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The Real Story with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson

The Real Story with Jeanne Ives
Illinois
Chicago
Donald Trump
Chicago Bears
Iran
Charlie Kirk
J.B. Pritzker
ICE
JB Pritzker
Turning Point USA
Pritzker
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Safety Act
Education
Jesse Jackson
Springfield
Illinois Budget
Governor J.B. Pritzker
Democratic Party
Edgar County Watchdogs

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
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Recent Guests

Eddie Issa
Sharia law survivor from Iran
Independent commentator
Episode: Remembering 9/11, 25 Years Later
Jack Ohm
Retired New York firefighter, battalion commander; Tunnel to Towers board member
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Episode: Remembering 9/11, 25 Years Later
Bob Grogan
Illinois GOP chairman, speaker at the convention and commentator on TPUSA expansion
Illinois GOP
Episode: Remembering Charlie Kirk; GOP Midterm Convention Report from Bob Grogan
Charlie Meyer
State Representative, Republican, 109th district
Illinois General Assembly
Episode: LIG Resignation; Status of Disability Services in IL; Watchdog Wednesday
Michelle Peterson
LaSalle County resident involved in Sheridan land/Sharia discussion
Episode: Another Stadium Controversy in Chicago; Resort Sale to Muslim Group on Hold
Paul Vallis
Commentator invited to discuss crime and policy in Chicago
Episode: Another Stadium Controversy in Chicago; Resort Sale to Muslim Group on Hold
Jim Reed
LaSalle County board member
Episode: Another Stadium Controversy in Chicago; Resort Sale to Muslim Group on Hold
Brian Costin
Americans for Prosperity Executive Director in Illinois
Americans for Prosperity
Episode: DeSantis In Town; AFP's Brian Costin Calls In From Socialism Conference in Chicago; FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY
Jeff Feeler
Republican strategist
Republican strategist
Episode: DeSantis In Town; AFP's Brian Costin Calls In From Socialism Conference in Chicago; FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY

Hosts

Jeanne Ives
Host of The Real Story, active on AM 560 The Answer; frequent political commentator.
Amy Jacobson
Co-host, frequent on-air commentator and public affairs interviewer.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • Two old ladies

    Two old ladies complaining. They dislike everything and everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Southsidewhitesoxfan
    United States7 months ago
  • Excellent show. Thanks!

    Great show by Ives

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dowup
    United States2 years 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 States5 years ago
  • Jeanne is a smart cookie!

    Jeanne is a smart cookie!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    loudes13
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates policy depth and practical implications for Illinois politics.
Listeners admire the guests' willingness to challenge official narratives.
Some listeners criticize audio quality and heating polarized debates.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Joe Abraham on His New Job with DHS; FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY
Q: What is the role of the Voice office and how will it help victims of immigration crime?
The Voice office is designed to support victims and families affected by immigration-related crime, helping them understand the immigration process, custody situations, and how to navigate removals and enforcement, with an emphasis on transparency and victim-centered advocacy.
Pritzker Misleads on Tyson Plant Closure with State Rep. Chris Miller and State Sen. Li Arellano Jr.; Nicole Patrice on Chicago's Migrant Spending
Q: How does Li Arellano frame the tollway increases and business climate in Illinois?
Arellano describes a pattern of companies restructuring away from Illinois, driven by a difficult business climate and cost pressures, and argues for accountability and reform to attract and retain businesses.
Pritzker Misleads on Tyson Plant Closure with State Rep. Chris Miller and State Sen. Li Arellano Jr.; Nicole Patrice on Chicago's Migrant Spending
Q: What is really driving Tyson's decision to relocate, according to Chris Miller?
Miller attributes it to the high costs of doing business in Illinois, including taxes, regulations, energy costs, and worker compensation, which he argues make other states more attractive for operations.
Boykin vs. Pappas and the Chicago Mayor's Race; Trouble Brewing For Amy Briel; FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY
Q: What is the real story behind the complaints and the text messages?
Boykin explains that he received inflammatory texts from Pappas and stresses the need for transparency and civility, while acknowledging concerns about the use of public resources in relation to mayoral campaigning.
Ald. Ray Lopez on Bally's Casino and ICE Out Chicago; Springfield Update with Rep. Marty McLaughlin
Q: So at the state level, what can we do about the e-bikes? I know that they want this registration, and you have to get to have a valid driver's license if your e-bike goes over 28 miles per hour. But when does this take effect, and can we get more restrictions? Can we just get rid of them?
Marty McLaughlin explains that regulation should focus on safety and road-usage: set speed limits, require licensing for higher-powered bikes, enforce helmet laws, and align with existing vehicle rules to ensure consistent safety standards.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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 fast-paced talk show featuring combative, opinionated conversations about Illinois and national politics, focusing on governance, policy, and accountability. Episodes routinely pair hosts with guests ranging from elected officials and policy analysts to journalists and watchdogs, often challenging official narratives and highlighting local government, education funding, public safety, and media coverage. The format blends heated debates, listener calls, and investigative-angle segments, making it a strong fit for listeners who want sharp partisan perspectives, deep dives into state-level issues, and practical implications for voters and policymakers. A standout trait is the duo's willingness to tackle controversial topics with provocative... more

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How many listeners does The Real Story get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Real Story have?

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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. After Party with Emily Jashinsky
4. Federalist Radio Hour
5. The Rubin Report

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.

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What guests have appeared on The Real Story?

Recent guests on The Real Story include:

1. Eddie Issa
2. Jack Ohm
3. Bob Grogan
4. Charlie Meyer
5. Michelle Peterson
6. Paul Vallis
7. Jim Reed
8. Brian Costin

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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