Jeff Carlin, Eric Zorn, and Scott Stantis bring The Mincing Rascals to Saturday Night Special. The Rascals are joined by: Susan Schmidt– Senior Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Research Analyst at Westwood in Dallas Kristen McQueary– Tribune editorial board (@statehousechick) Stacy St. Clair – Tribune reporter stationed currently in Rio at the Olympics (@StacyStClair) and King John Williams, radio host and the original Mincing Rascal. (@WGNKingJohn) http://serve.castfire.com/audio/2953866/2953866_2016-08-20-222406.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3735.mp3  

When we think of movies, we think of the bright lights of Hollywood. But we have to remember what is in our own backyard with independent films and even blockbuster films made in Chicago.  Amy and her panel discuss the state of the independent film scene in Chicago, and the issues of diversity within the industry. Amy is joined by: Fawzia Mirza, actor, writer producer of ‘Her Story,’ ‘Signature Move’ and more Matthew Aaron, Filmmaker, The Matthew Aaron Show Mike McNamara, […]

In times like these, we are communicating almost constantly. Whether we are behind a screen or face-to-face,  each of us has something to say. During periods such as now, amidst a tense election cycle, Amy Guth and her panel examine our communication skills – how we can find civility in disagreement, our willingness to be vulnerable, and diversity in media and opinions. Amy is joined by: Dr. John Duffy, psychologist, author, and SNS superstar contributor Frances Negrón-Muntaner, filmmaker, writer, and […]

This week on the Saturday Night Special, Amy is talking all about the history of American First Ladies. Scarlet Neath joins to discuss her piece in the Atlantic about how the role is defined. Abigail Adams biographer Edith Gelles paints a portrait of that famous First Lady’s life. Mary C. Curtis gives her take on Melania Trump’s RNC speech and how it unites her to Michelle Obama. Later, Kate Andersen Brower joins Amy to talk about her book “First Women” […]

Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Amy Guth and her esteemed panel of guests discuss adventure travel in this exciting episode of Saturday Night Special. They discuss why we crave experience, overcoming travel anxieties, traits of adventurers, and trends in travel. This and more, on the podcast. Amy’s panel of guests: Dr. John Duffy, psychologist, author, and SNS super star contributor (drjohnduffy.com) Leann Morris, a world traveler with a mission (flashpackerconnect.com) http://serve.castfire.com/audio/2873083/2873083_2016-07-18-014323.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3735.mp3 George Stone, Editor-in-Chief of […]

On this fourth of July weekend, Amy Guth and her esteemed panel of guests take a look at women who, from the beginnings of our country, have helped to shape our nation. Amy is joined by: Michelle Duster— a writer, speaker, and educator who’s also edited two books that include the original writing of her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells.  http://www.mldwrites.com/MIchelle_s_Bio.html Author, historian and Jane Addams biographer Louise Knight – http://www.louisewknight.com/ Deborah Siegel, PhD, an expert on gender, politics and women’s […]

This week on the Saturday Night Special, Amy hosts a group of expert guests on the refugee crisis. She begins with Timothy B. Lee from Vox. He breaks down the Brexit vote from earlier this week and explains how immigration affected the outcome. Then Angie Leventis Lourgos, reporter at Chicago Tribune, tells the stories of refugee families in Chicago that she has reported on. Scott Portman, senior technical advisor at Heartland Alliance International, talks about the work his organization does […]

On this week’s Saturday Night Special, host Amy Guth devotes the entire evening to a conversation about the shooting in Orlando. She and a broad panel discuss the narratives and big issues around it, as well as correcting the misinformation around it, too. The panel includes: Emmanuel Garcia, Pilsen community activist and Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductee Tim Hetzer from the Lutheran Church Charities’ comfort dog program Joe O’Sullivan, retired police officer and firearm instructor Brian Althimer, WGN Producer […]

Our country has a rich history of music festivals, as does our great city. On Saturday Night Special, Amy Guth and her panel discuss the evolution of music festivals: from Woodstock to Lollapalooza and all that lie in between. They also discuss the characteristics of festival goers, why Chicago is an ideal festival location, and the future of festival going. Her panel of esteemed experts: Kevin Kauffman, PhD  – the Rock Professor Michael Raspatello – Documentary filmmaker and co-creator of […]

On part one of Saturday Night Special on Vacation, Amy Guth is joined by Dr. John Duffy. Dr. Duffy discusses the psychological benefits of vacation: cognitive, behavioral, and emotional. The two also discuss the “cult of being busy” and how to preserve and relive the relaxing feelings from a vacation.