The last time the Chicago Cubs played in the postseason, COVID restrictions limited the capacity at Wrigley Field. That won’t the case this afternoon when the Cubs host the Padres in the first game of a best-of-three Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres. Jim Deshaies, the color commentator for Cubs games on the Marquee Sports Network, joins Bob Sirott and Andy Masur to preview today’s matchup, the series overall, and what will be key for the Cubs advancing to the next round.

Dean Richards, entertainment reporter for WGN, joins Bob Sirott to provide the latest news in entertainment. Bob and Dean talk about the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny playing the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, the separation of a popular celebrity couple, and why Cat Stevens postponed his national tour. They also share details about a new “Simpsons” movie, what people are saying about a Tina Turner statue, and Dean’s interview with Gloria Estefan.

Social media strategist Scott Kleinberg joins Bob Sirott to talk about getting the latest technology as soon as it’s released versus keeping what you already have and why people get emotionally attached to their devices. He also explains when it’s time to upgrade, if you should get insurance for your devices, and answers this week’s genius bar question.

Jen Sabella, the Director of Strategy and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. She provides details on:

Lake Street Bridge Construction Starts Soon, Closing It To Traffic For 2 Years: Work on the bridge over the Chicago River will start in October and run through January 2028. Green and Pink Line trains will operate except for two 12-day service outages.

Family Taken By Feds Downtown Separated In Detention Centers: ‘They’re Locking Up Children’: The mother and two young children who were arrested Sunday in Millennium Park are being held at O’Hare Airport, while the father is in Broadview. A neighbor was able to bring some supplies like diapers and medicine to the airport Monday.

Crumbs.nd.Creams, Chicago’s 1st Silvana Shop, Opens In Albany Park: The family-owned dessert shop offers 11 varieties of the Filipino sandwich cookie — including ube, matcha and buko pandan — and flan. It opened Sept. 13 with a line down the block.

Extra! Extra! Block Club And Half Acre Made A Beer: The crisp, crushable, low-ABV pale ale will be available Saturday at the second annual Block Club Block Party at Half Acre’s Bownmanville taproom.

Paul Nolte, Senior Wealth Advisor & Market Strategist for Murphy & Sylvest, joins Bob Sirott to talk about how stocks typically do during talks of a government shutdown and if the jobs report will determine what the Fed will do about rate cuts. He also explains what the neutral rate is and how small stocks are faring.

On September 30th, 2025, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers:

Certified Consulting Hypnotist Shawn Mossell joins Bob Sirott to help the people of Chicago take a moment of zen. Get those morsels of serotonin with some positive affirmations like “I am well” and slow, deep breathing to better prepare for the day’s stressors and change your thinking. Choosing to dwell on those good thoughts can wash away your anxiety, reduce cortisol levels, and help you keep your resolve against negative thoughts and bad cravings.

Here, Shawn Mossell closes his eyes and breathes to take control with strong positive thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Chief Medical Officer of Northwestern Medicine’s Northwest Region Dr. Irfan Hafiz joins Bob Sirott to talk about the inevitable rise in children being affected by flu and spreading lice as the school season starts back up. They also look at a few body changes that may indicate liver struggles and how best to keep your Irritable Bowel Disease from acting up.

Cindy Pearlman, senior writer for the New York Times and entertainment columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins Bob Sirott to debunk any rumors of Queen throwing in the towel, a tough update from Dolly Parton taking a year-long break to tend to her health, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s new movie is a box office hit!

On September 29, 2025, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: