Motive

WBEZ Chicago

4.7 (114)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
SERIES

Chicago gangs: Real people. Real stories. A way forward. The new season of Motive explores violence on the streets of Chicago and the former gang members working to stop it.

EPISODE 1

1: After The Gunfire

Former gang members are out on Chicago’s streets trying to slow the relentless violence. A man shot 11 times hides with his kids at home.

37 min
EPISODE 2

2: De/Escalation

Sirenzo Strong spends his work days trying to talk to gang members in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. Part of his turf is the site of a former housing complex, Rockwell Gardens. When former residents return to the old neighborhood, so do the old gang allegiances and grudges.

35 min
EPISODE 3

3: Underpaid And Underappreciated

Gunshot victim Joey struggles to get police to arrest the man he believes seriously wounded him and killed his neighbor. Meanwhile, low-pay and job insecurity make it harder for anti-violence workers to do their jobs and build a life for themselves.

35 min
EPISODE 4

4: Getting In And Getting Out

The gang murder of 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams shook Chicago and affected many of the anti-violence workers on the West Side. As former gang members they sympathized with Jaslyn’s dad, Jontae, his desire to spend time with his daughter and how that put her at risk of violence. Jontae still struggles with the guilt. And when he decided to help police catch his daughter’s killers his gang friends turned on him. **Content warning: This episode contains uses of the n-word.

33 min
EPISODE 5

5: Collateral Damage

A 14-year-old boy whose father was wounded in a gang shooting faces down threats of violence and the temptations of joining a gang. Meanwhile, a person who killed one woman and wounded another will avoid criminal charges.

38 min
EPISODE 6

6: Aftermath

Anti-violence worker Cecilia Mannion confronts her desire for revenge after the car her kids are riding in is shot up 20 times. Meanwhile outreach workers in Garfield Park are trying to slow a string of shootings stemming from the theft of an $8,000 necklace. And Joey finally goes to the police station to make an identification, but there are problems.

40 min
SEASON 5 TRAILER

'Motive' Season 5 Podcast Trailer

On the West Side of Chicago, a father is seriously wounded by an apparent gang shooting. The worker who comes out to help him heal mentally and emotionally is a former gang member herself. She is part of a growing army of anti-violence workers fighting to bring peace to the streets of Chicago. In Motive Season 5, WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith takes listeners out to the streets where workers are trying desperately to prevent shootings and help the victims of gun violence. Episode 1 coming January 26th. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.

2 min

See All Season 5 (7)

Patrick Smith

Guest

4.7

out of 5

114 Ratings

Outstanding podcast

2023-09-10

Canadian Rachel

The research , presentation of material, make this an outstanding podcast. Truly a documentary podcast, very informative and professionally done. I basically just binged all 4 seasons, although it’s now 4 am , it was worth it! I recommend this podcast , if your interested in an informative, docu style podcast. I learned a lot …. ☮️💟
Excellent reporting

2023-03-02

Cbear9999

Motive is captivating and really well presented. I highly recommend.
Excellent

2021-02-17

Lawgirldani

Gripping podcast, great storytelling. Enjoyed all 3 seasons.
Absolutely terrific

2020-10-08

POD Mike

Reporting and story telling. Really really good work folks. Apparently second amendment wackos make for good subject matter 🙂

Chicago gangs: Real people. Real stories. A way forward. The new season of Motive explores violence on the streets of Chicago and the former gang members working to stop it.