Sarah admits she can be a lightning rod. Her opinions often spark headlines. She explains why it's important to share her voice on often toxic social media platforms. We cover the challenges facing women's sports, WNBA player salaries, and the transgender athlete debate. We also discuss Sarah's new book about the incredible twists and turns of NFL player and coach Deland McCullough's adoption story, and the broader themes of privilege, mental health and family dynamics that emerged.

They’re back. Two political heavyweights return to ‘Chicago Unscripted’ to discuss the situation in the Middle East, immigration protests, ICE raids, the National Guard, sanctuary city status, DOGE, Elon, tariffs, the big beautiful bill, and more.

There is a lot of Chicago & Illinois in Geist family history. Willie was born in Evanston and says Chicago still feels like home. He talks about his roots here, and his relationship with his dad. Bill Geist was a humorist for the Chicago Tribune before a 31 year career at CBS. We dive into the book he wrote with his dad, and Bill's fight today with Parkinson's. Plus, his favorite interviews, why he still roots for the Illini, the current state of the media, and the Trump administration's lawsuit against 60 minutes.

It is one of the most popular and successful bands of all time, and it started in the music school at DePaul University in 1967.  Lee Loughnane was the trumpet player when “Chicago Transit Authority” started playing cover songs in Chicago bars. He talks about how the city of Chicago forced them to change their name, the process behind many of their hits, and getting stoned with Jimi Hendrix in a Holiday Inn. Lee also opens up about the painful and tragic death of lead singer Terry Kath, at the height of the band’s popularity.  

If you're a Cubs fan, you've seen him. John Vincent specializes in Sinatra, but also sings the national anthem for the Cubs. Former Bears coach Mike Ditka and his wife Diana gave John his big break at the age of 28. John talks about growing up in a tight knit Italian family on the South side, the loss of Bears legend and good friend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael, and the supportive tweet from Lady Gaga that gave him a new mission in his battle with OCD. 

He's considered one of the most influential, behind the scenes republican advocates for Ukraine. Where did he lose the GOP and can he get the party back where he thinks it should be - solidly behind Ukraine? The Chief of Staff for former Illinois Republican Congressman Peter Roskam shares what he thinks about those supporting Russia in the war. How should President Trump, Europe, and the world handle Vladimir Putin? What's ahead for the negotiations to end the war? And how will this look when it's over?

Arne Duncan knows education, and he has the resume to prove it. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard, ran Chicago Public Schools, and became the Secretary of Education under his good friend, Barack Obama. He shares his thoughts on President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the department, the importance of that federal money, and what might happen without it. The Hyde Park native has spent the last nine years working to reduce gun violence in Chicago. He also shares a powerful and inspirational full circle story of forgiveness and resurrection involving the 1984 shooting death of Benji Wilson, a young Chicago basketball prodigy and childhood friend. 

If it happened in Chicago over the past 50 years, Jim Williams probably either saw it, covered it as a reporter, or has a story somehow connected to it. Jim recently stepped away from his full time anchoring duties at CBS News Chicago. He shares his insights about the media, his beloved Cubs, his time as press secretary for Richard M. Daley, and the job he had as a teenager that became the foundation for everything that followed. 

There was the music, and then there were the messages. Historian Ernest Crim III admits even people in the stadium probably missed at least some of the embedded meanings sprinkled throughout Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. Mr. Crim breaks down the symbolism, social issues, racial references, and the myriad opinions of the performance. 

The Washington Post calls Shemekia Copeland, ‘The greatest blues singer of her generation.’ Ahead of this year’s Grammys, Shemekia joins ‘Chicago Unscripted’ to talk about her eight nominations, including three this year. Chicago based Alligator Records signed her at just 18. She reminisces about the early days of her career in Chicago, and the many music legends she has performed with. Shemekia shares stories of the rich history of the blues in Chicago, and growing up with her famous father, Johnny Copeland, one of the best guitarists in blues history.