The Neal Larson Show

Neal Larson
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

Neal Larson is an Associated Press Award-winning newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He has a BA from Idaho State University in Media Studies and Political Science. Neal is happily married to his wife Esther with their five children in Idaho Falls. Julie Mason is a long-time resident of east Idaho with a degree in journalism from Ricks College. Julie enjoys reading, baking, and is an avid dog lover.  When not on the air she enjoys spending time with her three children and husband of 26 years. Together these two are a powerhouse of knowledge with great banter that comes together in an entertaining and informative show.

  1. 3h ago

    8.20.2026 - Immigration Sympathy | Flock | Utah Defamation

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie dug into a couple of culture-and-politics flashpoints that sparked strong reactions: first, former Utah Rep. Ben McAdams’ comments highlighting faith leaders’ concerns about immigrants feeling afraid to go to churches, hospitals, and courthouses. Neal and Julie pushed back hard on what they saw as emotional framing that sidesteps the underlying issue—illegal immigration and the real-world consequences of breaking the law—while also asking what practical solutions McAdams (and similar politicians) actually propose beyond sympathy. From there, the show moved through a string of headline-driven debates with the same throughline: how much of today’s outrage is real, and how much is performative. They discussed the Teton Valley coffee shop controversy involving pro-life organizer Kristen Hawkins and a local roaster, including the ethics of taking customers’ money before kicking them out. They also hit the “bad food on the USS Abraham Lincoln” story (with Joey Jones’ blunt perspective), Idaho being ranked #1 best state to live in (with skepticism about some metrics), Utah Senate President Stuart Adams threatening defamation actions against critics, and a lively listener call about Flock cameras—where the conversation turned into a broader argument about balancing safety, freedom, and government “creep.” --- ## Highlights - Neal and Julie challenge Ben McAdams’ ICE comments: “You can still worship… you just might be in a detention center,” and question why illegal immigration uniquely triggers “added sympathy.”   - The Teton Valley coffee shop blowup: the ethical sticking point wasn’t kicking people out—it was taking their money and not giving them their food.   - Joey Jones’ sharp take on military food complaints (“How weak are you on TV complaining about tuna and noodles?”) sparks a broader media-cycle critique.   - A caller describes a near-death red-light run in Pocatello and asks about using Flock cameras—leading to a nuanced discussion about privacy safeguards and surveillance fears.   - Idaho ranks #1 in WalletHub’s “best states” list—Julie and Neal celebrate Idaho while also side-eyeing New Jersey at #2 and questioning how “quality of life” is scored.   - Neal and Julie unpack Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ legal threats against podcasters/influencers, floating anti-SLAPP dynamics and the risk of intimidation-by-lawsuit. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.20.2026 - Immigration Sympathy | Flock | Utah Defamation

  2. 1d ago

    8.19.2026 - Driggs Coffee Shop Clash | Abortion Initiative Messaging | Congressman Mike Simpson | Twerpey Flashpoll

    Send us Fan Mail Wednesday’s show was dominated by the now-national blowup out of Driggs, where a small pro-life group was confronted and kicked out of a local coffee shop after meeting there—despite “Everyone is welcome here” messaging and patrons having already ordered food. Neal and Julie worked through the layers: the owner’s property rights, the practical question of whether the group saw (or could see) a prior “we’d prefer you don’t meet here” comment, and the choice to compare pro-lifers to the KKK on video. Their takeaway wasn’t a call for a boycott so much as an argument that this kind of rhetoric should be seen clearly and debated openly—especially with an abortion initiative looming in Idaho and competing claims about outcomes post-Dobbs. A listener who attended the meeting, Janine, called in with a firsthand account describing the encounter as far more intense than the viral clip, adding new details about what happened before and after the recording. The hour then shifted to Washington and Congress as Congressman Mike Simpson joined Neal and Julie in studio during the August work period. Simpson talked candidly about broken congressional scheduling, the likelihood of another continuing resolution, and why coordinating House/Senate calendars would be his first reform. He also addressed concerns about insider trading in Congress (supporting limits and blind trusts), and made the case for expanding the H-2A program to cover year-round agricultural jobs—framing it as a workforce reality issue rather than blanket “amnesty.” The show closed with Neal and Julie hashing out the tension between enforcing immigration law and keeping communities intact, then a deliberately brain-breaking “flash poll” about whether listeners would support using Flock cameras to enforce the border. --- ## Highlights - Listener Janine’s firsthand account from inside the Driggs coffee shop meeting, including her claim the owner’s outburst went far beyond the viral clip—and that loud music was turned up to force the group out. - Neal’s strategic argument: don’t boycott—publicize the “pro-lifers = KKK” framing and let persuadable middle-ground voters see it for themselves. - Neal challenges contested abortion talking points by demanding data (not anecdotes) on OB-GYN access and maternal outcomes post-Dobbs, and calls out “post hoc” logic dressed up as certainty. - Congressman Mike Simpson on why Congress can’t seem to finish appropriations, why a continuing resolution is almost inevitable, and the absurdity of the House and Senate being out of sync for weeks. - Simpson backs a crackdown on congressional stock trading, pointing to the corrosive optics and arguing members should use blind trusts. - The “Flock cameras at the border” flash poll that had even critics laughing—while exposing how differently people weigh privacy concerns depending on the target. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.19.2026 - Driggs Coffee Shop Clash | Abortion Initiative Messaging | Congressman Mike Simpson | Twerpey Flashpoll

  3. 2d ago

    8.18.2026 - WYDAHO Roasters Blowup | Abortion Initiative Fight | Nobody cares about Nancy Mace's tats

    Send us Fan Mail A video out of the Teton Valley lit up the show as Neal and Julie dug into the escalating blowup at Driggs’ WYDAHO (Whiteahoe) Roasters, where a coffee shop owner confronted a pro-life group meeting inside and ultimately compared them to the KKK. The conversation wasn’t just about whether a private business can ask customers to leave (they can), but about the real-world consequences of “Everyone is welcome here” messaging colliding with selective exclusion—and how quickly a local dispute becomes a national pile-on in the age of phones, social media, and review-bombing. Listeners weighed in, and Driggs resident Anthony called to add local context, including the shop’s history of hosting political events and the practical reality of limited meeting spaces in a small community. From there, the episode widened into the bigger fight: Idaho’s abortion initiative and what Neal and Julie see as the strategic and moral stakes. They argued the initiative doesn’t simply “clarify” rare, tragic medical edge cases—but instead redefines “viability” in a way that could expand abortion access far later into pregnancy and create new legal gray zones for physicians. They also discussed Judge Windmill’s ruling around suicidal ideation and the “life of the mother” exception, questioning how doctors could possibly document or “prove” that standard, and urging pro-life Idahoans to channel outrage into defeating the initiative rather than retaliating against a single business owner. --- ## Highlights - Neal breaks down the “Everyone is welcome here… except you” contradiction as the WYDAHO Roasters confrontation goes viral and review-bombing accelerates.   - Driggs listener Anthony calls in with on-the-ground context: the shop’s role in local politics, how the incident was perceived locally, and why the social media fallout was predictable.   - Julie connects the controversy to the “wedding cake” double-standard debate—who gets protected discretion, and who gets punished for it.   - The show pivots hard into the abortion initiative: Neal argues it doesn’t fix medical uncertainty—it relocates it by introducing vague terms like “extraordinary measures.”   - A pointed exchange on Judge Windmill’s suicidal ideation standard: how does a doctor document it, what guardrails exist, and could it become a loophole?   - A tonal whiplash closer: from heavy abortion policy to a lighter riff on “chick flick” vs “rom-com,” “wife beater” as slang, and “biopic” pronunciation. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.18.2026 - WYDAHO Roasters Blowup | Abortion Initiative Fight | Nobody cares about Nancy Mace's tats

  4. 2d ago

    8.17.2026 - Idaho’s Abortion Fight | Girls’ Sports & DNA Tests | Candace Debate

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie spent the bulk of the show unpacking a late-week federal ruling from Judge Lynn Winmill that broadens when abortions may be permitted under Idaho law—specifically extending the “defense of life” rationale to serious mental health crises where a physician determines an abortion is necessary to prevent suicide or self-harm. They argued the reasoning is legally and logically shaky, predicted it’s likely to be overturned on appeal, and took sharp issue with what they described as emotionally loaded language in the opinion (including phrases like “flee the state” and the “incubators” characterization). They also criticized the role of fear, misinformation, and even physician unfamiliarity with the law—calling out Dr. Seyb (spelling as referenced on-air) for reportedly not having read the statute while still making major medical decisions around it. The conversation moved from the court decision into broader cultural and political patterns Neal and Julie see recurring on the left: turning narrower issues into maximal, headline-grabbing fights (they compared it to fights over explicit material in libraries and trans participation in girls’ sports). They mixed in lighter listener-driven banter—Roku vs. Apple TV, “old people” tech jokes, and ad-skipping—before shifting back to heavier ground: Mississippi’s surprising education gains, the impact of Idaho’s new limits on teachers-union dues collection, and a tense exchange on growing anti-Jewish sentiment online. Neal closed by rejecting what he sees as conspiracy-driven “evidence” standards in prominent commentary and warned against letting suspicion substitute for proof, especially when reputations and liberty are on the line. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal and Julie break down Judge Winmill’s abortion ruling and argue the “suicide/self-harm = self-defense” logic invites a dangerously broad standard. - Sharp pushback on the opinion’s rhetoric—especially “flee the state” and the “incubators” line—calling it political language that doesn’t belong in a court ruling. - The St. Luke’s airlift story: the on-air question—if the woman later delivered healthy twins in Utah, how does that support the “Idaho forced tragedy” narrative? - “Nobody’s checking the junk”: a pointed exchange on trans athletes in girls’ sports, cheek-swab DNA testing, and what they called a manufactured fear narrative. - Surprise pivot to education: Mississippi’s reported reading/math improvements vs. a Berkeley professor saying she’s teaching fractions to calculus students. - Neal and Julie confront anti-Jewish conspiratorial framing in media commentary, drawing a hard line between suspicion and actual evidence. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.17.2026 - Idaho’s Abortion Fight | Girls’ Sports & DNA Tests | Candace Debate

  5. 6d ago

    8.14.2026 - S4C: Rulon Leman, Black Sabbath | Abortion Initiative Messaging | Open Lines Friday

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie tackled the growing backlash to Flock cameras and, more broadly, license plate readers—framing it as a debate that’s unlikely to be solved by “policy tweaks” if the loudest critics won’t accept anything short of removal. They walked through how local agencies (including Pocatello) say the data is used—limited access, case-by-case requests, and not plugged into a national network—while also acknowledging the core objection that resonates most: when government is involved, people want tight rules and real accountability. Along the way, they poked at the inconsistency of what some call “surveillance” (Flock) versus what gets a pass because it’s “opt-in” or private-sector (like phone and car tech). The show also hit several other headline-and-community touchpoints: the Heise closures and mudslide danger after fires, needed rain, and the opening of CEI’s new future tech building with major names in attendance. Neal then shifted into a passionate breakdown of Idaho’s abortion initiative messaging—arguing that emotionally hard edge cases are being used to sell a much broader expansion—while noting that key questions like limits by gestational age often get dodged or redefined (including disputes around “viability”). Friday energy capped things off with Studio Four Covers: local musician Rulon Leman delivered a standout Black Sabbath cover and an easy, funny conversation about local talent, the “Mormon bubble” piano pipeline, and the weekly value of taking a breath from heavy news. Open-lines discussion later spun into a red-light camera flash poll—despite the fact they’re illegal in Idaho—prompting callers to share out-of-state horror stories and debate deterrence vs. revenue schemes. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal argues the Flock backlash has widened into a broader “any license-plate reader” fight—and predicts abolition is the only outcome some opponents will accept.   - A lively detour into red-light cameras (illegal in Idaho) turns into a rapid-fire parade of out-of-state “revenue generator” stories, including Murrieta, California’s ticket-splitting scheme.   - Rulon Leman’s unexpected, stripped-down Black Sabbath cover (“Changes”) lands as the perfect palate cleanser—and sparks talk about the sheer depth of local talent.   - Neal’s critique of the abortion initiative messaging: “edge cases” as emotional leverage for broader elective access, plus skepticism around shifting definitions of “viability.”   - A sharp “herd behavior” conversation: from pandemic-era social pressure to black-square posting and how movements gain momentum without people digging deeper.   - The Jefferson County “1J driver” jokes return—followed by listeners (including 1J folks) insisting Neal should keep them coming. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.14.2026 - S4C: Rulon Leman, Black Sabbath | Abortion Initiative Messaging | Open Lines Friday

  6. Aug 13

    8.13.2026 - OB-GYN “Exodus” Claims | Open Records Showdown | Viability Redefined

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie covered a wide-ranging, high-energy show that bounced between national politics, Idaho policy fights, and a few lighter detours—while keeping a consistent throughline of skepticism toward institutions that demand trust but resist transparency. They opened with the news that White House press secretary Caroline Levitt is stepping away to spend more time with her new baby, pushing back on media speculation about “rift” narratives. From there, the conversation turned to a headline-grabbing allegation involving the Southern Poverty Law Center’s CFO, framed around the idea that some advocacy organizations have incentives to keep the problems they “fight” alive. The longest, most detailed segment focused on Idaho’s abortion initiative and the surrounding messaging war—particularly claims about OB-GYN “exodus” numbers, Boise State’s involvement in a study, and the demand for open-records transparency around methodology and raw data. Neal argued the initiative’s “privacy” framing is selectively applied, comparing it to other areas where “patient choice” doesn’t make something legal (euthanasia, selling organs, certain off-label/controlled-substance issues, pandemic-era treatment disputes). The back half of the show mixed serious concerns about election integrity and record retention (including a Milwaukee “human error” audit-log mix-up and a Michigan lawsuit over deleting election records) with listener calls and humor—ranging from black-market kidney pricing to social media outrage cycles, tech surveillance realities, and even a side conversation on clean comedy, vacations, and what you’d do with a billion-dollar Powerball win. --- ## Highlights - Neal and Julie push back on the “press secretary drama” narrative, arguing Caroline Levitt’s exit is about family—not a White House rift. - The Idaho abortion initiative debate gets granular: dueling OB-GYN numbers, Boise State/JAMA study skepticism, and why open-records transparency matters if the data is being used politically. - A pointed takedown of “medical privacy” as a selective talking point—using examples like euthanasia, selling a kidney, and pandemic-era “willing doctor/willing patient” restrictions. - Listener call sparks a surprisingly specific rabbit hole: what a kidney allegedly goes for on the black market (and how quickly that changes everyone’s “price point”). - Election administration concerns: Milwaukee’s USB/audit-log issue and Michigan’s alleged push to delete election records—discussed as red flags for trust and accountability. - Social media outrage mechanics on display: a caller describes a staged “no-show order” post that triggered predictable racial commentary in the replies. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.13.2026 - OB-GYN “Exodus” Claims | Open Records Showdown | Viability Redefined

  7. Aug 12

    8.12.2026 - Wisconsin DSA Setback | Idaho Civics Test | The “Mormon Stories” Lawsuit

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie opened with a national politics temperature check, using last night’s primary results as a real-world test of the “socialist surge” narrative. They walked through key races (with special attention on Wisconsin and Minnesota), why some high-profile DSA-backed candidates fell short, and what they see as a late-breaking shift: more mainstream Democrats finally sounding alarms about their party’s far-left flank. Along the way, they mixed analysis with their trademark bluntness—arguing Republicans need to stop being “soft” about what they see as extremist policy—and weighed whether it’s better to defeat those candidates in primaries now or in November. From there, the show swerved into a few of the morning’s most-talked-about segments: a local Idaho Falls traffic stop that escalated into an alleged bribe attempt (and a surprisingly capable Honda Fit), a surprisingly fun rundown of Idaho’s updated civics test (with listeners requesting the link in real time), and a deeper dive into the LDS Church’s lawsuit involving “Mormon Stories” and brand confusion claims—plus how groups can capitalize on the “Mormon” label in ways that may be misleading. The back half of the episode also tackled online influence and credibility, with Neal and Julie criticizing what they described as a profitable “conspiracy economy” and calling for listeners to slow down, check sources, and avoid pedestal-or-dumpster thinking—before ending on lighter ground with movie-line banter and listener humor. --- ## 2. Highlights - Wisconsin’s Democratic primary becomes a reality check for the DSA “surge” narrative as Francesca Hong loses statewide—plus Neal’s argument that the political mood has shifted against DSA candidates in the last two weeks.   - The Idaho Falls “Honda Fit” traffic stop: allegedly 90 in a 35, a curb hit, burning rubber… and then “I could flip you $100” to let it go.   - Neal and Julie take on Idaho’s revamped civics test—why it matters, what the questions reveal, and why some opponents seem to get “icky” about basic constitutional knowledge.   - Live listener interaction explodes as people repeatedly text for the civics quiz link (and the show sets up an easy keyword system to share it).   - The LDS Church vs. “Mormon Stories” lawsuit: discussion centers on alleged brand confusion (fonts/imagery) rather than the word “Mormon” itself.   - A pointed critique of influencer-style outrage cycles and conspiracy framing—why “we don’t know everything yet” doesn’t automatically validate whoever fills the gaps with viral theories. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.12.2026 - Wisconsin DSA Setback | Idaho Civics Test | The “Mormon Stories” Lawsuit

  8. Aug 11

    8.11.2026 - COVID Shot and Pregnancy | Apology Line Open |

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie spend much of the show reacting to fresh controversy around Anthony Fauci—especially the gap between what he said publicly during COVID and what he reportedly expressed privately, with the most emotional part of the conversation centering on concerns about vaccine guidance for pregnant women. They’re careful to separate justified outrage from overstated claims, calling out a viral “82%” figure as based on incomplete data and warning that bad numbers can undermine legitimate scrutiny. Along the way, they return to a recurring theme: the damage done by public shaming, institutional pressure, and “cult-like” political loyalty that makes it hard for people to admit they were wrong. Listener calls and texts drive the hour in a big way: stories from people who felt coerced by employers (including the military), people describing long-term health issues they believe followed the shot, and others who simply refused because it didn’t add up to them. Neal and Julie also open up about why they’re still waiting on accountability—if not apologies—and talk through how to handle disagreement without letting it poison every relationship. A few lighter moments break up the heaviness, including an “apology line” bit (with a caller confessing to voting for Evan McMullen) and some banter about avoiding a certain overdone local topic. --- ## Highlights - Neal and Julie unload on Fauci’s “public vs. private” contradictions—then pivot to the bigger question: what do you *do* with the fact that a top authority lied? - A pointed warning about the viral “82% mortality” claim: Neal says the truth matters, because bad stats let critics dismiss everything else. - The “apology line” gag turns real fast—listeners call in with regret, resentment, and stories of workplace pressure that changed careers and families. - A military caller says he was forced to take the shot and describes repeated illness afterward, arguing mandates violated basic constitutional limits. - A thoughtful listener analogy lands: two people can apply the same “information,” but different “base coats” (life experience) change how it looks—like nail polish over black vs. white. - A broader accountability discussion emerges: one caller proposes bonding/financial penalties for officials and institutions that misuse power or mislead the public. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms? You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing. Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today. a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

    8.11.2026 - COVID Shot and Pregnancy | Apology Line Open |
See All (510)

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Neal Larson is an Associated Press Award-winning newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He has a BA from Idaho State University in Media Studies and Political Science. Neal is happily married to his wife Esther with their five children in Idaho Falls. Julie Mason is a long-time resident of east Idaho with a degree in journalism from Ricks College. Julie enjoys reading, baking, and is an avid dog lover.  When not on the air she enjoys spending time with her three children and husband of 26 years. Together these two are a powerhouse of knowledge with great banter that comes together in an entertaining and informative show.

Information

  • Creator
    Neal Larson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    510
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Neal Larson Show
  • Show Website
    The Neal Larson Show

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