Shows / The 21st Show
Episodes
The 21st ShowDemocratic Senate candidate Sean Brown on immigration, universal healthcare, and money in politics
We continue our conversations with candidates in the primary elections for U.S. senator from Illinois. Today is our tenth interview, with attorney Sean Brown…
The 21st ShowBest of: Aisha Harris on the culture that shaped her
In 2023, NPR's Aisha Harris joined The 21st Show to talk about the culture that shaped her, the intersection of her identities as a Black woman and a critic…
The 21st ShowWhat do land-grant universities owe Native Americans?
Tristan Ahtone is a member of the Kiowa Tribe and editor-at-large at Grist. His award-winning investigation “Land-Grab Universities” revealed how the 1862…
The 21st ShowAllen C. Guelzo on Lincoln and the enduring values of the American Revolution
Allen C. Guelzo has written many books about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The most recent is “Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the…
The 21st ShowRepublican U.S. Senate Candidate R. Cary Capparelli on Trump, ICE, and persistence in Illinois politics
Another conversation with a candidate for the U.S. Senate: R. Cary Capparelli is seeking the Republican nomination. He works in marketing, teaches geography…
The 21st ShowBest of: What does it mean to be in the Midwest?
In 2023, researchers from the Middle West Review asked 11,000 people from 22 states their perceptions of Midwestern identity. Almost 94 percent of Illinoisans…
The 21st ShowBest of: Ultra-runner completes 400-mile journey across Illinois in 10 days
In the spring of 2025, Chase Bandolik ran 416 miles from Cairo, Illinois north to Beloit, Wisconsin (near the northern Illinois border). We talk with him about…
The 21st ShowExtreme cold weather, changing Midwest winters, and climate change
Global warming is continuing to make big changes to our weather, and the ways we experience the seasons. This winter, we've been seeing wild swings in the…
The 21st ShowGOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek, Polish immigrant, talks immigration reform, taxes, ‘cultural Marxism’
Casey Chlebek is one of the half dozen Republicans running in the primary for the U.S. Senate race in Illinois. Born and raised in Poland before immigrating to…
The 21st ShowHow Tom Burell made advertising with Black people, for Black people
Tom Burrell revolutionized advertising in the 1970s, shifting the industry from racist depictions of African Americans to positive and realistic portrayals…
The 21st ShowDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate Awisi Bustos on her government experience, ‘militarization’ of ICE, and affordability
As we continue our series of U.S. Senate candidate interviews, we sit down with Awisi Quartey Bustos, who has extensive experience working in government as…
The 21st ShowCelebrating ‘Groundhog Day’ in Woodstock, Illinois with actor Stephen Tobolowsky
Groundhog Day is Monday, and the 1993 movie with that name means a lot to Woodstock, Illinois, where it was filmed. We’ll talk about the city’s annual…
The 21st ShowWhy has it taken so long to repair the Alton sinkhole?
It’s been 18 months since a giant sinkhole opened beneath a sports complex in Alton, Illinois. It slowly filled up with water and is finally getting drained…
The 21st ShowHousing shortage, rising prices, and income requirements: Why buying or renting a home is so difficult in 2026
The Trump Administration says it wants to rein in corporations and private equity buying up single-family homes — aimed at alleviating a tight housing market…
The 21st ShowSeeking GOP nomination, gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski wants to reform Illinois, bring back ‘midwestern values’
Ted Dabrowski is a former leader of a conservative research publication. He’s one of four people running for the Republican nomination in the race for Illinois…
The 21st ShowDemocratic U.S. Senate Candidate Bryan Maxwell talks representing downstate Illinois, advocating socialist policies on campaign trail
Bryan Maxwell is one of the 10 people hoping to represent the Democratic Party in this fall’s election for outgoing Senator Dick Durbin's seat. Known for…
The 21st ShowThe challenges of combating homelessness in Illinois
15,000 Illinoisans are facing homelessness on any given day, according to a report released by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The scale of…
The 21st ShowWhat to know when filing 2026 tax return
Tax season is looking a little different this year, because of new tax policy created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The 21st ShowThe new Food Pyramid and constantly changing dietary guidelines
The Food Pyramid was introduced to the public in 1992 by the federal government to serve as a guide for a healthy and balanced diet. The current Food Pyramid…
The 21st ShowVying for GOP nomination, U.S. Senate candidate Pamela Denise Long talks abortion, trans healthcare, and income tax
Pamela Denise Long is seeking the Republican nomination in Illinois' U.S. Senate race. She discusses her nuanced perspectives on many topics including abortion…
The 21st ShowTrump, Greenland, and America’s new role in the world
It’s been one year and one day since President Trump returned to office. A political science professor and a former U.S. ambassador weigh in on America's place…
The 21st ShowWhat to expect from 2026 Illinois General Assembly
A general preview of what lies ahead in the spring legislative session as Illinois lawmakers return to SpringfieldThe 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday…
The 21st ShowIllinois Senate minority leader John Curran hopes for bipartisanship in tackling affordability crisis as new legislative session begins
The Illinois Senate returned to Springfield last week. The House returns today, and the two chambers will spend the next several months trying to address a…
The 21st ShowIllinois House Speaker Chris Welch highlights measures to combat affordability crisis as 2026 spring legislative session begins
The Illinois House is set to return to Springfield today — to begin the 2026 spring legislative session. Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives…
The 21st ShowGandhi, King and non-violence today
Non-violence was key to Martin Luther King’s conception of politics, following the example of Gandhi. But even before his assassination, activists were…
The 21st ShowIllinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is building up his national profile
Governor J.B. Pritzker has been building up his profile. A new analysis finds he’s favoring national outlets, many of which are friendly toward Democrats, over…
The 21st ShowWhy is President Trump trying to stop child care support for 100,000 Illinois families?
President Trump is trying to pause funding for child care programs in Illinois and other states led by Democrats. We’ll talk about why, how those programs…
The 21st ShowAttorney General Kwame Raoul: Illinois has sued the Trump administration 51 times
Illinois has been fighting the Trump administration in court over ICE activity, National Guard deployments, and government funding. We’ll talk about that with…
The 21st ShowCan these tiny Japanese cars become a hit in the U.S.?
President Trump wants to allow a class of tiny Japanese vehicles to be built and sold in the U.S. They’re known as Kei cars, and they’ve mostly been banned…
The 21st ShowThe latest on the rise of winter respiratory diseases in Illinois
Respiratory illnesses are surging across Illinois. An official from the Illinois Department of Public Health discusses what causes a more severe year for…
The 21st ShowGeorge Packer on ‘The Emergency’
George Packer is best known for his journalism. He's been a staff writer at The Atlantic magazine since 2018, and before that spent 15 years at The New Yorker…
The 21st ShowFormer marine Kevin Ryan talks economy, border control, ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza while vying for Democratic nomination in Illinois Senate race
Kevin Ryan is a former teacher and United States Marine from the south suburbs of Chicago. He is now running in as a Democratic in the Primary race for U.S…
The 21st ShowA deep look into the past and future of Native American mascots
Joseph Gone has spent decades studying Native American moscots — as a psychologist, as a member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre Tribal Nation, and as a University…
The 21st ShowChicago Bears in the playoffs
The Chicago Bears are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. We’ll talk about their post-season prospects, and how GM Ryan Poles, Head Coach Ben…
The 21st ShowWhat’s next for Venezuela?
Months of U.S. military pressure on Venezuela culminated in the capture of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. We’ll talk with about how we got here and…
The 21st ShowHow a unique and versatile plant could help Illinois farmers and the environment
Miscanthus is a type of grass that can grow to be particularly tall. According to a group of researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a…
The 21st ShowIs Illinois’ drinking culture evolving?
Last month, the state Department of Public Health put out a comprehensive report on alcohol use in Illinois. A public health expert and an alcohol researcher…
The 21st ShowHow will the elimination of Illinois’ grocery tax impact communities and shoppers?
Illinois' grocery tax officially expired at the start of this year. But many Illinoisans are still paying that tax. The money from the grocery tax went to…
The 21st ShowRundown of new laws in Illinois as 2026 begins
A new year means new laws are now in effect across Illinois from criminal justice and law enforcement, education and schools to gun control. An Illinois Public…
The 21st ShowFive years after January 6 Capitol riot, author explores creation of MAGA
Five years ago today, a mob stormed the United States Capitol committing many violent acts. Laura K. Field has been studying what led up to January 6th — not…
The 21st ShowFrom nuclear war to AI, how to think about threats to humankind
Today, we begin a series of conversations on existential risks to humankind — such as nuclear war, global warming and artificial intelligence. Those dangers…
The 21st ShowA look back at the news that marked 2025
We are going to take a moment and listen back to the news and highlights that made 2025 the year that it was. That includes the good, the bad, the inspiring…
The 21st ShowRemembering VE Day 80 years later
Eighty years ago at a school in Reims, France, German Army Field Marshall Jodl signed a five paragraph “Act of Military Surrender.” The Russians wanted the…
The 21st ShowIllinois author Shelby Van Pelt on the smash success of ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, novelist Shelby Van Pelt now makes her home in Wheaton, Illinois. Her debut novel, "Remarkably Bright Creatures," has…
The 21st ShowWhy do scams work? An Illinois accountant explains
Fraud is all around us, from pyramid schemes to spam phone calls. Illinois-based forensic accountant Kelly Richmond Pope writes about why people do it — and…
The 21st ShowFrom music to movies to comedy-celebrating 100 years of Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke is an accomplished actor, singer, and comedian. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the weekend. Van Dyke also grew up in Danville, Illinois…
The 21st ShowTop films of 2025
As 2025 approches its end, two film critics look back at all the different movies that were released this year. The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday…
The 21st ShowHow is smartphone usage affecting family life?
Smartphones have revolutionized our lives and also changed family dynamics as children are more engaged with their screens these days.An expert who specializes…
The 21st ShowNew video game provides virtual drive to cities across Illinois
SCS Software, the makers of American Truck Simulator, is soon releasing an expansion for the game that highlights several cities across Illinois, including…
The 21st ShowA deep dive into the Trump administration’s $12 billion farmer bailout package
Last week, President Trump announced a $12 billion payment package for American farmers.The money is meant to offset losses from the ongoing trade war with…
The 21st ShowState Department declares (culture) war on ‘DEI’ font
U.S. Secretatry of State Marco Rubio says a Biden-era switch to the font Calibri — meant to be more accessible to more readers — was another instance of too…
The 21st ShowDanville man challenges racial disparities in traffic stops
Lloyd Randall has been challenging the authorities in Danville, Illinois over racial disparities in traffic stops. Data from the Illinois Department of…
The 21st ShowNew book gives ‘literary tour of the Midwest’, highlighting writers from America’s Heartland
How has being from the Midwest influenced some of our best writers? A collection of short essays seeks to answer this question. The 21st Show is Illinois'…
The 21st ShowFrom governor’s race to House and Senate seats, the latest in 2026 election campaigns across Illinois
Early Voting starts in less than two months for primary elections, which will decide whose names make it onto next fall’s ballots. We’ll talk about…
The 21st ShowWhat to know about getting health insurance through Illinois Marketplace
The Director of Get Covered Illinois discusses how to navigate the marketplace and answers questions about qualifications, deadlines, and available plans.
The 21st ShowThe latest in health care policies and how it effects the everyday consumer
Health insurance is getting more expensive next year. Costs are rising for people on employer plans, Medicare, and especially for those who buy coverage…
The 21st ShowPhilosopher’s new book provides interesting nuance in abortion rights and religion discussion
The issue of abortion is often framed in religious terms usually by people who oppose the procedure. However, Illinois philosopher Peter Wenz says there are…
The 21st ShowConnecting the dots between loneliness, mental health, and social relationships
Is the U.S. facing an “epidemic of loneliness?" The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you…
The 21st ShowHow seniors can combat isolation and loneliness
A recent survey from the American Psychological Association estimates half of adults in the U.S. say they lack companionship or are isolated from others, at…
The 21st ShowThe penny’s dead. Your credit card might cost more. What now?
The penny is history, and retailers across the country are trying to figure out how to adapt. Meanwhile, a settlement between credit card companies and…