Last week, Chicago woke up to a hazy orange sky and some of the worst air quality in the world, for one day, even worse than cities known for heavy smog. The smoke came from wildfires burning over a thousand miles away in Canada. This week on Chronversations, host Stella Huang talks to students who were caught off guard, a biologist who explains how it traveled here, and a meteorologist who reveals why it might happen more often than we think — and what you can do about it.

What started as a touring alt-rock rebellion has become a global music giant. This week on Chronversations, host Stella Huang dives into Lolla’s evolution, from its legacy headliners to rising K-pop influence. She hits the streets to find out what festivalgoers really know about its history.

With Lollapalooza just around the corner, host Stella Huang talks with Columbia students and recent grads who are prepping for a weekend of unforgettable music in this week’s Chronversations. From first-timer jitters to veteran tips, hear how they’re planning for the festival, what artists they can’t wait to see and how Lolla feeds their creative lives.

This week on Chronversations, host Stella Huang meets the new wave of talented students getting their first taste of Columbia campus life. From pop culture surprises to creative ambitions, hear what they're excited for, what’s surprised them and how they’re ready to make their mark in Chicago.

What is it like to be a college journalist with a media pass at one of the largest events in Chicago? In this podcast, the Chronicle’s NASCAR analyst, Benjamin Sherman, takes us behind the barricades. From surprise driver interviews to the deafening thrill of the track, he shares what got him into racing, what surprised him most up close and what he’d shout through NASCAR's mic.

This week on Chronversations, the Chronicle’s student NASCAR analyst, Benjamin Sherman, breaks down this year’s race from track drama to driver surprises, and even the difference between NASCAR and Formula One. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just a newbie to racing, this recap has you covered.

The college hosted the viewing event in the 618 S. Michigan Ave. building for the third year in the row. The party offered a front-row window seat for raffle winners and their guests to watch the Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race. Chronversations host Stella Huang was at the party and has the story.

This week on Chronversations, NASCAR is bringing speed to the streets of Chicago, and Columbia fashion students are bringing it to the runway. From vintage racewear to recycled track materials, student designers are pushing the limits of style, sustainability, and self-expression.

This week on Chronversations, we head to the 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Market at the Salt Shed. What does Juneteenth mean to Chicagoans today? From artists and vendors to students and families, Chicagoans are reflecting on freedom, resilience, and why joy itself can be a form of resistance.

This week on Chronversations, we stop by Columbia’s Fitness Center again to find out who’s really hitting the gym over the summer. From daily gymgoers to fitness journey beginner, each of them is finding their own rhythm, and redefining what it means to be a “gym rat.”