The Block Club Chicago Podcast

115
Daily News #157

The important, emotional, inspiring stories affecting Chicagoans.

Recent Episodes
  • 'Art For Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland' Honors Indigenous Voices
    May 2, 2025 – 00:18:29
  • Uber Wrongfully Charged Riders Downtown Congestion Fee For Months
    Apr 30, 2025 – 00:10:18
  • The West Side Teen Operating A Hair Salon In Her High School Bathroom
    Apr 24, 2025 – 00:15:33
  • The Illegal Junkyard Operating On City Property For A Decade
    Apr 14, 2025 – 00:17:18
  • Is The Mag Mile Staging A Comeback?
    Apr 10, 2025 – 00:16:17
  • The Chicagoans With The 3,000 Mile Commute
    Mar 18, 2025 – 00:20:04
  • Chicago Teacher’s Book Explores Life As A Kid In An Immigrant Household
    Mar 11, 2025 – 00:14:18
  • The Neighborhood Looking For Answers As Survivors Look For Justice
    Mar 4, 2025 – 00:26:07
  • 90 Years Of Cheezborger Cheezborger
    Feb 27, 2025 – 00:17:33
  • The Alderman's Office That Kicked A Block Club Reporter Out Of A Public Meeting
    Feb 25, 2025 – 00:17:38
  • City Tears Down Encampment Tents During Bitter Cold
    Feb 20, 2025 – 00:15:55
  • Are Chicago's Winters Changing Forever?
    Feb 17, 2025 – 00:24:46
  • Michael Madigan Guilty In Landmark Corruption Case
    Feb 12, 2025 – 00:20:42
  • When A Trip To The Doctor Could Lead To Deportation
    Feb 11, 2025 – 00:21:21
  • Lorraine Hansberry's South Side Roots Shaped Her Legendary Career
    Feb 6, 2025 – 00:24:22
  • He Was The City's Highest Paid Employee -- Now He's Getting A Raise
    Feb 4, 2025 – 00:15:01
  • Ten Days Of Fear, Confusion, Arrests
    Jan 30, 2025 – 00:21:41
  • Can Google Save The Loop?
    Jan 28, 2025 – 00:24:29
  • How Two Families, And Seven Billion Dollars, Aim To Transform The West Side
    Jan 23, 2025 – 00:16:07
  • Behind The Lens -- Block Club Chicago's Photojournalist Colin Boyle
    Jan 21, 2025 – 00:20:00
  • Trump Deportations Starting In Chicago
    Jan 18, 2025 – 00:21:35
  • The Hemp Loophole And Murky Future Of Smoke Shops
    Jan 16, 2025 – 00:22:48
  • What Is Quantum Computing And Why Is It Coming Here?
    Jan 14, 2025 – 00:21:31
  • Are We Headed For A Chicago Teachers Strike?
    Jan 9, 2025 – 00:20:54
  • Why The Onion Bought Infowars - For A Moment
    Jan 7, 2025 – 00:16:35
  • The Stories We Loved In 2024 (Part 2)
    Jan 3, 2025 – 00:29:22
  • The Stories We Loved In 2024 (Part 1)
    Dec 31, 2024 – 00:26:03
  • How Joakim Noah Is Building Community — And Preventing Violence — Through Basketball
    Dec 26, 2024 – 00:14:37
  • How 'Chance The Snapper' Might Help Cure Cancer
    Dec 23, 2024 – 00:20:43
  • The Never Ending Line
    Dec 19, 2024 – 00:22:13
  • How The Mayor Got His Budget Passed -- With No Property Tax Increase
    Dec 17, 2024 – 00:15:36
  • How Lou Manfredini Became 'Mr. Fix-It' For Millions
    Dec 12, 2024 – 00:21:54
  • North Side Businesses Struggle Amid Burglary Surge
    Dec 10, 2024 – 00:20:00
  • How You Can Save Local News
    Dec 6, 2024 – 00:20:32
  • Turns Out There Are 120 Chicago Neighborhoods
    Dec 4, 2024 – 00:26:05
  • 'You Had Me At Truffle' -- How Chicago's Small Businesses Thrive
    Nov 27, 2024 – 00:22:54
  • Chicago’s Essential Dive Bars
    Nov 25, 2024 – 00:20:40
  • Chicago Owed Millions In Police Overtime -- But They Aren't Sending The Bill
    Nov 21, 2024 – 00:18:13
  • The Mayor's Proposed Police Therapist Cuts Raising Alarm Bells
    Nov 19, 2024 – 00:20:16
  • Why Are Grocery Stores Leaving?
    Nov 14, 2024 – 00:20:57
  • Father Of Slain Teen Writes Children’s Book To Honor Him
    Nov 12, 2024 – 00:23:59
  • After 100,000 Passengers, The Uber Driver Finding Humanity In A New Memoir
    Nov 8, 2024 – 00:20:39
  • How Election Day Played Out In Chicago
    Nov 6, 2024 – 00:21:35
  • Mayor Johnson Breaks A Major Campaign Promise
    Oct 31, 2024 – 00:19:05
  • Courtroom Sketch Artist Thriving Thanks To Indicted Chicago Politicians
    Oct 29, 2024 – 00:18:44
  • How Chicago’s Last Two Costume Shops Have Survived
    Oct 24, 2024 – 00:15:42
  • The Choice For Cook County State's Attorney
    Oct 17, 2024 – 00:20:35
  • The Uphill Battle Prosecutors Faced -- And Conquered
    Oct 15, 2024 – 00:22:27
  • Chicago's Mayors Historically Have No Chill
    Oct 10, 2024 – 00:26:48
  • Chicago's School Board Showdown -- What's Next?
    Oct 8, 2024 – 00:21:41
Recent Reviews
  • LANewsie
    Amazing local news offering
    The Block Club Chicago podcast consistently adds context and depth to discussions about news in Chicago. Thanks for keeping us informed, and taking us behind the headlines.
  • RubyB612
    Incredible hyper local news
    Block Club Chicago is a group of hard working, talented Chicagoans looking to highlight stories from the hyper-local to the national. They do so with integrity, vigor, and (on this podcast and the ‘It’s All Good’ variety) a dash of optimism where appropriate.
  • MyFavoriteNicknameWasTaken
    Disappointingly boring
    As a lifelong Chicagoan, I was excited to find this podcast. Some of the stores are covered in a very poor fashion. They unfortunately disproportionately cover street crime like the rest of Chicago media. Block Club Chicago articles are typically pretty good. This needs a revamp
  • beckyjf
    Great Chicago journalism, for your ears
    The Block Club Chicago podcast gives a voice to a city full of people with stories to tell. It’s a refreshing source of informative and interesting local journalism, delivered with a conversational tone that feels like an informed neighbor telling me about the things that are going on around me that I should know about. I’ve been enjoying it as a regular source of local news and often recommend this podcast to other Chicagoans.
  • Ricky Tenderkiss
    I miss the old image
    Excellent local coverage, often with a positive community angle: essential, and very enjoyable. But — and I’m not sure what to call the image attached to a podcast: its placard? billboard? thumbnail? illustration? “cover?” — I miss the old image which came attached to this download: it had the air of a colorful community mural, the kind of thing local artists pretty up a neighborhood with! The new big blocky B against a black background is … kinda dull, by contrast. I get that maybe you’re going for a more “serious” look? But no one needs that. Reporting is where you get your gravitas from, so let us keep our joyous and colorful community mural! [Edit: I dunno why, but my review appeared under a single star — but I’ve given you FIVE stars!! so I’m editing this to try and correct that. 2023.11.14.18.41]
  • Katgeary
    Okay
    Wow this podcast is soooo boring. It is shocking how boring this podcast is especially when every time I am turning around block club is breaking a story on Twitter fb etc it’s just like such a disconnect from their news which is on the pulse. Also the host does not have a radio voice Brandon pope now that’s a booming voice. It’s just so bizarre, sorry I’m unsubscribing
  • Robert G. Brown
    Awesome Podcast
    This Is Something What The Community Needs Right About Now
  • Gragraboobie
    Favorite new podcast!!
    Favorite new podcast! Love reading Block Club as well
  • bachelor brian
    Love it
    This is what a Chicago podcast should be. Excellent.
  • jkolney
    Breath of Fresh Air!
    It’s a breath of fresh air to hear about positive and inspiring stories of people, businesses, and neighborhoods that make this city great.
  • qpm3gxz
    👍
    I subscribe to Block Club Chicago and love their reporting. This podcast is up to their high standards. I learn so much about what is happening in Chicago and why Chicago is a great city.
  • DIVA Iphone
    Block Club
    Another great wonderful podcast…there are such cool people in Chicago. Love fro skate
  • ImthePfuzz
    21 pineapples
    I absolutely love Jonathan Hansen!He is exceptional to work with and he is so down to earth. He makes you feel so comfortable. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him a few times and he is a class act. I just listened to the podcast he did about my sons company and I have to say it’s one of my favorites. This is such a great way to highlight all the great things going on in Chicago. No better person to spread the goodness! Hopefully we work together again soon. Thank you for your support and your love!!!!
  • MelP2304
    The feel good stories we all need
    Love this podcast! Jon Hansen is a fantastic host who brings the most positive stories from the BlockClub team to life each week. It makes me feel proud to be a Chicagoan and feel more connected each week to the city and its communities.
  • Pistodog
    Chicago Grapevine Sharing Vital Stories
    Wonderful podcast that shares so many important stories. This Chicago Grapevine directly connects you with projects and businesses that help our greatest resources - the youth of Chicago.
  • Maxwell McGregor
    It IS All Good
    Positive life-affirming content. We need more of these!
  • PiffnAintEasy
    A Weekly Pick-Me-Up
    Not only is this podcast an excellent showcase for all of Chicago, the storytelling by Jon and the Block Club Chicago team is fantastic. It’s also great to look forward to a piece of positivity every week.
  • Lauren92lofggbvvgh
    It's Always All Good
    I love that Block Club is thriving! The good news they share on the podcast sheds light on the awesome people in Chicago who are doing great things. In a world of bad news, the positive energy of this podcast and the sunshine the host and writers bring infuse some positivity in my day.
  • Chgogirl83
    A must listen
    I’ve been on team Block Club since the beginning. So I’m in no way surprised that I love this podcast. It, like everything else Block Club provides, is a must for any Chicagoan.
  • CeeG210
    Perfect 1st episode, Jon!!
    I’m a fan of yours from The Jam TV Show and really loved what I heard. The true humanity in the man who gives so much to/for those truly in need...He is an angel here on Earth. Thanks for exposing me to his life story so far. I hope there’s going to be follow up episodes. ☮️❤️🤙🏻🏳️‍🌈
  • s_gardiner
    Chicago Neighborhood News
    Great stories that get to the heart of Chicago! Block Club is such a great organization!
  • Cheercats97
    Local journalism at its best!
    Block Club has been doing hyper-local journalism for years and does it better than anyone. Their new podcast helps being added depth to their stellar reporting!
  • Steph N G
    Inspiring podcast
    I was inspired hearing about how neighbors are helping each other in Chicago. So much of the news is doom and gloom, and this is a breath of fresh air — a fun, uplifting listen.
  • Bendeboss
    Uplifting!
    I needed this.
  • pksmid
    The greatest
    A really wonderful podcast, especially that Mina Bloom
  • ShamusT
    A great way to spread good news
    Excited for Chicago to hear great stories of people doing good things around the city.
  • BCStubbs
    Can’t wait!
    Love this crew. Can’t wait for this!
  • hannahbouf
    So excited for this!!
    Counting down the days
  • May Jay MJ
    Yesssss!
    Looking forward to the first episode! I know this podcast will be great!
  • Jaydubward
    Excited for this!!
    Really looking forward to it.
  • erq85
    Super Excited!
    Can’t wait for this to launch, if it’s as good as the articles this should be a great podcast!
  • MinaBloom
    This is what chicago needs!
    Cannot wait!!!!!
  • mikey william bean
    Can’t wait!
    A great addition to the Block Club coverage!
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.