Say More with Mary Dixon & Patrick Smith
Say More with Mary Dixon & Patrick Smith
Pour a cup of coffee and jump into the conversation. Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith tee up the hot topics of the day, whether it’s tariffs, traffic, the Bears or “The Bear”, and ask what you think. Smart, funny and unmistakably Chicago, this is the show where your take matters.
Pour a cup of coffee and jump into the conversation. Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith tee up the hot topics of the day, whether it’s tariffs, traffic, the Bears or “The Bear”, and ask what you think. Smart, funny and unmistakably Chicago, this is the show where your take matters.
Dermatologists say a regular routine that includes cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen is essential for the optimal health of our largest organ.
While much different from menopause, men’s bodies also undergo hormonal changes as they age.
Montgomery Ward’s downtown store was a shopping destination for generations of Chicago. An Aurora man has unearthed a 1983 tape of sounds from the store.
Are the itchy ears menopause, or just an itch?
Solitude can be a good thing if you need some peaceful time to sit with your thoughts.
World Alzheimer’s Day aims to raise awareness about the disease and challenge stigma.
Some suburban residents have made clear their opposition to the proposed high-speed rail between the Loop and O’Hare.
State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke joins Say More to answer questions about prosecuting federal agents and protecting crime victims.
We’re a whole year old today! Mary and Pat look back on the first year of Say More with a live studio audience and special theatrical performance.
Also: Is TV better or worse when you binge it?
The anniversary comes amid revelations of a government cover-up of the toxic air quality in Lower Manhattan after the towers fell.
Corporate wellness programs are a popular way for businesses to maintain employee productivity by also maintaining their employees’ health.
The Printer’s Row Lit Fest is returning for its 41st weekend, with an extensive lineup of authors and speakers including the Chicago poet laureate.
On Sept. 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security launched the ICE operation known as Midway Blitz to target “Criminal Illegal Aliens Terrorizing Americans in Sanctuary Illinois.”
It’s the question in the air as Kanye West returns to Chicago for two sold-out shows.
President Trump’s effort to rename Lake Ontario prompted Say More to ask: What’s in a name?
From gap years to sabbaticals, students and professionals alike are considering extended breaks from their careers and education.
With the 119th Congress returning from its August recess, what issues should they be prioritizing?
From smart technology to bullet trains to green spaces, how can urban innovation reimagine Chicago?
It’s not just bars and shakes that offer an extra dose of protein these days. Now you can find protein-packed chips, popcorn, cookies and more.
Say More asks listeners, and Greta Johnsen, if there’s a difference between summer beach reads and autumn books.
The prolific performer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday at 80. World leaders and the general public are in mourning.
From cyclospora in lettuce to salmonella in jalapenos, Say More hears from listeners about how they’re being impacted by recent FDA food recalls.
Have you ever been influenced to do something you later regretted?
Summertime Chi is a vibe. This year, the vibes have been off.
Both premiums and dangerous weather are on the rise in Illinois.
The head of the city’s Streets and Sanitation Department takes listener calls about the terrors of the alleys.
Prepping for – and taking – the SAT and ACT can be expensive and stressful processes. But, some data show they’re more accurate predictors of future academic success than high school grades.
Illinois has more than 500 different species of spider, and their season has come.
Chicagoans prepared for the sights and sounds of the air demonstration show over the weekend.
As Flock cameras continue to crop up nationwide, we ask listeners if surveillance technologies make them feel safer.
The stakes are high this midterm election season.
If you had to move away (something we do not recommend), what would you do to experience the perfect last Chicago day?
We all want to go where everybody knows our name.
As the United States turns 250, Sun-Times reporter Stephanie Zimmermann shares insights from Lithuania’s young democracy.
Many families have a beloved dish – and a cook who won’t share the recipe. What’s yours?
You have to be intentional when it comes to maintaining friendships as an adult.
Snelling’s last day was Wednesday. Now the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability has to find his replacement.
It’s all about intentionality.
We want to know the tune that puts you in a “summertime and the livin’ is easy” kind of mood.
The Chicago Reader editor stops by with tips on how to have a summer on a budget, and also takes listener calls.
It’s been over a year since the Trump administration made cuts to the SNAP benefit program through H.R. 1, also referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
It’s been over a year since the Trump administration made cuts to the SNAP benefit program through H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Are you a deft chef or a gauche gourmet? Say More and “The Bear” co-executive producer Chef Courtney Storer listen to your culinary tales of triumph and tragedy.
According to Orkin Pest Control, Chicago is ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in mosquito activity over the last year. Yuck.
According to a new survey, only a third of Americans feel that “the American Dream” still holds true today.
This is a question for all the transplants. Say More hears from listeners about why they came to the area and stayed here.
John Mulaney is now the first comedian to sell out Wrigley Field with a show on Saturday, July 11.
Five people were killed and 23 were hospitalized in shootings, assaults or stabbings across the city during the long Fourth of July weekend, according to the Chicago Police Department.
New federal legislation modifying or eliminating some student loan repayment programs went into effect yesterday.
Actor, writer and star of ‘Parks and Recreation’ is back in Chicago with the new musical ‘Iceboy!’ at the Goodman Theatre.
The court upheld birthright citizenship, gave states the OK to bar transgender girls from playing on publicly funded sports teams and further loosened campaign finance laws.
According to a new AP NORC poll more than half of U.S. adults say they are targeted by scammers daily.
As summer fruits and vegetables ripen, we ask listeners to share stories of family recipes and preservation traditions.
Marking America’s 250th with NPR’s ‘StoryCorps’
Whether you’re a lifelong football fan, spend your weekends sitting on the sidelines of your kid’s soccer games, or you’re just a Ted Lasso fan, watching the World Cup in the U.S. has been a lot of fun.
Say More asks listeners what they would do if they were the mayor of Chicago.
Say More reminisces about road trips and summer vacations across the country.
School is out for the summer, so we invited everyone and their kids to the studio.
Say More listeners pitch why their hometowns are the best.
Joabe Barbosa, who completed his final run on Sunday, talks with Say More listeners about setting and accomplishing big goals
Advocates of reforms say term limits and expanding the number of justices could restore legitimacy while opponents caution that it would undermine the independence of the court.
say more - KENYA MERRITT
Illinois’ AG is in the hot seat! What do you want to ask him?
Air travel is more expensive and cramped than ever. Say More callers make suggestions for improving things, and question a Chicago-based United Airlines executive.
You can find public art in more than 150 municipal locations across Chicago, including airports, libraries and CTA stations.
SM - Bears in Indiana
Bioswales, permeable pavement and green roofs are just some examples of nature-based solutions to flooding and the urban heat-island effect.
How are you celebrating Pride in Chicago?
The world’s problems can sometimes feel too big, so “Say More” talks with Chicagoans and listeners who are joining together to solve them.
Chicago has long called itself a progressive city. Say More hears from residents about their thoughts.
Illinois spring legislative ends without vote on Bears stadium bill
Chicago’s beaches are now open, with lifeguards staffed at all 22 official beaches 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What would you ask Pope Leo XIV?
Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would provide housing for people leaving prison as well as a package of bills to address a statewide housing shortage.
music fests yay or nay
Meet Chicago’s new deputy mayor for community safety
What does the Chicago Federal Reserve do for you?
Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning with the firm Morningstar, answers listener questions.
A new book argues that just a bit more social connection can make a big difference for your mental health.
E-books and audiobooks account for nearly half of the budget at some libraries, but that could change under legislation being considered in Illinois.
How has COVID-19 changed the etiquette and economy of dining out?
Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell takes questions from WBEZ listeners
JJQ, a CPS 6th grader behind a viral rap about dinosaurs talks about the new album he made with his dad.
Today is the last day of National Nurses Week. Say More opens the phones to hear the stories of nurses stepping up for our communities.
A.I.? Data centers? Facial recognition? ‘Say More’ listeners discuss the tech that’s stressing them out
In addition to managing the state’s investments, the Treasurer’s office helps Illinoisans save, build an emergency fund, and strengthen financial literacy.
How are you coping with higher prices?
Say More talks with an expert, and with would-be expert callers, about the biggest civil engineering problems in the Chicago area.
Recent studies show that today’s youth are doing better than previous generations in a number of ways.
Listeners weigh in with their own housing hunts, the one-two punch of property taxes, and impact of rising home prices.
International Workers’ Day, or May Day, began as a fight for an eight-hour work day in the U.S. Now, there are calls for a general strike on May 1.
Prom, graduations, kids’ concerts and much more: Chicagoans weigh in on ‘Maycember’
Illinois business owners navigate system for tariff refunds
Good neighbors and strong communities can make for better economies and help respond to crises.
Security presence on the CTA will change after the agency ends its unarmed guard contract.
Health insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act plans have gone up about 25%, according to Illinois officials.
Chicago Public Library commissioner discusses books, branches, resources for readers and more
To celebrate Earth Day, ‘Sat More’ surfaces ideas for how to go green on Earth Day and beyond.
Say More about a Spring fling!
How are attitudes changing around the use of cannabis? WBEZ listeners weigh in.
What’s the status of vaccines right now?
What are your questions for an infectious disease expert?
Chicago on the president’s criticism of the pope
Joabe Barbosa, who is running every block in Chicago, talks to ‘Say More’ about what he’s learned and what he loves about Chicago.
The best-selling author of “Gone Girl” and “Sharp Objects” takes listener calls and shares her favorite mysteries and thrillers.
Cycling in the city: Say More’s spoke to nuts guide on biking Chicago
The Artemis II crew is set to return to Earth after journeying the farthest into space that any human ever has before.
The U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the heels of President Trump’s threat to end Iran’s civilization. Guests and WBEZ listeners weigh in.
The U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the heels of President Trump’s threat to end Iran’s civilization. Guests and WBEZ listeners weigh in.
College graduates are not OK
Ready to pop some tags? With seemingly everything on earth (including clothes) rising in price, Chicago-area thrift shops could be your answer.
Actor and writer Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard on ‘Ted Lasso’) returns home to Chicago with a new solo show at Steppenwolf Theatre.
Say More sits down with Chicago’s top watchdog
SAY MORE - LARRY SNELLING
Property tax call in with maria pappas
No Kings, war in Iran, SCOTUS: How are you handling the headlines?
Give us recommendations!
Should sports owners get stadium handouts?
Young people who used social media for more than five hours a day reported a lower level of happiness, according to the latest World Happiness Report.
After allegations were revealed of sexual assault and abuse at the hands of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, some Chicagoans are struggling with where to leave his legacy.
Mind the (pay) gap
What are your success – or horror stories – when it comes to cleaning a cluttered home?
The cost of ICE, and the cost of travel
We break down the numbers.
Efforts are well underway to answer voter questions – everything from where and how to vote, to what to do if intimidation occurs.
The award season has officially come to a close with what is being hailed as one of the tightest Oscar races in years.
Living wills are binding documents that lay out one’s medical wishes in the event of a medical condition that makes someone unable to speak.
‘Say More’ listeners give co-host Patrick Smith advice on turning 40 and discuss what decade is or was their favorite to live through.
We put listeners’ knowledge to the test.
Crafting can be a way to express your creativity, but it can also be a form of activism.
A UCLA study suggests that friendship provides a physical benefit to the way women handle stress, and can shape who we are.
Let’s go, girls: International Women’s Day is March 8.
From cabbage patches to your indoor spider plant, we take your questions and tips on how to start your spring garden
Happy birthday, Chicago – we love you!
A Chicago study reveals unique findings about who might commit a crime.
Why has there been a lack of accountability for Americans named in the Epstein files? What should we know about U.S. military strikes on Iran?
A Newsweek poll listed Chicago’s accent as being in the top 20 most endangered.
Gov. JB Pritzker re-proposed his possible state-wide ban on cell phones in school
Chicago Sun-Times national politics reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ listeners share their takeaways from the president’s State of the Union address.
The future is now thanks to delivery robots.
Saving babies from drowning, putting out fires, and bike rescues: there are heroes around every corner of the city.
A look at the pattern of white nationalist rhetoric coming from the White House.
A look at the pattern of white nationalist rhetoric coming from the White House
ARC Gallery in West Town is posing this question.
‘Say More’ explores the ways people are voicing their frustrations with the government.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, is the start of many celebrations around the world!
Grocery prices are going up, and product sizes are going down. What are you doing to cope with both inflation and shrinkflation?
Have you ever had a grand romantic gesture go terribly wrong?
What’s contributing to Chicago’s stark youth unemployment numbers?
Experts are going ‘round and round’ trying to decide if roundabouts can take the place of traditional intersections in the city.
Early voting is underway ahead of the Illinois primary on March 17, 2026.
The Winter Games have begun. ‘Say More’ talks to a family member of a local Olympian and a local reporter covering the events in Italy.
The Chicago Park District is inviting residents to weigh in on park needs and to identify potential improvements.
After a huge drop in crime in 2025, Chicago started off 2026 with crime rates falling even further. ‘Say More’ talks about what lessons we can learn from the progress.
Facing rising operational costs and competition from big businesses, beloved neighborhood spots are getting creative and advocating for longer-term solutions.
Running in 20-degree weather. Biking during a snow storm. Surfing on Lake Michigan in January. These are just some examples of how far some Chicagoans will go to stay active in the winter.
GROUNDHOG DAY
Deadly ICE activity in Minneapolis has sparked calls within the halls of government to not give the Department of Homeland Security more money without major reforms.
What’s Your Favorite Protest Song?
‘Say More’ explores the ways online communities are encouraging people to unplug and reset with non-digital hobbies.
Could joining a club or organization be the key to saving American democracy?
‘Say More’ explores what a $1.5 billion overhaul approved in Springfield will look like for transit riders in Chicago’s city and suburbs.
In honor of Oscars season, Say More asks, what is the greatest movie set in the city?
New year, new job?
What should Say More say more about?
How has the first year of the second Trump term affected Chicago and Illinois?
Alcohol consumption among Americans is at a new low.
Rising costs of living are making student loan default more common. Here’s how to avoid defaulting on your loans, and what to do if you can’t.
Maybe breaking your resolutions isn’t so bad
Chicago, we’ve gathered here together…
January and February can be a real drag, so Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith ask listeners for their go-to activities to fight off the winter blues.
Chicagoans’ Saturday night plans will involve either accommodating or counter-programming the Bears vs. Packers wild-card game at Soldier Field.
USDA has turned the food pyramid upside down
The rate of violent crime dropped significantly in Chicago in 2025, but there’s still room for improvement. Listeners weigh in.
‘Exercise more’ and ‘spend less’ are among the most common resolutions in the new year – but what about more fun, silly or even weird goals for 2026?
How to get people to connect and understand each other on polarizing issues.
In a year full of breaking news headlines, trending pop culture moments and the constant fluctuation of daily life, ‘Say More’ talks “roses” and “thorns” for 2025.
Say More provides a first listen to the new podcast “Becoming Bovino” – about the origins of the Border Patrol Commander-at-large Gregory Bovino.
Da Bears, Da Stadium, Da Penny
Mary Dixon, Araceli Gomez-Aldana and Sasha-Ann Simons discuss their not-so-guilty pleasures from the Bravo reality TV universe.
How do I make my home more sustainable?
Say More welcomes NPR and Pink Martini star Ari Shapiro and the Goodman Theater’s alternate Scrooge, Chiké Johnson, with “Frida”, Amira Danan, to the WBEZ performance studio.
Say More hosts discuss their favorite movies of the year and ask you to weigh in and recommend films to watch during the holiday break.
We talk best new books, and listener favorites with a former WBEZ superstar.
One-time NPR host David Greene talks sports in America and running his hometown newspaper.
What makes you happy? We spoke to one local writer who asked people around the world how they find happiness every day.
Do you wait in line for Christkindlmarket? Do you check out a holiday production? Say More hosts sit down with a WBEZ reporter who did the hard work of putting together a comprehensive holiday activity guide. We also ask you, the listener, about your favorite December activities.
The Workers Who Make Chicago Work
The Chicago area was hit with its first big snowstorm of the season on Small Business Saturday. ‘Say More’ discusses what you can do to support local shops this winter.
Think about the Loop. Now think about what it could be 20 years from now. What does it look like?
‘Say More’ opens the phones to hear how things went for listeners over the Thanksgiving holiday.
‘Say More’ gets tips on communicating across generations.
It’s Generations Week on ‘Say More.’ Today, we discuss what you respect about other generations.
Do you identify with your generation?
Getting into the holiday spirit of volunteering
The average age for first-time homebuyers is now 40. What does that mean for the American dream?
How are Chicagoans combating climate change every day?
A bioethicist and WBEZ listeners discuss ‘medical aid in dying’ bill
Lessons learned from Operation Midway Blitz
Comedian, writer and frequent Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me guest Hari Konabolu returns to Chicago to tape a new comedy special.
The liberal label: how’d it become a political insult?
The House could vote Wednesday on a deal to end the government shutdown — and it won’t include an extension of ACA subsidies.
‘Say More’ speaks with veterans about how Veterans Day feels this year during an increase in military presence in U.S. cities
SAY MORE 11-10-25, GOV SHUTDOWN AND BEST RESTAURANTS
The news and threat of immigration raids in the Chicago area raises the question: How should adults talk about it with kids?
‘Say More’ takes calls on the impact private equity has had on Chicago, and talks with Megan Greenwell, author of Bad Company, Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream.
Democratic wins, immigration enforcement, Cubs gold gloves and the Chicago band Tortoise
Cricketers send help to Jamaica; Feds have eyes on us Producers:
The hazards of springing forward and falling back.
Happy Halloween Chicago!
Worth $1 billion of ticket sales in North America annually, horror movies have staying power.
John Waters is screening his film “Serial Mom” at Governors State University on Halloween. Say More checks in with the “Pope of Trash.”
Illinois brings in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue per year from bets. How might NBA gambling scandal impact betting here?
Say More asked you: what do you think about the federal government making it harder for folks who want to become U.S. citizens?
Bighead carp, Black carp, and Grass carp were introduced to Arkansas fish farms to limit algae growth, but some escaped, making their way to rivers in Illinois.
What's your go-to remedy for the sniffles?
‘Say More’ explores how communities are working to support immigrant-owned businesses during Operation Midway Blitz.
Ever forced yourself to have a tough talk with someone in your life and found success? ‘Say More’ discusses how to have difficult conversations.
Chicago turns out for No Kings demonstrations. Plus, are you taking part in ‘Sober October’?
Colleges have been at the center of much of the so-called cancel culture debate in recent years and are now in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.
Columbia College professor and Second City director Anne Libera talks about bulking up your funny bone and how comedy.
No Kings marches are planned around the Chicago area this weekend. Plus, Open House Chicago grants access to 210 sites not always open to the public.
As Illinois lawmakers head back to Springfield for the fall veto session, a $200 million ‘transit cliff’ looms large.
say more 10-13-25 revolutions
Lincoln Park Ald. Timmy Knudsen has introduced an ordinance that would give restaurants the option to allow diners to bring their dog inside.
How is the government shutdown affecting you?
Tensions continue to rise in the Chicago area after the National Guard arrived in the suburbs and President Trump called for Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson to be jailed.
Kapwa is a core value of indigenous Filipino psychology. It centers the sense of a shared identity and mutual responsibility with the people around you.
say more 10-6 national guard
“As young people, having a voice is so important,” says Parker Mason, program director at Radio DePaul.
Q Brothers bring hip-hop ‘Julius Caesar’ to Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Plus, will the Cubs advance?
For the first time in almost seven years, the federal government is shut down, impacting more than 150,000 federal employees in Illinois.
Chicago, what do you think of AI?
As the White House paints Chicago as a crime capital, recent data shows murders over the summer were the lowest they’ve been in 60 years.
Who do you trust when it comes to vaccine guidance?
ICE RAIDS, JEFF TWEEDY
As it gets cooler, how do people with different social batteries get the right amount of socializing? Plus, it’s spider season.
Who do you trust when it comes to vaccine guidance?
As we mark the official start of fall, we ask Chicagoans what their idea of the perfect fall day in and around the city is.
listeners weigh in on forgiveness and atonement
Hey old pal! On finding former friends years later
‘Wrigley food sucks,’ ‘Chicago winters rule’: What’s YOUR Chicago hot take?
Can bystanders do more than just stand by during an ICE encounter? What are your legal rights if you witness someone being detained?
Many Mexican Independence Day celebrations continued despite increased ICE activity in and around Chicago.
WBEZ’s launch of its new talk show ‘Say More’ is a major transition for the station. In the first episode, Mary Dixon and Patrick talk with listeners about the transitions and changes in their lives.