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The Ballenger Report

Bill Ballenger: #1 Political Pundit in Michigan
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The Political Insider

Bill Ballenger’s latest hit radio show provides the inside scoop on everything that’s important in politics. If it’s in the headlines The Political Insider will have the story!

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Episode Guide

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #165 — SLEEPING BEAR & JORDAN, Interviews with National Park Ranger Scott Tucker & Historian William Sylvester Ballenger of the King’s Academy

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #164 — PETITION PUSH + Interviews with state Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) & ex-Rep. Andrea LaFontaine and Louisiana Political Analyst John Couvillon

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #163 — Whitmer Whirlagig + Interviews with state Reps. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) & Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mt.) and Sophia Kalakailo of Bridge Michigan

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #162 — Misery Loves Company, Interviews with Pennsylvania’s Terry Madonna, North Carolina’s J.M. Bitzer, Kentucky’s Laura Cullen Glasscock & Wisconsin’s Barry Burden

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #161 — SCHOOL AID SCORCHER + Interviews with Professor Bird Loomis, Craig Theil of Citizens Research Council & Samantha Schreiber of MIRS

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #160 — Michigan Lags in National Rankings + Interviews with ex-state Health Director Jim Haveman, Jill Gonzales of Wallet Hub, & Rob Ritchie on Ranked Choice Voting

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #159 — COVID Confusion + Interviews with Jim Kiertzner of WXYZ-TV, SoS Candidate Kristina Karamo, Beth LeBlanc of Detroit News & Jordyn Hermani of Gongwer News Service

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #158 — Polls & Passports +Interviews with Professor/Journalist Eric Freedman, state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) & Dave Boucher of The Detroit Free Press

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #157 — Poll Pow-Wow, Interviews with Bernie Porn of EPIC-MRA, Lobbyist Rob Elhenicky, & Bob Schneider of Citizens Research Council

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #156 — Was Trump Right About Whitmer? Interviews with Mike Banerian of Michigan Rising Action & Holt HS Teacher Anne J. Russo

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #155 — Who Voted in 2020? Why and How? Who Will Vote in 2022?

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #154 — Line 5 Loonytunes + Interviews with state Rep. Rodney Wakeman (R-Saginaw), Dr. Jane Orient, & Ivy League Student Manar Talab of Dearborn

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #153 — Disclosure Delirium, Interviews with state Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids) and Ted Roelofs of Bridge Michigan

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #152 — Horsing Around, Interviews with Tom Barrett of the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association & Businesswoman/Commentator Tudor Dixon

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #151 — Ethics Effluvia + Interviews with state Reps. Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan) & Andrew Fink (R-Hillsdale) and Tom Jipping of the Heritage Foundation

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #150 — Whitmer Wimpout, Interviews with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn & Fred Wszolek of Unlock Michigan

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #149 — Border Bongo! Interview with John Quinones of ABC News & “What Would You Do?”

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #148 — Apology Agony, Interviews with MIRS Publisher John Reurink, MSU Professor Bob Kolt, & Political Guru David Forsmark

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #147 — Lisa McClain for Governor? Interviews with Political Consultant Scott Greenlee & Economics Guru Patrick Anderson

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #146 — Weekly Wakeup + Interviews with Lou Glazer of Michigan Future, MLRC Chairman Peter Ruddell, and Tori Sachs of Michigan Rising Action

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #145 — Interviews with Political Gurus Pete Lund & Tony Daunt + Craig Thiel of Citizens Research Council

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #144 — Interviews with Michigan Republican Party Executive Director Jason Roe & Freshman State Rep. Tim Beson (R-Bay City)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #143 — That Was the Week That Was, Interviews with state Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids), and Political PR Mavens John Sellek & Dennis Darnoi

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #142 — Capitol Capsule + Interviews with MGM Grand Casino VP Louis Theros, PR Gurus Matt Resch and Elizabeth Battiste, & Jason Snead of Honest Elections Project

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #141 — Shirkey Shenanigans + Interviews with Sports Betting Guru Brandt Iden, state Senator Michael McDonald (R-Sterling Heights) & Super Bowl Ad Expert Bob Kolt

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #140 — Sports Betting, High School Athletics, Free Speech at MSU, interviewing RMCLegal’s Rob Russell, Mark Uyl of the MHSAA, & Lansing Philanthropist Richard McLellan

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #139 — Communication Crash + Interviews with former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, state Reps. Pam Hornberger (R-Chesterfield Twp) & Bob Bezotte (R-Marion Twp) and MLBA’s Scott Ellis

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #138 — Interviews with former Lt. Gov. Brian Calley & ex-state Senator Rick Jones

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #137 — Horrendous Headlines + Interviews with Political Gurus Mark Grebner & John Couvillon of JMC Analytics & Polling

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #136 — D.C. Derangement + Interviews with state Reps. Bob Bezotte (R-Marion Twp) & Bryan Posthumus (R-Greenville) and Former Michigan GOP Chair Susy Avery

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #135 — Veto Vituperation + Interviews with state Rep.-elect Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) & Princeton University Sophomore Manar Talab

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #134 — More New Legislators! Interviews with Reps.-Elect John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs), David Martin (R-Davison) & Ken Borton (R-Gaylord)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #133 — New Legislators! Interviews with state Rep.-Electees T.C. Clements (R-Bedford), Andrew Beeler (R-Fort Gratiot) & Patrick Outman (R-Six Lakes)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #132 — COVID-19 Vaccine + Interviews with state Reps. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker) & Brad Paquette (R-Niles) and Rep.-elect John Roth (R-Traverse City)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #131 — Mandatory Vaccine? + Interviews with NMU President Fritz Erickson, state Rep.-elect Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) & GOP Political Consultant Jamie Roe

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #130 — Impeachment + Interviews with state Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell), Rep.-elect Andrew Fink (R-Hillsdale) & Rob Ritchie, CEO of Fair Vote

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #129 — Trump Turbulence + Interviews with state Reps. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) & Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Twp) + Holt HS Teacher Anne J. Russo

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #128 — Republicans Survive Amidst COVID-19 + Interviews with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed & Susy Avery of MSU’s Michigan Political Leadership Program

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #127 — Post -Election Wrap-Up + Interviews with Political Gurus Mark Grebner & John Couvillon

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #126 — Pre-Election Prestidigitation + Interviews with state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), Political Consultant David Forsmark & WALLET HUB

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #125 — Chaotic Campaign Week + Interviews with Judge William Whitbeck, WSU Board Nominee Terri Lynn Land & state Rep. Julie Calley

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #124 — Interviews with Libertarian Presidential Nominee Dr. Jo Jorgensen, Capitol Commission’s John Truscott & MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #123 — Plot Against Whitmer, Supreme Court Blitzes Governor’s Executive Orders, ‘Unlock Michigan’ & Two Ballot Proposals

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #122 —- Michigan Co. Commissioner Races + Interviews with MSU Trustee Nominee Pat O’Keefe, SBE Nominee Michelle Frederick & Eaton Co. Commissioner Nominee Jeremy Whittum (R-Eaton Rapids)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #121 — 6,000+ Michigan Township Races This Year. Who’s Running? Interviews with state Rep. Scott Van Singel (R-Grant) & ex-state Rep. John Stewart (R-Plymouth)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #120 — Cancel Culture + Interviews with Supreme Court Nominee Mary Kelly, Wayne State U. Nominee Don Gates & State Board of Education Nominee Tami Carlone

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #119 — Whitmer v. Unlock Michigan, Interviews with Supreme Court Nominee Brock Swartzle & Mackinac Center’s Michael Van Beek

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #118 — Interviews with state Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), MSU Board Nominee Tonya Schuitmaker & U-M Board Nominee Sarah Hubbard

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #117 — Republican State & National Conventions. Interviews with MRG Owner Jenell Leonard; former Michigan Republican Chair Susy Avery; and Craig Thiel, research director of the Citizens Research Council

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #116 — Democratic National Convention, featuring interviews with PR Professor Bob Kolt, TV Host/Commentator Chuck Stokes, & state House Nominee Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #115 — Interviews with NMU President Fritz Erickson, state Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-Independence Twp) & state Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #114 — Report on Aug. 4 Election Predictions, plus interviews with TV Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost & Political Guru Mark Grebner

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #113 — Predicting All Top Races in Aug. 4 Primary, Interview with Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest + Milliken Memorial

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #112 — Interviews with Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press & Climate Guru Sankarshan Das

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #111 — Interviews with Rep. James Haadsma (D-Battle Creek), Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), and John Couvillon of JMC Analytics & Polling

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #110 — Interviews with DUDE4CONGRESS in Michigan’s 13th CD and Prize-Winning Novelist Ivan Obolensky on “Conversation Crisis”

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #109 — Interview with Cheyna Roth, author of new book “Cold Cases,” A Collection of True Crime Mysteries

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #108 — Interviews with Congressional Candidate Peter Meijer (R-MI 3), Bob Giles on Anniversary of 1970 Kent State Shootings, & Humorist Author Hal Marcovitz

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #107 — Interviews with ACLU’s Jay Kaplan, Holt HS Teacher Anne Russo, & Princeton U. Sophomore Manar Talab

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #106 — Interviews with Oakland Co. Executive Candidate Mike Kowall, Detroit Radio Host Steve Hood & John McNamara of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Assn

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #105 — COVID-19 CRAPOLA! Interviews with MLBA Maven Scott Ellis, BRIDGE Reporter Riley Beggin & Police Week Founder Amy Hawkins

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #105 — Interviews with Bill Schuette, ex-Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, & MI Retailers CEO Bill Hallan

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #104 — COVID-19 CALYPSO! Interviews with Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO Rich Studley, Libertarian Honcho Bill Gelineau, & state House Candidate Gina Johnsen (R-Delta Twp)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #103 — COVID-19 CRUNCH! Interviews with Capitol Commissioner Bill Kandler, Shiawassee Co. Commissioner Dan McMaster, & Elections Maven Mark Grebner

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #102 — Interviews with ex-House Speaker Bobby Crim, Economist Patrick Anderson, & FAIR/VOTE CEO Rob Ritchie

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #101 — CORONAVIRUS CRUNCH! Interviews with state Rep. Ryan Berman (R-Commerce Twp), Holt H.S. teacher Anne Russo, and Political Consultant Kara Douma

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #100 — CORONAVIRUS CONFRONTATION! Interviews with state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) and Political Mavens Dave Doyle & Jeff Timmer

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #98 — CORONAVIRUS CRUNCH, Interviews with state Rep. Graham Filler, WKAR Radio’s Abigail Censky, & GOP Consultant Dennis Lennox

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #97 — CORONAVIRUS CATASTROPHE, with Judge William Whitbeck, School Boards Executive Don Wotruba, & Teacher Anne J. Russo

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #96 — CORONAVIRUS CACOPHONY, Interviews with Craig Thiel of Citizens Research Council & David Guenthner of the Mackinac Center

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #95 — CORONAVIRUS CHAOS with Sen./Dr. John Bizon & Professor/Commissioner Nancy Quarles

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #93 — Interviews with state Senator Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), state Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (D-Davison), John Couvillon of JMC Enterprises & Vanguard’s Jen Eyer

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #92 — Interviews with state Senator Mike MacDonald (R-Sterling Heights), state Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden), Jonathan Oosting of BRIDGE magazine, and MCFN’s Simon Schuster

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #91 — Interviews with state Senator Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) and Political Savant Steve Mitchell

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #90 — Interviews with Traverse City Record-Eagle Reporter Brendan Quealy, state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) and Ed Sarpolus of Target Insyght

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #89 — Interviews with ex-Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer, MLive’s Lauren Gibbons, PR Maven Bob Kolt and Kyle Kondit of Sabato’s Crystal Ball

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #88 — Interviews with state Rep. Pam Hornberger (R-Chesterfield Twp), Voting Guru Mark Grebner, & Jenell Leonard of Marketing Resource Group

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #87 — Interview with Craig Thiel, Research Director, Citizens Research Council of Michigan

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #86 — Interviews with Crain’s Chad Livengood on Toll Roads, Sports Commentator Dave “Mad Dog” DeMarco on Baseball Scandal, and Dennis Eade on Great Lakes Fishing

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #85 — Interviews with Demographer Kurt Metzger, Political Author Lou Jacobson, and Professor Paul Rozycki

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #83 — Interviews with state Senator Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and state Reps. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette) and Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #82 — Interviews with state Rep. Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) and Traverse City Political Maven Mike Gillman

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #81 — Interviews with state Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland), Jonathan Oosting of BRIDGE Magazine and Craig Maugher of The Detroit News

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #80 — Interviews with Joel Johnson, executive director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency and state Rep. Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #78 — Interviews with state Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills) and Enbridge Spokesman Ryan Duffy about Line 5 Tunnel

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #77 — A Century of Female Legislators + Interviews with state Senators Ed McBroom (R-Norway) and Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #76 — Tuesday Election results + Interviews with state Reps. Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) and Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #75 — Flint Mayor’s Race + Interviews with state Reps. Matt Hall (R-Emmett Twp), Greg Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores) and Ben Frederick (R-Owosso)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #74 — Interviews with Former Milliken Aides Doug Roberts, Charlie Greenleaf, & Keith Molin

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #73 — Interviews with Journalist Dawson Bell & Pollster Jenell Leonard

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #72 — Interviews with MSU Professor Matt Grossman & Longtime Legislative Counsel Bruce Timmons

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #71 — Whitmer Budget Vetoes & Transfers/Legislature’s Reaction

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #70 — State Budget Crisis/Interview with state Senator Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #69 — Interviews with state Reps. Jason Sheppard (R-Lambertville) & Gary Eisen (R-St. Clair Twp) + Michigan GOP Co-Chair Terry Bowman on Mackinac Island

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #68 — Interviews with state Reps. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann) & Graham Filler (R-DeWitt)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #67 — Interviews on Rising Great Lakes Water, Higher Education Funding & Campus Free Speech

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #66 — Dark Money, Redistricting, Interview with state Senator Michael MacDonald (R-Macomb)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #65 — Oakland Co. Political Fireworks, with Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley, Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) & Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham)

MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #64 — Oakland Co. Post-Patterson Brouhaha/Interviews with state Rep. Julie Alexander (R-Hanover) & state Senator Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville)

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