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.
“Forest bathing” is the exceptionally simple Japanese practice of taking a walk — or a seat — in the woods.
Why? For your health, of course!
In our last episode, we learned about Chicago’s urban forest — including the $416 million in benefits all those trees provide, in terms of energy cost savings, stormwater mitigation and air purification. Today, we’re taking advantage of that urban forest by taking a bath in it. (And no, there is no soap or water required.)
Our guide is the co-founder of The Spiritual Guidance Training Institute, Jeanette Banashak, who’s also a faculty member at Erikson Institute downtown.
Banashak has been leading forest bathing and nature companionship experiences for four years. She took Curious City to the Jarvis Bird Sanctuary on the North Side for what she called “a playful, slow, mindful, joyful walk [and] sit in the natural world.”
The goal of forest bathing is to disconnect from urban life, de-stress and connect with nature. Banashak said the practice is rife with health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to improving immune function and calming your parasympathetic nervous system. And although the practice does not require a guide, Banashak has a dream of training facilitators of these experiences to offer weekly sessions, year-round, on every side of the city.
Lucky for us, Chicago has plenty of parks, bird sanctuaries, and natural spaces in which you can forest bathe. So join us. All you need to do is make the time and press play.
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.
