13. Larry Potash and WGN: The Stories Behind Chicago’s Morning News

This week, we got DIBS on Larry Potash, WGN Morning News anchor, creator/host of the Emmy-winning series Backstory, and a Chicago media institution. From Boston roots to 30+ years in the Midwest, Larry has had a front-row seat to the stories (and characters) that shape this city.In this episode, Larry pulls back the curtain on how WGN’s morning show actually gets made, why “great storytelling beats podium soundbites,” and how Backstory uses history to decode today’s headlines. We discuss journalism’s evolution (and erosion) in the social era, the difference between accountability and viral noise, and how Chicago maintains its sense of humor both on and off the air during heavy news cycles.In this episode, we cover:The WGN way: chemistry, authenticity, and why “news is a conveyor belt,” not a script.Backstory, explained: using history to make sense of now, plus standout episodes (Bozo, antisemitism in Oak Park, lost archives).From film to phones: the tech shifts Larry’s life, from tape and bike couriers to real-time feeds and misinformation.Politics & sports, Chicago-style: Daley-era obsessions, Obama’s rise, and how the Bears/Bulls/Cubs change the city’s mood.Heavy to light (for real): balancing tragedy with levity, why cancel culture misses the point, and Larry’s advice for young storytellers.Episode Resources:Vision Construction & Consulting Purchase Tickets for Mr. Wolf at Steppenwolf TheaterListen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and comment; it helps us continue to bring you the voices behind the institutions, people, and places that make Chicago extraordinary.Connect with the hosts of DIBS on Instagram Nick Sarantos and Mallory Waxman