Rephonic
Artwork for City Cast Chicago

City Cast Chicago

City Cast
Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, United States
ICE
Data Centers
Chicago Police Department
Chicago Restaurant Week
CTA
City Cast Chicago
Structural Deficits
Illinois
Madison
Route 66
Bears
Pension Obligations
Property Taxes
Gospel Music
Chicago Parking Meter Deal
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1417Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes

This episode mentions sexual assault, so please take care when listening.

Today we’re talking about two sexual violence allegations at University of Chicago fraternity houses. Plus, a string of robberies hitting local businesses on the South and Nor... more

Today we’re talking about an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu Temple in Aurora and what Illinois is doing to keep gender-affirming care funded now that federal dollars have dried up. Host Jacoby Cochran discusses the latest with contributors Adora ... more

Billionaire mega-donor Michael Sacks has been involved in Illinois politics and the state’s democratic party for decades. He has been an advisor, campaign donor, and critical ally to governors, mayors, state attorneys, and more. Now he is one of the ... more

YouTube

Today we’re joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and Leigh Giangreco to discuss Pope Leo’s recent cancer diagnosis, Chicago’s newest Bears-themed rom-com, and the return of the Soul Train Awards.

Good News: Write Club

Want some more City Cast Chicag... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Bashir Salahuddin
Actor and co-star of South Side
South Side (TV series)
Episode: OIG Reopens Dominguez Investigation. Plus, Michigan Ave Getting Bus Lane
Chandra Russell
Actor and co-star of South Side
South Side (TV series)
Episode: OIG Reopens Dominguez Investigation. Plus, Michigan Ave Getting Bus Lane
Yadani Medeo
Guest appearing on episode
City Cast Chicago
Episode: Will Supreme Court End Assault Weapons Ban? Plus, Chicago Named Best Big City… AGAIN
Adora Namigade
Contributor on music and culture beat
City Cast Chicago
Episode: Edgewater Rezoning Debate, John Prine Bday Celebration, and White Sox Tickets Skyrocket
Al Scorch
Contributor, musician and Chicago culture commentator
City Cast Chicago
Episode: Edgewater Rezoning Debate, John Prine Bday Celebration, and White Sox Tickets Skyrocket
Jessica Mordacq
Reporter with Austin Weekly News and the Forest Park Review
Austin Weekly News; Forest Park Review
Episode: Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns
Patrick Filbin
Reporter from Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns
Lee John Greco
Guest on the podcast, contributor to discussions about city happenings
Episode: Your Guide to October 2026 in Chicago
Yareni Murillo
Contributor and cyclist advocate
Episode: Deadly Month For Cyclists. Plus, Best of the South Side

Host

Jacoby Cochran
Host of City Cast Chicago

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 757 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 States2 months ago
  • 5-26-2026

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

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    totaljive
    United States5 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 States6 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 States7 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 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
#109
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#112
France/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#101
South Korea/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#203
Japan/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#206
Colombia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#241
Poland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns
Q: What is the Garfield Park quality of life plan trying to achieve?
The plan seeks to close a significant life expectancy gap and uplift East and West Garfield Park through nine pillars like health, housing, education, and safety, with ongoing community engagement and measurable milestones.
Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns
Q: What went down with the Wiener Circle and the mayoral race?
The Wiener Circle owners, including Matt Brewer, used the marquee to pose a question about the mayoral race, which sparked a mixed reaction from customers and observers; some saw it as effective community engagement, others as controversial or tasteless, highlighting the restaurant's role as a public stage.
City Expands Free Narcan. Plus, Best of Open House Chicago
Q: Tell us about the Chicagoland Out of Darkness Walk and what happens on October 3rd.
The walk gathers thousands in Montrose Harbor for a large, supportive event with activities, beads, and community solidarity, offering a space for personal connection and collective action in suicide prevention efforts.
City Expands Free Narcan. Plus, Best of Open House Chicago
Q: What is the End of Life Options Act and how would it work in practice?
The law requires two doctors to confirm a six-month or shorter life expectancy and two verbal requests by the patient at least five days apart; it emphasizes voluntary, well-considered decisions with safeguards like mental capacity evaluation and avoidance of coercion.
Who’s All Running For Mayor? Plus, Live From Printers Row
Q: So for someone who doesn't know much about AFSP, what does the organization actually do day to day?
AFSP conducts prevention programs, education, and research; they support people affected by suicide, provide free educational resources, and run campaigns to encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide to save lives.

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?

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 four 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. It's Been a Minute
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 6 years ago and published 1417 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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. Bashir Salahuddin
2. Chandra Russell
3. Yadani Medeo
4. Adora Namigade
5. Al Scorch
6. Jessica Mordacq
7. Patrick Filbin
8. Lee John Greco

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days