The Neal Larson Show

The Neal Larson Show

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The Neal Larson Show episodes

  • 9.22.25--NLS--Kirk Memorial, ISU 90-0 Win, Educational Choice Lawsuit

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    In today's episode of the Neal Larson Show, the host reflects on the emotional aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination and the five-hour-long tribute held in his honor. Larson praises the event as a "revival" rather than a call for revolution, highlighting the powerful and moving speech by Kirk's widow, Erica. He plays clips of her speech where she notes the absence of rioting after the assassination and publicly forgives her husband's killer, stating that the answer to hate is love. The host contrasts this message of forgiveness and unity on the right with what he perceives as the toxic and divisive politics of the left, criticizing those who share out-of-context clips to besmirch Kirk's legacy.

    The host also discusses several other current events, including a lopsided 90-0 victory for the Idaho State University football team and a minor controversy involving the Idaho Falls High School football team and the marching band. A significant portion of the show features an interview with Chris Cargill from the Mountain States Policy Center about a lawsuit filed against Idaho's parental choice in education law. The lawsuit, involving plaintiffs like Representative Stephanie Mickelson and the Moscow School District, is described by Cargill as a cynical attempt to block educational options for families, and he expresses doubt that it will succeed in court. Additionally, the host comments on the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, dismissing the idea that it represents a major threat to free speech, especially when compared to the assassination of a major political commentator.

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    1 hr 25 min
  • 9.19.25--NLS--Hostile Political Climate, Studio 4 Cover, Congress Honors Kirk

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    The show began by addressing the increasing hostility and lack of decorum in American politics, highlighted by a clip of a shouting match in Congress between Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Byron Donalds. The hosts observed a troubling rise in profanity and chaotic exchanges among legislators, viewing it as a symptom of a deeper cultural breakdown. They expressed concern over a growing societal acceptance of political violence and the inability to engage in logical, reason-based debate, noting that this emotional-driven discourse makes reconciliation difficult. Despite the bleak political climate, the hosts suggested a positive counter trend in a potential religious renaissance, encouraging listeners to be more open about their faith as a source of strength and community.

    The tone shifted with an in-studio performance by singer-songwriter Evie Claire, a former "America's Got Talent" contestant. Evie shared her personal journey, including the loss of her father to cancer during her time on the show, and how her faith helped her persevere. After performing a snippet of her original song "Empty," she delivered a cover of Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle." Following the musical segment, the hosts discussed the recent House vote to honor the late Charlie Kirk, noting that 58 Democrats voted against the resolution. The remainder of the show featured calls from listeners who debated various solutions to the burden of property taxes, including basing taxes on the original purchase price and providing exemptions for senior citizens.

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    1 hr 22 min
  • 9.18.25--NLS--Interview with Senator Risch, Kimmel's Removal

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    In an interview on the Neal Larson Show, U.S. Senator Jim Risch discussed several pressing national and international issues. He addressed the looming government shutdown, noting that if an agreement isn't reached by October 1, about 15% of the government would be affected. The senator also provided an update on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that while talks are essentially a "ruse," both sides will need to make difficult concessions for peace. He commented on President Trump's warm reception during his state visit to the U.K., highlighting the strong and long-standing alliance between the two nations. The conversation then turned to the recent assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which Senator Risch described as a deep wound to the country, prompting a significant review of security for public figures.
    Following the interview, Neal and Julie delved into the political fallout from Charlie Kirk's assassination, particularly the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show after he was accused of spreading lies about the killer's motives. They explored the distinction between "cancel culture," which they defined as proactively digging into someone's past to cause harm, and "consequence culture," which involves immediate repercussions for recent, inappropriate actions. The discussion raised concerns about a sitting FCC commissioner publicly suggesting that ABC, Kimmel's network, should be "held accountable," which was followed by the show's removal by affiliates. While acknowledging that a private company has the right to make its own programming decisions, the hosts debated whether the perceived pressure from a federal regulator constituted government overreach and a threat to free speech, creating a dangerous precedent.

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    1 hr 29 min
  • 9.17.25--NLS--Kirk Assassination Fallout, National Crisis of Trust

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    In the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination, the Neal Larson grapples with the resulting political and societal fallout. He strongly refutes the "both sides" narrative that assigns equal blame for the current heated political climate, arguing that violent rhetoric and actions predominantly stem from the political left. Neal critiques opinion pieces calling for a general lowering of the temperature, stating such calls are too late and misdirected. He asserts that conservatives have long warned that labeling political opponents as "Nazis" and "fascists" would lead to violence. Citing a list of politically motivated attacks read by Senator Eric Schmidt, the Neal maintains that the problem of political violence is a "cancer" within the left that its own pundits and politicians refuse to address, and that genuine unity can only be achieved by honestly identifying the source of the problem.

    Neal and Julie also discuss the broader societal impact of the assassination, describing a pervasive sense of darkness, distrust, and division. They explore the rapid spread of numerous conflicting conspiracy theories online, which has created a confusing and unstable environment where objective truth is hard to grasp. The host advises listeners to be cautious of information from sources profiting from the tragedy and suggests applying Occam's razor—that the simplest explanation is often the correct one—to navigate the rampant misinformation. The conversation touches on a national crisis of trust, where even official narratives are met with skepticism, leaving many people feeling unsettled and unsure of what to believe in the aftermath of the shocking event.

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    1 hr 23 min
  • 9.16.25--NLS--"Both Sides-ism", Political Violence, Senate FBI Hearing

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    In this episode of the Neal Larson Show, Neal argues against the idea of "both sides-ism" in political discourse following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying that equating lesser offenses with horrific acts of political violence is absurd and that the left is disproportionately responsible for escalating political tensions and violence. Kirk's assassination is contrasted with the murder of Melissa Hartman, with the hosts noting that Hartman was not a national political figure subjected to constant death threats and vilification like Kirk was. Neal also cited polling data suggesting that a significant portion of the Democratic party, particularly those identifying as "very liberal," believe political violence is justified, a sentiment he claims is only held by a small single-digit percentage of Republicans. Neal and Julie urged listeners to be bold in rejecting false equivalencies and to be aware of what he describes as a growing appetite for violence on the left.

    The episode also covered several other news items, including an Idaho judge's dismissal of a whistleblower lawsuit against Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador. The lawsuit, filed by former deputy AG Daphne Huang, was thrown out due to a lack of evidence. Additionally, the host discussed a Senate hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel, which was expected to focus on the Kirk assassination investigation but also touched on the FBI's counterintelligence efforts and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's questions about the bureau's internal review processes. Throughout the broadcast, the hosts cautioned listeners against falling for misinformation and conspiracy theories circulating on social media, particularly AI-generated images of the suspect and theories involving Benjamin Netanyahu. The show concluded with a discussion about Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision to pull the teaching credentials of any teacher who celebrated Charlie Kirk's assassination.

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    1 hr 26 min
  • 9.15.25--NLS--Political Radicalization, Community Vigil, UVU Eyewitnesses

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    In the wake of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, the Neal and Julie grapple with the nation's reaction, expressing disgust and anger. They condemn what they describe as years of inflammatory rhetoric from the left, which they believe culminated in this act of violence, and are further incensed by those who have celebrated the killing. The hosts discuss the spread of conspiracy theories and the attempts to posthumously smear Kirk's character, pushing back against characterizations of him as a controversial or hateful figure. They highlight the community's effort to come together, referencing a large candlelight vigil held in Idaho Falls that drew hundreds of people to honor Kirk's memory and reaffirm Christian values in a reverent atmosphere.

    The program features a powerful and emotional interview with Michael Snapp, a senior director at Utah Valley University (UVU), and his son Connor, who were both on campus during the attack. Michael recounts the chaos from his perspective inside a campus building, where the shooter was on the roof, and describes helping students get to safety while coordinating with SWAT teams. Connor shares his traumatic experience of being just feet away from Charlie Kirk when he was shot, detailing the immediate shock and the fear that followed. Both father and son reflect on the difficulty of processing the event, the "new normal" they anticipate on campus, and the lingering emotional and psychological impact of witnessing such a brutal act of political violence.

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    1 hr 30 min
  • 9.12.2025 -- NLS Charlie Kirk Coverage, Studio 4 Covers (Claire Dye), Candlelight Vigil

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    Neal and Julie carry coverage of the Charlie Kirk Assassination arrest.

    Claire Dye performs this week's Studio 4 Cover. 

    We discuss Saturday evening's candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk.

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    1 hr 27 min
  • 9.11.25--NLS--In Memory of Charlie Kirk

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    The Neal Larson Show discusses and takes calls about the assassination of Conservative influencer and Turning Point Founder, Charlie Kirk. 

    President Trump's remarks about 9/11 are also carried. 

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    1 hr 26 min
  • 9.10.25--NLS--Russian Drones, Racial Violence, Voter Fraud

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    In the podcast, host Neal Larson discusses several current events, beginning with Poland shooting down Russian drones that violated its airspace. He criticizes the media, particularly outlets like the Drudge Report, for what he sees as sensationalized, clickbait headlines suggesting an imminent war. The main focus then shifts to the murder of Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutska in Charlotte. Larson condemns the mainstream media's framing of the story, citing headlines from Politico, Axios, and The New York Times that he argues downplay the racial motive of the crime. He contrasts this with the media's narrative following the death of George Floyd, highlighting what he perceives as a double standard. The host plays clips from CNN and Tucker Carlson to illustrate the national debate surrounding the murder, emphasizing that the perpetrator's own words, "I got the white girl," clearly indicate a hate crime.
    The conversation also covers a local issue regarding voter fraud in Island Park, where ten people have been arrested in connection with an auditorium district vote decided by only nine votes. The hosts question whether the fraudulent votes could lead to the election being overturned and discuss the legal complexities, as Idaho law doesn't have a clear process for decertifying a ballot measure outcome. 

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    1 hr 24 min
  • 9.9.25--NLS--Prayer in Schools, NC Train Murder, Island Park Election Fraud

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    On the Neal Larson Show, the hosts analyzed President Trump's speech on faith, where he announced new guidance to protect prayer in public schools and a task force to eradicate anti-Christian bias in the federal government. A significant portion of the show was dedicated to the brutal murder of a Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte, with the hosts criticizing the mainstream media for its delayed coverage. They took aim at commentator Brian Stelter for framing the story around "pro-Trump activists" rather than the crime itself, arguing it exposes a media bias where tragedies are only valued for their political utility. The hosts also called out Representative Jasmine Crockett for her claim that law enforcement's role is to solve crime rather than prevent it, and accused Stacey Abrams of gaslighting the public by denying she ever claimed her 2018 election was stolen.

    The program also explored the viral "Phillies Karen" incident, where a woman aggressively took a home run ball from a child, sparking a debate on public decorum, social media backlash, and the unwritten rule of giving baseballs to kids. Locally, the hosts revisited the voter fraud case in Fremont County, where property owners illegally voted in an Island Park election. This led to a spirited debate with a listener who argued against all school bonds and property taxes, prompting a broader discussion on the principles of funding community infrastructure like schools, parks, and emergency services.

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    1 hr 24 min

About The Neal Larson Show

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Neal Larson is an Associated Press Award-winning newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He has a BA from Idaho State University in Media Studies and Political Science. Neal is happily…