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The 21st Show Illinois's statewide news talk show, produced by Illinois Public Media.
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The 21st Show

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Illinois's statewide news talk show, produced by Illinois Public Media.

Most Recent Episodes

Move over, Hollywood! Central Illinois gets in on filmmaking action

For the longest time, Los Angeles has been the capital of the filmmaking industry in America. But that’s been changing in recent years. In Illinois, more than 700 million dollars were spent on film production just last year. Central Illinois has had a share of that.

Move over, Hollywood! Central Illinois gets in on filmmaking action

Listen · 15:27
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University of Illinois Springfield’s faculty strike: What’s at stake?

It’s been 10 days since faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield went on strike. At issue are pay raises, salary minimums, protections against the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, and more.

University of Illinois Springfield’s faculty strike: What’s at stake?

Listen · 33:55
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‘I was an abomination’: Trans lawyer shares difficult coming out experience in new memoir

Sheryl Weikal’s parents were deeply conservative, and for many years she and her sisters were homeschooled. At eight years old, she had never heard the word “transgender,” but she understood that there was a disconnect between who she was and what she saw in the mirror. She tried to come out to her family as a child. In the years that followed, her parents reacted negatively — and often violently. She writes about that experience and more in her memoir, “I Was An Abomination: A Story of Trans Survival in Conservative America."

‘I was an abomination’: Trans lawyer shares difficult coming out experience in new memoir

Listen · 50:22
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One-on-one with award-winning Hamilton actor Jonathan Butler-Duplessis

Actor Jonathan Butler-Duplessis attended high school and college in Champaign. After more than a decade in regional theater, he made his Broadway debut in Hamilton. He discusses his life, growing up in the C-U area, and his work.

One-on-one with award-winning Hamilton actor Jonathan Butler-Duplessis

Listen · 50:23
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What comes next in the Iran war?

A temporary ceasefire was announced in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran Tuesday night. Developments are happening by the hour and it begs the question if the deal will even hold.

What comes next in the Iran war?

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From ‘cool’ to ‘selfie’ to ‘slay’, linguist’s book takes a look at the evolution of language through lens of social media

In his new book, "Algospeak", linguist Adam Aleksic says that we are living through a transitional phase of the english language as social media has a big influence on vocabulary. 

From ‘cool’ to ‘selfie’ to ‘slay’, linguist’s book takes a look at the evolution of language through lens of social media

Listen · 50:22
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Five years after January 6 Capitol riot, author explores creation of MAGA

Five years ago today, a mob stormed the United States Capitol committing many violent acts. Laura K. Field has been studying what led up to January 6th — not just the rally and the riot, but the ideas behind “stop the steal” in particular and the MAGA movement in general. She discusses her new book, "Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right." The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Five years after January 6 Capitol riot, author explores creation of MAGA

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Illinois State Women’s and Men’s Basketball Teams square off in the NIT Semifinals

We talked about the Illinois State men's and women's basketball teams, which competed in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament. 

Illinois State Women’s and Men’s Basketball Teams square off in the NIT Semifinals

Listen · 15:27
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What you need to know as Illinois appears at NCAA Final Four for the first time in 21 years

For the first time in 21 years, Illinois Men's Basketball is playing in the NCAA Final Four Tournament after beating the Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend. 

What you need to know as Illinois appears at NCAA Final Four for the first time in 21 years

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Connecting the dots between loneliness, mental health, and social relationships

Is the U.S. facing an “epidemic of loneliness?"

Connecting the dots between loneliness, mental health, and social relationships

Listen · 50:22
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