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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Illinois
ICE
Trump Administration
Affordable Care Act
SNAP
Affordable Housing
Chicago, United States
Corporate Head Tax
Donald Trump
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Immigration
Uchicago Medicine
Border Patrol
Obama Presidential Center
Public Health
Jesse Jackson
Chicago Public Schools
Civil Rights Movement
Homelessness Prevention Programs

We’re unpacking the headlines and making the news make sense. Get connected with local experts, your neighbors and the stories shaping Chicago.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2895Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Latest Episodes

Illinois has joined a growing number of states that regulate the way social media companies can interact with minors. The Children's Online Social Media Safety Act aims to create guardrails for kids while still giving them an option to learn and conn... more

As schools gear up to welcome students back to class this month, they’ll also have to come up with an idea of how to use – or protect against – artificial intelligence tools. The Illinois State Board of Education last month released a comprehensive f... more

The feds threaten to prosecute Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Chicago Public Schools hope state lawmakers will approve funding, and a former top CPS executive is charged with COVID loan fraud. Also, we say good-bye to 91-year-old Chicago jazz legend G... more

How high would you be willing to go to secure that new condo? On the North Side, some Chicagoans are going hundreds of thousands of dollars above the asking price, and even waiving inspections, all to beat the competition.

In the Loop hears from a b... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Michael Wang
Co-founder of 144 Tiles Mahjong Club
144 Tiles Mahjong Club
Episode: Mahjong: Tiles And Traditions
Luisa Jurado
Co-founder of Mahjong Chicago
Mahjong Chicago
Episode: Mahjong: Tiles And Traditions
Annelise Heinz
Professor of history, University of Oregon; author of Mahjong, A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture
University of Oregon
Episode: Mahjong: Tiles And Traditions
Linda Nemec
Sleepy Hollow resident
Healthcare consumer
Episode: The Good, Bad, And Gassy Sides Of Taking Ozempic, Wegovy
Dr. Ahsan Basha
Oncologist
Chicago area medical professional
Episode: The Good, Bad, And Gassy Sides Of Taking Ozempic, Wegovy
Betsy Elsaesser
Logan Square resident
Healthcare consumer
Episode: The Good, Bad, And Gassy Sides Of Taking Ozempic, Wegovy
Johnny Ford
Vice President of Communications for the Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
Episode: Chicago Welcomes Belugas From Canada, But Not Without Concerns
Kaitlyn Mitchell
Director of Legal Advocacy for Animal Justice
Animal Justice (Toronto-based)
Episode: Chicago Welcomes Belugas From Canada, But Not Without Concerns
Stefano Esposito
Chicago Sun-Times Features Reporter
Chicago Sun-Times
Episode: Chicago Welcomes Belugas From Canada, But Not Without Concerns

Hosts

Sasha-Ann Simons
Host of In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons; provides local-issue focus with empathetic interviewing style.
Claire Lane
Host of In the Loop; Morning Edition anchor; drives discussions with local insight.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 392 ratings
  • Listener for years…

    I’m less aware of what’s going down in the city without this show! Thank you, Sasha! And PUBLIC MEDIA!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Burchp
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent host

    Simons is fantastic — sincerely empathetic and curious, asking questions that yield fascinating answers. The topics are relevant to every day people and hyper local in the best way

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bizzysteph
    United States2 years ago
  • Great show, small gripe

    I enjoy Reset’s content about the Chicagoland area. It gives good context on specific issues in a format similar to NYT’s The Daily gives on worldwide issues. My only complaint is a technical one, which is that the maximum volume of the episodes is lower than most of the other podcasts I listen to, including some from WBEZ. There are times when I am unable to listen to it because the ambient noise level around me is too high, but other podcast with higher max volume are completely understandable... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    An untaken nickname!!
    United States2 years ago
  • Divisive

    This podcast promotes views of “inequities” in Chicago and that correcting these alleged “systemic” problems requires further favoritism and discrimination based on color and other identity characteristics like sexual orientation. What isn’t understood is the focus on race and favoritism just hurts the individuals struggling in this city and is not sustainable. Please read the Constitution and recent court decisions and stop the race rhetoric. It’s harmful and unproductive.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AnotherJoe1
    United States2 years ago
  • Sasha is AWESOME

    Hearing Sasha hang up on Richard Pearson of the Illinois Division of the NRA was perfect.

    Natalie Moore interviews and segments are my favorites.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yaditexas
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Regular guests and strong reporting are frequently highlighted as strengths.
Praise for the host's empathy and effective questioning.
Listeners value hyper-local focus and practical context on Chicago issues.
The show is described as essential Chicago news and a reliable way to stay informed.
Some criticism exists around audio volume and pacing in certain episodes.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Good, Bad, And Gassy Sides Of Taking Ozempic, Wegovy
Q: What should someone know before starting these medications?
Experts emphasize consulting with clinicians, understanding potential side effects, considering lifestyle changes, and exploring medically supervised weight loss clinics to manage expectations and safety.
The Good, Bad, And Gassy Sides Of Taking Ozempic, Wegovy
Q: What made you start GLP-1 therapy and what did you hope it would change?
Panelists share personal goals (e.g., attending a reunion, reducing health risks) and the turning point where medications led to improvements in blood sugar, weight, and overall energy, acknowledging mixed results.
The Good, Bad, And Gassy Sides Of Taking Ozempic, Wegovy
Q: What is it actually like to live on GLP-1s?
Panelists discuss experiences with weight loss, side effects like GI issues, cost challenges, and the realities of long-term usage, including how some see benefits beyond weight loss and others stop due to perceived risks or insufficient results.
Reducing Chicago’s ‘Urban Heat Island’ Effect
Q: Could you see that making a difference in Chatham?
Absolutely, the neighborhoods most affected by heat can benefit from targeted tree planting, better maintenance of green spaces, and empowering residents through programs like Tree Ambassadors and 311 requests for street trees.
Ask The Mayor: July 2026
Q: What is the plan for encampments and homelessness in the city?
The plan focuses on moving families from encampments to safer, dignified settings through non-congregate housing, shelter expansion, and a coordinated effort with city agencies and community partners.

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 In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

What is In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A city-focused news show brings in local reporters, government officials, educators, and subject-matter experts to unpack headlines and explain how national issues play out in Chicago. Episodes frequently cluster around housing, education, immigration, public safety, and local governance, with guests ranging from city officials and journalists to researchers and advocates. The format tends to be brisk, with clear takeaways and real-world implications for residents, policymakers, and professionals navigating Chicago's complex urban landscape. A notable strength is the show's ability to mix on-the-ground reporting with expert perspectives, offering both context and practical insights for listeners who want to understand how headlines affect t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. Up First from NPR
4. Code Switch
5. On the Media

How many episodes of In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons are there?

In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons launched 10 years ago and published 2895 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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What guests have appeared on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons?

Recent guests on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons include:

1. Michael Wang
2. Luisa Jurado
3. Annelise Heinz
4. Linda Nemec
5. Dr. Ahsan Basha
6. Betsy Elsaesser
7. Johnny Ford
8. Kaitlyn Mitchell

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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