
The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans. New episodes Tuesdays, Thursdays, or whenever a BIG story breaks.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 389 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary | |||

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
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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
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #138 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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