Heartland Politics With Robin Johnson

02/07/2025

Join me on the next Heartland Politics show when eminent historian and Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer shares his thoughts this Independence day weekend on what it means to be an American, our nation's 250th birthday, lessons from the Gettysburg battle, his new book on Lincoln and immigration and his closing words of inspiration for our divided nation straight from Lincoln. Tune into WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, 90.3 FM and HD1 in the Quad Cities at noon on Saturday, or listen online at WVIK.org or on demand wherever you get your podcasts. Photo credit: Matt Capowski

01/07/2025

Here's my latest Heartland Politics podcast on WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, with State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) who discusses the recently-concluded Illinois legislative session.

State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) discusses the recently concluded Illinois legislative session, his vote against the budget, education, economic issues, district accomplishments, mental health, the budget process, tariffs and what the national Democratic party needs to do to improve its ima...

25/06/2025

Join me on the next Heartland Politics show when Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) talks about the recent legislative session including school funding, district accomplishments, economic issues, why he voted against the state budget and advice for national Democrats on improving their image. Tune into WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, 90.3 FM and HD1 in the Quad Cities at noon on Saturday, or listen online at WVIK.org or on demand wherever you get your podcasts.

21/06/2025

Here's my latest Heartland Politics podcast on WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, with Illinois State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) discussing this year's legislative session. Swanson represents the 71st House district which runs from Rock Island County south to McDonough County.

State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) discusses the recently concludedlegislative session

18/06/2025

Join me on the next Heartland Politics show when IL. state Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) discusses the recently-completed legislative session and key topics, including the budget, taxes, education funding, ethics reform and more. He also shares the story of how he was named chair of the Illinois House Veterans Affairs Committee despite being in the minority party. Swanson represents the 71st House district which runs from Rock Island County down to McDonough County. Tune into WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, 90.3 FM and HD1 in the Quad Cities at noon on Saturday, or listen online at WVIK.org or on demand wherever you get your podcasts.

14/06/2025

Here's my latest Heartland Politics podcast on WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, with State Rep. Josh Turek (D-Council Bluffs) discussing the recent legislative session and the impact of Medicaid cuts on Iowans.

State Rep. Josh Turek, a Democrat from Council Bluff's 20th District, talks about the recently concluded legislative session in Iowa and his concerns about Medicaid cuts in Washington.

11/06/2025

Join me on the next Heartland Politics show when State Rep. Josh Turek, a Democrat from Council Bluff's 20th District, talks about the recently concluded legislative session in Iowa and his concerns about Medicaid cuts in Washington. Turek is serving his second term and is the first permanently disabled member of the legislature in history. He is a four-time Para Olympian and two-time Olympic basketball Gold Medalist. Tune into WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, 90.3 FM and HD1 in the Quad Cities at noon on Saturday, or listen online at WVIK.org or on demand wherever you get your podcasts.

07/06/2025

Here's my latest Heartland Politics podcast on WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, with Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-57) reviewing the recently completed legislative session.

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-57) discusses accomplishments from the recently completed session, including tax reform, cutting government waste and restricting cell phone usage in schools and cars, and talks about ongoing property tax reform efforts.

05/06/2025

Join me on the next Heartland Politics show when Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley discusses accomplishments from the recently completed legislative session, including tax reform, cutting government waste and restricting cell phone usage in schools and cars, and talks about ongoing property tax reform efforts. Tune into WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, 90.3 FM and HD1 in the Quad Cities at noon on Saturday, or listen online at WVIK.org or on demand wherever you get your podcasts.

31/05/2025

Here's my latest Heartland Politics podcast on WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, with Francis X. Rocca, who covers global religion for the National Catholic Register and also writes for The Atlantic. He talks about Pope Leo XIV, his roots in Chicago, the Conclave that selected him, his views on 'culture war' issues and much more. Rocca also covered global religion and the Vatican for many years with the Wall Street Journal.

The Rise of Pope Leo XIV and His Role in the Culture Wars Published May 30, 2025 at 1:55 PM CDT Listen • 29:00 Ways To Subscribe Apple Spotify Francis X. Rocca, who covers global religion for the National Catholic Register and also writes for The Atlantic, talks about the recent ascension of Robe...

29/05/2025

Join me on the next Heartland Politics show when Francis X. Rocca with the National Catholic Register talks about the recent ascension of Robert Francis Prevost to being Pope Leo XIV, the Conclave that chose him, the role of media influence in the process, the legacy of Pope Francis, early indications of the Pope's views on 'culture war' issues, and the resemblance of the movie Conclave to the actual process. Rocca is a former Wall Street Journal reporter who covered the Vatican since 2007. Tune into WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, 90.3 FM and HD1 in the Quad Cities at noon on Saturday, or listen online at WVIK.org or on demand wherever you get your podcasts.

24/05/2025

Here's my latest Heartland Politics podcast on WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, with Clay Risen, author of Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America. Risen is also a reporter and editor with the New York Times.

Clay Risen, author of Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America, discusses key elements of this era--The Hollywood 10, censorship of books and movies, those affected, including actor Sterling Hayden and Robert Oppenheimer--as well as the national landscape that provoked th...