As I Was Saying with Big John Howell

Hitler didn't just want to conquer Greece. He wanted to own it — convinced the ancient Greeks were proto-Germans whose civilization gave the Third Reich its rightful heritage. When the Wehrmacht occupied Athens in 1941, the Nazis arrived believing they were home. That belief bought just enough time for a small group of scholars and spies to pull off one of the war's most audacious cultural rescue operations. New York Times bestselling author Stephan Talty joins Big John Howell to discuss his new book The American School of Spies — the true story of how American archaeologists were recruited by Wild Bill Donovan, how a man named Rodney Young bled on the Albanian front before running Greece's wartime spy network, and how a single conscience-stricken German helped save Athens from deliberate destruction. Plus: the spy codenamed Cicero, the D-Day deception that hinged on a fake bride and a train out of Turkey, and why both Athens and Paris came within a few weeks of being rubble.

John Howell sits down with trumpeter and educator Dave C. Norman for an inside look at the life and legacy of legendary L.A. studio player and arranger Jerry Hey. From Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall to Earth, Wind & Fire and Quincy Jones, Hey’s horn section defined a generation of pop and R&B. It’s a deep dive into the artistry, discipline, and unmistakable sound of the players who made brass shine like lasers.

John Howell sits down with trumpet virtuoso and educator Dave C. Norman to unpack chops vs. musicianship, studio politics, and the “Quiet Trumpet” philosophy. They dig into range the right way (resistance, slotting, breath attacks), why soft, lyrical control beats higher-faster-louder, and how classical fundamentals pay off everywhere. Plus: mic technique from the Jerry Hey school, lessons from Doc and Maynard, and Dave’s upcoming book and 700+ tutorials.

Mediaite’s Colby Hall joins John Howell to unpack the optics, fallout, and media spin from Donald Trump’s bizarre Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin. From red carpet applause to a rambling press conference, Hall explains how Trump’s attempt at statesmanship backfired—and why even some MAGA loyalists are starting to balk. It’s a sharp, funny, and sobering look at foreign policy as performance.

Bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove joins Big John Howell to revisit the night in 1938 when Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds broadcast sent America into a panic. They explore how Welles crafted the fake “breaking news” format, why so many believed it, and the chaos that followed. Hazelgrove also draws parallels between the media climate then and now, and what the stunt still teaches us about fear and misinformation.

Big John Howell sits down with Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson to unpack Illinois' latest push for redistricting reform. They explore why past efforts failed, what’s different this time, and how partisan maps fuel political extremism. Plus, reflections on Mike Madigan, J.B. Pritzker, and a few thoughts on the Bears’ upcoming season.

Mortgage expert David Hochberg joins John Howell to break down Trump’s clash with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the dangers of politicizing interest rates, and why economic truth is getting buried under partisan talking points. Plus, tariffs, housing trends, and a tribute to Chuck Mangione.

John Howell and longtime radio partner John Dempsey reconnect for an old-school conversation about golf, greatness, and the curious calm of PGA star Scotty Scheffler. From Scheffler’s understated dominance to the rules controversy surrounding Shane Lowry, they dive deep into what makes a golfer—and a game—compelling. They also riff on the new Apple TV golf dramedy Stick, revisit the glory of Happy Gilmore, and plan their next round (pressed shorts required).

Mediaite’s Colby Hall joins John Howell to break down the unraveling of a long-running MAGA conspiracy theory: the mythical Jeffrey Epstein “client list.” With Trump allies like Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino suddenly changing their tune, Hall explains how MAGA media figures are now facing blowback from the very audience they helped radicalize. It’s a sharp look at what happens when you lose control of the monster you created.