After Hours with Rick Kogan

Kerry Kennedy joins Rick Kogan to discuss her new book about her mother, ‘Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy’. Kerry talks about the book’s rapid success, how her mother’s life story resonates with people today, persevering through tough times, how she wants her mother to be remembered, and what she will be doing in Chicago this week.

Filmmaker John Borowski joins Rick Kogan to discuss his role in the ‘Serial Killer: The Original Exhibition’, which takes place in Chicago, and his love for making horror films. John explains why we are fascinated by serial killers, what visitors can see at the exhibition, and his interest in expanding to creating serial killer feature films in addition to documentaries.

Mike Saad, Cordis Heard, and Mary Griswold join Rick Kogan to talk about their book, ‘Scream! Bleed! Take Off Your Clothes!: Stuart Gordon and Chicago’s Organic Theater Company’. The group discusses how this book came together, how fun it was to share their stories with others, and which Organic show each of them would go see today.

Karen Conti, Chicago trial attorney, joins Rick Kogan to highlight her book, ‘Killing Time with John Wayne Gacy: Defending America’s Most Evil Serial Killer on Death Row’. Karen will have a book signing on October 30th from 3-7 p.m. at Cinespace Studios in Chicago.

Karen also talks about ‘Serial Killer: The Original Exhibition’, how she met and became involved with John Wayne Gacy, why she wanted to share her experiences in the Gacy case through a book, and more.

Photographer Barbara Karant joins Rick Kogan to discuss her new book, ‘820 EBONY/JET: Visions of the Johnson Publishing Company, an American Icon’. Barbara talks about her mother’s influence on her career, capturing the final moments of the original Johnson Publishing Company building at 820 S. Michigan Avenue, her photographic process, and more.

Rick Kogan previews Pamela Des Barres’ upcoming return to Chicago. She will appear at Martyrs’ for ‘An Intimate Evening with Pamela Des Barres’ on October 25th at 7:30 p.m.

Listen below to hear Rick’s interview with Pamela and Linda Beckstrom ahead of Pamela’s 2025 Chicago show.

Novelist Rebecca Chamian Ribaudo joins Rick Kogan to highlight her first novel, ‘Crossing Division Street’. Rebecca and Rick detail the book’s key themes and settings, the history and nature of Cabrini-Green, when the characters began to take shape, the lengthy writing process, and the upcoming projects she is working on.

Former Chicago Tribune photographer Chuck Cherney and his wife, Danita Cherney, join Rick Kogan to discuss the book, ‘Puzzled Pup’, written by their late son. Danita talks about the story behind the book, the process of getting it published, how their son Jacob became interested in writing, and the legacy he has left behind.

Part of the proceeds of the book, ‘Puzzled Pup’, go to Families Against Fentanyl and The GenderCool Project.

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to discuss the state of parties, events, and news across Chicago. Candace talks about whether Maria Pappas will run for mayor, the honorary street sign celebration for Chilli Pepper, serving as a judge and emcee at an upcoming Halloween party, the Adler Planetarium’s Celestial Bash, and Chicago being voted the best big city in the U.S. for the tenth straight year.

Listen to Candace’s podcast here!

Longtime marathon runners Skinny Sheahan, George Scully, Tommy McShane, and Rick Barrett (not included in interview) join Rick Kogan to preview the Chicago Marathon this Sunday, October 11th. The runners discuss their early days in the sport, how many marathons they’ve participated in, the health benefits of running, the importance of donating to Special Children’s Charities and Opportunity Knocks, and why this will be their last marathon together.