Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John on the Noon Business Lunch to talk about the unpredictability of the market, how the market has rallied the past month, why the market seems impervious to turmoil, the advice he’s giving to clients right now, and why he thinks Kevin Warsh is a great pick for the next Fed Chair.

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Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about Customers Bank signing a partnership with OpenAI, how AI is fueling fraud, America’s hidden debt crisis, and how much you can expect to pay for FIFA World Cup tickets.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Morningstar mulling a relocation to the revamped Thompson Center, Rivian beginning production of its new R2 electric vehicle, and UK startup Housr opening a Chicago location.

Segment 3: Katalin Rodriguez Ogren, nationally respected fitness and nutrition coach, owner of Pow! Gym in the West Loop, joins John to talk about they gym she’s run for 25 years in Chicago, how many people work for her at the gym, the typical programs adults are seeking, the importance of strength training as you age, and her new book, ‘Nutrition for Women Navigating Menopause: The Power of Addition: An Anti-Diet Strategy.”

Segment 1: Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John to talk about the unpredictability of the market, how the market has rallied the past month, why the market seems impervious to turmoil, the advice he’s giving to clients right now, and why he thinks Kevin Warsh is a great pick for the next Fed Chair.

Segment 2: Tom Appel, Publisher, Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast, joins John Williams to talk about the overall health of the EV market, the latest news on Rivian, and to answer all of your automotive questions

Segment 1: Tim O’Malley, producer of The Summit, Chicago’s biggest tourism, hospitality and special events trade show, joins John Williams to tell us everything we should know about this year’s event and the health of Chicago tourism in 2026.

Segment 2: Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, talks to John about the tenure of Apple CEO Tim Cook, who announced this week that he will be stepping down.

Segment 3: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John to talk about the choppiness of the market over the last number of days, the overall health of the economy, spending not slowing down, his thoughts on economic policy and what he believes the Fed will do with rates next week, and what he’s telling clients right now.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the market being up again after President Trump announcing an extension on a ceasefire, why the market continues to zig-zag, if we are heading towards a health insurance crisis, and to answer all of your financial questions.

 Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about why learning proper social skills can help you succeed in business. Should we be teaching these social skills in school?

Segment 2: Alex Papadopoulos, President of Egéa Wealth Management and Egéa SRI (Socially Responsible Investments), joins John Williams to talk about how their investment firm focuses on sustainability and companies that are socially responsible. Alex says there is an appetite for this type of investing and why sustainable funds can be great for your portfolio.

Segment 3: Michael Lai, co-founder and CEO, SmartCustomer, talks to John about what Smart Customer does, their mission to keep shoppers safe online, their focus on authentic consumer reviews, how AI is confusing consumers, and how to keep yourself safe from falling prey to summer travel scams.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about the government opening their tariff refund portal, the NAR’s generational trends report, the challenges for first-time homebuyers, and the latest on the war in Iran and its impact on oil prices and the stock market.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Blockchain firm Ripple opening a big new office in River North, Chicago startups raising just $385M last quarter, and a Chicago fertility care startup raising $20M.

Segment 3: Tony Kahan, owner, Tide Laundromat in Portage Park, joins John to talk about how many Tide Laundromat locations are in Chicago right now, how the opportunity to work with Tide came about, the way they separate themselves from other laundromats around town, and how business has been going since they opened their new location in Portage Park.

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John to talk about how the market has soared since he was last on two weeks ago, if he still sees more market upside, why he believes the Fed should cut interest rates, the lack of concern about a temporary inflation hike, his belief that oil and gas prices will come down quickly, and what he’s telling his clients right now.

Segment 2: Matt Schultz, LendingTree chief credit analyst, joins John to break down a new Lending Tree study that shows 1 in 5 U.S. businesses close within the first year.

Segment 3: Cassandra Brown, Senior Vice President, Market Manager, Bank of America Chicago, tells John how to spend your tax refund wisely.

Segment 1: Jack Ablin, Founding Partner & Chief Investment Strategist, Cresset Capital, talks to John about how the market has been performing this week, his outlook for the market for the new few months, why he doesn’t see a credit crisis on the horizon, the overall health of the consumer, if he’s concerned about the federal deficit, his thoughts on a tenuous labor market, and what he would tell investors right now.

Segment 2: Emily Stewart, Senior Correspondent, Business Insider, joins John to talk about why this summer might be the ‘summer of staycations.’

Segment 3: Mike Abt, Co-President of Abt Electronics, joins John this Earth month to talk about Abt’s recycling center and green initiatives.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about why Tax Day is her least favorite day of the year, how rising gas prices are impacting all aspects of the economy, why the stock market is still nearing all-time highs despite the war with Iran, and to answer all of your financial questions.