This week on We’re Still Here: Julie and Simon dig into the significance of Pope Leo XIV—and what his election could mean for Indigenous communities pushing for truth and accountability. They also get real about tribal sovereignty, MMIWG2S, and why tribal license plates are still being questioned in 2025. Plus, don’t miss the fun (and totally unfiltered) back-and-forth as Simon and Julie unpack the centuries-old friendly beef between the Lakota and Ojibway Nations. Spoiler Alert: it’s all love… mostly.

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John discusses the new American Pope who was chosen after only 4 rounds of Conclave voting. He also talks about Trump giving up on his nomination for Ed Martin as US attorney for Washington DC and selecting Fox's Judge Jeanine Pirro as his second choice. Next, he interviews Charles LeBaron who worked for 28 years as a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They discuss DOGE scrapping the CDC’s plans to investigate an ongoing lead crisis in Milwaukee’s schools and his new book "GREED TO DO GOOD: THE UNTOLD STORY OF CDC’S DISASTROUS WAR ON OPIOIDS". Finally, John chats with listeners about Trump's latest mishigas and the ramifications of having a woke, progressive American Pope from Chicago.

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The monologue today first discusses the lawyers who rushed to get a judge to block Trump from rapidly deporting Asian migrants to a prison in Libya with no due process. Then, John talks about three former Memphis police officers that were acquitted of all state charges, including second-degree murder, in the death of Tyre Nichols. This verdict stands in contrast to their previous federal trial where they were convicted of witness tampering. Then, he chats with Bob Cesca on the apparent war breaking out between India and Pakistan, the scary reality of Project 2025 coming to life, and of course the latest Star Wars gossip. Next, The God Squad is back - former pastor Desimber Rose and Theologian Dillon Naber Cruz talk about the resistance calling out the hypocrisies of the right-wing Christian Nationalists that think they own religion in America. And finally, John welcomes back Dr. Tracy Pearson to debate and advise listeners on how to handle MAGA and the legal issues of Trump and his administration.

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This time, John discusses the MAJOR MAGA meltdown after GOP Senator Thom Tillis said he would not vote to confirm Ed "Stop the Steal" Martin as Washington’s top prosecutor. He also talks about India launching missile attacks on two targets in Pakistan territories just two weeks after a terror attack killed 26 tourists in Kashmir. Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider returns to wonder about Trump making a jaw-dropping assertion that the presidential oath might not obligate him to uphold the Constitution, a federal court pushing back on Trump’s latest executive order aimed at punishing his political opponents (and their law firms), and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issuing a public rebuke of Trump’s attacks on the judiciary. Next, John speaks with attorney Dina Sayegh Doll about Trump's legal problems. Her legal analysis regarding the Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni litigation is featured in the documentary "In Dispute” currently streaming on MAX. And rounding it out, Comedy Daddy - Keith Price jumps in the mix to joke with the gang about the destruction of democracy and the trending topics of the day.

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John talks about the latest stupid ideas from Trump: tariffs on the movie industry, $1,000 bonuses to immigrants who volunteer for deportation, re-opening Alcatraz as a prison, and an answer of “I don’t know” when asked if it is his job as President to uphold the Constitution. He also discusses Trump's new 2026 Budget proposal which includes heavy cuts to the Dept. of Energy, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development. Next, he welcomes back David Rothkopf. David is the host of "The DSR Podcast" and "The DSR Daily" - plus, he is the CEO of The DSR Podcast Network. They discuss the dumpster fire chaos of the Trump Administration. Then winding it up, comedian Rhonda Hansome jokes with John and listeners about the latest news and pop culture.

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John discusses RFK Jr. (who is now Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services) saying the MMR vaccine contains aborted fetus debris. He also talks about Trump's continued nose-dive in the polls. Then, he speaks with political analyst Ahmed Baba about Project 2025 coming to life, Trump's tariff tirade, and the constant flow of dark money in the Trump Administration. Then finally, John jokes with comedians Agunda Okeyo and TV's Frank Conniff about the dumpster fire Trump Administration and the current pop culture trends.

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John talks with Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella for their indigenous segment "We're Still Here". They discuss government cuts to native health care and reservations; realistic or character portrayals of natives in the movies; and the steady disappearance of indigenous languages in the world.

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John first remembers his love for singer-songwriter Jill Sobule who tragically died in a house fire in Minnesota at age 66. Then, he discusses National Security Adviser Mike Waltz being fired by Trump - then shortly afterwards, Trump naming him as the next Ambassador to the United Nations, a position still open after Elise Stefanik’s name was pulled from consideration. And he talks about Trump shutting down a $26 million program to end human waste backing into Alabama homes, calling it 'illegal DEI' - then Trump announced he will roll a sewage tide of his own and make the commencement address at the University of Alabama. Next, he interviews New York Times bestselling author - Robert M. Edsel about his new book "Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and A Forever Promise Forged in World War II". And winding it up, John chats with political commentator Heather Digby Parton about Man-Baby's tariff fetish, revenge tour, and lack of impulse control.

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John discusses Trump who gathered (on his 100th day in office) his cabinet for one of the saddest and most obvious displays of ass-kissing a declining autocrat could ever ask for. Also - Ukraine and the United States have signed an agreement for mineral rights mining, considered not just a lucrative move for the US, but also a pre-requisite for any peace deal in ending Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian land. Plus, Pete Hegseth and his decision to end the Defense Department's Women, Peace and Security program. Then, he jokes with podcast star Bob Cesca about Donald Trump's interview with ABC News' Terry Moran. Next, The God Squad returns to talk with John about Trump's polling tanking on his 100th day. And finally, Dr. Tracy Pearson joins the crew to discuss Columbia University protestor Mohsen Mahdawi who was released from detention after a federal judge ruled the administration cannot just round up legal immigrants because it doesn’t approve of their opinions.

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John's monologue this time looks into Trump slamming Amazon and Jeff Bezos for reportedly planning to display the cost of his tariffs next to the total price of products on the website. Then, Bezos backing down and turned tail after Trump blew a gasket when he heard the news. Then, he welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to discuss the first 100 days of Trump's presidency, focusing on his extensive use of executive orders and their potential impact on democracy. They also discuss recent polls showing a decline in Trump's support, the Supreme Court's pause on mass deportations, and the importance of citizens pushing back against Trump's actions. Next, he interviews former West Virginia state Senator and the founder of Turn Left PAC - Richard Ojeda. They talk about his show "Ojeda LIVE!" and his congressional bid in North Carolina. And rounding it out, Comedy Daddy AKA Keith Price clowns with John and listeners on Trump's mishigas and other current news.

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