Heartland Politics with Robin Johnson is a political podcast discussing current issues we face as a country featuring interviews with senators, congressman, governors, and other political elite. Robin A. Johnson is a governmental relations, public policy and political consultant. He is an expert on government reform issues and has consulted with numerous local governments on consolidation/merger, public-private partnerships and full-cost accounting of public services. Robin has also helped candidates win elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, state legislature, judiciary and local government.
Author, Consultant Patrick Ruffini: Demographic Trends Pointing to GOP Multiracial, Working Class Majority
Patrick Ruffini, Republican pollster and co-founder of Echelon Insights, talks about his new book, Party of the People Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP, including the causes of working class voters shifting to the Republicans, key insights into the educational divide, the interplay of culture, class and race, and much more.
2/2/2024 • 29 minutes
Top Illinois Stories of 2023 and 2024: Migrant Crisis, Budget, and Corruption.
Jerry Nowicki, Editor-in-Chief of Capitol News Illinois, discusses the top five headlines of 2023 and predicts the top stories of 2024.
1/26/2024 • 29 minutes
Trump Iowa Win Likely Secures Nomination in Normal Year; But It’s Not A Normal Year
Chris Larimer, Political Science Professor at Northern Iowa University, analyzes the Iowa Caucus results.
1/19/2024 • 29 minutes
Haley Offers Herself as “New Generational Leader Who Leaves the Baggage and Negativity Behind”
Nikki Haley, Republican presidential candidate, former Ambassador to the UN and former South Carolina Governor, talks about Ukraine, Gaza, border security, restoring our manufacturing base, China, whether to ban TikTok and much more.
1/12/2024 • 29 minutes
DeSantis: “I’m The Only Candidate With A Record of Delivering on 100% of His Promises”
Republican presidential candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, talks about his record in Florida, the Middle East, China, ethanol, and bringing manufacturing jobs back.
1/5/2024 • 29 minutes
Erin Murphy’s Top 2023 and 2024 Political Headlines
Erin Murphy, Des Moines bureau chief for The Gazette, lists his top five Iowa political/governmental headlines from 2023 and uses his crystal ball to project the top five stories for 2024.
12/29/2023 • 29 minutes
New Book Explores Charlie Chaplin Rise and Fall
Scott Eyman, author of book Charlie Chaplin v America: When Art, Sex and Politics Collided, talks about Chaplin’s impact on the American film industry.
12/21/2023 • 29 minutes
Ukraine, Middle East Conflicts Face Pivotal Months
Veteran foreign affairs and Pentagon correspondent Tom Squitieri talks about the Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East war, the hold on Pentagon nominations, US and European readiness and much more.
12/15/2023 • 29 minutes
Congressman Eric Sorensen Discusses His First Year in Office
US Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-17) looks back on his first year in Congress and talks about bipartisanship, the economy, climate, AI and much more.
12/8/2023 • 29 minutes
Author Challenges Commonly-Held Views About Rural America
Steven Conn questions the idea of a single rural America that is “left behind” or in crisis and instead says there are many rural Americas and they have been shaped by the same forces that impacted the rest of the country. His book, The Lies of the Land: Seeing Rural America for What It Is—And Isn’t also challenges the notion that rural America values capture the “real America” and why rural areas supported Donald Trump.
12/1/2023 • 29 minutes
New Book Explores Bipartisan Leaders in the US Senate During Tumultuous Times
Marc Johnson, author of Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate, talks about two senators, one from each party, who put aside partisan interests and worked together to pass historic legislation in the 1960s. It’s a timely story of true leadership that our current elected officials would benefit from examining.
11/25/2023 • 29 minutes
Hillbilly Highway: Exploring the Migration Patterns of the White Working Class
Max Fraser, author of Hillbilly Highway: The Transappalachian Migration and The Making of a White Working Class, discusses the differences with other parts of the white, working class, misperceptions of this overlooked group, the role of country music, their political impact and much more.
11/16/2023 • 29 minutes
Veteran’s Day 2023: Hope and Optimism from the Leading Iraq/Afghanistan Vets Organization Chief
Allison Jaslow, CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) talks about key issues facing our nation’s veterans, including the need for better leadership, the Afghanistan withdrawal, impact of the hold on US Military nomination in the Senate, the VA and veterans health care, and much more.
11/10/2023 • 29 minutes
New Book Explores Lack of Trust in American Leaders and Institutions
Gerry Baker, author of American Breakdown: Why We No Longer Trust Our Leaders and Institutions and How We Can Rebuild Confidence and former editor-in-chief at the Wall Street Journal, talks about growing distrust in government, big business, media and medicine, the widening gap between elites who control these institutions and the public, solutions to rebuild confidence and much more.
11/3/2023 • 29 minutes
Social Media is the Gateway Drug to Hate
Josh Kraushaar, editor-in-chief of the Jewish Insider, author of Sunday Sneak at Axios, and FOX News Radio political analyst, talks about the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, the upcoming invasion of Gaza, the possibility of a wider Middle East War, rising anti-Semitism in the US and around the world, and much more.
10/27/2023 • 29 minutes
The Facts About Proposed Carbon Dioxide Pipelines in Iowa
Jared Strong, senior reporter for Iowa Capital Dispatch, provides a primer on the three proposed carbon dioxide pipelines in Iowa, the process for approval, risks and benefits, uncommon alliances among those in favor and opposed, and much more.
10/21/2023 • 29 minutes
David Kochel on ’24 Iowa GOP Caucuses: “Momentum Matters More Than Mechanics”
Veteran Iowa Republican consultant David Kochel, talks about the leading candidates, roles of momentum and organization, impact of the Hamas terrorist attacks, a possible endorsement by Gov. Reynolds and much more.
10/14/2023 • 29 minutes
James Bennet Discusses a Tumultuous Week During a Tumultuous Presidential Election Campaign
James Bennet, Senior Editor for The Economist magazine and author of the Lexington column, talks about the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the Republican presidential primary, the legacies of Dianne Feinstein and Robert Kennedy and how they relate to today’s politics, and much more.
10/7/2023 • 29 minutes
The State of American Labor 2023
Steve Greenhouse, long-time labor reporter for the New York Times and author of Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present and Future of American Labor, discusses the impact of Covid on the American working class, the UAW-Big Three auto strike, challenges with organizing electric vehicles and other emerging clean-energy industries, union issues at Starbucks and much more.
9/30/2023 • 29 minutes
A 70s Story That Offers Wisdom on Friendships With Lessons for Today
Joe Svoboda, author of Brothers, Bears, and Beers: A Memoir of Friendships, Adventures and Mishaps, talks about the lasting bonds of friendship from a small college and fraternity, the ability to overcome differences to build solid friendships, and other lessons applicable to these times of social isolation and division.
9/23/2023 • 29 minutes
Sen. Chris Murphy Addresses “Growing Spiritual Crisis’ in the US
Sen. Chris Murphy, (D-CT) talks about the forces fueling our partisan divide, the coming political realignment that will shake up American politics, fraud committed by economic elites on the working class, and much more.
9/16/2023 • 29 minutes
Meisel: Mapes Trial Offers Rare Window into How Illinois Government Operates
Hannah Meisel, government and politics reporter for Capitol News Illinois, discusses the recent trial of top Madigan aide Tim Mapes, what the outcome means for Madigan’s upcoming trial, and why the legal proceedings are important for the state and residents.
9/9/2023 • 29 minutes
Illinois Auditor General Mautino: “State’s Financial Picture is Improving”
Frank Mautino, Illinois Auditor General, talks about his office’s roles and responsibilities, the state’s financial condition, audits of the Quincy and LaSalle VA homes, audit of IDES Covid funds overpayment of more than $5 billion, and much more.
9/2/2023 • 29 minutes
Brookings Tony Pipa: Unprecedented Opportunities for Rural Revitalization From Recent Federal Legislation
Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution and Reimagining Rural policy initiative, talks about opportunities for rural revitalization from the Infrastructure Bill, CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act and possibilities from the upcoming Farm Bill.
8/26/2023 • 29 minutes
Veteran Chicago Journalist Rick Kogan Joins Heartland Politics for Lively Discussion
Rick Kogan, host of “After Hours With Rick Kogan” on WGN and Chicago Tribune columnist, talks about the Chicago cultural scene, the Mob, the state of journalism, the urban-rural disconnect, and what it means to be a “newspaperman.”
8/19/2023 • 29 minutes
New Book Challenges Conventional Wisdom on 1968 Presidential Race
Luke Nichter, author of The Year That Broke Politics: Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968, talks about new sources that provide further understanding of the pivotal race including the LBJ-Nixon relationship, the important background role of the Rev. Billy Graham in nurturing that relationship, the myth of Nixon’s Southern Strategy, the real reason for Humphrey’s fall comeback, and why George Wallace is “the most misunderstood politician in history.”
8/12/2023 • 29 minutes
Thom Serafin: “What Happens Next Year in the Iowa Caucuses is More Important Than Ever”
Thom Serafin, a veteran, Chicago-based public affairs and communications consultant and TV analyst, discusses the latest Trump indictments, the impact on the 2024 presidential race, Democrats’ messaging challenges on the economy, and what it might take to break the partisan divide.
8/5/2023 • 33 minutes, 4 seconds
Kathie Obradovich’s Key Insights Into the 2024 Iowa Caucuses
Kathie Obradovich, editor of the Iowa Capital Dispatch, discusses the latest from the campaign trail on the leading Republican candidates as well as the role of Governor Kim Reynolds.
7/29/2023 • 29 minutes
Pulitzer-Prize Winner James Risen on His Latest Book Exploring Intelligence Abuses and the Senator Who Exposed Them
James Risen, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former New York Times journalist, talks about his new book, The Last Honest Man: The CIA, The FBI, The Mafia, The Kennedys—And One Senator’s Fight to Save Democracy. Risen discusses the Church Committee, headed by Idaho Senator Frank Church, which exposed shocking abuses by the intelligence community involving assassinations of foreign leaders, hit men, the Mob, illegal surveillance of American citizens, and the mysterious deaths of three committee witnesses.
7/22/2023 • 30 minutes, 43 seconds
Mallach: Quad Cities “Hanging in There” in Face of Global Challenges
Alan Mallach, author of Smaller Cities in a Shrinking World: Learning to Thrive Without Growth, discusses the impact of population shrinkage on cities, global challenges for shrinking cities, and ideas and examples of how shrinking cities can thrive. He localizes the issue by including the Quad Cities in his remarks.
7/15/2023 • 31 minutes, 2 seconds
Pulitzer-prize winner Joseph Ellis on His New Book and the Legacies of the American Revolution
Joseph Ellis talks about his latest book, The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents: 1773-1783, our “greatest political generation,” the good fortune involved in several key events, myths of the revolution that he dispels, the great debate over government that remains with us to this day, and much more.
7/8/2023 • 29 minutes
Edsall: Debate Over Freedom is Central to the 2024 Election
Thomas Edsall, New York Times columnist and author, discusses a recent column “When Their Idea of Liberty is Your Idea of Death,” the partisan divide over the meaning of freedom, and the intersection of class, economics and culture in today’s politics.
7/1/2023 • 29 minutes
GOP Leader McCombie Grades the Illinois Legislative Session
Tony McCombie, House Republican Leader, reflects on the recently completed session including the budget, schools, economy, two ‘Only-in-Illinois’ stories, her grade for the legislative process and much more.
6/24/2023 • 30 minutes, 15 seconds
THE MAKING OF ‘NEBRASKA’ WAS CENTRAL TO THE MAKING OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Warren Zanes, author of Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, talks about what led to the creation of this uniquely different work of Springsteen’s, the unlikely story of how the record was recorded and produced, the political and economic landscape of the US in the early 1980s, and much more. The book is about much more than just a record—it’s an important tale of individual perseverance and a star’s impact on American culture.
6/17/2023 • 29 minutes
BRIDGEBUILDERS CONCEPT CAN HELP IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVE TRUST IN GOVERNMENT
Bill Eggers, co-author of Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems, talks about leaders who collaborate with partners inside and outside of government to get things done. It’s an important work for officials at all levels of government.
6/10/2023 • 29 minutes
McCuskey Provides Primer on Illinois Legislative Inspector General’s Office
Mike McCuskey, the Illinois Legislative Inspector General and former federal and state judge, talks the background of the office, its powers and jurisdiction, process for filing complaints, reporting, and much more.
6/3/2023 • 29 minutes
New Book Ties New Deal to Arsenal of Democracy and WWII Victory
Craig Nelson, author of V is For Victory: Franklin Roosevelt’s American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II, talks about the miraculous production that fueled the Allied victory, FDR’s leadership, unsung heroes of the effort like Edsel Ford and Iowan Harry Hopkins, a local angle involving the Rock Island Arsenal, and much more.
5/27/2023 • 29 minutes
Great American Generations are Known for their Sacrifices: It’s Time for our Generation to Step Up
Ryan Binkley, Republican candidate for President, talks about his reasons for running, his background, bringing the country together, immigration, the economy, schools and more.
5/20/2023 • 29 minutes
THE ECONOMIST’S JON FASMAN LISTS FIVE INTERNATIONAL STORIES YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF
Jon Fasman, reporter for The Economist who served as co-host of the magazine’s The Intelligence podcast for the past year, provides a rundown of the top stories from around that globe that will impact the US. Most are aware of one big story he details but the others may surprise you.
5/13/2023 • 29 minutes
The RFK Primary Win in Indiana 55 Years Ago and What It Means Today
Ray Boomhower, author of Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary, talks about the campaign in that tumultuous period of US history, the key players, “The Speech” after MLK’s assassination, Kennedy’s pursuit of Wallace/backlash voters, the outcome, and it’s long-term legacy.
5/6/2023 • 29 minutes
Doug Burns: Gov. Reynolds is "Most Consequential Governor in History”
Douglas Burns, former owner of the Carroll Times Herald and fourth generation Iowa journalist, talks about the economic and political state of rural Iowa, the causes of Iowa’s political turnaround, the 2024 presidential race and the prospects of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for a place on the national Republican ticket.
4/29/2023 • 29 minutes
The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood
Sam Wasson, author of The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, talks about his book which is much more than a detailed look at the making of a movie. He explores the broader political and cultural trends that impacted Hollywood and the nation.
