Features Podcast

President Trump plays a campaign-style sizzle reel in the White House briefing room in a failed effort to rebrand his coronavirus response. Dr. Fauci pulls back from the chopping block and a dizzying feedback loop of news coverage distracts from hard truths.

Joe Biden struggles to stay relevant in the confines of his basement as the federal government scrambles to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The former vice president works to find his footing with a virtual campaign and tests a new strategy: making peace with President Trump.

 

President Trump feuds with more Democratic governors as coronavirus cases soar in more states. The president touts rapid testing and reverses course on his “back to business” timeline as the My Pillow CEO calls for prayer in the Rose Garden and Sesame Street joins the battle against the disease.

With cases of coronavirus surging across the country, President Trump shifts his focus to the economy and vows to restart it “very soon”. The president and Illinois’ governor feud online, then make peace as ventilators sell to the highest bidders.

As millions of Americans practice "social distancing" in the safety of their homes and fears grow over the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, those who have recovered from the virus are sharing their stories. Recovering patients describe their symptoms, lack of testing and why panic is the worst response.

Co-Founder and CEO at Chicago-based TruePublic, Kaben Clauson, describes how the company is revolutionizing public polling with an engaging new mobile app. Clauson breaks down the dangerous impact of “cancel culture” and explains the importance of asking controversial questions as the 2020 election approaches.

Co-Founder and Chief of Staff at Chicago-based Fyllo, Aristotle Loumis, explains how the company is helping emerging marijuana brands navigate a vast array of regulations on the state and local levels. Loumis discusses why legacy brands are having trouble breaking into the cannabis market and how regulators are unfairly modeling rules after the tobacco and alcohol industries.

Illinois Policy Institute Budget and Tax Research Director Adam Schuster calls out the political forces digging deeper holes for taxpayers as the state battles a $224 billion debt fiasco. Schuster provides examples of humiliating pension abuses and proposes what he calls modest changes to pull Illinois out of the red.

“Mark”, a high-profile operator in the shadowy world of illegal marijuana, describes how burdensome taxes and regulations are funneling more business to traditional sources for pot in Illinois. “Mark” provides a revealing first-person perspective on the marijuana underworld and breaks down tensions between communities and Chicago police.

Chairwoman of the advocacy group Iowa Welcomes its Immigrant Neighbors Tammy Shull recounts the panic that spread through the town of Mount Pleasant when ICE agents raided a local concrete plant. First Presbyterian Church Pastor Trey Hegar explains what he calls an “ethic of care” from both sides of the immigration debate.