Mike McCuskey, the Illinois Legislative Inspector General and former federal and state judge, talks the background of the office, its powers and jurisdiction, process for filing complaints, reporting, and much more.

Craig Nelson, author of V is For Victory: Franklin Roosevelt’s American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II, talks about the miraculous production that fueled the Allied victory, FDR’s leadership, unsung heroes of the effort like Edsel Ford and Iowan Harry Hopkins, a local angle involving the Rock Island Arsenal, and much more.

Ryan Binkley, Republican candidate for President, talks about his reasons for running, his background, bringing the country together, immigration, the economy, schools and more.

Jon Fasman, reporter for The Economist who served as co-host of the magazine’s The Intelligence podcast for the past year, provides a rundown of the top stories from around that globe that will impact the US. Most are aware of one big story he details but the others may surprise you.

Ray Boomhower, author of Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary, talks about the campaign in that tumultuous period of US history, the key players, “The Speech” after MLK’s assassination, Kennedy’s pursuit of Wallace/backlash voters, the outcome, and it’s long-term legacy.

Douglas Burns, former owner of the Carroll Times Herald and fourth generation Iowa journalist, talks about the economic and political state of rural Iowa, the causes of Iowa’s political turnaround, the 2024 presidential race and the prospects of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for a place on the national Republican ticket.

Sam Wasson, author of The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, talks about his book which is much more than a detailed look at the making of a movie. He explores the broader political and cultural trends that impacted Hollywood and the nation.

Ruy Teixiera, co-founder of the Liberal Patriot newsletter and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, talks about the Democratic Party’s problems with working class voters, Republicans as the new working class party, the intersection between class and culture, and much more.

Elaine Godfrey, political reporter for The Atlantic and southeast Iowa native, talks about the 2024 Republican presidential campaign, her experience at Trump’s Waco rally, the Trump-DeSantis relationship, and much more.

James Fallows, former White House speechwriter and co-author most recently of Our Towns, talks about ways colleges can play vital roles in reviving communities. This is especially critical in our rural areas. He urges a need to see colleges as places that can solve complex problems by engaging in their communities.