WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

Journalist and author Jonathan Eig joins Justin to discuss his remarkable biography of Muhammad Ali, “Ali: A Life.” Jonathan talks about the book being the only definitive biography of Muhammad Ali, if there was any temptation to make this project an authorized biography, how the book often debunks popular Muhammad Ali stories, the chance encounter that led Ali to becoming a boxer, what boxing was like in the  late 1950’s, how Ali got his nickname, “The Louisville Lip,” how Ali’s  […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include comedian Louis C.K. apologizing for sexual misconduct, Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore saying he may have dated teenagers when he was in his 30’s, more and more Republican members of Congress announcing they are retiring, the Northwestern basketball Wildcats winning their opening game against Loyola (of Maryland and not of Rogers Park), the Bulls losing to the Indiana Pacers, the Bears […]

Naomi Kikoler, Deputy Director of the Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, joins Justin to discuss the root causes that drive countries or rogue states to commit mass atrocities against civilians and what can be done in our modern era to stop it before it begins.  Naomi talks about the enormity of the crisis, her “Bearing Witness” trips to see these atrocities first-hand, why the U.S. and other governments have been determined to defeat […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the indictment of President Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, a developer wanting to lure Amazon by pitching a Bucktown sports stadium, Kevin Spacey coming out of the closet, two sailors recovered after being lost at sea for six months, the Bears losing to the Saints, TE Zach Miller suffering a gruesome leg injury, the Blackhawks losing three in a row, […]

It’s Touché time!  Political analysts Chris Robling and Dave Lundy are here to discuss/debate/argue the top political stories making news this week including the indictment of President Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, former foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos pleading guilty to lying to federal investigators about his conversations with people linked to the Russian government and the possibility of the House GOP unveiling a new tax plan this week. 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 […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the Illinois House rejecting the “bump stock” ban, President Trump declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency,  former President George H.W. Bush apologizing for groping women, the Bulls taking on the Atlanta Hawks, the Cubs making more coaching changes, the Astros tying up the World Series and a new study saying  many baby food products test positive for arsenic. Follow Justin on Twitter and […]

Director Daryl Brooks and Producing Artistic Director Tom Arvetis join Justin to discuss Adventure Stage Chicago‘s production of “Akeelah and the Bee.” Daryl and Tom talk about why they decided to produce “Akeelah and the Bee,” why this season of Adventure Stage Chicago is tackling the theme of literacy, the challenge of putting a beloved film on stage, the excitement of working with kids and what they learned about the competitive nature of spelling bees. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like […]

It’s a special Thursday night edition of “The Download on Chicago Business” sponsored by Signature Bank. Tonight, Justin speaks with Feldco President and owner Doug Cook about why he purchased Feldco, what attracted him to the company, what was appealing to him about the business, the challenge of coming in to a company and changing the environment, the importance of earning trust of the employees, the process of realigning goals, growing the company efficiently, the company celebrating 40 years in business last […]

The hilarious comedian Hari Kondabolu joins Justin to talk about his career, when he knows he has enough strong material to go out on tour, how everything he does is built towards his stand-up act, his upcoming truTV documentary “The Problem with Apu” and his shows this weekend at The Hideout. 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

Alison Cuddy, the Marilyn Thoma Artistic Director at the Chicago Humanities Festival, joins Justin to preview CHF Fallfest/17: Belief! Alison talks about the events taking place during the fest, planning this festival around the theme of “Belief” and the tremendous list of guests the festival is bringing to Chicago including former Vice President Al Gore, playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner and “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through […]