Live from the Heartland

Michael James discusses Loyola University’s expansion and its effect on Rogers Parks tenants and cultural communities with the Roman Susan Arts Foundation’s Kristin Abhalter and Nathan Smith before he gets a dose of Chicago gang history from Vintage Fiend’s Josh Hord. Learn more about the Roman Susan Arts Foundation and Loyola’s purchase of Roman Susan Gallery’s current residence at romansusan.org...

Michael James rings in the new year by remembering President Jimmy Carter and discussing immigration with Live from the Heartland’s very own Thom Clark before hearing about the new book Party at the End of the Rainbow by author and activist Ronald Schulz. You can purchase Party at the End of the Rainbow from Amazon  here  or Barnes & Noble  here . Heartland at Home Episode 236. This week's mus...

Michael James talks Trump’s attacks on a free press through otherwise frivolous lawsuits with friend of the show, activist and journalist Don Rose, in Live from the Heartland’s last show of 2024. Heartland at Home Episode 235. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, "Money (That's What I Want)" and "Money and Me" by Barrett Strong, and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Chic...

Michael James talks the American Civil Liberties Union and mass deportation with ACLU Illinois’s Director of Communication & Public Policy Edwin Yohnka before he gets the monthly sports report from actor, athlete, and Live from the Heartland’s sports correspondent Adam James. You can donate to the ACLU and help them fight mass deportation  here . Heartland at Home Episode 234. This week's musi...

Michael James hears the case for a presidential pardon for Leonard Peltier from lawyer Pat Handlin before hearing political history, observing where we’re at, and the importance of organizing going forward with activist Bob Lawson. Learn how you can help convince President Biden to pardon Leonard Peltier: Water Protector Legal Collective . Heartland at Home Episode 233. This week's music, in order...

In another extended interview, Michael James talks the ins and outs of election laws with Chicago-based election lawyer Ed Mullen. Heartland at Home Episode 232. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, "People Have the Power" by Patti Smith, "Stand!" by Sly & The Family Stone, and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Chic Street Man. Live from the Heartland can also be foun...

In a special extended interview, Michael James talks the new novel Big Time with author and coach Rus Bradburd. Order a copy of Big Time from Etruscan Press here . Celebrate the release of Big Time with Rus Bradburd in person at The Book Cellar - located at 4736-38 N Lincoln Ave - on Friday, December 6th at 7pm by RSVPing here . Join Rus Bradburd discussing Big Time with renowned activist Bill Aye...

Michael James talks climate change education through the arts with Eco. Logic Founder Rozina Kanchwala and chats all things sports with actor, athlete, and friend of the show Adam James. Learn more about Eco. Logic at ecologicprograms.org . Heartland at Home Episode 230. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, "Our World" by Twin Peaks, "Butterbeans" by Little David Wi...

Michael James talks local politics with Live from the Heartland’s very own Thom Clark and Katy Hogan and reflects more on the election with activist and attorney Jeff Smith. Heartland at Home Episode 229. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, Ella Jenkins' 90th Birthday on Live from the Heartland, and “Blues Walk” by Lou Donaldson. Live from the Heartland can also be...

Michael James discusses Trump’s victory - how it happened, and what to do moving forward - with Live from the Heartland’s very own Thom Clark and Katy Hogan as well as activist and journalist Don Rose. We know our listeners are taking this news hard, just like us. But remember that the fight for a better tomorrow is never over. Keep doing good in the world; the world needs all the good that you do...

Michael James talks the upcoming election with Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy and activist/radio host Mike Klonsky, hears about the Wisconsin voter education and advocacy non-profit Souls to the Polls from organizer Bruce Colburn, and talks sports with actor and athlete Adam James. Learn more about Souls to the Polls here . Watch a trailer for the series "Dok Sauvage: Man of Copper",...

Michael James talks Michigan and getting out the vote with Paul Draus and Katy Hogan, hears about the new pro-choice anthem “One Step Forward” by blues musician Win Noll, and remembers the late, great Barbara Dane. Listen to “One Step Forward” on  Apple Music  and  Spotify . Watch Barbara Dane’s entire Live from the Heartland interview from 2021  here . Heartland at Home Episode 226. This week's m...

Michael James talks labor and the election with the national political director of the Amalgamated Transit Union Clem Balanoff before he hears a firsthand account of Hurricane Helene and the state of politics in North Carolina from union activist and lawyer Carole Travis. Heartland at Home Episode 225. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, "Solidarity Forever" by Pet...

Michael James learns about the new novel Disturbing The Bones from author/filmmaker Andrew Davis and author Jeff Biggers before he gets an update on various upcoming national elections from activist and journalist Don Rose. Watch the trailer for Disturbing the Bones here . Meet Andrew Davis and Jeff Biggers and get a copy of Disturbing the Bones at: Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville October 22 at 7pm...

Michael James hears activist and cinematographer Peter Kuttner give his take on voting practically this upcoming election before he gets the low down on attempts to interfere with it via voter suppression from former Cook County Clerk David Orr. Heartland at Home Episode 223. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, ""Me and Bobby McGee" by Kris Kristofferson, "People H...

Michael James discusses Chicago’s first-ever school board election with 2nd District candidate Ebony DeBerry before he learns about settlements in recent police torture and wrongful conviction cases from friend of the show Flint Taylor of the People’s Law Office. You can learn more about Ebony DeBerry and how you can help elect her at  ebony4education.org . You can purchase a copy of Flint Taylor’...

Michael James talks the second 2024 presidential debate with Live from the Heartland’s Thom Clark and Katy Hogan before he discusses the new book  Doy Gorton’s White South 1969-70 with Jane Adams  with writer/former professor Jane Adams and photojournalist Doy Gorton. Thom Clark is a volunteer with the Investigative Project on Race and Equity, helping to train other journalists in data-driven repo...

Michael James talks local politics with 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden before he discusses the Democratic National Convention and presidential election with activist and journalist Don Rose. Heartland at Home Episode 220. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, "The Lost Ones" by Ted Hawkins, "The Constitution" by Ted Hawkins, and “Doin’ The...

Michael James talks Students for a Democratic Society, Movement history and the book Voice Lessons with activist and author Alice Embree before he hears about Thailand today from expat musician and radio DJ Bill Paige. You can purchase Voice Lessons by Alice Embree directly from the University of Texas Press  here . You can listen to Bill Paige’s The Sky Drive Show from 4-7AM CT at  surf.radio . H...

Live from the Heartland 08/24/24: Michael James with Emma Brown & Josh Terry Michael James talks immigration with El Paso artist and former volunteer at Annunciation House Emma Brown before he catches up with music journalist Josh Terry about the Chicago music scene. Learn how you can help Annunciation House at  annunciationhouse.org . You can see Emma Brown’s work at  emmabrownmakesart.com  a...

Michael James talks the Olympics with author & track coach Jim Knoedel before he hears about the new book No Games Chicago: How A Small Group of Citizens Derailed the City’s 2016 Olympic Bid from activist and author Tom Tresser. Purchase Jim Knoedel’s newest books, Run Like a Girl and Girl on the Run,  here . Pre-order Tom Tresser’s new book No Games Chicago: How A Small Group of Citizens Dera...

Michael James talks politics with Live from Heartland’s Thom Clark before chatting about martial arts & the Olympics with Live from the Heartland’s sports correspondent, actor & athlete Adam James. Thom Clark is a volunteer with the Investigative Project on Race and Equity, helping to train other journalists in data-driven reporting and partnering with newsrooms to expose systemic racism....

Michael James talks about the Olympics with track coach Gordon Thomson before discussing the election shake-up from Vice President Harris entering the race with activist and journalist Don Rose. Heartland at Home Episode 215. This week's music, in order: “Stand Up (And Be Strong)” by Keb’ Mo’, "We Can Make It If We Try" by The Slyvers, and “Doin’ The Best You Can” by Chic Street Man....

Michael James talks politics and the big news about President Biden dropping out of the race, as well as his endorsement of Vice President Harris to be the Democrat’s presidential nominee, with a panel consisting of activist, author, radio host, blogger, and long time friend of the show Michael Klonsky in addition to Live from the Heartland’s very own Thom Clark and Katy Hogan. You can keep up wit...

Michael James talks with journalist and Live from the Heartland producer Thom Clark about the state of the election and the Trump assassination attempt before hearing about Ella Jenkins and her upcoming 100th birthday from Live from the Heartland’s music producer Lynn Orman Weiss as they enjoy highlights from Ella Jenkins’s 90th birthday at the Heartland Cafe. You can watch the entirety of Ella Je...