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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
Democratic National Convention
Trump Administration
Rush University Medical Center
Operation Midway Blitz
Illinois
Community Engagement
Stroke
Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago Bears
Covid-19
Climate Change
Small Business
Domestic Violence
Loretto Hospital

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes428Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Latest Episodes

Four Star Mushrooms on the Near West Side supplies to grocery stores and some of Chicago’s most acclaimed restaurants. Its mushrooms have also appeared on the hit FX series.

Host - Iridian Fierro

Guest - Joe Weber, Four Star co-founder and presiden... more

On today's Sidebar podcast, federal defense attorney Mike Leonard breaks down three court cases this summer that captivated the country.

Host - Jon Hansen

Guest - Mike Leonard, Leonard Trial Lawyers

Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK... more

He hasn't announced he's running yet, but today's podcast focuses on Mayor Brandon Johnson's chances of re-election. Block Club Editor Mick Dumke and host Jon Hansen suggest many people are too quick to dismiss the possibility that he wins again.

Ho... more

Over 300,000 Chicago public school students started classes again this week. In Illinois, there are over 1.8 million students.

Each one of those kids is going back to school in what most experts say is an era that is tougher than any time period i... more

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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
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The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times

Recent Guests

Joe Weber
Co-founder and president of Four Star Mushrooms
Four Star Mushrooms
Episode: This City Mushroom Farm Grows Fungi For Top Chefs — And ‘The Bear’
Mike Leonard
Federal defense attorney, Leonard Trial Lawyers
Leonard Trial Lawyers
Episode: The Three Giant Trials Captivating The Country This Summer
Dr. Nick Hatzis
Medical and clinical director of Meridian Psychiatric Partners' child and adolescent programs
Meridian Psychiatric Partners
Episode: It's Never Been Harder To Be A Kid. How Chicago Parents Can Help.
Dr. Johnny Dominguez
Medical and clinical director of Meridian Psychiatric Partners' child and adolescent programs
Meridian Psychiatric Partners
Episode: It's Never Been Harder To Be A Kid. How Chicago Parents Can Help.
Aleksandra Plewa
Founder/Executive Director of EcoShip
EcoShip
Episode: Why One Chicago Non-Profit Wants All Your Amazon Boxes
Paula Santos
Director of Education, Open Books
Open Books
Episode: Chicago Has A Literacy Problem. Chicagoans Like You Can Help Solve It
Christine Blevins
Organizer who got the idea for The Cat Tour in Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square Cat Tour / Community volunteer
Episode: Finally, Chicago Is Getting A Cat Tour Of Its Own This Weekend
Kailin Weber
Tour volunteer and organizer with marketing and branding background
Lincoln Square Cat Tour
Episode: Finally, Chicago Is Getting A Cat Tour Of Its Own This Weekend
Jack Laurence
True Crime Podcast host and Australian radio personality who covers wrongful convictions from the perspective of the convicted
One Minute Remaining and other true crime podcasts (Australia)
Episode: Is The American Justice System The Best? An Outsider Weighs In.

Host

Jon Hansen
Host of Block Club Chicago Podcast, coordinates interviews and leads storytelling.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 233 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 States10 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 the show for providing deeper context to Chicago news and community stories.
A minority finds some coverage repetitive or overly focused on crime.
Many appreciate positive, uplifting storytelling alongside hard-hitting reporting.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

This City Mushroom Farm Grows Fungi For Top Chefs — And ‘The Bear’
Q: What would you like listeners to take away about indoor mushroom cultivation and the broader impact on the food system?
Emphasizes that while the model aims for carbon-negative, zero-waste operations, day-to-day progress is incremental and transparency is important as they work toward regenerative agriculture through by-products and soil health.
This City Mushroom Farm Grows Fungi For Top Chefs — And ‘The Bear’
Q: When you started, did you have a concrete grow plan or did you figure things out as you went?
They describe starting in a small 400-square-foot space, navigating permitting and the realization that climate control and air conditioning would become essential as the business scaled.
This City Mushroom Farm Grows Fungi For Top Chefs — And ‘The Bear’
Q: I'm really excited to chat with you. Was this always the goal when you were growing up?
The guest explains a long-standing interest in ecosystems and biology that led him toward farming and eventually indoor mushroom cultivation, driven by curiosity about how systems work and how soil biology translates to nutritional density in food.
The Three Giant Trials Captivating The Country This Summer
Q: Walk us through what they were contending.
The Metta case centered on claims by families and states that social media platforms harmed minors through addictive algorithms, leading to a broad settlement that imposes financial penalties and may restrict platform features and targeting, aiming to drive change beyond money. The discussion also touches on how the AG-led actions build leverage for systemic reform rather than just compensation.
Why One Chicago Non-Profit Wants All Your Amazon Boxes
Q: Why is reuse emphasized over recycling, according to your experience?
Reuse keeps resources within local communities, creates jobs, and reduces energy and water use associated with recycling. Recycling systems in Illinois are not as transparent or efficient as ideal, so reuse provides more immediate, tangible benefits.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

The show focuses on hyper-local Chicago stories, blending investigative reporting, community voices, policy debates, and human-interest angles. Episodes commonly explore city governance, housing and renters' rights, public health, infrastructure, and local culture, often featuring reporters, city officials, and subject-matter experts. A distinctive thread is a constructive, community-oriented lens that combines rigorous reporting with uplifting, human-centered storytelling—frequently highlighting how residents and organizations are solving problems and building resilient neighborhoods.

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How many listeners does The Block Club Chicago Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Block Club Chicago Podcast have?

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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. Up First from NPR
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The Daily

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

The Block Club Chicago Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 428 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Recent guests on The Block Club Chicago Podcast include:

1. Joe Weber
2. Mike Leonard
3. Dr. Nick Hatzis
4. Dr. Johnny Dominguez
5. Aleksandra Plewa
6. Paula Santos
7. Christine Blevins
8. Kailin Weber

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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