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PODCAST

Civic Media Spotlight

Civic Media is a pro-democracy radio network serving local communities in Wisconsin. Hear a sample of our best programming from the past week from across our statewide network. Listen Live: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Saturday Sunday

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All Episodes

42:09

Veterans, Values, and Healthcare Havoc

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/16

Maggie exposes the political maneuvers undermining support for Wisconsin’s veterans and healthcare system. Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner joins to discuss the defunding of the Veteran Housing and Recovery Program, pointing to partisan gridlock driven by Robin Vos and state GOP leadership. Despite bipartisan backing, critical funding for unhoused veterans remains blocked by the MAGA movement. On the healthcare front, Maggie warns of skyrocketing ACA premiums, fueled by Trump-era policies and a

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43:01

Voting, Privacy, and Political Showdowns

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/16

Maggie dives into National Voter Registration Day, urging listeners to double-check their registration and underscoring the importance of voting as a civic duty. Register or check your current registration at myvote.wi.gov. She breaks startling news about airlines selling passenger data to the U.S. government, sparking serious privacy concerns. This hour escalates with fiery congressional testimony from Kash Patel, accused of political buffoonery and misleading Congress over FBI terminations tied to

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42:03

A Brew Vendor’s Gubernatorial Bid and the Echoes of...

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/15

In this hour, Maggie sits down with Ryan Strnad, a beer vendor turned Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor. Strnad reflects on his path from union steward to political hopeful, motivated by strong support for organized labor and opposition to Act 10 and right-to-work laws. He also critiques the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, emphasizing economic concerns over public health policies. The conversation then shifts to the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, examining the uneasy

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42:14

Navigating the Political Minefield: Democrats’ 2026...

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/15

In this first hour, Maggie is joined by Dan Shafer and Jack Eckblad to unpack the politically charged aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. They explore the starkly different left- and right-wing responses, from MAGA figures’ incendiary rhetoric—including calls for civil conflict—to GOP legislative moves targeting so-called “terror sympathizers.” The conversation zeroes in on the challenge Democrats face heading into 2026: how to address widespread economic anxiety while countering

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0:00

Unmasking Power: Trump, Epstein, and Economic Turmoil

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/10

In a riveting episode, Maggie Daun interviews former U.S. ambassador Norm Eisen. Eisen highlights the systemic failures in government transparency and accountability, underscoring the need to release the Trump-Epstein files. He critiques Trump's policies, blaming them for economic instability and benefiting only the elite. The show transitions to Wisconsin's legislative scene with State Senator Kristen Dassler-Alfheim, advocating for workers' rights through bills aimed at restoring union power and

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41:56

Violence in America

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/10

Today right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot by a sniper at Utah Valley University. Meanwhile, yet another tragic school shooting took place in Colorado. Kirk's death has ignited a fierce debate on political violence and gun control in the U.S., highlighting our nation's struggle with gun-related deaths. Maggie Daun questions America's identity amid rising violence, referencing historical political attacks while callers discuss the cultural obsession with guns, the need for mental health

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42:11

Gerrymandering, Autocracy, and the Fight for Democracy

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/09

Maggie takes on the menace of gerrymandering with Greta Bedekovics from the Center for American Progress, unpacking how mid-decade redistricting distorts democracy and opens the door to election rigging. They spotlight the urgent need for federal reform, including the recently proposed Freedom to Vote Act. Later, Stacey Abrams joins the conversation to address the creeping threat of authoritarianism in America—seen in racial profiling and attacks on voting rights—underscoring why vigilance is

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0:00

Trump’s Tangled Web: Epstein, Economy, and Racial...

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/09

Maggie, along with Jim Santelle, dives into a whirlwind of political drama, beginning with Israel's strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, escalating regional tensions. The U.S. economy comes under scrutiny with a stark revision showing 911,000 fewer jobs created under Trump, raising new doubts about his economic stewardship. The Epstein files add explosive revelations, including a disturbing birthday note from Trump and an alleged transaction involving women. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court adds fuel to

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42:12

Tariffs, Truth, and Trust: Decoding Economic Rhetoric

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/08

Maggie wades into the murky waters of economic spin, taking aim at Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s evasive appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press. She calls out his failure to answer Kristen Welker’s sharp questions about the real impact of Trump’s tariffs on American companies like John Deere, Nike, and major automakers. Maggie argues that CEOs have every incentive to tell the truth on earnings calls—because their stock value depends on it—undercutting Bessent’s dismissal of their warnings as mere

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42:27

Election Drama and a New Candidate Enters the Ring

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/08

Maggie breaks down the weekend’s biggest headlines: Russia escalates its air assault on Ukraine, while the U.S. imposes new sanctions on Palestinian human rights groups. At home, the Supreme Court’s ruling on immigration stops in Los Angeles sparks dissent from Justice Sotomayor and reignites debates over racial profiling. Meanwhile, Donald Trump grabs attention once again—this time with bizarre remarks about crime in D.C. and even a disturbing birthday poem for Jeffrey Epstein. On a more hopeful

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41:03

A Deep Dive into Rights and Safety

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/05

Maggie Daun, joined by Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin Abigail Swetz, dissects the Trump administration's impact on democracy, focusing on the erosion of rights for minorities, particularly immigrants and the LGBTQIA+ community. They critique the administration's foreign and domestic policies, questioning their alignment with American values. Abigail Swetz emphasizes empathy and respect in supporting trans youth, advocating for supportive school policies. Maggie champions empathy, equality, and

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40:29

Credibility Crisis: Trump’s Policy Turmoil

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/05

Maggie Daun and guest Professor Howard Schweber dive into the chaotic landscape of Trump's second term, exposing how erratic policies undermine U.S. credibility globally and domestically. They highlight the economic fallout as global powers like China and Russia create trade networks sans the U.S., threatening the dollar's reserve status and U.S. business viability. On foreign policy, Trump's unpredictability breeds mistrust, weakening alliances and emboldening adversaries. Domestically, they

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41:14

Democracy on the Edge

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/04

Guest host Jim Santelle sits down with Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride to discuss lessons from his book City on the Edge, reflecting on leadership through the upheavals of 2020. McBride underscores the importance of due process and the constitutional limits on protest response, while offering insight into Wauwatosa’s shifting political landscape and its growing influence in Wisconsin politics. The conversation expands to examine the legal boundaries of military involvement in domestic policing,

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41:48

City on the Edge: Leading Through Crisis

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/04

Guest host Jim Santelle explores the intersection of education, democracy, and municipal leadership. He opens this first hour with a sharp look at a federal court ruling striking down the Trump administration’s interference in Harvard’s funding, underscoring the importance of academic freedom. The focus then shifts to Northwestern University, where the president’s resignation reveals the mounting pressures on higher education leadership. Later, Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride joins to share his

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42:03

Bail Reform Battles and Constitutional Clashes

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/03

Maggie unpacks the ongoing fight over bail reform, focusing on Wisconsin’s distinct laws and the national debate intensified by Trump’s proposals. Retired Lt. Diane Goldstein advocates for threat-based bail decisions, challenging wealth-driven disparities and exposing flaws in the bail bond industry. As civil rights concerns flare over a violent incident in Wisconsin, the conversation turns to Trump’s controversial invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. The ultra-conservative Fifth Circuit Court

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42:07

Wisconsin’s Political and Environmental Crossroads

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/03

Maggie takes a sharp look at the intersection of politics and environmental policy in Wisconsin. The episode opens with local and national updates, from controversial actions by Milwaukee Police to the Trump administration’s ongoing legal battles. Maggie critiques Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley’s partisanship and examines the political maneuvering around the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin joins the conversation to champion environmental

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42:06

Vaccines, Politics, and the National Guard: Unpacking...

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/02

Maggie tackles a whirlwind of national and local developments, from Google’s landmark antitrust ruling to Senate Leader Chuck Schumer’s pushback against Trump’s policies amid the threat of a government shutdown. A White House climate report draws fire from scientists for downplaying the dangers of climate change. Vaccine expert Ryan Bender weighs in on the shifting COVID-19 eligibility rules and the dangers of political interference in public health. Back in Milwaukee, street takeovers spark calls

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42:26

Unpacking Politics: From Google Antitrust to Iowa’s...

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/02

Maggie begins this hour by breaking down a landmark antitrust ruling against Google, where a federal judge ordered the tech giant to share search data with qualified competitors—stopping short of a full breakup. She also critiques Trump’s approach to public safety, focusing on recent legal challenges to the use of military personnel in civilian law enforcement. Special guest Angela Lang joins to unpack the socio-economic roots of crime, making the case for investing in community services instead of

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0:00

The Widening Wealth Gap: From CEOs to Small Businesses

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/01

On this Labor Day, Maggie takes a deep dive into America’s widening economic divide, zeroing in on the staggering gap between CEO pay and worker wages. While executives at corporations that depend on low-wage labor take home millions, the very workers who keep those businesses alive are left struggling to get by. Sarah Anderson from the Institute for Policy Studies joins Maggie to unpack how stock buybacks artificially boost CEO compensation while doing nothing to improve employee livelihoods

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0:00

Labor Day Reckoning: Billionaires First, Workers Last

Civic Media Spotlight ·

2025/09/01

Happy Labor Day! Maggie takes a sharp look at the controversial “Big Brutal Bill” and its sweeping consequences for American workers. She’s joined by Jon Shelton of UW–Green Bay and Aurelia Glass from the Center for American Progress to unpack how the legislation guts Medicaid, food assistance, and labor protections—all while enriching billionaires. The Trump administration’s relentless attacks on unions and worker rights highlights the growing wealth gap and the unraveling of America’s social

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942 results

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