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The Mincing Rascals

WGN Plus
Chicago
Donald Trump
Brandon Johnson
Illinois
Democratic National Convention
Chicago Teachers Union
ICE
Chicago Public Schools
Tariffs
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Joe Biden
Chicago Bears
JB Pritzker
Birthright Citizenship
Immigration
Chicago Police Department
Dexter Reed
Protests
Chicago City Council

John Williams and journalists from WGN Radio other Chicago media outlets discuss news of the week on The Mincing Rascals podcast from WGN Plus

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Mincing Rascals

Latest Episodes

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... more

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... more

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 Stev... more

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 po... more

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Recent Guests

Cate Plys
Publisher of Roseland Chicago, substack writer
Roseland Chicago
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 5.13.26: Attractions and distractions, the McStadium, gas prices, and the hantavirus
Steve Bertrand
Host of Steve Bertrand on Books; former WGN Radio News personality
WGN Radio / Steve Bertrand on Books
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 5.13.26: Attractions and distractions, the McStadium, gas prices, and the hantavirus
Jon Hansen
Panelist, Block Club Chicago; host of Lets Get Legal and Your Money Matters on WGN Radio
Block Club Chicago; WGN Radio
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 4.29.26: SAFE-T Act, WHCD shooting, Comey indictment
Austin Berg
Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center; author
Chicago Policy Center
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 4.29.26: SAFE-T Act, WHCD shooting, Comey indictment
Eric Zorn
Former Tribune columnist and publisher of The Picayune Sentinel on Substack
The Picayune Sentinel
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 4.22.26: State redistricting, millionaires tax, new Bears stadium
Marj Halperin
Award-winning journalist, pundit, communications specialist, and community activist
Independent journalist
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 4.22.26: State redistricting, millionaires tax, new Bears stadium
Gregory Pratt
Investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Episode: The Mincing Rascals 4.10.24: Dexter Reed shooting, Lightfoot Legacy, Dolton mayor controversy

Host

John Williams
Host of The Mincing Rascals; WGN Radio / WGN Plus

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 439 ratings
  • Stick to Chicago

    Love you guys, and have been listening for a decade or so. Your takes on Chicago news are priceless, and keep me in touch with my beloved hometown.

    But oh my lord, your Trump takes have me fast forwarding to keep me from turning you off altogether. Please stick to what you do best.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nerkgreg
    United Statesa month ago
  • REAL ID

    During today’s (Feb 11) session you talked about the SAVE America Act and drifted into the Real_ID. Steve mentioned (as I recall) that the process in applying for Real_ID was onerous, difficult. I beg to differ. I’ve been retired for over 14 years and got the Real_ID when I was not renewing my license. It took about 60-90 minutes. But I prepared by having all of the required documentation.

    And, John, did you say you still don’t have a Real_ID? I’m surprised!

    On a note of praise, I never mi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dave Wcislo
    United States4 months ago
  • Now is not the time for objectivity?!

    I found the Mincing Rascals as a libertarian/fiscal conservative Chicagoan looking for an outlet that highlighted the fiscal insanity that is Chicago and the state of Illinois. Typically I would rate this podcast a 4/5 stars for providing a forum for Austen Berg to provide fiscal insanity to the discussion with the other guests who personify the political decisions that pushed the city and the state into the fiscal quagmire that it’s in. Unfortunately, recently the guests (sans Austen) seem to b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    IamBartman
    United States6 months ago
  • Unfollowed

    Enjoy unfettered whinnying? Listen away. It would be nice to have both sides of the content offered. This is NOT Chicago. This is just and echo chamber for loud left crying and is completely intellectual dishonest. The level of spin is so rich it’s easy to see why they don’t want opposing views which would be easy to call them out. Do better!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TisMeLord
    United States9 months ago
  • Liberal Echo Chamber

    Last episode - look at how Kimmel's comments are parsed so thoroughly and cautiously by John Williams to try and absolve him from exactly what he was trying to say.

    Now compare that to how Zorn, Pope and that crazy loon Marge treat quotes/mis-quotes from Charlie Kirk.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Oske11
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critique perceived partisan bias; multiple episodes noted for strong liberal-leaning commentary.
Longtime fans value the mix of veteran journalists and fresh voices.
Listeners praise balanced, thoughtful discourse and wide range of topics.
Fans appreciate the moderator's ability to steer lively, informed debate without shouting.
Critiques often focus on occasional overemphasis on national politics at the expense of Chicago-specific issues.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Mincing Rascals 12.3.25: Northwestern deal, deadly boat strikes, Christkindlmarket capacity
Q: So now that Northwestern is a partner on this level with this administration, what are they going to have to do next?
I wish they had fought it, but I also understand why they didn't.
The Mincing Rascals 6.25.25: Mamdani wins, Pritzker running again, U.S strikes on Iran
Q: If JB Pritzker runs for president as a sitting governor, what are the strengths that he will campaign on?
He's going to say that the state's credit rating has been upgraded nine times during his tenure, that he has protected abortion access, that he's defended the sanctuary policies against Trump, that he has made the state's criminal justice system better by ending cash bail.
The Mincing Rascals 6.25.25: Mamdani wins, Pritzker running again, U.S strikes on Iran
Q: So is this going to be good for New York is one question. And maybe a bigger, more important question for us in Chicago even is, what is this signal for the roots of the Democrat Party nationwide?
That's one of the most fascinating races I've ever seen at any level of government.
The Mincing Rascals 6.25.25: Mamdani wins, Pritzker running again, U.S strikes on Iran
Q: Austin, tell us about the movie and your role in it.
The movie is called Drop Dead City. It's a documentary about how it's obviously referring to the news headline forward to City Drop Dead, which happened in 1975 when New York City was about to go bankrupt.
The Mincing Rascals 6.25.25: Mamdani wins, Pritzker running again, U.S strikes on Iran
Q: Austin, while you were gone once, Marj said that she's out there not just challenging authority, but trying to change the world. And we duly chastised her for stealing your...
You're not letting me take your life.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Mincing Rascals

What is The Mincing Rascals about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly panel discussion featuring Chicago journalists and policy analysts who dissect regional and national politics through a local lens. Episodes frequently cover state governance, urban policy, and media narratives, blending policy analysis with sharp banter on topics like elections, public safety, budgeting, and major Chicago developments. Noteworthy is the mix of seasoned local reporters and national commentators, which often yields a candid, opinionated, and data-informed conversation that ranges from hard policy to cultural touchpoints, all anchored by a moderator who steers brisk, respectful debate. This show is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy topical political analysis with a distinctly Chicago-centric viewpoint and a wil... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Mincing Rascals?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Mincing Rascals:

1. The Al Franken Podcast
2. Listening to America
3. Fresh Air
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of The Mincing Rascals are there?

The Mincing Rascals launched 11 years ago and published 102 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Mincing Rascals?

Recent guests on The Mincing Rascals include:

1. Cate Plys
2. Steve Bertrand
3. Jon Hansen
4. Austin Berg
5. Eric Zorn
6. Marj Halperin
7. Gregory Pratt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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