Aldi abruptly closed its West Pullman store last week, leaving yet another Chicago neighborhood without easy access to fresh food. The move leaves us wondering (once again) if big grocery chains are Chicago’s only option. So we’re revisiting a conversation from the spring with Matthew Ruffi, board president of Chicago Market and senior program director for Link Up Illinois. He tells host Jacoby Cochran about some grocery alternatives and why food access is a growing concern in Chicago.

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If you enjoyed today's interview with Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events Program Director Event Productions, Neal Heitz, learn more here.

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Introducing Trump's YOLO Cabinet from Pod Save America.

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Donald Trump goes all in on naming his biggest political boosters to Cabinet posts, whether they're qualified or not (they're not!). Trump wants alleged sex offender Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary, dictator sympathizer Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for the newly invented Department of Government Efficiency. Jon and Dan discuss the odds of Senate Republicans blocking any of these nominations, why Trump picked them in the first place, and how Democrats can respond without defending the status quo. Then, Jon sits down with Senator-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey to talk about how Democrats can listen and learn after the election, what Kim thinks of Trump's Cabinet picks so far, and learning to be comfortable with uncomfortable politics.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

After nearly 20 years in Chicago, Pitchfork Music Festival announced it’s leaving the city citing rising costs and growing festival competition. Many longtime fans were shocked, as the alder in the area says he hopes the company behind the festival will reverse course. Freelance journalist Britt Julious and Injustice Watch senior reporter Maya Dukmasova are here to discuss the latest. Plus, we break down ongoing budget debates in city council, an update in Cook County’s housing courts, and our favorite Friendsgiving dishes!

Good News: The Christmas Cache Newsletter, The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells, Sip & Thrift at Simone's, National Take A Hike Day

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Introducing Should We Unfriend Trump Voters? from Hysteria.

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This week, Erin and Alyssa assembled a super-panel with award-winning journalist Errin Haines, activist and author Julissa Arce, and comedian Megan Gailey. They chat about how things are settling post-election, from what it would really take for a woman to become president to the misguided logic of people who split their vote on abortion. Then, they sound off on a listener's question about whether to unfriend Trump supporters. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

What will it take for a woman to be president? (The 19th 11/6)

5 takeaways from the 2024 exit polls (The Hill 11/08)

2024 Key States Exit Poll (NBC 11/9)

Abortion ballot initiatives could have helped Harris win, instead Trump overperformed (ABC 11/9)

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

After getting lost on a recent trip to the (lower) Lower Wacker auto pound, host Jacoby Cochran needed some info on why Chicago has such a vast and confusing underground network. So he called up tour guide Mike McMains to ask about how the city’s lower streets, Pedway, and abandoned freight tunnels came to be such an integral part of the city. Mike is running an Underground Chicago (Plus Rats!) tour Nov. 23.

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Introducing Ezra Klein on Where Democrats Go From Here from Pod Save America.

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Jon and New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, host of The Ezra Klein Show, talk through what we know about how Democrats started to lose working-class and lower-information voters—even before 2024—how social media and interest groups drive those divides, why blue states and cities shifted right, and what progressives can do to tackle the affordability crisis.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Whether it’s for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or any other get-together, Chicago restaurants have plenty of options for the potluck. Last year, executive producer Simone Alicea, producer Michelle Navarro, newsletter editor Sidney Madden, and host Jacoby Cochran designed their best potluck menus. Each person picked an appetizer, entree, side, and dessert from all sides of the city. Who do YOU think had the best menu? You can text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

Jacoby

Simone

Michelle

Sidney

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Introducing First Look At Trump's Second Term from Pod Save America.

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Trump begins staffing top roles in his second administration with loyalists and sycophants—and demands that the senators running for majority leader agree to embrace a process that would allow him to appoint whoever he wants without Senate confirmation. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss whether Trump's opening moves are as chilling as we thought they'd be, what we do and don't know about his second-term plans, and how he might pursue revenge on his opponents. Then, Tommy speaks with New York Congressman Pat Ryan, who hung on in a tough district, about the lessons the Democratic Party needs to learn in order to win. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

With election results finalizing, Chicago’s first-ever hybrid school board is taking shape. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss Mayor Brandon Johnson’s deadline to round out the board and lingering questions about the current board. Plus, CTA is urgently working to secure federal funds for the Red Line extension, state lawmakers are headed back to Springfield, and we are bummed about recent restaurant closures.

Good News: 2024 Chicago Japan Film Collective

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Introducing Will fermented foods improve my gut health? from ZOE Science & Nutrition.

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Fermentation is a hot craze in fancy restaurants around the world. And fermented foods, like kombucha and kimchi, are even sold in corner stores. 

Listeners of this show will have heard that fermented foods might benefit our gut health. But these foods make us uneasy. The idea of letting food rot, then eating it goes against everything our parents taught us. So, is fermentation scary and dangerous? 

This episode will show you why it's not only safe but beneficial to eat fermented foods, and that fermenting foods is something you can try at home. 

Jonathan speaks to Tim Spector and Sandor Katz — whom the food magazine CHOW calls a provocateur, trendsetter, and rabble-rouser — to better understand the fabulous world of fermentation. 

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

00:13 - Topic introduction

02:21 - Quickfire questions

04:10 - Isn’t fermentation niche?

05:05 - What is fermentation?

07:36 - Why did our ancestors ferment their food?

08:54 - How is fermentation preserving food?

12:45 - What are the impacts on our health of eating fermented foods?

16:27 - How to make kimchi

19:00 - What is kefir?

20:25 - Why are fermented foods good for our health

24:19 - Why don’t we have to worry about bacteria in fermented foods?

29:36 - What are the best fermented foods to get started with?

34:16 - Can you purchase fermented foods at stores?

39:26 - 5 tips for people interested in trying fermented foods

42:42 - Summary

44:17 - Listener’s question: What’s the most unusual food that you’ve fermented?

45:16 - Goodbyes

45:24 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Follow Sandor: https://www.instagram.com/sandorkraut/

Learn Sandor’s sauerkraut recipe here.

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This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].