Dean Richards

From the temperature of your butter, to the difference between oil and extract, Chef John Abels, Lead Instructor at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, gives listeners tips on baking for Christmas. This time, we focus on creative cookie recipes.

Elton Jim stops by the studio to describe the styles in which Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and The Lion King are being produced, and what makes them special. That and some Dean-and-Elton Jim hi-jinks as usual.

The girls of the Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School A Cappella choir visit Dean in the Allstate Showcase Studio, just six days before their voyage to Rome to sing for the Pope.

Actor Eddie Redmayne shares his emotional experiences playing Lili Elbe in “The Danish Girl.”

Lobster Gram Chairman and Founder Dan Zawacki shares with us what makes his Maine lobster packages special, along with his decadent chocolate lava cake. The Spice House Owner Tom Erd tells you ways in which his spices can be used to add even more flavor to that special foodie’s holiday. Lou Malnati’s can ship a homemade Chicago-style pizza anywhere in the country without it losing freshness. And finally, Eataly‘s Beatrice Bernasconi shares why the Italian panettone is a great gift […]

13-year-old Michael Harp plays Ralphie and Philip E. Johnson plays the older Ralphie in Paramount Theatre‘s musical adaptation of “A Christmas Story.” Michael and Philip talk about their views from the stage, from the Chop Suey Chinese Palace that inspires audience woos, to the infamous flag pole that prompts a burst of laughter.  Then, Michael and Philip perform the Red Ryder BB Gun song in-studio.

Dean is joined by Chicago’s own Rhymefest and Chicago’s artistic leaders of tomorrow from Donda’s House. They have a round-table discussion on gun violence in Chicago and Spike Lee’s film adaptation of it in Chi-Raq.

From a menorah workshop, to Hannukah bowling, DNAInfo.com Reporter Linze Rice gives you new activities and foods to enjoy this Hannukah.

Dean gives his review on the newly released “Chi-Raq” movie. Listeners weigh in on the idea of making a movie that highlights Chicago’s gun violence.

You remember him from ABC Network’s “Nightline.” News Legend Ted Koppel joins Dean to talk about the threat on the American power grid that inspired his book, Lights Out.

Author and Critic-at-Large Phil Potempa tells you where in Chicago to get your holiday theater fix this season! From Elf: The Musical to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,  Phil shares what makes each one worth your while.

Metacritic.com Film Editor Keith Kimbell gives you what you can watch at home this month with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.

Eli’s Cheesecake Owners Marc and Maureen Schulman join Dean in-studio to talk about their new cookbook, which includes the stroopwafel cheesecake. That’s a collaboration with Jeff and Spencer Tweedy. Here’s how you can simultaneously eat Eli’s Cheesecake and learn to make it yourself.

You know him from “Fantastic Four,” ‘Friday Night Lights” and more. Actor Michael B. Jordan shares his experiences working with Sylvester Stallone in the movie, “Creed.” Here’s how he prepared for this fighter movie.

Artists Giving Back and AIDS Foundation of Chicago share with Dean why they teamed up for World AIDS Day. Artists Giving Back perform in-studio a song you might recognize from Rent. See them Tuesday at the Athenaeum Theatre, and then eat some chocolate at World of Chocolate 2015, which commemorates World AIDS Day.