Current Affairs Unfiltered

Juan Castillo (Zoned Out Planner) delves into the complexities of zoning laws and their impact on housing, inequality, and urban planning. Juan explains the basics of zoning, its historical context, and how it has evolved to contribute to social disparities. The discussion highlights current trends in zoning reforms, the importance of public participation, and the role of local government in addre...

In this conversation, Ridge Knapp joins Paige to talk about his campaign for Illinois’s 13th State House District and why this moment demands new voices in state politics. Drawing on his background in organizing, policy, and Democratic leadership, Ridge explains how his generation experiences affordability, housing, and economic insecurity differently — and why those perspectives are missing in Sp...

Phil Andrews interview starts at: 25:49 This week, Paige breaks down Pam Bondi’s evasive congressional testimony to Kristi Noem’s growing ethical scandals. She examines the Washington Post layoffs and why billionaire ownership is hollowing out journalism rather than saving it. The episode also covers Trump’s overtly political speech at a military base and broader attacks on democratic governors. ...

State Senator Laura Fine joins the show for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about the moment her life changed forever — her husband’s catastrophic accident — and the long, painful journey that followed. She opens up about the impossible choices their family faced, from fighting with an unresponsive insurance system to navigating a maze of denials, delays, and bureaucratic indifference...

In this episode Paige walks through a month of headlines that feel both surreal and deeply alarming. From the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, to ongoing protests in Iran and the deadly consequences of empty U.S. threats, this episode examines the gap between rhetoric and reality. We'll also break down Donald Trump’s escalating foreign policy posturing on threats toward Greenland. Dome...

In this episode, Paige sits down with Sam Polan, who is running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District, to unpack why the United States is at a defining crossroads and why the stakes for competent, steady leadership have never been higher. Together, they break down how we ended up in a moment where common sense feels scarce, expertise is undervalued, and political theatrics routinely drown out rea...

In this conversation, Denise Powell, candidate for Nebraska's 2nd district, discusses her transition from a corporate career to community advocacy, driven by political frustrations following the 2016 election. She founded 'Women Who Run Nebraska' to support women candidates and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in politics. Denise highlights the challenges facing Nebraskans, includ...

In this conversation, Matt. Maasdam, a former Navy SEAL and current congressional candidate for Michigan's 7th district, shares his journey from military service to politics. He discusses the importance of leadership, integrity, and compassion in both high-pressure situations and political environments. Matt emphasizes the need for affordable healthcare, the significance of collective bargaining f...

Care for the entire being, be a man or woman for others. In this conversation, Matt Conroy, candidate for Illinois’s 5th Congressional District, breaks down why the United States is falling behind countries like China when it comes to infrastructure, clean energy, and long-term economic planning. He argues that America’s biggest threat isn’t another nation, but our own refusal to update aging syst...

Anthony David Vernon is back! This time to unpack the escalating situation in Venezuela and what it reveals about U.S. power abroad. Together, they trace the historical roots of American intervention in Latin America through the Monroe Doctrine, examine the real-world consequences of economic sanctions, and break down how U.S. rhetoric around oil and democracy shapes public understanding. Anthony...

In this episode, Paige sits down with Cait Conley, a veteran, national security expert, and candidate for New York’s 17th congressional district, currently represented by Mike Lawler. Cait discusses the urgent need for government to deliver real results for everyday Americans, focusing on economic stability, family well-being, and restoring trust in public service. Drawing on her leadership experi...

In this episode, social workers Chelsea Laliberte Barnes and Chante Gamby unpack the realities of the fentanyl crisis, exploring how public health, politics, and human impact collide. They discuss the ways the current administration has leveraged the crisis for political gain, often at the expense of evidence-based solutions and the families most affected. Drawing on their frontline experiences, C...

This episode features Adriano Kalin, a Chicago-based social justice photographer whose work has become a living record of protest movements, community resilience, and the voices too often pushed to the margins. The conversation traces his path into photography, the evolution of his style, and the ethical considerations of documenting people in vulnerable and high-stakes moments. Adriano discusses...

Happy final solo episode of the year!! In this episode Paige reflects on the past year (thank you all!!!) before diving in. She delves into the recent masss shootings at Brown University and Bondi Beach, the implications of Rob Reiner's death and the political discourse surrounding it, as well as a lawsuit against Instacart for alleged political discrimination. The episode also covers ICE operatio...

In this episode, Paige sits down with Hot Takes to unpack his journey from lifelong Republican to political independent, tracing how the rise of Trump and a shift in GOP rhetoric pushed them to reevaluate their values. Together, they explore how Trump’s messaging reshaped the party, and the national conversation, while examining what’s been lost in the era of outrage politics. The conversation div...

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige breaks down a whirlwind month in politics, from Kash Patel’s eyebrow raising private jet habits to Trump’s bulldozing of the East Wing for his own personal ballroom and the wave of pardons that followed. She digs into escalating military activity off the coast of Venezuela, what the latest Election Day results signal about the political landscap...

In this episode, Paige and Abby (Political Psych with Abby) unpack the growing intersection of technology, psychology, and politics through the lens of dehumanization. They explore what happens when we start labeling others as “NPCs,” the dangers of the Liar’s Dividend in an AI-saturated world, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping both political discourse and human perception. At its core,...

In this episode, Paige sits down with Phil Andrew, a gun violence survivor and former FBI agent turned candidate for Illinois’s 9th District, to talk about leadership rooted in trust, accountability, and collaboration. Phil reflects on how his life experiences shaped his commitment to public safety and democracy, emphasizing that thriving communities begin with people who feel secure and heard. He...

In this episode, Dylan Blaha, Congressional candidate for Illinois' 13th district, joins Paige to talk about his leap from military service to politics and why he thinks Washington needs fewer career politicians and more public servants. They dig into the realities of running against an incumbent, how money distorts democracy, and what it actually takes to connect with voters who’ve tuned out. Bla...

Meet Patrick Hanley. Northbrook native, community organizer, and newly minted target of Chaya Raichik’s online outrage machine. In this conversation, Patrick discusses his background growing up in Northbrook, Illinois, and how it shaped his vision for public service. He emphasizes the importance of state politics, grassroots organizing, and community engagement. Patrick shares his experiences runn...

Paige sits down with  Bushra Amiwala, congressional candidate for Illinois' 9th district as she shares her journey as a young political leader, discussing her experiences running for office, the importance of integrity in campaigning, and her commitment to community-driven policies. She emphasizes the need for educational reform through her 'Books Not Bombs' initiative, the challenges posed by AI...

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, host Paige shares her firsthand experience at the nationwide No Kings protest on October 18th, 2025, a day that reignited hope and solidarity across millions of Americans. Paige reflects on the power of collective action and what it felt like to stand shoulder to shoulder with people who refuse to accept creeping authoritarianism. She breaks down the...

Paige sits down with Karen Boyd, the director of research at the Policy & Innovation Center, for a conversation about the rise of artificial intelligence: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s reshaping the way we live and work. Together, they unpack AI’s basic principles and cut through common misconceptions that fuel both hype and fear. The discussion moves beyond the buzzwords to explore...

Lets get messy! (literally).   In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered Paige tries to hold together her own thoughts while everything unravels. First: a government shutdown but maybe not the typical gridlock story. Then: Trump has deployed Texas National Guard troops into Illinois, and attempted to do the same in Portland injecting the military into domestic politics in a move that should ma...

In this conversation, Kevin Ryan, candidate for one of Illinois' Senate seats, discusses his motivations for running for the U.S. Senate, emphasizing the need for a hard reset in the Democratic Party following Trump's presidency. He highlights the challenges faced by outsiders in politics, the importance of campaign finance reform, and the need for a humane immigration policy. Ryan critiques the i...