As I Was Saying with Big John Howell

Who was the Founding Father who coined "We the People"—and why have so few Americans ever heard of him? John Howell welcomes author Jesse Wegman to discuss The Lost Founder , the remarkable story of James Wilson, one of the architects of the Constitution, a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and an early champion of popular democracy. They explore Wilson's influen...

Can artificial intelligence really be trusted? John Howell talks with James and Chase Malackowski of AI QA Global about AI governance, accountability, and the growing need for independent oversight. They discuss who is responsible when AI gets it wrong, the risks of biased data, the Chicago Principles for responsible AI, and why building trust may be the biggest challenge facing artificial intelli...

At four years old, a boy was dropped on the docks at City Point, Virginia, unable to speak a word of English except his own name. He'd been taken from his family on an island near Portugal, abused at sea by superstitious sailors looking for someone to blame for a storm, and abandoned with nothing but the clothes on his back. That boy grew to six foot six and 260 pounds, and became one of the most...

Hitler didn't just want to conquer Greece. He wanted to own it — convinced the ancient Greeks were proto-Germans whose civilization gave the Third Reich its rightful heritage. When the Wehrmacht occupied Athens in 1941, the Nazis arrived believing they were home. That belief bought just enough time for a small group of scholars and spies to pull off one of the war's most audacious cultural rescue...

John Howell sits down with trumpeter and educator Dave C. Norman for an inside look at the life and legacy of legendary L.A. studio player and arranger Jerry Hey. From Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall to Earth, Wind & Fire and Quincy Jones, Hey’s horn section defined a generation of pop and R&B. It’s a deep dive into the artistry, discipline, and unmistakable sound of the players who made br...

John Howell sits down with trumpet virtuoso and educator Dave C. Norman to unpack chops vs. musicianship, studio politics, and the “Quiet Trumpet” philosophy. They dig into range the right way (resistance, slotting, breath attacks), why soft, lyrical control beats higher-faster-louder, and how classical fundamentals pay off everywhere. Plus: mic technique from the Jerry Hey school, lessons from Do...

Mediaite’s Colby Hall joins John Howell to unpack the optics, fallout, and media spin from Donald Trump’s bizarre Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin. From red carpet applause to a rambling press conference, Hall explains how Trump’s attempt at statesmanship backfired—and why even some MAGA loyalists are starting to balk. It’s a sharp, funny, and sobering look at foreign policy as performance. Hoste...

Bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove joins Big John Howell to revisit the night in 1938 when Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds broadcast sent America into a panic. They explore how Welles crafted the fake “breaking news” format, why so many believed it, and the chaos that followed. Hazelgrove also draws parallels between the media climate then and now, and what the stunt still teaches us ab...

Big John Howell sits down with Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson to unpack Illinois' latest push for redistricting reform. They explore why past efforts failed, what’s different this time, and how partisan maps fuel political extremism. Plus, reflections on Mike Madigan, J.B. Pritzker, and a few thoughts on the Bears’ upcoming season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Mortgage expert David Hochberg joins John Howell to break down Trump’s clash with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the dangers of politicizing interest rates, and why economic truth is getting buried under partisan talking points. Plus, tariffs, housing trends, and a tribute to Chuck Mangione. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Howell and longtime radio partner John Dempsey reconnect for an old-school conversation about golf, greatness, and the curious calm of PGA star Scotty Scheffler. From Scheffler’s understated dominance to the rules controversy surrounding Shane Lowry, they dive deep into what makes a golfer—and a game—compelling. They also riff on the new Apple TV golf dramedy Stick , revisit the glory of Happ...

Mediaite’s Colby Hall joins John Howell to break down the unraveling of a long-running MAGA conspiracy theory: the mythical Jeffrey Epstein “client list.” With Trump allies like Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino suddenly changing their tune, Hall explains how MAGA media figures are now facing blowback from the very audience they helped radicalize. It’s a sharp look at what happens when you lose control of...

Trumpeter and jazz educator Wayne Naus joins John Howell for a rare reunion after more than 40 years. They swap stories from life on the road with Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson, break down legendary recordings, and reflect on the highs (and double high C’s) of big band life. From the infamous Buddy Rich “bus tapes” to Wayne’s second act at the piano, it’s a deep dive into music, memory, and the...

Veteran Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long joins John Howell to discuss The House That Madigan Built and the astonishing political career of Illinois’ longest-serving Speaker. From midnight legislative miracles to federal indictments, Long offers a front-row view of Madigan’s unmatched influence—and his dramatic downfall. Plus, the wild true story of how Madigan and Gov. Jim Thompson literally stop...

JJ Spaun shocks the field at Oakmont with a dramatic U.S. Open win, and John Howell and John Dempsey are here to break it all down. From bunker strategy and rough etiquette to Rory’s meltdown and Wyndham’s locker-kicking, it’s a lively post-tournament debrief with plenty of laughs (and one unexpected hole-in-one story). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every so often, we break format on As I Was Saying —no pundits, no headlines, no breaking news—just Big John Howell dispensing the kind of no-nonsense life advice you didn’t know you needed. In this special episode, John serves real-life advice on everything from relationship turmoil involving suspicious texts and overzealous raccoons, to drunken lawn ornament theft and feline codependency, Hosted...

In this episode of As I Was Saying , Big John Howell sits down with longtime friend and drummer Mike Arturi for a wide-ranging conversation about life on the road, playing with legends like Chuck Berry and Badfinger, and keeping The Lovin’ Spoonful alive. The two reminisce about their own band days, swap hilarious war stories from gigs gone sideways, and reflect on the enduring power of music. It’...

John Howell opens the DAT vault to share a once-in-a-career morning from 1998, when Waylon Jennings and Larry Lujack both surprised him with birthday phone calls live on-air. Originally recorded during his time at US99, these conversations capture two legends at their candid best—and a young host caught completely off guard. It's a must-listen for fans of classic country, iconic radio, and unforge...

Perhaps our biggest, current national political debate is… How many immigrants should we allow into the USA annually, and who should be allowed to come? Big question…lots of opinions…Complex answers… Phil Cafaro is a philosopher and writer. His work centers on environmental ethics, population policy and the preservation of wild nature. He's the author of  How Many Is Too Many? The Progre...

Colby Hall is the Founding Editor of  Mediaite.com . He is also a Peabody Award-winning television producer as well as a terrific dancer and preparer of grilled meats. BJH and Colby discuss the different reactions (and non-reactions) of various cable news networks. Also, recalling the classic film Network and how it was WAY ahead of its time...   Hosted on Acast. See acast...

John Howell reconnects with longtime friend and former WLS newsman John Dempsey to break down the 2025 PGA Championship and the rise of golf phenom Scottie Scheffler. The two discuss LIV Golf’s impact on players like Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson, the state of sports broadcasting, and the decline of decorum at professional tournaments. Along the way, they veer into memories of Chicago radio, shared...

John Howell breaks down Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” promise to replace income taxes with tariffs—and shows why the math just doesn’t work. Howell explains how even best-case scenarios leave the U.S. deep in deficit territory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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...