For the holiday weekend - John interviews author and cinema historian Michael Koresky about his new book "Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness". Then, he speaks with Pennsylvania State Representative Jessica Benham about her disability activism and her work with LGBTQ+ Equality. She is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman and first openly autistic person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. And lastly, John jokes with actor, writer, director, and co-creator of Super Troopers and Beerfest... Paul Soter. They chat about his new satirical mission: EvilPAC.org. As Creative Director of Americans for Prosparody, Soter is skewering the billionaire class and political corruption with biting wit and a fake "Super PAC" that imagines what it would look like if the ultra-rich were openly proud of buying American democracy.

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John speaks about Independence Day with with Sazha Ramos - Sazha is a Navy Veteran and accomplished social worker with a decade of experience in behavioral health and the government sector. Then, he talks with editor of The Nation - Don David (DD) Guttenplan on their 160th anniversary issue entitled These Dis-United States which features 50 of their best writers and artists depicting local textures, practices, landmarks, and institutions everywhere being gutted, steamrolled, defunded, and eviscerated. Then wrapping it up, John chats with Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella about indigenous culture and patriotism on the 4th of July.

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John discusses Paramount joining the parade of media companies paying legal fealty to Donald Trump. The parent company of 60 Minutes will pay $16 million to cover legal fees and presidential library donations and will change its policy regarding political candidate interviews. Then, he chats with Bob Cesca about the "Big Ugly Bill" and other news. And finally John welcomes back legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson to joke with listeners about Trump and his fuckery plus help answer burning legal questions about the Supreme Court.

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John talks about the death of sex scandal laden, hypocrite, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart who passed away at the age of 90. And he also discusses the Senate which passed the big bloated budget bill along to the House of Representatives after JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote. Then, he talks with professor Corey Brettschneider and they unpack the Supreme Court's dramatic ruling that weakens nationwide injunctions—a critical blow to civil rights groups fighting executive overreach. They also highlight Justice Jackson’s powerful dissent and the broader implications for birthright citizenship and civil liberties. And, they discuss Trump's surreal yet chilling media spectacle at "Alligator Alcatraz," a staged visit to an alligator-themed detention facility symbolizing fascism with a smile. Next, he interviews Rob Shriver who is the Managing Director of the Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives at Democracy Forward. And rounding it out - Comedy Daddy Keith Price returns to joke with John and listeners about the latest trending topics and the comedy of Donald Trump and his administration.

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John discusses the Senate working late into the night to pass Trump's Budget Bill. He also talks about NC Sen. Thom Tillis announcing he will not seek re-election, choosing to leave congress and insulate himself from retaliation by MAGAworld. Then, he speaks with the National Affairs correspondent for the Nation - John Nichols about his new piece called "Zohran Mamdani Proves That Power Belongs to the People". And then finally, John welcomes back comedian Rhonda Hansome to chat with listeners about Trump's Big Bad Budget Bill and other news.

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John talks about the last final rulings for the Supreme Court - giving Republicans everything they want as it concludes its nine-month term ahead of a summer break. He also discusses the Senate pushing ahead to pass Trump's Big Beautiful Budget Bill which will sever nearly 12 million people from their health coverage. Then, he talks with Charles Derber, Professor of Sociology at Boston College about his new book "BONFIRE: AMERICAN SOCIOCIDE, BROKEN RELATIONS, AND THE QUEST FOR DEMOCRACY". And closing it up, John welcomes back TV's Frank Conniff to joke with him and listeners about trending stories and Trump's latest mishigas.

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This week on "We're Still Here", Simon and Julie join John to talk about the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn—not as Custer’s Last Stand, but as a rare Native victory against invasion, where Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors defended their homelands and won. They also dig into the Trump administration’s latest move to strip protections from 58 million acres of national forest -- land that includes sacred sites, ancestral territories, and climate-critical ecosystems. Plus, Julie shares thoughts from her latest Substack, Tobacco Is a Sacred Medicine—a reflection on ceremony, colonization, and reclaiming Indigenous relationships with plants and power. They received some fantastic calls from listeners who reminded us why it's important to have these conversations.

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 discusses the Supreme Court striking a deadly blow to healthcare provider Planned Parenthood, ruling that states are entitled to withhold funding from the org and Medicare recipients do not have a right to choose them as a provider. He also talks about Trump holding a pep rally at the White House for his budget bill, which has been handed nearly daily defeats from the Senate Parliamentarian. Then, he interviews Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids. She is the first openly LGBTQ Native American elected to congress, the first openly LGBTQ elected to congress from Kansas, and one of the first two Native American women (alongside Deb Haaland) elected to congress. They talk about her triumphs and struggles being a Democrat in a deeply red State. And then he speaks with author Lawrence C Ross Jr. on his new social media site for creative people who are looking community and inspiration called The Metaphor Club.

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John discusses the big win for progressive politics in New York as Zohran Mamdani stormed the first round of ranked choice voting, forcing Andrew Cuomo into a concession speech that now makes Mamdani the presumptive Democratic nominee for Mayor. Zohran will face off against a Republican challenger in November, plus whatever superPAC dark money is aligned against him by sore-loser centrists. Then, he chats with Bob Cesca about the latest news and pop culture. And finally, the God Squad returns to trash the evils of Christian Nationalists.

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John talks about the hinky excuses and double talking jive from Trump and company over the bombing of Iran without congressional approval. He also discusses the tight race in the New York City mayoral primary. Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider joins the show to talk about the Iran Attack and what the law says about war powers; plus, the recent Supreme Court rulings on deportations. Then finally, John chats with Rev. Barry Lynn. He's an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who served as the executive director for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State until his retirement in 2017. They talk about Texas schools being required to display the 10 commandments.

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