WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

Local genius, innovator and “Shark Tank” champion Steve Gadlin joins Justin for a special Thursday night edition of “The Frying Pan!” Steve presents an exclusive idea to the WGN listeners and they get to decide if it is good enough to present to his principal investor Mark Cuban. Steve’s idea this evening is Clownlergies, a wearable clown nose that has a filtering system that will help cure your allergy problems. Yay or Nay? Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a […]

Emily Graslie, the Chief Curiosity Correspondent at The Field Museum, and Robb Telfer, The Field Museum’s Calumet Outreach Coordinator, join Justin to tell us about this weekend’s Wild Things Conference at the UIC Forum. Emily and Robb talk about the purpose of the Wild Things Conference, the importance of strengthening the conservation community in Chicago, how young people are taking the lead on environmental issues, their relationship with the scientific community, using humor and enthusiasm as learning tools, celebrating the […]

Comedian Sonia Denis joins Justin to chat about her role in the new Chicago-based web series, “Brown Girls.” Sonia talks about how she became involved in the series, shooting the series in Pilsen, how Chicago is a character in the show, the challenge of taking on this project, the positive reviews that the show has been getting, the importance of the show being created by women of color, going out and creating your own work, moving to New York and […]

Now this is an incredible show! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin welcomes State Senator Daniel Biss and Reboot Illinois’ Madeleine Doubek to discuss Governor Rauner’s budget address and Senator Biss’ effort to force anyone running for president to release their tax returns, The Field Museum’s Emily Graslie and Robb Telfer tell us about their work and this weekend’s 2017 Wild Things Conference at the UIC Forum, comedian Sonia Denis talks about her role in the new Chicago-based web series […]

It’s Wednesday night and that means Greg Flamm is here for another edition of “The Swap Meet!” It’s time for you brag about all the cool, interesting, unique collectibles that you have and Justin and Greg will appraise it or just marvel at it! Let Greg guide you through your junk! 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

Filmmaker Dinesh Sabu joins Justin to discuss his new documentary film, “Unbroken Glass, which is showing at the Gene Siskel Film Center starting Friday night. Dinesh talks about why he decided to make this film, the personal nature of the film, the journey he took to find out more about his family, the challenge of getting his siblings to buy into his premise and the stigma associated with mental illness. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the newspaper so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include national security adviser Michael Flynn resigning, Kellyanne Conway being investigated by Congress for her Nordstrom flap, the Chicago Board of Education suing the state claiming discriminatory patterns, Governor Rauner going to Facebook Live to preview his budget address, CTA riders at the Addison El stop being stopped for random bag checks, Stephen Colbert pulling ahead of Jimmy Fallon in […]

Lane Tech High School students Alexander Milne and Seth Hultgren join Justin to discuss their play, “Static,” which is showing this month as part of Rhinofest at the Prop Thtr. Alexander and Seth talk about coming together through a shared interest in film, bringing this project out of their high school and into the local theater community, getting a first hand experience of putting on a show at a Chicago festival, how they ended up at Rhinofest, what they knew […]

WGN’s Kevin Powell joins Justin from Cubs camp in Mesa, Arizona to recap all of the action that took place as pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. Kevin talks about all of the other position players that are already in camp, Joe Maddon continuing to keep the team loose, getting the team to find motivation, the additions and subtractions to the roster and the expectations for the team to repeat as World Series champions. Follow Justin on Twitter and […]

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 always entertaining Mike Makings and the tremendously hilarious Kristen Lundberg. Do you know what’s the worst? Adults who drink milk. 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