Author Adam Higginbotham joins John Williams to discuss his book, ‘Challenger:
A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space.’ Adam talks about what makes him interested in these types of stories, the intersection of human beings and technology, what drew him to the Challenger disaster, the reminder that space travel is extraordinarily hazardous, the difficulty assembling the shuttle, the many obstacles that the team had to overcome, the astonishing achievement of science that this was, and the mistakes that ultimately led to the shuttle’s demise.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to share her thoughts on the ‘Sit-Rise Test’ and what it means for your general health, eating patterns that can lead to weight gain, the healthiest cereals, and to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.

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

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals start the podcast talk about the devastating flooding in Texas. There has been a lot of finger pointing, but is it too early to place blame for the catastrophe? 4th of July has come and gone, but John heard from many listeners this week who either didn’t fly a flag or displayed a flag upside down in protest of the current administration. Do the Rascals think this is an effective way to protest? Are people still proud to be American? And have people ceded the American flag to President Trump? The NASCAR event took place in Chicago over the holiday weekend. It’s not known yet if the race will be back in Chicago next year. Do the Rascals want NASCAR to return? Former Alderman Ed Burke was released early from federal prison. What do the Rascals think of the decision to release Burke early? Eric believes history will be unkind to Burke. And speaking of crime and politicians, the Rascals break down the political futures of former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich. And should convicted felons be allowed to run for federal office?

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions.

Longtime Chicago radio veteran Harvey Wells, founder, Lower Tech Bills, talks to John about how he helps customers lower their internet, cell phone, and television costs. Harvey says that internet prices are stabilizing, but streaming costs are going up. And what should you know about internet speed? What speed is best for you?

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

Attorney Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law Firm joins John Williams to talk about how Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill will impact your student loans. Rae breaks it all down and answers all of your student loan and debt relief questions.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the most stressful part of a doctor’s day, former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks dying of stomach cancer at 44, the health ramifications that might come from being a competitive eater, a new study showing that American kids have become increasingly unhealthy, and the amount of measles cases in the U.S. this year.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the controversy surrounding Alex Cooper’s rendition of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ at the Cubs game the other night, former Alderman Ed Burke being released from prison early, Jesse Jackson Jr. mulling another run for Congress, and if he believes Illinois should legalize the sale of fireworks.