Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (4/28/26)

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolica, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. They talked about the feds conducting more raids related to medicaid fraud, data center construction in Minnesota and what kind of Governor would Amy Klobuchar be should she win this fall. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/28/feds-serve-22-search-warrants-related-to-fraud-investigations/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/27/minnesotas-long-predicted-data-center-boom-is-on-shaky-ground/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/22/what-kind-of-governor-would-amy-klobuchar-be/

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MIA’s Art In Bloom – Liz Short and Amanda Luke

Celebrate spring with the Friends of the Institute and Mia with a month of Art in Bloom in April! Presented by the Friends, this year’s floral festival is blooming with more family events, hands-on workshops, public tours, and Mall of America floral demonstrations and coloring contests. Starting in April, kids can have fun at Art…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (4/21/26)

Brett Johnson has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. They talked about the Reformer’s new report about how Minnesota’s Medicaid spending doubled across 14 programs at ‘high risk’ of fraud in past 5 years and White Christian Nationalism in Minnesota. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/21/minnesotas-spending-doubled-across-14-medicaid-programs-at-high-risk-of-fraud-in-past-5-years/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/21/cities-church-and-its-white-christian-nationalism-deserve-scrutiny/

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Greg Bakun with Matt – April 15, 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 Johnson with Patrick Coolican (4/14/26)

Brett was joined by the editor in chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. They talked about Michelle Griffith’s write up on Rep. Walter Hudson, an update on the Burnsville woman still being held in ICE custody in Texas despite some serious medical issues, and Ramsey County potentially charging federal agents who committed wrongdoing during…

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Brett with Patrick Coolican (4/7/26)

Brett Johnson has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. This week they talk about Reps. Elliot Engen and Walter Hudson being removed from committees after Engen’s DWI arrest, the January snow shovel attack on an ICE agent appears to be false, and the DFL’s structural advantages heading into the fall…

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Max Nesterak with Bruce Klopfleisch – March 30, 2026

Max Nesterak is the deputy editor of the Reformer and reports on labor and housing. Previously, he was an associate producer for Minnesota Public Radio after a stint at NPR. He also co-founded the Behavioral Scientist and was a Fulbright Scholar to Berlin, Germany.

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (3/24/26)

Brett has our Tuesday conversation with the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. Today they talked about Medicaid funding possibly being restored to Minnesota, the financial crisis with HCMC and Michele Tafoya’s abortion stances. Learn more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/03/23/whats-going-on-with-minnesota-medicaid-funding/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/03/24/hennepin-county-medical-center-is-an-important-statewide-asset-and-must-be-saved/

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Michael Brodkorb with Matt – March 20, 2026

I’m Michael Brodkorb. I’m a husband and a father. I work in communications, media, and research. I ran a marathon. I rescued ducklings from a sewer. I also wrote an award-winning true-crime book. Overall, I’ve done some bad – I’ve done some good. If you follow my website for updates, you’ll learn about both.

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (3/17/26)

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talk about the Minnesota legislature looking to ban online prediction markets and follow the case of a Minnesota woman with no criminal record and a serious medical condition being held at an ICE facility in Texas. Read more about what they…

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Cliff Schecter with Matt – March 16, 2026

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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Joy Dolo with Matt – March 12, 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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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (3/10/26)

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talk about the Trump administration making wire transfers harder for Somali immigrants, a possible Allina doctors strike and AI regulation at the state legislature. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/03/10/feds-making-it-harder-for-immigrants-to-send-money-to-family/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/hundreds-of-allina-doctors-authorize-open-ended-strike-as-negotiations-enter-third-year/ https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-lawmakers-seek-to-regulate-artificial-intelligence/

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (3/3/26)

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talk about Angie Craig reversing her support of the Laken Riley Act, Pete Stauber inviting right wing troll Nick Shirley to the State of the Union, and Hennepin Co. Attorney Mary Moriarty seeking evidence to prosecute federal agents like Greg…

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Ahmed Baba with Matt – February 26, 2026

Ahmed Baba is the founder of the bestselling Substack newsletter AhmedBaba.News and a columnist at The Independent. He documented every day of Trump’s first term and was among the first to cover Project 2025. He makes frequent appearances on MSNBC, and his work has been cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBS…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (2/24/26)

Brett was joined by editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. This week they talked about gun safety measures being proposed at the legislature and how the groundwork for fraud in Minnesota human services goes back 50 years. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/24/minnesota-democrats-renew-push-for-new-gun-control-measures/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/23/report-groundwork-for-fraud-in-minnesota-human-services-goes-back-50-years/

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (2/17/26)

It’s our weekly Tuesday conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. This week Brett and Patrick talk about the opening of the legislative session and how Minnesota citizens turned the public tide against ICE. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/16/will-this-be-the-most-unproductive-minnesota-legislative-session-ever/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/16/minnesota-house-republican-leaders-dont-want-to-talk-about-immigration-enforcement/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/13/minnesota-1-trump-0/

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Greg Bakun with Matt – February 17, 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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Cliff Schecter with Matt – February 11, 2026

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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Bill Corbett with Matt – February 6, 2025

Bill Corbett is a former writer for MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 and also a performer on the show, providing the voice of the robot Crow (v.2.0) and playing various other strange characters — including the all-powerful but clueless alien The Observer (a.k.a. “Brain Guy”). Corbett is also a screenwriter and playwright. Corbett’s screenplay STARSHIP DAVE,…

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Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (2/3/26)

It’s our weekly Tuesday visit with the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. Today Brett and Patrick preview caucus night, new campaign finance numbers and Mike Lindell’s campaign buying his own books. Find more about what we talked about bat: https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-precinct-caucuses-are-tonight-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/03/these-gop-candidates-for-minnesota-governor-have-raised-the-most-money-so-far/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/03/mike-lindells-campaign-for-governor-is-buying-boatloads-of-mike-lindell-autobiographies/

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Michael Brodkorb with Matt – January 29, 2026

I’m Michael Brodkorb. I’m a husband and a father. I work in communications, media, and research. I ran a marathon. I rescued ducklings from a sewer. I also wrote an award-winning true-crime book. Overall, I’ve done some bad – I’ve done some good. If you follow my website for updates, you’ll learn about both.

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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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