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Artwork for The Fran Spielman Show

The Fran Spielman Show

Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago
Brandon Johnson
Chicago City Council
Chicago Public Schools
Illinois
City Council
Affordable Housing
Budget Shortfall
Public Safety
Property Tax Increase
Chicago Budget Proposal
Ravinia Festival
Shotspotter
Chicago Teachers Union
Budget 2025
Anthony Beale
Lori Lightfoot
Kamala Harris
Trump
Chicago Cubs

Join veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman as she interviews Chicago’s biggest movers and shakers. Each week, Fran sits down with a local leader, politician or policymaker to get the inside scoop on the latest news in Chicago.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes356Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Fran Spielman Show

Latest Episodes

Fran Spielman interviews newly confirmed Chicago transportation commissioner William Cheaks Jr. about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed EV-charging-only parking spaces pilot with Cheaks Jr. noting autonomous vehicles are not authorized in Chicago and ... more

Fran Spielman interviews Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), the new chair of Chicago’s City Council Zoning Committee, about how the council ended a months-long zoning stalemate without Mayor Brandon Johnson’s backing after leadership turmoil and failed ma... more

Fran Spielman reunites with longtime City Hall rival and friend John Kass to discuss his latest health crisis and rehabilitation after what she describes as his third stroke. He reviews earlier medical emergencies including a stroke during open-heart... more

Fran Spielman interviews retiring Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg, who explains why she chose not to seek a second term, arguing watchdog credibility requires independence and that new legislation strengthening OIG protections made it the ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jason Lee
Senior Mayoral Advisor to Mayor Brandon Johnson.
City of Chicago
Episode: Navigating Chicago's Budget: A Conversation with senior mayoral advisor Jason Lee
Jim Edgar
Former Governor of Illinois
Episode: Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar
Larry Snelling
Chicago Police Superintendent
Chicago Police Department
Episode: Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling
Kristen Reynolds
New president and CEO of Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago
Episode: Navigating Tourism Challenges in Chicago with Choose Chicago's New CEO, Kristen Reynolds
Brandon Johnson
Mayor of Chicago
City of Chicago
Episode: Mayor Brandon Johnson: Reflections on two years in office
Ciere Boatright
Commissioner of Planning and Development in Chicago
City of Chicago
Episode: Challenges and Opportunities in Chicago's Development: A Conversation with Commissioner Ciere Boatright
Anthony Driver
President of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Episode: Anthony Driver, President of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Melissa Bell
CEO of Chicago Public Media, overseeing WBEZ Radio and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Chicago Public Media
Episode: Chicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell
Beatriz Ponce de León
Chicago's Deputy Mayor for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
City of Chicago
Episode: Chicago's Response to Mass Deportation Efforts

Host

Fran Spielman
Host of The Fran Spielman Show

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 41 ratings
  • Proco interview

    This man has a lifelong addiction. The questions Fran asked him clearly indicated she has zero indication of what addiction is and how to approach an addict in recovery. I am no fan of Moreno at all but she needs to do her homework before interviewing people with addiction. IDk why he did this interview with her.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Alexail
    United States4 years ago
  • Rude, interrupts and talks over guest

    I’ve never listened to an interviewer who is so rude to a guest. I understand you have to ask questions, but there is actually a better way than interrupting and talking over your guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Fiddichlivett
    United States6 years ago
  • A Must if you care about Chicago

    There is nobody that knows and understands the political scene in Chicago more than Fran Spielman. Her show is extremely well done and interesting to listen to, no less very informative. I look forward to it each week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JustinCB
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Interruptions and talking over guests are noted by some listeners.
Strong coverage of Chicago politics and governance is appreciated by many listeners.
S分享ized: The host asks sharp questions and provides strong Chicago governance insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#112
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Challenges and Opportunities in Chicago's Development: A Conversation with Commissioner Ciere Boatright
Q: How will the city continue to engage with the community regarding development projects?
Boatright assures that the Department of Planning engages with neighborhoods and receives input from both supporters and opponents to shape development initiatives.
Challenges and Opportunities in Chicago's Development: A Conversation with Commissioner Ciere Boatright
Q: What do you envision for Michigan Avenue in the future?
Boatright envisions a vibrant Michigan Avenue with more local and national retailers, improved public space, and increased foot traffic as residential projects come online.
Challenges and Opportunities in Chicago's Development: A Conversation with Commissioner Ciere Boatright
Q: What impact have the tariffs had on your development initiatives?
Boatright acknowledges tariffs as a significant concern but insists that they will not paralyze development initiatives; ongoing projects continue to advance despite rising costs.
Challenges and Opportunities in Chicago's Development: A Conversation with Commissioner Ciere Boatright
Q: How have your previous experiences informed your first year as Commissioner?
Boatright highlights his background in both non-profit and for-profit development sectors, emphasizing his collaborative approach and deep understanding of the challenges faced in various communities.
Outgoing Chicago Park District CEO Rosa Escareno
Q: If this goal was so important to the mayor, why did he not have a single phone conversation with you over the last two years?
His intentions have been made clear through multiple conversations with his cabinet members.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Fran Spielman Show

What is The Fran Spielman Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners can expect in-depth conversations about Chicago politics, city governance, budgeting, and public safety, with a focus on how policy decisions affect residents and local institutions. Episodes frequently cover pension funding, municipal finance, transportation infrastructure, education funding, and leadership dynamics across City Hall and state government. A notable strength is the host's familiarity with Chicago's political landscape and access to high-level policymakers, which tends to yield detailed, insider perspectives on accountability, reform, and economic development. A potential standout is timely discussions around major city projects and reforms, offering listeners actionable context for reporters, policymakers, and civi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Fran Spielman Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Fran Spielman Show:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Fresh Air
3. Curious City
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Letters from an American

How many episodes of The Fran Spielman Show are there?

The Fran Spielman Show launched 7 years ago and published 356 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 The Fran Spielman Show?

Recent guests on The Fran Spielman Show include:

1. Jason Lee
2. Jim Edgar
3. Larry Snelling
4. Kristen Reynolds
5. Brandon Johnson
6. Ciere Boatright
7. Anthony Driver
8. Melissa Bell

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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