Episodes
Published 03/28/24
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its five-day quarantine recommendation for people who test positive for COVID-19, announcing that people can return to activities after symptoms improve for at least 24 hours. It’s a big change from the required 10-day quarantine period from four years ago when the World Health Organization first declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Reset reflects on the impact of four years of COVID-19 with Steven Thrasher, author of The Viral...
Published 03/28/24
Rainforests are complex ecosystems that house over half of the world’s species, but they’re under threat from deforestation and climate change, and gathering data about the shifts in populations is difficult and unreliable. But AI could help. Reset hears from the Morton Arboretum’s Chuck Cannon, and Loyola University’s Karen Weigert on efforts to build accessible tools that can be used to monitor the species that call rainforests home. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to...
Published 03/27/24
For the most part, Sarah McCammon followed the rules set by her Evangelical family. She was taught to obey God, not to question her faith, and that her eternal salvation was secured in heaven. She later left the church, but soon saw the power of evangelical Christian beliefs on the political right after covering the Trump campaign in 2016 for NPR. Reset learns more about McCammon’s journey and the power she sees in that conservative religious community. For a full archive of Reset interviews,...
Published 03/27/24
When it comes to talking about sex, taboos and stigma can – and do – lead to myths and misinformation – particularly for women. From disproportionately impacted by long-term effects of STDs to infertility to even just being prepared for changes in their menstrual cycle, many women – across age groups – say the sex education they were offered in school and social circles left them woefully unprepared. Reset sat down with DePaul student Tyesha Thomas, Northwestern’s Dr. Traci Kurtzer, and ...
Published 03/26/24
Chicago still has more lead service lines than anywhere else in the country, and it’s impacting more than two-thirds of Chicago children under 6 years old. The CDC says there are no known safe levels of lead in a child’s body, and that constant exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, lead to slow growth and development, including learning and behavioral problems. Reset talks through solutions and resources with Chakena Perry of the Natural Defense Council, Brenda Santoyo with the...
Published 03/26/24
Nearly a week after Illinois’ primary election, the race for Cook County State’s Attorney gets closer and closer as election officials tally up the remaining mail in and provisional ballots. Plus, the city announces plans to close temporary shelters housing migrants at 5 city parks, and transition the facilities back to their former use as a recreation destination for residents. Reset digs into this and more city politics happenings with WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset...
Published 03/25/24
Front person Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos sits down with Reset to talk language and identity in song writing. You can catch their show Sunday, March 24, at Metro. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/23/24
Ramadan is a time for fasting, good deeds and charity for Muslims around the world and here in Chicago. But the holiday’s usual celebrations are more somber due to the war in Gaza. Reset sat down with a group of local Palestinian Americans to discuss how the holy month feels this year. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/22/24
Delays to election results leave some holding their breath. Chicago sues Glock over its ability to turn its weapons semi-automatic. And the Bring Chicago Home referendum flounders during the primary election this week that saw a record-low voter turnout. Reset delves into these and other top local stories with WGN’s Tahman Bradley, the Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long, and WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/22/24
Local heir to the Walmart fortune, Lukas Walton, founded Builders Vision to address environmental challenges. And recently, the group won a Parkinson Award from Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility for its work. Reset sits down with Matt Knott, president and chief operating officer of Builders Vision, and Karen Weigert, Reset sustainability contributor, to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/22/24
It’s hard to find a more iconic Chicago movie than “The Blues Brothers”, and the chance to learn something new about the 1980 film? Yes please! Reset sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Daniel de Visé about the new stories he uncovered while researching the making of this cult favorite. Daniel’s book, “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic” is available now wherever you buy books. For a full archive of...
Published 03/21/24
Mayor Brandon Johnson is recognizing the decades-long career of Rick Bayless and the impact he has had on the city’s restaurant scene and on making Chicago a food destination. The prolific chef owns several restaurants and brands, and he also supports small farmers and the arts in Chicagoland. Reset sits down with Bayless to reflect on his career and accomplishments. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/21/24
President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump each won their primaries in Illinois on Tuesday. But a growing call for a protest vote among Dems and a never-Trump wing among Republicans could mean that both candidates have to shore up their support before the general election in November. Meanwhile, other items on the ballot remain too close to call, including the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum. Reset digs into who won, who didn’t and which races are still too close to call...
Published 03/20/24
Long before there was Bush v. Gore and the “dimpled chad” fiasco in Florida, there were Penny Pullen and Rosemary Mulligan, two suburban Chicago Republicans vying for the same state house seat in a race so close, it was decided at points by a handful of votes, a coin toss and eventually the Illinois Supreme Court. Reset talk with author Patrick Wohl about his new book “Down Ballot: How A Local Campaign Became A National Referendum On Abortion” for more on the significance of that race and why...
Published 03/20/24
Microbes are everywhere, including in our stomachs, and they have a big influence on our overall health in a variety of ways. Reset explores the mind-gut connection with UChicago Medicine’s Alyse Bedell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset
Published 03/19/24
The latest in our series What’s That Building? takes us to the former Cabrini-Green neighborhood to visit a boarded up church that community members and preservationists are working hard to save. Reset checks in with our architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin for the story. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/19/24
Officials call the 37,000 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since August 2022 an “unprecedented” situation. But a WBEZ analysis showed that earlier waves from Europe, the South and Mexico rivaled the current situation in size and scope. Reset explores the connections between current migration to Chicago and what happened in the past with WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin and UIC history professor Lilia Fernández. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/18/24
Tuesday, March 19, isn’t just Primary Day in Illinois — it’s also the best day to experience the phenomenon known as “Chicagohenge” when the sun aligns perfectly with Chicago’s grid. Reset checks in with Geza Gyuk, director of astronomy at the Adler Planetarium. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/18/24
Music, theater, dance, art, opera, whatever your artistic bucket list includes this spring, we have something you’ll love. Reset sits down with WBEZ arts and culture senior editor Cassie Walker Burke to get the lowdown on some shows and events you may want to check out. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/18/24
Southeast LA is a second home for artist and musician Neyva. The first, they say, is Saturn. “That’s my home planet,” Neyva says. Reset checks in with Neyva to hear more of their eclectic, otherworldly music ahead of their March 17 show at the Empty Bottle. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/16/24
Migrants face an eviction deadline amid a measles outbreak. The State Capitol is placed in lockdown while lawmakers are in Springfield. The Illinois Supreme Court sides with the Johnson administration, denying an appeal to the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears say they’re committed to keep Chicago as their home, pledging billions for a new lakefront stadium. Reset goes deeper into those top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Dan Petrella, Chicago...
Published 03/15/24
Candidates for president, Congress and state senate might be familiar, but have you ever been at a loss when voting for judges? Reset sits down with Injustice Watch managing editor Jonah Newman to learn what you should know about judicial elections in Cook County before filling out your primary ballot. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/15/24
If cacio e pepe can get a makeover with chili crisp, what else is possible? Well, according to Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful Podcast, “Anything’s Pastable.” We check in with Pashman to learn more about his forthcoming cookbook out March 19. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/14/24
The City of Chicago shut down construction on a temporary shelter by the Orange Tent Project. You might recognize the group’s bright orange tents across the city. Today on the podcast, we discuss why that shelter was shut down with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Sophie Sherry. We also dig into a WBEZ analysis detailing how nearly half of Chicagoans are paying over 30% of their income on rent and utilities with WBEZ sata projects editor Alden Loury. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head...
Published 03/14/24