The Mincing Rascals
John Williams and journalists from WGN Radio other Chicago media outlets discuss news of the week on The Mincing Rascals podcast from WGN Plus
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- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
250 to 2.3K🎙 ~2x weekly·99 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
500 to 4.5K🇺🇸100% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
275 to 2.5K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28/26 | The Mincing Rascals 10.28.26: Alaska Senate race controversy, midterm predictions, millionaire tax, hotel strike | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast discussing their predictions for the midterm elections. Next, the Rascals discuss the New York Times […] | — | ||||||
| 10/21/26 | The Mincing Rascals 10.21.26: Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals start the podcast talking about Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial attack ad featuring his Democratic […] | — | ||||||
| 10/14/26 | The Mincing Rascals 10.14.26: New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. This week the Rascals open the podcast talking about the biggest issue of the week…Kelly Clarkson v. Art of Play. Who is on […] | — | ||||||
| 10/7/26 | The Mincing Rascals 10.7.26: Sox fever, Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast with White Sox Fever! Next, the Rascals break down President Trump’s controversial comments about the war in Iran, and saying, ‘let […] | — | ||||||
| 9/30/26 | The Mincing Rascals 9.30.26: AI meeting, parking meter deal, Jack Smith hearing, midterm election | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. This week the podcast begins with Jon Hansen’s recap of his work at the Presidents Cup golf tournament and having the opportunity to […] | — | ||||||
| 9/23/26 | The Mincing Rascals 9.23.26: White House media ban, Pritzker weight loss, Chicago School Board election | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast talking about some sports related boners, both old and new. Moving on to […] | — | ||||||
| 9/16/26 | The Mincing Rascals 9.16.26: Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast this week talking about the controversial new Medical Aid in Dying law in Illinois. Where are […] | — | ||||||
| 9/9/26 | The Mincing Rascals 9.9.26: 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about Michigan’s controversial win over Western Michigan over the weekend. As a Michigan alum, Eric feels bad […] | — | ||||||
| 9/2/26 | The Mincing Rascals 9.2.26: Flock cameras, Chicago crime, Lake Ontario, Mayor Johnson’s future | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast by congratulating Rascal Brandon Pope on his new gig at FOX32! […] | — | ||||||
| 8/26/26 | The Mincing Rascals 8.26.26: Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room (stay tuned for some BIG news from Brandon). This week, the Rascals begin the podcast honoring the life and legacy […] | — | ||||||
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| 8/19/26 | The Mincing Rascals 8.19.26: CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the  Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast talking about the CTU filing a defamation lawsuit against the Illinois Policy Institute (as well as […] | — | ||||||
| 8/12/26 | The Mincing Rascals 8.12.26: Pope Hat night, Karoline Leavitt leaving, Trump plane swap, Wisconsin election | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about why Cate thinks the Air & Water Show is stupid and dangerous. What about […] | — | ||||||
| 8/5/26 | The Mincing Rascals 8.5.26: Chris Welch apology, rise of democratic socialists, Todd Blanche AG nomination | 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 start the podcast this week talking about Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch apologizing for his actions that made a staffer uncomfortable […] | — | ||||||
| 7/29/26 | The Mincing Rascals 7.29.26: Dr. Fauci testimony, 2028 presidential race, school cellphone ban, city-owned grocery stores | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room. This week, the Rascals begin the podcast talking about President Trump’s speech at […] | — | ||||||
| 7/22/26 | The Mincing Rascals 7.22.26: Chicago air quality, national anthem protocol, SAVE Act | 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 talking a bit about the new book, ‘Regime Change,’ and the smoke-filled air that has been hanging around Chicago. […] | — | ||||||
| 7/15/26 | The Mincing Rascals 7.15.26: Ballot access rules, ICE bodycam requirements, the county succession movement | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg (on his birthday), Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack and Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast by talking about government transparency regarding the health and welfare […] | — | ||||||
| 7/8/26 | The Mincing Rascals 7.8.26: Mayoral race, Mitch McConnell health, World Cup controversy | 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 […] | — | ||||||
| 7/1/26 | The Mincing Rascals 7.1.26: Supreme Court decisions, Chicago mayoral election, assault weapons ban, super-speeder law | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals kick off the podcast by discussing and dissecting the Supreme Court decisions on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, mail-in ballots, and presidential power. Next, the […] | — | ||||||
| 6/24/26 | The Mincing Rascals 6.24.26: World Cup fever, SAVE Act, gun violence prevention | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack. The Rascals start the podcast with a case of World Cup fever […] | — | ||||||
| 6/17/26 | The Mincing Rascals 6.17.26: Grant Park cross burning, UFC controversy, Obama Center opens | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about the man who allegedly burned a cross in Grant Park. What do the Rascals […] | — | ||||||
| 6/10/26 | The Mincing Rascals 6.10.26: Trump on ‘Meet the Press,’ Graham Platner, Bears stadium location, ‘Broadview 6’ grand jury transcript | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about two interviews that were making news this week: Scott Pelley’s interview with the New York […] | — | ||||||
| 6/3/26 | The Mincing Rascals 6.3.26: Scott Pelley fired, Bears stadium saga, Mendoza running | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals kick off the podcast discussing CBS firing ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley. What is the biggest takeaway from this […] | — | ||||||
| 5/27/26 | The Mincing Rascals 5.27.26: Anti-Weaponization Fund, Texas primary runoff, Broadview Six, CTU dues hike effort | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start this week’s podcast talking about the Trump administration creating a $1.776 billion fund to pay people […] | — | ||||||
| 5/20/26 | The Mincing Rascals 5.20.26: Pritzker v. Johnson, PCA v. Sox fan, Massie v. Trump | The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about the feud between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker over the Bears stadium and other issues in […] | — | ||||||
| 5/13/26 | The Mincing Rascals 5.13.26: Attractions and distractions, the McStadium, gas prices, and the hantavirus | The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel,  Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals start with the attractions and distractions of Donald Trump from musing about Venezuela as the 51st […] | — | ||||||
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