15 Best WBEZ Chicago Podcasts
WBEZ Chicago Podcasts
Here are 15 Best WBEZ Chicago Podcasts worth listening to in 2026.
Export Contact List1. Making: Stories Without End
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Website Apple Spotify Episodes
Making: Stories Without End takes you on a journey to learn about daytime soap operas and their broad reach on television.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 4.3KFacebook 37KTwitter 16.4KInstagram 15.5K Avg Length 33 min Format Medium 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. Nerdette
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Website Apple Spotify YouTube Episodes
Nerdette is a weekly interview show that helps you unwind with fun conversations, inspiring ideas, and delightful recommendations. And join us every month for the Nerdette Bookclub!
Host Greta Johnsen
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 1.7KFacebook 6.9KTwitter 11KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 38 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
3. In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons
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We're unpacking the headlines and making the news make sense. Get connected with local experts, your neighbors and the stories shaping Chicago.
Host Sasha-Ann Simons
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 309Facebook 3.3KTwitter 11.2KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 37 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
4. Curious City
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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
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 672Facebook 13.7KTwitter 13.7KInstagram 9.8K Avg Length 14 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
5. The Rundown | Chicago News
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In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.MORE Hosts Adora Namigadde, Lisa Labuz
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 121Facebook 114.9KTwitter 126KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 9 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
6. WBEZ News
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The latest news and featured stories from WBEZ Chicago.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 27 Avg Length 5 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
7. Motive
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Chicago gangs: Real people. Real stories. A way forward. The new season of Motive explores violence on the streets of Chicago and the former gang members working to stop it.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.7/5Apple Reviews 2.5KFacebook 114.9KTwitter 126KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 31 min Format Medium form Since Sep 2019 Get Email Contact
8. Public Official A
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'Public Official A' uncovers the rise and fall of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. How he did whatever it took to reach the top. The trail of destruction left in his wake. And how the complexities, charisma, and tragic flaws of this public official resonate today.MORE Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 722Facebook 114.9KTwitter 126KInstagram 89.6K Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
9. Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast
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Asians have long been ignored, fetishized or made the butt of the joke in America. Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast wants to put that to rest. Each week, we celebrate badass Asians who are making a mark on pop culture and entertainment. Co-hosts Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Susie An hang out with trailblazers in comedy, film, music and other fields—inviting them to reflect on their identities and redefine 'sexy' on their own terms.MORE Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 316 Avg Length 37 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
10. The Trouble
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Trouble — we've all been in it. Some more than others. Some worse than others. Award-winning storyteller Shannon Cason has faced a few problems of his own. Now he talks with others about getting in, and out, of trouble of all stripes.MORE Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@chicagopublicmedia.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 851 Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
11. When Magic Happens
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Three Black women. Three generations. No filters.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.4/5Apple Reviews 228 Avg Length 32 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
12. South Side Stories
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'South Side Stories' is a celebration of the real-life people and places that inspired Comedy Central's hit new comedy series, 'South Side.' With lots of laughs, love and plenty of real talk, 'South Side Stories' proves that what you see on the news is only a small slice of a big city. btb.MORE Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@chicagopublicmedia.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 127 Avg Length 21 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact
13. On Background: WBEZ's Politics Podcast
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On Background is WBEZ Chicago's weekly political podcast. Each week, our top-notch team of political reporters brings you the backstory on the week's big story. We'll take you inside the back rooms of Chicago and Illinois government to explain the story, and why it matters.MORE Estimated listeners
Avg Length 19 min Format Short form Get Email Contact
14. The COVID Report from WBEZ
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Your questions about COVID-19 answered. Reporters from WBEZ Chicago tell you what you need to know about the Coronavirus, from vaccine availability to helping manage mental health.
Producer/Network WBEZ Chicago
Email ****@wbez.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 2 Avg Length 2 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
WBEZ Chicago shows hosts and producers
| Podcaster Name | Role | Podcast Link | Podcast Episodes | Gender | Twitter Handle | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greta Johnsen | Host | wbez.org/shows/nerdette/b2c2c10b-1e7f-43ca-b3ad-55d6fd33722c | 429 | Female | @gretamjohnsen | Chicago, IL, United States | |
| Sasha-Ann Simons | Host | npr.org/podcasts/524530318/w-b-e-z-s-reset | 2501 | Female | @sashaannsimons | Toronto, ON, Canada | |
| Erin Allen | Host | wbez.org/shows/curious-city/7b79e16d-f3a9-4156-9b27-4d2cc6ce351e | 564 | Female | @erinallen_show | Chicago, IL, United States | |
| Adora Namigadde | Co Host | wbez.org/shows/the-rundown-wbezs-daily-news-podcast/820cd11e-6e65-4456-b019-5c5aad8ea6a5 | 1119 | Female | @adorakn | Chicago, IL, United States | |
| Lisa Labuz | Co Host | wbez.org/shows/the-rundown-wbezs-daily-news-podcast/820cd11e-6e65-4456-b019-5c5aad8ea6a5 | 1119 | Female | @llabuz | Chicago, IL, United States | |
| Wbez Chicago | chtbl.com/track/BE5BE6/podcast-stream.wbez.org/recast/public-official-a/20210127093252-part-5-treat-me-nice_dave-mckinney.mp3 | 34 | @WBEZ |