Advertise on podcast: In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

In his new book, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic, best-selling author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell explores how current ‘dishonest’ conversations about gun violence prevent us from getting to the root causes. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Saran and Dafina Dunmore call themselves ‘besters,’ sisters and best friends. They live and work close to each other, and now they’ve taken their relationship to another level: competing in a reality TV show, racing across continents and solving puzzles and obstacles.  In the Loop sits down with the sisters to hear how the experience of participating in a reality TV competition deepened their relationship.  GUESTS: Saran Dunmore, Amazing Race contestant Dafina Dunmore, Amazing Race contestant Correction: All female teams have won previous seasons of the Amazing Race.  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In an effort to encourage students to think critically without the use of technology, a group of professors at Loyola University are piloting a writing class for freshmen where students write essays completely tech-free.  In The Loop sits down with professors and a current student in their class to learn more.  GUESTS: Sherrie Weller, professor of English, Loyola University Chicago Brandiann Molby, professor of English, director of the Writing Center, Loyola University Chicago Ella Paris, first-year undergraduate student, Loyola University Chicago For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

“Kowalski” brings together Galecki as the established playwright Tennessee Williams and Chicago’s Jacob Moskovitz as a young Marlon Brando trying to break into acting.  In the Loop talks with Galecki about the role and what took from TV to the stage.  GUESTS: Johnny Galecki, actor  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

With back-to-back losses for the White Sox, all eyes are on Game 5. Trump denies disaster relief to Illinois for the damage caused by summer storms. New lawsuits are filed over ICE agents’ actions during Operation Midway Blitz. Plus, Chicago wins the best big U.S. city title for the 10th year in a row.  In the Loop breaks down these stories and much more with a panel of Chicago journalists.  GUESTS: Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter   Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent Dave McKinney, WBEZ & Chicago Sun-Times politics and government editor  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Chicago City Council cleared her name in 1997, but the narrative of the O’Leary cow starting the Great Chicago Fire is hard to shake.  “Mrs. O’Leary didn’t start the fire. But someone did” – that’s the takeaway from a new work of historical fiction that explores Mrs. O’Leary’s perspective, and who might be responsible for the blaze.  In the Loop sits down with the author ahead of the 155th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, and hears a bit of the audiobook.  GUEST: Melissa Birks, author of the Mrs. O’Leary audiobook For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

A new bilingual children’s book inspired by the sights and sounds of ICE immigration enforcement in the Chicago area aims to help kids build skills for coping with hard times. Published by Trellis Press in Rockford, One Day Came a Rumble uses bright colors and a playful story to teach kids how to manage life's anxieties and uncertainty.   GUESTS: Elizabeth McChesney, author, One Day Came a Rumble (co-written with Daniel Hatcher) Steve Musgrave, illustrator, One Day Came a Rumble For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

“Something Followed Us Home” explores 17 scary tales from 17 Latin American authors. From the supernatural, real-life massacres to A.I., Pelayo curates an anthology of thought-provoking stories highlighting Latiné horror.  In The Loop sits down with Cynthia Pelayo to learn more about the inspiration behind her latest collection of tales.  GUESTS: Cynthia Pelayo, Chicago horror novelist and poet, editor of the new collection Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

City Council approves a new parking meter deal, another candidate drops out of the race for Chicago School Board president, and OpenAI alerts the City of Chicago that its technology targeted an online city database.  In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: David Greising, Better Government Association president Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Today’s episode features conversations grounded in movement. First, we check in with a doctor whose new book explores the impacts of nontraditional medicines – like dance, food and community – on our cognitive health.  Plus, we sit down with Evanston mother Megan Lassman about training to run and push her 21-year-old daughter in a stroller in the Chicago Marathon. GUESTS: Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark, author of Medicine for All People: Science and Ancient Wisdom for Revolutionary Healing Megan Lassman, Evanston mother For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Obama Presidential Center uses its honeybee hives to educate visitors about ecosystems, sustainability and urban agriculture. The two hives were added to the grounds early this spring. The idea began in 2009, when First Lady Michelle Obama started the White House Kitchen Garden. The Obamas were the first to establish a beehive on the White House grounds.  In the Loop goes onsite with OPC’s resident beekeepers as they inspect the colony and prepare the bees for the coming winter. GUESTS: Thad J. Smith, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential Center Janelle Dunlap, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential Center For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Look Back to Go Forward exhibit at Harold Washington Library displays artifacts collected from 5,000 Chicago youth that were sealed in a time capsule in 2021.  While five years might not seem like a long time, Living Record executive director Stacey Gillett says that opening time capsules on a short-term basis can increase the likelihood that students get to see and reflect on their entries, rather than the capsule being lost to time.  In the Loop learns more about this project and collaboration with the Chicago Public Library.  GUESTS: Stacey Gillett, Living Record co-founder and executive director  Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library Commissioner For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

There’s so much happening right in Chicago sports on all fronts.  For the first time in history, both the White Sox and Cubs secured their seats in the playoffs on the same day. The Bulls are about to begin training camp. The Bears are hobbled but hopeful as they turn to a QB who is the backup to their backup. And that’s not all.   In the Loop gets the inside scoop ahead of the week’s busy sports schedule.  GUESTS: Cheryl Raye Stout, WBEZ sports contributor For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Google gives the public a peek into its plans for the Thompson Center. O’Hare comes in dead last in a nationwide consumer survey on airport satisfaction. Plus, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey gets a presidential endorsement. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Brandon Pope, Fox 32 political reporter Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalist Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Residents from Bridgeport, Armour Square and Chinatown are coming together to protest the development of a new Amtrak maintenance facility in their area. The proposed White Sox stadium would essentially switch neighborhoods with the current Amtrak facility near Roosevelt Road.  Residents are not the only Chicagoans calling for the development to slow down; City Council members are also pushing for hearings.  In the Loop sits down with community members to hear their concerns. GUESTS: Maria LaGiglio, Bridgeport resident Jonathan Chen, Bridgeport resident For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.