Current Affairs Unfiltered

Meet Patrick Hanley. Northbrook native, community organizer, and newly minted target of Chaya Raichik’s online outrage machine. In this conversation, Patrick discusses his background growing up in Northbrook, Illinois, and how it shaped his vision for public service. He emphasizes the importance of state politics, grassroots organizing, and community engagement. Patrick shares his experiences running for office, the challenges he faces, and his commitment to environmental sustainability. He also addresses federal overreach, the significance of the 10th Amendment in the fight of government overreach, and the need for accountability in federal enforcement. Throughout the discussion, he expresses hope for democracy and the resilience of communities in the face of challenges.

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Paige sits down with  Bushra Amiwala, congressional candidate for Illinois' 9th district as she shares her journey as a young political leader, discussing her experiences running for office, the importance of integrity in campaigning, and her commitment to community-driven policies. She emphasizes the need for educational reform through her 'Books Not Bombs' initiative, the challenges posed by AI in the job market, and her approach to immigration reform. Throughout the discussion, Bushra highlights the power of community and collective action in driving change.

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Relevant articles:

Chicago Tribune: Texas House Democrats accept Skokie official’s invite to north suburban mosque 

Chicago Magazine: This Gen Z Congressional Candidate Is Actually From Here 

Evanston Now: Amiwala hosts Texas Dems for prayer service 

HerCampus Media: Bushra Amiwala was the First Gen Zer Elected into Office. Now, She's Running for Congress

Journal Topics: Bushra Amiwala Of Skokie Announces Run For 9th Congressional District 

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, host Paige shares her firsthand experience at the nationwide No Kings protest on October 18th, 2025, a day that reignited hope and solidarity across millions of Americans. Paige reflects on the power of collective action and what it felt like to stand shoulder to shoulder with people who refuse to accept creeping authoritarianism. She breaks down the right-wing panic that surrounded the protests, debunking the fearmongering and absurd narratives that followed. Through humor, insight, and honesty, Paige explores why peaceful protest still matters and how movements like No Kings can spark lasting civic engagement long after the signs come down. Learn how to get involved and act on it!

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Paige sits down with Karen Boyd, the director of research at the Policy & Innovation Center, for a conversation about the rise of artificial intelligence: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s reshaping the way we live and work. Together, they unpack AI’s basic principles and cut through common misconceptions that fuel both hype and fear. The discussion moves beyond the buzzwords to explore how automation and machine learning are transforming the job market, demanding new skills, and redefining professional responsibility.

Paige and Karen also examine the ethical and legal questions surrounding AI’s use across sectors from Silicon Valley’s profit-driven innovations to nonprofit and humanitarian applications that aim to serve the public good. Along the way, they highlight the enormous promise of AI in fields like healthcare, research, and personal growth, while confronting the real risks of bias, misuse, and the growing gap between technology and human understanding.

This conversation challenges listeners to think critically about what “responsible AI” really means — and how we can ensure that progress serves people, not the other way around.

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Lets get messy! (literally).

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered Paige tries to hold together her own thoughts while everything unravels. First: a government shutdown but maybe not the typical gridlock story. Then: Trump has deployed Texas National Guard troops into Illinois, and attempted to do the same in Portland injecting the military into domestic politics in a move that should make every American uneasy. Not to mention, ICE terrorizing anyone it can find in and around Chicago. And finally: in Broadview, Illinois, federal enforcement and local protests collide, pushing civil liberties to their breaking points.

This isn’t a neat analysis episode. It’s frantic and emotional. Because I don’t have all the answers but I know this is a moment where we have to see what’s happening before it’s too late.

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Helpful articles:

Democrats win Momentum over GOP in Shutdown Fight

Opinion Piece by IL-4 Representative Lilian Jiménez

Chicago Pastor Shot with Pepper Bullet

Immigration Agents Become Increasingly Aggressive in Chicago

Broadview Mayor Limits Protest Time

In this conversation, Kevin Ryan, candidate for one of Illinois' Senate seats, discusses his motivations for running for the U.S. Senate, emphasizing the need for a hard reset in the Democratic Party following Trump's presidency. He highlights the challenges faced by outsiders in politics, the importance of campaign finance reform, and the need for a humane immigration policy. Ryan critiques the influence of money in politics and advocates for term limits and age limits for politicians. He also addresses the complexities of U.S. support for Israel and the necessity of a two-state solution. Ultimately, Ryan envisions a future where campaign finance reform is achieved, allowing for a more representative democracy.

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In this episode, Paige discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk, exploring the political and social ramifications of the event. Make no mistake, we are on the precipice of something scary, and it's okay to admit that. She delves into the reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, the role of social media in amplifying extremist views, and the implications of cancel culture in the aftermath of Kirk's death. The conversation highlights the dangers of political violence, the erosion of civil discourse, and the need for a nuanced understanding of free speech in today's polarized environment.

Now is the time to use your first amendment rights. Stand up, use your voice, do not let anyone silence you. 

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Ta-Nehisi Coates Vanity Fair Article: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/charlie-kirk-ezra-klein-tanehisi-coates?srsltid=AfmBOoqVDkAWDjCDZzlvKppEwBvEttK-Y8OLlL5xnLPiU2aAvBbxc9bl

CATO Institute article on extremism: https://www.cato.org/blog/politically-motivated-violence-rare-united-states

In this conversation, Matthew Adams, Democratic candidate for California's 9th assembly district, shares his journey into politics, discussing his motivations for running for the California Assembly and the challenges he faces as a candidate. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the complexities of navigating local and national political issues, and the impact of California's new redistricting plan on representation. Matthew also offers insights into the opportunities for reform, particularly in campaign finance, and encourages aspiring politicians to overcome their fears and get involved. The discussion highlights the evolving political landscape in California and the hope for a more engaged electorate.

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Matthew's Campaign Website:  sites.google.com/view/adams4assembly/home

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In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige discusses the recent deployment of the National Guard in (potentially) Chicago and Washington D.C., the beating of a dead horse surrounding Trump's obsession with voter ID and mail-in voting policies, and significant changes in CDC leadership affecting vaccine policies. The conversation highlights the normalization of federal intervention in local matters, the political motivations behind these actions, and the implications for public health and safety. Paige also touches on legal challenges to Trump's tariffs and the broader political landscape as the midterms approach.

In this conversation, former Turning Point USA Staffer Caroline sits down with Paige and shares her journey from growing up in a conservative household in Texas and working for TPUSA to becoming a progressive. She discusses the early influences that shaped her political beliefs, her experiences with Turning Point USA, and the ideological crisis she faced during Trump's campaign. Caroline emphasizes the importance of questioning one's beliefs and finding community after leaving a tightly-knit ideological group. She expresses hope for the future and the power of civic engagement in creating change.

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Check out Caroline's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babyblue.tx