WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

Britt Nolan, Chief Creative Officer for Leo Burnett USA, joins Justin to talk about his career, what drew him to the ad business, the importance of the Super Bowl to the advertising community, the use of politics in advertising, Chicago’s strong place in the advertising business around the world, the challenges Leo Burnett faces being based in Chicago, the competition for new business, using creativity to get clients, trying to keep up with fast-moving technology, the introduction of six-second bumper […]

Chicago hip hop artist The Boy Illinois joins Justin to talk about his career, the evolution of his music, why he decided to delete a lot of his older work off the internet, working and touring with Lupe Fiasco, sharing political views in his music, feeling pressure to write about the current political climate, where he fits on the Chicago rap scene, the way Chicago’s violence problem is portrayed on a national level and why he wants to keep on […]

Author, former white supremacist and peace activist Christian Picciolini joins Justin to discuss his book, “Romantic Violence: Memoirs of an American Skinhead.” Christian talks about growing up in Blue Island, his struggle to find an identity and community, when racism started to enter his life, meeting white supremacist Clark Martell, the neo-Nazi skinhead movement starting in Blue Island, leading the white supremacist movement at the age of 16, having doubts about the ideology every day of his life, obscure punk music […]

We have an amazing show for you to start the week! Political analysts Dave Lundy and Chris Varones get things started by breaking down the Week in Trump, author and former white supremacist Christian Picciolini talks race, rehabilitation and his book, “Romantic Violence: Memoirs of an American Skinhead,” National Geographic explorer Kenny Broad explains the lessons learned from underwater caves, Sudanese-American singer-songwriter Sinkane talks performance and politics and we end the show in Studio 435 with some live music courtesy of […]

This is such a treat! Material Reissue (original Material Issue members Ted Ansani, Mike Zelenko and new member Phil Angotti) join Justin in-studio to talk about the impact that the great Chicago band Material Issue had on popular music, what it was like when the band was at the height of its popularity, the sudden death of leader Jim Ellison and the aftermath that followed, why Ted and Mike decided to call it quits when Jim Ellison died, why Ted […]

Musician Ahmed Gallab, aka Sinkane, joins Justin to talk about his career, how his music has evolved, the importance of connecting with people, moving around a lot as a kid, how that experience helped him and influenced his music, having a Sudanese background, immigration and the current political climate, his new record, “Life & Livin’ It” and his upcoming show at Lincoln Hall.  Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday […]

National Geographic explorer and Environmental Anthropologist Kenny Broad joins Justin to talk about his great career, how he became interested in exploring, the risk involved in doing his job, wanting boredom on an expedition, the growing influence that technology has on exploration, commercial and private interests getting involved in exploration, the impact of climate change and his Nat Geo Live events this week at The Goodman Theatre. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the newspaper so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include President Trump’s lengthy press conference, Chicago violence being brought up at the Trump press conference, a judge in Illinois denying a request to stop state worker paychecks unless lawmakers resolve the state’s nearly two-year budget impasse, Governor Rauner releasing his budget proposal, students at the University of Chicago protesting an appearance by Corey Lewandowski, the NBA All-Star game taking […]

Reboot Illinois publisher Madeleine Doubek join Justin to talk about the continuing saga over the historic Illinois budget stalemate, Governor Rauner’s budget address, the “grand bargain” budget deal being negotiated by Democratic and Republican Senate leaders and Chris Kennedy getting into the race to challenge Governor Rauner. Justin and Madeleine are also joined by State Senator Daniel Biss who talks about his effort to force anyone running for president to release their tax returns or their name won’t appear on the […]

Such a joy to have WGN’s Bob Kessler in-studio to play harmonica for us tonight! Bob tells us about the upcoming Harmonica Hoedown at Martyrs’ and treats us to a few tunes with help from James Conway, Graham Nelson and Joe Filisko. We learn a little bit about the history of the harmonica and listen to some great songs including “Green Onions,” “June Apple” and a medley of tunes from soloist Joe Filisko. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a […]