WGN - The After Hours with Rick Kogan Podcast

Actor Frank Ferrante joins Rick Kogan to talk about his 40th year playing Groucho Marx on stage and to discuss the Marx brothers’ Chicago history. Groucho’s grandson Andy Marx also chats with Frank and Rick about his grandfather and Frank’s impersonation of Groucho. Frank will appear as Groucho Marx on June 11th at Teatro ZinZanni […]

Jeff Lindberg, Musical Director of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, joins Rick Kogan to talk about summer residency at Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Jazz guitarist Bobby Broom also chats with Jeff and Rick about his upcoming appearances at the Jazz Showcase. Bobby then explains how jazz guitar sounds different from rock and roll and other genres.

Chicago Quarterly Review managing editor Gary Houston and producer Roger Rapoport join Rick Kogan to discuss the film version of Peter Ferry’s novel Old Heart and the process of getting approval from Peter to make the film. A screening of the film can be seen June 4th at the Chopin Theatre in Chicago.

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to discuss the latest news and events in Chicago. Candace talks about Chef Art Smith’s nonprofit ‘Common Threads,’ Steppenwolf Theatre’s 50th anniversary party, Goodman Theatre’s 100th celebration, and more.

Anthony Mateos, an Evanston Township High School junior, joins Rick Kogan to talk about his book, Who We Are: Stories from the Chicago StreetWise Community. Anthony explains the process of getting the book published and comments on the response the book has received in the local community.

Artist and writer Dmitry Samarov joins Rick Kogan to talk about his design for the new edition of “Moby Dick” and the meaning behind the illustrations in the book.

Rick Kogan talks with Ronnie Marmo about his return to Chicago to perform in “Bill W. and Dr. Bob” at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. The play can be seen from May 30th through June 8th.

Rick Kogan is joined by Bob Chiarito to discuss his Chicago Magazine story about courtroom artists and the recent death of one of them, Andy Austin.

Rick Kogan is joined in studio by Paul Teodo to talk about the new storytelling event ‘Listen Up!’ at Carnivale on May 21st.

Rick Kogan is joined in studio by Kelsey and Andrew McClellan to talk about the art of sign painting which they do through their company, Heart & Bone, and their collaboration with Jim Coudal and Field Notes.

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to report on Mother’s Day events and offerings around Chicago.

Lou Malnati's owner and chairman Marc Malnati joins Rick Kogan to discuss his new book, Deep Dish, and his desire to tell the story of his family’s rise to pizza fame.

Jim Coudal, President of Coudal Partners, discusses the newest edition of Field Notes, a collaboration with Andrew and Kelsey McClellan of Heart & Bone, sign painters. For more information, go to fieldnotesbrand.com and  chicagosignpainters.com.

Singer Elaine Dame joins Rick Kogan to discuss her third album, ‘Reminiscing,’ and her upcoming performance at the Winter’s Jazz Club on May 16th.

WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan is joined by Libby York, who is performing ‘Songs That Turn Up the Heat’ at Winter's Jazz Club on Thursday, May 1st. Libby talks about her adventures in music and the changing audience.

WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan is joined by author, writer, and professor Michelle Weldon to discuss how she got her start in writing, and her many books, the latest being, “The Time We Have: Essays on Pandemic Living.”

WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan is joined in-studio by Walter Podrazik who, with Harry Castleman, wrote “Watching TV: American Television Season by Season,” now in its new fourth edition at 644 pages. The two discuss Walter’s adventures in journalism, the overall history of television, and where we go from here.

Linda Beckstrom and Pamela Des Barres join Rick Kogan to talk about their books and young life experiences. Rick talks about Linda’s book with Angalia Bianca, “In Deep: How I Survived Gangs, Heroin, and Prison to Become a Chicago Violence Interrupter.” Also, Pamela and Rick discuss her book, “I’m with the Band,” and her Chicago […]

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to recap the past holiday season and share the status of events in Chicago. Rick also talks with Candace about her recent work and other trending media stories.

Rick Kogan talks with Ellen Hanson, owner of Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, about the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl on April 26th that Sandmeyer’s Bookstore is participating in. Rick and Ellen also detail some of the key information to know if you are attending.

Rick Kogan talks with Mark Wukas about his career as a teacher and his novel “The Kiss of Night.” Mark also explains how he became interested in writing.

Rick Kogan is joined in studio by actor Phil Donlon to discuss his career, such as appearing in ‘Chicago Fire,’ the film ‘Hotshot’ and other adventures in the movie business.

Linda Beckstrom, co-author (with Angalia Bianca) of ‘In Deep: How I Survived Gangs, Heroin, and Prison to Become a Chicago Violence Interrupter‘ joins Rick Kogan to highlight the book and discuss her relationship with Angalia, including what it was like to work together.

Don Evans, President of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, and Randy Albers join Rick Kogan to talk about the Literary Hall of Fame and its annual Randy Albers Award.

Reporter Bob Chiarito joins Rick Kogan to share about life as a freelance reporter and his career.

Dan Halperin joins Rick Kogan to talk about the film he is making about the life of his father, Robert “Buck” Halperin.

Taylor Evans joins Rick Kogan to talk about the documentary “The Wild Mile: A River Reborn,” the city’s, and world’s, first floating eco-park.

Author Neal Samors joins Rick Kogan to talk about his latest book “Looking Back, Looking Forward.” 

Anne Laughlin joins Rick Kogan to talk about her latest novel, “Clean Kill”.

Contributor Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to talk about events and benefits around the city.

Father John Cusick, formerly of Old St. Pat's, joins Rick Kogan to talk about religion, the holidays, and First Fridays.

Contributor Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to talk about upcoming holiday events.

Producer Dan Protess joins Rick Kogan to discuss his latest documentary, “In Their Hands,” which premieres this week on wttw.com.

Rus Bradburd joins Rick Kogan to talk about his new book “Big Time,” and other previous books he has written.

Russell Lubliner, creator of the musical “Ain't Done Just Yet”, joins Rick Kogan to discuss the show.

Author Hillel Levin joins Rick to talk about his latest book, “Submerged: A Cold Case, an Innocent Man Condemned, and One Family's Darkest Secret.”

Contributor Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to talk about upcoming holiday events.

Author Mark Vancil joins Rick Kogan to talk about his book “The Last Excellent Man” and talk about many Michael Jordan books.

Actor Eric Simonson joins Rick Kogan to talk about his book, “Between the Lines: Steppenwolf’s Seagull and A Reluctant Actor’s Journey Back to the Stage,” and upcoming appearances at Steppenwolf on the 10th and Chicago Dramatists on the 11th.

Actor Mitchell Bisschop joins Rick Kogan to talk about the reopening of his one-man show, “Royko: The Toughest Man In Chicago.” For more information, visit chicagomitch.com/royko

Contributor Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to catch up on whats new with the the party/social scene.

Dave Gallagher joins Rick Kogan to talk about the release of his first album in 10 years, and first full-length concert in eight years, and what will be his last. The concert is Sunday, September 29th at 3 p.m. at Davenport’s.