John Williams

Stephen Woldenberg, SVP of Sales for Learning Resources Brands, joins John to talk about how the company filed a lawsuit on Friday over Trump’s new tariffs.

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John to talk about the difference between income and assets, what you should know about annuities, what’s driving the market this lately, if he’s concerned about the imposing new tariffs on Canada, and if he’s still optimistic […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Matt Dietrich, Spokesperson for the Illinois Board of Elections, joins John Williams to talk about the work that the Illinois Board of Elections does to ensure that noncitizens aren’t able to register to vote.

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, talks to John about how the market is becoming less forgiving, why the markets are looking past tariffs, if he’s concerned about inflation, employment being historically strong, and why he believes this could be a buying opportunity.

Julia McCartha, Cinemark Public Relations, joins John Williams to talk about how many theaters they have that show Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ in 70mm IMAX, how people are traveling great distances to come to Woodridge to see the film in the IMAX format, and how the IMAX experience differs from the standard theater experience.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!

Asher Perlman, Comedian, Writer, and Cartoonist, joins John Williams to talk about his career being a writer for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, what it was like working at the show after they knew it was going to be going off the air, how he creates his cartoons, how the comedy landscape has been changing, […]

WGN Radio Chicago Blackhawks studio host Charlie Roumeliotis joins John Williams and Andy Masur to talk about the return of the great Patrick Kane to the Hawks! Charlie says that the Hawks feel like Patrick Kane can still produce at a high level, why this deal makes sense for the team moving forward, if he believes […]

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take another trip north and visit with the always […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the best way to choose eggs, her thoughts on gluten-free diets, what you need to do if you want to build muscle, how older people can benefit from lifting weights, and to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast talking a bit about the new book, ‘Regime Change,’ and the smoke-filled air that has been hanging around Chicago. […]

Chicago native Curtis Granderson, TBS baseball analyst and former MLB All-Star, joins John Williams to talk about his lengthy professional baseball career, the upcoming MLW Wiffle Ball series returning to Curtis Granderson Stadium at UIC, the Youth Collector Clubs Initiative that amplifies collector educational efforts, his thoughts on this year’s Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, […]

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says that you should still keep watering and if the humidity comes back, to keep an eye […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the viral video that shows a person at a Cubs game slapping the fan in front of him for not standing for the national anthem, if political candidates should run for multiple offices at the same time, the candidates lining up to become […]

Dr. Michael Bauer, Medical Director, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, talks to John Williams about the latest on the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US, the FDA approving a daily pill that could lower cholesterol level, and a new study that shows regular coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of stroke, […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Emily Austin, Associate Professor of Classics and the College, The University of Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about Christopher Nolan’s new movie ‘The Odyssey’ and what we should know about the original text of the poem.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou says that it’s time for dead branch pruning. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Michael Evans Behling, star of The CW’s hit drama ‘All American,’ joins John Williams to to talk about how many times he’s been to the Chicago area having grown up in the Midwest, what the show ‘All American’ is all about, the transitions in the show over the course of 8 seasons, his experience running […]

America’s Toy Scout, Joel Magee, joins John Williams to take some calls and answer questions about your old toys. Do you have any collectibles sitting around that house that could be worth money? Joel has the answers. Joel will be in the Chicago area this week and you can find all the details here.

Niall Stanage, White House Reporter, The Hill, joins John Williams to talk break down President Trump’s speech about election interference.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!

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 to John about the best temperature to set your thermostat at for maximum efficiency and how to improve the indoor air quality in your home. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at […]

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head up to beautiful Grand Rapids and chat with […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg (on his birthday), Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack and Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast by talking about government transparency regarding the health and welfare […]

Dr. Chitaru Kurihara, thoracic surgeon and surgical director of the Lung Transplant Program at Northwestern Medicine, joins John Williams to share details surrounding the first known quadruple-organ transplant involving retransplanted lung that Northwestern surgeons performed.

Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse. Listen in while Kerry discusses trust planning and how to set yourself up for success, how to spot elder-targeted fraud, how to teach your parents how to spot phishing attempts, and more. Kerry also answers listeners […]

Jeremy Foster, Manager of Pollen Bank at the Chicago Botanic Garden, joins John Williams to talk about the rare Amorphophallus Titanum, also known as “corpse flower,” that is currently in bloom at the garden, and why people flock from miles around to experience the pungent smell of the rare flower.

Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about the markets, President Trump’s handling of the housing assistance bill and the gradual impact on housing inventory and borrowing costs. Craig and John also cover gas prices, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, SK Hynix and SpaceX. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8516200/8516200_2026-07-15-151700.64kmono.mp3

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob reminds us to join him and WGN Radio’s Mr. Fix-It this weekend at Lurvey Home & Garden in Des Plaines, on Saturday, July 18th […]

Dr. Michael Bauer, Medical Director, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, gives updates on the cyclosporiasis parasite outbreak, shares what Legionnaires disease is and details its rapid growth in number of cases, discusses why tick season might be the worst it has been in the US, and more.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the sexual abuse accusations against the Rev. Michael Pfleger, Senator Lindsey Graham’s sudden death this past weekend, the House voting on making daylight saving time permanent, and more.

Michael Peregrine, Retired Law Firm Corporate Governance Attorney and Chicago Tribune columnist, joins John Williams to talk about his latest column in the Tribune about Richard Speck on the murder anniversary.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Nick Offerman, actor, comedian, carpenter and writer, joins John Williams and special guest “Mr. Fix-It” Lou Manfredini to preview Iceboy!, a new musical 40,000 years in the making now running at Goodman Theatre. Nick talks about his talented wife Megan Mullally, the star of the show, and how she spent years getting the production ready […]

World-renowned paleontologist, educator and author Steve Brusatte joins John Williams to talk about his new book, The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present, and breaks down how modern birds are “living dinosaurs.” Steve will appearing in Ottawa at The Abbey at The Ottawa Arts Center, Sunday, July 12, for a […]

Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent for The Hill, joins John Williams to explain embattled Maine Democrat Graham Platner’s exit from the Senate race, the current scramble to replace him, and what the fallout means for Democrats’ chances of flipping the Senate.

Hector Corona, founder of City Kids Camp, joins John Williams to give an update on camp this year from weather‑challenged activities to powerful connections between inner‑city kids and visiting police officers. To learn more, visit citykidscamp.org

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about what you should do if you want to crave less junk food and the diet that is best for high blood pressure. Dawn also answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take a drive towards the picturesque Starved Rock State […]

Chicago Tribune theater critic, author and editorial page editor Chris Jones joins John Williams to talk about today’s editorial that implores Mayor Brandon Johnson to stop demonizing business and to focus on things that Chicagoans really care about.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].