The Neal Larson Show

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Neal Larson Show, hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason dive into a mix of political commentary, media critique, and the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The show opens with a humorous look at a recent gaffe by Joe Biden, featuring an AI-generated country song poking fun at his "America Got It" slip-up. The conversation shifts to a critical analysis of the media, specifically focusing on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s appearance on 60 Minutes with Lesley Stahl. Neal and Julie discuss the double standards in political reporting, the concept of "election deniers," and the media's conditional support for anti-Trump Republicans.

The hosts also tackle the complexities of Utah politics, offering a sharp critique of Senator John Curtis, comparing him to Mitt Romney and questioning his conservative bona fides regarding immigration and border policies. Later in the show, the discussion turns to the practical and sometimes frightening capabilities of AI, from deepfake videos causing confusion on social media to the potential displacement of jobs in the trucking and agricultural industries. Additional segments cover essential health screenings for men over 40, a nod to Marco Rubio’s suitability as Secretary of State, and a recap of recent sports highlights.

Episode Highlights

Biden’s Gaffe & AI Music: Reaction to Joe Biden calling America "Amerigoddit" and the debut of an AI-generated country song about the blunder.

Media Bias & MTG: A breakdown of the tension between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes, focusing on media elitism and bias.

The "John Curtis" Critique: Neal Larson argues that Senator John Curtis is a "Democrat in Republican clothing," comparing his political trajectory to Mitt Romney 2.0.

AI Deepfakes: Discussion on how difficult it is to distinguish reality from AI, highlighted by a fake viral video of a lion attacking a man in a zoo.

Future of Work: A debate on whether AI and automation will replace blue-collar jobs like trucking and farming.

Men’s Health: A segment listing important medical tests for men over 40, including insulin sensitivity and carotid artery ultrasounds.

Marco Rubio: Praise for Rubio’s stoic personality and his potential effectiveness as Secretary of State.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

On their Friday morning show, hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason dive into a range of contentious political topics, starting with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's outrage over being called the "R word" by Donald Trump, which the hosts dismiss as hypocritical. They also analyze Stephen A. Smith's recent appearance on *The View*, praising his willingness to challenge the show's hosts and resist liberal groupthink. The conversation turns to internal conservative conflicts, with Neal and Julie expressing concern that commentators like Candace Owens are creating division that could harm the Republican party.

The episode also breaks from heavy politics with a festive in-studio performance from 10-year-old singer and performer Piper Jackson, who sings "Run Run Rudolph." Later, the hosts shift focus to local issues, sharing their frustration and disappointment over the recent Idaho Falls mayoral race, which they feel was torn apart by out-of-state money and divisive campaign tactics. Throughout the show, Neal and Julie engage with callers on these topics, critique a factually incorrect media report from Jake Tapper, and discuss the resurgence of controversial language among younger generations.

Highlights:

*   **Stephen A. Smith vs. The View:** The hosts play clips of Stephen A. Smith clashing with the hosts of *The View*, praising him for his independent thinking and refusal to back down under pressure.
*   **A Festive Performance:** 10-year-old singer Piper Jackson joins the show for a live in-studio performance of "Run Run Rudolph" and talks about her acting and figure skating.
*   **Local Election Fallout:** Neal and Julie express their disappointment with the divisive Idaho Falls mayoral race, criticizing the influence of outside money and endorsements on the local election.
*   **The "R word" Controversy:** The hosts critique Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's outrage over being called the "R word," arguing he sacrificed his right to be upset after making his own controversial comments.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

Hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason are joined by US Senator Jim Risch for a wide-ranging interview on major national security and domestic policy issues. Senator Risch defends President Trump's aggressive military actions against Venezuelan drug boats, dismissing critical reports from the Washington Post as unsubstantiated. The conversation also covers the complexities of healthcare policy, with the Senator criticizing the Affordable Care Act and discussing ongoing negotiations to find a market-based solution to replace expiring subsidies. He concludes with a somber update on the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, noting the difficult concessions required from both sides for any resolution to be reached.

Following the interview, the conversation pivots to a mix of cultural and local Idaho topics. Neal and Julie discuss several viral stories, including a controversial Nativity scene depicting baby Jesus detained by ICE agents and the Satanic Temple of Idaho's fundraiser for the Idaho Food Bank. The main local focus is a controversy surrounding an Idaho bar offering free beer for a year to anyone whose tip to ICE leads to the arrest of an illegal immigrant. The segment sparks a lively debate with listener calls offering different perspectives. The show also features a surprise in-studio visit from the new Mayor-elect of Idaho Falls, Lisa Burtenshaw.

*   Senator Jim Risch defends President Trump's strategy of bombing Venezuelan drug boats and discusses the complexities of potential military action against drug labs.
*   A deep dive into healthcare policy, including the failures of the Affordable Care Act and the push for market-based solutions to replace expiring subsidies.
*   Neal and Julie react to a viral story about a church's Nativity scene depicting baby Jesus zip-tied by figures representing ICE agents.
*   A local Idaho bar sparks controversy by offering free beer for a year to patrons whose tips lead to the arrest of illegal immigrants, prompting a lively debate and listener calls.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador joins the show to discuss several key legal and social issues. He highlights his visit to Idaho Falls to honor two law enforcement officers who have collectively arrested 100 perpetrators of internet crimes against children (ICAC). Labrador explains his office's renewed and highly successful focus on the ICAC task force, detailing how they cleared a massive backlog of cases and significantly increased arrests. The conversation also covers Idaho's "Fairness in Sports" law, which is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, his office's defense of the state's new parental choice in education law (HB 93), and recent legal victories against the Satanic Temple concerning Idaho's abortion laws.

Following the interview, Neal and Julie pivot to a debrief on the recent local mayoral runoff elections. While congratulating the winners, they express significant concern over the "unhealthy" influence of outside "dark money" and the negative tone that characterized the campaigns. They emphasize the importance of healthy debate and scrutiny within the new city governments, advising the mayor-elect to remain accountable to all residents rather than powerful special interests. The hosts conclude by reflecting on the need for civility in politics and engage with listeners about the role of media in accepting political advertising.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

In this Election Day episode of the Neal Larson Show, the hosts delve deep into the local mayoral runoff races in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. They express their fatigue with the long campaign season and lament the divisive impact it has had on the community, particularly pointing to outside money and high-profile endorsements that they feel overshadowed the candidates themselves. The episode features final stump speeches from the candidates, including Jeff Aldridge and Lisa Burtenshaw for Idaho Falls mayor, Mark Dahlquist and Greg Cates for Pocatello mayor, and Theresa Dominick for Idaho Falls City Council. Despite their critiques of the campaign tactics, the hosts affirm that all the candidates are qualified and urge listeners to unite and support the eventual winners for the good of their cities.

Beyond the local races, the show touches on national politics, highlighting how President Trump baited the media by releasing his excellent MRI results and his involvement in a Tennessee congressional race. The hosts also contrast the transparency of Trump's frequent cabinet meetings with those of the Biden administration. The political analysis is woven together with the hosts' signature conversational banter, including jokes about running on no sleep and caffeine, debates over Frank Sinatra lyrics, and a call for voters to "get your buns out and vote."

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

On the show today, we dove deep into the final, heated days of the Idaho Falls mayoral runoff between Lisa Burtenshaw and Jeff Alldridge. We expressed our frustration and disappointment over how the race has devolved into a smear campaign fueled by tens of thousands of dollars in outside dark money. We feel the contest is no longer about the two candidates, but has become a battle of "Jeff versus the establishment." We discussed the misleading mailers and ads, particularly the dishonest claim that Jeff wants to eliminate impact fees, and we questioned why a candidate as established as Lisa Burtenshaw requires so much outside help from PACs and powerful endorsers. Our primary concern is that this negative turn is creating a deeply divided community, which will present a major challenge for whoever wins.

Throughout the program, we analyzed how the overwhelming establishment support for Lisa might actually be backfiring by sending a subconscious message that she can't win on her own merits. We also took calls from listeners, which highlighted the misinformation circulating in the community and prompted us to debunk a rumor on-air. Ultimately, we feel that the people surrounding the candidates have made the race about themselves, overshadowing what should have been a debate between two qualified individuals. As Neal Larson and Julie Mason concluded, the negativity is exhausting, and it's a disservice to the voters of Idaho Falls.

Other Topics:

**National & Other Political Races:**
*   U.S. Senate candidate Todd Achilles and his ad about U.S. military power and Venezuelan drug smugglers.
*   A runoff race in Tennessee for a candidate nicknamed the "AOC of Tennessee."
*   President Trump's economic policies, specifically the impact of tariffs on consumer prices.
*   Predictions for the upcoming midterm elections.
*   Federal tax credits and their potential to boost the economy.

**Sports:**
*   College Football, including BYU's ranking, their upcoming championship game, and rumors of their coach being courted by Penn State.
*   Boise State University's football team going to the Mountain West Championship.
*   The Denver Broncos winning their game against the Washington Commanders.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

On this pre-Thanksgiving edition of the show, Neal held down the fort while Julie Mason was away enjoying some well-deserved family time with her new grandson. We dove deep into the local Idaho Falls runoff elections, specifically focusing on the "dark money" mailers that have been circulating. We examined the mysterious political action committee "Defend and Protect Idaho," questioning its true motives after discovering its funding comes from out-of-state PACs. When we put out the call to our listeners in the farming community—a group the PAC claims to represent—we found that none of them had ever heard of it, confirming our suspicions that their good name is being exploited for political gain.

The conversation wasn't all serious politics, though. We had some fun listening to the Idaho governor's awkward attempt to answer a citizen's question about "chemtrails," and we took several calls from passionate listeners who weighed in on the local City Council race. Neal wrapped everything up with a heartfelt Thanksgiving message, reflecting on family and the importance of gratitude, reminding us all to focus on what's right in the world before heading into the holiday weekend.

### Show Highlights:

*   A deep dive into the "dark money" mailers in the Idaho Falls runoff race, specifically investigating the political action committee "Defend and Protect Idaho" and its questionable claims to represent local farmers.
*   We played a clip of the governor's awkward response to a citizen's question about "chemtrails," which sparked listener feedback and a bit of comedy.
*   Listener calls drove the conversation about the City Council runoff, with many expressing concerns about candidate transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
*   Neal shared a personal Thanksgiving message, encouraging everyone to focus on gratitude and what's right in the world before the holiday break.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

On this week's show, Neal Larson hosted solo while Julie Mason was away visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday. With the December 2nd runoff election just around the corner, we dedicated the entire morning to giving Idaho Falls voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates. We were joined first by the two candidates for City Council Seat 2, Teresa Dominick and Brandon Lee. We discussed their backgrounds, their competing visions for managing the city's growth, and their thoughts on zoning, property taxes, and traffic. Neal also pressed both on important issues, asking Teresa how her background prepares her for the council and questioning Brandon about potential conflicts of interest given his work in real estate development.

Later in the program, we welcomed mayoral candidate Lisa Burtenshaw into the studio for an in-depth conversation. We asked her about the shift in her campaign strategy for the runoff, the big-name political endorsements she has received, and a controversial mailer sent out by an independent political group supporting her. We also dug into her stance on a potential local option sales tax and how her administration would differ from the current mayor's. 

Timestamp guide:

00:06:42 -- Teresa Dominick

00:24:01 -- Brandon Lee

00:40:55 -- Lisa Burtenshaw

Click here for our interview with Mayoral candidate Jeff Alldridge from November 18th.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

On the show today, Neal Larson kicked things off while Julie Mason is out for the Thanksgiving holiday. We jumped right into the political fray, discussing the ongoing "mutiny gate" controversy where Democrats are encouraging the military to defy a potential President Trump, and we examined their attempts to clean up those comments over the weekend. We also touched on Marjorie Taylor Greene's decision to step down from Congress. But it wasn't all national politics; we had a lot to celebrate on the local sports front, congratulating Rigby on their dominant state championship win and the Idaho State Bengals for bringing home the potato trophy for the first time since 1981.

We also took a deeper look at some compelling local and social issues. Following BYU's weekend win, we had a serious conversation about the religious bigotry seen in post-game chants and explored why certain groups refuse to adopt a victim identity in the face of it. Closer to home, we dove into the heated mayoral run-off races, specifically calling out the rampant and illegal theft of campaign signs—we even made an offer to publicize any video evidence sent our way to help stop it. To cap it off, we were joined in-studio by State Senator Kevin Cook for a fascinating discussion about Idaho's long-term water strategy, including plans for new reservoirs and infrastructure projects stretching decades into the future.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.

Send us Fan Mail

On today's show, we dove headfirst into the controversy started by a group of Democrat veterans in Congress who released a video telling military members they can refuse "unlawful orders." We see this as a dangerous and irresponsible provocation, a vague attempt to sow chaos and undermine the military's chain of command. When President Trump pushed back hard on social media, correctly identifying their actions as seditious and pointing out the serious legal penalties for such behavior, the left immediately began "flopping" like an NFL player looking for a flag. We discussed how this is a classic case of them starting a fight and then playing the victim when they receive a strong response.

We feel this whole affair is another example of the left operating in bad faith, creating political drama while pretending to hold the moral high ground. We also heard from a veteran who called in to emphasize just how critical the code of military justice and the chain of command are to the safety and effectiveness of our armed forces. On a lighter note, with Thanksgiving approaching, we also shared Neal Larson's mom's famous pecan pie recipe and replayed a great musical performance from a past guest.

Find the pie recipe here.

Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?

You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.

Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.