Best of Interviews - AM950 The Progressive Voice of Minnesota

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who frequently provides updates on COVID, influenza, and more on the Matt McNeil Show.

Michael Brodkorb is a noted author, FOP political figure, and Matt's official football correspondent.

Brian Ronholm is the Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports. He leads CR’s advocacy efforts to advance a safe and healthy food system.

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…

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/

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

Michael Brodkorb is a noted author, FOP political figure, and Matt’s official football correspondent.

Reed Sigmund is an actor and director with Children’s Theatre Company.

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…

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

Matt has our weekly visit with national political expert Jeff Stein. They talk about the struggling AG economy, more warning economic signs, No Kings Protests and more.

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/

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/

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/

It’s Matt’s weekly Wednesday visit with Matt McNeil! Today they talk about ICE’s brutal crackdown in Chicago and Portland, are ICE agents “just following orders,” Trump’s distractions from Epstein and more.

The Washington Blade's new White House Correspondent Joe Reberkenny joins John Parker on the Gaily Show with the latest on the government shutdown and other DC news.

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/

It’s our weekly Vikings preview as Matt is joined by Michael Brodkorb! They preview Vikings vs. Browns from London.

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

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/

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…

It’s our weekly Vikings preview as Matt is joined by Michael Brodkorb! They preview Vikings vs. Steelers and the Vikings QB situation.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30.

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/

Michael Brodkorb is a noted author, former GOP political strategist, and football expert.

Matt was joined by Minnesota author Larry Millett. They talked about his newest book, Mysterious Tales of Old Minneapolis. Order he book now: https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517920470/mysterious-tales-of-old-minneapolis/ 

Matt was joined by Ellie Krug, host of the Illegal Trans Woman (Saturdays 4-5 PM). They talk about anti-transgender rhetoric being spread after the Charlie Kirk and Annunciation shootings.

Matt was joined by Michael Thalhimer, Director of Business Development at All Energy Solar, to discuss the commercial side of solar energy. With policy changes recently announced and more on the horizon, many businesses are looking to lock in the best incentives before the rules shift under the new administration. Michael explained how securing solar…

It’s our weekly visit with Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer! Today we talk Walz reelection, data on gun safety laws, and the legislature getting ready for gun bills at the upcoming special session. Here’s all that was covered: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/16/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-launches-reelection-campaign-for-third-term/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/15/heres-what-the-data-say-about-some-common-gun-control-ideas/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/15/senate-panel-hears-assault-weapons-ban-other-ideas/

Matt talks about his weekend in Chicago; China is not placing orders for US soybeans; Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan joins the show to discuss her Senate run; groyper movement that Charlie Kirk’s killer allegedly belonged to; restauranteur Ann Kim under fire; hypocrisy of Rep. Van Orden; Michael Brodkorb discusses last night’s game.

Michael Brodkorb is a noted author, former GOP political strategist, and football expert.

Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota's 50th Lieutenant Governor, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and currently the country's highest ranking Native woman elected to executive office. At the center of all her work is making progress for children, working families, communities of color and Indigenous communities, and Minnesotans who have historically been underserved…

Bruce was joined by MinnPost writer Matthew Blake to talk about prospects of a special session based on his recent reporting: https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2025/09/walzs-urgency-to-act-on-gun-violence-runs-into-political-reality-in-divided-legislature/

Bruce Klopfleisch was joined by Greta Bedekovics, associate director of Democracy at the Center for American Progress. They talk about how CAP has changed their guidance for states with independent redistricting commissions in response to Republican gerrymandering.

Bruce was joined by Mother Jones writer Pema Levy as they talk about some of her recent articles on Republican gerrymandering: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/08/republican-racial-gerrymandering/ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/08/voting-rights-act-supreme-court-2/

Maggiy Emery is an experienced nonprofit and political strategist with a background in communications, organizing, and development in such issue areas as gun violence prevention, food justice, animal welfare, immigrant and refugee rights, and more. She has a deep passion for sustainable agriculture and the revitalization of rural spaces, and she is thrilled to bring…

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…

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30/

Patrick Coolican returns for his weekly Tuesday visit. This week Brett and Patrick talk about Zack Stephenson being named DFL house leader, Gov. Walz calling a special session on guns, and Gov. Walz issuing an executive order on vaccine access in Minnesota.

Michael Brodkorb is a noted author, former GOP political strategist, and football expert.

Julie Blaha is the State Auditor of Minnesota.

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

Brett was joined by the Minnesota Reformer’s Max Nesterak. Today they talked about Gov. Tim Walz possibly calling a special session to address gun safety as well as some labor stats about Minnesota.

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who frequently provides updates on COVID, avian flu, and other diseases. Today Matt and Joe talk about how RFK is messing up data tracking for many diseases. Plus updates on Avian flu, new COVID variants and more.

Matt was joined by the host of the Illegal Trans Woman, Ellie Krug. In light of the Minneapolis mass shooter being identified as a transgender woman, Ellie talks about how hate merchants might use this shooting as justification to further marginalize transgender people.

It’s a more somber visit with Jeff Stein this week as Matt and Jeff react to the mass shooting at a Minneapolis school/church. They also talk about Democrats continuing to over perform in special elections.

Brett was joined by Max Nesterak, the deputy editor of the Minnesota Reformer who reports on labor and housing. Today’s topics included the DNC meetings in Minneapolis, minimum wage raises and a labor dispute with University of Minnesota service workers. Find more at: https://minnesotareformer.com/

Kat Abughazaleh is a journalist and candidate for Illinois’s 9th congressional district.

Elizabeth Glidden is Deputy Director of the Minnesota Housing Partnership.