WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include former Trump campaign aide Sam Nunberg making the media rounds this afternoon, Jeanne Ives criticizing Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former Download guests Gary Oldman and Jordan Peele winning Oscars, Amazon announcing they are looking into their own checking accounts, a rogue (and now fired) Open Table employee creating fake reservations for a competitor, the Loyola Ramblers going to the NCAA Tournament, the […]

Auditorium Theatre CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko joins Justin to talk about her career, what attracted her to Chicago and the Auditorium Theatre, the storied legacy of the Auditorium Theatre, who the Auditorium Theatre serves in 2018, how a performing arts center exists to serve its community, her passion for the performing arts, how a being a political refugee from Cuba impacts her work, the challenge of getting children from Chicago interested in the performing arts, implementing programs that would make […]

It’s time once again to learn about your pop culture blind spots as we play another fun-filled game of “Never Have I Ever!” Have you never been to the South Side Irish Parade? Never been to a Blackhawks game? Never watched “The Godfather?” It’s time to fess up! Never Have I Ever…Been on an airplane. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through Friday from 7 pm. to 11 pm on @WGNRadio

WTTW Chicago Tonight correspondent Amanda Vinicky and Chicago Sun-Times political reporter Tina Sfondeles join Justin to recap all the stories making news this week including the Supreme Court hearing the Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) case, the ongoing debate over gun control, the results of an SIU poll showing J.B. Pritzker and Governor Rauner are leading their respective gubernatorial races, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle  inviting 2640 people to the grounds of Windsor Castle to help celebrate their wedding, Alderman Ameya Pawar launching One Illinois news […]

Matthew Caws from the great band Nada Surf joins Justin to talk about his career, the memories he has of playing in Chicago at places like Fireside Bowl, Schubas and Metro, what it means to him to have a good relationship with a club, the importance of “Let Go” in their discography, having the luxury of making a first record all over again, how the band continues to thrive even after their smash hit, “Popular,” the emotion that goes into […]

Toronto songwriter Tamara Lindeman of The Weather Station joins Justin to talk about her career, her fond memories of playing Chicago, how she adjusts her set based on the venue she’s playing, her most recent self-titled The Weather Station record, the evolution of her sound, the emotional component to her music, her process of creating a song, what we need to know about the Toronto music scene and her upcoming show at Metro. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like […]

Political analyst, radio host and former candidate for Illinois governor Dan Proft joins Justin discuss his life in conservative politics. Dan talks about the new Simon Institute poll saying Governor Rauner is leading his opponent Representative Jeanne Ives, why so many Republicans are turning against Governor Rauner, how the Illinois Republican Party has changed through the years and what defines a conservative in 2018. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through Friday […]

What an amazing and diverse show we have in store for you tonight! The Daily Line’s A.D. Quig and Heather Cherone join Justin to break down the top local political stories making news this week, political analyst and talk show host Dan Proft discusses his life in conservative politics and the state of conservatism in Illinois, Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon talks about a new WTTW documentary “American Creed,” that explores the idea of a unifying set of ideals, we […]

It’s Tuesday night so that means it is time to come together and collectively complain and bemoan about #TheWorst things in society…for prizes! Tonight, Justin is joined by returning champions and the always hilarious Kristen Toomey and Reena Calm! Do you know what’s The Worst?  Political yard signs. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through Friday from 7 pm. to 11 pm on @WGNRadio

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas joins Justin to talk about her career in Cook County government, how the landscape of her job has changed, what she’s learned about Chicago from being in the treasurer’s office, the importance of going into communities to understand them better, the challenge of finding employees who share her vision, how the Cook County Treasurer website has improved and become more efficient and what you need to know about your property tax bill that is due […]