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Artwork for Curious City

Curious City

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
WBEZ
Lake Michigan
Education
Feral Cats
Schwinn
Road Salt
Domestic Terrorism
Extremism
Berlin Nightclub
Lake Shore Drive
Filipino Cuisine
Immigration
Cook County
Dusable Black History Museum
Native American Community
Soccer
Black Cinema
1919

Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes647Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationArts

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Artwork for Curious City

Latest Episodes

Have you ever noticed a branded stamp in the sidewalk? Keen-eyed Chicagoans have found some that date back to Depression-era infrastructure projects by the Works Progress Administration. Who were the workers behind the WPA and why did they brand Chic... more

A person’s accent can influence the way they are perceived. When it comes to broadcast journalism, the way a person talks is front and center and can open the door to both praise and unsolicited criticism. In our last episode, contributor Arionne Net... more

How have Black Chicagoans kept so many features of the Southern dialect? To answer starts with the Great Migration.

The Lady Elgin left Chicago for Milwaukee on a stormy September night in 1860 with around 400 passengers aboard. Another vessel was also out in the storm — a small lumber schooner called The Augusta — which crashed into the Lady Elgin a few hours lat... more

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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Recent Guests

Arionne Nettles
Curious City contributor, journalism professor at Florida A&M University (author, reporter)
Florida A&M University
Episode: ‘This is how I speak’: The influence of the Black Chicago accent
Charisse King
University of Chicago professor
University of Chicago
Episode: How has the Black Chicago accent retained its Southern roots?
Madeline Crispell
Curator, Chicago Maritime Museum
Chicago Maritime Museum
Episode: The story of the Lady Elgin, the deadliest shipwreck in Great Lakes history
Wayne Barton
Former lighthouse keeper
Grosse Point Lighthouse (Evanston)
Episode: What are Chicago area lighthouses used for?
Don Terrace
Lighthouse historian/guide
Grosse Point Lighthouse caretaker
Episode: What are Chicago area lighthouses used for?
Kurt Lensch
Guide to Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
Episode: What are Chicago area lighthouses used for?
Alison Levy
Question-asker featured in the story
Public resident
Episode: What are Chicago area lighthouses used for?
Katie Reardon
Reporter for this week's story
WBEZ
Episode: What are Chicago area lighthouses used for?
Amy Mooney
Art history professor at Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago
Episode: How early Black Chicagoans used photography to redefine their image

Host

Erin Allen
Host of a show exploring various aspects of Chicago's culture and history, often inviting community questions and contributions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 781 ratings
  • What about now?

    The city is currently having its citizens kidnapped en mass. ANY Chicago-centric show should be featuring this!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bedpost#4
    United States7 months ago
  • Can do better

    Show has interesting topics but averaging 7 minutes a show, 2 and a half of which are ads or plugs for other shows, not really worth my time.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Klauski57
    United Statesa year ago
  • Curiously Void of Information

    Overall, it’s been enjoyable listening to the various aspects of this wonderful city, however the show lacks so much detail now!

    The shorter episodes, and in particular this last one on traffic are a complete waste of time.

    Never did the episode go into the history of Chicago traffic or highway systems, touched on the backstory of the application and its development, or really explained how it works.

    It fell short in so many ways- there was a depth of info that could have been useful and qui... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bluefinkillie
    United Statesa year ago
  • Interesting Episodes

    I love how these short episodes delve into an aspect of Chicago history/culture!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BCguy94
    United Statesa year ago
  • Quick n easy n fun Chicago tidbits.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    estellax
    a year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the unique focus on Chicago's history and culture, often noting the engaging storytelling and community aspects of the content.
Some critiques mention the brevity of episodes, suggesting that deeper dives into topics would enhance the experience.
Overall, the podcast is regarded as a valuable resource for both locals and those interested in learning more about Chicago's diverse narratives.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

‘This is how I speak’: The influence of the Black Chicago accent
Q: How did the reaction to your voice affect your career in journalism?
She recalls facing mic checks, criticism, and moments of doubt in grad school and early journalism work, but ultimately choosing to embrace her voice and pursue radio as a means to own her narrative.
‘This is how I speak’: The influence of the Black Chicago accent
Q: When did you realize you had an accent?
Arionne describes recognizing that her speech sounded different when she attended Florida A&M University and encountered people who perceived her Chicago-tinged southern-influenced speech as unique, leading to broader reflection on linguistic identity.
How early Black Chicagoans used photography to redefine their image
Q: Tell me about the community and the social practice of taking and making photographs.
The guest explains that social photography was a community activity, with studios hosting salons and gatherings where images circulated and people connected around shared spaces and culture; the interaction helped build a local Black visual culture.
No cars, no road salt: How one Midwestern community avoids salt all winter
Q: How are packages delivered? Is it the horse and buggy situation as well?
Supplies are delivered via a journey involving freight boats and then transported on large wagons pulled by horses.
No cars, no road salt: How one Midwestern community avoids salt all winter
Q: How do you get there again?
Usually you take a ferry, but in winter when the water freezes, you book a flight over Lake Huron.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Curious City

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

This podcast offers a unique exploration of Chicago, focusing on various aspects of the city's culture, history, and landscape. With episodes covering topics ranging from the experiences of women in the FBI to the quirky traditions that shape the city, the content often highlights underrepresented stories and encourages community engagement. By inviting listeners to submit questions about Chicago, the podcast not only provides answers but fosters a sense of connection among residents. The discussions tend to mix personal narratives with historical context, making the content relatable and informative while preserving a strong focus on Chicago's identity.

Where can I find podcast stats for Curious City?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Curious City. 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 Curious City and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Curious City get?

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What are the audience demographics for Curious City?

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How many subscribers and views does Curious City have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Curious City?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Curious City:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. This American Life
4. Throughline
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Curious City are there?

Curious City launched 14 years ago and published 647 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 Curious City?

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 Curious City?

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

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What guests have appeared on Curious City?

Recent guests on Curious City include:

1. Arionne Nettles
2. Charisse King
3. Madeline Crispell
4. Wayne Barton
5. Don Terrace
6. Kurt Lensch
7. Alison Levy
8. Katie Reardon

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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