Best-selling author, personality and leading voice in the world of Wine, Mark Oldman joins Dane Neal on WGN Radio. Hear as Mark shares the current state of the wine industry, with shifts in trends and global warming creating new and different challenges and opportunities. Listen as Mark (recognized as the “Consigliere of Celebration”) gives suggestions for a great New Years Eve, to keep your celebrations festive and fun. Mark gives us all the information on his new Bevinars Series coming up in 2025, building on the popular virtual tastings that bring the best wines and storylines together for fans from all over. With millions wanting to emulate his lifestyle and success, Mark fills us in on his journey in wine and how it all started. For more information on Mark, his books, appearances and merchandise go to https://www.markoldman.com/ and for the latest Bevinars and ways to get in on all the interactive action, check out https://www.bevinars.com/virtual-wine-classes/

Always win with the Undefeated Flavor of El Bandido Yankee, the Official Tequila of GameDay! For events, recipes and places for purchase go to www.elbandidoyankee.com

Freddy Fagenholz, GM of the legendary Murphy’s Bleachers, joins Dane Neal on WGN Radio. Hear as Freddy shares excitement around the WGN Radio live pregame broadcast and how fans will get to “Break Out the Bandido” at Murphy’s all day for the Winter Classic. Murphy’s Bleachers, located just across the street from Wrigley Field, will host the WGN Radio, Blackhawks pregame show before the game between the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. Listen as WGN Radio sports host, Kevin Powell jumps on with Freddy and Dane to preview the day and excitement coming up for fans and the broadcast. El Bandido Yankee Tequila co-founders Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios should be on hand for the show starting at 1pm live from Murphy’s. For information on Murphy’s Bleachers for events coming up and all summer long with the Cubs go to https://murphysbleachers.com/

Always WIN with the Undefeated Flavor of El Bandido Yankee, the Official Tequila of GameDay! For events, recipes and places for purchase go to www.elbandidoyankee.com

Resort Manager for Holiday Inn Club Vacations, James Coon joins Dane Neal on WGN Radio. Hear as James shares the excitement around the resorts and how owners and guests are enjoying mountains, beaches and everywhere in between through the club. Listen as James talks about specific experiences in Lake Tahoe, Scottsdale and Las Vegas that have guests coming back for vacations and some of the biggest events in sports and music. James gives the latest on new all-inclusive resorts added recently in Mexico and opportunities to experience it all as a vacationing traveler or even as a team member with Holiday Inn Club Vacations! For more information on resorts, reservations and getting in on all the ownership action, go to https://www.holidayinnclub.com

Always win with the Undefeated Flavor of El Bandido Yankee, the Official Tequila of GameDay! For events, recipes and places for purchase go to www.elbandidoyankee.com

Director of Operations and Sales for the ASA Stars National Tour, Marty Melo joins Dane Neal on WGN Radio. Hear as Marty fills us in on things coming for the expanding tour with TV contracts, new races on track and all the excitement of Super Late Model racing. Hear as Marty shares top drivers ready to race for next season and fun for fans and families that will be out at great local tracks to hopefully “Break Out the Bandido” in 2025. For more information on events, tracks, TV, tickets and more, go to https://starsnationaltour.com

Next race weekend, make it Tequila at the Track with El Bandido Yankee, the Official Tequila of Raceday! For events, recipes and places for purchase go to www.elbandidoyankee.com

WGN’s Dane Neal, in for John Williams, chats with wine expert Mark Oldman to find out which wines are trending this holiday season as well as the wine that consumers should buy for their Christmas gatherings. Mark also talks about his experience as a wine professional and discusses where most wine is being purchased.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins WGN’s Dane Neal to discuss the importance of staying healthy in a busy holiday and winter season. Dr. Kopin talks about COVID’s effect on us now compared to 2020 as well as certain health issues that tend to spike during the holidays. Dr. Kopin gives tips to stay healthy when doing physical activities in the cold.

Segment 1: WGN’s Dane Neal talks with consumer technology journalist Jennifer Jolly about technological trends from this year that have grabbed the interest of many, such as Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, new features in Apple products, and more. Jennifer Jolly also highlights kid’s technology products that do more than what the eye can see.

Segment 2: Dane Neal chats with former professional baseball player Andy Carter about his travels and favorite attractions in Charlotte, North Carolina. Andy also talks with Dane about his work with the Wanna Parlay sports book and some of the best parlays to get involved with, including this year’s NHL Winter Classic. Carson Coffman, one of Wanna Parlay’s founders, also talks with Dane and Andy about the sports book’s features.

Segment 1: Dane Neal, in for John Williams, chats with Duce Raymond, Director of Culinary at Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ, about his family ties to Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce and its success compared to other known barbecue sauces.

Segment 2: Drinking Editor for Newcity/Chicago Dave Hammond joins WGN’s Dane Neal to discuss his trip to Mexico to celebrate Thanksgiving. Dave also talks with Dane about his book, Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites, and the dishes that are appropriate for the holiday season.

President of Travis Manion Foundation, Amy Looney Heffernan, joins Dane Neal on WGN Radio. Hear as Amy shares the message and mission of the foundation which is to “Empower veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations”. Listen as Amy shares the inspiration for the foundation and key programs and initiatives in action today. Amy fills us in on the excitement around the iconic Army vs. Navy football game and the Travis Manion Foundation Tailgate with Tailgreeter. This premiere tailgate will bring veterans, friends, families and fans together to celebrate while raising funds and awareness. Amy also shares the new book “The Knock at the Door” out now, and written by Amy Looney, Heather Kelly and Ryan Manion. This book features these three Gold Star Women, linked forever by unimaginable loss and their inspirational journey that began on the worst day of their lives. For more information about Travis Manion Foundation, the programs, ways to get involved and also the book go to https://www.travismanion.org. For more information on times and tickets for the tailgate go to www.Tailgreeter.com

Always WIN with the Undefeated Flavor of El Bandido Yankee, the Official Tequila of GameDay! For events, cocktails, recipes and places for purchase go to www.elbandidoyankee.com

Legendary wrestling coach, Olympic gold medalist and the namesake of the “Dan Gable Donnybrook”, Dan Gable joins Dane Neal on WGN Radio along with Luke Eustice from the Iowa City Area Sports Commission. Hear as Coach Gable shares the excitement around the tournament and the big picture of bringing more attention, the best competition and building the sport. Listen as Luke fills us in on the journey of growing the Donnybrook and some of the great teams that will in on all the action. Top teams from 6 border states of Iowa will take to the mats, including Illinois #1 ranked 2A Montini Catholic Broncos along with Mt. Carmel, Joliet Catholic and around 40 others. Both boys and girls teams will compete for championships and medals representing tournament excellence and history as a tribute to the 1972 Olympics, where Dan Gable went Undefeated and unscored upon on the way to winning gold. Coach Gable and Luke talk about the world class experience and facility for the Dan Gable Donnybrook and how the tournament is growing to be one of the premiere events on the schedule and a title every team is hoping to take. For more information on teams, wrestlers, tickets and timing for everything, be sure to go to https://wegotnext.org/events/dan-gable-donnybrook/