In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

It’s AAPI Heritage Month. Reset invited three Asian American artists in Chicago’s thriving music scene to talk about the AAPI’s community’s contribution to the arts. Sen Morimoto, Yna Pineda, and Stuti Sharma share their fave AAPI musicians in Chicago, discuss resources the city may be lacking and talk through how their heritage influences their craft.

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. From isolation to breastfeeding to expectations, these mothers faced a lot in just the first few weeks postpartum. But, they also persevered through. In the final installment of the series, Reset discusses the challenges new LGBTQ+ parents face with Elly Fishman, reporter and WBEZ contributor and Dr. Liz Glassgo...

The saga continues for the Illinois assault weapons ban as the question of “Can I legally buy an assault rifle?” has a new answer for the third time this year. Reset hears from statehouse reporter for WBEZ, Mawa Iqbal, and Highland Park Survivor, Ashbey Beasley, on the latest.

Asian Americans have been reported to be the fastest-growing racial group in the country. And this is also a time when AAPI representation in the media has been growing and celebrated with historic wins for films like Everything Everywhere All At Once. While more representation and visibility of AAPI folks is still needed, it begs the question of what’s next? Reset dives into a discussion with wri...

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. Today, we hear the story of Asel, a new mother and Kyrgistanian immigrant. Reset talks with reporter Elly Fishman and Annie Conquest, a certified nurse-midwife at Erie Family Health Centers.

The pandemic affected employment in a massive way, but it especially affected young people. And not all young people have recovered or been able to make their way into the workforce. Between 2019-2021, the unemployment rate has almost doubled for Black women, from 32 to 59 percent. Reset learns why and what efforts there are to address these barriers with Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of Eco...

Reset discusses the barriers and stigma Asian Americans face when it comes to both physical and mental health, and how groups are working to increase access to culturally-competent care They speak to a panel of experts featuring Heain Chung, director of direct services at KAN-WIN, Brandon Liu, licensed marriage and family therapist and Shobhana Johri Verma, executive director of South Asian Americ...

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. Today, we hear the story of Kristal from West Englewood. Reset talks with reporter Elly Fishman and Kristal’s caregiver Karie Stewart, a certified nurse-midwife in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UI Health.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has released plans for how he’ll tackle youth employment, crime and public safety, but he hasn’t said quite as much about how he’ll go about reopening shuttered mental health clinics, a pledge he made on the campaign trail and in his inaugural address. Reset learns more about that and the first four executive orders Johnson issued on his first day in office from Tessa...

During his life and since his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. was and has been the face of the Civil Rights movement, but how much do you know about the man behind the myth? Reset talks with author Jonathan Eig about his biography King: A Life. It taps new material, including an unpublished memoir by King’s father and FBI surveillance tapes, to give a full, unflinching portrait of King.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has been inaugurated. Listen to his address in full in today’s other episode. For some analysis, we talked to Northwestern University professor Jaime Dominguez, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury, and Connie Mixon, a professor of political science at Elmhurst University.

The city of Chicago has a new Mayor. In his inaugural address, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke about his upbringing and humble beginnings, key moments in Chicago history and his hope and pride in Chicago. Here’s Mayor Johnson’s full address. Check out our analysis in another episode out today.

James Beard-Nominated Chef Abra Berens focuses her latest cookbook, Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit, on varieties grown along the “Fruit Belt” along Lake Michigan. Reset learns more on how Berens cooks her favorites into sweet and savory treats.

Britain’s popular and wholesome baking competition returns stateside with its spin-off “The Great American Baking Show.” And this season, Chicago is well represented, with three local residents heading to the English countryside and competing to best impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The Chicago contestants Martin Sorge, Sarah Chang and Nirali Chauan, join Reset for more on competing i...

Chicago braces for possibility of more migrants arriving from Texas as pandemic border restrictions are lifted. Brandon Johnson prepares for his inauguration as Chicago’s next Mayor. Reset goes behind the headlines with Rummana Hussain, Chicago Sun-Times.editorial board member and columnist, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter.

In his show “Little Syria,” MC and rapper Omar Offendum explores the forgotten history of Syrian Americans in Manhattan. Offendum will be performing Friday and Saturday night at the Old Town School of Folk Music, along with DJ Thanks Joey and Chicago-born multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Malley. And for their Chicago show, Offendum will pay homage to the city’s rich history of Arab American communitie...

Summer is just around the corner, and whether you prefer a bucket of popcorn at a movie theater or kicking back on the couch at home, there are a ton of movies making their debut in the coming months. And according to Chicago movie critic Richard Roeper, there are 15 films we should add to our watch list. Reset gets a preview of summer 2023’s movies to watch with Richard Roeper, entertainment colu...

Several years after publishing a riveting memoir about her adoption story, Nicole Chung returns with a new book on grief, forgiveness and capitalism. Reset talks to the bestselling author about navigating her guilt and anger over her parents’ deaths, and how she couldn’t tell her family’s story without confronting broken systems in the United States.

On Tuesday, outgoing mayor Lori Lightfoot declared a state of emergency regarding the influx of migrants into Chicago. The declaration comes as Title 42 is set to expire today, which allowed for the immediate expulsion of migrants who crossed the U.S, Mexican border. Reset gets an update from Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times, about the asylum seekers arr...

Chicago’s ushering in a new City Council next week, and its members are younger, more progressive and more diverse than any previous council in the city’s history. Reset heard from Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward about this historic group.

A new survey found that more and more working Americans say they don’t feel confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably when they retire. And nearly half of all Baby Boomers report having no money saved for retirement. Reset turns to Christine Benz, a personal finance and retirement planning expert, for advice.

The Jazz Institute of Chicago is cultivating the next generation of musicians. The Institute provides opportunities for middle and high school students to learn improvisations on jazz standards alongside experienced musicians. Reset talked with three participating students — Brandon Harper, Zach Bezirgan and Oscar Evely — as well as the Institute’s executive director, Heather Ireland Robinson, abo...

A recent Chicago Tribune investigation found that lead is showing up in the water at public schools all across the state. Reset learns more about the findings and the impact lead can have on kids from Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune investigative data reporter.

Monday, May 8 marked the start of Mayor Lightfoot’s final week as mayor of Chicago, and she delivered a goodbye address. Reset hears what she said and reviews her tenure with Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government and politics reporters.

Season five of WBEZ’s Making podcast brings you the origin stories of some of the world’s biggest leaders and game changers. The latest installment begins with a two-part exploration into the making and “unmaking” of Chicago’s Kanye West, now known as Ye. Reset chats with Making host Brandon Pope.