John discusses Trump giving Argentina $20 Billion dollars (during the Government shutdown) and giving Qatar a new Air Force base in Idaho. He also talks about Trump posting that Biden put 274 FBI agents into the crowd on January 6th 2021- even though he was president at the time. Next, he welcomes back historian Kenneth C. Davis to talk about the right to free speech and the horror of GOP book burning that is happening now in our country. And last but not least - John jokes with MST3K star TV's Frank Conniff and they take calls from listeners on current events, crappy movies, and the fubar world of Trump.

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Julie and Simon talk about the ongoing debate around Columbus Day. They also discuss what's going on in Alaska, paving over Native rights and they talk about the rise in aggressive ICE raids targeting vulnerable communities. They close with the dismantling of the Doctrine of Discovery and they take many interesting calls from listeners.

Simon Moya-Smith - instagram.com/simonsaidtakeapic threads.com/@simonsaidtakeapic

Julie’s Substack “The Fire I Keep” https://substack.com/@juliefrancella?r=1u83jb&utm_medium=ios

Check out Julie's artwork on her website - juliefrancella.com 

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John talks about Trump's Gaza Peace deal. The details are still being worked out, but the Awards Season campaign to get Trump a Nobel Peace Prize has kicked into high gear across right-wing news media and the MAGAsphere. Also, John says revenge is a full time job in Pam Bondi's DOJ. A Grand Jury took the bait and has indicted NY Attorney General Letitia James on one count of mortgage fraud, the latest political indictment from "The Enemies List". Then, he speaks with Monte Mader. She's a culture critic, musician, podcaster, and fitness professional whose transformation from conservative fundamentalism to fearless truth-teller has made her a powerful voice for cultural change. Monte’s early life was steeped in Christian fundamentalism and conservative politics. She pursued theological studies in Israel and was immersed in environments that emphasized obedience and traditional gender roles. However, personal experiences and critical reflection led her to question and eventually deconstruct these belief systems. Check out her podcast "Flipping the Table" and support her on Patreon at MonteMader. And then, John chats with listeners on Pope Leo condemning economies that marginalize the poor while the wealthy live in a bubble of luxury. Plus, they talk about the latest update on the Epstein files and John's appearance in Chicago for his "Separation of Church and Hate" tour.

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Democratic Strategist Max Burns guest hosts for John while he is on stage in Chicago for the Separation of Church and Hate tour. Max discusses the absurd Republican excuses for continuing the government shutdown and for not swearing in Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election to the House of Representatives in Arizona's 7th Congressional District on Sept. 23rd. Then, he interviews writer, director, actor, and producer - Tim Blake Nelson. They talk about his new play "And Then There Were No More". Next, he jokes with investigative reporter Brian Karem about his new book: "Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It" and his latest podcast "Hard Pass" where Brian is joined by two university journalism professors, and they analyze whether news medias are holding the White House accountable in their coverage. And finally, he speaks with Democratic Columnist Jared Yates Sexton about his latest piece on Substak "A Crisis of Meaning and Purpose: Our Identities Have No Bodies".

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John talks about the ongoing engineered hostage crisis of our government shutdown and Attorney General Pam Bondi who went before the Senate Judiciary and tried to snipe and bully her way through a heated hearing over her DOJ's unlawful actions. Then, he welcomes back Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. Her sermons have been published in several books and journals and she is the author of Gathering Up the Fragments: Preaching as Spiritual Practice (2007), Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love (2019) and How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith (2023), which has been adapted into a young adult book, We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments (2025), and a picture book for young children, I Can Learn to Be Brave (to be released in July 2026). Next, John talks about the impacts of the shutdown with Imelda Avila-Thomas. She is the AFGE Local 2139 President, representing workers at Department of Labor Wage And Hour Division in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. And finally, comedian Keith Price jokes with the gang about Trump's latest mishigas.

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John talks about the violent rhetoric coming from Trump's megaphone minions and the victimization of the many judges who have ruled against the Trump Administration. He also discusses Trump telling reporters that, yes, of course he is willing to invoke the insurrection act in order to deploy federal troops to American cities. Then, he speaks with Canadian writer and musician Paul Myers about his new book "John Candy: A Life in Comedy". Next, John welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to give solid legal advice about what's happening in the Trump legal world. And then winding it up, John jokes with his comedy panel - John Poveromo and Rhonda Hansome - and they take calls from listeners about how to handle life in this MAGA infested world.

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This time - John discusses Trump's lust to keep the government shutdown going so he can fire as many non-loyalists as possible. He also talks about the MAGA fury at the Pope for blessing a glacier and telling people to help immigrants. Plus, he goes on a rant about Trump's former spiritual adviser Robert Morris who admitted he sexually abused a teenage girl but was given a pass to continue his ministry. Then, John welcomes back democratic strategist Max Burns to talk listeners off a ledge and give advice to frustrated Dems with no hope for the future.

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Simon and Julie chat with John about Pete Hegseth’s decision—as Trump’s new Secretary of War—to let U.S. soldiers keep their Medals of Honor from the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, calling it “final". The move has outraged many people and Native communities.

They also honored Orange Shirt Day (Sept 30)—a National Day of Remembrance for children lost to residential schools and the survivors who carry their stories. To find out more check out Julie’s Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/juliefrancella/p/orange-shirt-day?r=1u83jb&utm_medium=ios

Next, they reflect on Dr. Jane Goodall’s partnerships with Indigenous communities and her call to make decisions with “seven generations ahead” in mind. They also take listener calls and share updates on new Native-led bills in California.

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John talks about day 2 of the government shutdown which saw zero talks of negotiation or compromise on a budget, but instead a unified rattling of swords as Republicans continued to threaten major and permanent federal layoffs. Then, he speaks with the National Affairs correspondent for The Nation - John Nichols, about his new article "Robert Redford Sounded the Alarm About Our Corrupted Politics Over 50 Years Ago". And finishing it up John welcomes back the 2 Taras - Tara Devlin is a comedian and the host of the Tarabuster, where she looks at the news, politics and history through an unapologetically liberal lens. Tara Dublin is a comedian and author of “The Sound of Settling: A Rock & Roll Love Story.” Together Tara Devlin and Tara Dublin are the co-hosts of THE Tara Show podcast. They chat with listeners and give advice on how to navigate life in Trumpland.

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John talks about the big government shutdown. The White House is preparing for hundreds of thousands of layoffs and the fate of affordable health insurance for millions of Americans hangs in the balance. Then, he jokes with Bob Cesca on Trump and Hegseth's military speech and the GOP's failing attempt to color the recent mass shooters as left. Next, he speaks religion and politics with The God Squad and this week Dillon Naber Cruz is joined by Matthew Distefano who is filling in for Desimber Rose. Then closing it up, John welcomes back legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson to talk truth to power and answer listeners questions on Trump's mishigas.

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