Wgn - The John Williams Uncut Podcast

WGN Radio won in three categories at the 2025 Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) Silver Dome Awards, including two honors for the WGN Radio newsroom. The awards, which recognize the top-tier in Illinois broadcasting were announced on November 6 at a reception held at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago. WGN Radio received the following Silver Dome […]

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

John U. Bacon, best-selling author of ‘The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald,’ joins John Williams to talk about the history of the ship Edmund Fitzgerald, why the man Edmund Fitzgerald didn’t want the ship to be named after him, the magnificence of the ship, what the Great Lakes were like […]

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. With the early November snow, Lou offers some tips to winterize your home. What should we do once the snow clears? And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN […]

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

Music Director Enrique Mazzola, who is conducting ‘Carmina Burana’ at Lyric Opera of Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about what we should know about ‘this show ‘Carmina Burana,’ the meaning of the ‘O Fortuna’ piece, what makes this production special, the melodies being very accessible and memorable, how the music is appropriate for all […]

Phil Mikhaylov, co-founder / CEO, Unicorn Auctions, talks to John about their auction platform for spirits and wine. Phil explains how the auctions work, how the prices vary for the auction items, how they acquire the bottles that go up for auction, and the world’s first appearance (at auction) of the Very Very Old Fitzgerald Blackhawk 15 […]

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about what’s weighing on the market this week, how the government shutdown has been impacting the economy, his thoughts on the Supreme Court hearing on the Trump administration’s tariff power, why he thinks the Fed will cut rates again in December, the […]

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about the latest on the government shutdown and the SCOTUS hearing about President Trump’s power to impose tariffs.

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!

Christina Shutt, Executive Director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, joins John Williams to talk about how long the library and museum has been around, the humble roots Lincoln came from, what the White House was like during Lincoln’s presidency how many artifacts of Lincoln-related items are at the museum, some of the highlights […]

Peter Greenberg, ‘Eye on Travel‘ host and CBS News travel editor, joins John Williams to talk about the Trump administration announcing that the FAA will reduce flights at dozens of airports across the country in the wake of the government shutdown. What should we expect if we are traveling this weekend?

David Schultz, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies, Hamline University, joins John Williams to talk about the Supreme Court hearing arguments surrounding President Donald Trump’s ability to impose global tariffs.

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

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author the The Last Ward, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast breaking down the top stories from yesterday’s elections across the country. Are we […]

Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi, President of College of DuPage (COD), joins John Williams to talk about the relationship he has with Innovation DuPage, some of the companies that they have supported, how many companies they have accelerated because of their work, the importance of empowering small businesses in the community to grow and thrive, and what […]

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.

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about interest rates dropping, why he’s so upset with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s “real estate tax debacle,” the strategy being used by D.R. Horton Homebuilders, his concern over inflation, the labor market, and credit card debt, and what his forecast is for […]

Anthony Bowers, Major, Divisional Youth and Candidate Secretary, Assistant Camp Administrator for the Salvation Army’s Wonderland Camp, joins John Williams to talk about the work he does with the Salvation Army, when he decided to join the Salvation Army, the most important part of the Wonderland Camp, how long the camp lasts, some of the […]

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