25 Best Chicago History Podcasts

1. Curious City

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Website Apple Spotify
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
Host Erin Allen
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 672Facebook 13.7KTwitter 13.7KInstagram 7.7K Avg Length 12 min Format Short form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. Vanished Chicagoland Stories

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Website Apple
From Vanished Chicagoland's Facebook Page, I will record podcast episodes about my memories from businesses and events that happened while growing up in Chicago.
Producer/Network Pete Kastanes
Email ****@yahoo.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 9Facebook 89.2KTwitter 12.5K Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

3. Backstory with Larry Potash

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Website Apple Spotify
Explore the BACKSTORY behind some of the most intriguing tales in history, culture, religion and science from Chicago and beyond. 
Host Larry Potash
Producer/Network WGN-TV
Email ****@wgntv.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 131Facebook 1.6MTwitter 431.8KInstagram 226.7K Avg Length 10 min Format Bite size Since Feb 2019 Get Email Contact

4. Chicago History Podcast

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Stories from history of the Greatest City in the World - Chicago. The places, events, and the people behind it all.
Host Tommy Henry
Producer/Network Chicago History Podcast
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 180Facebook 1.6KTwitter 1.4KInstagram 2.7K Avg Length 40 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

5. Culinary Historians of Chicago

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Culinary Historians of Chicago studies the history of food and drink in human cultures. Why we procure, prepare and serve the food we do has cultural, sociological, geographical, financial and political influences. We encourage participation from all walks of life: from academics to home cooks, chefs to grill masters, farmers to heirloom gardeners, food scientists to students. Our programs, and those of our sister organization Chicago Foodways Roundtable, are supported by research, fieldwork and scholarship, though geared to an informed popular audience. We welcome everyone to gather at our table to share food, drink and their life's culinary experiences...MORE Hosts Scott Warner, Catherine Lambrecht
Producer/Network CulinaryHistory
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 3Facebook 1.2KTwitter 936 Avg Length 70 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

6. The Chicago Civil War Round Table Monthly Meetings

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Website Spotify
The Civil War Round Table of Chicago present programming of interest to devotées of American Civil War history, support preservation of Civil War battle sites, and sponsor a very popular annual battlefield tour. Founded in 1940, The Civil War Round Table of Chicago was the very first of over 200 such Round Tables that now meet around the world.The Civil War Round Table of Chicago is dedicated to the study of all aspects of the American Civil War, bringing together those who wish to expand and share their knowledge, as we promote the interchange of ideas.MORE Host Marc Kunis
Producer/Network Marc Kunis
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 16 Avg Length 72 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

7. Windy City Historians Podcast

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Website Apple Spotify
This is not your Grandad's podcast - WELCOME to the Windy City Historians (WCH) Podcast! Windy City Historians Podcast is a podcast on and about Chicago history for anyone curious about the Windy City hosted by authors and historians Christopher Lynch & Patrick McBriarty. Started in March 2019, we share Chicago history and some great Chicago stories.MORE Hosts Patrick McBriarty, Christopher Lynch
Producer/Network Christopher Lynch & Patrick McBriarty
Email ****@windycityhistorians.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 40 Avg Length 64 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

8. The Fronczak Files

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Apple Spotify
Mysteries, DNA, and the Search for Who We Really Are.The Fronczak Files is a gripping podcast that delves deep into the investigation of the abduction of Paul Fronczak, the abandonment of Jack Rosenthal, and the disappearance of Jack's twin sister Jill. This true crime podcast takes you on a rollercoaster ride through Paul's experiences, searching for his family and uncovering new mysteries along the way.In April 1964, a woman disguised as a nurse walked into a Chicago hospital room and took a one-day-old infant from the arms of a young mother named Dora Fronczak...MORE Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5 Avg Length 46 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

9. Unboxing Queer History

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Website Apple Spotify
Unboxing Queer History is a podcast from Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, one of the largest LGBTQ libraries & archives in the world.Each of the 8 episodes in Unboxing Queer History focuses on a different story from the LGBTQ history inside of Gerber/Hart's collections and archives. The episodes range from discussions of the importance of a LGBTQ circulating library to Chicago drag history and include interviews with community leaders, volunteers, researchers, and local historians. Unboxing Queer History is created by Ari Mejia, Jen Dentel, and Erin Bell...MORE Producer/Network Gerber/Hart Library and Archives
Email ****@gerberhart.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 30 Avg Length 31 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

10. Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

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'Flower in the River' podcast, inspired by my book of the same name, explores the 1915 Eastland Disaster in Chicago and its enduring impact, particularly on my family's history. We'll explore the intertwining narratives of others impacted by this tragedy as well, and we'll dive into writing and genealogy and uncover the surprising supernatural elements that surface in family history research. Come along with me on this journey of discovery. MORE Producer/Network Natalie Zett
Email ****@outlook.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 5 Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

11. DIBS presented by Chicago History

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Apple Spotify
The DIBS podcast, presented by @chicago_history is a podcast where we dive into the heart and soul of the Windy City. From the towering skyscrapers of the Loop to the deep-dish pizza debates, from Wrigley Field's ivy-covered walls to the electric legacy of Michael Jordan, Chicago isn't just a place—it's a story.Whether it's entrepreneurs changing the game, artists shaping culture, or community leaders making waves. Each episode explores the stories that make Chicago the vibrant, gritty, and extraordinary place we all love. DIBS is presented by @chicago-history.MORE Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5 Avg Length 48 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

12. Chicago Unscripted

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Google anyone. Chances are they have a Chicago connection. Whether they were born here, grew up here, were elected here, or just passed through, almost everyone has a Chicago thread that runs through their life or career. That's where the conversation starts. CBS Chicago's Joe Donlon brings you the flavor and history of the greatest city in the world, through the eyes of those who claim Chicago as home.MORE Producer/Network Joe Donlon
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 13 Avg Length 50 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

13. Chicago Land

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Website Apple
Chicago is where the American Empire was built. Armies of frontier pioneers poured in from eastern outposts, buoyed by waves of investment capital. Soon railroads radiated westward, funneling lumber, grain, and livestock back into the metropole. The landscape itself was dismantled and reshaped into a new country.Chicago Land is a 'video podcast' examining the geographic history of Chicago and the American Empire hosted by Dr. Xavier Zahnle.MORE Estimated listeners
Avg Length 40 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

14. 77 Flavors of Chicago: History & Culture

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Website Apple Spotify YouTube
We've visited all 77 of Chicago's historic community areas and taught you the history and tasted  amazing food along the way! Join us, Sara Faddah and Dario Durham, as we continue to tell Chicago's tasteful history. New episodes every Monday. Support this podcast: https://77flavorschi.buzzsprout.comMORE Hosts Sara Faddah, Dario Durham
Producer/Network 77 Flavors
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 72Facebook 53.7KTwitter 633Instagram 61.4K Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

15. Chicago Bound

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Website Apple Spotify
In the 1830s, Morris and Ellen Conley arrive in New York from Ireland. In 1846, they migrate to Chicago. Thus begins my family history in America, a succession of ancestors that are Chicago bound and bound to Chicago. This podcast allows for an exploration of these family stories within the greater context of history.MORE Producer/Network Theresa Murphy
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 1 Avg Length 35 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

16. SoCHiology

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Website Apple Spotify
Twiz Taylor provides commentary on various subjects, spanning from Harold Washington to Harold's Chicken, topics related to Chicago and beyond.
Host Antwan Taylor
Producer/Network T.R.U.E Stories Media
Email ****@truestoriesmedia.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 38Facebook 398Instagram 3.4K Avg Length 5 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

17. Twenty Years at Hull-House

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'Twenty Years at Hull-House' by Jane Addams is an autobiographical account of her work with the poor and immigrant communities in Chicago. This podcast explores Addams' pioneering efforts in social reform, women's rights, and education, making it essential for those interested in social justice and history.MORE Producer/Network Jane Addams
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 311 min Format Extended Get Email Contact

18. Chi Sports Weekly

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A weekly Chicago Sports podcast discussing events in history occurring each week, and discussing current Chicago sporting events.
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
Estimated listeners
Twitter 25K Avg Length 47 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

19. ChicagoHamburg30

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Website Spotify
The year 2024 marks the 30-year anniversary of the Chicago-Hamburg Sister-City Partnership. Join us in celebrating the special relationship with this 30-episode podcast series about the history, culture, literature, music, and people of Chicago. Guests will include scholars, journalists, writers, musicians, and thinkers who all have a special affection for Chicago, Hamburg, and the transatlantic relationship. We will launch our first episode in January 2024...MORE Producer/Network Amerikazentrum-Hamburg and Andrew Sola
Email ****@hotmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 27Instagram 5.3K Avg Length 61 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

20. Underbelly: Killing Kurt

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Website Apple Spotify YouTube
For decades, Kurt Calabrese lived in the shadow of his father, Frank 'The Breeze' Calabrese Sr., one of the Chicago Outfit's most feared hitmen and loan sharks. Raised in a home ruled by violence, paranoia, and control, Kurt grew up knowing that loyalty wasn't a choice, it was survival.In 2007, the Family Secrets Trial exposed 18 unsolved murders and a laundry list of heinous crimes that had terrorized Chicago for decades...MORE Producer/Network ENTROPY MEDIA
Email ****@entropymedia.art
Location United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 299Twitter 175Instagram 226 Avg Length 41 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

21. Reclaiming Bronzeville™

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reClaiming Bronzeville™ tells the story of the evolution of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood through the lens of current and past residents. They share their stories as a way to rewrite the narrative and reclaim the history of this neighborhood. You're invited to join this journey to explore the rich culture, history, and identity of Bronzeville. MORE Producer/Network Dr. Angelyn Anderson
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

22. Second City Stories

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Apple Spotify
A Podcast about Chicago and its rich history
Producer/Network STV Presents
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 26 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact