Live from the Heartland

Michael James discusses progressive patriotism in the face of fascism   with activist and attorney Jeff Smith before he hears the history of a progressive Chicago printing press from Salsedo Press co-founder Chris Burke. Heartland at Home Episode 314. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’ and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Chic Street Man. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Donat...

Michael James  &  co-host Euan Hague learn about the new book  The Conviction Machine  from author Flint Taylor of the People’s Law Office before they get more  Good News for Humankind  from coach and blogger Peter Schulte. You can order your copy of The Conviction Machine  here . Get uplifting news sent straight to your email by subscribing to Good News for Humankind  here . Heartland at Home...

Michael James discusses immigrants, the Belfast riots, and gaelic football with author Rus Bradburd, gets updated on the World Cup by track coach Gordon Thomson, and learns about David “Boogie” Gonzalez and the Gonzalez Foundation from its president Vicky Guy and vice president Tanya Gonzalez. You can buy Rus Bradburd’s books  here . Join Vicky and Tanya at the 3rd Annual Boogie Celebration of Lif...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague talk to comrades Jay Schaffner, Carol Pittman and Geoffrey Jacques about their new book  Red Lives: Our Years in the U.S. Communist Party (1950–2000), Vol. 1: Coming of Age in the Communist and Labor Movements  and talk to journalist Nabeela Washington about representation in local journalism and the organizations 15 West and Lucky Jefferson. Get a copy of Red...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague learn about the new book Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss from cognitive behavioral therapist Joel Minden, talk about Illinois’ spring legislative session and the Bears with Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy, and hear about upcoming shows and Guitars Over Guns from Chicago musician Michael Damani. Get a copy of Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss  here . Sign up...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague learn about the new book Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young: My Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground from writer and professor Zayn Ayers Dohrn, hear about an upcoming show from Barbara Silverman and Steve Rosen of Silver Rose, and get the monthly sports report from actor and athlete Adam James. Get a copy of Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young: My...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague talk recent and upcoming elections with political consultant and journalist Don Rose before they discuss politics across the pond and  The Battle of Algiers  with history professor Jonathan Hill. Subscribe to Don Rose’s weekly column by emailing him at  donrose65@aol.com . Heartland at Home Episode 308. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)...

Michael James gets excited for Twin Peaks’ eight reunion shows at Thalia Hall with music journalist Josh Terry, hears more Good News for Humankind from coach and blogger Peter Schulte, then learns about the Films for a Changing World series from documentary filmmaker Maggie Bowman. Sign up Josh Terry’s music, culture, and sports newsletter at  noexpectations.fyi  and for WTTW’s The Daily Chicagoan...

Michael James & co-host Euan Hague hear about how the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais upends the Voting Rights Act before they learn about Oath, an organization that analyzes thousands of races to identify the campaigns where additional funding can actually change the outcome, from its founder and political strategist Brian Derrick. You can buy Christina River’s book  T...

Michael James discusses the differences between the U.S. and China from economist and educator Scott Ogawa, then hears about the new book Freedom Quest from author and filmmaker Debora Masterson. Contact Scott Ogawa to debate his sports theory at  sogawa@gmail.com . Find out where to buy Freedom Quest and upcoming readings in Chicago at  deboramasterson.com . Heartland at Home Episode 305. This we...

Michael James learns about equity theft in Illinois from historian and author Andrew Kahrl before he talks two documentaries about labor organizer Mother Jones with filmmakers Laurie Little, Rana Segal and Peter Kuttner. Find out where to buy Andrew Kahrl’s books at  andrewkahrl.com . See a screening of  Fight Like Hell: The Testimony of Mother Jones  at for free at Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabas...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague discuss the new book Walking Chicago’s Coasts with author Michael McColly, then hear about “Our Jazz Life: A Celebration of the History of Jazz Radio in Chicago” from jazz DJs Dan Bindert, Mark Ruffin and Barry Winograd. Find out where to pick up your copy of Walking Chicago’s Coasts at  michaelmccolly.net . RSVP for “Our Jazz Life" on April 26 at the Chic...

Michael James talks SLATE, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Saul Alinksy and more with legendary organizer Mike Miller. Learn more about organizing at  organizetrainingcenter.org . Heartland at Home Episode 302. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’ and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Chic Street Man. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Donate directly to Live from the He...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague talk about how the government shutdown and war in Iran have impacted flights with Chicago Chapter president of the Transportation Research Forum Joseph Schwieterman, learn about a bill to protect trans people in Illinois from Illinois State Rep Kelly Cassidy, and discuss the history of women’s boxing from journalist Stephanie Bradford. Sign up for Kelly’s newsl...

Michael James is joined by co-host Thom Clark for Live from the Heartland’s 300th episode since moving online to talk politics and the path forward with author and educator Craig Sautter before they hear about the joys of Cuba from Cuban musician Pablo Menendez. Heartland at Home Episode 300. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’ and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Ch...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague discuss the results of Illinois’ Democratic primary election with political consultant Don Rose, hear some  Good News from Humankind  from coach and blogger Peter Schulte, and get some tips on exercise recovery from actor and athlete Adam James. Subscribe to Don Rose’s weekly column by emailing him at  donrose65@aol.com . Get uplifting news sent straight to you...

Michael Jamesand co-host Euan Hague discuss the Cook County Board of Review election with candidate Juanita Irazarry before they hear about the new book Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories from author and activist Nancy Kurshan. Learn more about Juanita Irazarry at  juanitairizarry.com . You can hear Nancy Kurshan discuss Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories with Wea...

Michael James talks the war in Iran and upcoming congressional race with candidate and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, discusses the Water Reclamation District election with independent candidate Sarah Bury, and hears about the Cuban blockade and HotHouse’s 40th anniversary from founder Marguerite Horberg. Learn more about Daniel Biss and his campaign at  danielbiss.com . Learn more about Sarah Bury a...

Michael James discusses the State of the Union and Illinois’ upcoming 9th congressional district election with political consultant and journalist Don Rose before he talks to track coach Gordon Thomson about the Winter Olympics and his induction into Loyola’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Subscribe to Don Rose’s weekly column by emailing him at  donrose65@aol.com . See Gordon Thomson be inducted into Lo...

Michael James remembers Jesse Jackson and talks voter registration with Live from the Heartland’s Katy Hogan then discusses the new film Fanon about French psychiatrist and political philosopher Frantz Fanon with writer and teacher Peter Hudis and filmmaker Floyd Webb. Get tickets to the Chicago premiere of Fanon, screening 7pm on February 26 at the Logan Arts Center,  here . You can order a copy...

Michael James hears about Italy’s response to ICE at the Winter Olympics from author and journalist Jeff Biggers before he talks to author and educator Paul J. Draus about a recent trip to Rwanda, Trump’s real issue with the bridge connecting Detroit to Ontario, and the ‘32 Ford Massacre. Learn more about Jeff Biggers and his books at  jeffrbiggers.com . Join Paul J. Draus at March On! 2026 to com...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague learn about ICE’s impact on health programs in Minneapolis from Augsburg Health Commons’ Katie Clark, talk to the All-Chicago Tenant Alliance’s Miles Hogerty, Danny Rosa and Maya Odendahl about rent strikes and a lawsuit from Rogers Park landlord Imran Khan, then get more Good News for Humankind from coach and blogger Peter Schulte. Learn about and donate to th...

Michael James discusses the murder of Alex Pretti and ICE in Minneapolis with political consultant and jourlanist Don Rose, then is joined by guest host Euan Hague to chat with Matt Heimer and Matthew Yanny-Tillar of the Chicago band Resounding Wayves. Subscribe to Don Rose’s weekly column by emailing him at donrose65@aol.com . You can see Resounding Wayves for free at Whiskey Girl Tavern, 6318 N...

Michael James and guest host Euan Hague hear about the civil rights movement and medical memoir Recovering from Serious Illness Late in Life from activist and author James W. Russell before they talk new book Kin: The Future of Family (and chickens!) with New Yorker cartoonist and author Sophie Lucido Johnson. You can order a copy of Recording from Serious Illness Late in Life  here . Learn where...

Happy birthday to Michael James! This week he gets a breakdown on the political situation in Brazil and Latin America’s relation to the Trump Administration from TeleSur Correspondent Brian Mier before he hears about the five facets of fitness as laid out by the National College of Exercise Professionals from actor and athlete Adam James. Follow Brian Mier’s Substack, De-Linking Brazil,  here . Le...