WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

The terrific Chicago trio Dream Version join Justin in Studio 435 to talk about making music in Chicago, writing a “failed” protest record, the challenge of being a new band and having people pay attention to their message, the process of sequencing a record in the streaming era, their upcoming tour and their excellent new record, “Fight Fair.” They also perform a few songs including “I Can See Everything,” I’m Still as Spoiled as the Day I Was Born” and “Fight Fair.” […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include Attorney General Jeff Sessions saying White House leaks have tripled, President Trump starting a working vacation, Kenneth Starr saying that special counsel Robert Mueller may be over-stepping his bounds, an adult brawl taking place after a little league game in Canaryville, the Cubs kicking off a series with the Nationals, the White Sox taking on the Red Sox in Boston, […]

We are ending the week in style! On tonight’s episode of The Download, the Chicago Tribune’s Tracy Swartz talks reality shows and Lollapalooza, we recap another interesting week in news with veteran journalist Charlie Meyerson and Cassie Walker Burke from Crain’s Chicago Business, WGN Bears Insider Adam Hoge give us on update on Bears training camp and we end the show with another great game of “Never Have I Ever!” Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann […]

WGN Chicago Bears Insider Adam Hoge joins Justin to break down a busy week at Bears training camp in Bourbonnais. Adam talks about the lack of catastrophic injuries early in camp,  the impressive performances from rookies Adam Shaheen, Tarik Cohen and Eddie Jackson, what we can expect from a bulked-up Leonard Floyd, the improvement of offensive tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie, Kevin White getting pushed by his coach, what we should look for at tomorrow’s Family Fest scrimmage and […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the White House continuing to have problems with leakers, President Trump blaming Congress for Russia sanctions, a new survey saying that Chicago is tied with Orlando as a top choice for convention planners, LaCroix drinkers being angry at Walgreens for wrongly taxing their drink, Liam Gallagher walking off stage early in his Lollapalooza set, the Cubs taking on the […]

We have another exceptional show for you! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin chats with comedians Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero ahead of their show at Park West this weekend, Jonathan Hoenig aka The Capitalist Pig discusses his career and new book, “The Pit: Photographic Portrait of the Chicago Trading Floor,” documentary filmmakers Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk tell us about their new film, “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” rapper, reporter, producer and radio host Sway talks about […]

The great comedians Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero join Justin to talk about their experiences coming through Chicago, Natasha growing up in Rockford, how this particular tour came to fruition, what it is like touring with your spouse, drawing inspiration from each other’s material, how their acts have changed since they have been married, what it is like dealing being in a high-profile relationship with a comedian, continuing to look for projects to do together and the reaction of audience […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include President Trump aide Stephen Miller sparring with CNN’s Jim Acosta over immigration during the White House press briefing, President Trump coming under scrutiny for claiming the Boy Scouts called him to praise his speech in front of the scouts last week, the Dow finishing over 22000, a new poll saying less and less people are investing in the stock […]

One Off Hospitality partner Donnie Madia and One Off Hospitality executive chef and partner Paul Kahan, two of Chicago’s most highly acclaimed restaurateurs, join Justin to talk about their amazing careers, the impressive restaurant empire that they have created, being trailblazers in the industry, what the Chicago culinary scene was like back when they started in the late 90’s, the importance of combining dining and design, the incredible growth of the Chicago dining scene, the challenge of maintaining exceptional service, […]

Author and two-time National Book Award finalist Scott Spencer joins Justin to discuss his latest novel, “River Under the Road.” Scott talks about growing up on the South Side of Chicago, coming back to the city a few times a year, the importance of getting the “place” right, why he chose to use four main characters in this novel, telling a story around specific events, what draws him to the fine line between regularity and chaos, how age has helped him […]