The Maggie Daun Show

Live from Milwaukee’s legendary Cactus Club, Maggie and guest Caitlin Taylor, music therapist at Children’s Wisconsin, explore how music transforms lives—from helping autistic children connect to regulating heartbeats. With stories of redemption through sound (like the stirring force of Stravinsky’s Firebird) and a spotlight on Ladies Rock band Middle Reader, this hour celebrates music’s power […]

Guests: Caitlin Taylor, Mary Joy Hickey, Middle Reader

Mon Aug 25, 2025

0:00

Maggie breaks the political mold with a vibrant live episode from Milwaukee’s Cactus Club, celebrating women in rock. She spotlights Girls Rock, an organization empowering young women through music, and features original songs from Concentration 64—a band formed at a summer camp built on creativity and collaboration. The conversation dives into the challenges of writing […]

Guests: Concentration 64, Kelsey Kaufmann, Mary Joy Hickey

Mon Aug 25, 2025

0:00

Maggie and Dr. Gbenga Ajilore break down the far-reaching impact of Trump’s tariffs, from Walmart’s pricing strategies to the struggles facing Wisconsin’s family farms. As Jerome Powell hints at future interest rate moves, businesses are bracing for higher costs and uncertain trade policies. Walmart’s latest earnings call underscores the challenge of keeping prices low under […]

Guests: Gbenga Ajilore, Teri Barr

Fri Aug 22, 2025

44:02

This hour unpacks the explosive release of transcripts from Todd Blanche’s interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Maggie Daun and Jim Santelle scrutinize Blanche’s ineffective questioning—raising the question of whether it reflected incompetence or a deliberate effort to shield powerful figures, including Donald Trump. Maxwell’s evasive responses offer little substance while conveniently absolving both […]

Guest: Jim Santelle

Fri Aug 22, 2025

44:02

Maggie explores the importance of knowing your rights during protests, including guidance from veterans on how to safely interact with National Guard troops. She contrasts Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed “war hero” status with the real courage of people like Officer Daniel Hodges, who defended the Capitol on January 6. She also covers breaking news on California’s […]

Guest: Daniel Hodges

Thu Aug 21, 2025

44:02

This hour captures Milwaukee’s energy—from the thrill of a live Brewers game update to the frenzy surrounding George Webb’s free burger giveaway. Maggie then shifts to the fast-emerging 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial race, spotlighting Democratic contenders Josh Kaul, Sara Rodriguez, and David Crowley, and contrasting their centrist appeal with progressive voices like State Senator Kelda Roys […]

Guests: Dan Shafer, Jack Eckblad

Thu Aug 21, 2025

44:02

Maggie Daun takes on the dangerous manipulation of government data under Donald Trump, unpacking Project 2025’s authoritarian blueprint with guest James Goodwin. They explore how efforts to scrub and distort federal data threaten both democracy and economic stability. Shifting gears, Maggie celebrates the Milwaukee Brewers’ remarkable season with team president Rick Schlesinger, diving into the […]

Guests: James Goodwin, Rick Schlesinger

Wed Aug 20, 2025

42:04

Maggie begins this hour by unpacking Trump’s escalating war on data, focusing on his unprecedented firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief and replacement with E.J. Antoni—a partisan appointee with limited experience. This alarming move jeopardizes the reliability of economic data that businesses, the Federal Reserve, and government agencies rely on to make critical […]

Guests: Heidi Shierholz, Sara Estep

Wed Aug 20, 2025

42:19

Democracy may rest on the people’s power, but why is Medicaid facing cuts despite broad bipartisan support? Maggie unpacks the contradictions while guests tackle ICE detainers and the growing reach of government surveillance in Wisconsin. The Brewers fall to the Cubs, but the bigger showdown is political: Trump doubles down on mail-in voting attacks, sparking […]

Guests: Dr. Melinda Brennan, Prof. Lowell Barrington

Tue Aug 19, 2025

41:46

Maggie kicks off with the Milwaukee Brewers’ tough loss before diving into the political storms dominating headlines. Trump’s latest tirade against mail-in voting takes center stage, a move critics say targets marginalized communities. Maggie also skewers his eyebrow-raising appointment of Nick Adams as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia—a decision already sparking protests. Back in Wisconsin, the […]

Guest: Angela Lang

Tue Aug 19, 2025

41:33