As I Was Saying with Big John Howell

Jennifer Stephens joins John Howell to reflect on the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a native of Chicago’s South Side. The two discuss the significance of his background, his connection to Pope Francis’s legacy, and what his papacy could mean for the Catholic Church and America’s standing in the world. Stephens shares personal stories, deep emotion, and a rare momen...

Political commentator Matt Lewis joined John Howell to break down what he sees as a turning point in Donald Trump’s post-presidency: the new wave of tariffs that Lewis believes may be the former president’s political undoing. Comparing Trump’s abrupt tariff rollout to President Biden’s infamous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Lewis argued the move was a self-inflicted economic blunder that Trump “own...

John Howell sits down with financial expert David Hochberg to dissect the fallout from President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs. Hochberg explains how the abrupt trade shift has rattled bond markets, driven up mortgage rates, and undermined confidence in the U.S. economy. Together, they explore the broader implications for American consumers, investors, and businesses navigating the chaos of "Liber...

John Howell is joined by golf enthusiast and former WLS News Director John Dempsey to relive Rory McIlroy’s dramatic victory at the 2025 Masters. The two discuss McIlroy’s emotional journey, his long-awaited Grand Slam, and the tournament’s unforgettable moments. They also weigh in on the state of professional golf, the culture at Augusta, and the future of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

In this episode of As I Was Saying , John Howell delivers a scathing breakdown of President Trump’s erratic tariff policy and its far-reaching economic fallout. From spiking food prices to market instability and rising mortgage rates, Howell explains how this self-inflicted economic wound threatens to spiral into a full-blown crisis. With sharp wit and historical context, he calls on Americans to...

John Howell takes a look at President Trump’s sweeping new tariff policy, which he calls the largest tax increase in American history. Howell unpacks the economic and political consequences of the plan, highlighting its likely impact on prices, supply chains, and America’s global standing. With wit and urgency, he warns that this self-inflicted wound may usher in recession—not resurgence. Hosted o...

John Howell welcomed Colby Hall, founding editor of Mediaite.com and Peabody Award-winning TV producer, for a discussion that spanned Trump’s curious obsession with Canada and Greenland, media manipulation, and the Democratic Party’s struggles to define itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Law Professor Eric Siegel with Georgia State University College of Law discusses various aspects of constitutional law, focusing on the Supreme Court's role, the concept of birthright citizenship, the importance of judicial precedent, and the implications of life tenure for justices. He critiques the current political alignment of the Supreme Court and emphasizes the need for term limits. The disc...

Neil Steinberg, a long-time columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, discusses the current state of journalism, the importance of accountability in writing, and the challenges faced by columnists in today's political climate. He reflects on his career, the significance of addressing controversial topics, and the role of columnists in society. Steinberg also shares insights on dealing with criticism an...

John Howell reconnects with his old friend and former colleague, John Dempsey, reflecting on their broadcasting careers, the evolution of talk radio, and the impact of COVID on their professional lives. Dempsey shares insights into his decision to retire, his thoughts on the current media landscape, and his plans to launch a new podcast titled 'What Does It Mean?' The discussion also touches on pe...

Joe Walsh is a former congressman, 2020 Republican presidential candidate, and outspoken critic of Donald Trump. Howell and Walsh tackled the ethical dilemmas of talk radio. Walsh, who admits he once played into divisive rhetoric, now regrets the role he and others had in shaping the modern conservative media landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Howell is joined by Charlie Sykes, former Milwaukee radio host and current host of a new podcast called “ To The Contrary ,” available on Substack. Howell and Sykes touched on everything from the state of conservative media to the erosion of truth in American politics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.