Best of Interviews - AM950 The Progressive Voice of Minnesota

Matt was joined by the Rev. Trish Sullivan Vanni, PhD, who is a presbyter of the ECC and the Pastoral Director of Charis, the first Ecumenical Catholic Community in Minnesota. She’ll be making periodic appearances on Matt’s show as a spiritual advisor.

Matt McNeil is joined by Greg Bakun of GhostBox Radio who reports live from Des Moines Con!

Hennepin History Museum presents Hennepin Fest, a women-led music festival celebrating the diverse history and culture of our community! Saturday, May 31 2025, 2:00-7:00 p.m. Washburn Fair Oaks Park

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to discuss national politics.

Patrick Coolican joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15.

Matt is joined by musician Katy Tessman, who just released her new Turnbuckles EP. Learn more at: https://www.katytessman.com/

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who frequently gives updates on COVID, flu, and other illnesses. Today he and Matt talk about a measles outbreak from a Shakira concert, new COVID mutations, COVID booster shots, whether Avian flu will transmit to humans and more.

Jeff is back for our weekly Wednesday visit! This week Matt and Jeff talk about Trump pushing a white genocide conspiracy theory in South Africa, the “big beautiful bill” and more!

Matt was joined by Ben Schierer, who wrote the book, Perpich A Minnesota Original. Order the book at https://nextchapterbooksellers.com/book/9781681343082

It’s Brett’s weekly Tuesday visit with Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer. Here’s the stories they covered today: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/20/minnesota-legislative-session-ends-no-bang-barely-a-whimper/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/19/lawmakers-play-blame-game-as-session-comes-to-end-without-major-budget-bills/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/16/get-mad-about-minnesotacare-but-walz-and-dfl-legislative-leaders-are-not-the-real-culprits/

Matt was joined by Michael Brodkorb to talk about the Vikings 2025 schedule and the end of session at the State Legislature.

This week Matt and Jeff talk about Trump being bribed with a plane from Quatar, cuts to Medicaid and Snap benefits and more.

Jake Wittich, Managing Editor for Windy City Times, is back with his reporting on the new Chicago Teachers Union Contract which includes a number of LGBTQ+ protections and the debut of The First Homosexuals at Wrightwood 659 in Lincoln Park (Chicago). Windy City Times has been the voice of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community since 1985. This…

Brett was joined by editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer (https://minnesotareformer.com/). Here’s the stories they talked about today: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/12/minnesota-child-care-advocates-rally-federal-child-care-cuts/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/09/trumps-tariffs-weigh-heavy-on-truckers-as-overseas-shipments-sink/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/08/walz-goes-to-harvard-and-proves-his-point-10-problematic/

Matt was joined by Mary Jo Pehl from MST3K and RiffTrax. They talk about doing comedy during Trump II, the mechanics of stand up comedy, political news and more. Also catch Mary and other MST3K alums for a standup show on Thursday May 15 at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Get tickets at: https://theparkwaytheater.com/all-events/rifftrax-comedy 

Matt was joined by Katrina Simons, host of our newest show, Boldly Challenging Ableism (Sundays  at 2 PM). Boldly Challenging Ableism exposes ableism and dismantles myths that marginalize people with disabilities. The show debuts this Sunday at 2 PM. Find podcasts and more info at: https://www.am950radio.com/events/boldly-challenging-ableism/

Matt was joined by MST3K alum Bill Corbett. They talk about moderate Democrats not fighting and Trump adminstration II. Also catch Bill and other MST3K alums for a standup shoon Thursday May 15 at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Get tickets at: https://theparkwaytheater.com/all-events/rifftrax-comedy

Matt McNeil has Jeff Stein on for his weekly Wednesday visit. Today they talk about the Conclave to select a new Pope, crypto being a scam, India-Pakistan conflicts, Trump’s ag secretary getting into hot water and more.

Patrick Coolican is the Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Reformer. He joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15.

Nancy Nelson was joined by Dr. Michael Osterholm, an  epidemiologist and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

Nancy Nelson was joined by Richard Carlbom, new chair of the DFL in Minnesota.

Bruce Klopfleisch was joined by Minnesota Reformer writer Michelle Griffith as they talk about how the MN Legislature is debating Minnesota Care and Republican claims that illegal immigrants are getting benefits.

Matt McNeil has Jeff Stein on for his weekly Wednesday visit. Today they talk about false social media posts circulating in MAGA world, judges being arrested and more!

Patrick Coolican is the Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Reformer, who joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15/

Michael Brodkorb is a political contributor and Vikings expert who joins the Matt McNeil Show.

Brittlestar, known to some as Stewart Reynolds (mainly his mum when he's in trouble), has taken the digital world by storm with his sharp wit, family-friendly humor, and relatable commentary. With hundreds of thousands tuning in weekly and over 650 million views across platforms, Brittlestar's videos make people laugh and think — a powerful combination…

On today’s show: – Patti Vasquez starts the show off with Matt. – How wealthy farmers might turn against Trump over tariffs. – Why is Trump backtracking on his “tough” stance on China? – How the US peace proposal for the Russia-Ukraine war is bad for Ukraine. – Sharon Secor, the chairperson for Art in…

Matt was joined by Sharon Secor, the chairperson for Art in Bloom at MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art). They talk about this year’s Art in Bloom. Learn more at: https://new.artsmia.org/art-in-bloom/art-in-bloom-2025

Matt was joined by Patti Vasquez , who hosts Driving it Home with Patti Vasquez on WCPT weeknights 5-7 PM and AM950 weeknights 9-10 PM. They talk about RFK’s controversial autism study, privacy concerns with that study, Trump panicking over China and more!

Patrick Coolican is the Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Reformer. He joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15.

Willa Hammitt Brown first had her picture taken with Paul Bunyan when she was four years old in Akeley, Minnesota, and she grew up spending summers on Deer Lake in Itasca County in the heart of the Northwoods Vacationland. She is a writer and historian specializing in American cultural, gender, and environmental history and holds…

Denise Slipy is the DFL-endorsed candidate for the Senate District 6 special election on April 29.

Matt was joined by author John Owens. He has a new wordless picture book based in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area called  “One Spring Up North.” Learn more and order at: https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517919252/one-spring-up-north/

Jeff’s back for his Wednesday visit with Matt after a week off. Today they talk about tariffs, how the AG economy will be impacted by them, whether farmers could eventually turn against Trump, prison camps in El Salvador and more.

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who frequently gives updates on COVID, flu, and other illnesses. Today he and Matt talk about measles outbreaks across the country (and world), the latest COVID outbreaks, Avian flu and more.

Cliff Schecter is a bestselling author, nationally syndicated columnist and YouTube personality (https://www.youtube.com/@Cliffs_Edge). Matt and Cliff talk about Trump sending American citizens to the infamous El Salvador prison, tariffs and the stock market crashing, Elon Musk getting more government contracts and more.

Patrick Coolican is the Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Reformer. He joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15.

Kat Abughazaleh is running for Congress in Illinois’ Ninth District.

Becka Thompson is a candidate for Ward 12 of the Minneapolis City Council. Caucuses are taking place on April 8, 2025.

Shelley Madore is a candidate for Ward 2 of the Minneapolis City Council. Caucuses are taking place on April 8, 2025.

The Rick Smith Show airs weeknights on AM950 at 8 PM.

Matt was joined by former state rep. Joe Radinovich of We Love Minneapolis as they discuss upcoming Minneapolis caucuses on April 8.

It’s our weekly Wednesday visit with Jeff! This week Matt and Jeff talk about new Trump tariffs and last night’s elections in Wisconsin and Florida.

Patrick Coolican is the Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Reformer. He joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15.

Ellie Krug is a transgender advocate and speaker, and host of The Illegal Trans Woman on Saturdays at 4 PM on AM950 or anytime on AM950radio.com.

It’s our weekly Wednesday visit with Jeff Stein. This week Matt and Jeff talk about the Republican’s Signal/national security fiasco.

Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer joins Brett every Tuesday at 4:15.

Matt was joined by Michael Brodkorb to talk about the Justin Eichorn case, which political party is more energized for 2026. Outside of politics they talk about the latest Vikings off season moves.

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who frequently gives updates on COVID, flu, and other illnesses. Today he and Matt talk about the latest measles outbreak, RFK’s crazy solution to avian flu, how COVID is still enhancing other infectious diseases and more.

Matt is joined by Greg Bakun, the host of GhostBox Radio (weeknights 10-11 PM). On Thursday GhostBox Radio will have a special from 9-11 PM on the alien abduction of Travis Walton. Greg will welcome both Travis Walton and Jennifer Stein, director of Travis Walton the Movie.