Today's "Stories We Love" brought to you by Kane's Donuts features a moment from last night's Al Smith Dinner in NYC where General James "Mad Dog" Mattis was a guest speaker. He made some jabs at POTUS Trump and had the crowd roaring with laughter. Hear his comments and more from today's "Stories We Love"!

Today's Topics: Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney speaks out to the press at the White House on topics such as the G7 Summit being held at Trump Doral in Miami, POTUS Trump's quid pro quo on Ukraine, and Trump's brand...we cover his presser live and VB responds. Lightning addresses the racism surrounding Spongebob after seeing the musical last night. Megyn Kelly was on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News and addressed activism in journalism; lots were impressed by her comments...would you like her back on Fox? Then new reports say these vaping related illnesses all have a common thread with THC vaping usage on the black market; should Governor Charlie Baker lift his vaping ban? & We speak to guest Jean Paul LaPierre who has become quite a local hero....he first found Lightning the python who was on the loose in Newton this past summer, now he stopped an armed robber on the subway in Chicago! Hear it all here!

New reports say that a good majority of the vaping related illnesses are related to THC vaping products on the black market and not that of nicotine vaping your local vape shop sells. With Governor Charlie Baker putting a four month ban on vape shops in the Commonwealth, we ask, did he overreact and should he lift the ban?

Megyn Kelly was a guest on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News last night and she handled herself very well and explained how opinions and activism have crept into the media. A lot are praising her for her take on it. We ask you, would you like to see her back on the Fox News Network?

Is Spongebob the show racist? Lightning saw Spongebob the Musical last night and loved it! She did notice something during the musical that might have people thinking "hmmm, this looks familiar...". She explains how some might perceive a part of the Musical as racist...she explains. *note there are spoilers in this podcast*

Acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney spoke out to the press today on a variety of issues including the announcement of the G7 summit being held in Miami at Trump Doral, POTUS Trump's quid pro quo on Ukraine, and Trump's "brand" among other things. VB was impressed by Mulvaney...the White House was apparently not. We discuss!

Today's "Stories We Love" brought to you by Kane's Donuts we featured Jean Paul LaPierre of Weymouth who is basically a real life hero. He stopped a robber on a subway in Chicago who was trying to rob people with a gun and then continued on to run the Chicago Marathon, which he was on his way to do when the robber attacked. This is the same man who caught Lightning the missing python in Newton, back in August. This guy has a heroic background! Hear more about him here!

Quietly it floats in the dark, a slow, menacing, oblong shape. Closer and closer it drifts, taking the breath from your lungs as you blow into it. THE BALLOON.

First they took away your plastic bags, now they are after for your party favors.

VB and Lightning discuss the lunacy coming from Beacon Hill and what could be next.

President Trump made the decision last week to pull out of Syria to the anger of liberals across America. Did they forget so soon how long they were protesting having troops over there in the first place? Or how Obama was the one who ordered the military to Syria, not Trump?

VB ordered up some prime cuts of the President's responses to reporters on Turkey, Syria and Russia, discussed that and more with the great callers of WRKO.

Today's Topics: The 4th Democratic Debate took place last night. Did you stay awake for it? Well we did so you didn't have to. Biden flubbed, Yang told Beto to Preach It, Ellen and friendship was brought up, Warren avoided questions, and much more. Later on, VB talks about Trump's decision to pull out of Syria and the on-going discussion with Turkey. Whether or not you agree on the decision, one thing is for certain: they do have a lot of sand over there Mr.President. Last, but not least, Massachusetts legislators are discussing a balloon ban. Balloons, a deadly threat to the environment, right under our noses. Is there an end to his banning madness?

And, to start the show off with a bang, the Stories We Love!

Enjoy this podcasted version of VB in the Middle, LIVE from 12-3pm weekdays on WRKO.

See you tomorrow!