Morning Shift Podcast

Climate change is big, overwhelming and scary, and can make us go numb. But there is very real grief to process. Reset sits down with playwright Rozina Kanchala to hear how she used her art and storytelling to help audiences process the enormity of climate change. Her play Come Along for the Ride: A Journey Through Climate Grief is playing in Chicago this weekend. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A Midwest heat wave continues, Gov. JB Pritzker launches his campaign for a third term, hundreds rally for trans rights, and more. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Monica Eng, Axios reporter; Cindy Hernandez, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter; Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The growing presence of manfluencers – social media influencers who present themselves as men's self improvement experts – is shown to have increasingly negative effects on the mental health of young men. Young boys are often exposed to this type of content quickly after joining social media, and this can deeply affect their perceptions of themselves along with their idea of masculinity. Reset sits down with Chuka Nestor Emezue, assistant professor in the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing at Rush University; Todd Adams, cofounder and executive director of MenLiving; and Jermaine Lawrence Anderson, founder and executive director of I Am A Gentleman, Inc., to talk about the impact the manosphere has on young men, and what to do about it. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

JB Pritzker announced his 2026 run for office, being the first Illinois governor to seek a third term since 1991. In his announcement, Pritzker touted his administration's accomplishments over the last two terms, and slammed President Trump for his attacks on Illinois. Questions still remain about Pritzker's future presidential aspirations. Reset learns about what we know so far with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In the face of expanded ICE raids, we get a view into what happens in immigration courts and ways advocates are ramping up efforts to connect immigrants to legal resources and Know Your Rights trainings. Reset sits down with immigration lawyer Carlina Tapia-Ruano and spokesperson Brandon Lee of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A Black student experienced racist bullying while attending Wildwood Elementary IB School. Reports show that CPS and the school administration took limited action to protect her. Reset dives deeper into this story with Chicago Public Media reporters Sarah Karp and Nader Issa. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Chicago based show, It's Ok To Ask Questions which streams on Peacock showcases in-depth conversations with movers and shakers in the LGBTQ+ community about their lives, how the twists and turns of life affect their relationships and what motivates their work. Reset learns more about how these stories can create dialogue with Matthew Rodrigues, host of It's Ok To Ask Questions. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Illinois has become a “haven” of sorts for people in states with abortion bans. In 2024, roughly 35,000 patients travelled to Illinois for abortion care. Reset discusses how these bans increase wait times that can leave people in dangerous positions with executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund Megan Jeyifo, obstetrician gynecologist at UI Health Dr. Erica Hinz and the risks facing out of state patients with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout.

Could “granny flats” help ease Chicago's affordable housing crisis? Many advocates and even political leaders think so – the problem is, they're banned in Chicago. And political gridlock makes legalizing them easier said than done. Reset finds out what the process of building Additional Dwelling Units is like and what's getting in the way of expanding this housing option across the city with a panel of guests: Brian Peterman, a Lakeview resident who built an ADU on his property; his mother-in-law Louise D'Agostino, who lives in the ADU, and Alex Nitkin, government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government Association. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago's queer neighborhoods have a long historical lineage in Chicago. From the early underground gatherings in Towertown to the rise of Boystown. Reset sits down with a Chicago queer history scholar Professor Jennifer Brier of UIC to trace how these communities formed, adapted, and flourished in the face of discrimination and displacement, revealing how geography, activism, and culture shaped Chicago as a hub of queer life in the Midwest. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

There wasn't always a “B” in LGBTQ. For years, bisexual people were overlooked, misunderstood, or excluded from both queer and straight spaces. As part of our Pride Month series, Reset explores the ongoing fight for bisexual rights and visibility with co-founder of the Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago Michael Oboza and queer performing artist Juju Minxxx. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It's time for your favorite weekly news catch-up! This week: thousands gather for “No Kings” protests in the Chicago area, Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes back on presidential threats to increase deportations, and Chicago's City Council passes stricter teen curfew that could face a veto. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in our Weekly News Recap, with Ravi Baichwal, ABC-7 News anchor; Paris Schutz, Fox-32 political correspondent; and Francia Garcia Hernandez, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month, so Reset takes the moment to explore the cuisine of the islands – including Jamaican staple ackee and saltfish – with a special guest. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Attention Bach buffs, Shostakovich stans and Debussy devotees! Head over to Grant Park and you can catch free classical concerts all summer long. But this isn't just an exciting opportunity to revel in the music, it's a chance for up-and-coming orchestral musicians and singers to be a part of the action through the Festival String and Vocal Fellowship. Reset sits down with two fellowship participants: violinist Maria Gabriela Mendez Martinez and violist Joshua Thaver. We also hear from fellowship manager Amelia Sie. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

ComEd recently announced a price increase in the cost of electricity that took effect starting on June 1st, but will not be reflected in electric bills until July. This price increase is due to demand across the country, largely attributed to the rapid development of data centers. Reset talks with the Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

About 10% of babies nationwide are born prematurely, with some ending up in neonatal intensive care. During childbirth and critical natal care, the spotlight is on mom and baby – often leaving fathers in the shadows. But a program at Northwestern aims to give new fathers the support they need. Reset learns more about the program from Brad O'Conner, a NICU Dad and therapist at theDepartment of Veteran Affairs and Dr. Cameron Boyd NICU Fellow at Northwestern. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Do you remember where you and your friends used to go to hangout after school? Many teenagers face the dilemma of not having a space to go spend time with friends besides school or home. Advocates argue that the lack of third spaces have contributed to large gatherings of teens, referred to as “takeovers” or trends in downtown areas. In some instances these gatherings have become violent. Reset talks with teenager Damarian Spann and The Triibe's systemic racism reporter Tonia Hill about these gatherings and the proposal that would allow police to implement a snap curfew with just a 30-minute warning. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Thousands of people gathered in Daley Plaza on Saturday, June 14, to protest the Trump administration's policies, including his mass deportation efforts. Reset sits down with WBEZ immigration reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and Strategic Coordinator Organized Communities Against Deportations Antonio Gutierrez to discuss the latest. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Russ Steinberg's startup has been growing food on the 18th floor of this mid-70s office building since last July. It's a small operation at 1,000 square feet, sort of a baby step into indoor farming, but it's about to get much bigger. Reset checks in with regular contributor and Crain's real estate reporter Denis Rodkins for the full scoop. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Edna Lewis was a trailblazing chef and writer who helped define and elevate Southern cuisine. Reset sits the founder of National Soul Food Month and food writer Charla Draper to talk about the cultural roots of Lewis' cooking, and how her impact can be seen in Chicago's food scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Tempers flare as Governor Pritzker joins two Democratic Governors in testimony before the House Oversight Committee. Chicago leaders brace for massive “No Kings” protest as President Trump threatens to send military troops to quell protests in Democratic cities. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap. This week's panelists include AXIOS Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, Chicago Tribune immigration reporter Laura Rodríguez Presa and Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Reset's Sasha-Ann Simons for a conversation on anti-ICE protests, transit funding, and included live questions from listeners. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Traveling out of O'Hare or Midway but not sure what your rights are when leaving or entering the country? Whether you're a green card holder, a citizen, or have a visa, traveling can be nerve-wracking with the increased crackdown on foreign nationals, like a new travel ban targeting 12 countries and placing travel restrictions on another seven. Reset finds out what to know about how the ban impacts travelers with executive director of CAIR-Chicago Ahmed Rehab. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In 2022, Cook County announced its partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys old uncollectable bills from hospitals and forgives it. Since then, over half a million people have had their medical debts erased – wiping out a more than $664-million burden on residents. Reset learns more from WBEZ's health care reporter Kristen Schorsch; Cook County deputy chief of staff for health Matt Richards; and Dan Weissmann, host and executive producer of An Arm and a Leg podcast. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project brings together LGBTQ+ elders and younger adults in Chicago to share stories, build community, and bridge generational divides. Since 2019, it has engaged more than 130 participants through dialogue sessions, collaborative art projects, and university partnerships — helping to preserve the history of LGBTQ+ lives across generations. Reset learns about the project with its co-founder Karen Morris and participants Jonni Pepper-GoLions and Holly Davis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you've ever wondered about the who, what, and where of Chicago's fish species, you're in luck. A new field guide gives a complete account of nearly 170 species of fish in northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Reset learns more about the field guide Fishes of the Chicago Region with co-author Philip Willnick. We also pick the brain of Sun-Times outdoor columnist Dale Bowman. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers missed the deadline to vote on a bill to seal a $770 million budget gap for public transit next year. This has heightened concerns of service cuts of nearly 40% of CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains. Reset turns to daily CTA rider and strategic advisor for Better Streets Chicago Alex Nelson and Chicago native and lifelong daily CTA rider Maya Roberts to hear their thoughts on the issue. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Not only is spending time outdoors linked to lower stress levels, it can be a way to recognize the importance of nature around us. With all of the events throughout the city, it can also be a great way to meet new people. Reset discusses some of the events around town this month with freelance outdoor and travel journalist Erica Zazo and Reset's sustainability contributor, director of Loyola University Chicago's Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Immigration agents detained at least 10 people in the South Loop after the government sent them instructions via text to show up for a routine appointment. The Chicago Fire's billionaire owner Joe Mansueto unveiled plans to build a $650 million stadium south of Roosevelt Road. Air quality in the city and suburbs was poor due to Canadian wildfires. Reset breaks down those stories and more with WBEZ midday anchor Lisa Labuz, Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann and Northwestern University's Natalie Moore. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Night Out in the Parks program brings free performances and events to parks in all 77 of Chicago's community areas, creating an opportunity for connection and exposure to different kinds of art. Reset gets a preview of what's in store this summer from Night Out in the Parks program and event manager Krista Brynski, South Side Jazz Coalition executive director Margaret Murphy and founder of Cabinet of Curiosity Frank Maugeri. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Masked ICE agents detained 10 immigrants in Chicago's South Loop on June 4, as city lawmakers, protesters and advocates for people in the U.S. without legal status attempted to disrupt the operation. Reset talks to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez of the 33rd Ward, and Ald. Anthony Quezada of the 35th Ward, who were on the scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As the Chicago Bears work to finalize a site for a new stadium, possibly outside city limits, Chicago's Major League Soccer team, which currently plays home games at Soldier Field, is developing its own plan for a future home in the city. Reset gets the details from Crain's Chicago Business commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In the early 1990s Terence Alan Smith, a drag star who went by the name Joan Jett Blakk was involved in the Chicago movement for gay rights. She was a member of Queer Nation, which focused on anti-gay violence, trans rights, bi visibility, healthcare, housing, and more. Blakk never made it on the mayoral ballot in 1991, but her campaign put queer issues into the public consciousness. Reset checks in with former Queer Nation member Robert Castillo to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

From the I & M Canal Trail to the Major Taylor Trail, the Chicago area has a lot of beautiful trails to cycle on that were once train lines or canal paths, and there are plenty of other great rides in the city, on country roads and beyond. Reset talks with Ride Illinois volunteer Christine Hubert of Joliet and cyclist Ron Rodriguez of Oak Lawn about their favorite rides, safety tips and tricks for cyclists new and old. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Since the pandemic, the number of traffic-related deaths has been on the rise in Chicago. But that's not the case in Evanston, which saw a five-year stretch with no deaths. Reset talks with Evanston city engineer Lara Biggs and Dixon Galvez-Searle, transit advocacy steward for Southwest Collective, about the work underway to reduce traffic collisions and deaths in the city and suburbs. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers passed a $55.2 billion state budget Saturday night, successfully filling a $1 billion gap by levying tax hikes on tobacco users, sports gamblers and out-of-state corporations with a footprint in Illinois. Reset spoke with WBEZ statehouse reporter and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout about what the budget means for you and why lawmakers did not pass a bill to fund public transit. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois pumps hundreds of millions of dollars a year into childcare programs – yet it doesn't provide enough support or relief for thousands of families and providers, according to an investigation from the Illinois Answers Project. Reset dives into the investigation to find out where families are being left behind. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you need a one-stop shop to browse the best concert offerings at a range of venues and different price points, sit back and get ready to scroll. From blues to rock to dance music, WBEZ's summer concert guide has you covered. Reset learns about summer shows to put on your radar. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois legislators are tackling unfinished business before the end of the spring legislative session. President Trump pardons a former Chicago gang leader. Navy Pier gets a new marina. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles, Better Government Association president David Greising and City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

he first major wave of Koreans to the United States was in 1903. Later, thousands of Koreans fled the country to escape famine and political turmoil. This is just the beginning of over 100 years of migration of the Korean diaspora to places like the U.S., China, South America and more. Reset gets a brief history on Korean migration, activism and organizing in the Chicago area and beyond with the executive director of the HANA Center Danae Kovak, executive director of the Asian American Advancing Justice Chicago Grace Pai, and associate professor of Asian American History at Northwestern Ji-Yion Yuh, author of the book “Beyond the Shadow of Camptown: Korean Military Brides in America.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Niall Harbison is best known as a dog rescuer turned social media star. He shares the heartwarming – and heartwrenching – stories on X and Instagram. Though he mostly operates in Thailand, he's calling on Americans to help, too. While on the U.S. tour for his new book “Tina, The Dog Who Changed The World.” Harbison is looking to rally local support to join his cause in helping save the millions of street dogs that need a bit of human help. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It can take a lot of energy to maintain your lawn. You have to mow it, water it, remove weeds, deal with pests, aerate the soil and much more. On top of it taking up your energy, it also takes up a lot of resources and water. Nearly one third of all residential water use across the country, according to the EPA. That's almost 9 billion gallons per day. To learn more about grass lawn alternatives and how to make our cottagecore dreams come true, Reset sits down with conservation scientist Becky Barak, Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and Lincoln Square resident Mary Arents, who transformed her yard into a native garden. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.