John Williams
4,688 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 5 hours ago - ★★★★ - 154 ratingsThe John Williams Podcast from 720 WGN
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Episodes
Catching up with former WGN producer Elif Geris
April 19, 2024 01:08John’s former producer Elif Geris checks-in to give an update on her life in Los Angeles, how she’s been doing since she left WGN, what it’s like to pursue music as a career, and to share a new song that she just released. Listen to “Should We Be Dead” on all of the streaming platforms!
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi: Speaker Johnson should not be punished for delivering Ukraine aid
April 18, 2024 20:43U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about movement on his legislation that would require the sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, how that bill is tied to aid for Ukraine and Israel, and China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis.
Best of the Midwest: Visit Holland, Michigan!
April 18, 2024 20:18It’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 head across Lake Michigan and visit with Linda Hart, Executive Director, Holland […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXLIV, 4.18.24
April 18, 2024 19:26John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
The Mincing Rascals 4.17.24: I-190 protest, Dexter Reed shooting, Chicago Sky
April 17, 2024 23:29The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and Cate Plys, former staff writer at the Chicago Reader and political op-ed columnist at the Sun-Times and Tribune. The Rascals start this week’s show talking about the protest earlier […]
Landscape expert Bob Bertog: What should you be doing to your lawn right now?
April 17, 2024 22:07Bob 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. What should you be doing to your lawn right now?
Bankrate’s Mark Hamrick: Inflation has been persistent
April 17, 2024 21:47Segment 1: Mark Hamrick, Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Economic Analyst for Bankrate.com, joins John to talk about persistent inflation, how consumers are being impacted by inflation, what it means to have a robust economy, what is good about the economy right now, how we are slowly getting the economy back to normal, and how many rate cuts could we […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXLIII, 4.17.24
April 17, 2024 21:16John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
The hottest ticket in town is for the Chicago Sky
April 16, 2024 22:30Anthony Whaley, Vice President, Ticket Sales, Chicago Sky, joins John Williams to talk about last night’s WNBA draft and the excitement over the upcoming Sky season. How are tickets selling? Can you still get tickets to see the Sky face Caitlin Clark? Anthony breaks it all down.
Eric Zorn: No way police could tell if Dexter Reed was wearing a seatbelt
April 16, 2024 20:38Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about his frame-by-frame analysis of the events that led up to the Chicago police shooting Dexter Reed.
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: The differences between allergies and the common cold
April 16, 2024 20:12Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the best ways people can lose weight, differences between the common cold and seasonal allergies, if you can still develop allergies later in life, and a new study that found that pregnancy complications are linked to increased risk […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXLII, 4.16.24
April 16, 2024 19:27John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
Political Science professor Joel Ostrow: No reason for Israel to respond to Iran attack
April 15, 2024 21:52Dr. Joel Ostrow, professor, comparative and international politics, Benedictine University, joins John Williams to explain the current conflict between Israel and Iran.
Artifacts and stories from the sinking of the Titanic – with photos and bonus video
April 15, 2024 21:18Mark Lach, Creative Producer for “Titanic: The Exhibition,” joins John Williams to share stories and artifacts on the 112th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Due to popular demand, The Titanic Exhibition is extending until July 7th. Get your tickets here. Bonus: After their on-air interview, John Williams continues his conversation with Mark Lach […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXLI, 4.15.24
April 15, 2024 19:47John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
Why are insurance rates going up?
April 12, 2024 19:46Bob Passmore, Department Vice President, Personal Lines, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, joins John Williams to explain why auto and home insurance rates are surging.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 4.12.24
April 12, 2024 19:14Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!
Best of the Midwest: Take a hike to Hocking Hills!
April 11, 2024 21:27Spring has officially sprung, so 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 once again head to the great state […]
Dawn Jackson Blatner: What should you know about ‘Oatzempic’
April 11, 2024 21:10Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner talks with John Williams about the social media viral recipe called “OATZEMPIC.” What should you know about this recipe and should you try it? Dawn also answers all of your nutrition questions!
Tom Fortino: Be careful at how you structure your portfolio
April 11, 2024 20:30Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “This Week in Wealth” on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to talk about rising insurance rates, what is going on with the markets this week, what he takes from the inflation data released this week, when we are likely to see the Fed cut interest rates, and […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXL, 4.11.24
April 11, 2024 19:37John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
The Mincing Rascals 4.10.24: Dexter Reed shooting, Lightfoot Legacy, Dolton mayor controversy
April 11, 2024 00:25The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and Cate Plys, former staff writer at the Chicago Reader and political op-ed columnist at the Sun-Times and Tribune. The Rascals start the show talking about COPA releasing the video […]
Landscape expert Bob Bertog: Tips for spring lawn care
April 10, 2024 23:04Bob 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. Spring is here and Bob tells us what you need to do to get your lawn ready for the summer.
COPA Chief Administrator discusses their investigation into Dexter Reed shooting
April 10, 2024 22:42Andrea Kersten, Chief Administrator, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, joins John Williams to discuss the details surrounding the March traffic stop where Chicago police shot and killed Dexter Reed.
Second City’s Kelly Leonard on the importance of rituals
April 10, 2024 22:14Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about his recent chat with Harvard business professor Michael Norton about his new book “The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXIX, 4.10.24
April 10, 2024 21:29John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
Dr. Scott Bonn explains why people are drawn to serial killers
April 09, 2024 20:44Criminologist Dr. Scott Bonn joins John Williams to talk about his upcoming one-man theatrical show at City Winery, “Why We Love Serial Killers.” Dr. Bonn tells John what the show is like, why are we drawn to such dark individuals, if there is a common thread among serial killers, why the majority of his audience […]
Eric Zorn: We need to remind everyone the proper ways to behave during a traffic stop
April 09, 2024 20:13Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the Civilian Office of Police Accountability releasing video of a March traffic stop where a man was shot and killed by police. Eric and John also talk about the popularity of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and women’s college basketball.
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: What you should know about seasonal allergies
April 09, 2024 19:41Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about yesterday’s solar eclipse and if the hospital is seeing any patients with eye damage, what you should know about seasonal allergies this year, and the prices of weight-loss drugs.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXVIII, 4.9.24
April 09, 2024 19:23John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
Comedian Mike Birbiglia is bringing his new show to Chicago
April 08, 2024 22:20Comedian, storyteller, director and actor Mike Birbiglia joins John Williams to talk about, “Please Stop the Ride,” his new show coming to the Chicago Theater later this month. Mike tells John about having eclipse fever, his desire to go to a Cubs game while he’s in town, how he mined material for this new show, […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXVII, 4.8.24
April 08, 2024 20:15John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
How ‘The Blues Brothers’ became a comedy classic
April 05, 2024 20:33Daniel de Visé, author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, joins John Williams to discuss his new book, “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic.” Daniel tell John why he wanted to write a book about the Blues Brothers, the great friendship between Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 4.5.24
April 05, 2024 19:35Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!
Best of the Midwest: Visit Tinley Park!
April 04, 2024 21:35Spring has officially sprung so 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, John is joined by Tinley Park Village Manager […]
Dawn Jackson Blatner: Pay attention to salt content
April 04, 2024 21:09Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner talks with John Williams about the importance of getting back to a healthy routine after indulging in unhealthy foods, what you should know about the salt content in food, where most of the salt we eat comes from, what can help balance sodium, and what other ingredients we need to […]
Boo Buie reflects on his incredible career at Northwestern
April 04, 2024 20:46Northwestern basketball great Boo Buie joins John Williams and WGN Sports Director Dave Eanet to talk about his incredible career at Northwestern, how he will go down as one of the best players to ever play at Northwestern, the amazing support the team received from students and the community, being able to make the NCAA […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXVI, 4.4.24
April 04, 2024 19:38John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
The 2024 Chicago Pizza Madness Champion is…
April 04, 2024 15:53After 4 weeks, 7 rounds and 271,351 votes, the 2024 Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament sponsored by Career Vision has its champion. Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joined John Williams to call the owners of the winning pizza place. Listen to the segment below: https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4591566/4591566_2024-04-04-151706.64kmono.mp3 Antioch Pizza Shop won by just 1% of the […]
The Mincing Rascals 4.3.24: Anthem controversy, flag burning, ShotSpotter
April 03, 2024 23:46The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and Cate Plys, former staff writer at the Chicago Reader and political op-ed columnist at the Sun-Times and Tribune. This week the Rascals discuss the LSU women’s basketball team not being on the court during the playing of […]
How to safely view the solar eclipse
April 03, 2024 22:20Roman Somogy, third year optometry student at Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Optometry, joins John Williams to talk about his path to eventually becoming an optometrist, what you can learn about the body by studying eyes, and what we need to know about safely viewing the solar eclipse.
David Hochberg: What to know about reverse mortgages
April 03, 2024 22:04Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to tell us what you should know about reverse mortgages. David also answers all of your real estate questions. David hosts “Home Sweet Home Chicago” on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm on WGN Radio. You can call him at 855-56-David, or check out the Team Hochberg […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXV, 4.3.24
April 03, 2024 21:20John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
Meet the man who has released 25,000 songs
April 02, 2024 21:41Matt Farley, the prolific singer-songwriter who has released 25,000 songs, joins John Williams to talk about why he releases so many songs on Spotify, how he is able to support himself by maximizing SEO, his definition of ‘art,’ how many songs he typically writes a month, the discipline it takes to write so many songs, […]
Eric Zorn: National anthem before sporting events is an odd tradition
April 02, 2024 21:13Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the controversy surrounding the LSU women’s basketball team not being on the court during the national anthem before their game against Iowa, what concerns him about the group that Alderman Sigcho-Lopez spoke alongside during a protest against the DNC, his Tweet Madness bracket, and […]
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: We are in a good place with flu and COVID
April 02, 2024 20:41Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the challenge of properly diagnosing patients, why some people aren’t losing weight while taking weight loss drugs, and the decrease in the amount of flu and COVID they are seeing.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXIV, 4.2.24
April 02, 2024 19:50Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes Spirit Animal, joins John to tell us her favorite jokes of March! And, as always, John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
Rae Kaplan: What to know about changes to FAFSA forms
April 01, 2024 20:09Attorney Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law Firm joins John Williams to talk about the Biden administration’s executive order on student loans that expires at the end of this month, the importance of knowing the laws about federal loans, and what you need to know about changes to this year’s FAFSA applications.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part DCCXXXIII, 4.1.24
April 01, 2024 19:33John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]!
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 3.29.24
March 29, 2024 19:19Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!