Shows / The 21st Show
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The 21st ShowAuthor charts path for revival of Congress
Philip A. Wallach is the author of the book "Why Congress", which was released in 2023 and is still relevant today. In the book, Wallach argues that the future…
The 21st ShowWhy is a New Yorker singing about Aurora, Illinois?
Cassandra Jenkins is an artist and musician, living in New York City. But one of our producers stumbled upon her track titled, “Aurora, I-L.” As in…
The 21st ShowBreaking down Northwestern University’s $75 million settlement with the Trump administration
Northwestern University will pay $75 million to the federal government, and make commitments to comply with Trump preferences in admissions, hiring, campus…
The 21st ShowAbraham Lincoln in 100 objects
A new book and exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum aims to tell the story of our 16th president through objects and documents from…
The 21st ShowWhat’s in store for college basketball fans across Illinois this season?
College basketball is back across the 21st state. And now that we’re beginning to see whether early season predictions are holding, we’re going to…
The 21st ShowUpcoming publication aims to showcase home of architectural modernism
The upcoming Chicago Review of Architecture will be produced in collaboration with the New York Review of Architecture.The magazine aims to give a critical eye…
The 21st ShowMatt Singer on how Illinois’ own Siskel & Ebert changed movies forever
The late film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert created a television show that made them household names, and made their “two thumbs up” a coveted…
The 21st ShowNew book details Midwestern tastes and recipes
A new book discusses how Midwestern food fits into the bigger picture of American culture.
The 21st ShowWriter introduces Americans to ‘The Italian Soul’ in new book
A new book offers lessons from a culture that’s mastered the art of savoring simple pleasures while maintaining deep connections in family and community…
The 21st ShowWhat does it take to thrive in early adulthood? A conversation with the author of “Quarterlife”
They say everyone experiences something similar akin to a quarter-life crisis. A psychotherapist and author sees it as a stage of life that is often overlooked.
The 21st ShowBook makes the case civic education should come from parents more than school
Civic education is an essential part of Democracy. Teacher and writer Lindsey Cormack argues schools are not up to the task, which means parents have to take…
The 21st ShowThe history of pies, in Illinois and beyond
What makes pie American? With Thanksgiving coming up, we’ll talk about that with culinary expert Catherine Lambrecht, and highlight some of Illinois’…
The 21st ShowAugustana College President Andrea Talentino
Augustana College in the Quad Cities has about 2,500 students. We'll talk with its president, Andrea Talentino, about trends in enrollment, working with the…
The 21st ShowDocumenting free speech battles across the Midwest
Fee speech is a fundamental right in America, but it’s facing many challenges this year from the Trump administration to universities to television…
The 21st ShowSudanese-American artist raises awareness about country’s crisis through comedy
Sudanese-American comedian Samir Abdul shares his experience surviving the Darfur Genocide in the 2000's before coming to the U.S. as a refugee with his family…
The 21st ShowMass killings, displacement, and famine: Sudan’s overlooked humanitarian crisis
Since 2023, Sudan has been engaged in a brutal civil war with a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces commiting acts of mass violence towards…
The 21st ShowWhat’s causing America’s anger epidemic ?
If it seems like the mood of the nation right now is “angry,” there is some data to back up that observation. According to the Mood of The Nation…
The 21st ShowIllinois Times owner looks back at 50 years of local news coverage in Springfield
The Springfield-based Illinois Times is celebrating its 50th anniversary-surviving many changes in journalism from the rise of the Internet and social media to…
The 21st ShowInvestigation looks at issues with ‘inpatient restoration’ in Illinois jails
An investigative journalist who reported on the death of a mentally ill woman in an Illinois jail discusses her findings and the challenges people with mental…
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 ShowThe state of rail travel across Illinois
There's a lot of passenger rail projects underway across Illinois with some pushing full-steam ahead and some in railway limbo. The 21st Show is Illinois'…
The 21st ShowGovernment shutdown is over, but air travel for holidays could still be extra hectic
The historic government shut down just ended, but improvements in air travel are not expected right away. Air traffic controllers are increasingly calling in…
The 21st Show‘Off My Neck’: Former U.S. Marshal for Central Illinois describes barrier-breaking career in new memoir
Robert Moore was the second Black U.S. Marshal for Central Illinois. He also served in many other roles in law enforcement at a time when opportunities for…
The 21st ShowState of Change 2025 preview: A deep dive into Illinois’ prairies
This year's State of Change special produced by Illinois Public Media focuses on prarie preservation and restoration in Illinois.
The 21st ShowFilm documents life of Native American veteran, highlights service of his community
William Smith was a Native American, who relocated to Chicago. Some high school students in Illinois co-produced a film on his life, which is to be screened at…
The 21st ShowWomen veterans in Illinois reflect on military experience including some challenges
To mark Veterans Day, Illinois women who’ve served in the military speak about some of their experiences and reflect on some of their struggles. The 21st…
The 21st ShowNew documentary explores life of writer behind iconic patriotic song
"America the Beautiful" is a well-known song celebrating the country and praising its natural wonders. But what do we know about the life of the person who…
The 21st ShowSen. Tammy Duckworth on SNAP, ICE agents, her Alive Day anniversary
The longest federal government shutdown seems to be inching closer to its end. In a previously taped interview, Senator Tammy Duckworth discusses aviation…
The 21st ShowBest of: Journalist Lee Hawkins finds freedom in exploring traumatic family history
Lee Hawkins is a journalist, a podcast producer, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist. But in his new book, he turns his skills toward telling his own family’s story…
The 21st ShowActor and social media influencer highlights food scene in Peoria
An actor, who is also a Peoria-based food influencer, joins the program today to discuss his content. The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio…
The 21st ShowWhy a major distributor of books for libraries is shutting down
A major distributor of books for libraries is shutting down. We’ll talk about why, and how that’s affecting the work of Illinois libraries. The…
The 21st ShowSNAP benefits have run out. What now?
For the first time since the program's inception in 1964, money for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has run dry. What are the broader…
The 21st ShowRepublican Senate Candidate Don Tracy on Israel, ICE, and the future of MAGA and the GOP
Lawyer and former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy is one of eight Republicans who filed for the 2026 primary in the Illinois Senate race…
The 21st ShowSchool start times: How well-rested are students in Illinois?
A panel of experts involved in the field of education across the state discuss why school start times are what they are, and whether they should, or even…
The 21st ShowOwners of former funeral home talk about what it was really like being on HGTV’s ‘Scariest House in America’
On Halloween, we’ll talk with an Illinois couple who’ve made a former funeral home into their home. The house was among the competitors on the new season of…
The 21st ShowIn late night push, Illinois lawmakers take on transit, energy, immigration enforcement and ‘medical aid in dying’
The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up a brief but highly productive fall legislative session in which they tackled the financial problems of mass transit…
The 21st ShowFormer deputy Sean Grayson found guilty of murdering Sonya Massey inside her house near Springfield
On Wednesday, after more than 11 hours of deliberation, a Peoria jury found former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder…
The 21st ShowBest of: CEO Damola Adamolekun had first Red Lobster experience in Springfield, Illinois
Founded in 1968, Red Lobster once had more than 600 locations across the U.S., Canada, and overseas franchises. But last year, the $2 billion revenue company…
The 21st ShowPhotographing immigration raids and demonstrations
Journalists have captured many striking images of ICE and Border Patrol operations in Illinois — and documented the people demonstrating against them. We’ll…
The 21st ShowState Rep. Hoan Huynh says federal agent pulled gun on him
Illinois state Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, says a federal agent pointed a gun at him last week. The government says he was interfering in immigration…
The 21st ShowBitter harvest for Illinois soybean farmers
There's trouble for soybean farmers in Illinois and beyond. Drought conditions have made for a faster-than-average harvest, but a big problem remains the…
The 21st ShowBest of: Memoir recounts journey from fearful flyer to flight attendant
Kathi Davis began her career as a flight attendant in the golden age of air travel. Despite a deep fear of flying, she kept with it past 9/11. All that and…
The 21st ShowTear-gassing neighborhoods, feds continue immigration blitz in Chicago
Federal agents are continuing to arrest immigrants in Chicago and fire tear gas at people demonstrating against them. Meanwhile, a state lawmaker says an agent…
The 21st ShowBest of: LGBTQ spaces in a challenging political climate
For generations, gays and lesbians often found community in bars. That’s changed in recent years, but political events — and the corporate pullback from pride…
The 21st Show‘Los Yarderos’ explores lives of Mexican yard workers in the Midwest
Here in the Midwest, many of the landscapers who mow our lawns, trim our trees, and rake our leaves are Mexican immigrants. Anthropologist Sergio Lemus writes…
The 21st ShowWhen geese became a menace, Moline turned to the ‘Goosinator’
Canada geese are a fact of life in many parts of Illinois. But the creatures can be a safety risk and a danger to public health. We'll talk with the creator of…
The 21st ShowTouring notable cemeteries with ‘Mr. Illinois’
John Kokoris, who styles himself online as "Mr. Illinois," has been to all corners of the 21st state. He lectures on his travels at public libraries, and his…
The 21st ShowIllinois State University President Aondover Tarhule
We continue our series of interviews with higher education leaders with Aondover Tarhule, president of Illinois State University in Normal.
The 21st Show‘Weather Realness’ podcast on autumn leaves
Today we’re talking about the weather, with a pair of conversations from “Weather Realness,” a sister podcast produced by Illinois Public Media. Trees across…
The 21st Show‘Weather Realness’ podcast on severe drought afflicting Illinois
Today we’re talking about the weather, with a pair of conversations from “Weather Realness,” a sister podcast produced by Illinois Public Media. Much of…
The 21st ShowNo Kings and ‘A Protest History of the United States’
Millions of Americans took to the streets across the country this weekend for the latest No Kings protest. The event happened in cities across Illinois…
The 21st ShowInvestigative reporter Cheryl Whitlow Thompson on growing up in Illinois, journalism today, and the lost Tuskegee Airmen
Born and raised in Chicago, Cheryl Whitlow Thompson’s career in journalism goes back more than four decades — from her days as a student at the University of…
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 ShowFormer Archivist of the U.S. Colleen Shogan on preserving historic documents, facing public pressure, and being fired by President Trump
Colleen Shogan was the 11th Archivist of the United States — the head of the National Archives and Records Administration. The agency is responsible for…
The 21st ShowBallet Folklorico celebrates Mexican heritage in the Quad Cities
The sights and sounds of traditional Mexican folk dancing. We’ll talk with members of Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico, which has been teaching young people this…
The 21st ShowFall veto session preview: Immigration guardrails, transit funding, clean energy, and home insurance — or none of the above
State lawmakers are back in Springfield for the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session. Some Democrats are exploring their options for putting…
The 21st ShowThe latest on ICE, National Guard activity in Illinois
The Trump administration has expanded the scope of ICE operations in Chicago and its suburbs, but state and local officials — as well as everyday citizens —…
The 21st ShowAbraham Lincoln in 100 objects
A new book and exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum aims to tell the story of our 16th president through objects and documents from…
The 21st ShowBest of: How social media is changing language, with @EtymologyNerd
If you have young people in your life, you might've heard them use words such as skibidi (SKIH-bih-dee) or rizz or sigma. Maybe that's mumbo-jumbo to you, as…
The 21st ShowRetired Ambassador Eric P. Whitaker, from Illinois to Niger
A conversation with retired U.S. Diplomat Eric P. Whitaker. Born in DeKalb and raised there and in North Aurora, Whitaker earned bachelor's and master's…