WGN - The John Williams Full Show Podcast

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, recently retired newsman Steve Bertrand, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The group kicks things off with a wide-ranging discussion on American politics, President Trump's recent actions, public perception of the economy, and why many voters feel disconnected discussions on […]

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

Author and historian Geoffrey C. Ward joins John Williams to talk about his new book “The American Revolution: An Intimate History” and his collaborations with filmmaker Ken Burns.

Dr. Stephen Jumic, hospital medicine at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the new strain of flu, how healing from the flu can be just as difficult as the symptoms, letting our bodies fight fevers naturally, and briefly covers recent research into Alzheimer’s using mice.

Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse. 

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to talk about the temperature drop bringing cold weather and how pre-treating with ice melt can help keep your walkways from getting too slippery. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions.

Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner joins John Williams to break down his new article, co-written with A.D. Quig, on findings that hundreds of Illinois government employees tapped into pandemic relief funds meant for small businesses.

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

Steven Crano, Corporate Communications Manager at Choose Chicago, joins John Williams to discuss the various NYE festivities in Chicago to bring in 2026!

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!

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about her latest column and the stock market rallying to end the year. And, as always, she answers questions from listeners.

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

Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to analyze year-end market trends, the so-called Santa Claus rally, inflation and unemployment pressures, consumer confidence, and what data suggests for 2026. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7873938/7873938_2025-12-24-143038.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, recently retired newsman Steve Bertrand, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope's Screening Room. The Rascals open the podcast with Steve Bertrand's return to the panel and have a candid discussion about what it's like leaving the anchor desk […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about a variety of topics including the challenges of winter in Chicago, the city’s budget issues, and the controversy surrounding CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes segment from broadcast.

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

Tim Novak, investigative reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times’ Watchdogs team, joins John Williams to answer questions on his latest article, co-written by fellow reporter Rob Herguth, about an Illinois campaign finance rule that allows former House Speaker Michael Madigan and ex-Ald. Edward Burke to legally convert millions in leftover campaign funds to personal use after […]

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 about all the supplies you'll want to have on hand and ready to go for Christmas week . Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to break down reactions to President Trump's latest speech and explain the administration's move to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Brandon Ewing, Director, Community Retail Branches, BCU, joined John Williams on the Noon Business Lunch (in support of our Your Hometown spotlight of Long Grove) to talk about their credit union, the difference between a credit union and a bank, the various products they offer, the benefits of a credit union, who is eligible to become […]

Are you looking for some suggestion of books to read over the holidays or during the new year? Or maybe some gift ideas? Here’s a new list of recommendations from John Williams, Steve Alexander, Bob Kessler and Sara Tieman. John Williams (weekdays 10am-2pm, including The Wintrust Business Lunch, plus the Mincing Rascals podcast) Fancy Bear Goes […]

Ryan Burrow, WGN News Director and host of ‘The Stadium Club‘ podcast, along with WGN Sports Director Andy Masur join John Williams to talk about the news that the Bears are considering moving the team to northwest Indiana.

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, John chats with Claire Slattery, Executive Director, Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce! […]

Actor and television host, the one and only Mario Lopez, joins John Williams! Mario talks about his experience making a holiday movie in Long Grove, how the community of Long Grove embraced his family, what the weather was like when they filmed the movie in April, his new healthy shake venture called Fresh Monkee, if […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about what’s on her Christmas wish list, her favorite seasonal cookie recipe, the Superfood Hot Chocolate, and to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.

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, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and the The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week the Rascals begin the podcast talking about Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino returning to the Chicago area. The Rascals unpack the latest immigration enforcement […]

John Williams hosts the annual Salvation Army Radiothon. Our Virtual Red Kettle was stuffed thanks to our amazing WGN listeners and all of our generous sponsors. Special thanks to the one and only David Hochberg, The Salvation Army’s Major Caleb Senn, good ol’ #97 Chris Zorich, the always delightful Corey McPherrin, formerly from your TV, […]

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

Adam Petraglia, Executive Director and Founder, Bricks of Hope, joins John Williams to talk about the incredible story that led him to start Bricks of Hope, the organization’s mission to deliver LEGO toys to sick children, what is so special about LEGO toys, how the community is aligned with their mission, his favorite LEGO kit, and […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about his favorite holiday song, Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino returning to Chicago, President Trump’s Chief of Staff doing an interview with Vanity Fair, and Governor Pritzker signing the ‘Medical Aid in Dying’ bill into law.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the wonderful staff at their hospital and the great care they provide the community, the amount of flu that is on its way to Illinois, what you can do to try and avoid the flu, and […]

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

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John to talk about some year-end tips and things to be aware of before 2026, a reminder about your RMD, the economic data being released later this week, the Supreme Court decision on President Trump’s tariffs, what […]

The great film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about the life and legacy of the great Rob Reiner, the award-winning Hollywood actor and director, who along with his wife, Michele, were found stabbed to death in their home on Sunday.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou talks about dripping water to avoid your pipes freezing, and the best setting for your thermostat during the winter. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning […]

Cate Plys, long-time Chicago journalist, Mincing Rascals panelist, and publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972 on Substack, joins John Williams to talk about how Chicago can make the city’s trash fee more equitable.

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

Attorney Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law Firm joins John Williams to talk about The Education Department announcing a proposed settlement with the state of Missouri that it said would terminate the SAVE plan. What does this mean for student loan borrowers? Rae breaks it all down.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about Indiana lawmakers voting against a redistricting effort favored by President Trump, and what we should know about the seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela.

Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John to talk about the possibility of the Dow reaching 50K, his concern over the labor market in 2026, why people should be excited about their 401(k) prospects in 2026, how many rate cuts does he see in the next year, why he’s watching AI closely, what […]