In a gritty discussion, Maggie Daun and Rick Smith delve into the bleak state of the labor movement in America. They lament the erosion of union rights amid a political climate favoring billionaires like Musk and Bezos. Despite the bleak landscape, they express hope for solidarity and change through shared struggles. And we wrap up the week with a round of Ask Maggie and a visit from Teri Barr to tell us all what's good, local, and overlooked!

Check out the Rick Smith Show here.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie Daun explores the nuances of local versus state governance with Representative Bob Donovan, highlighting the immediacy of local government in addressing community issues. Donovan emphasizes the impact and swift problem-solving at the local level compared to the slower state processes. Shifting gears, political editor Dan Shafer and Supervisor Jack Eckblad dissect the Democratic Party's struggles, pinpointing the consultancy class and purity tests as barriers to unity and effectiveness. They argue for a broader coalition-building approach, exemplified by Rebecca Cook’s campaign, to reinvigorate the party and challenge the Republican narrative on crime and rights.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie tackles the economic squeeze as tariffs hit back-to-school shopping, driving prices sky-high while Trump's broad, indiscriminate tariffs fail to incentivize U.S. manufacturing. With the de minimis exemption's abrupt closure causing shipping chaos, consumers face order cancellations or surprise costs. Meanwhile, the CDC is in turmoil, with mass resignations over leadership upheaval and vaccine policy changes, leaving the U.S. vaccine program critically weakened. Amidst this, the Packers make a blockbuster trade, acquiring Micah Parsons for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, signaling a bold new era for the team under new leadership.

For more information on back-to-school prices, check out the latest from Groundwork Collaborative: https://tcf.org/content/commentary/eight-ways-trump-is-making-the-back-to-school-season-more-expensive

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie takes a hard look at the controversial “Big Brutal Bill” and its devastating impact on American workers, with a special focus on Wisconsin’s manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Joined by Heidi Shierholz of the Economic Policy Institute and Aurelia Glass from the Center for American Progress, Maggie unpacks how the bill slashes Medicaid, food assistance, and labor protections — all to benefit billionaires. She also examines the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on unions and worker rights, exposing the widening wealth gap and the erosion of America’s social contract. Maggie stresses the urgent need for innovative reforms to protect gig workers and safeguard the essential freedom of association.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie leads a powerful conversation with former Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate about the Democracy Defense Project, an initiative working to strengthen trust in elections across key swing states. Both guests stress the importance of bipartisan cooperation in countering misinformation and assuring voters that mail-in ballots, drop boxes, and other secure voting methods remain safe and reliable. Maggie also takes on Donald Trump’s recent authoritarian-leaning rhetoric — from threats to deploy the military in blue cities to attacks on those defending democracy. The discussion highlights both the challenges and the urgency of safeguarding democratic values at a time of mounting political division.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

In this hour, Maggie confronts the heartbreaking reality of gun violence in the wake of a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis. She shares her frustration with the nation’s reactive approach to gun control and echoes Trey Gowdy’s call for preventive action. Maggie makes a passionate case for common-sense reforms — including stronger background checks and closing dangerous loopholes. Later, Rep. Jodi Emerson joins Maggie to discuss her ongoing work to combat human trafficking, highlighting how community awareness and empathy play a critical role in prevention. Through it all, Maggie reminds us of the importance of holding onto our humanity, even in the midst of political division and tragedy.

Maggie takes on the issue of growing economic inequality, focusing on the massive gap between CEO pay and worker wages. Across the country, top executives at companies that rely heavily on low-wage workers are pocketing millions, while the employees who keep these businesses running struggle to make ends meet. Maggie is joined by Sarah Anderson from the Institute for Policy Studies to break down how corporate practices like stock buybacks inflate CEO compensation without doing anything to improve conditions for employees. In the political sphere, Maggie also turns her attention to Donald Trump’s latest controversial move: a push to deploy the National Guard in U.S. cities. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has emerged as a vocal opponent, sharply criticizing the proposal and warning of the constitutional and practical dangers it presents.

You can check out the Institute of Policy Studies' report here: https://ips-dc.org/report-executive-excess-2025/

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

In this first hour -- heads are spinning after a whistleblower revealed a massive data breach exposing the sensitive information of 300 million Americans, with allegations tying the failure to Elon Musk. Despite repeated warnings, cybersecurity lapses are pushing the nation toward a full-blown privacy crisis. At the same time, Wisconsin Republicans are looking to pull in more out-of-state donations, raising fresh questions about corruption and outside influence. Jim Santelle joins Maggie to discuss the legal and political chaos after Donald Trump sets his sights on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, sparking fears of constitutional upheaval. And back in Wisconsin, Rep. Clinton Anderson describes a bipartisan effort to support police recruitment in small communities—something most agree is desperately needed—finds itself mired in partisan gridlock. Common-sense solutions remain tangled in the web of political dysfunction.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Live from Milwaukee’s legendary Cactus Club, Maggie and guest Caitlin Taylor, music therapist at Children’s Wisconsin, explore how music transforms lives—from helping autistic children connect to regulating heartbeats. With stories of redemption through sound (like the stirring force of Stravinsky’s Firebird) and a spotlight on Ladies Rock band Middle Reader, this hour celebrates music’s power to heal, unite, and spark creative defiance.

To find out more about Girls Rock and Ladies Rock or to see ways to continue their mission, check out their website: https://girlsrockmke.org/.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie breaks the political mold with a vibrant live episode from Milwaukee’s Cactus Club, celebrating women in rock. She spotlights Girls Rock, an organization empowering young women through music, and features original songs from Concentration 64—a band formed at a summer camp built on creativity and collaboration. The conversation dives into the challenges of writing and performing, the importance of inclusive spaces like the Cactus Club, and the power of music as personal expression.

To find out more about Girls Rock and Ladies Rock or to see ways to continue their mission, check out their website: https://girlsrockmke.org/.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm 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, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!