WGN - The John Williams Uncut Podcast

Author and journalist Sophie Elmhirst joins John Williams to discuss her book, ‘A Marriage at SeaA True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck.’

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about today’s inflation report and how the market is reacting to the news, why inflation remains a bit sticky, what will likely happen with tariffs, and Bill and Hillary Clinton’s testimony before House Oversight Committee this week regarding their ties to Jeffrey […]

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!

Kemi-Bo Jacobs, starring as Agnes in ‘Hamnet' at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, joins John Williams to talk about the production, how the Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a magical place to perform, what you can expect when you see this production, what is so wonderful about this play, the influence of the source material […]

Kirstin Dahm, Director of Parks and Recreation, Oak Forest Park District, joins John Williams to talk about the vibrant park program in Oak Forest, the types of events and activities they program, their mission to serve the community, some of the most popular programs that are available for their residents, how they are able to […]

After the last meeting when the WGN Radio Book Club discussed their favorite books of 2025, our book lovers – John Williams, Steve Alexander, Bob Kessler, Steve Bertrand and Sara Tieman – have returned to discuss the books they’ve been reading during the first couple of months of 2026. John Williams (weekdays 10am-2pm, including The Noon […]

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, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope's Screening Room, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals start things off by breaking down President Trump’s State of the Union. What were the big takeaways from the speech? Next, the Rascals discuss […]

Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse. Kerry implores listeners to make sure to plan ahead because you never know what’s coming.

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

John Williams tells the (hilarious) tale of almost burning down the place where his elderly parents are living.

Dr. Sadiya Khan, Director, Center for Population Science and Aging, Northwestern Medicine, joins John Williams to talk about the public splash around weight loss medications and how they interact with the heart, the heart-related benefits of weight loss drugs, the risks or side-effects people should be aware of, who is the appropriate candidate for GLP-1 […]

Dr. Priya Freaney, Medical Director, Women's Heart Care Program, Northwestern Medicine, joins John to talk about women’s cardiovascular health, why heart disease doesn’t look the same in women as it does in men, the symptoms that are more common in women, the risk factors that are unique to women, and the most important steps women […]

Dr. Kannan Mutharasan, Medical Director, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute South Region, Northwestern Medicine, joins John Williams to talk about heart health month, the most common form of heart disease, when someone should consider seeing a cardiologist, the importance of understanding risk factors, and what people can do to lower their risk of heart disease.

Dr. Rod Passman, Director, Center for Arrhythmia Research, Northwestern Medicine, joins John Williams to talk about how many people in the U.S. are living with atrial fibrillation, the most common symptoms of AFib, how AFib is sometimes asymptomatic, who is at most risk of Afib, the role wearables have in detecting AFib, what you can […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the Chicago Tribune’s ‘non-endorsement endorsement’ of political candidates, why he’s not a fan of newspapers endorsing political candidates, his thoughts on Darren Bailey’s campaign for governor, Juliana Stratton’s new campaign ad featuring a number of people (including Sen. Tammy Duckworth) saying, ‘F-Trump,’ and […]

Peter Greenberg, ‘Eye on Travel‘ host and CBS News travel editor, joins John Williams to talk about the latest on Global Entry and TSA PreCheck availability and what travelers should expect during the partial government shutdown. Peter also gives us an update on the situation in Mexico.

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 the importance picking the right countertops and sink when you are doing a kitchen remodel. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

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

Stephen Woldenberg, SVP of Sales for Learning Resources Brands, the plaintiff in the Supreme Court ruling against President Trump’s tariffs, joins John Williams to talk about the decision.

Grammy nominated jazz vocalist and composer Michael Mayo joins John Williams in-studio to talk about how long he’s been making music and performing, the influence his parents had on his career, how singing is the way his family communicates, the journey of finding his voice, the influences that shaped his latest record, ‘Fly,’ his love […]

Comedian Lio Cundiff joins John Williams to talk about how he jumped into Lake Michigan to help save a baby who had been blown into the water.

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about SCOTUS striking down President Trump’s tariffs, the uncertainty of what the ruling will mean for the economy, the latest on the Epstein files, the likelihood the US may start a war with Iran, and the disappointing GDP number released today.

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about the mixed reaction from the markets after news on inflation, GDP, and the SCOTUS ruling on tariffs, what all the data means for Fed policy moving forward, why he expects a volatile year in the markets, the existential retirement crisis in […]

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!

Actor Cody Combs, who plays Evan Hansen in the new production of ‘Dear Evan Hansen' at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora (which is getting rave reviews), joins John Williams to talk about his work in the show, how he approaches this character, what his career has been like up until now, when he started taking […]

It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some winter 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 to the beautiful state of Michigan and speak with Chad […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about a new research study from Northwestern published this week about your nightly routine and heart health, foods that can help you combat dry skin, the health benefits of storing bread in the freezer, and her favorite types of fruit. Dawn also answers all of your […]

Marc Ganis, sports business expert and President and Co-Founder of Sportscorp Ltd., joins John Williams to talk about the possibility that the Chicago Bears will build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.

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, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and political pundit Marj Halperin! Today, the Rascals start the podcast talking about the death of civil rights activist and Chicago icon Jesse Jackson. The Rascals reflect on the complicated legacy of the long-time […]

Tahman Bradley, WGN-TV Political Editor, and host of ‘The Point,’ joins John Williams to preview WGN-TV’s debate between the candidates running for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate.

Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota, joins John Williams to talk explain the equal-time rule in broadcasting after Stephen Colbert said that CBS told him that he couldn’t air an interview with a candidate for the Texas senate.

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

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

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 reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died this morning at the age of 84.

The great author and Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joins John Williams to talk about the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84.

Humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson joins John Williams to talk about how Teddy Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States, the tragedy that struck the Roosevelt family on Valentine’s Day in 1884, when he became interested in the plight of the poor, and how his family is keeping Roosevelt’s conservation legacy alive.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the death of civil rights giant Rev. Jesse Jackson, Darren Bailey scolding the GOP for body-shaming Governor Pritkzer, and why he feels the Nancy Guthrie media coverage is being way overblown.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about Rev. Jesse Jackson being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, colorectal cancer now being the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50, and how concerned we should be about the rise in measles cases.

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