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Artwork for The Fran Spielman Show

The Fran Spielman Show

Chicago Sun-Times
Brandon Johnson
Chicago
Chicago City Council
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Budget Proposal
Property Tax Increase
Shotspotter
Illinois
City Council
Public Safety
Anthony Beale
Budget 2025
Kamala Harris
Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago School Board
Lori Lightfoot
Tip Sweep
Crime Rates In Chicago
Donald Trump
American Rescue Plan Act

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes329Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for The Fran Spielman Show

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Fran Spielman discusses the contentious budget plan proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, which includes nearly $600 million in progressive taxes targeting wealthy corporations and individuals. Joined by senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee... more

In this episode, Fran Spielman hosts a discussion with Chicago Alderpersons Jesse Fuentes (26th), Julia Ramirez (12th), and Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) about the significant impact of President Donald Trump's severe immigration crackdown on their wards... more

In this episode, Fran Spielman interviews Crane Kenny, President of Business Operations for the Chicago Cubs, celebrating the team's recent victory over the San Diego Padres, which advanced them to the National League Divisional Series against the Mi... more

In this episode, Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman interviews downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) who is now running for Cook County Board president. Reilly discusses his critiques of current County Board President Tony Preckwinkle, highligh... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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 and veteran City Hall reporter

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 States3 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 States5 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 States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is regarded as a must-listen for anyone interested in the political landscape of Chicago.
Some critiques highlight an occasional tendency for the host to interrupt guests, affecting the flow of conversation.
Listeners appreciate the well-informed and insightful interviews with influential Chicago figures.

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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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Fran Spielman Show

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

The show offers a deep exploration of the political landscape in Chicago, featuring insightful conversations with influential leaders such as politicians, policymakers, and community figures. Central themes include governance challenges, election dynamics, local policies, and pressing social issues that impact the city. The host's experience as a veteran City Hall reporter adds depth to discussions, providing listeners with insider perspectives and analysis of current events in Chicago. This unique blend of personal anecdotes and informed commentary is likely to attract those interested in local politics and community affairs.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Fran Spielman Show?

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How many listeners does The Fran Spielman Show get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Fran Spielman Show 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 Fran Spielman Show?

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

1. Crain's Daily Gist
2. City Cast Chicago
3. The Rundown | Chicago News
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of The Fran Spielman Show are there?

The Fran Spielman Show launched 6 years ago and published 329 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 Fran Spielman Show?

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 Fran Spielman Show?

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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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