Best of Interviews - AM950 The Progressive Voice of Minnesota

Rick Smith previews his brand new show The Daily Jolt, premiering Monday at 5 AM on AM950.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Brett Johnson was joined by data reporter for the Minnesota Reformer, Alyssa Chen. They talked about her recent article talking about how the feds are impacting Minnesota’s Medicaid funding shortfall. Read more at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/31/minnesota-medicaid-spending-is-accelerating-projected-to-reach-29b-in-2029/

Matt was live at the State Fair where he was joined by State Rep. Rick Hansen from district 53B.

Matt was joined by Christy Branham and Monica Healy, who host The Politics Chicks, a progressive politics podcast and independent news publication featuring investigative journalism, original political reporting, in-depth interviews, and fact-based analysis of U.S. politics, democracy, elections, and public policy.

Matt was joined live at the State Fair by Doug Chapin, who is the DFL nominee is the 6th Congressional district against Republican Tom Emmer.

Zack Filipovich is the DFL candidate for State Auditor.

Steve Simon is Minnesota's 22nd Secretary of State. He was sworn into office on January 5, 2015, and as Minnesota's chief elections administrator pledged in his inaugural address to “work with anyone, of any political affiliation, from any part of our state” to protect, defend, and strengthen the right to vote in Minnesota.

Brett Johnson was joined by the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. Today they talked about Patrick’s column on the Minnesota Attorney General race, pushback against Xcel Energy rate hikes and updates on the extradition of ICE agent Christian Castro. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/25/attorney-general-race-why-would-we-enlist-a-trump-ally-in-our-fight-against-trump/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/24/attorney-general-keith-ellison-consumer-advocates-urge-state-board-to-reconsider-xcels-hefty-increase/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/18/ag-keith-ellison-sues-texas-governor-for-failure-to-extradite-ice-agent-charged-with-assault/

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.

Matt was joined by Greg June to talk about Jason Watson, a US service member who was arrested on the steps of the US Capitol last month after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Brett Johnson was joined by the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. They talked about Governor Tim Walz issuing an executive order to stop mining in the boundary waters, Keith Ellison suing Greg Abbot, the feds spying on Minnesotans and more. Find more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/18/gov-tim-walz-signs-executive-order-banning-nonferrous-mining-near-boundary-waters/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/18/ag-keith-ellison-sues-texas-governor-for-failure-to-extradite-ice-agent-charged-with-assault/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/13/the-government-is-spying-on-its-own-citizens-again/

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minneosta Reformer, joins Brett Johnson for our weekly Tuesday conversation. This week they preview primary elections and the unintended consequences of Don Lemon challenging the constitutionality of the FACE Act. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/11/what-to-watch-for-on-primary-night/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/07/don-lemon-challenges-constitutionality-of-face-act-in-legal-defense-of-church-protest-charges/

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Brett Johnson has our weekly Minnesota Reformer update with their editor-in-chief, Patrick Coolican. They talk about Madison McVan’s article that follows up on Orbin Mauricio Henriquez Serrano, who was pulled out of his car during Operation Metro Surge. Plus a column on Minnesota's most aggressive drug prosecutor and Patrick has thoughts on Michigan primaries tonight.…

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.

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.

Hailed by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as “the sharpest political commentator on the Twin Cities comedy scene”, Robert Baril mines the news of the day to fuel his informed, biting style of comedy.  With three albums out now (Sex and Politics, TMI, 2020) and in clubs across the country, Baril tackles all the hot button…

Matt and Jeff have their weekly conversation about national politics. Today they talk about the Fauci hearings, the Iran war debacle, can Dems flip the Senate and more!

Brett is back with our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. With primary day approaching, they cover the Craig vs. Flanagan race, more mishaps from the Kendall Qualls campaign and the best of Mike Lindell in the Reformer over the years. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/takeaways-from-the-latest-debate-between-democratic-senate-hopefuls-angie-craig-peggy-flanagan https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/28/in-tight-senate-race-peggy-flanagan-cant-escape-the-f-word/…

Matt McNeil and Patti Vasquez discuss the financial complexities, political friction, and public controversies surrounding the Chicago Bears’ potential relocation from Soldier Field to a new stadium. They also talk State fairs and other political news.

I have spent nearly two decades uncovering stories about abuse and exploitation in Minnesota. Before joining ProPublica, I worked for 10 years at The Minnesota Star Tribune, where I covered cops, courts and prisons, and later joined the newspaper's investigations team. In 2020, I was part of a team of reporters that covered the killing…

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Brett was joined by the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. They talked about the Bernie Sanders-Peggy Flanagan rally at First Av, reaction to trump endorsing Mike Lindell and Patrick’s column on combating election interference from the feds. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/15/mike-lindell-was-elated-after-president-trump-endorsed-him-for-governor-heres-what-he-said/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/20/bernie-sanders-headlines-rally-for-peggy-flanagan-at-first-avenue-in-contentious-senate-race/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/17/the-blueprint-for-fighting-trumps-attempt-to-sabotage-the-election-drawn-up-in-minnesota/

Brian is the President and Executive Director of Defend The Vote and Defend the Vote Action Fund. At both DTV and DTV Action Fund, Brian draws on his long-standing relationships on Capitol Hill and State Houses across the United States to serve as a top convener, hosting briefings on legislation, facilitating conversations with key groups…

Erin Murphy assumed office in the Minnesota State Senate on January 5, 2021. She previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019. She was a 2018 Democratic candidate for governor of Minnesota, but lost in the primary. Murphy was born March 13, 1960. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing…

Jessica Denson is the founder of the Removal Coalition, a grassroots movement empowering activists to be explicit about demanding impeachment and removal of the illegal Trump administration.  As one of the earliest Trump whistleblowers, her years of legal activism led to the invalidation of all 2016 Trump campaign NDAs.  Over the past year and a half…

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who provides updates on COVID, flu, and other outbreaks on the Matt McNeil Show.

Brett has our weekly interview with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talked about Patrick’s column on Judge Patrick Schiltz not bending the knee to the Trump administration, the feds turning over evidence in the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and Kendall Qualls’s campaign having a photoshop issues. Read more…

Daniel Squadron is a former aide to Senator Chuck Schumer, former New York State Senator, and co-founder of The States Project. Next Chapter Bookr is proud to present, in partnership with AM950, a reading with Daniel Squadron, author of The Fourth Branch! Monday, July 20, 2026 at 5 PM! 38 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55105.

Steve Simon is Minnesota's 22nd Secretary of State. He was sworn into office on January 5, 2015, and as Minnesota's chief elections administrator pledged in his inaugural address to “work with anyone, of any political affiliation, from any part of our state” to protect, defend, and strengthen the right to vote in Minnesota.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Brett was joined by Minnesota Reformer writer Michelle Griffith to talk about some of her latest stories, including property tax issues for Mike Lindell and the feds bringing charges against 14 anti-ICE protestors. Read more about what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/06/records-show-mike-lindell-owes-48000-in-property-taxes-he-says-he-paid-up/ https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/01/14-minnesota-anti-ice-protesters-plead-not-guilty-to-federal-charges/

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics.

Brett Johnson was joined by Jay Boller of the Racket MN to talk about some of the news they have been following from their Flyover Roundup, including endorsements in the US Senate race, how Heritage Park became a failed experiment in Minneapolis public housing, AI in restaurant advertising and more. Read more at: https://racketmn.com/how-heritage-park-became-a-squalid-failed-experiment-in-minneapolis-public-housing

Matt was joined by Lt. Gov. and US Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan live at the AM950 booth at Twin Cities Pride 2026! They discuss her Senate campaign, highlighting the contrast between her and Angie Craig. Flanagan also addresses the importance of protecting LGBTQ+ rights and outlines her campaign’s goal to connect with voters door-to-door before…

Brett was joined by Ellie Krug, host of the Illegal Trans Woman. Thety talked about Twin Cities Pride this weekend and navigating a challenging political climate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Brett was joined by Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. They talked about a federal court’s rebuke of the DOJ over Governor Walz and Mayor Frey subpoenas, the Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan campaign finance dispute and the ecological importance of Minnesota’s native “trash fish.” Find more of what they talked about at: https://minnesotareformer.com/

Brett was joined by Max Richtman of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. They talked about how retirement is on the ballot this fall, the looming 2034 Social Security deadline, new AI gatekeepers in Medicare healthcare and more. Learn more at: https://www.ncpssm.org/

Brett was joined by Alan Collinge of Student Loan Justice. They talked about federal student loan overhauls and the crisis of older borrowers trapped in debt. Learn more at: StudentLoanJustice.org

Brett was joined by Max Richtman of the National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM.org). They talked about the myth that social security is going bankrupt, how millionaires and billionaires need to pay their fair share for social security and how AI is changing Medicare decisions.

Richard has spent 20 years organizing, raising resources, and crafting authentic messages that connect with voters, from managing tough elections to leading the historic Vote No campaign for marriage equality. Together, we will continue building a party that unites and inspires Minnesotans—and wins! The post Richard Carlbom with Matt – June 18, 2026 first appeared on AM 950.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics. The post Jeff Stein with Matt – June 17, 2026 first appeared on AM 950.

Brett was joined by the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican, for their weekly Tuesday conversation. They talked about where people detained by ICE ended up during Operation Metro Surge, the feds charging anti-ICE activists and thoughts on the one year anniversary of the assassination of Melissa Hortman. Read more about what they talked… The post Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (6/16/26) first appeared on AM 950.

Join host Laurie Fitz for a deeply moving tribute honoring the life, enduring light, and legacy of former Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Through heartfelt stories shared by her closest colleagues and friends, we celebrate the profound kindness and pragmatic leadership she brought to the state. Guests include US Representative Kelly Morrison, Minnesota State… The post Remembering Melissa Hortman: Friends Share Their Favorite Memories first appeared on AM 950.

Richard has spent 20 years organizing, raising resources, and crafting authentic messages that connect with voters, from managing tough elections to leading the historic Vote No campaign for marriage equality. Together, we will continue building a party that unites and inspires Minnesotans—and wins! The post Richard Carlbom with Matt – June 12, 2026 first appeared on AM 950.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national politics. The post Jeff Stein with Matt – June 10, 2026 first appeared on AM 950.

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. They talked about how ICE finally released Andrea Pedro-Francisco, who had been pleading for medical treatment for a large ovarian cyst since being arrested by immigration agents in Minnesota in February. Plus Patrick shares his thoughts on Star Tribune layoffs and Alpha… The post Brett Johnson with Patrick Coolican (6/9/26) first appeared on AM 950.

Matt was joined by investigative reporter Andy Mannix from Pro Publica. They talk about his recent report titled, “In This Church, Child Sexual Abuse Has Gone Unchecked for So Long That It Spans Generations.” Read it at: https://www.propublica.org/article/old-apostolic-lutheran-church-generational-sexual-abuse The post Matt McNeil with Andy Mannix of Pro Publica (6/6/26) first appeared on AM 950.