The John Fugelsang Podcast

John discusses the many ways Trump has disrespected veterans and the military while saluting and smiling at them. He also talks about fake Christian/ county clerk Kim Davis losing at the Supreme Court in her bid to overturn same-sex marriage. Then, he speaks with award-winning author Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D about her new book "A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance". Next, John interviews Emmy Award–winning music journalist Alan Light about his new book "Don’t Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours". And then rounding it out, he welcomes back Comedy Daddy - Keith Price to joke with listeners on the latest news and politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about Minority leader Chuck Schumer and the eight Senate Democrats who signed onto a Republican offer to end the federal shutdown. The bill now must pass through the House, which is scrambling to return to D.C. The deal includes guarantees of back pay to federal workers, a promise of longer-term funding for certain programs and the promise of a vote to possibly extend ACA subsidies. Then, he welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to discuss the details on the shutdown, SCOTUS hearing the Tariffs case, and the Supreme Court saying it WON'T hear an appeal to the Obergefell decision that legalized gay marriage. Then winding it up John jokes with comedian Rhonda Hansome and listeners about current politics and pop culture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tara Dublin again guest hosts for John. She talks about Congress remaining locked in shutdown hell after Republicans in the Senate rejected Democrats’ offers. Also, the Trump administration followed a court order and fully funded SNAP benefits to dozens of states but has not given up its legal fight to deny those funds moving forward. Then, she chats with Malcolm W. Nance about the shutdown and other carnage from Trump and his MAGAts. And, she interviews Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici about the situation in Portland. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John interviews author David Gelles about his new book "Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away". He speaks with Sharon Eubank about her new book "Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World". And he jokes with legendary musician Garry Tallent and his photographer fiancée Nicki Germaine. They discuss the early days of Springsteen and the E-Street Band. They also talked about Nicki's book "Springsteen: Liberty Hall". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tara Dublin guest hosts for John. She talks about a federal judge ordering the Trump White House to pay the FULL amount of SNAP benefits owed to states, not the half-measure weakly agreed to after last week’s ruling. She also talks about a Washington D.C. jury returning a NOT GUILTY verdict for the man who hucked his Subway footlong at federal officers terrorizing his city. Then, she interviews Parker Butler and Lauren Kapp. Butler and Kapp now both run Luminary Strategies, a consulting firm providing full-service digital strategy and innovative content creation for their clients. Luminary manages the online presence of highly-influential digital newsrooms and runs social media accounts for some of the most viral and culturally relevant candidates in the political sphere today. Next, Tara jokes with award-winning investigative reporter Brian J. Karem on current news and politics. Then wrapping it up, she speaks with Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden on the election, the shutdown, and the Epstein files. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Sudbay fills in for John again while he is on his cruise. He talks about the major election victories in New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Maine, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and elsewhere as voters took to the polls for an off-year rejection of Trump Administration policies. He also discusses the tantrums coming in from Trump and company. Then, he speaks about the election with Maine Secretary of State Shenna Lee Bellows. Next, Joe interviews Dr. Louise Archer who is a Polar Bears International Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Her research combines ecological modelling and bioenergetics to understand how polar bear populations will respond to rapid Arctic warming and resulting declines in sea ice. And lastly, he chats with Alex Lawson who is the Executive Director of Social Security Works, the convening organization of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition -- a coalition made up of over 340 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Sudbay guest hosts again. He runs down the election tallies as the results come rolling in. Democrats scored victories in the four major races of the night: the New York City mayoral race, the governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Prop 50, California's redistricting ballot measure. Exit polling showed voters went to the polls with worries about the economy on their minds, coupled with broader discontent with the state of the country right now. He is joined by Dean Obeidallah, Michelangelo Signorile, and Comedy Daddy Keith Price to discuss the live election results as they happen with check-ins from across the electoral map from good friends and expert guests. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Sudbay guests hosts while John is on his California cruise trip. Joe discusses Trump's Halloween glitzy Great Gatsby party - flouting lavishness while millions panic over SNAP benefits being constrained. He also talks about the major elections happening in New Jersey, Virginia, California, and New York. Then, he speaks with Jessica Mackler who is the president of EMILYs list. EMILYs List is backing both Democratic governor candidates (Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia), as well as women candidates in every top red-to-blue flip opportunity in Virginia’s House of Delegates races. In the last Southern state without an abortion ban, this year, Virginia’s House will determine if voters can protect reproductive freedom through a constitutional amendment. And then finally, Joe interviews Alejandro Varela. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon was a finalist for the National Book Award. His latest novel, Middle Spoon, was published by Viking on September 9, 2025. His novels and stories take public health topics — from systemic racism to gentrification to sexuality — and make them accessible and memorable. Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal, and holds a masters degree in public health from the University of Washington. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about Trump's gaudy, pretentious ballroom - where he hopes to someday hold campaign rallies for his 3rd term. He also discusses the massive apathy from Republicans over the masses of people who are going hungry due to Trump withholding SNAP benefits. Then, political strategist Max Burns is back to talk about the upcoming elections, the destruction of the White House, and the non-functioning congress that refuses to even do their jobs. And winding it up, John welcomes back retail analyst Burt Flickinger to discuss how Trump's interruption of SNAP benefits will harm not just individuals - but also our economy in a spiderweb effect. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella joined John for a spooky-season conversation that blended truth, history, and humor. They talked about Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and how Indigenous traditions honor those who came before us. They also tackled headlines that can’t be ignored: Vice President J.D. Vance’s harmful claim that Indigenous peoples practiced “widespread child sacrifice”, and why that myth has deep colonial roots. The Blackfeet Nation’s buffalo and elk harvests to feed families during the government shutdown: a powerful act of food sovereignty and self-reliance. And the real “scary story” is how rhetoric from leaders continues to erase Indigenous truths while tribal nations keep showing what leadership looks like. Listeners called in with great questions, including Kendall, who got into a heated debate about mascots! Spoiler alert: Viking mascots were mentioned and Simon dropped a few "cabron" and "pendejo" bombs! It was an episode about myth-busting, survival, and remembering that even in spooky season, truth has power. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John discusses the strange meeting with Trump and Chinese Pres. Xi. They announced a compromise on foreign trade that will see lower tariff rates for China, a promise to fight fentanyl and a delay on rules barring Chinese companies from receiving US technology. Then, he speaks with Rev. Barry Lynn about the government shutdown. And finally, John interviews Jessica Denson and Cliff Cash about the big Remove the Regime March in Washington D.C. November 20th - 22nd. https://www.removetheregime.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John's monologue this time talks about the DOJ placing two federal prosecutors on leave after they wrote in a court filing that on Jan. 6, 2021, “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol”. The 2 D.C. federal prosecutors, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were locked out of their devices and placed on leave just hours after filing a sentencing memo in the case against Taylor Taranto, a former Jan. 6 defendant who went to President Obama's house after Trump revealed Obama's home address on social media. Then, podcast star is back once again to speak with John about the excuses for the never ending government shutdown and Trump's completely routine MRI. Next, It's the God Squad with theologian Dillon Naber Cruz and Pastor Desimber Rose. John talks with them about the fake cease-fire in Gaza and the fake Christians in the MAGA movement. Then wrapping it up, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson joins the crew to chat with listeners about the many court rulings hampering Trump's malice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about U.S District Judge Sarah Ellis ordering CBP honcho Greg Bovino to meet at her courthouse every day to report on immigration actions in greater Chicago. The ruling comes just a day after the Trump Administration quietly handed full control of immigration enforcement to CBP after ICE leadership fell short of deportation quotas. He also talks about the government shutdown. Dozens have states have sued the Trump Administration over the suspension of SNAP benefits which start on November 1st. Then, John speaks with Emmy winning journalist Dexter Thomas about his show - "Kill Switch" which is a tech podcast about living in the future today; a survival guide to modern culture; and a show that exposes the true systems listeners rely on daily - from AI and privacy, to the strange and absurd corners of the internet. Next, John interviews Renee Hopkins. She is CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives, developing a safer Washington state and supporting the legislation to make that happen. In her six years at the Alliance she has led the organization to become the leading state-based gun violence prevention organization in the country; passing three ballot initiatives, electing a gun violence prevention majority in the state legislature, working with systems partners to develop best practice models for implementing gun laws, and passing state laws that put Washington state at the forefront of suicide prevention and domestic violence laws as they relate to firearms. Renee has experienced the scourge of gun violence first-hand including the tragic loss of her brother Arnie in a school shooting in 1996. The rounding it out, Comedy Daddy - Keith Price is back once again joking with John and talking common sense to the Evil Army of the Night. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about a mixed bag of Trump absurdities: congressional republicans are following his orders and ignoring the government shutdown, Trump boasting about his recent MRI and mental fitness, and Trump telegraphing his proposed military actions against Venezuela. Are narcoterrorists the new WMD's? Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider returns to discuss the legality of a president's emergency powers and the government's slow, steady dissection of America's basic civil liberties. Then winding it up, comedian Rhonda Hansome joins John to talk about current news and answer questions from listeners on how to cope in MAGAland. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John discusses Trump calling off trade talks with Canada after an ad aired in Ontario featuring Ronald Reagan’s critical thoughts on tariff policy. Canadian PM Mark Carney said in response he’d have an easy time finding trade partners in Asia instead. And he talks about the Pentagon announcing it had killed 6 people in yet another airstrike on a fishing vessel in the Caribbean, adding that an aircraft carrier is being sent to the region which is a major escalation of an already egregious American military buildup. Then, he interviews social gerontologist Jeanette Leardi on her latest book "Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older". Next, John speaks with former EPA Scientist Dr. Tracy Woodruff on her declaration that the U.S. is “fast-tracking chemicals that cause cancer, infertility, and brain damage” and this undermines public health and defies Trump’s "Make America Healthy Again" goals. And lastly, TV's Frank Conniff returns to joke with the gang about Trump's latest corruption and tantrums. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella discuss the government shutdown and the White House’s planned $300 million ballroom project, coming at the same time SNAP benefits are being cut and the GOP moves to gut VA healthcare. The impact on Indian Country is expected to be severe, with nearly one in four Native households relying on SNAP. They also covered the Vatican’s return of Indigenous artifacts, Iliff Seminary’s reckoning with its gruesome past, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s lawsuit against 3M over PFAS contamination. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about the East Wing of the White House being completely demolished. Trump told reporters the cost of his palatial throne room has ballooned to $350 Million. He also talks about the White House saying it will now shift to land-based extrajudicial killings in its war on drug cartels. Then, he interviews journalist and author Valerie Bauerlein. She covers national affairs for The Wall Street Journal from Raleigh, N.C. and she's covered the South Carolina presidential primaries for The Wall Street Journal since 2008. They talk about her best-selling book "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty”. Then, closing it up, John chats with the Evil Army of the Night about the corruption of Trump and the destruction he has caused. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John discusses the demolition of the White House's East Wing as Trump builds his extravagant grand ballroom during a government shutdown (a dramatic change from previously described plans for Trump’s resort-styled banquet hall. He also talks about Christian Nationalist Joshua Haymes who does a podcast with Pete Hegseth's pastor Brooks Potteiger. In the podcast Josh discusses the bible's approval of slavery and the sins of going against the bible's teachings. Pete has been on the podcast many times. Then, Bob Cesca returns to chat about the No Kings Protest, the government shutdown, and the gaudy new White House. Next, John welcomes back The God Squad featuring Dillon Naber Cruz and Matthew Distefano filling in for Desimber Rose. They talk about John's new book and the rise of Christian Nationalism in the Republican party. And rounding it out, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson joins the crew to talk with listeners and answer questions about Trump's many legal battles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John's monologue discusses Trump's pick to lead a federal watchdog agency withdrew from consideration Tuesday evening, after his offensive text messages were made public and GOP senators revolted. Paul Ingrassia, who was nominated to lead the Office of Special Counsel, had been scheduled to have his confirmation hearing this week. He also talks about Graham Platner. Just one day after apologizing for old unearthed misogynistic and violent Reddit posts, he told reporters he'll remove the death’s head tattoo on his chest. The Nazi SS symbol was revealed via photos and videos of Platner - he says he got the tattoo while in the Marines without knowing it was a Nazi logo. Then, John welcomes back John Nichols of The Nation to chat about the historic No Kings march. And finally, he speaks with Andrew Wilson who is creator and host of The Crucible debate channel on Youtube. They talk about the bible and John's book "The Separation of Church and Hate". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John discusses 7 to 8 million Americans hitting the streets in over 2,700 locations nationwide for the second No Kings protest last Saturday. In response, Pumpkin-face posted an AI generated video to social media depicting himself in a fighter jet marked “KING TRUMP” which he then gleefully flew over protesters in dumping bombs of diarrhea on their heads. He also talks about an appeals court ruling which has cleared the way for the National Guard to begin operations in Portland. Next, he welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to talk about his experience interviewing people in New York at the No Kings Rally and the controversial appeals court ruling that is allowing Trump to send troops to Portland. Then closing it up, John jokes with comedians Myq Kaplan and Rhonda Hansome and they take calls from the Evil Army of the Night. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.