Chew's Views with Richard Chew (Featured Interviews)

Richard Chew is joined by Lindsay Owens, Ph.D., president and CEO of Groundwork Collaborative and author of "Gouged: The End of a Fair Price—and What That Means for Your Wallet" (2026).

The discussion focused on Owens' advocacy for fair consumer pricing, stronger protections, and more competition. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Owens described a proposed Shoppers’ Bill of Rights with 12 protections for e-commerce, including refunds through a human representative and a ban on surveillance pricing.
- She said retailers collect and use consumer data to personalize prices, assess customers’ willingness to pay...

Filling in for Richard Chew, Michelle Peltier and in-studio guest Karen Byrne are joined by Jen Thompson, former Republican campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten" (2026). Thompson just published a new article on Substack, "Megyn Kelly: Here’s My Phone Number."

In the conversation, Thompson discussed her political transformation and her call for women to challenge misogyny, racism, and political conformity. Here are a few highlights from the interview:
- Thompson described her open letter criticizing Megyn Kelly for inflammatory commentary an...

Richard Chew is joined by Ami Fields-Meyer, former senior policy adviser at the White House, former senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, and co-author of "On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear" (2026).

The discussion focused on recognizing authoritarian tactics and strengthening civic resistance through collective action. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Fields-Meyer argued that attacks on political opponents, institutions, and media can normalize selective persecution; naming these tactics helps people understand what is happening.
- He said fear and a s...

Richard Chew is joined by Glenn Kirschner, former U.S. Army prosecutor, former assistant U.S. attorney in the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, and host of "Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner."

Kirchner and Chew discussed rule of law, immigrant rights, and how states can respond to potential federal interference in elections. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Kirschner noted that immigrants retain Fifth Amendment due process protections, including notice and an opportunity to be heard. He cited deportation rates of about 12 percent with legal counsel versus 80...

Richard Chew is joined by Simon Glaser, Democratic candidate for Minnesota state Senate. 

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Glaser said he had knocked on nearly 4,000 doors and heard voters prioritize costs and effective government over partisan conflict.
- He identified housing, child care, health care, and taxes as major concerns, noting Rochester's housing shortage and high local property taxes.
- He connected rising costs and health insurance burdens to teacher retention and the financial pressures on farming families.
- A 30-year public school teacher and union leader, Glaser said h...

Richard Chew is joined by Mark Pinsley, U.S. Army veteran, Lehigh County controller, and Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate District 16. He discussed his Pennsylvania campaign and approach to lowering costs and improving public services through government oversight. He faces Republican incumbent State Sen. Jarrett Coleman in the November election. Democrats are trying to win back control of the Pennsylvania Senate. 

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- As Lehigh County controller, Pinsley said his audit of county pharmacy-benefit spending found $3 million in annual overcharges; replacing the vendor was projected to save $9 million ove...

Richard Chew is joined by Michelle Duster, author, educator, historian, and Chicagoan known for her work to preserve the legacy of her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells.

Duster discussed her public-history mural projects and the importance of recognizing women’s suffrage history, then addressed racial and gender bias in current political leadership.  Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Duster’s suffrage murals have grown into a national series recognizing local suffragists city by city, with projects in Chicago, New York, and Portland.
- She emphasized that women’s suffrage took generations, and voting access...

Richard Chew is joined by Lavora Barnes, senior adviser for Democracy Defenders Action, and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. The interview focused on protecting election integrity through strong local election administration and sustained voter participation.

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Barnes emphasized electing and supporting officials who administer elections, including secretaries of state, local clerks, attorneys general, and judges.
- She warned that false claims about election irregularities could be used to challenge results, and urged voters to be patient while ballots are counted.
- She praised North C...

Richard Chew is joined by Leaving MAGA's Rich Logis and Jay Gilley. The discussion focused on Jay’s path out of MAGA and how the Leaving MAGA organization supports people reconsidering their beliefs.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Jay described how his evangelical upbringing, limited exposure to varied information, and right-wing narratives shaped his views and contributed to anger and paranoia.
- Reconsidering his anti-feminist beliefs became a turning point in a broader process of deconstruction, learning, and taking responsibility for his choices.
- He now listens to perspectives he...

Richard Chew is joined by Kevin K. Johnson, attorney, mediator and author of "The American Oath Project: Protecting the Backbone of Democracy."

The interview explored Johnson’s legal theory, put forth in "The American Oath Project," for challenging presidential conduct through the oath of office. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Johnson described his 40 years as a litigator and mediator and said his encounters with dishonesty in positions of power informed the book.
- He argued that taking the presidential oath creates an enforceable obligation, and proposed that violations could support ci...

Richard Chew is joined by Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas Democratic Party. The discussion focused on how Scudder is rebuilding the Texas Democratic Party and why sustained investment in Texas could affect national politics.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Scudder described moving the party from significant debt and weak operations to formal budgeting, compliance, staffing metrics, and expanded voter-protection infrastructure.
- The party has 25 permanent staff, recruited and trained more than a thousand precinct chairs, and is building a statewide voter-protection program.
- He argued that low turnout—not...

Richard Chew is joined by Santiago Mayer, founder of Voters of Tomorrow. The discussion focused on how to engage young voters and build intergenerational support for voter participation.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Mayer said nearly 40 percent of young voters have gone unheard by campaigns or parties, despite youth turnout remaining higher than before Gen Z entered the electorate.
- Voters of Tomorrow uses youth-to-youth outreach and trains members to help peers understand ballots and voting processes.
- Young voters’ priorities connect economic mobility—such as housing and employment—with pe...

Richard Chew is joined by Katanya Raby, executive director and CEO of the Al Raby Foundation. On Friday, October 16, the City of Chicago dedicated the 6300 block of Cottage Grove Ave. in Woodlawn to the late Chicago civil rights leader and Chicago public school teacher Al Raby, who was Katanya's grandfather.  

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Raby and her mother co-founded the Al Raby Foundation in 2019 to collect oral histories and educate the public about Chicago’s civil rights history.
- Al Raby organized efforts against school segregation and poor school condi...

Richard Chew is joined by Charles Booker, 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Th...

Richard Chew is joined by Eugene DePasquale, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. 

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Thread...

Richard Chew is joined by Doug Chapin, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 6th District of Minnesota. The discussion focused on election administration, threats to democratic institutions, and Chapin’s campaign.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Chapin said election administration remains strong because state and local officials are committed to free and fair elections.
- The 2000 election exposed weaknesses in election infrastructure and led to the Help America Vote Act of 2001, which provided federal funding for state and local election administration.
- Chapin characterized threats of armed interference or fe...

Richard Chew is joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, 2027 candidate for re-election. The interview focused on Johnson’s re-election campaign, accomplishments, and unresolved challenges facing Chicago.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Johnson said he is running for re-election to continue a pro-worker agenda and finish ongoing initiatives.
- He cited youth employment, reopened mental health clinics, the citywide Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) program, environmental restoration, affordable housing, public school investment, and lower homicide rates as accomplishments.
- He emphasized that Chicago still needs more jobs, affordable housing, school fundi...

Richard Chew is joined by Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford, candidate for Congress in the 7th District of Illinois.

The interview focused on Ford’s campaign priorities for Congress and the policies he says Democrats should pursue. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Ford argued that Democrats should act decisively if they regain control of the House and Senate, focusing on affordability, accountability, health care, voting rights, women’s rights, and minority rights.
- He emphasized Medicare for all and relief for seniors who cannot afford prescriptions or basic living expen...

Richard Chew is joined by LaKesha Womack, candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 14th District. The discussion focused on Womack’s campaign, her policy priorities, and voter engagement strategy. 

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Womack argued that Democratic policies aim to help society broadly through health care access, education funding, worker protections, and adequately funded public services.
- She emphasized responsible taxation, opposition to dark money, and accountability to voters rather than large donors.
- She identified military and veteran care, health care, education, housing affordability, rent, employment, and ec...

Richard Chew is joined by Matt Dunlap, 2026 candidate for Congress in Maine's 2nd Congressional District. 

The discussion focused on Dunlap’s congressional campaign, emphasizing health care affordability, economic pressures, and congressional accountability. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Dunlap identified health care access and affordability as the campaign’s central concerns; he supports universal health care and criticized cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.
- He called for fully funding low-income heating assistance and raising the federal minimum wage; he opposes the congressionally unauthorized war in Iran.
- He argued that highe...

Richard Chew is joined by Christale Spain, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. The discussion focused on strengthening South Carolina Democrats’ ground game, candidate recruitment, and voter engagement ahead of the November election.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Spain said South Carolina recruited Democratic candidates for every state House race for the first time ever.
- Democrats are emphasizing candidate-to-voter conversations and local issues rather than relying on a single national message.
- Face-to-face outreach has persuaded some long-term Republican voters to support Democratic candidates, she said.
...

Richard Chew is joined by Kimberly Hardy, candidate for Congress in the 7th District of North Carolina. 

The discussion centered on Hardy’s campaign, voter enthusiasm, and the importance of North Carolina’s state judicial elections. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Early voting begins in North Carolina on October 15, and Hardy described strong fundraising, frequent canvassing, rallies, yard signs, and a growing volunteer base.
- She reported unusually high engagement in traditionally Republican counties, including volunteers writing postcards and knocking doors.
- Young and college voters appear highly motivated by co...

Richard Chew is joined by Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. The discussion focused on Michigan Democratic campaign strategy, voter outreach, young voters, bipartisanship, and rebuilding the party’s identity.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Hertel described field operations across Michigan, including 80 organizers on the ground, 25 offices, and a goal of knocking on 1.4 million doors before Election Day.
- He emphasized direct voter contact, including outreach in heavily Republican areas, as more effective than relying primarily on advertising or billionaire spending.
- He said Democrats should focus on...

Richard Chew is joined by Dr. Theresa Brooks, physician and 2026 candidate for Michigan State Senate. 

Dr. Brooks discussed her campaign, emphasizing health care, education, affordability, energy costs, and voter turnout. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Brooks said the race is competitive and that door-to-door conversations have produced encouraging responses.
- She described support from some Republican voters who are dissatisfied with federal leadership, while others remain uncertain.
- Her approach is to listen, focus on kitchen-table issues, and connect voters’ concerns to concrete policy outcomes.
- Senate District 9 inc...

Richard Chew is joined for an in-studio town hall by 2026 candidates for U.S. House in Illinois Donna Miller (2nd District), Patty García (4th District), and La Shawn Ford (7th District). Here are a few key points from the conversation:

 - All three candidates emphasized maximizing turnout during the final 30 days of the campaign, encouraging early voting, mail-in voting, and voter-to-voter mobilization.
- Their stated priorities included affordability, health care access, economic accountability, immigration reform, senior benefits, and protecting democratic institutions.
- Garcia identified Judiciary and Transportation and Infrastructure as her two preferred committees, with...

Richard Chew is joined by Thomas Hicks, former chair of the federal Election Assistance Commission; he was fired on July 9 when President Donald Trump dismissed all three serving commissioners.

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT...

Richard Chew is joined by Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC).  The discussion focused on the DLCC’s strategy for strengthening Democratic power in state legislatures and connecting state-level results to broader elections.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Williams said the DLCC is focused on increasing name recognition for state legislative candidates, communicating their records, and competing in battleground and traditionally Republican states.
- Heather cited 31 recent wins and opportunities to build meaningful power in 27 states, emphasizing community conversations and kitchen-table issues.
- State legislatures shap...

Richard Chew is joined by Illinois State Rep. Margaret Croke, Democratic candidate for Illinois comptroller.  The discussion focused on Croke's priorities and approach as the Democratic candidate for Illinois comptroller.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Croke said fiscal responsibility and protecting vulnerable communities must advance together.
- She emphasized that timely payments support nonprofits, pensions, public services, and individual livelihoods.
- She described preparing Illinois to withstand potential federal pressure by keeping its finances strong.
- She prioritizes transparency, efficient government operations, and clear public access to spending in...

Richard Chew is joined by Emily Williams, host of the Webby Award-winning podcast "Beyond Voting." The conversation focused on voter engagement, civic education, and sustaining political participation beyond elections. 

Here are a few key points from the interview:
- Williams described the Chicago: Are We Voting? campaign, a collaboration between Beyond Voting and Queer News Podcast that connects with Chicagoans about voting plans, key issues, and barriers to participation.
- In conversations with Chicagoans Williams has found that people generally understand the stakes of the midterms, plan to vote, and want to encourage others to pa...

Richard Chew is joined by Jason Heaser, Democratic candidate for Minnesota House District 34A. Heaser, an Army veteran and first-time candidate, discussed his campaign and legislative priorities.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Heaser is seeking to flip a long-held Republican seat in the Minnesota House.
- He said his campaign has knocked nearly 40,000 doors. "I've knocked 5,000 myself  and we've gotten really good responses," he said.
- He emphasized direct conversations with residents, many of whom are "eager for change."   
- He focused on affordability, health care accountability, protecting patie...

Richard Chew is joined by Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The discussion explored how federal deficit reduction could improve affordability and why durable fiscal reforms require politically difficult choices.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- MacGuineas explained that roughly $2 trillion in annual federal borrowing contributes to lower wages, higher inflation, and higher borrowing costs.
- Reducing deficits could support productivity, economic growth, wages, prices, and interest rates over the long term.
- Economic growth benefits households only when gains are distributed throughout the economy ra...

Richard Chew is joined by Angela Nelson, Democratic candidate for Minnesota State Senate District 35. She discussed her campaign and its focus on community affordability, education, safety, housing, and leadership change.

- A lifelong Coon Rapids resident and school principal, Nelson said residents are struggling with health care costs, prescriptions, housing payments, and access to services.
- Her campaign has engaged voters through extensive door knocking and emphasizes the importance of every vote, particularly in a district with a narrow prior election margin.
- She aims to increase school funding through a proposed constitutional amendment using M...

Richard Chew is joined by Robert Pape, professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of “The Escalation Trap” on Substack; his new book, “Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism,” came out last Tuesday. 

The interview focused on political violence, the Iran war, and risks surrounding the upcoming election. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Pape argued that political violence has become normalized, citing the use of force in domestic policy and international affairs.
- He said the main dangers to November's election may arise...

Richard Chew is joined by Jen Fox, Democratic candidate for Minnesota House District 41B. The conversation focused on Fox’s campaign to flip the district from Republican control (the GOP incumbent is not seeking re-election) and her priorities for local representation.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Fox is a small-business owner, former Hastings City Council member, and former Minnesota Department of Commerce employee with a master’s degree in public policy.
- She ran in 2024 and came within 510 votes of winning; she is running again because the seat is open and t...

Richard Chew is joined by Kevin Schultz, professor of history at UIC and author of “Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History. The discussion focused on political engagement, resistance to authoritarianism, and threats to democracy and press freedom.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Schultz described energized students at UIC; protests led the College of Business to disinvite ICE from a job fair.
- He discussed growing public opposition to Trump, including protests at Medinah Country Club's 2026 President’s Cup and potential shifts in congressional and state elections.
...

Richard Chew is joined by Mike Bennett, associate vice chancellor for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Strategy at UIC, and affiliate faculty member in the UIC School of Law.

The discussion focused on how communities and governments can govern AI and data centers through education, practical safeguards, and informed leadership.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- AI and data centers are difficult for the public and elected officials to understand because they are technically complex and often invisible.
- Lack of understanding can contribute to ineffective governance, especially when...

Richard Chew is joined by Cook County Board Commissioner Donna Miller, candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois.

Miller outlined her congressional priorities, emphasizing expanded health care, affordability, evidence-based policymaking, and voter engagement.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Miller supports expanding Affordable Care Act access and coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care, while addressing health care disparities and shortages of doctors and nurses.
- She wants Congress to address affordability pressures affecting seniors, families, farmers, and underserved communities.
- She supports a moratorium on ne...

Richard Chew is joined by Jan Maino, Democratic candidate for Michigan House, District 46.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Maino is a lifelong resident of the district, a social worker and mental health therapist, and president of the East Jackson Board of Education.
- Her campaign emphasizes public education, mental health access, affordable housing, local jobs, and bringing state resources to the district.
- The district has about 91,000 residents across urban, suburban, and rural areas; the decline of auto parts manufacturing has contributed to job loss.
- Maino described...

Richard Chew is joined by Jessica Hawk, retired teacher and content creator known online as MyTeacherFace. The discussion examined inequities in public education funding, the effects of school voucher programs, and early results from state cell phone bans in schools.

Here are a few key points from the show:
- Jessica said voucher funds intended for students leaving underperforming schools are often going to students already enrolled in private schools, diverting roughly $7,000 to $10,000 per student from public schools.
- Wealthier districts benefit from stronger tax bases, facilities, programs, teacher pay, and donor support, while rural an...

Richard Chew is joined by Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science. They discussed how to rebuild public trust in science and organize resistance to policies they said threaten scientific and health research.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Colette said distrust often reflects systems that fail people, citing gaps in pregnancy care and racial disparities in maternal mortality.
- She emphasized that science is a method for asking questions and testing explanations, not merely an authority delivering fixed answers.
- Richard and Colette agreed that scientists a...