Wgn - The Brian Noonan Podcast

Brian and the crew banter about their St. Patrick’s Day antics, Brian gives a “Bow Tie Theatre Review” of Broadway in Chicago’s production of A Bronx Tale, and newsman Roger Badesch does another edition of Old Man Music History. Brian kicks off the show by discussing his adventures wearing the color green and having a green beard for St. Patrick’s Day weekend, including a few hilarious encounters with very curious people. Then, Brian gives a “Bow Tie Theatre Review” of […]

Brian Noonan, Cody Gough, and Roger Badesch reunite with their former overnight colleague, award-winning newscaster Christopher Michael. To kick off this web-exclusive podcast, Roger and Christopher reminisce about how they first met around 40 years ago. They talk about their past roles, including their interactions with Brian, and discuss what it was like working on different teams and in different time slots. The crew also talks about news standards in broadcasting, the growing role of podcasts, how being a journalist […]

Brian and Cody cover recent news stories, from the Jussie Smollett indictment to white privilege in the Paul Manafort case. Plus: Brian recaps his recent relaxing trips to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and Tampa, Florida, to get some sun. To kick off this web-exclusive podcast, Cody explains why Brian keeps opening shows by talking about scheduling, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the weird world of baseball programming and sports pre-emptions. Then, Brian brings up the Jussie Smollett case, and […]

Brian welcomes musical guests from the Irish American Heritage Center, who perform live in-studio and discuss upcoming St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Kathy O’Neill stops by from the Irish American Heritage Center with musicians Jack Sundstrom and Nora, Kate, and Ella Chambers from the Academy of Irish Music. The musicians discuss their training and how to learn to perform Irish music, and O’Neill discusses the upcoming St. Patrick’s Festival at the center.

Brian talks about his return to stand-up comedy. Then, Brian talks to his producer Cody and his wife about Verdi’s La Traviata and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Brian opens the show with a hilarious back and forth with “the team” about the opera and his experience watching the 1979 film The Warriors in theaters. Then, he talks about how he returned to the stand-up comedy stage for the first time in years, and explains how it went. After seeing […]

Learn about Mexican-style lager, saison, and porter beers from Revolution Brewing’s John Carruthers and Goose Island Brewery’s Jesse Valenciana. They join Brian in-studio to educate and entertain in this edition of “At the Breweries.” They discuss the latest news from their breweries and others around Chicagoland, then dig into some specific styles of beer. Some of the beers featured in their discussion: Mexican-style Lager Clean, crisp, and very refreshing. Modelo vs. Cruz Blanca Mexican Lager  Saison Spicy, effervescent, and complex. Saison DuPont vs. […]

Brian talks to Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge about finding true silence and sports memorabilia appraise Michael Osacky talks sports memorabilia. Plus: a Bow Tie Theatre Review of Dear Evan Hansen, and beer reviews on “At the Breweries.” Brian kicks off the show by talking to Cody Gough, his producer, about a recent science conference he attended, and why it’s hard to talk about science with the public. The crew also talk about their Valentine’s Day activities last week. Norwegian explorer […]

Brian talks to Chicago Bears superfan Don “Bearman” Wachter about getting into the inaugural Hall of Fans and writer Josh Noel talks store-brand beers. Plus: Tyler Jorstad from The Trotter Project stops by with Chef Ian Voakes to discuss an upcoming night of food and drink for a cause. Bears superfan Don “Bearman” Wachter calls Brian to talk about his inclusion as one of the first inductees into the Ford Hall of Fans museum at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He […]

Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico joins Brian in-studio to talk about one of the most pressing issues facing Chicagoans: dibs! He also talks about what he’d like to accomplish if elected mayor of Chicago, and discusses other more serious policy issues.

Brian talks about the severe winter weather in Chicago, from how to protect your home from the icy cold to why people choose to stay in a cold climate instead of move to warmer places. Plus: author Bryan Robinson discusses how to find a better work-life balance. To kick off the show, Brian talks about the severe winter weather and why some very bad luck on the road kept him home on Saturday. Kevin Powell then calls in with an […]

Brian gets a recap from Cody on the latest in consumer electronics and AI at CES 2019. Plus: modern dating tips from Smart Dating Academy founder Bela Gandhi, live music from Hodie Snitch, and more! To kick off the show, Brian gives an update on the partial government shutdown, which somehow becomes a conversation about Cody Gough, his producer, traveling with a machete whenever he flies anywhere new (he doesn’t). It’s a hilarious off-the-cuff way to kick off a full show! […]

Brian speaks with Jason Polevoi, Nick Jenkins, and Teddy Wachholz, the filmmakers behind the documentary, “F*** Your Hair: The Latin-Owned Brewery that Dumped Trump”. They speak with Brian about the remarkable story of a small Chicago-based brewery, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, and their choice to stop selling beer to the Trump Tower after his ugly remarks regarding Mexican Immigrants. You can purchase tickets to see their film HERE. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3585357/3585357_2019-01-13-201057.128.mp3

Brian chats with Rachel Herz, author of “Why You Eat What You Eat“, to talk about the human relationship with food, specifically our sensory, psychological, and neuro-scientific factors that influence our eating habits. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3585354/3585354_2019-01-13-200954.128.mp3

Brian Noonan chats with Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium, to discuss the upcoming Super Blood Wolf Moon and LunaPalooza at the Adler Planetarium. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3585355/3585355_2019-01-13-200955.128.mp3

Brian starts things off by discussing the ‘Cody Parkey’-inspired Goose Island #fieldgoalchallenge,  where the brewery ended up donating $20,000 to charity, since no one could beat the challenge! Then he speaks with Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium, to discuss the upcoming Super Blood Wolf Moon and LunaPalooza at the Adler Planetarium.  Then we speak with Rachel Herz, author of “Why You Eat What You Eat“, to talk about the human relationship with food, specifically our […]

Brian talks about the Bears in the playoffs, celebrities giving political speeches at awards ceremonies, online dating and privacy, and the implications of the partial government shutdown. To kick off the show, Brian talks to his producer, Cody Gough, about transportation between Chicago and Rockford. Why take a regional bus when you can rent a car? Then, WGN Radio’s Kevin Powell calls in from Soldier Field with a preview of the Bears playoff game. Brian continues talking about the Bears […]

Happy Friday! On today’s show, Brian Noonan takes the helm of the Roe Conn Show w/Anna Davlantes and kicks things off with former alderman/current mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti in-studio to discuss why he thinks Cook County Board President/mayoral candidate Toni Preckwinkle should step down from running for that office. ‘Sweet’ Lou Canellis gets you ready for this weekend’s Bears playoff game against the Eagles. The Canarble Wagon rolls out, a Top Five@5 you won’t believe, and Iron Horse Stops by […]

Top Five@5 for Friday, January 04, 2019: Senator Chuck Schumer and President Trump are still at odds over building a wall at the southern border which could result in a longer government shutdown. Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, after being sworn into congress uses profanity to express her feelings on the President. Netflix’s ‘Bird Box’ sets records for the streaming service. Kevin Hart spoke with Ellen DeGeneres about hosting the Oscars, and more! Follow your favorite Roe Conn Show characters […]

The campaign contribution that federal prosecutors allege Ald. Edward Burke requested as part of an extortion scheme was intended for Cook County Board President and Chicago mayoral candidate Toni Preckwinkle. Former alderman Bob Fioretti, who is also running for mayor, joins Brian Noonan (in for Roe Conn & Anna Davlantes) to explain why he is calling for Preckwinkle to drop out the mayoral race. Follow your favorite Roe Conn Show characters on Twitter Follow @RoeConn Follow @AnnaDavlantes Follow @WGNGoodBuyGirl Follow […]