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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Illinois
Trump Administration
ICE
Affordable Housing
Affordable Care Act
Chicago Public Schools
Immigration
SNAP
Donald Trump
Corporate Head Tax
Brandon Johnson
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Uchicago Medicine
Border Patrol
Mental Health Services
Homelessness
Covid-19
Jesse Jackson
Civil Rights Movement

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes2860Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Latest Episodes

The U.S. has officially observed June 19 as a federal holiday for the last five years. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people, and the end of slavery in the U.S. in 1865. Today on In the Loop, we hear about the Juneteenth celebra... more

No you’re not seeing things – we’re bringing you our Weekly News Recap a day early! Illinois Governor JB Pritzker promises to be “very involved” in the 2028 presidential election. A man accused of burning a cross in Grant Park faces hate crime and ar... more

What’s behind the surge to try to ban books and what does it mean for readers? We tap in with a panel of experts, including an Illinois author whose children’s book is banned from several shelves outside of the state. GUESTS: Veronica Arreola, author... more

Housing advocates have warned that the Obama Presidential Center could price out longtime residents. So far, the cost of single and multi-family homes in Woodlawn closest to the Obama Center have doubled since 2019, and less than a third of housing s... more

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Recent Guests

Danny Wirtz
Chairman and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
Episode: Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Residents Talk About What They Want To See For Chicago’s West Side
Marie Henderson
Owner of Out of the Past Records
Out of the Past Records
Episode: Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Residents Talk About What They Want To See For Chicago’s West Side
Brian Keith Ellison
Board president of Garfield Park Community Council
Garfield Park Community Council
Episode: Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Residents Talk About What They Want To See For Chicago’s West Side
Ayesha Jaco
Executive director of West Side United and board chair of Garfield Park Right to Wellness Collaborative
West Side United
Episode: Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Residents Talk About What They Want To See For Chicago’s West Side
Norma Seledon
Director of Leadership Development and Capacity Building at Equality Illinois
Equality Illinois
Episode: Local Queer Elders On LGBTQ+ Pride In 2026
Jay Myers
70-year-old storyteller and LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project participant
LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project
Episode: Local Queer Elders On LGBTQ+ Pride In 2026
Raymond A. Thomas
Curator, From Memory to Movement exhibit
Blanc Gallery (Bronzeville)
Episode: Local Queer Elders On LGBTQ+ Pride In 2026
Earl Harris, Jr.
Democratic Indiana State Representative, 2nd District
Indiana General Assembly
Episode: Plot Twist: Bears Take Serious Step Toward Indiana
Cheryl Raye-Stout
WBEZ's sports contributor
WBEZ
Episode: Plot Twist: Bears Take Serious Step Toward Indiana

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 390 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 Statesa year 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 States3 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.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#140
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#236
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#137
Israel/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#184
South Korea/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 5, 2026
Q: What are the implications of the Obama Center for the local community?
The center is seen as a catalyst for cultural and civic engagement on the South and West Sides, offering expansive public spaces, educational resources, and a visible symbol of community investment while sparking debates about architecture and infrastructure.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 5, 2026
Q: How is the 1901 project expected to reshape the Near West Side?
It is framed as a comprehensive redevelopment with housing, hotels, a new music venue, parks, and potential transit enhancements, designed to spur economic activity and stabilize the area long-term.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 5, 2026
Q: What stood out most about the session's outcome on the big policy bills?
The session ended with several ambitious proposals failing to pass, notably AI regulation and housing/ zoning reforms, due to inter-chamber disagreements and concerns about local control, even as other measures advanced.
Eliminating Chicago’s ‘Pharmacy Deserts’
Q: What is the core idea behind the city-run approach, and how would it practically operate in neighborhoods most in need?
Hall describes a model where the city acts as landlord, pays leases and utilities, and coordinates with public health to ensure access, while independent pharmacists provide services and products, supported by a streamlined regulatory and financial framework.
Eliminating Chicago’s ‘Pharmacy Deserts’
Q: Speak more to that demand for investments into the community and what you envision with the redesigned pharmacy-only store.
Edwin Muldrow explains that the Office of Pharmacy Access would create a three-person staff, leverage city-owned space, and negotiate leases to host independent pharmacists who can serve the community with essential medicines and wellness products.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
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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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1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. Code Switch
4. The Brian Lehrer Show
5. Marketplace

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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons launched 10 years ago and published 2860 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. Danny Wirtz
2. Marie Henderson
3. Brian Keith Ellison
4. Ayesha Jaco
5. Norma Seledon
6. Jay Myers
7. Raymond A. Thomas
8. Earl Harris, Jr.

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