant news.
Overall, the hosting style and personal anecdotes are well-received, contributing to the podcast's charm and relatability.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and insightful discussions about local events and cultural topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#93
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#232
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#80
Sweden/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#248
India/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'Your City Could Be Better': Could a Nevada Brothel Help Redefine Labor Standards Nationwide? — Presented By City Cast Chicago
Q: What changes did Sheri's Ranch implement in late 2025, and why is that significant?
The new provisions around intellectual property rights and potential AI usage encroach on the workers' control over their own image and brand, highlighting how contract terms can undermine autonomy under an IC framework.
'Your City Could Be Better': Could a Nevada Brothel Help Redefine Labor Standards Nationwide? — Presented By City Cast Chicago
Q: What is this distinction between independent contractor and employee, and why is it important here?
It's about who bears control and responsibility in the work relationship; employees gain access to protections like overtime and workers' comp, while independent contractors often lack those protections, which affects whether they can unionize.
AI School Coming to Chicago and Delivery Robots Are Crashing Out
Q: What do you think about the idea of an AI powered school, no teachers, two hour lesson plans on the computer?
The hosts and Simone discuss that while the model promises shorter, more interactive lessons and real-world skill workshops, there are serious concerns about the lack of traditional teacher roles, the reliance on AI to drive curriculum, data privacy, and whether such a system can adapt to diverse learner needs.
Your Guide To March 2026 in Chicago
Q: Are there any questions you have going into election day that you haven't got an answer to yet?
The hosts acknowledge uncertainty around front-runners and the specifics of local races, while highlighting available resources like voter guides and Question and Answer sessions that help listeners prepare.
Where the Black Panthers Worked in Chicago
Q: Why was this location such a remarkable space in the history of the Panthers?
The People's Church was involved in various community efforts, served as a major meeting place for the Panthers, and held significant historical events tied to the movement.

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?

The content focuses on a variety of topics pertinent to the city, including local news, culture, and community events. Discussions often engage with contemporary issues affecting the Chicago area, such as civic engagement, public safety, and cultural heritage. Noteworthy conversations range from the history of Chicago's hip-hop scene, modern gospel, and the legacy of the Black Panther Party, to discussions about local political developments and social justice issues. Uniquely, the conversations not only include expert insights but also personal anecdotes from hosts and guests, creating a relatable and engaging experience for listeners who want to stay informed about their city's ongoing narrative and events.

Where can I find podcast stats for City Cast Chicago?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for City Cast Chicago. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to City Cast Chicago and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does City Cast Chicago get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for City Cast Chicago, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for City Cast Chicago?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for City Cast Chicago, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. The Daily
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. City Cast DC
5. Political Gabfest

How many episodes of City Cast Chicago are there?

City Cast Chicago launched 5 years ago and published 1272 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for City Cast Chicago?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of City Cast Chicago. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on City Cast Chicago?

Recent guests on City Cast Chicago include:

1. Manny Ramos
2. David Plotz
3. Nicole Garten
4. David Figler
5. Katie Prout
6. Jake Sheridan
7. Michael Schaffer
8. Jessica Mordacq

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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