Simon and Julie joined John to talk about Native American Heritage Month — a month that exists because Indigenous leaders spent more than a century fighting for recognition. From Dr. Arthur C. Parker (Seneca) in the early 1900s to Red Fox James (Blackfeet) riding state to state in 1915, the movement grew until Congress and President George H. W. Bush made November the first official Heritage Month in 1990. Every president upheld it… until Trump, who called it “radical and wasteful”.

They talk about what this month means, what allies should and shouldn’t do, and why leaders like California Governor Gavin Newsom are urging the country to embrace Indigenous values as a way forward. They also take calls from listeners.

Simon Moya-Smith is an Oglala Lakota and Chicano journalist. He’s a contributing writer at NBC News and TheNation.com. He’s the author of the forthcoming book, ‘Your Spirit Animal is a Jackass,’ and he is an Adjunct Professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Colorado Denver.

Bluesky: @SimonMoyaSmith.bsky.social

Julie Francella is a mental health professional with over 30 years of experience in handling complex trauma with Indigenous youth and families. She is an enrolled member of the Ojibway of Batchewana First Nation Reserve, and teaches Indigenous Studies at Durham College, focusing on the impacts of colonization on First Nations people.

Bluesky: @JulieFrancella.bsky.social

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John discusses the many revelations buried in the 20,000 pages of email and text messages from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. Among the most notable were Epstein’s apparent role as advisor and confidant to Trump officials and Russian state officials, simultaneously. Then, he interviews political analyst, pundit, and writer - Lincoln Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell works on democracy and governance-related issues in the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. He also works with businesses and NGOs globally, particularly in the former Soviet Union. In addition, he worked for years as a political consultant advising and managing domestic political campaigns.

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Max Burn guest hosts for John while he is in D.C. for his book tour. Max talks about the House passing a bill to re-open the government and end the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. Prior to the vote, the people of Arizona finally saw their will be done as Speaker Johnson swore Rep. Adelita Grijalva into Congress. Plus - House Dems releasing another trove of emails from the Epstein Estate, many of them from the years just prior to Epstein’s death, revealing an ongoing link with the first Trump administration, Trump allies, foreign governments, and financial elites. Max then talks news and politics with André Carson who's serving as the U.S. representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district. Next, he speaks with Yuh-Line Niou who served as a member of the New York State Assembly for the 65th district. She gives insight into the shifting political sands in the nation’s largest city, following Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral election victory. And finally, Max jokes with award-winning investigative reporter Brian J. Karem and they talk about the Epstein files and his latest book "Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It".

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John discusses the many ways Trump has disrespected veterans and the military while saluting and smiling at them. He also talks about fake Christian/ county clerk Kim Davis losing at the Supreme Court in her bid to overturn same-sex marriage. Then, he speaks with award-winning author Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D about her new book "A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance". Next, John interviews Emmy Award–winning music journalist Alan Light about his new book "Don’t Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours". And then rounding it out, he welcomes back Comedy Daddy - Keith Price to joke with listeners on the latest news and politics.

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John talks about Minority leader Chuck Schumer and the eight Senate Democrats who signed onto a Republican offer to end the federal shutdown. The bill now must pass through the House, which is scrambling to return to D.C. The deal includes guarantees of back pay to federal workers, a promise of longer-term funding for certain programs and the promise of a vote to possibly extend ACA subsidies. Then, he welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to discuss the details on the shutdown, SCOTUS hearing the Tariffs case, and the Supreme Court saying it WON'T hear an appeal to the Obergefell decision that legalized gay marriage. Then winding it up John jokes with comedian Rhonda Hansome and listeners about current politics and pop culture.

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Tara Dublin again guest hosts for John. She talks about Congress remaining locked in shutdown hell after Republicans in the Senate rejected Democrats’ offers. Also, the Trump administration followed a court order and fully funded SNAP benefits to dozens of states but has not given up its legal fight to deny those funds moving forward. Then, she chats with Malcolm W. Nance about the shutdown and other carnage from Trump and his MAGAts. And, she interviews Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici about the situation in Portland.

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John interviews author David Gelles about his new book "Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away". He speaks with Sharon Eubank about her new book "Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World". And he jokes with legendary musician Garry Tallent and his photographer fiancée Nicki Germaine. They discuss the early days of Springsteen and the E-Street Band. They also talked about Nicki's book "Springsteen: Liberty Hall".

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Tara Dublin guest hosts for John. She talks about a federal judge ordering the Trump White House to pay the FULL amount of SNAP benefits owed to states, not the half-measure weakly agreed to after last week’s ruling. She also talks about a Washington D.C. jury returning a NOT GUILTY verdict for the man who hucked his Subway footlong at federal officers terrorizing his city. Then, she interviews Parker Butler and Lauren Kapp. Butler and Kapp now both run Luminary Strategies, a consulting firm providing full-service digital strategy and innovative content creation for their clients. Luminary manages the online presence of highly-influential digital newsrooms and runs social media accounts for some of the most viral and culturally relevant candidates in the political sphere today. Next, Tara jokes with award-winning investigative reporter Brian J. Karem on current news and politics. Then wrapping it up, she speaks with Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden on the election, the shutdown, and the Epstein files.

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