Podcasts about wgn

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and the The Last Ward, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope's Screening Room. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about the Cook County Sheriff's Office stepping up enforcement for illegally […]

Kelly welcomes the always-inspiring Morgan Housel back to the podcast to discuss his new book, “The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life.” “All behavior makes sense with enough information.” “Be careful judging how other people spend their money.”  “The best measure of wealth is what you have minus what you want.” 

Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/06/25): Fall is officially here and so is story time. John Kass tells Jeff Carlin about standing outside Wrigley Field in 1984 and the series of events that lead him there. Plus, Kasso gets an apology. Check out more from Kass at JohnKassNews.com or contact me at john@johnkassnews.com, or Facebook, or on X (Twitter). Tell your […]

Dean Richards, Dave Schwan and Jack Heinrich start the show talking about Taylor Swift’s new album and the upcoming Chicago Marathon. For today’s Far Flung Forecast, Dave takes us out to Carthage, Missouri. Kanesha Bryant, MD Medical Director Comprehensive Breast Program at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, joins Dean for this week’s health update. They discuss the […]

On this episode of The Great Outdoors, Charlie Potter shares a father/son wilderness adventure in northern Manitoba.

Featured on WGN Radio's Home Sweet Home Chicago on 10/04/25: Access Elevator's VP of Sales, Frank Wasilewski, joins the show to talk about the typical cost of a stairlift. To learn more about what Access Elevator can do for you, go to allaboutaccess.com or call them at 1-630-616-6249.

This week on Home Sweet Home Chicago, David Hochberg is joined by Frank Wasilewski, VP of Sales at Access Elevators, who discusses starlifts and the importance of understanding the typical cost of one. Then, Bob Schmitt of The Junkluggers joins the show to inform Realtors what they need to know, including quotes and other key […]

Featured on WGN Radio's Home Sweet Home Chicago on 10/04/25: Bob Schmitt of The Junkluggers joins the show to inform WGN Radio listeners about what real estate agents need to know, including quotes and other key questions to ask when preparing a home for sale. To learn more about what The Junkluggers can do for […]

Mike Stephen learns about Chicago's new ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in certain areas from Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin, discusses the federal funding cuts to Chicago Public Schools with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea, and gets the lowdown on how TaskForce works to promote inclusion on the city's West Side from communications director Hannah Pewee.

Lou Manfredini, A.K.A. Mr. Fix-It is back with Lou's Fire Safety Show, offering great advice for homeowners and special guests, including Jim Hanlon, Owner of Chicago Firewood Company, Robert Wesselhoff, Owner of LintFighters, Michael Boudart, President of Lindemann Chimney Heating and Cooling, and more!

Michael Boudart, President of Lindemann Chimney, Heating & Cooling, joins HouseSmarts Radio with Lou Manfredini live at their facilities for Lou's Fire Safety Show! They discuss how important it is to have your chimney inspected and cleaned going into the colder months. Schedule your fireplace and furnace cleanings now at Lindemann.com.

Robert Wesselhoff, Owner of LintFighters, joins HouseSmarts Radio with Lou Manfredini to share why they are the dryer vent cleaning specialists and how they can protect your home from fire. Learn more at lintfighters.com or schedule a cleaning by calling (844) 546-8911.

It's another HouseSmarts Radio with Lou Manfredini and Jim Hanlon, Owner of Chicago Firewood Company, who shares the many options they offer. Let Chicago Firewood cater to all your firewood needs by visiting chifirewood.com or call (872) 327-9728.

This week's New to Lou Too feature is the BurnBuster Fire Sachet! A quick, safe solution for extinguishing dangerous oil and grease pan fires in residential kitchens, effective for use on up to 1 gallon of hot oil. For more info, visit the YouTube HouseSmarts Channel.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the latest on the government shutdown. Who has the upper hand in the negotiations? Connell breaks it all down.

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!

Chicago radio legend Kevin Matthews joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his documentary, “Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story,” premiering in theatres nationwide at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, October 7th, 2025. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fathomentertainment.com.

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!

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the latest on the government shutdown. Who has the upper hand in the negotiations? Connell breaks it all down.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Ilyce Glink, ThinkGlink.com and the Love, Money + Real Estate newsletter, joins Lisa Dent to talk about the markets, the government shutdown preventing release of a new jobs report, and the incredible wealth held by the top one percent.

Dr. Dana Varble, chief veterinary officer for the North American Veterinary Community, joins Lisa Dent to talk about why owning a pet has become so expensive, and as always, she answers pet questions from listeners.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Jim Chilsen, Communications Director of the Citizens Utility Board, joins Lisa Dent to discuss how data centers have contributed to the continued rise in electricity bills in Illinois. Chilsen notes that electricity bills have not just increased for residents of a city like Aurora, which has 51 data centers. But households across the region have […]

On October 3rd, 2025, Dave Schwan, in for Steve Grzanich, shares today's potential market drivers:

Marianne Murciano, Bob Sirott's wife and founder of Savvy-Planet, joins Bob to talk about how games can bring your party to life by engaging people. Some of Marianne’s favorite party games include Two Truths and a Lie and Telephone Pictionary.

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on: City Stops Damen Silos Demolition Due To Excessive Dust: The demolition is on hold until the city approves new plans, officials said. Neighbors and environmental leaders had previously called for the […]

Sam Toia, President of the Illinois Restaurant Association, joins Bob Sirott to talk about when Chicago restaurants have to pack up their outdoor seating situated on sidewalks and some of his favorite restaurants patios. He also discusses a three percent surcharge that could be removed from your dining bill, how important restaurant reviews are for […]

The Chicago Cubs defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1 in their winner-take-all Wild Card series finale. It’s the first time the team has won a postseason series since 2017. Chicago Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan joins Bob Sirott and Andy Masur to recap the critical moments and look ahead to the divisional series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Dean Richards, entertainment reporter for WGN, joins Bob Sirott to provide the latest news in entertainment. Bob and Dean talk about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ upcoming sentencing and Taylor Swift’s new album. They also share details about things to do this weekend and Dean’s review of “The Smashing Machine.”

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the latest on the government shutdown. Who has the upper hand in the negotiations? Connell breaks it all down.

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!

Segment 1: Jane Oates, Senior Policy Advisor and recent President at WorkingNation, joins Jon to talk about the government shutdown, the postponement of the BLS monthly report, and if the delayed report will impact any movement from the Fed on interest rates. Segment 2: Sarah Hartwick, Senior Vice President for the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, joins Jon Hansen […]

Bill Geiger, President and CEO of Geiger Wealth Management, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about National Retirement Security Month, the importance of creating a secure retirement plan, and the three most important jobs to do to prepare for retirement.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about a good snack food for ‘nervous eating,’ what to know about intermittent fasting, and the results of a new study that shows how many daily steps you need for the best health benefits. Dawn also answers all of your health […]

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

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins Jon Hansen to talk about federal agents raiding an apartment building in South Shore. Mack describes what happened during the raid, how many people were detained, why the agents raided this particular building, and how the people were treated during the raid.

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, Jon Hansen (in for John Williams) has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we stay in the city of Chicago and visit […]

Bill Geiger, President and CEO of Geiger Wealth Management, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about National Retirement Security Month, the importance of creating a secure retirement plan, and the three most important jobs to do to prepare for retirement.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about a good snack food for ‘nervous eating,’ what to know about intermittent fasting, and the results of a new study that shows how many daily steps you need for the best health benefits. Dawn also answers all of your health […]

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, Jon Hansen (in for John Williams) has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we stay in the city of Chicago and visit […]

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins Jon Hansen to talk about federal agents raiding an apartment building in South Shore. Mack describes what happened during the raid, how many people were detained, why the agents raided this particular building, and how the people were treated during the raid.

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

Johnnie Putman and Steve King welcome friends from all over for another special show as October rolls around and we pay our respects in honor of a lost friend. We welcome Becca Starke, Steve and Johnnie’s Panhandle Producer for when they are broadcasting from Panama City Beach, Florida. She stopped by Chicago to hang out […]

Rae Kaplan, student loan attorney at Kaplan Law Firm, joins Lisa Dent to discuss what will happen with FASFA registration amid the government shutdown. Despite the government shutdown, she is still advising people on their student loan process. Kaplan notes that the FASFA application form is more streamlined than in previous years and reminds people […]

Isaach Reichman, Director Corporate Communications for Choose Chicago, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the tourism statistics from this summer. Reichman shares that there were more hotel bookings this summer season than ever before. He gives some insight as to the reasoning behind the summer success noting that Chicago has “so much to do.”

Troy Walsh, owner of Drone Media Chicago, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibiting non-commercial drone flights over Chicago. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FAA has a 10-day ban on all drone flights up to 400 feet over a 15-nautical-mile area. Walsh says that in […]

Lou Manfredini joins Lisa Dent for Lou's To Do List, sponsored by Perma-Seal. Lou answers any questions you have about projects on your to-do lists.

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals start the show this week talking about federal agents marching through downtown Chicago. Is there a long-term goal that the Trump […]

Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/29/25): This week, the Honorable Judge James R. Brown (ret.) joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to talk about the moment former Chief Judge Timothy Evans gathered bond court judges to direct them to go against the rule of law and let violent offenders off easy, lest the judges be reassigned. […]