City Cast Chicago

Latest Episodes:

Meet Transgender Icon Mama Gloria Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

In the early 1960s, Gloria Allen, aka Mama Gloria, was ridiculed by teachers and fellow students at Englewood High School for being a “sissy.” Allen says no one knew back then what being transgender meant. But she always knew she was a girl, and with the support of her mother, grandmother, and some neighbors, Allen was able to embrace who she really was. Living that authentic life is what helped her when she experienced traumatic sexual violence. “Mama Gloria,” streaming now on PBS, is a documentary of Allen’s life in Chicago, including attending “Sissy Balls” in the 1960s and starting a charm school for young people. Allen talks to host Jacoby Cochran about the continued fight for transgender rights.

**Warning: This episode includes descriptions of sexual violence**

Some good news: Matt Muse and Jamila Woods are hosting a benefit concert Friday at The Metro for his “Love and Nappyness” hair care drive. Here’s where to drop off hygiene products.

And there’s still time to sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win two tickets to Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba’s Tavern on Sunday!

Finding Therapy at Your Local Karaoke Bar Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Music is known as a therapeutic tool, but usually that conjures up thoughts of soothing sounds, learning to play an instrument, or writing song lyrics as a form of expression. But for many people, it also includes popping into a local karaoke bar, signing up for the song you want to sing, making friends with regulars who also sing, feeling vulnerable, finding community, and building routine. This culture was the inspiration for Karaoke Storytellers, an event where performers tell a story, then sing a song connected to that story. We talk with David Johnson, a military veteran who used karaoke as a way to build connection and purpose after his final tour of duty. Johnson, who’s performed with Karaoke Storytellers in the past, explains how karaoke helped him share his story.

Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win two tickets to Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba’s Tavern on Sunday, hosted by Jacoby Cochran.

Finding Community at C2E2 in a Covid World Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Each year, tens of thousands of super fans, aka cosplayers, head to McCormick Place Convention Center to celebrate their shared love of Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and all sorts of characters that dominate spheres of pop culture. Since the pandemic shut down gatherings and conventions, participating in those communities has been limited to online, and has left past attendees feeling lonely and isolated. Last weekend, with limited capacity and vaccination required, CE2E was held in person at McCormick Place.

City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran and Simone Alicea headed to C2E2 to talk to attendees about what returning in person meant for their sense of community, and how safe they felt.

Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win 2 tickets to Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba's Tavern on Sunday, hosted by Jacoby Cochran.

What’s In A (Chicago) Nickname? Historian Dilla Tells Us Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

The Second City. Windy City. The City of Big Shoulders. Chicago is known by many names. “We matter so much to the country, people always talking about us,” says Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, aka The TikTok Historian. Dilla talks about the history of some of these nicknames with host Jacoby Cochran, and they discuss what these monikers say about the city. Plus, Dilla just can’t help but drop a few other Chicago history facts.

Nominate City Cast Chicago as “Best Podcast” and “Best Newsletter” in Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago 2021!

Guess We Should Talk About Jussie Smollett Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

Jussie Smollett was found guilty Thursday evening of falsely reporting to police that he was a victim of a hate crime in January 2019. It’s been nearly three years of conflicting stories and political rancor leading up to the jury’s decision, after the former “Empire” actor said he was attacked outside his Streeterville apartment, and police later accused Smollett of staging the crime. The City Cast team looks back on what morphed into a convoluted and public debate over whether it was all a hoax. Jacoby Cochran, Carrie Shepherd, and Simone Alicea relive the twists and turns of the case while trying understand why (or if) we should care about it.

How Catholics Showed Up During AIDS Crisis Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

Journalist Michael J. O'Loughlin is gay and Catholic, and his latest book explores the intersection of those two worlds. “Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear” profiles church members who were behind scenes caring for people with HIV and AIDS, even as the institutional church denounced these individuals. Some of these nuns and priests were the only ones caring for patients who were abandoned by family and friends. City Cast Chicago’s Simone Alicea talks to O’Loughlin about how his personal faith journey brought him to this story.

Guest: Michael O’Loughlin — National Correspondent, America Magazine

O’Loughlin is speaking about the book on Dec. 10 at the Catholic Theological Union. You can attend virtually or in person.

Illinois’ weed tax windfall tops $560 million. Here’s where the money goes and more stories in our newsletter.

Some good news: Wrigleyville Wonderland!

City Cast and 77 Flavors Reunite at Mikkey's Grill in Avalon Park Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

For their podcast “77 Flavors of Chicago,” Dario Durham and Sara Faddah seek to visit each of Chicago’s 77 community areas to taste some of the best food the city has to offer. Host Jacoby Cochran recently joined the couple at Mikkey’s Retro Grill in Avalon Park. The trio throw down on some burgers, jerk fries, and even vegan options, while talking about the changing South Side.

Follow Sara and Dario on Instagram. Plus, go back and listen to Jacoby’s interview with the couple and his last outing with them in Hermosa.

Some good news: Meet the City Cast team during Karaoke Storytellers at Schuba’s Tavern on Dec. 19, featuring Lisa Beasley and Joanne Molinaro, aka the Korean Vegan.

Austin Residents Say Cops Don't Come When They Call and New Data Could Prove That Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Generations of residents in West Side neighborhoods like Austin have complained that police don’t come when they call 911. The Central Austin Neighborhood Association even sued the city over the problem in 2011. A decade later, a settlement has been finalized. It includes a requirement that Chicago Police track response times in each of the department’s 22 districts and make the data public. Block Club Chicago’s Pascal Sabino explains neighborhood advocates believe the data will confirm years of anecdotes, and they hope to use it to spur change.

Guest: Pascal Sabino — Reporter, Block Club Chicago

A little bit of news, y’all: City Council is set to vote on sports betting at Chicago’s stadium’s. Go back and listen to our episode about the city’s growing gambling scene.

And some good news: Help light up 575 trees along Douglas Boulevard in North Lawndale.

Who Gets In and Who Gets Left Out of Selective Enrollment Schools? Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Right now, thousands of Chicago Public School kids and their families are stressing about where they’re going to high school. That’s because Dec. 15 is the deadline to apply to the district’s selective enrollment schools. There are 11 selective enrollment public high schools in Chicago, some of which are included in lists for the best schools in the country — schools like Whitney Young, Walter Payton, and Gwendolyn Brooks. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp walks us through the history of why these schools exist, inequities in enrollment, and the process to get in. Plus, City Cast Chicago newsletter writer Sidney Madden shares her experience of applying to Whitney Young High School ten years ago.

Guests:

Sarah Karp—Education reporter, WBEZ

Sidney Madden—Newsletter writer, City Cast Chicago

Holiday Cheer, Red Stars Scandal, and Who’s Watching the Smollett Trial? Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is charged with lying about being attacked nearly three years ago outside his Streeterville apartment. The alleged-hate-crime-turned-alleged-hoax was a big deal when it happened, but City Cast’s Simone Alicea and Carrie Shepherd are a little exhausted by the story. They share their fatigue with Chicago Tribune’s Stephanie Casanova, who tells us about a fight over tenant rights in Avalon Park and a heartwarming message from Bronzeville’s “Taco Lady.” They also discuss omicron, booster shots, the resignation of Red Stars coach Rory Dames, and the holiday experiences they’re looking forward to.

Guests:

Stephanie Casanova—Reporter, Chicago Tribune

Carrie Shepherd—Lead Producer, City Cast Chicago

Stories We Talked About:

‘Nobody cares’: NWSL players say U.S. Soccer failed to act on abuse claims against Red Stars coach

A SWAT situation, a fire, no water and heat. And then a building is condemned, and residents are forced from their home days before Thanksgiving.

About 15% of Illinois residents have gotten COVID-19 booster shot, as Omicron enters U.S. and Illinois faces surge

Good News:

She has sold tacos in Bronzeville for 40 years. Her customers keep coming back, say her food is ‘made with love.’

First-Ever ‘Golden Girls’ Festival Slated For North Halsted in Lakeview in April