The Ray Stevens Show

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun returns to the Ray Stevens Show to talk about the latest in negotiations with the Chicago Bears and why Indiana remains a growing state for doing business.

Illinois Policy's Austin Berg joins Nick and Ray to talk about the latest exit from Mayor Johnson's City Hall and why the three major exits are different but all signal chaos within the administration

Charles Lipson, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, joins Ray to look at the current state of the war in Iran and how the mainstream media is not talking about the success of the U.S. military in hitting its targets.

Washington Post travel reporter Natalie Compton joins Ray Stevens to share updates on the wait times for travelers across the country and discuss why travel is still booming despite the strain on fuel prices.

This week on Military Monday, Ray welcomes Dee Dee Watters to talk about her new project, "Route 66 Centennial: A Journey of Laughter, Life, and Resilience". Dee Dee's father, a Korean War veteran living with dementia, will soon embark on an epic journey down the 'Mother Road' to highlight the human stories tied to Route 66 during its Centennial and raise awareness that many veterans are under-rated in disability benefits. You too can become part of their journey by donating to the GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/3789f035e

2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins joins The Ray Stevens Show to discuss the latest teen takeover that resulted in 8 arrests and why he's still advocating for the implementation of a 'snap curfew' to curb chaos as summer looms.

Ohio Representative Jim Jordan returns to The Ray Stevens Show to talk about the insanity of sanctuary city and state policies pushed by Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson, the tragic murder of Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman, and when TSA agents may finally receive a paycheck.

Former Chief Border Patrol Agent Chris Clem joins The Ray Stevens Show to share his experience travelling after ICE agents began assisting airport security and weighs in on the shooting of a Loyola University student by a Venezuelan migrant.

Shannon Bream joins The Ray Stevens Show to talk about her latest book, Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming, and shares her take on how Biblical stories can inform our modern issues and how she learned to balance her successful law and television career with her personal life.

Ret. Police Chief Tom Weitzel joins Andrea Darlas to discuss the latest in the murder of Sheridan Gorman, including the alleged killer's known run-ins with Border Patrol, his criminal record and the failure of Illinois' lenient criminal policies.

Voice of the Illini Brian Barnhart joins Andrea Darlas to talk about the Illini's upcoming battle against Houston in the NCAA men's basketball tournament and why this Illini squad may have the skills to take it all the way to the final.

Retired Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel joins Ray and Nick to talk about the tragic shooting of an 18-year-old Loyola student and why the failure to bring in a perp despite multiple calls describing his whereabouts lays in the lap of Mayor Johnson and his hamstringing of public safety protocol.

Nathan Jackiw, a 14 year old Life Scout from Troop 270 in Frankfort, joins Ray and Nick to share the massive project he has planned for his Eagle Scout project and how he'll be paying tribute to veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. For more on Nathan and his project, visit www.nathanseagleproject.com

Betting analyst Josh Applebaum gets you ready for March Madness with his tips on how to bet with your brain instead of your heart and explains why he prefers to go against conventional wisdom when making his picks.

Phil Flynn, energy analyst for the Price Futures Group, joins Ray and Nick to talk about the state of the energy market following large strikes on oil facilities in Iran and Saudi Arabia and why the price of gas in the U.S. is so rattled by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 

Max Armstrong joins Ray and Nick to remember the life and work of Orion Samuelson, the beloved Chicago broadcaster who covered agriculture and business like no one else could.

NBC 5's veteran political reporter Mary Ann Ahern joins Ray and Nick to discuss the strange controversy surrounding Rev. Jesse Jackson's endorsement of Senate hopeful Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and why the late Reverend's family is clarifying the apparent thumbs up towards Stratton's campaign.

Rod McCulloch of Victory Research joins Ray and Nick to give his final poll before election night and shares the different storylines running through each campaign.

Laura Michaud, Encore Center for Performing Arts Board Secretary and a founding board member, joins Ray and Nick to talk about partnering with Freedom Sings USA to bring the program to Chicagoland veterans during Memorial Day week 2026. Pairing vets with songwriters, songs are written in one day and performed that evening at a community event on May 28. Veterans can learn more or apply at: https://www.encorecenterforperformingarts.org/freedomsingsapplication 

Tax Day is less than a month away and there's plenty of new deductions you can take to save money and get a healthy return thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill.  Tax attorney Dimitra Anderson joins Ray an Nick to share some insight into the new laws and how to get the most on your tax return.

Jonathan Hoenig of Capitalist Pig, joins The Ray Stevens Show to discuss current market trends, economic challenges, and technological advancements. Jonathan highlights the significant fluctuations in oil prices, noting a recent peak near $98 a barrel before settling around $93. He links these shifts to broader market instability and the ongoing impact of global conflicts. Major tech stocks, referred to as the "Mag 7" (including Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla), are nearing a technical correction, defined as a 10% decline from recent peaks. January’s core inflation rate of 3.1% significantly exceeds the Fed's 2% goal, leading to expectations that interest rates will remain on hold. Despite economic concerns, Jonathan expresses optimism about American innovation, specifically citing the FAA's selection of eight new proposals for air taxi pilot programs in cities like Dallas, Austin, and New York. A reported 42% of recent college graduates are underemployed, working in roles that do not fully utilize their degrees. This has sparked a discussion on the rising value of trade skills and the shifting requirements of major tech companies that no longer strictly demand four-year degrees.

Mark Lukas from PAWS Chicago Joins The Ray Stevens Show. To discuss raining is essential for building a strong bond between a pet and its owner. Volunteers at PAWS work with shelter animals to establish a baseline of good behavior before they are adopted. When someone adopts from PAWS Chicago, their first training class is included in the adoption fee. Classes can be taken at their training center or online. Beyond basic obedience, PAWS offers fun activities like pet tricks, agility, and "nose work" (where dogs are trained to find specific scents, similar to search-and-rescue or bomb-sniffing dogs). ark highlights an upcoming major adoption event called "Rescue Together," a partnership with Chicago Animal Care and Control aimed at finding homes for as many animals as possible.

Travel expert Natalie Compton, joins The Ray Stevens Show to discuss the logistics and trends for Spring Break 2026. Natalie highlights that despite social media reports of long lines, travel is leveling out. However, she warns of potential delays at major hubs like Chicago O’Hare. She recommends the "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID" for faster processing, noting it's available for several major airlines at O'Hare including Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United. For families seeking warmer weather, Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean remain the dominant choices for the season.   Plan for wait times at least 20 minutes longer than usual at major airports. Natalie suggests bringing your own snacks to avoid high airport prices, like a "$40 mozzarella stick". Ensure you have your airline’s app downloaded and opt-in for touchless ID before checking in for your flight.

Alderman Matt O'Shea of the 19th Ward, joins The Ray Stevens Show to talk about the upcoming South Side Irish Parade. Alderman O'Shea describes the event as a nearly 50-year tradition that celebrates family, faith, and heritage, bringing the community together. They touch on the challenges facing Chicago, with O'Shea advocating for increased collaboration and compromise within the City Council and a move away from finger-pointing and divisive political advertisements. He emphasizes the need for a "less is more" approach to government and a focus on community support. The segment concludes with a nostalgic look at the parade's festive atmosphere, including mentions of local establishments like Cork & Kerry and the shared experiences of residents in neighborhoods like Beverly, Morgan Park, and Mount Greenwood. Would you like me to create a Storybook summary of this community event, complete with narration and illustrations?

Tony Docimo, the Engineering Manager of the Ford assembly plant in Chicago, joins the Ray Stevens Show to discuss a unique project: a Ford Explorer specially designed for Pope Leo. Docimo shares his excitement and pride in the project, noting the connection some plant workers have to the Pope through St. Rita of Cascia High School, where the Pope formerly taught. The special "Papal" Explorer features unique modifications, including. A 3.3-liter V6 hybrid powertrain, usually only found in Chicago-built police interceptors. Custom interior details, such as Chicago flag seat tags, Chicago skyline stitching on the armrest, and metal scuff plates with a Chicago-to-Vatican design. Personal touches from the Chicago team, including a group photo, handwritten letters, a celebration coin, and vanity license plates. The inclusion of Aurelio's pizza boxes, a nod to the Pope's favorite hometown pizza. Docimo also briefly touches upon other products built at the Chicago plant, such as the Lincoln Aviator and the recently launched Explorer Tremor, while maintaining a focus on quality improvement. The interview concludes with a lighthearted discussion about potential "Chicago-specific" features for future vehicles and the possibility of bulletproof glass for the Papal Explorer.

Erin Larkin, the 2026 South Side Irish Parade Queen joins The Ray Stevens Show. They mention some of the rules for being crowned queen, including being between the ages of 21 and 30 and never having been married. Erin discusses the events she has attended, such as visiting a nursing home and reading at a library. The hosts also touch on the upcoming South Side Irish Parade. Erin mentions the possibility of entering the Rose of Tralee process, which she compares to a Miss Universe pageant for Ireland.

Dr. David Kolbaba joins The Ray Stevens Show to discusses a holistic approach to health, focusing on identifying and treating the root causes of chronic ailments rather than just managing symptoms with medication. Dr. Kolbaba advocates for "clinical nutrition" and functional medicine, aiming to restore the body’s natural balance through lifestyle changes and targeted supplementation. They covers common health issues such as fatigue, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation, explaining how these are often interconnected.    He emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing—including blood work and specialized functional tests—to create personalized health protocols for patients. Listeners are encouraged to take a proactive role in their wellness journey by contacting Dr. Kolbaba’s clinic for evaluations or attending upcoming health seminars.

Steve Barnas from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) joins The Ray Stevens Show. With tax season underway, the BBB and IRS have noted an increase in AI-driven scams. These involve imposter calls or messages using fear tactics, such as claims of unpaid taxes or legal threats. Barnas warns against "storm chasers"—contractors who appear immediately after severe weather, often offering repairs "at no cost" but failing to deliver quality work or vanishing with the money. Ray and Steve highlight the use of urgency and emotion to trick victims, including "grandparent scams" where callers pose as a relative in immediate need of financial help. The organization is celebrating its centennial on April 22nd at Navy Pier, reflecting on its history of promoting business integrity and consumer protection. Listeners are encouraged to use BBB.org to research contractors, access risk calculators, and take educational tests to better identify fishing and phishing attempts.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Heidner Joins The Ray Stevens Show to talk about how his election run has gone. Heidner emphasizes his 40-year background as a businessman and entrepreneur to argue that Illinois has a "spending problem" rather than a revenue problem. He advocates for lower property and gas taxes, as well as a more favorable climate for job creators. He strongly supports implementing term limits for the Governor's office—specifically "two terms, then go home"—to end the era of "lifetime politicians". He positions himself as a "Trump Republican," echoing a desire to end Illinois' status as a sanctuary state and supporting crackdowns on illegal immigration to save state resources. Heidner proposes the use of vouchers to provide parents and children with more choices in their education if they are dissatisfied with public schools. Heidner is a Barrington Hills real estate developer and the owner of Gold Rush Gaming. His campaign messaging often highlights his "outsider" status and his alignment with the policies of the Republican administration in Washington

General Richard Newton joins Ray Stevens to discuss what's going on with the War in Iran. Will other countries join in with the United States and Israel. General Richard Newton shares insights from his extensive career in the United States Air Force, emphasizing the importance of organizational resilience and the human element in high-stakes environments.

Chicago Alderman Ray Lopez joins The Ray Stevens Show to discusses critical issues facing the city, with a particular focus on public safety and neighborhood stability. He outlines his approach to addressing crime, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that city resources are effectively managed to benefit all residents. Alderman Ray Lopez reflects his ongoing advocacy for pragmatic solutions to urban challenges and his commitment to the constituents of the 15th Ward.

IL GOP Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey joins The Ray Stevens Show to discusses his vision for Illinois, emphasizing a return to "common sense" and traditional values. He highlights the importance of faith and family as the foundation for a stronger state and addresses his plans for economic reform and supporting rural communities and restoring conservative leadership to the Governor's office in Illinois. 

Ret. police chief Tom Weitzel joins Andrea Darlas to share the ridiculous details of a politically motivated police chief in Detroit who wanted to terminate two officers for cooperating with Customs and Border Protection agents.

Attorney Larry Disparti joins the Ray Stevens Show to talk about a new lawsuit against Oswego #308 School District by four young women alleging years of grooming, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct by former teacher and coach Sean Staffeldt.

Despite being shot down in 2020, Illinois legislators are once again pushing a new graduated income tax that seeks to punish so-called billionaires. Illinois Policy's Dylan Sharkey joins Ray to explain some of the changes they've made this time around and why it still won't work for Illinois.

Andrea Darlas and Nick Gale fill in for Ray on another packed edition of the Ray Stevens Show: Phil Flynn Energy Analyst, Price Futures Group tackles how Iran strikes have caused a spike in gas prices and when they might come down. 2nd Ward Alderman Ald. Brian Hopkins on Chicago’s credit downgrade - What happens now? And is it too late to stop more financial downturn? Adam Burke, Managing Editor at VSiN.com, gets you prepped for March Madness and shares tips on how to bet smarter. Charles Lipson, Professor Emeritus at University of Chicago answers what Iran means for the world and how the Trump administration has provided an unprecedented opportunity for the people of Iran to take freedom into their own hands.

Governor Pat Quinn joins Ray Stevens to lay out his new petition to keep the Bears in Illinois and why he feels the fans need to raise their voices loud in the face of losing our "pride and joy" to Northwest Indiana. You can sign the petition now at beardownforillinois.com.  

Agri-Biz legend Max Armstrong returns to the Ray Stevens Show to talk about the shocking rise in bankruptcies among family farms last year and what the future holds for the American farmer in 2026.

Hinsdale Village President Greg Hart joins Ray Stevens to discuss newly adopted ordinances that make Hinsdale one of the most dog- and pet-friendly communities in the Chicago area, including opening all Hinsdale parks to leashed dogs and eliminating its annual pet license fee.

Representing Missouri's 4th Congressional District, Rep. Mark Alford joins the Ray Stevens Show to break down what he felt was a State of the Union speech for the history books.

Will the Bears move to Hammond?! Ray and Nick take your calls on whether the Monsters of the Midway will be taking their leave across state lines. Plus, gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey weighs in on why the failure to keep the team lies solely at ten feet of J.B. Pritzker and Brandon Johnson.

State Rep. and IL House Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins Ray and Nick to break down all the claims and promises made by Governor Pirtzker's address yesterday afternoon.

Chief Chris Clem, Former Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol in Yuma, AZ, joins Ray to talk about the Democrats fighting on Capitol Hill over funding DHS and how their woke policies and calls for defunding ICE are threatening national security.

Kevin Matthews returns to the Ray Stevens Show hot off the heels of his audience with Pope Leo XIV to talk about what it was like talking with the pontiff and discuss how his faith journey with "Broken Mary" has affected his life and the lives of others.