In this episode, host Pat Whalen interviews Robert Costa, CBS News' Chief Election and Campaign Correspondent. They delve into the importance of journalism's role in democracy, Costa's journey from music journalism to becoming a prominent political reporter, and the impact of his investigative approach on American politics.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction

06:55 Music and Journalism: A Unique Blend

19:26 Early Journalism and Investigative Reporting

25:37 Reflections on Tim Russert and Journalism

34:29 Middle East Ceasefire and Journalism Challenges

35:23 Humanizing President Biden

39:05 National Review and Conservative Reporting

55:02 Populism and Political Movements

59:53 Looking Ahead: Political Landscape and Future Reporting

Resources

• Checkout Peril and The Woodward Trilogy: Fear, Rage and Peril by Robert Costa and Bob Woodward
• Follow Robert Costa's on Instagram
• Follow Robert Costa's on X

Keep in touch with Good Evening with Pat Whalen

• Follow us on IG: @besteveningever
• Follow us on X: @besteveningever
• Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

Production by Retriever

• Produced and edited by Princess Sims
• Sound Design by Dane Dickmann

Recorded live at the Chicago Athletic Association, this episode of 'Good Evening with Pat Whalen' is infused with humor and insightful commentary on the local and national political landscape.

As the city anticipates the election results, Pat welcomes guests from prominent Chicago news organizations (Greg Pratt of Chicago Tribune, Reema Amin of Chalkbeat Chicago and Michael Liptrot of Block Club Chicago) to discuss the implications of the upcoming school board elections, the local budget crisis, and national political dynamics. The episode features an engaging trivia game, witty banter, and a musical interlude by The Oh My's.

In this episode of the Good Evening Podcast, host Pat shares his experiences from the Democratic National Convention (DNC), offering a firsthand account of the overwhelming energy and significance of this historic event. He interviews notable figures including Jonathan Martin, Chief Political Reporter for Politico, and Christy George, the Executive Director of the Chicago 2024 Host Committee. Jonathan discusses his journalistic insights into the landscape of American politics, while Christy shares the challenges and successes in organizing the massive convention. Give it a listen and let us know what you think in the comments!

ABOUT JONATHAN MARTIN

Jonathan Martin is the politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO, where he writes a reported column on the inside conversation and big-picture trends shaping politics.

Prior to starting his column in 2022, Martin was the national political correspondent for The New York Times, serving as the publication’s top political reporter for nearly a decade. He is the co-author of The New York Times bestseller “This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future,” which gave readers in-the-room access to the extraordinary events of the 2020 election and its aftermath. Martin regularly provides on-air political analysis for ABC, NBC and CBS. He and his wife, Betsy, live in Washington and New Orleans.

Follow Jonathan on social

• X/Twitter - @Jmart

Live Show Produced by Wes Needham and Pat Whalen

Production by Retriever

Podcast Produced by Princess Sims

Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann

Follow us on IG: @besteveningever

Follow us on X: @besteveningever

Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

In this lively episode of 'Good Evening with Pat Whalen,’ Pat Whalen broadcasts live during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Featuring a notable lineup of guests including RuPaul's Drag Race star Shea Coulee, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Politico's lead White House reporter Eugene Daniels, and influencers Nikita Redkar and Lisa Beasley, the episode delves into a broad spectrum of topics.

Discussions explore drag culture, community building, housing policies, political strategies, and the diversity within American society. The conversation emphasizes the need to dismantle oppressive systems and highlights Vice President Kamala Harris's commitment to equity.

Lively exchanges cover the roles of protesting, such as advocating for the Palestinian cause, and the differences in activism approaches between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The episode culminates with personal anecdotes, humor, and a playful challenge involving shots of Malort, providing a unique lens on the evolving political landscape ahead of the presidential election.

Shea Coulee on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sheacoulee/

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez website - https://ramirez.house.gov/

Politico's lead White House reporter Eugene Daniels - https://www.instagram.com/eugenedaniels2/

Nikita Redkar - @NikitaDumpTruck on TikTok, Instagram and X

Lisa Beasley - @LisaBeEvolving on Instagram

Live Show Produced by Wes Needham and Pat Whalen

Production by Retriever

Podcast Produced by Princess Sims

Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann

Follow us on IG: @besteveningever

Follow us on X: @besteveningever

Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

Pat speaks with culinary wunderkind Chef, JONATHAN ZARAGOZA about Chicago authenticity, his many gastronomic endeavors, and the age old question: does Chicago have the best Mexican food in America?

About Jonathan Zaragoza

Chef Jonathan Zaragoza was raised on Chicago’s Southside by a tight-knit family with strong cooking roots — he recalls standing on a step stool, helping his mother stir eggs as a five year old. At the age of 12, in the backyard of their home, Zaragoza began learning to make birria, roasted goat from Jalisco, in a wood-burning oven built by his grandfather and father. His task was to start the fire, tending to it until the goat was ready to go in for its overnight roast.

In 2007, Birrieria Zaragoza opened its doors giving Zaragoza a platform to create and continue learning from while diving headfirst into Chicago’s hospitality industry. From working at Sepia and Sixteen as a young cook, cutting his teeth on the Michelin circuit, to becoming the chef of Masa Azul at 22, Zaragoza’s culinary abilities have afforded him acclaim and the world as his kitchen. His path has taken him throughout Mexico, deep into its rich culinary heritage, to bring its traditions with him to London, Dubai, Paris and all across the US. Lately, you’ll find Jonathan cooking at his restaurants Birrieria Zaragoza and El Oso when he’s not raising his pup Wednesday.

Follow along with Jonathon on:

• Jonathan's Instagram GoatBoyIntl
• Add Jonathan's restaurants to your Chicago repertoire - Birrieria Zaragoza and El Oso Chicago

Production by Retriever

Produced by Princess Sims

Sound Mix and Design by Dane Dickmann

Follow us on IG: @besteveningever

Follow us on X: @besteveningever

Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

Pat speaks with Chicago’s Inspector General, Deborah Witzburg on her preference for being called Inspector or General, the “vivid history” of Chicago corruption, how being a Red Sox fan taught her resilience, and alternatives to optimism. 

About Chicago OIG, Deborah Witzburg

Deborah Witzburg serves as Inspector General for the City of Chicago, having been appointed to her first term in April 2022. Previously, she served as the City’s Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety, overseeing independent, objective evaluations and reviews of Chicago’s police and police accountability agencies, to enhance public safety, protecting civil liberties and civil rights, and improving the relationship between the police and the communities they serve. Read more here

The Chicago Office of Inspector General works to make Chicago government better and hold City actors accountable when they break the rules. Stay up to date with their progress by following them on all social platforms @ChicagoOIG

Production by Retriever

Produced by Princess Sims

Sound Mix by Dane Dickmann

Follow us on IG: @besteveningever

Follow us on X: @besteveningever

Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

This episode contains explicit language.

Pat headed to the iconic Wiener Circle to interview lead investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune GREG PRATT about his new book “The City is up for Grabs: How Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis”! It’s about…well, you’ll see.

A Chicago native, Gregory Royal Pratt covered every day of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s term and was deeply sourced in City Hall, as well as in the other offices of local, state, and national politics that shaped the mayor’s administration. Pratt has won several national awards for his political and investigative reporting and he is a regular commentator about the city on local and national media, including appearances on CNN and NPR.

Connect with Greg Pratt on X - @royalpratt

You can purchase Greg Pratt's book The City is up for Grabs: How Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis here or at your local bookstore.

This is a Retriever Production

Produced by Princess Sims

Sound Mix by Dane Dickmann

Follow us on IG: @besteveningever

Follow us on X: @besteveningever

Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

Pat discusses a wide range of issues impacting State Rep. Kam Buckner’s district and background - what’s it like to go from playing sports to being a lawmaker? Are we excited about the new Bears Stadium plans? Why are food deserts not a thing? Answers to these questions and more await - listen now!

About Kam Buckner

Representative Kam Buckner is a native of the Southside of Chicago, the 4th child of a Chicago Public School Teacher and a law enforcement officer. He represents the 26th Legislative District in the Illinois House of Representatives. The District, completely situated in the City of Chicago contains parts of South Chicago, South Shore, Washington Park, Woodlawn, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Bronzeville, the South Loop, Downtown, River North, Streeterville, and the Gold Coast.

Learn more by visiting illinois26.com

This is a Retriever Production

Produced by Princess Sims

Sound Mix by Dane Dickmann

Follow us on IG: @besteveningever

Follow us on X: @besteveningever

Visit our website: GoodEveningChicago.com

Pat speaks with die-hard Eagles fan and cheesesteak traditionalist Anne Caprara about the virtues of surfing, campaigning versus governance, the condiment wars, and electoral stakes in ‘24.

In her spare time Anne is Chief of Staff to Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker.

With less than a week before ballots are cast in Illinois' primary, Pat discusses the Bring Chicago Home referendum with the Campaign's Director, Emma Tai. Comedic Guest Diya Basrai recruits Pat into either neuroscience or stand-up comedy, and musical guest Wyatt Waddell makes fun of Pat's shoelaces (?). Brought to you by green Malört (kind of), and sponsored by Harebrained Chicago.