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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes404Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsDaily NewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Latest Episodes

“Hope,” like the Obama campaign slogan, is a common feeling for nearby residents awaiting this week’s opening. Others question what community benefits will come with the global destination.

Host - Jon Hansen

Reporter - Maxwell Evans

Read More Here... more

Illinois has seen nearly 150 tornadoes so far in 2026, leading the nation. It’s the fourth year in a row where the state has surpassed 100 twisters, many in the Chicagoland area. WGN-TV's Bill Snyder answers the question -- is Chicago part of 'Tornad... more

As the sun rose over Vatican City, hundreds — including many Chicagoans — lined up to enter St. Peter’s Square ahead of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV.

Reporter Ariel Parrella and Photographer Colin Boyle were there with the mayor... more

Illinois is set to join a growing number of states that have barred cellphone use in the classroom.

Just as the Illinois General Assembly reached its deadline to wrap up its legislative session Sunday, the state Senate passed legislation that would ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ben Szalisnki
Reporter for Capitol News Illinois, provided expert analysis on Bears stadium negotiations
Capitol News Illinois
Episode: How The Bears Got Nothing From Springfield
Galina Mardilovich
Curator of Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas
Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago
Episode: Field Trip! The Smart Museum Celebrates Alma Thomas' Dazzling Abstracts
Dr. Sarah Song
Rush's director of the Women's Comprehensive Stroke Clinic
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: Why Women Have More Strokes Than Men — And How You Can Survive One
Madison Savedra
Reporter for Block Club Chicago covering the Broadview case
Block Club Chicago
Episode: 'Broadview 6' Charges Dropped After Feds Admit To Errors And Misconduct
Paco Rubio
Program coordinator at Bikes & Roses
Bikes & Roses / Communities United
Episode: How Lowrider Bikes Are Bringing Together Teens Impacted By ICE Raids
Alex Hernandez
Block Club reporter
Block Club Chicago
Episode: How Lowrider Bikes Are Bringing Together Teens Impacted By ICE Raids
Austin Happel
Biologist at the Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
Episode: How Did An Eel Get Into The Chicago River?
Jamie Nesbitt Golden
Brownsville South Loop Reporter for Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Chloe’s Closet Is Making Prom Dreams Come True For Bronzeville Students
Patrick Dolan
Employment attorney, Conte and Dolan Law
Conte and Dolan Law
Episode: Sidebar: Charges Against ICE Agents? + How AI Hurts Some Job Seekers

Host

Jon Hansen
Host of The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 230 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 States7 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.

Audience appreciates the positive, community-oriented storytelling even when covering tough topics.
Some reviews note inconsistency in pacing or focus, but most praise guest expertise and local relevance.
Fans value accessibility and human-interest angles that illuminate real people affected by news.
Listeners praise behind-the-scenes access and thorough context that helps make Chicago news feel approachable.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Lowrider Bikes Are Bringing Together Teens Impacted By ICE Raids
Q: What's your takeaway from reporting this story, Alex?
Spaces like Bikes & Roses matter because they provide teens with safe, creative outlets that help them process fear and trauma while developing practical skills and a sense of belonging in a diverse city.
How Lowrider Bikes Are Bringing Together Teens Impacted By ICE Raids
Q: Alex, what was it like seeing the kids hands-on as they built their own bikes?
The experience showed how building bikes empowers the teens—it's their project, it teaches them responsibility, teamwork, and pride in what they create, while the adults guide rather than dictate.
Field Trip! The Smart Museum Celebrates Alma Thomas' Dazzling Abstracts
Q: Can you tell us about the Smart Museum and what visitors can expect from this Alma Thomas show?
The Smart Museum is an academic museum of the University of Chicago that offers free admission and rotates exhibitions to tell diverse stories about art through time, with this Alma Thomas show centered on color, abstraction, and historical context, including how her work relates to music, nature, and the cosmos.
Why Women Have More Strokes Than Men — And How You Can Survive One
Q: How has treatment for stroke changed in recent guidelines?
Recent guidelines allow treating some patients with blood thinners even if last known well time was uncertain, provided imaging shows potential benefit, expanding the treatment window.
Why Women Have More Strokes Than Men — And How You Can Survive One
Q: How important is knowing your numbers and what should you monitor?
Very important; monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar regularly, and engage in proactive health checks during gynecologic visits and annual labs to manage risk factors early.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
Location
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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 consistently covers hyper-local Chicago news with a mix of investigative reporting, community interest features, and expert insights. Episodes frequently dive into city politics, local culture, education, health, and neighborhood development, often featuring reporters, doctors, lawyers, and researchers who illuminate how policies and events affect residents. A standout aspect is the emphasis on human-centered storytelling—from immigration and housing to arts and small-business vitality—paired with accessible context and a neighborly, conversational tone. The format tends to blend timely breaking stories with deep dives and practical takeaways for listeners who want a clearer picture of how Chicago works and who's shaping it.

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

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How many listeners does The Block Club Chicago Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

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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. Crain's Daily Gist
4. Fresh Air
5. Happy To Be Here

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

The Block Club Chicago Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 404 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. Ben Szalisnki
2. Galina Mardilovich
3. Dr. Sarah Song
4. Madison Savedra
5. Paco Rubio
6. Alex Hernandez
7. Austin Happel
8. Jamie Nesbitt Golden

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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