Latest Episodes
- All
- Chicago Firsts
- Chicago's Origins Story
- Laying the Foundation
- Star on the Chicago Flag Story
- The Canoe Chronicles
- Uncategorized
Episode 26 – 1909
In 1909 Chicago changed dramatically both physically and intellectually. Having grown through fits and starts via annexation and experiencing the most rapid population growth of any city in history,...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:00 — 81.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Episode 25 – A Book and A Beer: George Ade and the Old-Time Saloon
The path to riches is not often associated with journalism, but in the case of George Ade, writing for Chicago newspapers was his road to wealth and fame. Ade,...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:07 — 51.4MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Episode 24 – Bonus: Working on the Railroad
October is Railroad history month in Chicago. Although we already released Episode 24 - The Railroads in honor of railroads history month there was too much good stuff...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:27 — 39.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Episode 24 – The Railroads
For 150 years, Chicago has remained the country’s busiest rail hub at the center of the nation’s rail network. In all, 40 railroads provide services from Illinois to every...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Episode 23 – Reversing the Chicago River
Native Americans held great respect for natural systems while also managing the landscape to support their people and way of life. As “civilization” came to this area Chicago became...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:41 — 56.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Episode 22 – Eyewitness to History: From the Pullman Strike to H.H. Holmes
Looking back on historical events, whether it is the Civil War or the Chicago Fire, they are usually presented in isolation, a individual events separated by subject, pinned to...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:54 — 51.2MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Featured Guests

Emma Thomas
I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream. As I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants.

Earn Palmer
I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream. As I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants.

Halie Jackson
I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream. As I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants.

The Cat
I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream. As I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Subscribe to receive info on our latest news and episodes
Episode 28 – WWI & Chicago Transformed
Hear from author Joe Gustaitis as we discuss how World War I transformed Chicago from a strongly German city into a modern metropolis.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:24:45 — 77.7MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Episode 27 – The Great Migration
In American history, we were taught that pioneers and homesteaders moved from east to west settling the continent in the greater pursuit of “Manifest Destiny” — killing and obfuscating the First Nations peoples’ way of life. However, another American pattern often overlooked is the migration from south to the north. Starting less than a century...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:10 — 53.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS