Wendy Snyder

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories, including YouTube influencers, tomato sandwiches, and why does gluten free pizza have to be so expensive?

Andres Reyes, owner and president of Birrieria Ocotlan, joins Wendy Snyder for Foodie Friday to celebrate the Chicago institution’s 53rd year and its recent national recognition from The New York Times as one of the country’s best Mexican restaurants. Reyes talks about the importance of family, and gives Wendy just a hint of a secret behind the century-old family recipe of the fall-off-the-bone goat birria, slow-stewed in rich consommé and served with warm tortillas, lime and house chile de árbol salsa. If you want one of Chicago’s best, visit both of their locations and find out more at https://birrieriaocotlan.com/

Maura Daly, Chief External Affairs Officer of A Better Chicago, and Phil Mikhaylov, CEO and co-founder of Unicorn Auctions, join Wendy Snyder, sitting in for Lisa Dent, to discuss an extraordinary charity auction benefiting Chicago’s youth. The winning bidder will enjoy a private Chicago Blackhawks locker-room dinner with team legends, acclaimed chefs Paul Kahan and Rob Leavitt, rare Burgundy and whiskey tastings, plus custom jerseys and Blackhawks home-opener tickets. To bid now go to www.unicornauctions.com

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, joins Wendy Snyder for this week’s health update. They give vaccination updates and answer listener questions.

Wendy Snyder, Rob LaFrentz, in for Dave Schwan, Tony DeNardis and Eli Berk start the show gearing up for the Bears season opener in Carolina.

Steve Bertand joins Wendy to reflect on the life of the late Judy Markey, and share more stories about her legendary career.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, joins Wendy for this week’s health update. They give vaccination updates and answer listener questions.

We return for the next installment of Two Truths and Eli, where Wendy and crew have to figure out which news story is the fake one written by Eli.

Entertainment journalist Alex Zalben, host and producer of Comic Book Club, joins Wendy Snyder to discuss the latest in television, entertainment, and streaming. The duo talks about the upcoming Emmy awards, the “new” version of 60 Minutes and a new slew of movies hitting on demand.

Dr. Cynthia Paidipati, Board of Director for the IL Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the upcoming Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk. Dr. Paidipati tells Wendy how suicide impacts everyone, the importance of sharing stories and opening dialogue about mental health, the amount of young people that struggle with suicidal thinking, why you should be proactive about mental health, the warning signs that could increase the likelihood of suicide, and what you should know about the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk. Click here to register for the walk!

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, joins Dane Neal (covering for Wendy Snyder) for this week’s health update. They discuss importance of getting a flu shot and answer some calls from listeners.

Dane Neal (in for Wendy Snyder,) Rob LaFrentz (in for Dave Schwan,) Eli Berk (in for sports), and Jeff Carlin start the show trying trying to keep cool by thinking of winter.

Seasoned TV host and motorsports personality, best known for hosting the hit show Floor Is Lava on Netflix & Top Gear USA, Rutledge Wood talks about his new endeavor…soda pop. Focusing on natural ingredients and catering people with allergies, Fun Times Soda Pop is Rutledge’s new passion project.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, joins Dane to talk about flu shots, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and answer questions from listeners.

A new installment of Two Truths and Eli, where Dane and crew have to figure out which news story is the fake one written by Eli, this one gets fishy.

Dane is joined by championship pitmaster Russ Lannom to talk about his hit series, Barbecue Country, and the grand finale of their holiday trilogy: the Labor Day Special! Discover what went down during the intense head-to-head backyard battles at historic Fiddler’s Grove.

Brian Eberle, host of the hit tattoo platform INKBOUND, and the incomparable Cleen Rock One, Ink Master champion and acclaimed artist, join Dean to talk about their craft and living the dream in Chicago.

Beef sandwich royalty, Joe Buonavolanto III check in with some news about the new The Bear inspired “The Beef Stand” the window from Buona Beef operating outside of the Rainbow Cone location in Wicker Park.

Dane caught up with legendary NHL analyst and Chicago native Eddie Olczyk to discuss his upcoming hosting duties for the V Foundation for Cancer Research Chicago Epicurean event on September 19th. Olczyk, who famously beat colon cancer in 2018, also opened up about his health and previewed the return of Patrick Kane to Chicago.

Acclaimed Chicago chef Matthias Merges joins the show to spotlight Pilot Light, a non-profit integrating food education into school classrooms. Merges shares how the program empowers kids to make healthier choices and previews the star-studded Feed Your Mind Gala, where top culinary talent unites to fight food inequity.

Next up, Dane catches up with longtime friend and Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman to talk about the origin of his nickname and his life in California. Duff also previews his first-ever live one-man show, “The Tao of Duff,” bringing an evening of comedy, storytelling, and baking to Chicago’s Bottom Lounge on November 12, 2026.

Dane travels across the globe with Forbes writer and Booze Newz host Hudson Lindenberger to map out the ultimate European hidden gem: Estonia. Hudson shares his firsthand adventures navigating Tallinn’s fairytale medieval Old Town and the country’s pristine wilderness, while giving listeners the inside scoop on Estonia’s surprisingly booming craft distillery and local spirits scene.

Towards the end of the show, Dane fires up the grill with world-champion pitmaster Tim Scheer of Blues Hog BBQ and salutes the return of football with former NFL player turned El Bandido Yankee Tequila co-founder Jim Bob Morris.

Closing out the show, Emmy-winning personal technology journalist Jennifer Jolly joins Dane to talk about Apple getting into the folding-phone business and what to expect at Apple’s big fall product show.

Wendy Snyder, Rob LaFrentz, in for Dave Schwan, Tony DeNardis and Eli Berk start the show trying not to get duped by AI and share some of their favorite fantasy football punishments.

Dr. Santina Wheat, Program Director, McGaw Northwestern Family Medicine Residency at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, joins Wendy for this week’s health update. They discuss the study that revealed at least 25% of NFL players who died in the last 5 years had CTE. They also discuss the potential links between sugary drinks and stomach cancer, and emphasize the need for moderation in food intake.

We return for the next installment of Two Truths and Eli, where Wendy and crew have to figure out which news story is the fake one written by Eli.

Big Brother celebrated the airing of its 1000th episode earlier this week, happening in the middle of the show’s 28th season. Season 1 cast member George “Chicken George” Boswell joins Wendy to talk about his experience at the live show and shares some of his favorite memories inside the Big Brother House.

The short film Driven was selected for the 2026 Chicago Underground Film Festival, and tickets have sold out instantly for its screenings. The movie’s directors, Max and Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, join Wendy to talk about what went into making the film and share stories about their father, Tony, who stars in the film and was a former radio co-host of Wendy. For more information, visit Pink Death Productions.

Eli Berk, sports producer, anchor, and producer of Wendy Snyder’s Sunday Morning, joins Wendy Snyder for the latest installment of Two Truths and Eli. Wendy and crew have to figure out which news story is the fake one written by Eli.