Rephonic
Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Block Club Chicago
Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
ICE
Block Club Chicago
Brandon Johnson
City Council
Trump Administration
Democratic National Convention
Community Engagement
Operation Midway Blitz
Climate Change
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Teachers Union
Loretto Hospital
Chicago Bears
Gun Violence
Covid-19
Rush University Medical Center
Mental Health
Small Business

The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes389Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Latest Episodes

Introducing 'Sidebar', a podcast featuring Chicago lawyers discussing important legal discussions and issues. Employment lawyer Patrick Dolan and federal defense attorney Mike Leonard will join host Jon Hansen every other Saturday.

This week, Mike L... more

The pharmacy desert on the South Side is growing.

As another South Side Walgreens prepares to close, so local leaders and residents rallied outside the business Monday to demand corporate officials either keep the store open or invest in other healt... more

With new tenants opening up on the Mag Mile, Melody Mercado on whether the famed shopping district is back.

Host - Jon Hansen

Reporter - Melody Mercado

Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE

Who we are

Block Club Chicago is a 501(... more

The West Garfield Park Sankofa Village Wellness Center offers primary medical care, fitness services and more. Access to these things could help residents who live, on average, 16 years fewer than people in other parts of Chicago, advocates say.

On ... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Curious City
Curious CityWBEZ Chicago
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
The New Yorker Radio Hour
The New Yorker Radio HourWNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Recent Guests

Melody Mercado
Journalist and reporter for Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Is The Mag Mile Back?
Rukiya Curvey Johnson
Vice President of Community Health Equity at Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: West Side Center Opens To Fix Chicago's 16-Year Life Expectancy Gap
Ben Szalinski
Capitol News, Illinois reporter
Capitol News, Illinois
Episode: Could The Bears Bill Create Opening For A New White Sox Stadium?
Jen Sebella
Block Club Chicago journalist featured on the show
Block Club Chicago
Episode: The Secrets Underneath The Chicago Museum That Almost Never Happened
Atavia Reed
Reporter familiar with Ford City Mall coverage
Block Club Chicago
Episode: 'A Death Trap' -- Ford City Mall Could Be Shut Down By City
Janine Valerie Logan
Midwife and founder/advocate for the Chicago South Side Birth Center
Chicago South Side Birth Center
Episode: One Woman's Crusade To Bring Maternal Health Care To The South Side
Pat Tomasulo
Comedian and former WGN Morning Show anchor
Pat Tomasulo / WGN Morning News
Episode: Pat Tomasulo Wants You To Laugh Your Face Off
Dr. Salina Lee
Gastroenterologist with expertise in colorectal cancer screening
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: Colonoscopies Aren't THAT Bad -- But They're More Important Than Ever
Patrick Filbin
Block Club Chicago reporter
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Do You Feel Safe On The CTA? Riders React To Boost In Police On Trains

Host

Jon Hansen
Host of The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 228 ratings
  • Great city podcast

    Jon and the team do an excellent job going behind the scenes of Block Club Chicago news coverage to deliver interesting and compelling stories about the vibrancy of Chicago. My favorite episode was from a few years ago when Jon interviewed a fireman about the changing landscape of fires in the city. Each episode is a reminder that our city has a rich history, a bright future and truly brilliant people rising to meet the challenges of a modern American city.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    That other other girl
    United States6 months ago
  • Amazing local news offering

    The Block Club Chicago podcast consistently adds context and depth to discussions about news in Chicago. Thanks for keeping us informed, and taking us behind the headlines.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LANewsie
    United States2 years ago
  • Incredible hyper local news

    Block Club Chicago is a group of hard working, talented Chicagoans looking to highlight stories from the hyper-local to the national. They do so with integrity, vigor, and (on this podcast and the ‘It’s All Good’ variety) a dash of optimism where appropriate.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RubyB612
    United States2 years ago
  • Disappointingly boring

    As a lifelong Chicagoan, I was excited to find this podcast. Some of the stores are covered in a very poor fashion. They unfortunately disproportionately cover street crime like the rest of Chicago media. Block Club Chicago articles are typically pretty good. This needs a revamp

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MyFavoriteNicknameWasTaken
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Chicago journalism, for your ears

    The Block Club Chicago podcast gives a voice to a city full of people with stories to tell. It’s a refreshing source of informative and interesting local journalism, delivered with a conversational tone that feels like an informed neighbor telling me about the things that are going on around me that I should know about. I’ve been enjoying it as a regular source of local news and often recommend this podcast to other Chicagoans.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    beckyjf
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise in-depth local coverage and the mix of serious reporting with uplifting community stories.
Fans appreciate accessibility and conversational storytelling that makes Chicago issues approachable.
Critiques call for broader topic diversity and sharper handling of some topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'A Death Trap' -- Ford City Mall Could Be Shut Down By City
Q: What redevelopment options have been proposed, and how are community stakeholders responding?
Proposals from Curve Industrial to redevelop the site as a warehouse/industrial park or housing, and mixed reactions from neighbors who recall the mall's past vitality and express concern about noise and proximity to homes.
'A Death Trap' -- Ford City Mall Could Be Shut Down By City
Q: Why is the city moving to vacate Ford City Mall now, and what does the emergency motion entail?
The city argues conditions inside the mall, including fire suppression system failures and water leaks, make it unsafe, leading to a court-ordered evacuation while negotiations with the owners continue.
How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
Q: How did voters in Lopez's ward react to his national media appearances and stance on issues?
Voters expressed concern that Lopez's national persona sometimes diverged from local needs, with some feeling he abandoned local grievances during pivotal moments, while others appreciated his willingness to defend their views on crime and immigration on a larger stage.
How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
Q: What motivated Lopez to appear on Fox News and other right-wing platforms?
He explains that his aim is to advocate for his constituents and provide a counter-narrative about Chicago's crime and immigration policies, while acknowledging that national exposure amplified his local actions rather than defining them entirely.
How Ray Lopez Became Conservative Media’s Favorite Chicago Democrat
Q: So what happened during the Joe Biden era that prompted a shift in his views?
The host summarizes that Lopez perceived policy changes under Biden as opening borders more broadly, which contrasted with his previous stance during Trump's term and reinforced his belief in strict immigration enforcement, while still maintaining a focus on his ward's safety and services.

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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast

What is The Block Club Chicago Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently covers Chicago's local news with a focus on underreported community stories, governance, public safety, and politics, often blending investigative reporting with human-interest angles. Episodes frequently feature expert voices from local institutions, community organizers, and prominent Chicago figures, plus sports and culture threads that illuminate the city's character. The balance of practical, issue-driven conversations and uplifting neighborhood profiles makes it useful for listeners who want a nuanced view of Chicago and for guests seeking to reach engaged, city-focused audiences. A notable strength is its ability to translate complex issues into accessible, story-driven discussions that highlight community impa... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Block Club Chicago Podcast. 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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Block Club Chicago Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Block Club Chicago Podcast, 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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Block Club Chicago Podcast, 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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Block Club Chicago Podcast 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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Block Club Chicago Podcast:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. Fresh Air
4. The Daily
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of The Block Club Chicago Podcast are there?

The Block Club Chicago Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 389 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 Block Club Chicago Podcast?

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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Block Club Chicago Podcast 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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Block Club Chicago Podcast. 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 The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Recent guests on The Block Club Chicago Podcast include:

1. Melody Mercado
2. Rukiya Curvey Johnson
3. Ben Szalinski
4. Jen Sebella
5. Atavia Reed
6. Janine Valerie Logan
7. Pat Tomasulo
8. Dr. Salina Lee

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