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The Real Story with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson

The Real Story with Jeanne Ives
Illinois
Chicago
Donald Trump
Illegal Immigration
Chicago Bears
Biden Administration
Illinois Politics
Iran
ICE
J.B. Pritzker
Kamala Harris
Election Integrity
Trump Administration
Charlie Kirk
Mike Madigan
JB Pritzker
China
Pritzker
Democratic Party
Property Taxes

It is time to look at the world of politics from a different perspective. The Real Story with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson asks insightful questions of those influencing government and those impacted by government.

PublishesDailyEpisodes166Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Recent Guests

Mike Owen
Edmondson Plumbing contractor who worked on the Obama Center project
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Jack Ohm
Tunnel to Towers board member
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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Don Habjan
Golf pro at McCray Golf Club
McCray Golf Club
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Dan Ugasti
Representative, Illinois House
Illinois House of Representatives
Episode: One Republican Plan To Keep The Bears and Free For All Friday
Julian Bernis Garcia
Parent at St. Hubert's in Hoffman Estates
St. Hubert's Catholic School
Episode: CPS Head Grilled By Congress on WOKE Politics, Pope Leo's New Pick & Cupich's Closed
Sargis Sagari
Lieutenant Colonel, Special Forces, CEO of the Near East Center for Strategic Engagement
Near East Center for Strategic Engagement
Episode: Bears Awol, Pritzker Blames owners, Iran Update w/ Sargis Sagari & Watch Dog Wednesday
Steve Gorum
Executive Director of the Climate Science Coalition of America, author
Climate Science Coalition of America
Episode: Pride In Park Ridge: Jim Iuorio Talks Jobs & Economy, Steve Goreham On Data Centers Breakthrough Ideas Breakthrough Ideas 2.35K subscribers Subscribe
Craig Johnson
Mayor of Elk Grove Village
Elk Grove Village
Episode: Mayor Of Elk Grove Village Talks Bears Move & Data Centers, Pride Month Shenanigans.
Micah Beckwith
Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
Indiana state government
Episode: BREAKING: Bears Announce Their Intention to Build in Indiana; Alarming Corruption Story Involving Daughter of State Rep. Carol Ammons; FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY

Hosts

Jeanne Ives
Host of The Real Story with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson
Amy Jacobson
Host of The Real Story with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 31 ratings
  • Two old ladies

    Two old ladies complaining. They dislike everything and everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Southsidewhitesoxfan
    United States4 months ago
  • Excellent show. Thanks!

    Great show by Ives

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dowup
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good series but poor recording/playback quality.

    This podcast series is on point and definitely look at the policies, failures and successes of government bodies in Illinois.

    The only issue I’ve encountered is that the recording quality has gotten poorer with almost each episode in recent weeks.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    My_Opinion_2
    United States4 years ago
  • Facts not Fiction

    Detailed inside info on politics and human stories behind the headlines. Never miss an episode in order to stay informed in your community. Great stuff.

    Detailed, sometimes granular, explanations of state and local policies and actions that are informative and allow people to formulate democratic actions plans to help their communities. This show is the enemy of the political machine and of political slight of hand.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mzaenger
    United States4 years ago
  • Jeanne is a smart cookie!

    Jeanne is a smart cookie!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    loudes13
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many value the show's willingness to challenge political narratives with data and watchdog-style reporting.
Some reviews note uneven audio quality but praise the factual take on Illinois politics.
Listeners appreciate the policy depth and real-world local impact discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Leftist Hoaxes Continue in Chicago; Ald. Ray Lopez on New Parent Rules and Parking Meter Deal
Q: Good afternoon, Alderman Lopez. How are you?
Lopez discusses his stance on parametric policy like holding parents accountable for teens' actions and previews a council vote; he explains the rationale and the intended mechanisms of the proposed ordinance.
CPS Head Grilled By Congress on WOKE Politics, Pope Leo's New Pick & Cupich's Closed
Q: What did the guests say about the potential impact of federal funding changes on Catholic and public schools?
Guests argued that funding, including federal tax-credit scholarship programs, is crucial for both CPS and Catholic schools, and suggested that removing or sunsetting such programs could worsen financial gaps and jeopardize student opportunities.
CPS Head Grilled By Congress on WOKE Politics, Pope Leo's New Pick & Cupich's Closed
Q: What were the main concerns raised by lawmakers about CPS and May Day events?
Lawmakers pressed for evidence that the permission slips and school activities were properly classified as non-political, questioned the use of taxpayer funds for political advocacy, and demanded transparency on how events were organized and funded.
Record IL Budget, No Bears Deal: State Rep. Marty McLaughlin and State Sen. Jason Plummer Discuss
Q: What happened with the Build Act and the Bears stadium proposal?
The Build Act did not pass; it was criticized for being driven by the governor and lacking true local control. The Bears stadium bill was stripped down and ultimately failed in the House, with questions about infrastructure funding and potential overruns.
Manteno Audit Reveals Problems, Gotion Update with Trustee Mike Berry; Data Center Discussion in Springfield
Q: What were the most alarming findings of the Manteno forensic audit?
Mike Berry describes irregularities in bidding, banking relationships, and taxpayer money handling, including a large portion of revenues being concentrated in a single bank and questionable past dealings around land transactions and a major battery plant project.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Real Story

What is The Real Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A conservative-leaning political talk show that blends timely Illinois state and local government coverage with broader national policy debates. Episodes frequently center on state budgeting, education policy, governance transparency, and high-profile local issues (from Bears stadium discussions to district lawsuits), featuring guests ranging from lawmakers and attorneys to watchdogs and researchers. The format mixes interviews with quick-fire caller segments and watchdog-style reporting, delivering pointed perspectives and practical takeaways for listeners who want to understand how policies affect their communities and wallets. A notable strength is the ability to pair elected officials with policy experts and local leaders to illuminate ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Real Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Real Story:

1. Chicago's Morning Answer with Dan Proft
2. The Shaun Thompson Show
3. The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast
4. Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
5. Red Eye Radio

How many episodes of The Real Story are there?

The Real Story launched 5 years ago and published 166 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 The Real Story?

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What guests have appeared on The Real Story?

Recent guests on The Real Story include:

1. Mike Owen
2. Jack Ohm
3. Don Habjan
4. Dan Ugasti
5. Julian Bernis Garcia
6. Sargis Sagari
7. Steve Gorum
8. Craig Johnson

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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