Streeterville stories get told in new podcast

(Published May 7, 2019)

By Jesse Wright, Managing Edito

A new podcast network will launch this summer to tell the stories of Streeterville, and other areas. A podcast is an audio file that can be downloaded onto a phone or other device.

Happenstance, a hyperlocal podcast app, will deliver short stories about little known subjects in various neighborhoods. When users enter an area, the app will geotag users and alert them to local stories.

Stephanie Chopris, the co-founder and managing editor, said the idea started as a class project several years ago when she was a graduate student at the Medill School of Journalism. Years later, she said her project is set to launch.

“We’re shooting to launch in a few neighborhood this summer,” Copris said. “The neighborhoods are River North, Streeterville and Gold Coast. We might wrap another neighborhood into that, but those are the three target neighborhoods right now.”

At present Chopris is producing stories and seeking new stories to tell.

“We primarily focus on four editorial pillars of food, art, landmarks and sports and games,” she said. “All of our categories are flexible and we still want to cover it even if it doesn’t fall into one of those categories.”

She said sports and games can include things like yachting, darts and arcade games and the landmarks don’t need to be historic.

“They can just be places that people appreciate an have been in the area for a while,” Chopris said.  

So far, Chopris said she has Streeterville stories about Coco Pazzo Café and the Gold Star Sardine Bar, though more are coming.

Anyone interesting in suggesting a story can email Chopris at [email protected] and the website is happenstanceapp.com.