Author: WBEZ Chicago

Chicago comedians Josh Linden and Paula Skaggs have published a new book that aims to make life more bearable — even if only by a tiny bit. Tiny Pep Talks: Bite Size Encouragement for Life’s Annoying, Stressful, and Flat-Out Lousy Moments is out now. Reset sits down with the two comedian-authors Josh LIden and Paula Skaggs to hear more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed 10% to 20% tariffs on all imported goods and even higher tariffs on goods coming in from China and Mexico. Reset explores what that could mean for the Chicago area with Cécile Shea of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Mike Galiga of Barcode Supplies and Hara Kumaran of Metric Coffee. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Poochie is a foul-mouthed employee of The Wiener’s Circle, the North Side hot dog stand where rude customer service — and rude customers — are part of the schtick. Kevin Pang is a documentarian and best-selling author who uses words and phrases like “mouth feel,” “artisanal,” and “meltingly tender.” The unlikely pair take their friendship and tastebuds around the region on “Poochie & Pang (eat Chicago).” Reset sits down with the duo. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

From the unicorn-like narwhal to a mysterious 400-year-old shark to the crowd-pleasing giraffe, a new book tours the world for the most awe-inspiring animals currently facing extinction. Reset learns what’s at stake if humans don’t change course from the author of Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures, Katherine Rundell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Foxx says voters elected her in 2016 to make fundamental changes to how the office operated with the people most impacted by the justice system. To that end, during her two terms in office, she helped oversee the end of cash bail and the legalization of marijuana in the county and statewide and raised the threshold for prosecuting felony retail theft from $300 to $1,000. Reset sits down with Foxx to discuss her tenure as the county’s top prosecutor. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library 10 miles north of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line is the last full building legendary Chicago architect Helmut Jahn designed before he died in 2021. Reset learns more from our resident architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin as part of our series What’s That Building? For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Lupe Fiasco is a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist, rapper and producer who has worked with Jay-Z, Ye, Pharrell Williams and more. He's known for his rhymes, lyrics and storytelling with albums like his 2006 debut “Food & Liquor” and his 2011 album “Lasers.” Now, Fiasco is out with his latest record “Samurai.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Alders block Mayor’s massive property tax hike and the Bears fire the team’s offensive coordinator while strategizing about a possible new stadium site. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, Fox 32 Chicago political correspondent Paris Schutz and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitch Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The holidays are about holding on to tradition, while also figuring out how to make them our own. And the food we make, or choose to skip, is a big part of that. Reset talks with local food experts Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune food writer and Damarr Brown, chef de cuisine and Virtue Restaurant & Bar and Top This Mac & Cheese about where our traditions come from, honoring memories, and making a tasty Thanksgiving meal. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.