Dean Richards, Ryan Burrow, in for Dave Schwan, and Kevin Wells start the show talking about the Bears clinching the NFC North and look ahead to playoff football at Soldier Field.

For today’s Far Flung Forecast, Dean keeps us right here in Chicago.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean for this week’s health update. They talk about the “super flu” variant spreading across the US and the steps people can take to avoid sickness.

Dean recaps 2025 with some of his favorite A-List interviews from this past year, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen and Vince Vaughn.

On this week’s Food Time, Dean welcomes Jimmy Bannos Jr., to discuss his new Green restaurant, Kouklas, at 7620 N Milwaukee Ave in Niles.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean Richards for this week’s health update. They talk about the “super flu” variant spreading across the US and the steps people can take to avoid sickness.

Dean Richards, Dave Schwan, Tony DeNardis and Eli Berk start the show recapping the incredible Bears-Packers game from Soldier Field and celebrate the holidays!

For today’s Far Flung Forecast, Dave takes us out to North Pole, Alaska.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean for this week’s health update. They talk about schizophrenia in the wake of the Rob Reiner tragedy and discuss mental health warning signs. They also discuss the medical impacts of marijuana and what a possible reclassification of it could mean.

WGN-TV’s Ana Belaval joins Dean to discuss her upcoming New Year’s Eve show at European Chalet Banquets. For more information on the show, visit European Chalet Banquets.

For This Week in Theatre, Dean looks back on an interview he did in 2023 with the late Rob Reiner.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean Richards for this week’s health update. They talk about schizophrenia in the wake of the Rob Reiner tragedy and discuss mental health warning signs. They also discuss the medical impacts of marijuana and what a possible reclassification of it could mean.

Dean Richards, Dave Schwan and Tony DeNardis start the show talking about the extreme cold temperatures heading into one of the coldest Bears games in history and celebrate Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday.

For today’s Far Flung Forecast, Dave takes us out to Danville, Illinois.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean for this week’s health update. They talk about the rise in cases of the flu and share tips on how to stay warm through this extreme cold weekend.

Edward Hall, the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Theater, joins Dean for This Week in Theatre to discuss ONE KNIGHT ONLY! with Sir Ian McKellen, coming to the Shakespeare Theater on Jan. 30. For more information, visit Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Phantom of the Opera is now showing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Feb. 1. To talk about the show and his history in theater, Dean is joined by Isaiah Bailey, who plays the Phantom of the Opera. For more information, visit Broadway in Chicago.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean Richards for this week’s health update. They talk about the rise in cases of the flu and share tips on how to stay warm through this extreme cold weekend.

Dean Richards, Dave Schwan and Tony DeNardis start the show talking about the most recent wave of snowfall in Chicago and how it affects the roads.

City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard joins Dean to talk about the the condition of the city streets after the snow.

For today’s Far Flung Forecast, Dave takes us out to Ojibwa, Wisconsin.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean for this week’s health update. They talk about vaccines for Hepatitis B, dementia and HPV.

WGN-TV weather producer Bill Snyder joins Dean to give updates on the snowfall and compares this December to those in years past.

Dean kicks off his This Week in Theatre with an interview with two-time Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty to discuss A Merry Little Christmas with Megan Hilty, with Music Director Matt Cusson. The show will be running Dec. 12 and 13 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater. For more information, visit Steppenwolf.

On Dec. 13, Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years old. To celebrate his birthday, Dean is joined by the executive producer of the Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration, Mike Trinklein. For more information on the celebration, visit Fathom Entertainment.

On this week’s Food Time, Dean talks all things Christmas cookie, where he shares the recipe for a traditional Greek holiday cookie, Melomakarona.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean Richards for this week’s health update. They talk about vaccines for Hepatitis B, dementia and HPV.

Dean Richards, Dave Schwan and Jack Heinrich start the show recapping their Thanksgiving plans and talk about the wave of snow hitting Chicago.

City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard joins Dean to talk about the overnight parking ban in Chicago and the condition of the city streets after the snowstorm.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean for this week’s health update. They talk about the connection between untreated sleep apnea and Parkinson’s disease, weight loss options and tips on staying warm through the snowfall.

WGN-TV weather producer Bill Snyder joins Dean to talk about how historic this snowfall has been and what we can expect as we head into December.

E. Faye Butler, director of Sister Act, joins Dean to talk about the production of the musical. Sister Act is currently showing at the Drury Lane Theatre from now through Jan. 11, 2026.

The stars of Wicked: For Good, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode and director Jon Chu join Dean for this week’s A-List Interview. They discuss what went into making both Wicked movies and the connections with the rest of the cast.

On this week’s Food Time, Dean shares Christmas appetizer recipes, like a “Christmas Tree Pizza” featuring pesto and alfredo. For all Dean’s recipes, visit Dean Cooks.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency Northwestern Medicine, Delnor Hospital, joins Dean Richards for this week’s health update. They talk about the connection between untreated sleep apnea and Parkinson’s disease, weight loss options and tips on staying warm through the snowfall.