Wintrust Business Lunch

Segment 1: Albert Friedman, Chairman and CEO, Friedman Properties, joins John Williams to talk about the work they do, the importance of preserving historical landmarks, why hospitality is a critical component of their business, the role that art and culture play in development, the various type of properties they own, the biggest challenges they face […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the S&P reaching an all-time high, the possibility of a government shutdown, earnings continuing to be strong, what will likely happen with the Fed and interest rates, and why consumer confidence is so low. Also joining Terry and John today is Erik Norland, Executive Director […]

Segment 1: Mitch Petterson, GM Emergency Services Outreach Leader, joins John to give us the ABC’s of winter driving safety. Segment 2: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John Williams to talk about what he expects the Fed to do with interest rates this week, his general outlook for interest rate cuts this year, why […]

Segment 1: Paul Nolte, Senior Wealth Advisor and Market Strategist, Murphy & Sylvest, joins John to talk about the numbers he is looking at this week, if he expects there will be any move on interest rates this week, his thoughts on the price of gold, the status of tariffs, and the sectors he’s most positive on […]

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John Williams to talk about the highs and lows of the stock market this week, why it’s healthy to see a market pullback from time to time, what he expects to happen with interest rates in 2026, how taxes are impacted the economy, what is […]

Segment 1: Michael Edwards, President and CEO, Chicago Loop Alliance, talks to John about Chicago Loop Alliance's State of the Loop quarterly report details for the 4th quarter of 2025.  Segment 2:  Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, tells John about how Apple may be making an AI wearable pin for 2027, and why Starlink expansion is raising concerns. […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about President Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, how Trump’s remarks about Greenland has impacted the stock market, what’s going on with the price of gold, and her recommendations for your portfolio.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to tell us his final thoughts on the Bears season, the leadership that Ben Johnson showed throughout the year, and what you should know if you are negotiating for a new job. Segment 2:  Phillippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John Williams to talk […]

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to explain why he believes 2026 will be a good year for the market, the attacks on Fed independence, the streak of positive economic data, the importance of a diversified portfolio, and what he’s telling his clients right now. Segment 2: Carl […]

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John Williams to talk about the green on the market screen today, why he’s encouraged that the market is broadening out, the numbers on the economy being positive, and the importance of diversifying your portfolio. Segment 2: Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, tells John about […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the economy and the market expectations for 2026. Terry and John are joined by the always engaging money expert Dr. Bob Froehlich, who gives his annual prediction for where he predicts the Dow will close at the end of the year. Dr. Bob also shares his […]

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the importance of good leadership, how good leaders are able to successfully manage talent, the controversy surrounding Bears coach Ben Johnson using profanity in the locker room, and the labor and business stories that he’s paying attention to in 2026. Go […]

Segment 1: Faron Daugs, CFP, Founder and CEO, Harrison Wallace Financial Group, joins John to talk about his expectations for the market for 2026, President Trump's call to cap credit card rates for one year at 10%, the Department of Justice opening a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, his outlook for Fed policy this […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about 2025 stock market performance and what to expect from the market in 2026. Also joining the show this week is James Stack, Founder and CEO, Stack Financial Management, who tells John and Terry why he believes the market is overvalued.

Segment 1: Brad Henderson, CEO, P33, joins John Williams to talk about why he’s excited about Chicago’s tech landscape in 2026. Segment 2: Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, tells John about the best things he saw at CES 2026. Segment 3: Mitch Lyons, founder of Mitch Lyons Wealth, joins John to talk about retirement […]

Segment 1: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John Williams to talk about the market rally to begin the year, why the market continues to perform so well, what he thinks of the situation in Venezuela and the impact on the market, the job market continuing to cool, what that means for interest rates […]

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the outlook for the 2026 labor market, and how that will impact the economy overall. Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about 2026 being a year for a ‘union resurgence.’ Segment 3: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about why the market is rallying today and to break down the biggest 2026 real estate trends. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Groupon working on their rebound story, and Uber being in talks to acquire Chicago parking app […]

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John to talk about the spectacular market returns for the last few years, why he’s happy that the market is broadening, why it’s likely that interest rates will continue to fall, if there is any concern about inflation, the importance of a broad based […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to answer listener questions and talk about the end of the year!

Segment 1 & 2: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about year-end reviews, starting 2026 off on the right foot, and how journaling you wins and losses professionally can help your career. Segment 3: Paul Nolte, Senior Wealth Advisor and Market Strategist, Murphy & Sylvest, joins John to discuss inflation, market […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to unpack why 2025 has been so punishing for first-time home buyers, how soaring prices, tight inventory, all-cash offers and lagging new construction are reshaping the market for buyers. Segment 2: Segment 2: Elliot Richardson, Co-founder and President, Small Business Advocacy Council, joins John to talk about Chicago's City […]

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.

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

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about leadership, workplace culture, and how management decisions affect performance in both sports and business. The discussion shifts to changing work attitudes surrounding sick days and when workers should and shouldn’t push through illness. Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, breaks down […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to break down year-end economic trends, including inflation, unemployment, wage growth over the past 50 years, and why housing costs continue to squeeze renters and homeowners alike. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about major developments in Chicago tech and innovation. Topics […]

Segment 1: Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist for Wintrust Wealth Management joins John Williams to to break down year-end market trends, the rebound in AI stocks and what to expect from the Fed in 2026. Segment 2: Tim Paradis, Future-of-work & Trending Correspondent at Business Insider joins John to expand on his article detailing “the […]

Segment 1: Stephen Kates, CFP, Financial Analyst, Bankrate, joins John Williams to break down today’s inflation data and what that means for the economy as we head into 2026. Segment 2: Brandon Ewing, Director, Community Retail Branches, BCU, joins John to talk about their credit union, the difference between a credit union and a bank, the […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about four moderate House Republicans joining Democrats to force a vote on extending key Affordable Care Act subsidies, a new poll showing President Trump’s approval rating on the economy, and a reminder about fraud protection during the holiday season.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the latest jobs numbers, why he sees a weakening economy, AI’s impact on the job market, and to share his thoughts on the return of the office party, and why he believes in the importance of meetings. Also, the Bears! Segment […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about a new survey that shows nearly two-thirds of Americans have used a mobile wallet, the latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, and Zillow’s most viewed house in Illinois. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, […]

Segment 1: 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 […]

Segment 1: Jenna Fowler, Founder, Vagabond Botanical in LaGrange, joins Wendy Snyder to talk about the story behind her unique plant boutique, the way the business has grown organically, how she ended up opening a retail store, the types of services that are offered at the shop, and how her creative background influences the work […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for John Williams, to talk about what she expects from the Fed today, if they are likely to cut rates again soon, why economic data is unreliable because of the government shutdown, if she expects a year-end rally, the importance of taking your RMD right now, […]

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins Wendy Snyder to talk about the sacrifices you have to make if you want to be great. ‘Sometimes trying to be great is lonely.’ Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins Wendy Snyder to talk about how quality customer service in America seems to have […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins Wendy Snyder to talk about why first time homebuyers are getting older, why sellers are delisting their homes, and the U.S. leading the global billionaire increase. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells Wendy about Waymo’s expansion plans and if we’ll eventually see the driverless […]

Wendy Snyder steps in for John Williams on today’s Noon Business Lunch! Segment 1: Samantha Frontera, Co-Owner, The Holly House, a mother–daughter–built boutique that celebrates local artisans, meaningful moments, and the kind of small-town magic you can actually feel. Segment 2: Jospehine Lee, president of Uniting Voices Chicago, a nonprofit that provides music education and performance opportunities […]

Segment 1: Jeff Ostrowski, Analyst, Bankrate, joins John to talk about why first-time homebuyers keep getting older. Segment 2: Faron Daugs, CFP, Founder and CEO, Harrison Wallace Financial Group, to talk about what he expects from the inflation and consumer sentiment data released tomorrow, how people are still feeling the impact of inflation, if we will see some tariff […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about Medicare Open Enrollment ending, what you should know about ‘Trump accounts’ and how they will work, and why she always adheres to Warren Buffet’s advice that, ‘nobody ever got rich betting against America.’ Terry also suggests you visit her Year-End Planning Checklist.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the health of the labor market, how companies have job listings for positions that are never filled, and the issues that companies have with the amount of applicants who aren’t qualified. Also, Tom weighs in on the overall health of the […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about what we can expect from Cyber Monday this year. Ilcye also reminds you to spend your FSA balance, and the state of Florida looking to eliminate property taxes for residents. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Cameo scored a […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the markets bouncing back of late, what concerns her about the market moving forward, why consumer confidence has faltered, and if the Fed will cut interest rates again in December, and why Thanksgiving is a good time to have the ‘bills and wills’ conversation. Terry […]