Podcast appearances and mentions of Rob Hart

A holiday puppy or kitten may seem perfect - but experts warn that pet gifting comes with life-long costs and responsibilities many families aren't prepared for. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain…

WBBM Noon Business Hour host Rob Hart sits down with Danielle Perry, the Vice President of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, to discuss the effects of recent government restrictions will have on food pantries, the state of food pantries going into the holiday season and more.

The day before Thanksgiving is like Black Friday for grocery stores, as shoppers rush to finish their final preparations for the big holiday feast. Phil Lempert, founder of SupermarketGuru.com in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to plan a multi-gen trip - and make sure everyone, kids included, has real skin in the game. Mark Wolters of the Wolters World Travel and Culture YouTube channel - and Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign - joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

Every year, many families face the big Thanksgiving dilemma - stay with relatives or ante up a couple hundred dollars for a hotel room. Cindy Richards, Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

WBBM Noon Business Hour host Rob Hart is joined by Michael Edwards of the Chicago Loop Alliance to discuss how The Loop continues to navigate the holiday season, tourism, the state of State street and more!

Artificial intelligence's explosive growth is driving a surge in data-center power demand — straining the electric grid and quietly pushing consumer energy bills higher. Paul Hochman, President of Humongous Media, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

As economic concerns rise, more shoppers are turning to secondhand stores for Christmas gifts - and even thrift shops are rolling out Black Friday sales. Chicago-based business reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

Holiday tipping is a chance to thank the people who support you with their work and service all year long. Chicago-based business reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with what you need to know.

Noon Business Hour host Rob Hart sits down with La Tonya Walker of WINGS & Hillary Douin of Connection for Abused Women & their Children to discuss the rising number of domestic violence cases in Illinois, the limited resources these organizations are given to help victims, ways to seek help and more. WINGS Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline: 847-221-5680 CAWC Domestic Violence Hotline: 773-278-4566

Regular exercise pays off financially - cutting medical costs, reducing daily spending - and boosting your energy, health, and overall quality of life. Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain…

A Chicago-based BBQ company whose 160-year-old family recipes - born from an enslaved pit master's craft -now anchor a growing family business. They're also offering a new class on smoking your Thanksgiving turkey, complete with plenty of eating while learning the craft. Eudell Watts IV, co-founder of Old Arthur's Barbecue Sauces & Dry Rubs here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Celebrating the holidays with a group can include festive activities that are fun, meaningful, and easy on the wallet. Chicago-based business reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

European Christmas markets - with their twinkling lights, mulled wine, and historic squares - offer a timeless, old-world holiday experience. Patrick DeHaan, Head of Petroleum Analysis for GasBuddy.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

We're seeing the first significant snow of the season - giving enterprising kids the perfect chance to grab their shovels and make some money. Matt Matigian, CEO of Blue World Asset Managers here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Chicago-based Mr. Submarine is celebrating its 50th anniversary by leaning into commercials from the past. Dan Tzoumas, Director of Operations and son of the founder, oversees locations across the Chicago area joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

More grandparents are helping pay for college - using 529 plans, tuition gifts, and smart financial strategies to ease debt burdens and build lasting family legacies. Brian Safdari, Founder and President of College Planning Experts in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

Route 66 turns 100 next year - and nostalgia travel is booming as Boomers and Gen Xers rediscover classic road trips, retro diners, and neon-lit motels. Cindy Richards, Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the Noon Business Hour to discuss...

New data shows Americans now spend more than $100 a week on work lunches - turning everyday meals into a costly luxury amid rising prices. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

New data shows Americans now spend more than $100 a week on work lunches - turning everyday meals into a costly luxury amid rising prices. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

You can skip the cooking chaos this Thanksgiving and dine out instead. More people are trading turkey for Italian or Chinese favorites to avoid the hassle and cleanup. Izzy Kharasch - President of Hospitality Works and “The Restaurant Coach” here in Chicago - joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Shopping is transforming faster than shelves can restock. From smart carts to AI fashion advisors, the way we browse, buy, and return is being re-engineered by data. R-J Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Palo Alto–based foot traffic analysis firm Placer.AI, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

You don't need ghosts to scare off buyers - sometimes a home's history is spooky enough. Dru Wischhover, Founder and Owner of Inspired Title Group here in Chicago joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

The time to plan your winter ski vacation is now - especially if you're considering an Epic or Ikon ski pass. Angie Rice, Co-Founder of Boutique Travel Advisors in Scottsdale, Arizona, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Flight delays across the U.S. are expected to worsen as air traffic controller shortages deepen amid the ongoing government shutdown. Joe Schwieterman, Professor of Public Services and Director of the Chaddick Institute at DePaul University here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

WBBM Noon Business Hour host Rob Hart sits down with WBBM Political Editor Geoff Buchholz to breakdown a conversation he had with the new president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers: Stacey Davis Gates. Buchholz & Gates discuss her relationships with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson & Governor JB Pritzker, social media controversies, COVID closures and more.

Your online data could outlive you. Without a plan, your digital ghost may wander forever through servers, websites, and the cloud. Jennifer Jolly, Tech Life Columnist for USA Today and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Techish.com in Seattle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

Monday's internet outage may be a warning sign of just how interconnected everything has become - where one glitch could freeze hospitals, banks, and transportation, effectively shutting down society as we know it. Paul Hochman, president of Humongous Media and former tech editor for The Today Show, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Monday's internet outage may be a warning sign of just how interconnected everything has become - where one glitch could freeze hospitals, banks, and transportation, effectively shutting down society as we know it. Paul Hochman, president of Humongous Media and former tech editor for The Today Show, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Giordano's - one of Chicago's legendary deep-dish pizza chains - is now expanding its menu to include another beloved local style for the first time in its history. Nick Scarpino, CEO of Giordano's here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

Women are leaving the workforce at what some analysts call alarming rates. Michelle Reisdorf, Chicago Jobs Expert at Robert Half, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to shed light on this growing trend.

A growing number of Americans are seeking comfort and connection through AI companions - but the trend comes with serious risks. Matt Wren, Tech Expert and Founder of V-R-A-R Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain.

It's already been a tough job market - and now, with uncertainty surrounding the government shutdown, job seekers face even more challenges. Rick Cobb, founder of the workplace consulting firm 2-Discern here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Halloween spending is hitting record highs - with consumers expected to shell out more than $13 billion this year, as chocolate and candy prices surge and pressure mounts to hand out full-size bars. Phil Lempert, Founder of SuperMarketGuru.com in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

As college tuition soars - the price tag may seem daunting - but it's important to know most families don't pay the full amount. Experts say discounts and negotiations are common - and can drastically lower costs. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Sober October is the new Dry January, as more Americans embrace another month without drinking alcohol. Carly Katz, owner of Bottles and Cans in Chicago's Edgebrook neighborhood, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss how the industry is adjusting.

The government shutdown is starting to strain airports across the US - including O'Hare and Midway in Chicago. Joe Brancatelli, Editor and Publisher of JoeSentMe.com in New York joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

It's National Taco Day - We're checking back in with a local taco pop-up catering company now celebrating nine years in business. Taylor Mason, Founder and Co-Owner of Taylor's Tacos here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

'Tis the season for fall color — right here in Illinois and across the Midwest. Mark Wolters, of the Wolters World Travel and Culture YouTube channel and Teaching Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with a host of travel tips.

Restaurants - including Olive Garden - are testing smaller, cheaper portions to attract value-conscious customers and respond to the rise of weight-loss drugs curbing appetites. Izzy Kharasch, President of Hospitality Works - also known as The Restaurant Coach here in Chicago - joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

WBBM Noon Business Hour host Rob Hart sits down with Brian Thomas, an lawyer & author, & Katie List, co-founder of Towers of Excellence, to discuss both of their roles within the organization, why Thomas decided to write a book, and so much more!

A Cubs win is a big win for many businesses near Wrigley Field - including Mima's Taste of Cuba. Billy Alvarez, co-owner of Mima's Taste of Cuba, located at 2925 West Irving Park Road in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

A prolonged government shutdown could impact travel in a big way—fewer TSA agents, slower passport processing, and reduced oversight could lead to widespread delays, cancellations, and traveler frustration. Joe Brancatelli, Editor and Publisher of JoeSentMe.com in New York, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

Chicago may soon let diners bring dogs indoors. A proposed ordinance would allow restaurants and cafes to welcome four-legged friends inside - overturning current restrictions. Doug Roth, Founder and President of Playground Hospitality here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

Apple orchards and pumpkin patches around the area make for the perfect fall day trip. Cindy Richards, Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with a host of ideas.

Spirit Halloween is getting in on the Christmas game as it expands into the holiday space across the Chicago area. Bob Phibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor in New York, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details... New York, NY

The City Council has approved a $750 million Chicago Fire soccer stadium at The 78 in the South Loop... Danny Ecker, reporter for Crain's Chicago Business, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the latest...

Chicago-area–based, family-owned restaurant group Billy Bricks marks 20 years — now with seven locations, pizza trucks, and Moo Joe's Ice Cream. Ric Gruber, CEO of Billy Bricks Restaurant Group in Lombard, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss their secret to success...

The CurderBurger - a fan favorite at Culver's - is coming back next week for a limited time. Izzy Kharasch, President of Hospitality Works - AKA “The Restaurant Coach” here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to talk about how these fast-food specialty offerings help drive foot traffic and boost sales...

WBBM Noon Business Hour host Rob Hart is joined by Joe Schwieterman of DePaul University to discuss Chicago's infrastructure for transportation, how it is affecting local mobility & more.