The 21st Show
@21st.show
Illinois' statewide public radio talk show and podcast. Hosted by
@BrianMackey.com. Stream live at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday on http://21stShow.org.
@BrianMackey.com. Stream live at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday on http://21stShow.org.
Pinned
The 21st Show
@21st.show
· Nov 21
Greetings from Illinois, U.S.A.!
Every weekday, we connect the people of the Greatest State in America with the news, politics, history, science, and culture that matters.
Join the conversation at 11 a.m. Monday–Friday on an NPR station near you — and please keep in touch!
→ talk@21stshow.org ←
Every weekday, we connect the people of the Greatest State in America with the news, politics, history, science, and culture that matters.
Join the conversation at 11 a.m. Monday–Friday on an NPR station near you — and please keep in touch!
→ talk@21stshow.org ←
What's your favorite kind of pie?
We heard some of your answers as we talked with a culinary historian about some of the stories behind the pies so many of us enjoy during the holidays.
We heard some of your answers as we talked with a culinary historian about some of the stories behind the pies so many of us enjoy during the holidays.
The history of pies, in Illinois and beyond
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
What's your favorite kind of pie?
We heard some of your answers as we talked with a culinary historian about some of the stories behind the pies so many of us enjoy during the holidays.
We heard some of your answers as we talked with a culinary historian about some of the stories behind the pies so many of us enjoy during the holidays.
Augustana College president Andrea Talentino sat down with Brian Mackey earlier this week to talk about the state of higher education, 150 years after the school moved to the Quad Cities.
Augustana College President Andrea Talentino
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Augustana College president Andrea Talentino sat down with Brian Mackey earlier this week to talk about the state of higher education, 150 years after the school moved to the Quad Cities.
Today:
-The president of Augustana College in the Quad Cities... on enrollment, trust, and changes in higher education under the Trump administration.
-What makes pie American? We’ll talk about that with a culinary expert.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-The president of Augustana College in the Quad Cities... on enrollment, trust, and changes in higher education under the Trump administration.
-What makes pie American? We’ll talk about that with a culinary expert.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Today:
-The president of Augustana College in the Quad Cities... on enrollment, trust, and changes in higher education under the Trump administration.
-What makes pie American? We’ll talk about that with a culinary expert.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-The president of Augustana College in the Quad Cities... on enrollment, trust, and changes in higher education under the Trump administration.
-What makes pie American? We’ll talk about that with a culinary expert.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
Journalists from Gateway Journalism Review, Daily Egyptian, and @capitolnewsil.bsky.social discuss free speech challenges across the Midwest.
Documenting free speech battles across the Midwest
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Journalists from Gateway Journalism Review, Daily Egyptian, and @capitolnewsil.bsky.social discuss free speech challenges across the Midwest.
Today: Free speech is a fundamental right in America, but it’s facing many challenges this year. We’ll talk with a trio of Illinois reporters who’ve been covering free speech challenges across the Midwest.
Let's talk at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
Let's talk at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Today: Free speech is a fundamental right in America, but it’s facing many challenges this year. We’ll talk with a trio of Illinois reporters who’ve been covering free speech challenges across the Midwest.
Let's talk at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
Let's talk at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
Comedian Samir Abdul will be performing on Friday at 8 p.m. at The Circa 21 Speakeasy in Rock Island.
Sudanese-American artist raises awareness about country’s crisis through comedy
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Comedian Samir Abdul will be performing on Friday at 8 p.m. at The Circa 21 Speakeasy in Rock Island.
What role can the U.S. play in ending the devastating war in Sudan?
Mass killings, displacement, and famine: Sudan’s overlooked humanitarian crisis
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:03 PM
What role can the U.S. play in ending the devastating war in Sudan?
The civil war in Sudan has brought a tremendous amount of suffering. We’ll talk with an Illinoisan who's from the country about what’s happening there, and why it gets far less attention in America than other conflict zones.
We'll talk about this live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
We'll talk about this live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The civil war in Sudan has brought a tremendous amount of suffering. We’ll talk with an Illinoisan who's from the country about what’s happening there, and why it gets far less attention in America than other conflict zones.
We'll talk about this live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
We'll talk about this live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
Illinois Times is celebrating its 50th anniversary-surviving many changes in journalism from the rise of the internet and social media to the collapse of classified advertising.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iM...
Illinois Times owner looks back at 50 years of local news coverage in Springfield
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Illinois Times is celebrating its 50th anniversary-surviving many changes in journalism from the rise of the internet and social media to the collapse of classified advertising.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iM...
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social investigates challenges faced by mentally ill people in Illinois' jails.
Investigation looks at issues with ‘inpatient restoration’ in Illinois jails
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social investigates challenges faced by mentally ill people in Illinois' jails.
Today:
- @meredithnewman.bsky.social with @illinoisanswers.bsky.social, on why defendants declared unfit for trial in criminal cases sometimes spend months waiting for a state hospital bed.
-Plus, 50 years of Illinois Times in Springfield.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
- @meredithnewman.bsky.social with @illinoisanswers.bsky.social, on why defendants declared unfit for trial in criminal cases sometimes spend months waiting for a state hospital bed.
-Plus, 50 years of Illinois Times in Springfield.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Today:
- @meredithnewman.bsky.social with @illinoisanswers.bsky.social, on why defendants declared unfit for trial in criminal cases sometimes spend months waiting for a state hospital bed.
-Plus, 50 years of Illinois Times in Springfield.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
- @meredithnewman.bsky.social with @illinoisanswers.bsky.social, on why defendants declared unfit for trial in criminal cases sometimes spend months waiting for a state hospital bed.
-Plus, 50 years of Illinois Times in Springfield.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
George Packer, journalist and author, is out with a novel, about what happens when a government collapses, and new ways of life take root in a society.
He joins us for the hour today to talk about it.
He joins us for the hour today to talk about it.
George Packer on ‘The Emergency’
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
George Packer, journalist and author, is out with a novel, about what happens when a government collapses, and new ways of life take root in a society.
He joins us for the hour today to talk about it.
He joins us for the hour today to talk about it.
Today: In his new novel, George Packer imagines a society in collapse. Some see opportunity... others, danger. It’s called “The Emergency,” and it raises the question: What do we owe each other when things fall apart?
We're live with Packer for the hour at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
We're live with Packer for the hour at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Today: In his new novel, George Packer imagines a society in collapse. Some see opportunity... others, danger. It’s called “The Emergency,” and it raises the question: What do we owe each other when things fall apart?
We're live with Packer for the hour at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
We're live with Packer for the hour at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
Some rail projects are underway to bring or improve passenger rail service across downstate communities with some making more progress than others.
The state of rail travel across Illinois
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Some rail projects are underway to bring or improve passenger rail service across downstate communities with some making more progress than others.
Money will soon be flowing from the government again, but immediate improvements in air travel are not expected.
Government shutdown is over, but air travel for holidays could still be extra hectic
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Money will soon be flowing from the government again, but immediate improvements in air travel are not expected.
Today, planes and trains:
-We'll talk about what you need to know ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving travel season.
-Then, we'll talk about passenger rail projects, and the state of rail travel in Illinois.
We're live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-We'll talk about what you need to know ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving travel season.
-Then, we'll talk about passenger rail projects, and the state of rail travel in Illinois.
We're live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Today, planes and trains:
-We'll talk about what you need to know ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving travel season.
-Then, we'll talk about passenger rail projects, and the state of rail travel in Illinois.
We're live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-We'll talk about what you need to know ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving travel season.
-Then, we'll talk about passenger rail projects, and the state of rail travel in Illinois.
We're live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
State of Change airs Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on Illinois Public Media and other @pbs.org stations across Illinois.
State of Change 2025 preview: A deep dive into Illinois’ prairies
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 PM
State of Change airs Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on Illinois Public Media and other @pbs.org stations across Illinois.
Today:
-We’ll talk with our colleagues from the TV show “State of Change”. The latest episode explores prairie preservation.
-Robert Moore grew up in the deep south. He eventually became US Marshal for Central Illinois. We'll hear some of his story.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-We’ll talk with our colleagues from the TV show “State of Change”. The latest episode explores prairie preservation.
-Robert Moore grew up in the deep south. He eventually became US Marshal for Central Illinois. We'll hear some of his story.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Today:
-We’ll talk with our colleagues from the TV show “State of Change”. The latest episode explores prairie preservation.
-Robert Moore grew up in the deep south. He eventually became US Marshal for Central Illinois. We'll hear some of his story.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-We’ll talk with our colleagues from the TV show “State of Change”. The latest episode explores prairie preservation.
-Robert Moore grew up in the deep south. He eventually became US Marshal for Central Illinois. We'll hear some of his story.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
“William Smith — A Warrior in Time" will be screened this weekend at the American Indian Center of Chicago in collaboration with @goodmantheatre.bsky.social.
Film documents life of Native American veteran, highlights service of his community
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“William Smith — A Warrior in Time" will be screened this weekend at the American Indian Center of Chicago in collaboration with @goodmantheatre.bsky.social.
To mark Veterans Day, Illinois women who’ve served in the military speak about some of their experiences and reflect on some of their struggles.
Women veterans in Illinois reflect on military experience including some challenges
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
To mark Veterans Day, Illinois women who’ve served in the military speak about some of their experiences and reflect on some of their struggles.
Today, two conversations for Veterans Day.
-A group of women who served on the camaraderie they found, and the challenges they faced.
-Plus, the story of Native Americans in the armed forces, through the life of the late Lakota warrior William Smith.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-A group of women who served on the camaraderie they found, and the challenges they faced.
-Plus, the story of Native Americans in the armed forces, through the life of the late Lakota warrior William Smith.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Today, two conversations for Veterans Day.
-A group of women who served on the camaraderie they found, and the challenges they faced.
-Plus, the story of Native Americans in the armed forces, through the life of the late Lakota warrior William Smith.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-A group of women who served on the camaraderie they found, and the challenges they faced.
-Plus, the story of Native Americans in the armed forces, through the life of the late Lakota warrior William Smith.
Join us at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
"America the Beautiful" is a well-known song celebrating the country and praising its natural wonders. But what do we know about the life of the person who wrote the lyrics?
New documentary explores life of writer behind iconic patriotic song
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"America the Beautiful" is a well-known song celebrating the country and praising its natural wonders. But what do we know about the life of the person who wrote the lyrics?
@duckworth.senate.gov discusses air traffic control in the middle of the shutdown as well as the Trump administration’s refusal to use emergency funds on federal food assistance.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth on SNAP, ICE agents, her Alive Day anniversary
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
@duckworth.senate.gov discusses air traffic control in the middle of the shutdown as well as the Trump administration’s refusal to use emergency funds on federal food assistance.
Today:
-Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth on the government shutdown and more.
-There have been repeated attempts to make “America the Beautiful” our national anthem. Now a new documentary looks at the life and legacy of the poet behind the song.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth on the government shutdown and more.
-There have been repeated attempts to make “America the Beautiful” our national anthem. Now a new documentary looks at the life and legacy of the poet behind the song.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
| Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
will.illinois.edu
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today:
-Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth on the government shutdown and more.
-There have been repeated attempts to make “America the Beautiful” our national anthem. Now a new documentary looks at the life and legacy of the poet behind the song.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
-Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth on the government shutdown and more.
-There have been repeated attempts to make “America the Beautiful” our national anthem. Now a new documentary looks at the life and legacy of the poet behind the song.
It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
How is the end of Baker& Taylor affecting libraries in Illinois?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7bb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7bb...
Why a major distributor of books for libraries is shutting down
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
How is the end of Baker& Taylor affecting libraries in Illinois?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7bb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7bb...