Grabbing the Bullhorn

Grabbing the Bullhorn is taking a deep dive into AI, data retention centers and Flock cameras.Who is watching us, what information are they collecting and who ultimately controls it? Will a small group of AI executives ultimately know everything about everyone of us and use this information to their benefit?Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler speak with Stephen Ragan, a lawyer and lobbyist working on privacy, technology and surveillance policy at the ACLU of Illinois. Together, we examine the expanding public and private surveillance ecosystem, including Flock cameras, automated license plate readers, facial recognition, biometric information and artificial intelligence.Our conversation explores whether ICE and other government agencies can access information collected by local police or private companies, whether law enforcement can purchase data it might otherwise need a warrant to obtain and what Illinois residents should know about the Biometric Information Privacy Act.Could a small group of powerful AI companies or executives eventually control the surveillance infrastructure? Will they be capable of monitoring an entire population? What protections can prevent this potential concentration of power?Learn more about the ACLU’s Get the Flock Out campaign:https://www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/get-the-flock-out

Popular culture may feel like an escape from everyday life, but the stories we watch, the music we hear and the content we encounter online influence how we understand women, power and equality.In this episode of Grabbing the Bullhorn, Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler welcome Professor Elizabeth Benacka for a wide-ranging conversation about feminism and popular culture.Professor Benacka received her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from Loyola University Chicago. She earned her master’s degree and PhD in Rhetoric from Northwestern University, along with a Certificate in Gender Studies. During the last 18 years, she has taught courses including Argumentation and Advocacy, Introduction to Cinema Studies, Feminism and Popular Culture, Rhetoric of Humor and Rhetoric of Civil Rights. She currently serves as Chair of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois.The conversation begins by exploring what feminism means and why some people support gender equality while resisting the feminist label. Professor Benacka explains how rhetorical analysis can help audiences recognize the messages embedded in movies, television programs, songs, comedy and social media posts.The discussion then turns to representation. Including women in a story is not necessarily the same as giving them power within that story. A character may appear independent or progressive while still being defined primarily through her relationship with a man. Professor Benacka discusses how dialogue, plot and visual choices can reveal whether a female character possesses genuine agency.Natalie, Karen and Professor Benacka also consider the popular narrative of the exceptional woman who reaches the top. Her success may be inspiring, but one individual achievement does not automatically eliminate the barriers facing other women. The conversation asks audiences to look beyond symbolic victories and examine whether progress extends to women without wealth, status or a public platform.The episode also addresses what it means for women to support one another when they have different experiences, resources and political beliefs. That question leads to a discussion of intersectionality and the importance of recognizing how gender interacts with race, class, age, disability and other circumstances. When popular culture presents one woman’s experience as universal, whose story is left out?Because Grabbing the Bullhorn brings together a Baby Boomer and a Millennial, the conversation examines generational tensions within feminism. What do older and younger women misunderstand about one another? What can each generation contribute to lasting change?Finally, the episode honors Gloria Steinem and reflects on her influence as a journalist, author, organizer and advocate. Although Steinem became one of the most recognizable figures associated with the women’s movement, her work consistently emphasized listening, community and collective action. Professor Benacka considers which parts of Steinem’s legacy deserve greater attention and what the next generation can learn from her life.After listening, return to your favorite films, television programs, music and social media feeds with a new question: What are these stories teaching us about women?Then tell us: Which piece of popular culture first made you think differently about women or feminism?

It’s 90 degrees outside, the pool is open and the ice cream truck is driving through the neighborhood.So naturally… is it time for Christmas?On this episode of Grabbing the Bullhorn, Millennial co-host Natalie Bober and Baby Boomer co-host Karen Zimbler debate one big question: Does Christmas belong in July?We uncover the surprisingly long history of Christmas in July, from an opera in the 1890s and the 1940 film Christmas in July to World War II campaigns encouraging Americans to send Christmas packages early to troops overseas.Then we take on the modern Christmas explosion. Has the holiday season started too early? Does celebrating Christmas for months make December 25 less special? Or, if Christmas movies, music and traditions bring people happiness, why should anyone care what the calendar says?Plus, we explore the Hallmark effect and take you with us to Hallmark Stars Live in Waukegan, Illinois, where we spoke with fans about the movies, stars, traditions and sense of community that make Hallmark Christmas movies meaningful to them.Whether you start celebrating in July or refuse to acknowledge Christmas until after Thanksgiving, grab your bullhorn and join the debate.Let’s Grab the Bullhorn! #GrabbingTheBullhorn #ChristmasInJuly #Hallmark #ChristmasMovies #Podcast

When was the last time you picked up a book and couldn’t put it down?For Emma Kazian, reading is about finding stories she loves and sharing that experience with other readers.Emma is the creator behind the Instagram account @emma_feodora_reads. Emma has already read 18 books this year. Her reading list frequently includes authors such as Freida McFadden, Colleen Hoover, Elsie Silver and Liz Tomforde.Emma is a member of Chapter 7 Book Club.On this episode of Grabbing The Bullhorn, we talk with Emma about how she finds time to read, what makes her reach for a particular book, why she decided to share her reading journey online and how social media has created a new kind of community around an old-fashioned pastime.We also get into the questions that divide readers everywhere: physical books or e-reader? Movie or book first? And does a great screen adaptation ever beat the book?Whether you have already finished 18 books this year or have not opened one yet, this conversation might just help you find the story that gets you reading again.📚 What book would you recommend to someone who says, “I don’t like reading”?#GrabbingTheBullhorn #BookTok #FreidaMcFadden #ColleenHoover #ElsieSilver and #LizTomforde #Chapter7BookClub

A 4-ton potato. A cross-country road trip. One unforgettable conversation.Have you ever wondered what it's like to spend your days traveling America with a giant 4-ton potato?This week on Grabbing The Bullhorn, Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler welcome Jena Garofalo from the Famous Idaho Potato Tour for one of the most entertaining interviews we have ever recorded.From transporting a 28-foot-long potato across the country to meeting thousands of fans, Jena shares the incredible logistics, roadside stories and the mission behind one of America's most beloved promotional tours.We also explore how potatoes became an Idaho icon, the challenges facing today's farmers, the health benefits of potatoes and why this famous spud has captured the hearts of communities nationwide.If you have ever spotted the giant potato rolling down the highway—or wondered what happens behind the scenes—this episode is for you.🥔 Grab your butter.🥔 Grab your sour cream.🥔 Don't forget the chives.Let's Grab the Bullhorn.#GrabbingtheBullhorn #IdahoPotato #FamousIdahoPotatoTour