The Systematic Vanishing of Competent Officials

Political Strategist Max Burns fills in for John. He discusses Biden's trip to Lewiston Maine to grieve with the community after the mass shooting that killed 18 people. He also talks about a jury finding fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of 7 counts of fraud and conspiracy after a month long trial. He takes a call from Mitch at Kent State on the new Beatles single. Then, Max interviews Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer who is running for re-election in the newly formed District 10. They chat about abortion bans, Governor Glenn Youngkin, and the upcoming elections in Virginia. Next, he takes calls from Mark in South Dakota on election strategy. Then finally, Max welcomes Susan Tebben. She is a reporter with the Ohio Capital Journal which is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering Ohio state government. She joins him as she is covering Issue 1, Ohio’s massive and complex ballot issue that will shape the future of abortion access in the Buckeye State, plus the other issues that are driving this election cycle.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Nov 20231h 7min

In this special podcast John talks religion and politics with journalist, news anchor and political commentator - Scottie Nell Hughes. They discuss the Israel - Hamas War, the new House speaker, and the future of Donald Trump. Then he interviews legendary musician Mike Mills - multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer who was a founding member of the alternative rock band R.E.M. They chat about losing their drummer Bill Berry, the history and evolution of R.E.M., and their big re-release celebrating the 25th anniversary of their album, "Up". This 2-CD set includes the remastered album and a never-before-released 11-song live performance from the band's '99 taping for the TV series Party of Five.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Nov 20231h 12min

This time John discusses a former Memphis police officer pleaded guilty in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, and is expected to aid further prosecution of the murder. Then, he interviews Ivy Scott who is a criminal justice reporter focusing on Massachusetts state courts, district attorneys, and the state Attorney General's office. Ivy joins Boston Globe advice columnist Meredith Goldstein in a three part series on the relationship podcast "Love Letters", called "We Found Love" which focuses on women who fall in love with men who are serving life in prison. Then he welcomes back native Americans Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella. They talk about Native beliefs and traditions. Simon's new book is called "Your Spirit Animal is a Jackass" and Julie's art can be found at juliefrancella.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Nov 20231h 13min

John's monologue today mulls over the failure in the House to expel indicted GOP Rep. George Santos as a Republican-led resolution fell short of the 2/3 majority needed to pass. Then, he welcomes back Bob Cesca to talk about the failure of George Santos, the campaign of Dean Phillips, and all things Trump. Next, John interviews comedian Paul Mecurio on the modern extreme GOP, the WGA strike, and his off Broadway show “Permission to Speak”. Then winding it up, he chats with Dr. Tracy Pearson about current news and they take calls from Steven in L.A. and Stephen from Kentucky.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Nov 20231h 31min

On this Halloween show - John gives some background and history of the holiday and he discusses the latest news on the Israel - Hamas War and the increasing protests to it. Then, he talks with national security and political affairs analyst and commentator David J. Rothkopf on the war in Israel, the House holding up funding for Israel, and the projections for the 2024 election. Next, he welcomes back Nida Khan who is an Indian women's rights activist. They talk about the impact on Muslim relations and divisions of middle eastern countries due to the war. Then finally, John recounts past Halloweens with callers and they have a spooky discussion about scary movie memories.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 Nov 20231h 19min

John discusses Trump's 14th Amendment disqualification trial which is currently hearing arguments in Denver, Colorado and he weighs the pros and cons of keeping him off the ballot. He takes a call from Beth in Portland on the death of Matthew Perry. Then, he interviews professor at Vanderbilt University, Angela Sutton, and they talk about her new book "Pirates of the Slave Trade: The Battle of Cape Lopez and the Birth of an American Institution". Next, he takes a call from Nicole IN Houston to discuss racism in America. Then rounding it out, John welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider and they chat about Trump's eligibility to run for president according to the 14th Amendment and Trump's reinstated gag order in his federal trial to overturn the 2020 election.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

31 Okt 20231h 9min

Today's episode talks about new speaker of the House Mike Johnson's offensive accusation that the ‘human heart’ is to blame for mass shootings. Then, John chats with democratic strategist Max Burns about all the latest Trump trial news, the looming government shut down, and the irresponsibility of Elon Musk for firing the people who regulate misinformation on his social media platform formerly called Twitter. Next, he takes a call from Gordon in Illinois on the preaching of the bible and the hypocrisy of the GOP. Then closing it up, he interviews the Executive Director of Women’s March - Rachel O'Leary Carmona and they discuss the GOP's abortion laws, homophobia, and lies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30 Okt 20231h

Today John delivers the news that the gunman in the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine was found dead of a presumed self-inflicted gunshot wound. He talks about the GOP's refusal to limit access to AR-15s. Then, he takes a calls from Richard in Iowa on jobs created during Democratic vs Republican presidencies, Norm in Tampa on the Maine gunman and the veteran suicide rate increase, Bill in Orlando on mass shootings and gun legislation, and Dave in Washington on the extremism of speaker Mike Johnson. Next, John talks about Rep. George Santos pleading not guilty in his fraud case and he plays a clip of Congressman Dean Phillips discussing his democratic primary bid. He takes calls from Mitch at Kent State on gun violence and Sean in California on fake Christians. Then wrapping it up, John interviews former New York City police officer Edwin Raymond on what's wrong with policing in America and his new book "An Inconvenient Cop: My Fight to Change Policing in America".See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Okt 20231h