Melissa Nelson, Marketing Director for Skydive Chicago , tells John about what Skydive Chicago is, why Ottawa is a perfect area to experience skydiving, and the skydiving records they are going to try to break this week. Also joining John is skydiver Lane Paquin and other athletes that are participating in the attempts to break the records. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7655624/8-19-25_Skydive_Chicago_break_world_and_Illinois_records_in_Ottawa_Lane_Paquin_2025-08-19-204824.128.mp3 From the ar...
Aug 19, 2025
Eric Zorn , Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel , joins John Williams to talk about California Governor Gavin Newsom trolling President Trump on social media, the latest on the redistricting efforts in Texas, Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips announcing that he accepted a buyout, MSNBC rebranding to MS NOW, and if he thinks we should use AI (or some other method) on DuSable Lake Shore Drive to curb speeding. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7655602/8-19-25_Eric_Zorn_Governor_Gavin_News...
Aug 19, 2025
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin , Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital , joins John Williams to talk about the importance of stretching as we age, if there are benefits to taking supplements, a nasal spray flu vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration being available for purchase for self-administration, when new COVID vaccines will be available, and what we know about new blood pressure guidelines. https://serve.castfire.com/s:northwestern_medicine_KEiLn/audio/76555...
Aug 19, 2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7655548/8-19-25_John_Williams_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-19-203648.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Dr. Kopin: G...
Aug 19, 2025
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign computer science professor Dr. Sheldon Jacobson joins John Williams to talk about his recent Chicago Tribune Op-ed that suggests that ‘Made in America’ is alive and well. What are we getting wrong about the term ‘Made in America?’ And how is the American consumer being impacted by tariffs? Professor Jacobson also tells John about the integration of AI into our lives. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7653040/8-18-25_Sheldon_Jacobson_What_does_Made_in_Ame...
Aug 18, 2025
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 with all the rain we’ve been getting over the last week that now is the time to check your gutter, downspouts, and pumps. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7652955/8-18-25_Lou_Manfredini_check_your_gutters_and_downspouts_after_all_this_rain_2025-08-18-161755.128.mp3 Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am. Recent Posts John Williams Should we us...
Aug 18, 2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7652886/8-18-25_John_Williams_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-18-165626.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Dr. Kopin: G...
Aug 18, 2025
Christina Hunger , a speech-language pathologist and author of “ Your Dog Can Talk: A Step-By-Step Guide to Button Training ,” joins John Williams to talk about how her career in speech pathology led her to teach her dog how to communicate. Christina explains how the teaching process works, the huge potential for language learning, how many words her dog Stella has in her vocabulary, and the importance of consistency when teaching your dog. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7650578/8-15-25_Christ...
Aug 15, 2025
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! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7650423/8-15-25_John_Williams_Best_of_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-15-163023.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego ...
Aug 15, 2025
NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to break down what we can expect from the meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7650413/8-15-25_Connell_McShane_NewsNation_what_to_expect_from_Trump_Putin_summit_2025-08-15-161113.128.mp3 Trump-Putin Alaska Summit Continuing coverage Russia-Ukraine War NATO defense chiefs to hold a virtual meeting on security guarantees for Ukraine .cls-4{fill:#000;} Putin’s hand stre...
Aug 15, 2025
Pastor Corey Brooks, Founder and Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Church of Chicago and the Founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D, joins John Williams to talk about the progress he’s making in the effort to build his opportunity center on the South Side and why he’s walking across America to raise awareness and funds for his cause. You can donate to the effort here . https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7648781/8-14-25_Pastor_Corey_Brooks_walk_across_America_2025-08-14-205621.128.mp3 More with Pastor Co...
Aug 14, 2025
Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the ‘Japanese walking’ trend. Dawn explains the benefits of this type of walking. Dawn also talks about a new study about ultra-processed foods, and answers all of your fitness and nutrition questions. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7648728/8-14-25_Dawn_Jackson_Blatner_Japanese_Walking_ultra_processed_foods_fitness_questions_2025-08-14-192328.128.mp3 Recent Posts Dawn Jackson Blatner Dawn Jackso...
Aug 14, 2025
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, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take a short trip north and visit once again with Cari Greving , Executive Director of Visit Racine County ! Cari tells John where Racine is located in the great state of Wisconsin, why fall is a great time to visit, the big events happening at Racine Zoo, the t...
Aug 14, 2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7648712/8-14-25_John_Williams_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-14-193712.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Dr. Kopin: G...
Aug 14, 2025
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn , Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel , longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys , and political pundit Marj Halperin ! The Rascals begin the podcast talking about the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office declining to file charges against the Chicago police officers who fired dozens of shots at Dexter Reed. Do the Rascals agree with the decision by State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office. The Rascals also catch us up on ...
Aug 13, 2025
Bill Daley, former White House Chief of Staff and co-chair of ‘ Fair Maps Illinois ,’ joins John Williams to talk about the effort he’s leading with Ray LaHood to remove partisanship from how Illinois legislative maps are drawn. Bill explains how they are trying to create maps that are more representative of the population of the state and how a fair map will mean more competitive races in general elections. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7646709/8-13-25_Bill_Daley_fair_maps_in_Illinois_redist...
Aug 13, 2025
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 talks about the amount of rain we’ve been getting, and how fungus is completely out of control because of the heat and humidity. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7646689/8-13-25_Bob_Bertog_answers_all_of_your_lawn_and_garden_questions_2025-08-13-215129.128.mp3 Recent Po...
Aug 13, 2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7646614/8-13-25_John_Williams_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-13-214014.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Dr. Kopin: G...
Aug 13, 2025
Sean Connolly, Board Member with the Illinois Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention , joins John Williams to talk about the upcoming Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk , the largest suicide prevention event in the United States. Sean tells John about the purpose and impact of the walk, the connection between mental health and suicide, the populations most susceptible to suicide, the importance of federal funding for their organization, and why the walk is a great way to raise a...
Aug 12, 2025
Eric Zorn , Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel , joins John Williams to talk about Mayor Brandon Johnson saying the Bears should be called the Arlington Heights Bears if they move to the suburbs, the continuing debate over redistricting, and Governor Pritzker’s appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ regarding the Texas Democrats fleeing to Illinois to avoid a vote on a GOP favored congressional map. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7644350/8-12-25_Eric_Zorn_Chicago_Bears_Arlington_Heights_Governor_Pritz...
Aug 12, 2025
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin , Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital , joins John Williams to talk about heart attack warning signs (and the importance of knowing where the nearest defibrillator is), a pancreatic cancer vaccine showing promise in an early trial, when you need another COVID shot, and when a new COVID vaccine will be available. https://serve.castfire.com/s:northwestern_medicine_KEiLn/audio/7644337/8-12-25_Dr_Kopin_pancreatic_cancer_vaccine_COVID_vaccine_heart_a...
Aug 12, 2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7644329/8-12-25_John_Williams_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-12-203429.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Dr. Kopin: G...
Aug 12, 2025
Did you know August 9 is National Book Lovers Day? Our WGN Radio Book Club is back with the books they loved this past month. Perhaps you will find your next read in this list of book selections shared by John Williams, Steve Alexander, Bob Kessler and Sara Tieman. Or, revisit and reread a past favorite as John Williams did on a recent vacation! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7646668/8-13-25_Sara_Tieman_WGN_Book_Club_What_were_the_best_books_that_the_WGN_crew_read_this_month_2025-08-13-213908....
Aug 12, 2025
The great Mr. Fix-It , Lou Manfredini , joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou explains why now is a great time to do some drain maintenance on your showers, tubs, and sinks. Lou and John also chat about a viral online hoax that claims a person is living inside The Bean. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7642159/8-11-25_Lou_Manfredini_time_for_drain_maintenance_of_showers_tubs_and_sinks_2025-08-11-192059.128.mp3 Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each ...
Aug 11, 2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7642153/8-11-25_John_Williams_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-11-195653.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Dr. Kopin: G...
Aug 11, 2025
Craig Bolanos , Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners , joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the overall health of the markets and the economy, how market volatility has almost collapsed, why it’s a good time to rebalance your portfolio, Trump nominating CEA chair Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve board, what’s likely to happen with rates when the Fed meets again, and the latest on President Trump’s trade deals. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7638476...
Aug 08, 2025
Chris Anchor , Senior Wildlife Biologist, Forest Preserve District of Cook County , joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the safety of swimming in the Chicago River. Chris said he would definitely swim in the river after years of improvements. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7638195/8-8-25_Chris_Anchor_Forest_Preserve_of_Cook_County_is_it_safe_to_swim_in_the_Chicago_River_2025-08-08-165835.128.mp3 Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLS...
Aug 08, 2025
NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the Texas legislators coming up to Chicago to avoid voting on a new map that would favor the GOP. Connell gets us up to speed on the latest developments. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7638078/8-8-25_Connell_McShane_NewsNation_Texas_legislators_redistricting_house_of_representatives_2025-08-08-161818.128.mp3 Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:...
Aug 08, 2025
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! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7638076/8-8-25_Best_of_Speed_Jokes_2025-08-08-162916.128.mp3 More Speed Jokes Recent Posts John Williams Should we use cameras to catch speeders on DLSD? .cls-4{fill:#000;} Skydiving records could be broken this week in Ottawa .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Zorn: Gavin Newsom is puncturing Trump’s ego .cls-7{fill:#ff...
Aug 08, 2025
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 has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take a trip west and visit the scenic river town of Clinton, Iowa! Sarah Smith , Director of Placemaking and Tourism, Grow Clinton , tells Jon where Clinton is located, how the town is in the midst of a major revitalization, how they utilize their beautiful riverfr...
Aug 07, 2025
