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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
Rush University Medical Center
Community Engagement
Operation Midway Blitz
Illinois
Climate Change
Stroke
Chicago Teachers Union
Loretto Hospital
Chicago Bears
Gun Violence
Covid-19
Chicago Accent

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes420Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Latest Episodes

Dave Matthews’ tour bus emptied its 800-pound septic tank on people taking a cruise 22 years ago this week. One boat passenger thinks the band has paid an unfair price for its driver’s error, but gets why Chicagoans won’t forget. And some people thin... more

Lincoln Square neighbors will be able enjoy a day of cat videos followed by a street tour showcasing the neighborhood’s feline friends this August.

“Caturday” in Lincoln Square will kick off 12:30 p.m. Aug. 8 with a screening of CatVideoFest 2026 at... more

Australian true crime podcaster Jack Laurence joins Sidebar to discuss the American justice system from the outside looking in.

Host - Jon Hansen

Guests - Jack Laurence, Mike Leonard, Patrick Dolan

Listen To One Minute Remaining

Patrick Dolan, Em... more

The fight over the future of renters’ rights in Chicago is heating up, as supporters of a proposal put forth by Mayor Brandon Johnson are blasting a competing measure as the “Chicago landlord’s big, beautiful bill.” Meanwhile, four Logan Square resid... more

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Recent Guests

Samuel Fox
Pulmonologist at Rush
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: How Much Damage Did The Wildfire Smoke Do To Our Lungs?
Aneesha Shetty
Section Chief for Transplant Nephrology at Rush, lead on living donors
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: Spare A Kidney? The Surprising Perks Of Becoming A Living Organ Donor
Tom Skilling
Noted meteorologist who appears as a guest
WGN-TV
Episode: The New Laws That Just Went Into Effect
Seamus Toomey
Journalist providing context and segue to related segments
Block Club Chicago
Episode: The New Laws That Just Went Into Effect
Mick Dumke
Investigative journalist with Block Club Chicago
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Chicago Could've Bought Back Its Parking Meters. The Mayor Said No.
Edward Qian
Physician at Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Episode: Why Men Die First — Discussing What Men Need To Know About Their Health
Patrick Filbin
Reporter detailing the two neighbors' case and its community impact
Block Club Chicago
Episode: Why Have Two Men Been Able To Assault North Siders For Years?
Makiya Seminera
Chalk Beat Chicago reporter
Chalk Beat Chicago
Episode: Illinois Banning Cellphones From Classrooms — Will It Work?
Tanera Marshall
Dialect coach and dialect researcher
The Bear, Chicago Fire (example projects mentioned in interview)
Episode: Why The Chicago Accent Is Dying

Host

Jon Hansen
Host of The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 232 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 States9 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.

Spare A Kidney? The Surprising Perks Of Becoming A Living Organ Donor
Q: How long does the surgery take and what does recovery look like for a donor?
The surgery typically lasts about three hours, performed robotically at Rush to minimize the incision; donors usually stay one night in the hospital and recover quickly, with many returning to normal activity within a week or two.
Spare A Kidney? The Surprising Perks Of Becoming A Living Organ Donor
Q: What is the process for someone who wants to become a living donor, and how do you start the conversation at a transplant center?
There is a straightforward pathway: contact a transplant center, use the center's living donor website (Rush uses a prominent Become a Donor button), fill out a short form, and a donor team will reach out to begin the education and evaluation process.
How Much Damage Did The Wildfire Smoke Do To Our Lungs?
Q: Can you tell us a little bit of the science of what is happening when we breathe in that air and that smoke-filled air goes into our lungs?
Inhaled smoke introduces fine particulate matter that travels deep into the airways and alveoli, causing inflammation and potentially disrupting gas exchange. Over time, repeated exposure can worsen underlying lung conditions and lead to tissue damage, similar to how chronic cigarette smoke exposure damages the lungs.
Is Wildfire Smoke Now A Permanent Part Of Chicago Summers?
Q: Why does smoke reach Chicago and not further west or south?
The smoke follows jet stream patterns and specific wind directions; a northwesterly jet stream steers Canadian smoke into the Chicago area, and lake breezes plus temperature inversions can trap it and prolong the unhealthy conditions.
How O'Hare Expansion Built A Thriving Home For Wildlife — 19 Miles Away
Q: Given changing wetlands protections, is there a risk these areas could lose protections in the future?
There is concern that changing federal rules could reduce protections, which is why advocates call for stronger state-level protections to ensure wetlands remain safeguarded regardless of federal policy shifts.

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 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.

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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?

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. Throughline
4. Today, Explained
5. The Rundown | Chicago News

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

The Block Club Chicago Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 420 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.

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What guests have appeared on The Block Club Chicago Podcast?

Recent guests on The Block Club Chicago Podcast include:

1. Samuel Fox
2. Aneesha Shetty
3. Tom Skilling
4. Seamus Toomey
5. Mick Dumke
6. Edward Qian
7. Patrick Filbin
8. Makiya Seminera

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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