John discusses former Senator Matt Gaetz withdrawing his name for consideration as Attorney General and Trump then naming his former attorney Pam Bondi as Gaetz' replacement. He also talks about the creepy backgrounds of a few other cabinet picks including RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth. Next, he interviews Jorge Elorza who is Chief Executive Officer of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) which works to get Democratic leaders to embrace and enthusiastically champion innovative, evidence-based, high-quality public education options for all students, particularly students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and other historically underserved students. Then, John chats with listeners about education and public funding for schools. And winding it up - he talks with Chris and listeners about the bravery of transgender congresswoman Sarah McBride standing up to the bullying of Rep. Nancy Mace.

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John's monologue is about the House Ethics Panel voting to block releasing the sexual allegations report on former Senator Matt Gaetz. And he discusses Rep. Nancy Mace who is pushing to ban transgender women from women's restrooms at the US Capitol. Then, he jokes with podcast star Bob Cesca on pop culture and politics, Next, author and former pastor Desimber Rose along with progressive theologian Dillon Naber Cruz AKA The God Squad is back once again to speak with listeners about the intersection of religion and politics. And finally, legal analyst Dr Tracy Pearson joins John and the crew to talk legal sense and comfort worried Democrats.

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John discusses the plight of the Ukrainians and the absurdly unqualified cabinet picks of President elect Trump. He also explains how the media will change after Trump takes office. Then, he chats with Professor Corey Brettschneider about the disfunction of the GOP Trump train. Next, John takes calls from listeners who try to comfort other worried listeners. Then finally, he welcomes back award-winning journalist Bob Hennelly to talk about unions and GOP policies.

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John interviews Bill Bradley - a self-made millionaire who collapsed into bankruptcy, then reinvented himself by turning to the world of extreme endurance racing. They discuss his new PBS documentary "Epic Bill". Then, he speaks with author Seth Rogovoy about his new book "Within You Without You: Listening to George Harrison". And lastly, comedian Rhonda Hansome returns to joke with listeners about current news and Trump's latest antics.

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Today's monologue focuses on Trump's cabinet picks and John notes that sex abuse seems to be a qualifier in the Trump White House. Then, TV's Frank Conniff joins him to joke with listeners about pop culture and politics.

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For this special weekend podcast - John chats with Simon Moya Smith and Julie Francella for their "We're Still Here" segment. Simon is an Oglala Lakota and Chicano journalist. He’s a contributing writer at NBC News and TheNation.com. Julie 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. Then, he interviews Mehran Khaghani who is another comedian from the Boston region, but born in London and raised, in part, in Turkey and Iran aka the Boston of Western Asia. He's been on on Maz Jobrani’s “Brown and Friendly” comedy tour, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, High Maintenance, and many more.

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John discusses the sketchy history of Trump cabinet picks Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and RFK Jr. for the Dept. of Health and Human Services. Then, he chats with Reverend Barry Lynn who is a long-time activist, civil liberties lawyer, and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and served as the executive director for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State until his retirement in 2017. Next John talks with Ward from Florida about the notion that Christian Nationalism is the foundation behind apartheid. And finally he interviews Skye Perryman who is President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan, national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, policy education, and research. Perryman took the helm at Democracy Forward a few months after January 6, 2021, in the midst of rising extremism in courts across the country.

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John's monologue today is about Trump's latest cabinet picks. Then, he jokes with Podcast Star Bob Cesca. Next - The God Squad returns for a discussion about politics and religion. And finally, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson is back once again to talk with listeners about current news and other topics.

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