Stay ConnectedChicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm.
Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022
Irving Naxon invented the Crock-Pot, originally called the Naxon Beanery, in the 1930s. He got the idea from his Orthodox Jewish mother who tossed ingredients in a pot to cook cholent overnight for Shabbat. Cooking on Shabbat was forbidden, but this method allowed her to still serve a hot meal. The Crock-Pot was sold at big Chicago department stores like Sears and Montgomery Ward, and it was marketed as an efficient and inexpensive way to make dinner, especially for working mothers. We talk to Irving Naxon’s daughter, Lenore, who has become the unofficial historian of the Crock-Pot.
If you haven't yet, remember to vote for us as Best Podcast and Best Newsletter in the Chicago Reader's "Best of Chicago 2021" poll under the "City Life" category.
Some Good News:
Tomorrow Never Knows 2022 starts tonight! Find out more info and get tickets on their website.
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Chicago’s proof of vaccine requirement at bars, restaurants, and live music venues has been in effect for two weeks. It’s been a welcome addition for some business, workers and customers, but some say enforcing it has been a headache. Chicago Tribune’s Joel Noel tells us the reaction depends on where you are in Chicago. We also hear from a concert coordinator at City Winery about the various responses to mask and vaccine proof mandates she’s heard from customers during the pandemic.
Guests:
Josh Noel, reporter for the Chicago Tribune and author of "Barrel-Aged Stout and Selling Out"
Jessi Roti, concert coordinator at City Winery Chicago
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It was a long news week in Chicago, as the teachers union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot fought over whether kids and teachers should be in the classroom. That disagreement meant no class at all for a week before returning Wednesday. This week was also the end of the Bears’ disappointing season, which led the team to fire head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace. WTTW’s Paris Schutz and City Cast Chicago’s Simone Alicea break down those stories, and more. Plus, the good news is City Cast Chicago is nominated for “Best Podcast” and “Best Newsletter” in the Chicago Reader, and host Jacoby Cochran has a story in the new anthology, “Storytellers' True Stories about Love.”
Guests:
Paris Schutz—Host and reporter, Chicago Tonight
Simone Alicea—Producer, City Cast Chicago
Some Good News:
Vote for City Cast Chicago for “Best Podcast” and “Best Newsletter” in the Chicago Reader’s “Best of 2021” poll
Read Jacoby’s story in the anthology, “Storytellers' True Stories about Love.” And tell us your Chicago skating stories by emailing chicago@citycast.fm or texting or calling (773) 780-0246.
Other stories discussed:
CPS students to walk out Friday
Bears Chairman George McCaskey talks about the end of the season
New judicial subcircuits in Cook County
Aurora Mayor considering run for governor
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Chicago rapper Juice WRLD had a meteoric rise, going from dropping tracks on SoundCloud to becoming Billboard’s Top New Artist in less than four years. When the 21-year-old died in 2019 from a drug overdose, it sent shock waves across the city and world of music. A new album and documentary released in December continues to tell the story of the young artist and his music’s frank exploration of addiction and mental illness. We talk to Chicago music writer Mark Braboy about Juice WRLD’s impact and dig into what Braboy calls the artist’s darkest album.
Guest: Mark Braboy — Freelance Music Journalist
Watch “Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss” on HBOMax. Stream the album “Fighting Demons.” Check out Live Free 999, the foundation supporting mental health and addiction intervention programs started by Juice WRLD’s mom, Carmela Wallace.
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You may have heard host/producer Ayana Contreras on Vocalo or WBEZ, bringing soul music to the airwaves and diving into the stories behind the songs on the show, "Reclaimed Soul." Her first book, “Energy Never Dies: Afro-Optimism and Creativity in Chicago,” came out a few weeks ago, and takes those stories — and many others — to the next level by exploring the lasting impact of Chicago’s Black artists and entrepreneurs in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Ayana sits down with City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran to talk about cultural contributions like Ebony and Jet, Soul Train, and Afro Sheen, and the importance of the stories behind the music and art we love.
On January 29, Ayana will be talking about her book and signing copies at the Woodson Regional Library on 95th and Halsted. Find out more and sign up here.
Guest:
Ayana Contreras, host of Reclaimed Soul and author of “Energy Never Dies: Afro-Optimism and Creativity in Chicago”
Some Good News:
Comedian Lisa Beasley is hosting a “Teachers’ Appreciation Comedy Show” at 8 p.m. tonight at the Laugh Factory. It’s also virtual. Plus, there are free tickets available for CPS teachers!
Music clips in this episode from Frankie Knuckles (”Your Love,” “The Whistle Song”), Glenn Jones (”Oh Girl”), Lost Generation (”The Slick, Sly, and the Wicked”), and The Esquire (“Get on Up”).
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Chicago Public Schools students will return to classes Wednesday, now that the district and the Chicago Teachers Union have reached a tentative deal. Students went nearly a full week of no instruction while the union and the city clashed over COVID safety protocols. The deal promises increased COVID testing for students and school-based metrics for remote learning, but it fell short of the union's proposal to require opt-out testing for students and a district-wide remote learning metric. The agreement still needs to be approved by union members. The deal didn't keep Mayor Lori Lightfoot or union leaders from continuing to trade harsh words Monday night. And this is just the latest in a long and arduous line of fights between the mayor and CTU. Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa explains the three major labor disputes between the Mayor and the union since since Lightfoot took office in 2019.
Guest:
Nader Issa—Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
Some Good News:
Free days at the Shedd Aquarium.
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Rep. Bobby Rush has represented Illinois’ 1st District since 1993. His path to Congress was more unconventional than many of his peers’. He was co-founder of the Illinois Black Panther Party, an alderman, and eventually, the only person to ever beat Barack Obama in an election. He’s been an advocate of racial justice, but hasn’t been without controversy in the district. Rush is not running for reelection this year, paving the way for a younger candidate to step in to lead a district that includes not only Chicago’s South Side, but also rural areas like Frankfort and Mokena. Chicago Sun-Times columnist and ABC 7 commentator Laura Washington tells us about Rush’s legacy and what the race for his seat could look like.
Guest:
Laura Washington — Chicago Sun-Times columnist and ABC 7 political commentator
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WCIU reporter Brandon Pope and Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden break down the week’s news with host Jacoby Cochran, including the chaos Chicago Public Schools families, teachers, and staff experienced with late night class cancellations. Jamie was watching as a journalist and a CPS parent. Plus, what First District Congressman Bobby Rush’s legacy is now that he faces retirement, and how the Bulls are carrying all the hope for Chicago sports fans right now.
Guests:
Brandon Pope—WCIU Reporter and Anchor
Jamie Nesbitt Golden—Reporter, Block Club Chicago
Share your favorite hidden gems of Chicago! Call or text us at: (773) 780-0246 or email us chicago@citycast.fm
Topics discussed:
Juice WRLD's mom talks about leaked music, new documentary
Bulls on Fire
T’Challa Recast Effort
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Dr. Allison Arwady was confirmed as Commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Public Health just a couple months before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the city. Since then, she’s been all over the place, regularly appearing with the mayor and governor and answering coronavirus questions on Twitter and Facebook. She talks with host Jacoby Cochran about what goes into making public health decisions during a pandemic. She also explains why she thinks it’s safe for CPS students to return to in-person learning, even as omicron surges in Chicago.
Guest: Dr. Allison Arwady — Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health
Parents, teachers, students: How are you feeling about the return (or not) to in-person learning right now? Text us or leave a voicemail at (773) 780-0246 or email us at chicago@citycast.fm. We may include your response in the podcast or newsletter.
Also! Tell your friends about City Cast Chicago! There's swag in it for you. Tweet about us @citycastchicago!
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At this point, virtually all of us know someone who has had COVID-19, or we’ve gotten it ourselves. There are a lot of reasons for that — the omicron surge, a return to (somewhat) normal life, uneven vaccination. But many people, especially those who feel like they "did everything right," are often left feeling ashamed and guilty for contracting an infectious disease. The stigma around getting COVID can push people to keep their positive test results to themselves, which can lead to more infections, exacerbating the public health crisis. Clinical psychologist Dr. Sheehan Fisher explains what drives these feelings of shame, and he offers ways to help with the anxiety that comes with this wave of the pandemic. We also hear from one of our City Cast colleagues in Pittsburgh who got COVID over the holidays in 2020.
Guests: Sheehan Fisher — Professor, Northwestern University
Megan Harris — Senior Producer, City Cast Pittsburgh
Some good news: The documentary "Unapologetic" is streaming all this month on PBS. Check out our interviews with filmmaker Ashley O'Shay and with Bella BAHHS, whose activism is showcased in the film.
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