WILL-AM

The 21st Show

George Packer is best known for his journalism. He's been a staff writer at The Atlantic magazine since 2018, and before that spent 15 years at The New Yorker. He’s also written books on American politics and foreign affairs. Now, for the first time in decades, he’s written a novel, The Emergency. It’s about what happens when a government collapses, and new ways of life take root in a society. 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. 
Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. 
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, Champaign Movie Makers is hosting their annual 48 Hour Film Competition this weekend, where participants have just two days to make a movie.

The 21st Show

Kevin Ryan is a former teacher and United States Marine from the south suburbs of Chicago. He is now running in as a Democratic in the Primary race for U.S. Senate in Illinois. He talks one-on-one with Brian Mackey about ICE, the U.S. struggling economy, and his military background.

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 
Spotfy: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, Illinois and four other Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to block a freeze on federal funding for childcare and family services. A judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking immediate implementation of the freeze.

The 21st Show

Joseph Gone has spent decades studying Native American moscots — as a psychologist, as a member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre Tribal Nation, and as a University of Illinois graduate student who campaigned against Chief Illiniwek in the 1990's. He shares his perspective today.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, the president of the University of Illinois System is stepping down once his contract expires next year. We'll bring you a conversation with Tim Killeen about why he's leaving and his plans for the future.

The 21st Show

The Chicago Bears are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. We’ll talk about their post-season prospects, and how GM Ryan Poles, Head Coach Ben Johnson, and Quarterback Caleb Williams made it happen.

The 21st Show

Months of U.S. military pressure on Venezuela culminated in the capture of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. We’ll talk with about how we got here and what comes next.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, some farmers ended 2025 unsure how they'll pay their bills. We'll hear from farmers around the central US about what made 2025 such a tough year and what's ahead.

The 21st Show

Miscanthus is a type of grass that can grow to be particularly tall. According to a group of researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a form of this grass known has proven to be a good crop for farmers, with a lot of versatile uses. 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.