WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

We have a tremendous show for you this evening! On tonight’s episode of The Download, The Daily Line’s Mike Fourcher gives us an update on the special school-funding session down in Springfield, we hear about the amazing story of Darvece Monson, who received a kidney from an 11-year-old gunshot victim, Dr. Alexandra Solomon debunks the myths about “hook up culture,” comedian Josh Johnson tells us about the upcoming release of his new comedy album and since it’s Wednesday, The DuPage Picker is […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the ongoing healthcare debate in D.C., President Trump’s rambling speech in front of Boy Scouts, President Trump also talking smack about Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Springfield getting ready for the school-funding special session tomorrow, the Cubs winning a strange game against the White Sox at Wrigley Field, the Cavs officially signing Derrick Rose, the Bears getting set to report […]

The great poet, author, politician and activist Luis Rodriguez (the official Poet Laureate of Los Angeles from 2014-2016) joins Justin to discuss his distinguished career, being part of the slam poetry scene in Chicago during the 80’s, searching for authenticity in his writing, dedicating his life to helping kids and giving a voice to the voiceless, how he is able to connect with young people, his effort to try and get gang members to rethink their lives, the importance of […]

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 the great Marz Timms!! Do you know what’s the worst? Soggy french fries. 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

Dave Buchen and Chris Schoen of Theater Oobleck join Justin to preview “Baudelaire in a Box,” the upcoming weekend-long music and cantastoria festival adapting the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. Dave and Chris talk about where “Baudelaire in a Box” comes from,  what Baudelaire brings to poetry, what attracts them to Baudelaire’s work, the crossover appeal of Charles Baudelaire and what it was like devoting seven years of their lives to this ambitious and amazing project. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download […]

Chicago Sun-Times owner and CEO Edwin Eisendrath joins Justin to talk about a variety of issues including why he wanted to buy the Chicago Sun-Times, the challenges of owning a media company in 2017, the variety of ways that people are consuming news, what is currently working in the newspaper business, where he sees the paper going, if he sees an end to a print edition of the newspaper in the near future and how he plans to compete for […]

We have a tremendous show to get the week started! On tonight’s episode of The Download, we break down the plethora of national political stories making news with the always affable Chris Varones and Dave Lundy, the new CEO of the Sun-Times Edwin Eisendrath sits down at the Big Table to discuss the future of journalism and newspapers, creator Derek Berry tells us about the new “Riot Feast” pop-up restaurant, Dave Buchen and Chris Schoen of Theater Oobleck preview the upcoming “Baudelaire in […]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joins Justin to discuss the budget cuts driven by the sugary drink tax delay, if we can expect additional layoffs, the criticism she’s received from Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Commissioner Boykin and the Chicago Tribune editorial board and what needs to be done to eventually balance the Cook County budget. 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

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include O.J. Simpson being granted parole, Robert Mueller looking into President Trump’s business transactions, Chicago reaching a settlement in the red light camera lawsuit, McDonald’s starting to deliver apparel, switching problems causing massive CTA delays, a new study saying liberals don’t even like to be around Trump supporters, the Cubs gaining on the first place Brewers, highly touted prospect Yoan […]

Journalist Alison Cuddy joins Justin to tell us about her new job as the Artistic Director of the Chicago Humanities Festival.  Alison talks about her promotion, what her new position entails, what the Chicago Humanities Festival tries to accomplish, what it means for the city, how the festival tries to be broad and diverse in their approach, why the festival has shifted to year-round programming, being part of Chicago’s long legacy of arts and culture, the importance of having arts […]