John Williams

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about why Cate thinks the Air & Water Show is stupid and dangerous. What about the rest of the Rascals? Speaking of Chicago things, what did the Rascals think of yesterday’s Pope Hat Night at the Rate? Next, the Rascals talk about President Trump announcing that Karoline Leavitt will be leaving as press secretary. And what’s the latest on the drama over the reflecting pool? Also this week, the Washington Post broke the story of President Trump secretly switching planes in Turkey following intelligence reports of a credible threat from Iran. What do the Rascals make of the plane switch plan? Up in Wisconsin yesterday, David Crowley pulled off a victory over progressive Francesca Hong. Eric says the Democrats avoided a big problem with Crowley’s upset win. The Rascals also wonder why the polling has been so wrong in Michigan and now in Wisconsin. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals! Today, Bob joins Jon Hansen to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. 

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

Film critic Michael Phillips, host of the Filmspotting-produced podcast, ‘The Movie Racket with Michael Phillips,’ joins John Williams to talk about the first season of his new podcast, his thoughts on the movie ‘Once’ after the passing of Glen Hansard, the box office success of movies like ‘Michael,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ and ‘The Odyssey,’ and to talk about some of the best sequels of all-time.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the FDA approving a new mRNA flu vaccine.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about 21st Century phone manners, why he texts people before he wants to call them on the phone, what he’s paying attention to in Wisconsin primary election, the PR battle that Democratic candidates will have to face with the rise of socialist candidates.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected]. Update: Today’s Speed Jokes were canceled because of severe storms that blew through the area.

Bond Almand, ultra-endurance cyclist, joins John Williams to talk about Bond’s Extreme Journey, a 10,000-mile bike ride to every NFL stadium! Bond explains why he’s doing the ride, the amazing things about crossing the country by bike, how many miles he’s riding per day, the partnership with Extreme Networks, and the scariest moment he’s seen as he’s been cycling across the country.

Andrei Turea, Co-owner & CEO, Green Attic Roofing, joins John to talk about how business has been going with all the storms, the biggest roofing problems people are dealing with right now, why solar makes financial sense, what to know about solar incentives from the state of Illinois, and how Green Attic Roofing will guide you through the entire process.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Today, Lou offers some tips on caulking, filling, and paint touch-ups. And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions!

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