City Cast Chicago

Journalist and author Amanda Ripley followed a mediator turned politician, environmental activists, religious figures, and a former gang leader turned violence preventer in Chicago to unravel how we elevate from healthy, everyday conflict to dangerous, often inescapable “high conflict.” Ripley tells those stories in her latest book High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out. The writer outlines some solutions from the book, and shares a personal tale of what triggered some of her interest in the topic. Guest: Amanda Ripley, Author, High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out (@amandaripley)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s the first time in more than 40 years that works by Mexico’s most well-known artist are on display in the Chicago area. And you won’t see “Frida Kahlo: Timeless” at one of the major museums in the city. It’s actually at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage in suburban Glen Ellyn. The process of securing some of Kahlo’s “most personal work” was a long one, starting with a well-connected donor of the community college, and a willingness to do what had to be done to make sure the museum was up to snuff to show works that are literally considered national treasures in Mexico.Guests:Diana Martinez, Director, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPageAdriana Jaramillo, Communications Director, Museo Dolores Olmedo Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmFrida Kahlo: Timeless exhibit

Chicago’s comedy scene is legendary. But it’s not always welcoming. Some of the city’s biggest comedy players — from The Second City to iO — have recently been reckoning with accusations of sexism and racism, prompting apologies and new leadership. In the new podcast, “Comedy Has an Ouchie,” Chicago comedians share how they’ve tried to navigate toxic situations in the scene. We talk with hosts Steve Han, Phylicia McLeod, and Ashley Whitehurst.“Comedy Has an Ouchie” on Twitter: @comedyhasouchieFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Illinois lawmakers are cracking down on the practice of secluding and restraining students. A new bill passed this week by the General Assembly bars the use of so-called “quiet rooms.” It will also phase out the use of facedown restraints, which can make it hard for children to breathe. These new regulations come 18 months after a joint investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois showed that school staff were secluding and restraining students at astonishingly high rates, especially kids with disabilities. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with two of the reporters who have been shedding light on the practice.Guests: Jennifer Smith Richards, Reporter, Chicago TribuneJodi Cohen, Reporter, ProPublica IllinoisRead the "Quiet Rooms" investigationMore on legislation that aims to ban seclusionKeeping All Students Safe ActFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Since City Cast Chicago started, host Jacoby Cochran has wanted to go to the "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Jacoby and producer Simone Alicea tour the exhibit that includes costumes from blockbusters like "Iron Man" and "Black Panther," but also toys and photos that hardcore Marvel fans lent to the the Museum for the exhibit.Guest: Warren Stokes, Communications Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry (@msichicago)Photos of the exhibit are on the City Cast Chicago Twitter feed.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s that time. Every ten years, the Illinois legislature has to redraw the boundaries that make up legislative districts. And we got a peek this week of what they could look like. These are the maps lawmakers draw up to essentially determine who voters vote for. And the process is not so transparent. It’s literally done behind closed doors, which creates some tension between Republicans and Democrats. WTTW Channel 11 correspondent Amanda Vinicky is at the State Capitol in Springfield, and she tells Jacoby how the re-mapping process is going and what other issues need to get done by the end of the session Monday.Guest: Amanda Vinicky, Correspondent, WTTW Channel 11 (@AmandaVinicky)See the draft House map: https://bit.ly/2R0f99aAnd the draft Senate map: https://bit.ly/2SDieMYFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The murder of George Floyd last May sparked unrest across the world, including in Chicago. There were a lot of images on the news last summer of looting, damage, and neighborhoods trying to recover. Photographer Vashon Jordan, Jr. captured those moments. But he also found ways to highlight moments of celebration: people sharing food with one another, listening to music and dancing. Jordan's images spread through his thousands of Twitter followers, and he’s collected more than 100 of those photos in his book, “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution.” Guest: Vashon Jordan, Jr., Photographer, “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution” (@vashonjordanjr) Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Restaurants in Chicago are operating again at full capacity, and after losing hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers during the pandemic, they need workers back. But, many are deciding not to return to the industry. Jacoby talks to a manager at popular downtown restaurant who says he’s operating with half the staff he needs. He also talks to a longtime food industry worker who used the pandemic to pursue her own catering business. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s been a year since George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, yet some activists are understandably hesitant about calling today an “anniversary.” Jacoby speaks with Northwestern lecturer and journalist Arionne Nettles about how the last year since Floyd’s murder has affected the BLM movement, and what it means to find “relief” as a Black person in America.Guest: Arionne Nettles: Writer, “George Floyd’s Murder, ‘Racial Battle Fatigue,’ and 365 Days of Trauma”; Professor, Northwestern UniversityFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton are the couple behind the popular TikTok @black.people.outside. They make videos about their travels and local excursions to connect with other Black adventurers. Linear and Stanton guided host Jacoby Cochran on a hike at the Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve to talk about why they make their videos and the challenges they’ve faced in raising the visibility of Black people in the outdoors. Plus, they show how fun it is to be outside! Cook County public hearing on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedingsFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm