Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - How The Johnson Administration Can Prioritize The Arts

Chicago is home to a rich arts scene, but advocates say more can be done to support arts education, expand access to the arts and recognize that the arts can be a powerful economic engine for the city. Reset talks to Leslé Honoré, poet and CEO of Urban Gateways, Monica Trinidad, co-founder of For the People Artists Collective, Abby Pucker, founder of GERTIE, a Chicago arts wayfinding platform, about the ways the Johnson administration could lean into the arts. The trio are co-chairs of Johnson’s transition subcommittee on arts and culture.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - A Guide To Chicago’s Summer Farmers Markets

WBEZ is out with a new guide to 80 markets you can find in Chicago and the suburbs this summer, just in time for farmers market season. Reset learns more about where to find fresh produce, flowers and other extras at markets in the region with Julia Binswanger, WBEZ audio producer and curator, Veah Larde, market manager at Austin Town Hall City Market, and Liz Abunaw, founder and owner of Forty Acres Fresh Market.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - How Asian Americans Are Making Their Mark On Chicago’s Music Scene

It’s AAPI Heritage Month. Reset invited three Asian American artists in Chicago’s thriving music scene to talk about the AAPI’s community’s contribution to the arts. Sen Morimoto, Yna Pineda, and Stuti Sharma share their fave AAPI musicians in Chicago, discuss resources the city may be lacking and talk through how their heritage influences their craft.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - First 12 Weeks: The Unique Challenges Of LGBTQ+ Parents

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. From isolation to breastfeeding to expectations, these mothers faced a lot in just the first few weeks postpartum. But, they also persevered through. In the final installment of the series, Reset discusses the challenges new LGBTQ+ parents face with Elly Fishman, reporter and WBEZ contributor and Dr. Liz Glassgow, executive director of Innovations to Improve Maternal Outcomes in Illinois and medical director of the UI Health Two-Generation Clinic

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Asian And Asian American Representation Is Growing

Asian Americans have been reported to be the fastest-growing racial group in the country. And this is also a time when AAPI representation in the media has been growing and celebrated with historic wins for films like Everything Everywhere All At Once. While more representation and visibility of AAPI folks is still needed, it begs the question of what’s next? Reset dives into a discussion with writer and fire performer, Michi Trota, and environmental justice fellow at the Grist, Siri Chilukuri, about the growth of representation for the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and what to do with more visibility.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - The Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Block Illinois Assault Weapon Ban

The saga continues for the Illinois assault weapons ban as the question of “Can I legally buy an assault rifle?” has a new answer for the third time this year. Reset hears from statehouse reporter for WBEZ, Mawa Iqbal, and Highland Park Survivor, Ashbey Beasley, on the latest.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Why Do We Struggle To Hire Young People?

The pandemic affected employment in a massive way, but it especially affected young people. And not all young people have recovered or been able to make their way into the workforce. Between 2019-2021, the unemployment rate has almost doubled for Black women, from 32 to 59 percent. Reset learns why and what efforts there are to address these barriers with Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of Economic & Workforce Development and UIC Great Cities Institute.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Creating Culturally Competent Care For Asian Amercians

Reset discusses the barriers and stigma Asian Americans face when it comes to both physical and mental health, and how groups are working to increase access to culturally-competent care They speak to a panel of experts featuring Heain Chung, director of direct services at KAN-WIN, Brandon Liu, licensed marriage and family therapist and Shobhana Johri Verma, executive director of South Asian American Policy and Research Institute.