WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

We have a spectacular show for you tonight! On this evening’s episode of The Download, Justin speaks with DeskView’s Michael Bolos and Jason Grohowski about their effort to change the way people work, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas discusses her career in Illinois government and what we should know about our property tax bills, we introduce you to the great Chicago artist and producer Cam O’bi and since it’s Tuesday we end the show with “The Worst,” where we complain about […]

We have an amazing show to get your week started! On tonight’s episode of The Download, NASA mechanical engineer Kobie Boykins explains his work designing the solar arrays that power the Mars exploration rovers, political analysts Chris Robling and Dave Lundy break down all of the national political stories making news this week, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris discusses her book, “The Deepest Well: Healing the Long‑Term Effects of Childhood Adversity,” chef Cleetus Friedman tells us about his new job at The […]

Center for Youth Wellness Founder and CEO Dr. Nadine Burke Harris joins Justin to discuss her book, “The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity.” Dr. Burke Harris talks about how her childhood trauma research is becoming much more widely known and understood, how the book is about advancing the standard of care that we have for pediatric medicine in the United States, the three different type of stress, how traumatic experiences can dramatically impact health, the challenge […]

NASA Mechanical Engineer Kobie Boykins joins Justin to talk about his career, his involvement with the Mars Rover program, how his work has evolved over the years, the history of the program and the incredible amount of engineering that goes into the work, how he is able to learn something new from each Mars Rover mission, the way the public has responded to each mission, the emotion that is attached to each rover and his upcoming event, “Exploring Mars,” at […]

The tremendously talented comedian (and lawyer and frequent contributor to Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez) Paul Farahvar joins Justin to preview this Sunday’s “Everyone’s a Lawyer” show at the Laugh Factory. Paul talks about where the idea for this game show comes from, how the game works, the amount of preparation that goes into each show, the similarities between law and comedy, what he’s learned about the law from being in comedy and the challenges of being a working comic […]

Journalist and Chicago Public Square publisher Charlie Meyerson and journalist and author Anne Johnsos join Justin to discuss their “Big Thoughts from Little Brains” event taking place this Thursday, February 22nd at M Lounge. Anne will read from her recent book, “Potty-Mouthed: Big Thoughts from Little Brains” and Charlie will share excerpts from journals he and his wife kept while raising their three sons to adulthood. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday […]

Journalists Jen Sabella, Shamus Toomey and Stephanie Lulay join Justin to talk about launching Block Club Chicago, a new nonprofit neighborhood news site. Jen, Shamus and Stephanie talk about the overwhelming support for their venture, when they decided to take on this project, why they believe this news organization is important to the city of Chicago, the importance of being hyper-local, the similarities and differences between Block Club Chicago and DNAInfo Chicago, how they are going to choose what neighborhoods to […]

Mollie Green, The Download’s Olympics correspondent, joins Justin to break down all of the highlights from tonight’s winter games. Mollie talks about Nathan’s Chen skating comeback after a couple of disappointing early programs, how fan favorite Adam Rippon performed, how Lindsey Vonn did in her Olympic return and the overall performance of the U.S. team thus far. 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

We have a terrific show to end the week! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin chats about the business of buttons with Busy Beaver Button Co. President and Owner Christen Carter, Pro Publica’s Mick Dumke and Chicago Magazine’s Carol Felsenthal break down the busy week in news, the amazing indie rock duo First Aid Kit discuss their career and recently released album, “Ruins,” we play another fun game of “Never Have I Ever” and our Olympics correspondent Mollie Green […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the shooting at a Florida High School, a suspect being charged for fatally shooting Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer, Governor Rauner giving his budget address, Lent beginning today, the Chicago White Sox and WGN Radio announcing a partnership, the Cubs introducing Yu Darvish, pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, the Blackhawks losing their 7th game in a row, Northwestern losing […]