Live from the Heartland

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague break down the home stretch of the Michigan midterms with author and educator Paul J. Draus, discuss elections in Brazil, Israel and across America with political consultant and journalist Don Rose, and chat about the intersection of politics and sports with actor and athlete Adam James. Subscribe to Don Rose’s weekly column by emailing him at donrose65@aol.com...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague discuss getting out the vote with Live from the Heartland’s own Katy Hogan before they hear about the album Cyclature from composer and pianist Amy Wurtz. Find out where to listen to Cyclature and where you can see Amy perform at amywurtz.com . Heartland at Home Episode 330 This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’ and “Doin’ The B...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague discuss what sort of midterm elections interference to anticipate from election lawyer Ed Mullen before they hear about the Fred Ross Sr. documentary American Agitators from filmmaker Raymond Telles. Get tickets to see American Agitators at the Music Box on Sunday, October 25 at 12:45pm here . Heartland at Home Episode 329 This week's music, in order: “Stan...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague hear about the Illinois Young Voters’ Congress from peace activist Kathy Kelly before they talk about the new song No More Silence and the Spill the Honey foundation with Grammy-nominated producer and singer Mali Wilson. Join the Illinois Young Voters’ Congress for A Forum of Peace and Social Justice on Saturday, October 17 at 10am at Institute of Cultural Affa...

Michael James discusses Jake Lang, Abdul El-Sayed and more Michigan politics with author and educator Paul J. Draus before he hears about the new John Prine documentary How Lucky Can One Man Get  from filmmaker John Anderson. You can find information on upcoming screenings of How Lucky Can One Man Get and other John Prine events here . Heartland at Home Episode 327 This week's music, in order:...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague hear about an upcoming benefit concert for immigrant solidarity from Indivisible Rogers Park-West Ridge’s Robert Gottlieb and discuss creating community and connecting older adults with Well Connected’s Melisa Mottola. Get your tickets for Standing With Our Neighbors - A Benefit Concert and Celebration of Community on Friday, October 9th at the United Church of...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague hear about the Rogers Park & West Ridge chapter of Indivisible and how to help fight against voter suppression from Katy Hogan, talk Africa and the documentary Before Thing Fell Apart with sociologist, filmmaker and History Detectives host Tukufu Zuberi, and hear about the history and reunion of the Universal Togetherness Band from Andre Gibson and Paul Han...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague talk to author & educator Valerie C. Johnsons about  Right to Learn: Resisting the Right-Wing Attack on Academic Freedom  then hear about Why We Care NFP from Tanya Watkins and Zaria Bonds. Order a copy of  Right to Learn: Resisting the Right-Wing Attack on Academic Freedom   here . Learn how you can support Why We Care NFP  here . Heartland at Home Episode...

Michael James talks about upcoming jazz fests and the year's best albums with music journalist and WTTW newsletter producer Josh Terry, then is joined by guest host Gordon Thomson to learn about the American Indian Movement and the state of the Menominee Indian Reservation from native activist Duane Teller. Sign up Josh Terry’s music, culture, and sports newsletter  No Expectations   here  and...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague get updated on ICE in Chicago and local politics by 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez before they hear about college crackdowns on free speech and upcoming elections in Ohio from Ohio State Senator Bill DeMora. Heartland at Home Episode 322. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’ and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Chic Street Man. W...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague hear about both the Wax Vinyl Bar and Ramen Shop and the late, great Chicago musician Gene Barge from his daughter and restauranter Gina Barge before they learn about the new book  The People's Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn  from author and sports writer Dave Zirin. Join Gina at the Wax Ramen Bar and Ramen shop (1549 W Chicago Ave) at 5pm on W...

Michael James hears the latest on the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois from journalist and preservationist Leila Wills before he discusses Abdul El-Sayed’s primary victory in Michigan and  Moby Dick  with author and educator Paul J. Draus. Find out more about the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois at  ilbpp.org . Heartland at Home Episode 320. This week's music, in or...

Michael James and co-host Euan Hague discuss Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan and potential mayoral candidates in Chicago with political consultant and journalist Don Rose, talk Euan’s recent trip to Amsterdam and Britain’s political candidate Count Binface, then get more  Good News for Humankind  from coach and blogger Peter Schulte. Subscribe to Don Rose’s weekly column by emailing him at  d...

Michael James hears about Free Street Theater’s history and mission to spread “joy + justice” all over Chicago from Katrina Dion and Elizabeth Nungary before he discusses the next one hundred days leading up to the midterms with political strategist and Oath founder Brian Derrick. Check out Free Street Theater’s upcoming events  here . Oath can help you make a personalized plan for your political...

Michael James discusses Trump’s attempt at another Red Scare with activist and  Hitting Left  host Mike Klonsky before he hears the story behind becoming the “Mayor of Bridgeport” from entrepreneur Ed Marszewski. Listen to Mike Klonsky’s radio show Hitting Left   here . Follow him on Substack  here . Heartland at Home Episode 317. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’...

Michael James discusses potential interference in upcoming elections by the Trump Administration with Chicago election lawyer Ed Mullen before he learns about a documentary, cookbook, and new album from legendary musician Swamp Dogg. Find out where to watch the documentary  Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted , order the cookbook  If You Can Kill It I Can Cook It , and pre-save the new album  Swamp D...

Michael James and Euan Hague chat about highlights from the World Cup with sports journalist Dan Shalin before they hear about recent trips to India and Nepal from author Ronald Schulz. You can buy Ronald Schulz’s books  here . Heartland at Home Episode 315. 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...

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...