John Williams

Italian street artist Greg Goya joins John Williams to talk about when he decided to become an artist, the type of art he makes, why he calls his work ‘fast art,’ how people can interact with his work, why love is the most important aspect of his art, and his interactive art installations at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Realtor Steve Budzik joins John Williams to talk about the boyhood home of Pope Leo XIV in Dolton. Steve describes the type of house, his relationship to the client selling the home, how long the house was originally on the market, what the value of the home might be right now, how unique and rare this property is, and what the future plans for the home might be.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou talks about what he would do if he owned the boyhood home of Pope Leo XIV. Lou also explains that now is the perfect time to treat for bugs in your lawn. Two words: Milky spores. And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions.

Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about why the markets are dipping a bit today, the latest on President Trump’s trade deals, the roller coaster the market has been on since President Trump announced his tariff plan, why now is a good time to reevaluate your retirement plan, more people looking at Bitcoin, his thoughts on the Fed announcement this week, when we might get a rate cut, and why he doesn’t believe there is going to be a massive economic slowdown.

Dr. Michael M. Canaris, Associate Professor of Ecclesiology & Systematic Theology, Co-Director, Miguel Pro, S.J. Pastoral Protagonism Initiative Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about Pope Leo XIV, the excitement in Chicago and America, the time Pope spent in Latin America, why he chose the name Leo, what led to Pope Leo’s election, why most experts didn’t predict the new pope coming from America, if he believes this choice was a signal to the Trump administration, and how the Church may change under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about the new Pope being from Chicago, how Americans and Chicagoans are feeling about the selection of Leo XIV, if picking an American pope was a message to the Trump administration, and President Trump’s trade deal with the U.K.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, today, Jon Hansen has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, Jon is joined by Susan Yarolem, Director of Sales & Marketing, Celebration River Cruises! Susan talks about their family owned business, where the boat is located, what’s unique about the Celebration Belle, the various cruise options, what the scenery is like when you take a cruise, and their most popular type of cruise.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about new Pope Leo XIV being from Chicago, if she believes this pope was picked as a pushback to the new administration, the challenges of Democrats not having a majority in Congress, if she has any relationship with President Trump, the several IVF initiatives she supports, why she endorsed Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton to replace Senator Dick Durbin, what she thinks of the GOP’s budget proposal, and the work she has done for the VA.