More podcasts from wgnradio.com

Search for episodes from John Williams with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from John Williams

The Mincing Rascals 8.27.25: National Guard, Chicago finances, Trump distractions

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute and The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast talking about President Trump possibly sending the National Guard to Chicago to combat crime. Do the Rascals think deploying the National Guard to […]

Kwame Raoul: Would not embrace utilizing National Guard for policing

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joins John Williams to talk about President Trump saying he wants to send the National Guard to Chicago to combat violence. AG Raoul explains what conditions would need to be met for the National Guard to be deployed to the city, the benefits of ongoing collaboration with federal law enforcement, what might happen if […]

Landscape expert Bob Bertog: When to start mowing grass shorter

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob is loving the cooler weather and how it’s perfect for seeding right now.

Elder law attorney Kerry Peck: What is medical aid in dying?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse. Kerry talks about the legislation being proposed in Illinois that deals with end of life options for terminally ill patients. What exactly is medical aid in dying?

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MXV, 8.27.25: Goodbye Dave ‘dung beetle' Eanet!

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. And let’s give a rousing ‘huzzah’ to the great Dave ‘dung beetle’ Eanet, for his wonderful contributions to Speed Jokes through the years. We’ll miss ya!

John Williams' goodbye to WGN Radio sports director Dave Eanet

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


Following Dave Eanet’s farewell message for WGN Radio listeners and teammates, John Williams waited for him to leave the studio to share his heartfelt goodbye to WGN Radio’s longtime sports director. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7681649/7681649_2025-08-27-173849.64kmono.mp3

Dave Eanet's farewell and photos from his last shift at WGN Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025


After 40 years of working mornings at WGN Radio, teaming up with all-time hosts like Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Spike O’Dell and Bob Sirott, Dave Eanet has signed off on his last morning shift on-air. Dave took a moment to say “thank you” on the John Williams Show. Listen below: https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7681443/7681443_2025-08-27-152843.64kmono.mp3 And here are photos […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: All vaccinations will still be available

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025


Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about when the next COVID shots will be available, if insurance will cover the new vaccines, if COVID shots will be eliminated, a new study that found the risk of colon cancer being slashed by eating specific types of vegetables, […]

Eric Zorn: National Guard won't be coming to Chicago

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025


Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the latest on the Cracker Barrel controversy, if he believes the National Guard will be coming to Chicago, and why he believes school shouldn’t start until after Labor Day.

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MXIV, 8.26.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

How close is the U.S. to sending humans to Mars?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025


Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing, The Adler Planetarium, joins John Williams to talk about SpaceX postponing a test launch of one of their massive Starship rockets.

Lou Manfredini: Tips to help organize your garage

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025


The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. As people are thinking about moving their stuff back inside when summer ends, Lou suggests a good organizing system for your garage. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MXIII, 8.25.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Film critic Michael Phillips on leaving the Chicago Tribune and the future of arts criticism

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025


The great film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about leaving the Chicago Tribune after 24 years. Michael tells John about what his plans are for the future, why it’s a precarious time for all arts critics, his thoughts on the Tribune no longer having a full-time film critic on staff, how journalism has changed […]

How man-made clouds can reduce climate change

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025


David Keith, Professor and Founding Faculty Director, Climate Systems Engineering Initiative, University of Chicago, joins John Williams to discuss a recent piece in the New York Times Magazine about how man-made clouds could save the Great Barrier Reef.

Craig Bolanos: The Fed officially pivoted today

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025


Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams, to talk about today’s big market rally after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested interest rate cuts would be coming soon, how many rate cuts he expects to see for the rest of 2025, and when we we’ll see the full impact of tariffs. Craig […]

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 8.22.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025


Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com!

Dawn Jackson Blatner: How to tell if a food is overly-processed

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025


Author and registered dietician and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the dangers surrounding the recent trend of raising ‘carnivore babies,’ the importance of balanced diet, the benefits of weightlifting, how to tell if a food is overly-processed, and to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.

Best of the Midwest: Take a fall trip to Ludington

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025


It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head over to the great state of Michigan and visit with Brandy […]

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MXII, 8.21.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

The Mincing Rascals 8.20.25: Speed cameras, CPS shakedown, Ukraine-Russia peace talks

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025


The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute and The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week the Rascals begin the podcast with a fascinating discussion about the future of journalism and Substack. The Rascals then mince about Chicago Tribune film critic Michael […]

Landscape expert Bob Bertog: Window is open to start seeding

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025


Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says our water levels are now above average for the month with all the rain and that late August is a good […]

What's next for Russia and Ukraine?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025


Dr. Joel Ostrow, professor, comparative and international politics, Benedictine University, joins John Williams to offer his assessment of President Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin and to break down the meeting between President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders.

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MXI, 8.20.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025


Melissa Nelson, Marketing Director for Skydive Chicago, tells John about what Skydive Chicago is, why Ottawa is a perfect area to experience skydiving, and the skydiving records they are going to try to break this week. Also joining John is skydiver Lane Paquin and other athletes that are participating in the attempts to break the […]

Eric Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump's ego

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025


Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about California Governor Gavin Newsom trolling President Trump on social media, the latest on the redistricting efforts in Texas, Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips announcing that he accepted a buyout, MSNBC rebranding to MS NOW, and if he thinks we should use AI […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: Get your blood pressure checked

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025


Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the importance of stretching as we age, if there are benefits to taking supplements, a nasal spray flu vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration being available for purchase for self-administration, when new COVID vaccines will be available, […]

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MX, 8.19.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

What does ‘Made in America' really mean?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025


University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign computer science professor Dr. Sheldon Jacobson joins John Williams to talk about his recent Chicago Tribune Op-ed that suggests that ‘Made in America’ is alive and well. What are we getting wrong about the term ‘Made in America?’ And how is the American consumer being impacted by tariffs? Professor Jacobson also tells […]

Lou Manfredini: Time to check your gutters and downspouts

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025


The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou says with all the rain we’ve been getting over the last week that now is the time to check your gutter, downspouts, and pumps. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MIX, 8.18.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Can you teach a dog to talk?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025


Christina Hunger, a speech-language pathologist and author of “Your Dog Can Talk: A Step-By-Step Guide to Button Training,” joins John Williams to talk about how her career in speech pathology led her to teach her dog how to communicate. Christina explains how the teaching process works, the huge potential for language learning, how many words […]

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 8.15.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025


Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com!

Connell McShane: What to know about Trump-Putin summit

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025


NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to break down what we can expect from the meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Support Pastor Brooks as he walks across America

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025


Pastor Corey Brooks, Founder and Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Church of Chicago and the Founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D, joins John Williams to talk about the progress he's making in the effort to build his opportunity center on the South Side and why he’s walking across America to raise awareness and funds for […]

Dawn Jackson Blatner: The benefits of Japanese walking

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025


Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the ‘Japanese walking’ trend. Dawn explains the benefits of this type of walking. Dawn also talks about a new study about ultra-processed foods, and answers all of your fitness and nutrition questions.

Best of the Midwest: Plan a fall trip to Racine County!

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025


It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take a short trip north and visit once again with Cari Greving, […]

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MVIII, 8.14.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

The Mincing Rascals 8.13.25: Dexter Reed decision, redistricting debate, Smithsonian review

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025


The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast talking about the Cook County State's Attorney's Office declining to file charges against the Chicago police officers who fired dozens of shots at Dexter Reed. Do the […]

Bill Daley: Fair legislative maps will mean more competitive races in general elections

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025


Bill Daley, former White House Chief of Staff and co-chair of ‘Fair Maps Illinois,’ joins John Williams to talk about the effort he’s leading with Ray LaHood to remove partisanship from how Illinois legislative maps are drawn. Bill explains how they are trying to create maps that are more representative of the population of the […]

Landscape expert Bob Bertog: How to get rid of aphids in your garden

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025


Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob talks about the amount of rain we’ve been getting, and how fungus is completely out of control because of the heat and […]

John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MVII, 8.13.25

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025


John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Claim John Williams

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel