Episodes

  • Illinois Primary Results: Pritzker "Stranglehold" on the Democratic Party and Republicans "Ongoing Descent Into Irrelevance"

    Illinois Primary Results: Pritzker "Stranglehold" on the Democratic Party and Republicans "Ongoing Descent Into Irrelevance"
    Mar 21 2026
    Patrick Pfingsten, author of The Illinoize political newsletter, radio host, and TV commentator, talks about the results of the Illinois primary election, including national impacts, statewide outcomes and analysis of a key local Republican race in the QC region.
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    29 mins
  • GOP Congressional Candidate: "Power Bills Have Become Like a Second Mortgage; Have to Get Under Control"

    GOP Congressional Candidate: "Power Bills Have Become Like a Second Mortgage; Have to Get Under Control"
    Mar 13 2026
    Dillan Vancil, Republican Candidate for Congress in Illinois' 17th District, talks about why he's running, his background and experience, key issues facing voters in the district, and why he's the better candidate to face incumbent Eric Sorenson.
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    28 mins
  • Economic Populism Sells in the Heartland According to Working Class Political Expert

    Economic Populism Sells in the Heartland According to Working Class Political Expert
    Mar 6 2026
    Jared Abbott, director of the Center for Working Class Politics, talks about the realignment of working class voters to the Republicans and Trump, how Democrats can win them back, the importance of proper messaging and language, the tie between economic and cultural issues, and presidential candidates with the most appeal to working class voters.
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    29 mins
  • Global Trade is a "Double-edged Sword" for American Farmers

    Global Trade is a "Double-edged Sword" for American Farmers
    Feb 28 2026
    Brian Reisinger, author of Land Rich, Cash Poor, talks about the US ag economy, the impact of tariffs and globalization, bailout funding, foreign purchases of US land, impact of immigration restrictions, the latest on the Farm Bill, fewer heirs taking over farms, and the political impact of the slumping farm economy in this year's midterm elections.
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    29 mins
  • Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon: "Our Politics Changed More Than Our People"

    Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon: "Our Politics Changed More Than Our People"
    Feb 21 2026
    Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) talks about how he was able to win two terms in his Red state, his advice to the Democratic Party in winning working class and rural voters, how to repair the damaged party brand, his favorite '28 presidential candidates and more.
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    29 mins
  • Skyrocketing Utility Costs Are a "Crisis" That Need Addressed in Springfield

    Skyrocketing Utility Costs Are a "Crisis" That Need Addressed in Springfield
    Feb 14 2026
    Josh Higgins, Republican candidate for the 94th State Representative in Illinois, talks about his candidacy, his background, key issues, and much more.
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    28 mins
  • Norine Hammond Seeks Reelection to 94th Illinois House District Based on Experience, Results

    Norine Hammond Seeks Reelection to 94th Illinois House District Based on Experience, Results
    Feb 7 2026
    Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) talks about her state representative district, her background, why she is seeking reelection, key issues, including affordability, ethics and downstate roads, and much more.
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    29 mins
  • The Threat of Tech Platforms to Our Economy and Democracy

    The Threat of Tech Platforms to Our Economy and Democracy
    Jan 31 2026
    Timothy Wu, professor at Columbia Law School and former White Houseadvisor on tech and competition policy, talks about his new book, The Age of Extraction: How Tech Platforms conquered the Economy and Threaten Our Future Prosperity. We discuss the initial promise of the Internet and what went wrong, how tech platforms choked off competition, platform power in health care and housing, the role of "couch lock" and convenience in creating dependency, whether AI will break platform monopoly power or extend it, the implications for our economy and democracy, and recommendations on how to address platform monopoly power.
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    29 mins