WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

We have another incredibly eclectic show for you! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Alden Loury, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Metropolitan Planning Council, discusses the cost of segregation, MMA fighter Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal chats about his career and upcoming bout against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, author Donna Seaman talks about her book, “Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven American Women Artists,” Monica Eng tells us about the history of the Chicago hot dog, Monica’s daughter Miranda tells us about her new podcasts […]

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Richard Ashcroft (“Bitter Sweet Symphony”) joins Justin to talk about his career, the memories he has of performing in Chicago, why “Urban Hymns,” his record with The Verve, still resonates with fans after all these years, the consistency between his work with The Verve and his solo material, how he approaches writing a song, his latest solo record, “These People” and his upcoming show at House of Blues. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the newspaper so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the GOP failing to get enough votes for their new healthcare bill, the internet going crazy over a photo of a group of white men trying to take on reproductive rights, a Cook County Judge ordering the state to pay lawmakers in Illinois during the budget impasse, President Trump approving the completion of the Keystone Pipeline, Cook County recording […]

Actor, screenwriter and Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright (“August: Osage County”) Tracy Letts joins Justin to talk about his amazing career, Chicago’s wonderful theater community, how the theater audience in Chicago is very adventurous, the importance of having people around him who he can trust, how he deals with rejection, what it takes to get a show to Broadway, keeping the Steppenwolf ensemble spirit with him when he’s working in New York, the skill it takes to be an actor […]

We have an A+ show for you to end the week! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Tracy Letts chats about his career and “Linda Vista,” his latest work for the Steppenwolf Theatre, Amara Enyia and Mario Smith recap the huge week in news and we end the show with our monthly visit from local innovator and genius Steve Gadlin as he steps into The Frying Pan! Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a […]

Activist and poet Mario Smith and public policy consultant Amara Enyia join Justin to recap all the stories that were making news this week including House Republicans pulling their healthcare bill, FBI Director James Comey testifying before the House Intelligence Committee, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearing, the string of missing girls in Washington, State Senator Daniel Biss announcing his candidacy for Illinois governor and Chance the Rapper playing Lollapalooza. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the newspaper so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes claiming some Trump transition messages were intercepted, the House getting ready to vote for the replacement to Obamacare, the state of Illinois shooting down a Barack Obama holiday, AT&T being mad at the state of Illinois because it wants to stop landline service, the future of Sears reportedly in peril, Lollapalooza announcing their line-up, […]

The Daily Line‘s Mike Fourcher is here for his weekly visit and tonight he breaks down all of the details surrounding Mayor Emanuel’s emails and possible lobbying violations, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza taking on Governor Rauner, State Senator Daniel Biss announcing his candidacy for governor and a new Chicago community relations report. 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

Goose Island‘s Brewing Research and Development Manager Mike Siegel joins Justin to tell us about Goose Island’s new Cubs-themed beer, 1060 Wit. Mike talks about why the company wanted to put new product in Wrigley Field, how the company has grown to become a major player on the beer scene, the current craft beer scene in Chicago, how Goose Island continues to create and innovate and why they resist the urge to jump after every trend. Follow Justin on Twitter and […]

We have an outstanding show to start the week! On tonight’s episode of The Download, political analysts Dave Lundy and Chris Robling break down today’s hearings on Russia’s possible interference with the U.S. election, Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright David Auburn tells us about his play, “The Columnist,” which is getting it’s Chicago premiere at Stage 773, Goose Island’s Brewing Research and Development Manager Mike Siegel chats about a new Cubs-themed beer, rising Milwaukee-based hip hop artist WebsterX talks about […]