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The John Williams Podcast from 720 WGN

Location:

Chicago, IL

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News

Description:

The John Williams Podcast from 720 WGN

Twitter:

@wgnkingjohn

Language:

English


Episodes
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John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MCXLIV, 4.21.26

4/21/2026
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Duration:00:02:36

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Darren Bailey on 2020 election, new Bears stadium, ‘millionaires tax’

4/21/2026
Darren Bailey, GOP candidate for Illinois governor, joins John Williams to talk about why he and his wife are renting a house in Chicago, his reaction to Rick Pearson’s piece in the Tribune over the weekend, his effort to bring unity to Democrats and Republicans, if he believes the 2020 election was stolen, how much […]

Duration:00:10:19

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Will The Atlantic settle Kash Patel lawsuit?

4/21/2026
Chicago trial attorney Karen Conti, Founding Partner, Conti & Dolan Law, and host of the Karen Conti Show on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to discuss FBI director Kash Patel filing a $250M defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic. Does Karen think this case will go to trial?

Duration:00:07:51

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Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: Vaccinate your kids according to the vaccination schedule

4/21/2026
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about why more people under age 55 are dying of heart attacks, a pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine showing lasting results in an early trial, and to answer all of your medical questions.

Duration:00:12:41

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Eric Zorn: Public schools shouldn’t be coordinating protests

4/21/2026
Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about Darren Bailey refusing to tell John that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, the official trailer for the AI or DIE production, ‘PI HARD,’ and the latest on the compromise between CPS and CTU over the May Day protests.

Duration:00:18:18

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Lou Manfredini: How to make sure your sump pump is operating correctly

4/20/2026
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 of the rain we’ve been getting, now is the time to make sure your sump pump is working properly. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on […]

Duration:00:12:01

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How businesses can claim tariff refunds

4/20/2026
Stephen Woldenberg, SVP of Sales for Learning Resources Brands, the plaintiff in the Supreme Court ruling against President Trump’s tariffs, joins John Williams to talk about the launch of the refund system for businesses that paid tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed without the constitutional authority to do so.

Duration:00:09:33

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John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MCXLIII, 4.20.26

4/20/2026
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Duration:00:02:34

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Did you get your tickets to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles?

4/17/2026
Ryan Burrow, WGN News Director and host of the ‘Quest for Gold‘ podcast, joins John Williams to tell us everything we should know about trying to procure tickets for the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Duration:00:13:52

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Will you still be able to use credit cards for sales tax and tips after July 1st?

4/17/2026
Rob Karr, President and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, joins John Williams to clear up misconceptions about a controversial Illinois law banning certain credit card fees.

Duration:00:10:06

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Connell McShane: Trump losing his own base of religious supporters

4/17/2026
Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about the stock market hitting record highs after some positive Iran war news, prices not really coming down since President Trump took office, and his thoughts on President Trump’s feud with Pope Leo.

Duration:00:11:21

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John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 4.17.26

4/17/2026
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!

Duration:00:05:00

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What’s next for One Fair Wage ordinance?

4/16/2026
Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, tells John why the fight for the subminimum wage isn’t over.

Duration:00:08:18

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Are artists still making protest songs in 2026?

4/16/2026
Greg Kot, former music critic for the Chicago Tribune, and co-host of ‘Sound Opinions,’ joins John Williams to talk about the history of protest songs, where you can hear contemporary artists doing protest songs, how the way listening to music has changed, and if these newer protest songs have the same impact as they did […]

Duration:00:12:10

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Best of the Midwest: Summer getaway in Holland, Michigan

4/16/2026
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 to the great state of Michigan and visit […]

Duration:00:09:55

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Dawn Jackson Blatner: Don’t demonize all types of carbohydrates

4/16/2026
Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the best time of day to exercise, and a new study about the best and worst carbs for your weight. Dawn also answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

Duration:00:18:53

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John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part MCXLII, 4.16.26

4/16/2026
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Duration:00:02:31

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The Mincing Rascals 4.15.26: Tipped wage veto, Trump v. Pope Leo, Door Dash Grandma

4/15/2026
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room. This week, the Rascals start the podcast close to home by talking about the Chicago City Council failing to override Mayor Johnson’s […]

Duration:01:00:28

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Former ComEd CEO released from prison

4/15/2026
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune reporter covering the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and criminal justice issues in Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about a federal appeals court announcing that former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain would be released from prison and granting them new trials.

Duration:00:08:36

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Landscape expert Bob Bertog: Don’t try to mow your heavy, wet grass

4/15/2026
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! Bob tells John that you don’t need to water the rest of the week after all the rain, and don’t attempt to mow the heavy, wet grass. Bob also […]

Duration:00:14:16