All episodes
Business in the 217: Michael Thomas of Express joins the program to chat about local work, the employment market, some tips for your interview, and more!
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, tariffs, and how Democrats are failing to fight back to Trump 2.0.
Chicago Tribune political writer Rick Pearson reacts to Donald Trump's speech, the insanity of our politics, and what's next for JB Pritzker.
Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 03/05/2025
Business in the 217: RISE Springfield's Nick Gentile joins the program to discuss what the organization does, why it is so important to be a part of your community, local events and more!
Former Congressman John Shimkus joined Patrick Pfingsten to discuss abandoning our allies in Ukraine and the loss of his former Chief of Staff, Craig Roberts.
Former Congressman Joe Walsh joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss tariffs and what Democrats should do to respond to Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.
Lee Enterprises reporter Brenden Moore joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss transit funding, health care for illegal immigrants, and the Governor's new media strategy.
Full Disclosure w/ the Better Government Association - 03/04/25
The Noblest Motive: Youth Programs In Grave Danger
Visit Springfield's Amy Beadle joins Let's Talk...with Trent R. Nelson to talk how February played out, plus all that is happening this March across the Springfield-Sangamon County area!
Joyce Nardulli of the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois joins Let's Talk...with Trent R. Nelson to talk about what the organization does, recent and future programs, why knowing about the world is good, and more!
Business in the 217: ImpactLife's Tara Matheson talks blood needs across this March and beyond!
Talk of the Town: Visit Springfield, Heartland Continuum of Care & ImpactLife
Talk of the Town: Hope, WACCI and Gift of Hope
Let's Talk Cosmetic Dentistry: TMJ - 03/01/2025
Let's Talk Cosmetic Dentistry: Melvin & Dentistry Veterans - 03/01/2025
Gina Gillmore-Wolter of the New Salem Lincoln League joined Springfield's Morning News Friday to talk about efforts to restore Lincoln's New Salem.
Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) joined Patrick this morning to discuss efforts to reduce the state's skyrocketing property tax burden.
Jodi Ogilvy of Hope joined Springfield's Morning News to talk about the organization's Black Tie and Black Jack "A Night of Hope" event on March 8.
Pulse Of The Prairie: Sangamon County, Mahomet, CO2 sequestration updates, Donald Trump, and what that means for the environment, and more!
Erik Davis of Fandango.com "Best Actress is the Most Intriguing Category at The Oscars"
Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark, the speaker at Friday's Citizen's Club program, joined Patrick to discuss improvements to the Fair and how to make it an attraction that meets the future needs of fairgoers.
Illinois Community College Board Executive Director Brian Durham joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss Governor Pritzker's proposal to allow community colleges to award some Bachelor's degrees
Former GOP operative turned pro-Democracy activist Reed Galen, who writes "The Home Front" Substack joins Patrick to talk about a feckless Congress and if the DOGE efforts to cut government have merit.
Chicago Tribune Reporter Dan Petrella joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss a new audit of the state's healthcare program for illegal immigrants showing major cost overruns.
Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 02/26/2025
Full Disclosure w/ the Better Government Association - 02/26/25
Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) was a guest on Springfield's Morning News to discuss what the closure of Health Alliance insurance means to state employees and the "hocus pocus" in Governor Pritzker's budget proposal.
State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), one of the new state budget negotiators, joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss state finances, a tax increase, and whether Republicans should be at the table.
Golf journalist Kyle Porter of normalsport.com joined Patrick Pfingsten to talk about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the TGL, and who the second best golfer in the world is.
Hope's Jodi Ogilvy joins Let's Talk...with Trent R Nelson to discuss the institution, what it does, its origins, why helping those in need is so vital, the Black Tie and Blackjack event in March, and much more!
Former State Representative Mike Zalewski joined Patrick on Springfield's Morning News to talk about the state budget process and how difficult of a time Democrats will have getting across the finish line this spring.
Former State Journal-Register reporter and columnist Bernie Schoenburg joined Springfield's Morning News after news that former Governor Jim Edgar has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Business in the 217: Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance CEO Ryan McCrady - 02/20/25
Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady joined Springfield Morning News to analyze Governor Pritzker's rhetoric and ambitions and infighting in the GOP
National Review columnist Noah Rothman joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss DOGE, and the lack of a Democratic response to the Trump administration's actions.
Actress Melissa Rauch "I Adored the Original Night Court"
Talk of the Town: SSGA & ImpactLife
Let's Talk Cosmetic Dentistry: Dentistry Veterans - 02/22/2025
State Journal-Register Sports reporter Ryan Mahan joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss the final night of the high school basketball regular season and preview the state tournament, which begins next week.
Illinois Times writer Scott Reeder joined Patrick on Springfield's Morning News to walk through the Governor's budget proposal as well as the Madigan conviction and Blagojevich pardon.
Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton), who represents a portion of Sangamon County, joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss the Governor's rhetoric in his budget address, Medicaid reimbursement, and health care for undocumented immigrants.
Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss Governor JB Pritzker's budget proposal.
Chicago Tribune political reporter Jeremy Gorner joined Patrick Pfingsten on Springfield's Morning News to discuss how Governor JB Pritzker's budget came together and reaction to what he had to say Wednesday.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza joins Springfield's Morning News to react to Governor JB Pritzker's budget proposal.
Gift of Hope's VP of Communications Kim McCullough joins Let's Talk...with Trent R Nelson to discuss organ donation, a special milestone recently achieved by the organization, why it's so important to give of yourself, and much more!
Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 02/19/2025
Capitol Reporter Brenden Moore joined Springfield's Morning News with insight into Governor JB Pritzker's budget proposal.
Bill Scher of Washington Monthly checks in on Springfield's Morning News to discuss the national profile of Governor JB Pritzker, the DOGE effect, and the U.S. abandoning Ukraine.
Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) previews the Governor's budget address.
Actor/Director Osgood Perkins "We Used Practical Effects As Much As We Could In The Monkey"
Full Disclosure w/ the Better Government Association - 02/18/25
Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) weighs in on the state budget and what to expect from Gov. Pritzker's budget plan on Wednesday.
WAND-TV Statehouse reporter Mike Miletich joined Springfield's Morning News to preview Governor JB Pritzker's budget address.
Chicago Tribune Ray Long joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss the rise and fall of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Ben Szalinski, who covers the General Assembly for Capitol News Illinois, joined Patrick on Springfield's Morning News Monday to preview Governor Pritzker's budget address.
Talk of the Town: ALPLM and CORAL
Talk of the Town: SAAC, YMCA and SSGA
Pulse Of The Prairie: IRP background and updates for Springfield and the greater community, utility innovations, Elon Musk, the new Trump administration and more!
Business in the 217: ImpactLife's Tara Matheson talks blood needs across this February and beyond!
Comedian Kelsey Cook "I Am Not Calling You My Lord"
Longtime State Journal-Register reporter and columnist Bernard Schoenburg joined Patrick Pfingsten Friday morning to discuss the Madigan verdict and the Blagojevich pardon.
Former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin joined Springfield's Morning News Friday to react to the Madigan verdict and explain whether he feels vindicated for his efforts to expose Madigan's alleged corruption in 2020.
Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss the verdict in the Madigan case, reactions to the split decision, and where we go from here.
Erik Davis of Fandango.com "There is No Clear Best Picture Front Runner"
CORAL leaders Bert Morton and Lori Carlsen join Let's Talk...with Trent R Nelson to discuss both the upcoming and previous gala, how to be an ally, and more!
Chris Wills of the ALPLM joins Let's Talk...with Trent R. Nelson to talk about Abraham Lincoln, what the institute is about, upcoming wonders, events, and more!
Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 02/12/2025
Business in the 217: Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance CEO Ryan McCrady - 02/10/25
Full Disclosure w/ the Better Government Association - 02/10/25
Chicago Tribune political writer Rick Pearson joined Springfield's Morning News to talk about President Trump's pardon of disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Sangamon County Democratic Chairman Bill Houlihan, who also sits on the State Democratic Central Committee and the Democratic National Committee, joined Patrick to talk about the Blagojevich pardon, the Democratic approach to Trump 2.0, and his vote for DNC Chairman.
Former State Representative Mark Batinick joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss drama in the General Assembly, Elon Musk's government takeover, and JB Pritzker's future.
Business in the 217: Jim Watts of ImpactLife speaks about giving blood this February, why helping is so crucial, and much more!
Assistant Special Agent In Charge Karen Marinos of the Springfield FBI joins Let's Talk...with Trent R. Nelson to discuss romance scams, how to stay safe this Valentines season, and so much more!
Pulse Of The Prairie: Carbon Capture, IRPs, technological and ecological innovation, equity and environmental justice across Springfield, and more!
Talk of the Town: FBI of Springfield, ImpactLife, DTHF, and IWIL
The Real Mayors of Sangamon County: Riverton's Mayor Joseph Bartley discusses the community, it's history, what's going on and what's to come, plus much more!
Erik Davis of Fandango.com " I Have Faith in Marvel Studios That They Will Do Right By The Fantastic Four"
Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel updated Springfield's Morning News on the jury deliberations in the Madigan corruption trial.
Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss immigration, the state budget, and if there are any leaders in the Capitol serious about fixing the state's finances.
Capitol News Illinois reporter Peter Hancock joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit against the state of Illinois for its "sanctuary" state status.
Kevin Hart Talks Local Springfield Arts and Theater
The Springfield YMCA's Lou Bart joins Let's Talk...with Trent R. Nelson to discuss what programs the YMCA has available over this February and beyond, and how you can get more involved in all of the local goodness!
Full Disclosure w/ the Better Government Association - 02/06/25
Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 02/06/2025
Scott Reeder of the Illinois Times joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss the flurry of Trump Executive Orders, Elon Musk, and if JB Pritzker will seek re-election.
University of Illinois Professor Emeritus Ken Koelkebeck joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss skyrocketing egg prices, Avian Influenza, and how long it will take for egg prices to get back to normal.
Business in the 217: Heather Burton of the Illinois Women In Leadership joins the program to discuss the organization, how to submit ATHENA Award nominees, and much more!
National Review and Washington Post writer Ramesh Ponnuru joined Patrick Pfingsten Wednesday to discuss President Trump's comments on Gaza, Elon Musk, and the GOP's failure to stand up to unqualified cabinet nominees.
Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) stops by to discuss ICE immigration enforcements and state-paid health care for undocumented immigrants.
Chicago Tribune reporter Dan Petrella joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss Governor Pritzker's plans and the difficult path for Democrats to fill a hole in the state budget.
Former Dana-Thomas House Foundation President and current Chairmember Cinda Klickna joins Let's Talk...with Trent R Nelson to discuss all of the upcoming DTHF events and fun, plus so much more!
Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois joined Springfield's Morning News to discuss Governor Pritzker's national ambitions and the trouble Democrats may have passing a budget this spring.
Former Congressman Bill Enyart, also a former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, discusses Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and more of the current controversies in Washington.
Semafor reporter Kadia Goba weighs in from Washington on the tough budget job facing congressional Republicans and why nobody is speaking up about Elon Musk.
The Noblest Motive: Love Is In The Air!
Springfield Area Art Council Executive Director Bella Szabo joins Let's Talk...with Trent R. Nelson to chat about art, creativity, culture, what the council is getting up to across the upcoming months, how you can be a part of it in so many ways, plus much more!
Business in the 217: Jim Watts of ImpactLife speaks about giving blood this February, why helping is so crucial, and much more!