After Hours with Rick Kogan

Actor Gary Houston and writer June Sawyers join Rick Kogan to discuss ‘Talking to Harry Smith at the Chelsea Hotel (A Musical…of Sorts)’, which stars Gary and was written by June. The play will be performed on November 14th at 2:30 p.m. at Grace Place at Grace Episcopal Church and November 15th-22nd at The Galway […]

Rick Kaempfer, co-founder and publisher of Eckhartz Press, joins Rick Kogan to discuss the success of Eckhartz Press, how the company was founded, books they have published for Chicago media personalities, how many submissions they receive each month, the state of the publishing business, and working with Tony Fitzpatrick on his book and getting it […]

Freelance writer and novelist Robert Chiarito joins Rick Kogan to talk about his upcoming novel that is being drafted, what compelled him to write fiction, his writing routines while balancing a staggered freelance schedule, and how he met the late great Tony Fitzpatrick.

John Soss and Jon Langford join Rick Kogan to discuss ‘SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: Words, Songs & Poems of TONY FITZPATRICK’, a show the three are collaborating on to honor the late great Tony Fitzpatrick. The show takes place November 18th and 19th at 8:00 PM at Constellation Chicago.

Rick Pearson, Chief Political Reporter for the Chicago Tribune, joins Rick Kogan to talk politics ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections on Tuesday, November 5th. Pearson explains why this election is unique, how polls have changed over the decades, whether people still care about what the newspapers say about politics, what it will take for […]

Journalist and media personality Candace Jordan joins Rick Kogan to discuss the state of parties, events, and news across Chicago. Candace talks about Maria Pappas throwing her hat in the ring for Chicago mayor, why she thinks people don’t vote in every election, Chicago’s West Loop, The ExPIERience Gala honoring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, a Gary Sinise […]

Kerry Kennedy joins Rick Kogan to discuss her new book about her mother, ‘Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy’. Kerry talks about the book’s rapid success, how her mother’s life story resonates with people today, persevering through tough times, how she wants her mother to be remembered, and what she will be doing […]

Filmmaker John Borowski joins Rick Kogan to discuss his role in the ‘Serial Killer: The Original Exhibition’, which takes place in Chicago, and his love for making horror films. John explains why we are fascinated by serial killers, what visitors can see at the exhibition, and his interest in expanding to creating serial killer feature […]

Mike Saad, Cordis Heard, and Mary Griswold join Rick Kogan to talk about their book, ‘Scream! Bleed! Take Off Your Clothes!: Stuart Gordon and Chicago’s Organic Theater Company’. The group discusses how this book came together, how fun it was to share their stories with others, and which Organic show each of them would go […]

Karen Conti, Chicago trial attorney, joins Rick Kogan to highlight her book, ‘Killing Time with John Wayne Gacy: Defending America’s Most Evil Serial Killer on Death Row’. Karen will have a book signing on October 30th from 3-7 p.m. at Cinespace Studios in Chicago. Karen also talks about ‘Serial Killer: The Original Exhibition’, how she […]