Shows

In October of 2014, a white police officer fatally shot a black teenager on the streets of Chicago. The shooting of Laquan McDonald was captured on video, and sparked outrage across the city. Chicago's top cop was fired, the local state’s attorney was voted out, and the feds were sent in to investigate the culture at the police department. Now, the police officer at the center of the shooting, Jason Van Dyke, will stand trial for murder. WBEZ and the Chicago Tribune look at how Van Dyke and McDonald intersected that night nearly four years ago, the alleged cover-up of the shooting, and examine the long history of friction between African-Americans and the Chicago Police Department. And we’ll follow the trial — bringing you insight, context, and analysis.

A deep and unflinching look at America, bringing context and insight to stories unfolding across the country and the world.

A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world. From Radiotopia.

A voyage across the world in search of the best new Rock en Espanol and Latin Alternative music releases. From NPR.

Jesse Thorn hosts in-depth interviews with brilliant creators, culture picks from our favorite critics and irreverent original comedy. From NPR.

Ever find yourself in a conversation about race and identity where you just get...stuck? Code Switch can help. We're all journalists of color, and this isn't just the work we do. It's the lives we lead. Sometimes, we'll make you laugh. Other times, you'll get uncomfortable. But we'll always be unflinchingly honest and empathetic. Come mix it up with us.

Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.

Hosted by Kelly McEvers, Embedded takes a story from the news and goes deep.

Movie reviews and interviews with your favorite filmmakers. Hosted by Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen.

Discover the hidden side of everything with host Stephen J. Dubner. From WNYC Studios.

Terry Gross' in-depth interviews with prominent cultural and entertainment figures.

A timely, smart reflection of the fluid world of news as it’s happening. From WBUR and NPR.

A conversation about life's unseen patterns. From NPR.

From the economy to education, healthcare to urban renewal, "Innovation Hub" explores the forces that are changing our world.

Stories about the invisible forces that control human behavior: ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions. From NPR.

Sometimes you just need to talk it out—and that's exactly what host Sam Sanders does each week.

A radio journal of news and culture produced from a Latino perspective. From NPR.

'Live Wire' artfully blends an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, comedians and cultural observers.

Former President Barack Obama — along with key advisers, mentors, and rivals — tells the story of his climb from Chicago to the national stage. Season One of Making told the story of how Oprah built a media empire. Now, the story of how Chicago shaped the country's first African-American president.

A daily take on business and economics news for the rest of us. From American Public Media.

Radiolab's More Perfect is a series about the Supreme Court. More Perfect explores how cases deliberated inside the rarefied world of the Supreme Court affect our lives far away from the bench. Produced by WNYC Studios.

A dynamic mix of news, culture and music in Chicago. Hosted by Jenn White. From WBEZ.

A podcast where NPR's political reporters talk to you like they talk to each other.

Interviews with your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) authors, artists, astronauts and more. From WBEZ.

Peter Sagal of Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me joins Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda of Nerdette weekly to scrutinize the latest Game of Thrones episode.

On Background is WBEZ Chicago’s weekly political podcast. Each week, our top-notch team of political reporters brings you the backstory on the week’s big story. We’ll take you inside the back rooms of Chicago and Illinois government to explain the story, and why it matters.

Conversations centering on the questions: What does it mean to be human? How do we want to live?

Your guide to examining how the media sausage is made. From WNYC Studios.

Meet high rollers, brainy economists and regular folks — all trying to make sense of our rapidly changing global economy. From NPR.

Pop Culture Happy Hour is a lively chat about books, movies, music, television, comics and pretty much anything else that strikes a nerve, all in a weekly round-table. From NPR.

Remember when the governor of Illinois supposedly tried to sell President Obama’s Senate seat? Or, how the same ex-governor got a “You’re fired” from Donald Trump on 'The Celebrity Apprentice'? New from WBEZ Chicago, 'Public Official A' uncovers the rise and fall of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. How he did whatever it took to reach the top. The trail of destruction left in his wake. And how the complexities, charisma, and tragic flaws of this public official resonate today.

A show about curiosity, where sound illuminates ideas. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. From WNYC Studios.

The most compelling and creative audio documentaries and features produced worldwide curated by the Third Coast Festival.

Hidden stories, uncovered. Reveal takes you deep inside stories that impact your world, revealing injustice and holding the powerful accountable. From CIR and PRX.

Brain food for curious people. A weekly show offering educated, balanced discussions on the scientific issues in the news.

From the creators of This American Life. Listen as one true story unfolds.

Snap Judgment, the smoking-hot public radio show, straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster. From WNYC Studios.

The world's only rock and roll talk show hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot.

StoryCorps shares unscripted conversations, revealing the wisdom, courage, and poetry in the words of people you might not notice walking down the street.

The latest from StoryCorps in Chicago.

A journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, and new ways to think and create. From NPR.

Hosted by Michael Barbaro and powered by New York Times journalism.

True stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers.

The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine’s editor, David Remnick. From WNYC Studios.

Daily world, national, and regional news and analysis with host Tanzina Vega. From PRI and WNYC Radio, in collaboration with 'The New York Times' and WGBH.

Trouble — we've all been in it. Some more than others. Some worse than others. Award-winning storyteller Shannon Cason has faced a few problems of his own. Now he talks with others about getting in, and out, of trouble of all stripes.

Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is. From PRI in partnership with BBC and WGBH.

Each week, a new theme and a variety of stories on that theme. Hosted by Ira Glass.

The latest news and feature stories from WBEZ Chicago.

Catch up on the latest newscasts from WBEZ.

NPR's weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up.

Worldview is the show about how race, ethnicity, gender, identity, the environment, religion, politics, and economics drive and shape the news.

Cockroaches. Clean freaks. Cardboard pianos. Written Inside is a podcast about life inside a maximum-security prison cell.

Features performances and conversations with some of the music world's hottest up-and-comers and most seasoned veterans.