Rational Revolution

Joining the show this weekend is UW Green Bay Professor and Chair of Democracy and Justice Studies, Dr. Jon Shelton and Human Rights Activist and older brother of your host, John Becker. Mark asks to dive into a publication Dr. Shelton published earlier this month: Why Democrats Are Losing Americans Without a College Degree—and How to Win Them Back, an article summarizing how voters know that the economy has not worked well for decades.

Dr Shelton says Democrats must offer a transformative vision and stick to it for as long as it takes. He believes as a party the democrats aren’t offering enough for working people and what happening is Americans are desperately voting for something to change.

“We need working Americans to see what it is that they deserve and that the party is fighting for them and with them.”

It’s not an idea that needs to be sold, its something to build toward together.

How do we take a profoundly challenging question and talk to people with that integrity and hit them right between the eyes and make it make sense? We need to have a very clear narrative and message and stick to it. This is not the first time American’s have faced dark times and Dr. Shelton believes we will make it through it.

During Mark’s Musings he dives into the big topic of why. Why did that happen? How can we avoid it happening again. How do you have a rational discussion when people live every day in a world that’s so irrational? Join the discussion.

Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker.

It was 80 years ago this week that the Battle of The Bulge took place in WWII, and 100-year-old veteran Jack Kraszewski of Pulaski joined Maino & The Mayor and shared memories of that very day. Not only did he serve our country, but he also came back and became a cheesemaker and later a brewer of Schlitz beer in Milwaukee. A wonderful gentleman that we are honored to have met.

Then, on the Dom Salvia Show, Dom and cohost of the day Earl Ingram address the looming government shutdown and who is casting its shadow: Elon Musk. No one elected Musk, but people DID elect their legislators, who are now being overtly threatened by Trump and Musk.

On the John & Gordy Show, the guys are joined by Mike McCabe to talk about his latest digital piece on the parallels between 1930’s Bank Robbers and Luigi Mangione as folk heroes in the American psyche.

Last but not least, Todd Allbaugh Show has been following the closure of two-year UW campuses since the canary first stopped singing, and the saga is unfortunately far from over. A new article from WORT details that the Board of Regents spent a staggering $51 million on consultants over the last four years- over THREE TIMES the budget deficit in that same period that led to catastrophic layoffs at UW Oshkosh. We know the Republicans are behind this, but where are the Democrats? They aren't exactly trying to stop it.

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

First up on Spotlight, Nite Lite is joined by Greg Schwem, Nationally Syndicated Tribune Columnist, joins the show. Greg talks about a new book he wrote, Turning Gut Punches Into Punch Lines: A Comedian's Journey Through Cancer, Divorce and Other Hilarious Stuff. Pete and Greg talk about a new Major League Baseball rule, and other articles that Greg has written.

On UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow, the electors who decide each presidential election gathered in state capitols this week, and one of Donald Trump’s Wisconsin electors, former Gov. Tommy Thompson, said it’s time for everyone to “turn the page” on Trump’s fake electors plot to steal the 2020 election. Pat Kreitlow responds: Hell, no. Trump can pardon in federal cases, but state cases like the one in Wisconsin need to keep moving toward justice for the voters.

On the Earl Ingram Show, Earl is joined by John Diedrich from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to discuss his article regarding a woman who's son accidentally shot himself in the hand with her gun. They talk about the effect that her charges have had on her life and the racial disparities surrounding youth gun injuries and deaths.

Finally, on Matenaer On Air, US Representative Mark Pocan joins the show to talk about the tragic shooting in Madison and discusses some of the paths which need to be taken to try to create change. He also reveals a horrendous truth about news, and the need for more deaths to be deemed "important to cover".

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Senator Tammy Baldwin talks with Mark about her campaign and her win in the state. But she also talks about what the next few years look like for the state and the work she needs to get done. One of the bills she’s working on, the Commitment to Veteran Support Outreach Act, will help our veterans who have served and are serving our state and country. Senator Baldwin shares stories about some veterans who have claimed they were misdiagnosed through the VA and needed to go to the private sector for a second opinion. This bill could help hundreds of veterans across the state and more across the country.

Then Mark speaks with state assembly representative-elect Amaad Rivera Wagner. Rivera-Wagner will represent the 90th Assembly in just a few short weeks. Mark asks where his focus will be: funding schools, housing concerns in the area, and infrastructure needs top his list.

Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker.

Dan Shafer, Founder of the Recombobulation Area and Civic Media’s Political Member, joins host Mark Becker to answer this:

What really happened in Wisconsin in the 2024 Presidential Election?

Besides discussing the closeness of the Presidential Election, Mark also asks Dan about the difference between the 3rd Congressional District and the 8th. What’s next for Wisconsin in 2026? And how will Tony Evers do if he runs for re-election? Mark muses in the last segment about the CEO Assassin and his thoughts on the situation that is brewing.

Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker.

Kicking off this hour, the Earl Ingram Show is joined by Wisconsin's own Ben Wikler to discuss his bid for Chairman of the National Democratic party and the reasons he believes the Democrats did not see the results they wanted in November.

Then on UpNorthNews Radio, Ron ‘Duff’ Martin, an Eau Claire teacher who serves on the executive board of the National Education Association, talked about how this week’s overturning of Act 10 by a court can play a role in improving public education in Wisconsin. There will still be appeals of the ruling that strikes down former Gov. Scott Walker’s signature law that gutted public employee unions in the state in 2011, but Martin said if the final outcome is the reinstatement of collective bargaining rights, then unions will be able to negotiate working conditions that will help retain teachers and address worsening shortages, especially in rural districts.

On Matenaer On Air this week, former assembly candidate and county party volunteer Emily Tseffos joined the show to discuss what the Democrats need to do post election and the conversations that need to be had. She also speaks about the conversations that need to be had between voters and what keeps us connected and not divided. Emily also speaks about what needs to happen on the county party level with regard to long range planning for future elections.

The hour wraps with a segment from the Maggie Daun Show, where Maggie shares her takes on the news of the week that a county judge has ruled certain portions of the 2011 Act 10 unconstitutional and what is likely to come next in the battle to return collective bargaining rights back to public sector unions.

To learn more about this podcast and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Mark is joined by new WI State Senate Elect for District 18 and friend of the show/former host, Kris Alfheim. Kris and Mark talk about her experience running for State Senate and winning! Then talk about rational thought between each side you are on, and start to pick philosophy. Mark gives his final thoughts on the conversation during Mark’s Musings.

Mark Becker & Kris Alfheim

Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker.

Taking a break for the holiday weekend, Mark wanted to take a look back at his conversation about mental health with writer and journalist Natalie Eilbert.

Originally from New York, she has come to love Wisconsin, and her journalism work will now take her to Milwaukee. She is currently focusing her reporting on mental health in the state. She says that we seem to be doing better than other states, but more could still be done. Her recent work is called “Kids In Crisis” and discusses the differences in the needs for children and teens.

Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker.

Up first on this hour of Spotlight, the Maggie Daun Show sits down for an interview with Jeff Mandell of Law Forward on the new case against Michael Gableman for his fake election investigation.

Then, the Earl Ingram Show is joined by Dr. Omar for In the Pharmacy and the two discuss their concerns surrounding vaccine availability and research under the leadership of someone like RFK Jr. at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Next, Major General Randy Manner (Ret.) from National Security Leaders For America returns to Matenaer On Air and he discusses with Jane and Greg what a second Trump administration will have in store for the military if his nominee Pete Hegseth is confirmed. This includes mass firings, recalling retired officers to stand trial for treason, as well as what will be the function of the military on the world stage. He also offers sound thoughts on when to expect major changes to the government.

Finally, Civic Media's Teri Barr joins Maino & the Mayor with another "Slice of Wisconsin" that focuses on the wonders of Jolly Good soda! Lots of great information about the resurgence of the brand, but also the fun memories of drinking it growing up, and the fact that you can find it in your local stores now.

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

On the Dom Salvia Show, Maggie Daun sticks around after her 2-4pm show to do some Overtime radio-ing with Dom as she does every Tuesday! On this week's Over Time w/Maggie Daun, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman faces a SERIOUS disciplinary filing from our state's Office of Lawyer Regulations. For, well, violating just about every attorney ethics standard there is.

Then on the Todd Allbaugh Show, Todd dives into the story developing in Mauston, where a series of failed referendums to fund their public schools have left the school district in dire straits. They may have to dissolve completely! With the help of a caller who used to teach in Milwaukee, Todd explains how we got to this point, as well as some tricky ways our GOP-led state legislature diverts even more money to private schools.

After that on UpNorthNews Radio, whatever reason folks were thinking of when voting for Donald Trump, they’d better prepare for the impact on food prices and the economy. Dairy farmer Hans Breitenmoser talks to Pat Kreitlow about how mass deportations would cripple every part of America’s food supply chain and higher tariffs would lead to skyrocketing grocery prices.

In the final segment of this Spotlight, the John and Gordy Show is joined by Tim Slekar of the BustED Pencils podcast, to talk about the second Trump Administration’s announcement of Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education.

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!