Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about what you should do if you want to crave less junk food and the diet that is best for high blood pressure. Dawn also answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take a drive towards the picturesque Starved Rock State Park and visit with Stephanie Bias, General Manager of Camp Aramoni! Stephanie tells John where Camp Aramoni is located, how big the camp is, where they got the idea to open a boutique campground, how luxurious the accommodations are, the amazing food and beverage program that is included with your stay, why the location is perfect for your event or retreat, and the upcoming ‘Seafood Boil and Live Bluegrass Music‘ event happening in August!

Check out photos from John’s trip to Camp Aramoni here!

Chicago Tribune theater critic, author and editorial page editor Chris Jones joins John Williams to talk about today’s editorial that implores Mayor Brandon Johnson to stop demonizing business and to focus on things that Chicagoans really care about.

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, Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast asking Steve Bertrand his thoughts on the Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes. Next, the Rascals talk about the city of Chicago considering renaming Northerly Island for Pope Leo. Do the Rascals think this is a good idea? And what about a new law in Rhode Island that will put limits and staffing ratios for self-checkout lanes at grocery stores. Are the Rascals on board with this? Should Illinois consider this? A new candidate threw her name in the ring for the Chicago mayoral race. What do the Rascals make of Dr. Lisa Nee decision to run for mayor? And what about Mayor Brandon Johnson? Would he make a runoff? Nationally, questions are growing about the health of Senator Mitch McConnell, who was hospitalized in June. Does the public deserve an explanation about his health? Or what about the health of any public servant? Scandal plagued Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner still hasn’t made a decision on his political future. Eric explains why it’s important for Democrats that Platner drop out of the race. The USMNT lost to Belgium in the World Cup this week after President Trump lobbied FIFA to lift Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card. The Rascals wonder if the government should have stepped in on this issue. Briefly switching back to local news, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced his retirement and the Rascals wonder why he decided to announce in the middle of the summer. Finally, it’s Rascals recommendation time! What should you be reading, and eating this week!

Isa Alvarez, Northwestern Medicine Scholar, joins John Williams to talk about the Northwestern Medicine Scholars Program, what it was like being in the inaugural class of the program, how the Scholars Program helped with her preparation for college, when she first became interested in medicine, the mentors that provided support throughout her journey, the interaction she had with physicians throughout the program, and what makes the Northwestern Medicine Scholars Program essential and so unique.

Susan Resko, CEO and President at Josselyn, joins John Williams to talk about their mission of providing quality outpatient mental health care, the work they do with Northwestern Medicine, why someone might reach out to Josselyn, the importance of having better awareness about mental health therapy, the various types of services they offer, some of the barriers people face when when trying to access support and resources, how the partnership with Northwestern helps address some of those barriers, and how long they have been serving the Chicago area.

Dr. Quentin R. Youmans, Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Cardiologist, Northwestern Medicine, joins John Williams to talk about heart health, why he encourages patients to start small when on the path to better heart health, why it’s important to bring heart health screenings into the community, what you should know about the early signs of heart failure, the key indicators that someone may have a family history of heart disease, and how movement, quitting smoking, getting more sleep, managing your weight, controlling your cholesterol, managing blood sugar and blood pressure, and eating better are key foundations for better heart health.

Dr. Dinee Simpson, Transplant Surgeon and Chief Health Equity Executive, and Ann Hall, Vice President of Administration, Northwestern Medicine, join John Williams to talk about the launch of the Kathy Schreiber Community Health Institute, the importance of community health at Northwestern Medicine, why moving barriers to care matters, what the term ‘community health’ means and why it’s an important part of caring for patients, and what Northwestern does to connect with community organizations to make an impact.

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, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob talks about the large amount of rainfall we had and why you should make sure your trees are healthy if you noticed branches on the ground after the storms.