WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

The tremendous acoustic pop-punk band Even in Blackouts join Justin in Studio 435 to talk about why the band got back together after splitting up in 2009, why they choose to perform acoustically, how punk music is a perfect fit for an acoustic sound, the challenge of building an audience, how the pop-punk genre became mainstream and the process of getting back into the studio to create new music. They also perform a few songs including “Motives Misunderstood in the […]

It’s Monday so it’s time to Touché! Political analysts Chris Robling and Kitty Kurth join Justin to debate the top political stories making news this past week including White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon being let go and President Trump’s speech to the nation outlining his Afghanistan strategy. 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 for you this evening! On tonight’s episode of The Download, political analysts Chris Robling and Kitty Kurth break down President Trump’s address to the nation outlining his policy on Afghanistan, Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips reflects on the life and legacy of Jerry Lewis, Chef Diana Davila tells us about her great new Logan Square restaurant Mi Tocaya Antojería and we end the show in Studio 435 with some live music courtesy of the great […]

It’s Industry Night and Justin is joined by acclaimed Chef Diana Davila of the Logan Square Restaurant Mi Tocaya Antojería. Chef Davila talks about her career, why her team starts out each day with a “Mi Tocaya” warrior chant, how growing up in a restaurant family has influenced her, what she learned in the family restaurant business that she keeps with her at Mi Tocaya, where she finds inspiration, what “Midwestern Mexican” means to her, the importance of being one with […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon stepping down, President Trump lifting an Obama era ban on disposable water bottles sold in our national parks, a lawsuit alleging that Subway and Jewel wrongfully taxed consumers over the new soda tax, a new report saying the Asian carp near Lake Michigan got around electric barriers, Foot Locker reporting a loss in […]

Local genius, inventor, innovator, entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” champion Steve Gadlin joins Justin (and special guest Sandy Marshall!) for the monthly edition of the award-wanting segment “The Frying Pan!” Steve presents an exclusive idea to the WGN listeners and they get to decide if it is good enough to present to his principal investor Mark Cuban. Tonight, Steve’s idea is a two-chamber chilling device called “The Nickels Pickles,” which is both a place to preserve and chill one single pickle and also hold […]

We have another extraordinary show for you to end the week. On tonight’s episode of The Download, the Chicago Tribune’s Tracy Swartz gets us up to speed on the week in reality television, we break down yet another terribly busy week in news with WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky and journalist and author Ethan Michaeli, we are treated to a visit from the hilarious Sandy Marshall and we end the show (and week!) with our monthly visit from local innovator and genius Steve […]

It’s a special Thursday night edition of “The Download on Chicago Business” sponsored by Signature Bank. Tonight, Justin speaks with Red Frog Events founder Joe Reynolds about starting the company from his bedroom in Wicker Park 10 years ago, when he recognized that company was gaining momentum, what he learned about the business of creating events, the reliance on repeat customers, branching out to include music festivals, the challenges of growing a company so quickly, how being an entrepreneur is in his blood, […]

Scott Smith, The Download’s new media correspondent, joins Justin to talk about some of the media stories that are making news including internet companies moving to exile white supremacists, why Mic Media decided to “pivot” to more video content and the attention surrounding the Sun-Times’ “Fake President” front page headline. Go see Scott take part in a discussion about Chicago media at Build Coffee on August 31st. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday […]

WGN Chicago Bears Insider Adam Hoge joins Justin to break down the big stories that came out of Bears training camp and to preview this weekend’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. Adam talks about tonight’s lively Bears practice at Prospect High School, the Bears being encouraged by Mike Glennon’s improvement this week, the importance of Glennon having a good game against the Cardinals, where Kevin White has been in training camp, the Bears wanting more consistency from tackle Charles Leno, what […]