Paul Soglin
A “Spirited” Morning Chat (Hour 2)
As temperatures rise, John and Gordy tackle the heated topics of protest dynamics and media portrayal in the U.S. and abroad. Through sharp analysis, they discuss the role of law enforcement in escalating peaceful protests, drawing parallels to past events with insights from former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. The duo also critiques current political strategies, particularly those surrounding foreign policy and media distractions. Meanwhile, they keep things light with local business highlights, as Abby Abramovich of Doundrin's Distilling shares her journey of being a business owner. From political discourse to community tales, it’s an engaging blend of news and local flavor.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
Springsteen vs. Trump: Clash of the Titans (Hour 2)
John and Gordy dive into the fiery feud between Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump, sparked by Springsteen's scathing speech calling out authoritarianism and corruption. Trump, never one to shy away from a spat, fired back on Truth Social, dismissing Springsteen as untalented and overrated. Meanwhile, the show also touches on the Madison Metro bus system's ridership woes despite hefty investments, raising questions about the future of public transit in the city. As Madison preps for a chilly, rainy week, listeners are left pondering the political landscape with a dash of humor and local news tidbits.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
In Defense of Academic Freedom
In hour two, we begin with a review of the president's Easter message, put out on social media. In this heartfelt, tear-inducing release, he (briefly) mentions the happy meaning of Easter, using the rest of it to complain about the influx of America-haters, gang members, criminals, and others into the country. We learn about more book bans happening at military bases (though Mein Kampf gets an exception!), then take a much-needed break from politics as we talk weather with our WMDX meteorologist Brittney Merlot. Despite our attempt at a break from the news, Brittney too gets sucked into the discussion, as we learn about a woman who dated only far-right men for a year, getting her take on the results. Later, we welcome on former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, talking this time around about how universities like Harvard are taking a stand against government overreach, in favor of academic freedom. We also get his take on some local news organizations who "have it out for him." In his words though, its been happening his whole life (lol). Wrapping up the show, the guys talk psychology and empathy - or the lack thereof by Elon Musk.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
Public Access? There Is No More Public Access!
John and Gordy drain their brains in hour two, with a caller who suggests that MAGA and fact-deniers are doing just that, and rubbing off on the rest of us. We shift to talking about Social Security, the agency which is now calling (living) people dead to cut their benefits (!). We check in with Brittney Merlot, our WMDX meteorologist for a look at the weather, and later, we chat with Paul Soglin, former Madison Mayor, getting his hottest political takes. He touches on deregulation over the years of cable TV in Madison, and how it destroyed public access media, as well as the larger general trend of pre-Trump deregulation in the early 2000s. We also shift gears to talk about the state of politics, as major federal departments are being shut down. Paul gives his opinion on how he thinks the chips will fall.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
Act II: A Coup
In hour two the guys get political. We chat about background checks (and the lack thereof) for DOGE with a clip from Rep. Suozzi. The discussion turns to the (accidentally) fired nuclear safety team (!), so to prevent a meltdown we check in with Brittney Merlot for a check of the weather, saying the snow will be gone in a week (a different kind of meltdown). We return to the topic of "un-firing" critical employees, including nuclear safety engineers, after being cut by Musk, but are cut short by Paul Soglin, former Madison Mayor, who is on the phone for his monthly appearance. Despite our hopes of an uplifting message from the Mayor, he's got bad news for us: We've got the early stages of a coup on our hands. They also touch on the topic of the US's new image in the international sphere: with our allies and adversaries, Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
Hickory Tickory Tock
In hour two, John and Gordy get into the Big Story they previewed in the last hour, TikTok, and the uproar that the ban, and resurrection by Trump has caused. We chat with Brittney Merlot about the extremely cold weather, then take a look at a Fox News exclusive: a list of his day-one executive orders. Later, we chat with former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, talking about the inauguration, as well as how State Street has changed over the decades, and the challenges it faces with empty stores and rising rents. As we close out the show with leftovers, SNL helps us out with an abridged version of the Weekend Update, the guys clown on the new (and tanked) TrumpCoin, and hear about Canada's preparations for Trump's incoming tariffs.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
Lake Monona – A Dump!
In hour two, John and Gordy have a nice fall campfire - a Dumpster Fire Friday, if you will. We talk Gordy's affinity for pumpkin pie, Trump and one of his favorite words (garbage), and Michele Morrow, former candidate for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, who called for the execution of Obama by firing squad (!). The discussion turns to a podcast John's been listening to, about the 50-year plot to legalize corruption in the country, and at the bottom of the hour we take a break from politics to listen, in its entirety, to the newly-mixed John and Gordy theme. Later, we hear the dulcet tones of former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, who the guys talked with last week all about the history of lake Mendota's shoreline, and the new project to redevelop John Nolen Drive.
The John and Gordy Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-8 am on WMDX in Madison. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with John & Gordy!
Civic Media Spotlight for July 27th & 28th (Hour 1)
First up this weekend, the Maggie Daun Show is joined by County Board Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson to talk about what it means to have Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party.
Then, BustED Pencils has really, really good group energy covering the news of the week so far in this week of weeks: Biden's withdrawal from the race, Kamala's near certain nomination, Biden's Oval Office Address, broadcast on Civic Media (Tim and Johnny joke that they were so delighted to be the opening act, Johnny played the address off the CM app on the beach as he's on vacation and more!
After that, the Earl Ingram show covers President Joe Biden stepping out of the race, and Earl talks about the accomplishments of Biden's administration while looking ahead to the candidacy of VP Kamala Harris.
Finally for this hour, the John & Gordy Show is joined by Paul Soglin, who shares his take on Biden's legacy, what he's up to now that he's retired from city government, and a bit of his opinions about current city politics.
To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!
