As I Was Saying with Big John Howell

As I Was Saying with Big John Howell

John Howell brings you expert insights and interviews breaking down today's biggest news and events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Colby Hall Unpacks Trump’s Alaska Fumble—and the MAGA Media Meltdown

August 18, 2025 • 22 mins
Mediaite’s Colby Hall joins John Howell to unpack the optics, fallout, and media spin from Donald Trump’s bizarre Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin. From red carpet applause to a rambling press conference, Hall explains how Trump’s attempt at statesmanship backfired—and why even some MAGA loyalists are starting to balk. It’s a sharp, funny, and sobering look at foreign policy as performance.

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Panic on the Airwaves: Orson Welles, War of the Worlds, and America’s First Viral Hoax

August 7, 2025 • 54 mins
Bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove joins Big John Howell to revisit the night in 1938 when Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds broadcast sent America into a panic. They explore how Welles crafted the fake “breaking news” format, why so many believed it, and the chaos that followed. Hazelgrove also draws parallels between the media climate then and now, and what the stunt still teaches us about fear and misinformation.

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Redistricting, Reform, and the Return of Rick Pearson

August 1, 2025 • 35 mins
Big John Howell sits down with Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson to unpack Illinois' latest push for redistricting reform. They explore why past efforts failed, what’s different this time, and how partisan maps fuel political extremism. Plus, reflections on Mike Madigan, J.B. Pritzker, and a few thoughts on the Bears’ upcoming season.

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Inflation, Interest Rates, and Intellectual Dishonesty with David Hochberg

July 25, 2025 • 28 mins
Mortgage expert David Hochberg joins John Howell to break down Trump’s clash with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the dangers of politicizing interest rates, and why economic truth is getting buried under partisan talking points. Plus, tariffs, housing trends, and a tribute to Chuck Mangione.

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Scotty Scheffler, Golf Greatness, and the Apple TV Series “Stick” with John Dempsey

July 24, 2025 • 50 mins
John Howell and longtime radio partner John Dempsey reconnect for an old-school conversation about golf, greatness, and the curious calm of PGA star Scotty Scheffler. From Scheffler’s understated dominance to the rules controversy surrounding Shane Lowry, they dive deep into what makes a golfer—and a game—compelling. They also riff on the new Apple TV golf dramedy Stick, revisit the glory of Happy Gilmore, and plan their next round...

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Colby Hall: Epstein, MAGA Media, and the Monster They Made

July 10, 2025 • 16 mins
Mediaite’s Colby Hall joins John Howell to break down the unraveling of a long-running MAGA conspiracy theory: the mythical Jeffrey Epstein “client list.” With Trump allies like Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino suddenly changing their tune, Hall explains how MAGA media figures are now facing blowback from the very audience they helped radicalize. It’s a sharp look at what happens when you lose control of the monster you created.

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Wayne Naus: A Trumpet, A Tour, and a Touch of the Spirit

July 1, 2025 • 34 mins
Trumpeter and jazz educator Wayne Naus joins John Howell for a rare reunion after more than 40 years. They swap stories from life on the road with Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson, break down legendary recordings, and reflect on the highs (and double high C’s) of big band life. From the infamous Buddy Rich “bus tapes” to Wayne’s second act at the piano, it’s a deep dive into music, memory, and the creative life.

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Velvet Hammered: Ray Long on the Rise and Fall of Michael Madigan

June 18, 2025 • 34 mins
Veteran Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long joins John Howell to discuss The House That Madigan Built and the astonishing political career of Illinois’ longest-serving Speaker. From midnight legislative miracles to federal indictments, Long offers a front-row view of Madigan’s unmatched influence—and his dramatic downfall. Plus, the wild true story of how Madigan and Gov. Jim Thompson literally stopped time to keep the White Sox in C...

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Golf Talk, Grit, and $4.3 Million Putts with John Dempsey

June 16, 2025 • 26 mins
JJ Spaun shocks the field at Oakmont with a dramatic U.S. Open win, and John Howell and John Dempsey are here to break it all down. From bunker strategy and rough etiquette to Rory’s meltdown and Wyndham’s locker-kicking, it’s a lively post-tournament debrief with plenty of laughs (and one unexpected hole-in-one story).

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Unsolicited Life Advice with Keith Conrad

June 10, 2025 • 29 mins
Every so often, we break format on As I Was Saying—no pundits, no headlines, no breaking news—just Big John Howell dispensing the kind of no-nonsense life advice you didn’t know you needed. In this special episode, John serves real-life advice on everything from relationship turmoil involving suspicious texts and overzealous raccoons, to drunken lawn ornament theft and feline codependency,

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Buddy Rich, Chuck Berry, and the Tightest Jeans in the Business: A Conversation with Mike Arturi

June 6, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of As I Was Saying, Big John Howell sits down with longtime friend and drummer Mike Arturi for a wide-ranging conversation about life on the road, playing with legends like Chuck Berry and Badfinger, and keeping The Lovin’ Spoonful alive. The two reminisce about their own band days, swap hilarious war stories from gigs gone sideways, and reflect on the enduring power of music. It’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes loo...

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Waylon, Lujack: Birthday Surprises from Legends

June 3, 2025 • 21 mins
John Howell opens the DAT vault to share a once-in-a-career morning from 1998, when Waylon Jennings and Larry Lujack both surprised him with birthday phone calls live on-air. Originally recorded during his time at US99, these conversations capture two legends at their candid best—and a young host caught completely off guard. It's a must-listen for fans of classic country, iconic radio, and unforgettable on-air moments.

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How Many Is Too Many? Phil Cafaro Makes the Progressive Case for Reducing Immigration

May 27, 2025 • 26 mins

Perhaps our biggest, current national political debate is…


How many immigrants should we allow into the USA annually, and who should be allowed to come? Big question…lots of opinions…Complex answers…


Phil Cafaro is a philosopher and writer. His work centers on environmental ethics, population policy and the preservation of wild nature. He's the author of How Many Is Too Many? The Progressive Argument for Reducing Im...

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Colby Hall on Jake Tapper's book "Original Sin" and the State of Cable News

May 22, 2025 • 24 mins

Colby Hall is the Founding Editor of Mediaite.com. He is also a Peabody Award-winning television producer as well as a terrific dancer and preparer of grilled meats.


BJH and Colby discuss the different reactions (and non-reactions) of various cable news networks. Also, recalling the classic film Network and how it was WAY ahead of its time...  

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Teeing Off on PGA Drama, LIV Tour Woes, and Golf’s Growing Coarseness with John Dempsey

May 20, 2025 • 30 mins
John Howell reconnects with longtime friend and former WLS newsman John Dempsey to break down the 2025 PGA Championship and the rise of golf phenom Scottie Scheffler. The two discuss LIV Golf’s impact on players like Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson, the state of sports broadcasting, and the decline of decorum at professional tournaments. Along the way, they veer into memories of Chicago radio, shared rounds of golf, and whether Jim Nan...

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Breaking Down the Fantasy Behind "Liberation Day" and Trump’s Tariff Promises

May 13, 2025 • 13 mins
John Howell breaks down Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” promise to replace income taxes with tariffs—and shows why the math just doesn’t work. Howell explains how even best-case scenarios leave the U.S. deep in deficit territory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Chicago's Own Becomes First American Pope: Jennifer Stephens Reflects on Historic Moment and Hope for the Future

May 8, 2025 • 40 mins
Jennifer Stephens joins John Howell to reflect on the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a native of Chicago’s South Side. The two discuss the significance of his background, his connection to Pope Francis’s legacy, and what his papacy could mean for the Catholic Church and America’s standing in the world. Stephens shares personal stories, deep emotion, and a rare moment of optimism in a divided time.

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Matt Lewis: Trump's Tariffs Could Be His 'Afghanistan Moment'

April 22, 2025 • 29 mins
Political commentator Matt Lewis joined John Howell to break down what he sees as a turning point in Donald Trump’s post-presidency: the new wave of tariffs that Lewis believes may be the former president’s political undoing. Comparing Trump’s abrupt tariff rollout to President Biden’s infamous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Lewis argued the move was a self-inflicted economic blunder that Trump “owns” completely.

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Trump’s Tariff Gambit Sends Markets Reeling and Mortgage Rates Soaring

April 17, 2025 • 41 mins
John Howell sits down with financial expert David Hochberg to dissect the fallout from President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs. Hochberg explains how the abrupt trade shift has rattled bond markets, driven up mortgage rates, and undermined confidence in the U.S. economy. Together, they explore the broader implications for American consumers, investors, and businesses navigating the chaos of "Liberation Day."

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Rory’s Redemption: A Masters for the Ages

April 15, 2025 • 32 mins
John Howell is joined by golf enthusiast and former WLS News Director John Dempsey to relive Rory McIlroy’s dramatic victory at the 2025 Masters. The two discuss McIlroy’s emotional journey, his long-awaited Grand Slam, and the tournament’s unforgettable moments. They also weigh in on the state of professional golf, the culture at Augusta, and the future of the game.

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