WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

The tremendously talented jazz and soul artist Lili K makes a return appearance to The Download to chat with Justin about making music in Chicago, the positive response she received from “Magic,” the single that was released last November, paying homage to the origins of jazz, the importance of trying to make a positive impact, writing for herself versus writing for other people, the process of collaborating with her band and the forthcoming record, “Planet of Flowers.” Lili and the […]

We have a wonderful show for you this evening. On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin welcomes political analysts Chris Robling and Jacob Meister to the ring for another spirited debate on all the national political stories making news this week, journalist and radio host Scott Simon chats about his longtime love affair with the Chicago Cubs, we learn about a new locally produced web series called, “Chapstick,” journalist and award-winning author Robert K. Elder tells us about some recently […]

Journalist, award-winning author and Ernest Hemingway historian Robert K. Elder joins Justin to talk about the century-old Ernest Hemingway love letters that were recently discovered that shed some light on Hemingway’s unrequited love and early life. 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  

“Chicago Newsroom” host Ken Davis and commentator and comedian Aaron Freeman join Justin to recap all the stories that were making news this week including the House passing a new healthcare bill, the awakening of the Trump administration, Elon Musk’s SpaceX launching a spy satellite, the clash over the sale of the Thompson Center, the continuing problem with violence in Chicago, President Obama’s paid Wall Street speech, President Trump’s fascination with Andrew Jackson, the massive James Webb Telescope completing its first […]

On Friday evening, March 31st, Justin took The Download on the road for a special live show which took place at the Cards Against Humanity event space. It was a great night featuring interviews with State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss, Top Chef alum and Parachute chef Beverly Kim, former Second City legend and “30 Rock” actor Scott Adsit, comedy sketches from the hilarious Abby McEnany and Kevin Lampe and live music from the marvelous Taylor Bennett. Check out […]

It’s time once again for another fun-filled game of “I Never!” What famous movie have you never seen? What food have you never eaten? What book have you never read? It’s time to come clean and tell us about your cultural blind spots! 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 the House of Representatives passing a new healthcare bill, Prince Phillip retiring, President Trump signing a religious liberty executive order, former NSA Director Susan Rice not testifying before a Senate Committee, the Obamas giving the city of Chicago two million dollars for summer jobs, the Cubs beating the Phillies, the Sox defeating the Royals, the Bears announcing jersey numbers, […]

Alden Loury of the Metropolitan Planning Council and Rob Paral, an analyst and consultant with Rob Paral and Associates, join Justin to talk about a new Metropolitan Planning Council analysis that shows suburban municipalities that witnessed sharp declines in white population between 2000 and 2010 have continued to lose population, lose jobs or lose both since 2010, particularly in majority-black and majority-Latino suburbs. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through […]

We are cruising towards the end of the week with another terrific program for you! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin chats with Alden Loury of the Metropolitan Planning Council about suburban job loss, the great actor Richard E. Grant tells us about his role in “My Fair Lady,” currently in production at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chef Carrie Nahabedian discusses her great career in food, Townstone Financial’s Barry Sturner answers all of our real estate questions and […]

The marvelous actor Richard E. Grant joins Justin to discuss his role as Henry Higgins in the production of “My Fair Lady” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Richard talks about what attracted him to this role, how “My Fair Lady” was his first role in a musical, revisiting a character that he played a decade ago, the difference between this musical and other musicals like “Fiddler on the Roof” or “Hamilton,” how he prepared for playing such an iconic […]