WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright David Auburn (“Proof”) joins Justin to discuss his play, “The Columnist,” which is making its Chicago premiere through April 1st at Stage 773. David talks about the story behind, “The Columnist,” the similarities between this story and the current political landscape, why this story makes a great production, how often he comes back to Chicago, using the city of Chicago in his work, what changed in his life after finding success with his second play, […]

Illinois State Representative Will Guzzardi joins Justin to discuss President Trump’s budget proposal and what it means for the state of Illinois. Representative Guzzardi also talks about his push to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 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 stupendous show for you to end the week! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Illinois State Representative Will Guzzardi talks about President Trump’s budget proposal and what it means for Illinois, we recap the week in news with DNAinfo Chicago’s Heather Cherone and the Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long and the Court Theatre’s Artistic Director Charlie Newell tells us about his illustrious career and the new production of Tom Stoppard’s “The Hard Problem.” Follow Justin on Twitter and […]

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charlie Newell joins Justin to discuss his amazing life in theater and the current production of Tom Stoppard’s “The Hard Problem,” which is running through April 9th. Charlie talks about directing a work by Tom Stoppard, the relationships he has with the great playwrights of our time, the Court Theatre putting an emphasis on the classics, the process of putting together a season of Chicago theater, trying to reinvent himself every couple of years, the challenge […]

WGN’s Mark Carman joins Justin to break down Northwestern’s thrilling victory over Vanderbilt and to recap an exciting first day of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. Go Cats! 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

Dane Neal joins Justin to discuss the debut of his new show, “On The Road with Dane Neal,” which starts this Saturday at 2 pm! Dane talks about what he wants to accomplish with the show, his history covering cars and car racing and the various show topics he hopes to dive into as the show progresses. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through Friday from 7 pm. to […]

What have another great show for you this evening! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin chats with The Daily Line’s Mike Fourcher about all the local political stories making news this week, Pastor K. Andre Brooks discusses the church’s role in stemming Chicago violence, artist and musician Bethany Thomas tells us about her residency at The Hideout and her forthcoming record, Lookingglass Theatre Artistic Director Heidi Stillman and acclaimed illustrator Giselle Potter talk about the Chicago Children’s Theatre production […]

Lookingglass Theatre Artistic Director Heidi Stillman and acclaimed illustrator Giselle Potter joins Justin to talk about the Chicago Children’s Theatre’s production of “The Year I Didn’t Go To School: A Homemade Circus,” which is based on Giselle’s book, “The Year I Didn’t Go To School.” Heidi and Giselle talk about the project, why Heidi wanted to put Giselle’s work on stage, being able to create something visually stunning with this text, how this production is based on a true story […]

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 delightfully hilarious Marty DeRosa and Erica Reid! Do you know what’s The Worst? Having to wear damp jeans. 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 newspaper so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include a new CBO report saying 24 million people will lose insurance under the new GOP health law, Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for the resignations of 46 U.S. District Attorneys, the White House asking Congress for more time to revealing evidence of wiretapping, a study saying infant injuries are up due to faulty nursery products, Chicago celebrating St. Patrick’s […]