Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (1/27/26)

Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, is back for his weekly Tuesday visit. Today Brett and Patrick talk about the tide turning against ICE, Chris Madel dropping out of the governor’s race and what’s happening with Amy Klobuchar. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/26/repub/trump-sending-border-czar-homan-to-minnesota-in-aftermath-of-second-fatal-shooting/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/26/chris-madel-drops-out-of-race-for-gop-nomination-for-governor-blasts-immigration-crackdown/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/22/sen-amy-klobuchar-files-paperwork-to-run-for-minnesota-governor/

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Joy Dolo with Matt – January 22, 2026

Joy Dolo is an Theater Artist based in Minnesota. She has worked on stages all over the Twin Cities and beyond for over a decade. She is a co-founder of Blackout Improv, the first all black improv group in MN. She Hosts American Public Media’s podcast “Forever Ago”, a history show for kids! She is…

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Greg Bakun with Matt – January 21, 2026

Do you believe in ghosts? Ever wondered if aliens from other planets visited the Earth? Have you ever thought about whether Bigfoot is real or not? Each weeknight on GhostBox Radio host Greg Bakun will have these conversations about the paranormal, ufology, Bigfoot or just the unusual bringing together guests who are experts in these…

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Brett with Patrick Coolican (1/20/26)

Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer joins to talk about some of the latest reporting from the Reformer. This week Brett and Patrick talk about the DOJ launching investigations into Minnesota politicians, a court ruling against ICE tactics vs. protestors, corporate responses (or lack thereof) and more. Find more about what they talked about…

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Dr. Robert Adams with Matt – January 19, 2026

Dr. Robert Adams is the Executive Director of the Penn Center on St. Helena Island near Beaufort, South Carolina. Dr. Adams was born in Bangor, Maine, and raised in military institutions across the South (Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas). He earned an M.A. in sociology from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (1/13/26)

Patrick Coolican, the editor in chief of the Minnesota Reformer, returns for his weekly Tuesday visit. Today we talk all about ICE activity in Minnesota and how the Reformer is covering the latest developments. Find all the stories we talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/13/in-the-car-with-minneapolis-community-patrols/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/12/minnesota-twin-cities-sue-trump-administration-to-halt-federal-immigration-surge/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/12/u-s-border-patrol-knees-man-in-face-in-minneapolis-as-other-agents-hold-him-down/

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Cliff Schecter with Matt – January 13, 2025

A Democratic strategist and activist, best-selling author, podcaster, pundit and media advisor to candidates and causes, Cliff has impacted dozens of campaigns across the nation in a life that’s taken him from New York to DC to Cincinnati, were he rallies the resistance in purple America.

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Brittlestar – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Brittlestar (Stewart Reynolds) has built a global following by combining sharp wit, family-friendly humour, and razor-clear observations about the absurdities of modern life. With more than 650 million views across platforms and hundreds of thousands tuning in weekly, his videos make people laugh, think… and occasionally wonder if he’s spying on their family group chat.

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Chris Kluwe – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

The son of a local energy and refinery project manager, Chris grew up in a middle-class family in Orange County. He attended public school from kindergarten through college in Southern California, developing a fearless sense of leadership both in the classroom and on the football field. As he continued his football career at UCLA, where…

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Cliff Schecter – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Cliff Schecter didn’t just discover the GOP’s bad, find our voices & switch sides. We’ve been at it for 25 yrs. Cliff wrote the ads that helped Biden beat Trump in ’20. David exposed GOP corruption as an Emmy-winning anchor at MSNBC & CNN. https://www.blueamp.co/subscribe

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Drew Ross – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Drew Ross is a writer, editor, and researcher. For his writing on local history, he won the 2024 Solon J. Buck Award from the Minnesota Historical Society. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bill Lindeke is an urban geographer and writer who focuses on how our environments shape our lives. He is the author of St. Paul:…

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John Parker of The Gaily Show – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

The Gaily Show is the only daily LGBTQ radio news and talk show in the US. GLAAD Media Award nominees John Parker and Jim Pounds host an unapologetic hour with legislators, authors, journalists, organizers, researchers, and more. We feature the following contributors (see graphic below for schedule): • Tammye Nash, Dallas Voice • Jake Wittich,…

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Larry Millett – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Larry Millett, a native of Minneapolis, is a graduate of St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota (BA, English, 1969) and the University of Chicago (MA, English, 1970). He spent much of his career as a writer, reporter, and editor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, joining the newspaper in 1972. In 1984, he won a Knight Fellowship…

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Mary Lucia – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Mary Lucia is a media broadcast personality, writer, actor, and voiceover artist. She worked at The Current from 2005 to 2022 and was well known for her unconventional style and expansive music knowledge. She hosted the local music show Popular Creeps, twice a Minnesota Music Award winner for Best Locally Produced Show, and she was voted best…

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Patti Vasquez – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

“Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez” is a progressive talk show with heart and humor. Patti engages guests and listeners in discussions about the issues that matter most to them, shining a spotlight on local and national stories, never steering her audience astray.  The show is also broadcast on AM 950 The Progressive Voice of Minnesota…

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Paul Metsa – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Paul Metsa is a legendary musician and songwriter from Minnesota. Born on the Iron Range, he has been based in Minneapolis since 1978. He has received seven Minnesota Music Awards and has played more than five thousand gigs, including forays to Iceland and Siberia. He lives in Northeast Minneapolis with his faithful dog, Blackie; a…

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Peter Geye – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Peter Geye is the author of the award-winning novels Safe from the Sea, The Lighthouse Road, and Wintering, winner of the Minnesota Book Award, Northernmost, The Ski Jumpers, and A Lesser Light. Geye received his MFA from the University of New Orleans and his PhD from Western Michigan University, where he was editor of Third Coast.…

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Sasha Davis – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

Sasha Davis is an activist and professor in the Department of Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Keene State College in New Hampshire. He is author of Islands and Oceans: Reimagining Sovereignty and Social Change and The Empires’ Edge: Militarization, Resistance, and Transcending Hegemony in the Pacific.

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Trace Beaulieu – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025

TRACE BEAULIEU is a comic actor, writer, and performer. He was a founding member of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning, cult hit show, Mystery Science Theater 3000. In addition to writing, occasionally directing, designing and building sets and props, Trace performed the puppet character Crow T. Robot, and mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester. He repeated these roles in…

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Paul Metsa with Matt – December 18, 2025

Legendary Iron Range band Cats Under the Stars are re-releasing their 45 RPM single “Louie, Louie” / “Blue Ghosts” from 1982 (recorded at the Children’s Theater studio) along with a previously unreleased rap song written by Cats guitarist Jack Pasternacki that Paul and Jack recorded in 1984 called “Under Grey Skies in the Buffalo Zone.” This release coincides with the band’s…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (12/16/25)

Patrick Coolican returns for our weekly conversation with Brett about what’s happening in the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talk about ICE raids impacting immigrant businesses, a Trump administration investigation of Minnesota’s unemployment insurance program and a new Republican Party MN Governor poll. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/16/karmel-mall-once-a-bustling-center-of-community-falls-silent/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/trump-admin-announces-target-review-of-minnesotas-unemployment-insurance-program/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/14/perennial-candidate-kendall-qualls-wins-minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-straw-poll/  

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Brett Johnson with Max Nesterak of the MN Reformer (12/9/25)

Brett was joined by Minnesota Reformer writer Max Nesterak, as they discussed his recent article, “Prosecutors have brought over 3,500 charges for marijuana possession in cars since legalization.” Read it at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/09/prosecutors-have-brought-over-3500-charges-for-marijuana-possession-in-cars-since-legalization/

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Jonathan Larsen with Matt – December 8, 2025

Jonathan Larsen is a journalist who has worked at CNN, MSNBC, and The Young Turks (TYT). He created Up with Chris Hayes, helped launch Anderson Cooper 360, was a senior producer on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, and was managing editor/executive producer at TYT, America’s largest online progressive news network. His original reporting has been cited by members of Congress resisting Christian nationalism.

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Brett with Patrick Coolican (12/2/25)

Brett has our weekly conversation with the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. Today they talked about a new federal investigation about alleged ties between Somali-Americans convicted of stealing money from public programs and al-Shabaab, Tim Walz going on Meet the Press and more. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/02/trump-administration-orders-up-investigation-of-minnesota-stepping-on-their-own-prosecutors/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/02/first-step-for-walz-take-responsibility/…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (11/25/25)

Brett was joined by editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. They talked about Right-wing reporting on Somali money allegedly going to al-Shabaab and more a super PAC dropping big money in the Minnesota’s US Senate primary. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/25/right-wing-reporting-on-somali-money-going-to-al-shabaab-is-sloppy/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/24/minnesota-dfl-leaders-respond-to-trumps-attacks-on-somali-minnesotans/

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Terry John Zila with Matt – November 24, 2025

Terry John Zila has been experimenting in the kitchen his entire life. Twenty years in the restaurant industry has exposed him to a wide variety of cooking styles. In his private dining and corporate events and in-home cooking classes, he uses that culinary knowledge to create unique events. Whatever cuisine you might like, be it…

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Matt McNeil with Dr. Joe Eastman (11/21/25)

Dr. Joe Eastman joins Matt to talk about a rising COVID-19 variant, a poorly matched seasonal flu strain, and escalating measles outbreaks that could cost the U.S. its elimination status. He stressed concern over avian influenza (bird flu) acquiring human-to-human transmission, noting that continuous disease spread and deregulation are increasing overall vulnerability.

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Addie Gorlin-Han with Matt – November 20, 2025

Addie Gorlin-Han is the director of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of A Christmas Carol, running now through December 28. https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/a-christmas-carol/ Addie is a director, producer, and educator invested in the regional theater movement, new musical development, and theater for all-ages. She works as Associate Producer at the Guthrie Theater. Addie grew up in the Twin…

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Jessica Lussenhop with Matt – November 20, 2025

Before becoming the host of our upcoming podcast, I was a reporter with ProPublica’s Midwest team covering Minnesota, my home state. I wrote about issues affecting vulnerable populations with a special interest in child welfare, criminal justice and housing. My reporting has changed state housing laws and touched off enforcement actions by the Minnesota attorney…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (11/18/25)

It’s our weekly conversation with the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. Today’s topics include DFLers making a big bet on paid family leave and Lisa Demuth announcing she will abide by the Republican endorsement. Find more about the paid family leave article at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/18/minnesota-democrats-make-a-big-bet-on-paid-leave/

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Maren Ward with Matt – November 12, 2025

MAREN WARD is a Twin Cities performer, director and community-based theater maker – named Best Theater Performer of 2018 in MN Monthly Magazine. Maren has been zAmya’s creative director since it started in 2004. She has been awarded a McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship (2007) and has attended the Cornerstone Institute for Community Based Theater and…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (11/11/25)

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talked about how the deal to reopen the federal government could hurt Minnesota’s hemp industry, Lisa Demuth picking a running mate, Bernie Sanders endorsing Peggy Flanagan and thoughts on last week’s elections. Find more about what they talked about at:…

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Cliff Schecter with Matt – November 10 2025

Cliff Schecter/David Shuster didn’t just discover the GOP’s bad, find our voices & switch sides. We’ve been at it for 25 yrs. Cliff wrote the ads that helped Biden beat Trump in ’20. David exposed GOP corruption as an Emmy-winning anchor at MSNBC & CNN. https://www.blueamp.co/subscribe

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Rev. Trish Sullivan Vanni with Matt – November 6, 2025

Rev. Trish Sullivan Vanni, Ph.D While grounded in the Christian tradition, I have been a life-long spiritual seeker open to grace beyond its boundaries. The many threads of my life and the countless wonderful people who have touched it have led me to a deep appreciation for the many paths human beings follow to the…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (11/4/25)

Brett and Patrick Coolican (editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer) have an election day preview as they talk about two races that will determine control of the MN State Senate, mayor races in Minneapolis and St. Paul, school levies and a new GOP contender for governor. Find more about what they covered at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/04/today-is-election-day-make-your-voice-heard/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/03/voters-will-decide-tuesday-who-controls-the-minnesota-senate-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/02/gop-minnesota-house-speaker-lisa-demuth-launches-campaign-for-governor/

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Matt McNeil with Paul Metsa (10/31/25)

Matt is joined by Minnesota music legend Paul Metsa! They talk about his his 70th birthday that’s also a special benefit show for AM950. It takes place Sunday, November 2 at 7 PM at the Aster House in Minneapolis. Find tickets and details at: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/83991706/songs-of-resistance-and-respectpaul-metsa-70th-birthday-and-cd-release-partybenefit-for-am-950-minneapolis-aster-house

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Matt McNeil with Varajita Singh of MIA (10/30/25)

Matt was joined by Varajita Singh, the Chief Diversity Officer at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. They talked about the museum’s new special exhibit, “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine.” They discuss the massive international collaboration required to bring over 200 bronze masterpieces, many from the 11th century, from Cambodia and Paris to the…

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Matt McNeil with Greg Bakun (10/30/25)

Greg Bakun previews the Halloween GhostBox Radio broadcast tomorrow from 7-11 PM! He is going live from the haunted Pillsbury Club in Minneapolis, home of the Minneapolis Trolley Tours! Greg will be joined by Adam, Refined Divine, Char Savoie, and other guests for a real paranormal investigation inside the Pillsbury Club—filled with spirits, stories, and…

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Patrick Strait with Matt – October 29, 2025

Patrick Strait has been writing about comedy for more than 15 years in Minnesota, and has been featured in City Pages, The Growler, Thrillist, Bring Me the News and others. His first book, “Funny Thing About Minnesota…” is available now through the Minnesota Historical Society Press. He himself is not very funny.

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Ellie Krug with Sara Jane Baldwin of Gender Justice (10-25-25)

Ellie Krug speaks with Sara Jane Baldwin of Gender Justice about their recent legal victory for trans weightlifter JC Cooper against USA Powerlifting. Baldwin explains how the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously that USA Powerlifting’s policy banning trans athletes violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (10/28/25)

Brett has our weekly visit with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talked about what Minnesota is doing to help those who will be cut off from SNAP benefits, Minneapolis potentially not being on the hook for police sued for wrongful conduct during the 2020 protests, Allina doctors going on strike and…

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Matt McNeil with Jeff Stein (10/22/25)

National and presidential expert Jeff Stein joins Matt for his regular Wednesday conversation to break down the latest in national politics. They dive into the ongoing government shutdown, the lack of negotiation from the Republican side, and the growing evidence of a Nazi problem within some GOP circles and its staff. Jeff and Matt also…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (10/21/25)

It’s our weekly Tuesday afternoon conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. This week we cover Keith Ellison seeking a third term as MN AG, Tom Emmer saying No Kings Protestors don’t love America, and possible school closures in Minneapolis. Find more at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/15/tom-emmer-talks-tough-reveals-weakness/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/21/minnesota-ag-keith-ellison-to-seek-third-term/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/20/minneapolis-school-board-signals-potential-school-closures/

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Cliff Schecter with Matt – October 20, 2025

Cliff Schecter/David Shuster didn’t just discover the GOP’s bad, find our voices & switch sides. We’ve been at it for 25 yrs. Cliff wrote the ads that helped Biden beat Trump in ’20. David exposed GOP corruption as an Emmy-winning anchor at MSNBC & CNN. https://www.blueamp.co/subscribe

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Paul Metsa with Matt – October 16, 2025

Celebrate a Minnesota music legend! Paul Metsa, acclaimed musician, songwriter, and author, is marking his 70th birthday with a special benefit show for AM950. It takes place Sunday, November 2 at 7 PM at the Aster House in Minneapolis. The evening also serves as a CD release party for his latest record, Songs of Resistance…

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Matt McNeil with Katy Tessman (10/15/25)

Matt’s joined by Minnesota musician Katy Tessman. They talk about her upcoming show tomorrow Icehouse in Minneapolis and how she and the Heartland Souvenirs honor the legendary Dolly Parton. Learn more at: https://icehouse.turntabletickets.com/shows/4329/?date=2024-10-18

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (10/14/25)

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they sized up both the Minneapolis and St. Paul races for Mayor, talked about new measles cases in Minnesota and COVID vaccines. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/congresswoman-ilhan-omar-endorses-sen-omar-fateh-for-minneapolis-mayor/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-adds-two-cases-to-measles-surge-amid-decline-in-routine-vaccinations/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walz-gets-vaccinated-cdc-recommends-covid-19-vaccine/

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Matt McNeil with Kyrstin Schuette of the School Board Integrity Project (10/10/25)

Matt was joined by Kyrstin Schuette of the School Board Integrity Project as they talk about the importance of upcoming school board elections. Plus they have their Freedom to Read Book Fair on Sunday at Queermunity in Minneapolis. Learn more at: https://www.schoolboardintegrityproject.org/

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Matt McNeil with Taya Ming (10/9/25)

Matt was joined by Taya Ming, who is starring as ‘The Enormous Crocodile’ in the U.S. Premiere of The Roald Dahl Story Company’s production ‘The Enormous Crocodile The Musical’ which is playing now at Children’s Theatre in Minneapolis. Tickets and more info at: https://childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/the-enormous-crocodile/

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Brett with Patrick Coolican (10/7/25)

It’s our weekly Tuesday interview with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Here’s what they covered today: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/06/blackrocks-minnesota-power-takeover-splits-dfl-coalition-as-corporate-giant-seeks-bigger-targets/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/06/rep-zack-stephenson-on-gun-violence-democratic-priorities-and-leading-after-hortman/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/dfl-rep-kaela-berg-announces-campaign-for-2nd-congressional-district/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/02/repub/how-the-federal-shutdown-is-playing-out-across-the-government/

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (9/30/25)

It’s our weekly Tuesday conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. This week we talk about Patrick’s column on fraud in Minnesota state government and the Reformer’s recent Q&A with Secretary of State Steve Simon about Trump’s DOJ lawsuit over access to Minnesota’s voter rolls. Find everything we talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/25/they-were-warned-how-state-government-kept-allowing-the-theft-of-the-peoples-money/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/a-q-a-with-secretary-of-state-steve-simon-who-the-trump-administration-is-suing-over-voter-rolls/

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John Fugelsang with Matt – September 29, 2025

He’s been murdered on CSI, interviewed 2 Beatles on separate continents in the same week, and famously once got Mitt Romney’s advisor to call Governor Romney an ‘etch a sketch’ on CNN. Actor, comedian & broadcaster John Fugelsang hosts ‘Tell Me Everything” weekdays on SiriusXM Insight #121. He recently performed in ‘The Bill of Rights…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (9/23/25)

Brett was joined by Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talked about another fraud case in Minnesota, state capitol security and the sentencing of former state Sen. Nicole Mitchell. Find those stories at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/18/u-s-attorney-charges-eight-with-wire-fraud-in-minnesota-housing-stabilization-program/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-capitol-has-fewer-security-measures-than-other-state-houses/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/former-sen-nicole-mitchell-sentenced-to-6-months-in-jail-work-release/

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