WGN - The John Williams Full Show Podcast

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about why the markets are dipping a bit today, the latest on President Trump’s trade deals, the roller coaster the market has been on since President Trump announced his tariff plan, why now is a good time to reevaluate your retirement plan, […]

Dr. Michael M. Canaris, Associate Professor of Ecclesiology & Systematic Theology, Co-Director, Miguel Pro, S.J. Pastoral Protagonism Initiative Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about Pope Leo XIV, the excitement in Chicago and America, the time Pope spent in Latin America, why he chose the name Leo, what led […]

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about the new Pope being from Chicago, how Americans and Chicagoans are feeling about the selection of Leo XIV, if picking an American pope was a message to the Trump administration, and President Trump’s trade deal with the U.K.

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!

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, today, Jon Hansen has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, Jon is joined by Susan Yarolem, Director of Sales & Marketing, Celebration River […]

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about new Pope Leo XIV being from Chicago, if she believes this pope was picked as a pushback to the new administration, the challenges of Democrats not having a majority in Congress, if she has any relationship with President Trump, the […]

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign computer science professor Dr. Sheldon Jacobson joins John Williams to talk about his Crain’s Op-ed that suggests that the U.S use tariffs on offshore customer service centers.

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

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 political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) announcing that he’ll be running for the senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. The Rascals break down the […]

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 tells us that it isn’t too late to work on those patches in your lawn!

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about his decision to run for the senate seat that will be vacated by Senator Dick Durbin. Congressman Krishnamoorthi explains why he’s running, the importance of pushing back against President Trump and Elon Musk, his track record of standing up to bullies, and if he was surprised that Governor […]

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about how he helped a listener who is going through a divorce refinance her home and take care of her family financially. David also explains how he’s helping a listener get out of credit card debt. David hosts “Home Sweet Home Chicago” on Saturdays […]

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

Gordon Gill, Partner, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, joins John Williams to talk about the design and construction of Jeddah Tower, which, upon completion, will be the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Dr. Michael Bauer, Medical Director at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the dangers of mixing alcohol and medications, a new study published in the Cancer Research journal suggests that early prostate cancer diagnoses can be made via a mere urine test, how artificial intelligence has been used in the hospital, the […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the amount that President Trump appears on television answering questions from the press, Trump’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the race to replace Senator Dick Durbin, if Governor Pritzker will run for president, and who will likely emerge as a candidate […]

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

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou explains why now is a great time to check for and take care of cracks in your driveway or walkway. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday […]

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

John Williams with WGN Radio’s Bob Kessler and traffic manager Julie Stern joined with fellow WGN Radio listeners to volunteer at City Kids Camp in Lewistown, Illinois. There they painted, cleared brush, made repairs and spruced up the camp to ready it for another season of campers. It was an exhausting – but rewarding – […]

Jessica Mayle, Regional Spokesperson and Public Affairs Specialist at Transportation Security Administration, chats with WGN’s John Williams about Real ID compliance at the airport. Jessica explains the Global Entry program and how it can be used as an acceptable form of ID. Jessica also talks about the ID requirements for TSA PreCheck.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to discuss the current tariff and economic situation in the United States. Connell also talks about how small business are affected by today’s economic decisions.

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!

Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about the 50th anniversary of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' and to share his thoughts on the Oscars introducing a Best Stunt Design category.

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 down south to the great state capital of Illinois! Joining John […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the importance of diet and exercise, why you should separate diet and exercise, a new study that shows that people who drank 8 or more drinks per week had 133% increased risk of having brain injury that is associated with memory and thinking issues (compared […]

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger and Member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of April 2025! What was your favorite joke this month? And as always, John brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com

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 (sign up for his new Substack!), longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing the odds that Governor Pritzker becomes president, former governor Rod Blagojevich makes a run for Illinois senator, […]

Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse. Kerry tells John about ‘signature for sex’ cases, and to share his thoughts on Bill Belichick’s interview with CBS. Does Kerry believe Belichick is cognitively impaired?

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 it’s time to start your weekly mowing, and it’s still not too late to do your spring cleanup.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about his political future and if he intends to run for Senator Durbin’s seat. Rep. Krishnamoorthi says he will have an announcement soon. The congressman also talks about his ‘tariff tour,’ and what he’s hearing from his constituents.

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

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about WGN-TV’s Mike Lowe’s battle with cancer, and the importance of getting checked out if you think something might be wrong. Dr. Kopin also tells John if he believes any possible funding cuts by the Trump administration could impact the […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the possibility of disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich running for Dick Durbin’s Senate seat, Gov. Pritzker’s speech in New Hampshire over the weekend, and his thoughts on Gov. Pritzker and Sen. Duckworth already endorsing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for Durbin’s seat.

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

Jens Ludwig, the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and author of ‘Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence,' joins John Williams to talk about why he […]

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 you can get more power out of your shower with a simple, two-step process. And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at […]

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

Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen to discuss items that could be worth money. Looking to sell an old watch or jewelry that you have around the house? What about a highly sought after trading card? Do you have some World War II or World’s Fair memorabilia? Brian answers your […]

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen to talk about how President Trump has impacted market movement, Trump’s belief that his tariff policy will ultimately be effective, polls showing that most people disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, and what that means for him politically.

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!

Satish N. Nadig, MD, PhD, Chief of the Division of Abdominal Organ Transplant and Director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, joins John Williams to talk about performing the first double-lung and liver transplant for advanced lung cancer in the U.S. Dr. Nadig tells John about the procedure, how transplants are dependent on ‘man’s […]