The Block Club Chicago Podcast

Avi Kaplan recently placed second at a national youth chess tournament and is closing in on a 2,200 master score. "Even though I have a lot of trophies, it doesn’t mean that chess is any easier. I still have to focus on every game." Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Maia McDonald Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organ...

Each episode of "77 Flavors of Chicago" takes Lakeview couple Sara Faddah and Dario Durham to one of the city's neighborhoods, where they grab a bite and learn about the neighborhood's history. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Jake Wittich 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...

More of Block Club Chicago reporters' favorite stories of 2021! Also, host Jon Hansen shares one of his favorite interviews.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Kelly Bauer, Quinn Myers 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 divers...

Block Club Chicago reporters sharing some of the favorite stories they covered in 2021! Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Ariel Parrella, Joe Ward 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....

Rashid Ahmed’s family fled persecution in Myanmar. Now, he ss Chicago’s first Rohingya refugee to graduate college. “I want to make my parents proud," he said. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Amy Qin 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...

Terrance Wills grew up in Rockwell Gardens, just a five-minute bike ride from where the Bulls play. His clientele has grown to include the city’s biggest stars, from Zach LaVine to Scottie Pippen and Dwyane Wade. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederman  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...

Block Club Chicago reporters and 'It's All Good' listeners share who they're most thankful for ahead of Thanksgiving.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Quinn Myers, Maxwell Evans, Colin Boyle, Joe Ward, Jamie Nesbitt Golden 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...

At FroSkate, women, people of color and queer skateboarders shine. The Black-woman-led collective creates space for people who are traditionally underrepresented in skateboarding. “At froSkate, our favorite saying is, 'All love, no hate.'" Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Amy Qin Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news orga...

South Side native Nate Simon launched 21 Pineapples, a company that sells Hawaiian shirts, to spread awareness of the capabilities of people with different abilities. The shirts sold out in a week, and now Nate and his mom Holly have big dreams for their family and community.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Maia McDonald Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chi...

Dog mushing might seem like a sport for Alaska, but there's a dedicated community of racers in Chicago. They're preparing for an upcoming area race! Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Elisa Shoenberger    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 o...

Kamaca Champion dreamt for years of turning her love for knitting into her own store. Now, at Miss Purl, South Side crafters can express themselves in a yarn paradise. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Atavia Reed   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 nonpartisa...

With the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Finals, we're highlighting a women's basketball league in Chicago that brings the community together and inspires the next generation of hoopers.  Host- Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederman    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...

Recent gains for LGBTQ+ Americans have not been distributed to all of Chicago's communities equally. On this week's episode, we highlight Black Queer Chicagoans surviving, thriving and dying.  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 nonpartisa...

Two stories about everyday Chicagoans empowering the next generation through literacy and entrepreneurship. With books in barbershops, and a concession stand at the beach, dozens of South Side young people are getting a head start.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Atavia Reed, Maxwell Evans Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonpro...

Women 40 and older are reviving their schoolyard skills and playing outside together like they did when they were kids, thanks to a double dutch club founded by two South Siders. 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...

A bakery fit for a Vice President, and a secret society of pastry chefs gathering since the 1930's to help each other's recipes, and your favorite Chicago bakeries! Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Jennifer Billock   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 nonparti...

Ted Erikson is an accomplished swimmer who conquered the English Channel, among other feats — but it's Lake Michigan that always calls him back. Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Mack Liederman  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...

Melissa Hernandez grew up in a world of drugs, gangs and trafficking. Now, she runs the Puerto Rico Project, and organization that provides food and supplies to people experiencing homelessness. She connects people to treatment programs and helps victims of trafficking.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Keerti Gopal, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Ariel Parella Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK...

A West Side Mini-Golf Course was abandoned for year, until local teens brought it back to life. More than 40 young people the 18-hole mini-golf course with a wildlife conservation theme based on the colorful birds that live in Douglass Park. To them, and the community, it's more than a putt putt course.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Pascal Sabino, Mina Bloom, Mauricio Pena, Jake Wittich Want to d...

A South Shore Man lost his college championship ring 25-years-ago. Found 500 miles away in the unlikeliest of places, it's back on his finger.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporter - Maxwell Evans 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...

It's Part 2 of our Summer Bucket list! From great eats, to outdoor time in hammocks, to birding, the Block Club Chicago staff has you covered! Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Atavia Reed, Colin Boyle, Ariel Parella, Kelly Bauer, Maxwell Evans, Hannah Boufford 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...

It's Part 1 of our Block Club Chicago Summer Bucket list! With August approaching, reporters, listeners and a non-profit share ways you can have fun and give back before autumn arrives. Host- Jon Hansen Reporters - Alex V Hernandez, Shamus Toomey, Mina Bloom, Francesca Mathewes, Jamie Nesbitt Golden Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HERE Who we are Block Club Chicago is a 501(c...

Mulbe Dillard IV started an academy at Jackson Park Course to help the next generation of Chicago golfers. Now, he’s setting an example as a pro chasing the PGA Tour. Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Mack Liederman, Mina Bloom Guest - Mulbe Dillard IV 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 delive...

If you love Chicago podcasts, you'll also love City Cast Chicago. For the holiday weekend, we thought we'd do a pod swap! "It's All Good" host joined "City Cast Chicago" host Jacoby Cochran for their Friday July 2nd, episode! 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...

As part of The Folded Map Project, Tonika Lewis Johnson and sociologist Maria Krysan interviewed 30 people about how they first confronted — and eventually combatted — harmful narratives about Chicago’s South and West sides. The join Jon Hansen to talk about what they've learned.  Host - Jon Hansen Reporters - Tonika Lewis Johnson, Maria Krysan, Jamie Nesbitt Golden Want to donate to our non-profi...