The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Host - Jon Hansen Guest - John Carruthers John Carruthers is the communications manager for Revolution Brewing and a contributor to The Takeout. He also makes and sells pizzas out of an alley to raise money for community organizations working to make Chicago a better place to live. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit new...

Host - Jon Hansen Competing in 10 academic subjects, the decathlon is a rigorous and fun competition students said has given them much-needed social bonding in high school during the pandemic -- and Whitney Young has won 20 straight state championships.  Read the Block Club Story Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news...

Host  - Jon Hansen From a childhood dream to a WWE tryout, Jason Harrison's pursuit of wrestling professionally has eluded him for years. But he refuses to give up. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods....

Host - Jon Hansen Guests - Brandon Pope , Mick Dumke A bonus episode, featuring our other podcast, The Ballot, with our analysis about how Brandon Johnson won the race to be Chicago's next mayor.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of...

Host - Jon Hansen Guests - Helendora Samuels Picture Framing Wicker Park has few Black-owned businesses. With neighbors' support, framing experts Sylvester "Tommy" and Helendora Samuels hope to stay. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage...

Host - Jon Hansen Guest - David Ortiz Jr.  - The Barracks Click Here To Donate The Barracks boxing gym helps Chicago youth avoid violence, but many participants don't have adequate transportation to go to classes.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpar...

Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago Since 2003, Preservation Chicago's “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” has sounded the alarm on imminently threatened historic buildings and public assets in Chicago to mobilize the stakeholder support necessary to save them from demolition. They join the pod to discuss this year's 7.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we...

Host - Jon Hansen Investigations Editor - Mick Dumke Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson advance to the Chicago mayoral election -- as Lori Lightfoot becomes the first one-term mayor in four decades. Investigations Editor Mick Dumke breaks it down.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to deliverin...

Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Debra Wesley, Sinai Community Institute  Debra Wesley has been the driving force behind improving the health and well-being of the patients on the South and Southwest sides addressing social, economic and environmental factors. Approximately 14,000 families each year benefit from Sinai Community Institute services, from infants to adolescents to adults. Want to donate to...

Host - Jon Hansen Chicago theaters struggled during the pandemic, and they still need help to get back to full capacity. Chicago Theater Week is a great way to see a show in your neighborhood! Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chic...

Host - Jon Hansen We have a second podcast, and here's an episode! It's called 'The Ballot' and it's all about Chicago elections. Here's an episode we recently recorded about campaign financing. We dive into who donates the most money to each candidate and, perhaps, why! Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organizat...

Host - Jon Hansen Two Chicagoans, both fighting their own personal battles, are finding purpose and sobriety by helping Chicagoans experiencing homelessness.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We be...

Host - Jon Hansen This weekend is the Chicago Polar Bear Club's 'Polar Plunge' so we want to know, why would anyone jump into a near-freezing Lake Michigan? Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We beli...

Host - Jon Hansen The Chicago Tool Library non-profit gives members the chance to borrow tools instead of buying them or hiring someone for jobs they could do themselves. Co-founder Tessa Vierk says they grew so fast they needed a space five times larger than their current digs.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news...

Host - Jon Hansen A free pop-up closet has worked to create safe, welcoming places to shop for transgender and gender nonconforming people — but it needs community support to keep going. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's...

Block Club reporters share their favorite stories from 2022! Host - Jon Hansen Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way. We amplify po...

Host - Jon Hansen A popular local bookstore is moving back to River West after its owner got an opportunity to buy the store’s original location. It's the latest adventure for Danielle Mullen, who opened the store on a whim after a cancer diagnosis in 2019.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated...

Host - Jon Hansen A Chicagoan who takes people on tours of the city’s ugliest buildings and underground to check out its many rats has a new project: spreading Christmas cheer. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse ne...

Host - Jon Hansen Using skills he picked up on YouTube, police officer and chef Kenneth Griffin partnered with teens to build a garden to honor his slain friend. “You can make a difference in your backyard.” Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan c...

Host - Jon Hansen We opened the 'Good News Hotline' up to Chicagoans to tell us about their favorite nonprofits and why listeners should hear about their missions, and consider supporting their efforts. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan covera...

A Sociologist Photographed 100 Chicago Buildings Just Before They Were Torn Down. What Happened To The Sites 10 Years Later? Host - Jon Hansen Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighb...

North Side Mom Rebecca Laflure began chalking the sidewalk with her daughter during the pandemic, and became a neighborhood -- and instagram -- star.  Host - Jon Hansen Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborho...

Sunday's Chicago marathon brings together 40,000 runners for 26.2 grueling miles. We wanted to know - why do people run marathons?  Host - Jon Hansen Guest - Windy Wilson  and his charitable donate page .  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan cov...

Host - Jon Hansen Young people can visit the Lyte Lounge three days a week to get the services they need or relax in a music studio, art space and yoga room. Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We bel...

Host - Jon Hansen Chef Mike Airhart usually travels around Chicago helping feed our city's unhoused. Now, he's feeding arriving migrants. "We got you, till you're up on your feet," Airhart says on Episode 58.  Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan...