WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

Directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck join Justin to discuss their new movie, “Office Christmas Party,” which opens in theaters this weekend. Josh and Will talk about what drew them to this project, what keeps them coming back to doing comedy, shooting some of the film in Chicago, when they decided to become directing partners, the positive aspects of working as a team, the main job of a director during a film shoot, the benefits and challenges of working with […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the newspaper so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include President-elect Donald Trump calling Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Trump picking Ben Carson as his nominee to lead HUD, Chicago food trucks losing a battle over city regulations, Amazon looking to expand into the grocery business, the Chicago Bears beating the 49ers, Cam Newton being benched for not wearing a tie on the team bus, Rajon Rondo being suspended for one […]

We have another great show for you to end the week! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin speaks with IPR reporter Amanda Vinicky and Reboot Illinois publisher Madeleine Doubek about all of the big stories coming out of Springfield this week, we reload the week of news with poet and activist Mario Smith and public policy consultant Amara Enyia, author and Professor Sam Weller introduces us to the “Chicago: City of Stories” class at Columbia College, Amy Miller chats about […]

The great Har Mar Superstar joins Justin to talk about his career in music, his latest record, “Best Summer Ever,” how his music has evolved through the years, his amazing live show, where his soul and R&B influences come from, cherishing the 80’s pop sound, moving back to Minneapolis after years in Los Angeles and New York, choosing his next project and his upcoming New Year’s show in Chicago. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The […]

Comedian Amy Miller joins Justin to talk about her career, her new comedy record, “Solid Gold,” what it takes to put together a comedy album, setting some jokes free, being comfortable talking about family and relationships, the importance of discussing current events in her act, being part of the tremendous Kill Rock Stars family, working in this political climate, dealing with hecklers and what she plans to do next. 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 the political movement in Springfield over the state budget, lawmakers suing Comptroller Leslie Munger over their paychecks, the unemployment rate dropping, LeBron James coming to the UC to face the Bulls, Marian Hossa scoring another game-winner, Jonathan Toews being put on injured reserve, the Jay Cutler era possibly ending and the MLB winter meetings starting this weekend. Follow Justin […]

Author and music journalist Ben Westhoff joins Justin to discuss his new book, “Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap.” Ben talks about what compelled him to write this story, the influence of Eazy-E and the origin story of West Coast gangsta rap, the influence of N.W.A.’s “F*#k The Police and Ice-T’s “Cop Killer,” political leaders discounting hip hop, how the movie “Straight Outta Compton” glossed over […]

It’s great to be back with a full four-hour show tonight and we have a good one planned for you! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin chats with The Daily Line’s Mike Fourcher about the latest political stories making news in Illinois, author and music journalist Ben Westhoff discusses his new book, “Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap,” comedian and actor Jon Glaser talks about […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the newspapers so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include Governor Rauner and Speaker Madigan continuing to hold the state budget hostage, President-elect Donald Trump holding off on a trip to Chicago this weekend, Trump nominating Todd Ricketts for Deputy Commerce Secretary, Chicago’s winter parking ban starting tonight, the Bears officially activating Kyle Fuller, tickets to Sunday’s Bears v. 49ers game going for peanuts, the Cubs signing outfielder John […]

Chick-fil-A franchise owner Rob Meier and Goodcity President Jimmy Lee join Justin to discuss #GivingTuesday and a special opportunity for you to give back by grabbing some food tomorrow. Rob and Jimmy talk about the origins of this collaboration, what Goodcity does with the money they receive, the political controversy that surrounded Chick-fil-A when they entered Chicago, the importance of finding clever ways of fundraising and the responsibility of businesses to support the local community. Follow Justin on Twitter and […]