WGN - The John Williams Uncut Podcast

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.

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 why you should be resetting the devices in your home to improve the overall performance. 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.

Noted pet expert Steve Dale joins John Williams, to talk about his new book, “Ask the Dog!” He takes a listener question and teaches us the S.T.O.P. method when meeting new dogs.

Liz Shulman, English teacher at Evanston Township High School and in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University, joins John Williams to talk about AI in schools and the challenges it presents, teaching Shakespeare to a new generation, co-writing an op-ed with a student for the Chicago Tribune, and she previews her new […]

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, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,' joins John Williams to talk about updates in the Nancy Guthrie case, why it’s so captivating to the country, and discusses Trump’s EPA revoking a scientific finding that has long been the bases to fight climate change.

WGN Radio News Director Ryan Burrow, who also produces and hosts Quest for Gold, a weekly podcast on preparations for the Olympic Games, joins John Williams for a lively discussion on how the Olympics are judged.

Jessica Kartalija, national correspondent for NewsNation, joins WGN’s John Williams from Arizona to provide the latest on the Nancy Guthrie case. Jessica talks about the black glove found near Nancy’s home, Ring camera footage from January 11th that has been requested by the FBI, the lack of DNA evidence, and whether any of the family […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about a particular food that is great for maintaining strong heart health and a snack that can help decrease your sweet cravings and improve the overall quality of your diet. Dawn also answers listeners’ questions.

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

WGN Radio’s John Williams and his wife, Brenda, attended Lake Geneva’s Winterfest at the end of January, and was shown around by our friend and Visit Lake Geneva President/CEO Stephanie Klett. Stephanie joined John on WGN Radio to talk all about John’s experience for our latest Best of the Midwest feature. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7973580/7973580_2026-02-12-204920.64kmono.mp3 As you listen, […]

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 author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and recently retired newsman Steve Bertrand, host of the ‘Steve Bertrand on Books‘ podcast. This week the Rascals kick off the podcast talking about Chicago […]

Recently retired newsman, the great Steve Bertrand, joins John to tell us everything we need to know about his new ‘Steve Bertrand on Books‘ podcast.

Ryan Kelly, Co-Chairman, Chicago Auto Show, joins John Williams to give us all the details on the 2026 Chicago Auto Show!

Carl Prouty, “The Technologist” at Abt Electronics in Glenview, tells John what we should know about door security camera technology in light of the recently released security images of the “person of interest” in the Nancy Guthrie case. How do these security systems work? Where do the images live once they are recorded? How are people notified […]

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

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about pacemaker technology, and a new study about coffee intake and dementia risk.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about average babysitting rates in the state of Illinois, a new ordinance that would authorize Chicagoans to take pictures of bus, bike lane, and crosswalk parking violations, what he thought of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, and to share his thoughts on the […]

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 how proper attic insulation is the single best way to improve the energy efficiency in your home. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions! Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning […]

Sam Panayotovich, Fox Sports Betting Analyst and co-host of the sports betting show ‘Chicken Dinner,' joins John Williams to recap the Super Bowl and to review some of the best wagers he made for the game.

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

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins guest host Tom Gimbel to talk about the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie and the racist meme that President Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

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!

State Representative Amy Briel (D-Ottawa) joins John Williams to clear up some information regarding a proposed bill that would require permits and possibly pay up to a $5 fee for open burning in unincorporated areas.

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about what we should know about new Trump Accounts. Craig also explains why the market has been dipping lately, why he remains extremely bullish on 2026, what he thinks of gold prices, and what he wants investors focused on right now.

Sam Panayotovich, Fox Sports Betting Analyst and co-host of the sports betting show ‘Chicken Dinner,' joins John Williams to talk about some of his favorite bets for the Super Bowl game between the Seattle Seahawks v. New England Patriots.

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 long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. This week, the Rascals kick off the podcast talking about JB Pritzker donating $5 million to Juliana Stratton’s senate campaign? Is this anything? […]

WGN Radio News Director and Olympic correspondent Ryan Burrow joins John Williams to tell us what we need to know about the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. And make sure to listen to Ryan's podcast, “Quest for Gold,” so you are fully prepared to watch this year's games!

Longtime Chicago radio veteran Harvey Wells, founder, Lower Tech Bills, talks to John about how he helps customers lower their internet, cell phone, and television costs. Today, Harvey tells us what you need to know about watching this year’s Winter Olympics.

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about U.S. condo prices plunging, and why student loan delinquencies are exploding. Also joining John and David in-studio today is Stacey Wahlberg, President & Co-Founder, Cal's Angels! Stacey tells John the personal story about how Cal’s Angels started, how they fund cancer research […]