Upstream Ideas
"He who seeks to improve conditions must propagate a new mentality, not merely a new institution." — Ludwig von Mises
Our aim at Upstream Ideas is to do just as Mises suggested by turning the dial on how you look at the political and policy issues facing Illinois, Chicago and our nation. We present new ideas that inform salient policy decisions, start new conversations and move beyond partisan politics all while challenging the status quo.
Dan Proft along with distinguished guests and contributors lay out in-depth issues in a digestible way to better understand why conditions are what they are and how they could be improved. We produce content in a variety of formats including long-form interviews, multiple segment radio shows and mini-monologues. We arm you with new information and fresh perspectives with the goal of making Illinois and the United States of America a bit more free, a bit more just and a bit more civilized.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Episodes
- 300
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2019
IL RISING: How Madigan's Money Lies To Voters
House Speaker Mike Madigan has already poured more than $1 million dollars into legislative races this year in support of Democratic candidates and lawmakers. That money is being used to spread false…
IL RISING: A Challenge To Lawmakers: Reject Your Pension
Generous pensions and salaries encourage Illinois lawmakers to become career politicians at the expense of taxpayers. But a group of conservative reformers is now challenging candidates and lawmakers…
WIND: Was Operation Shutdown O’Hare A Success?
Will shutdown theater finally get up to the North Shore to protest a Gordon Lightfoot concert at Ravinia or a New Trier HS polo match? What does winning look like for the organizers of the protests? …
WIND: Survived With Honor
Should there be concerns with the U.S. political system because of the entrenched politicians who occupy it? What is the future of American politics and civility? Retired U.S. Air Force General and p…
WIND: The Left: Ideology Trumps Everything
Should Trump have fired Comey and Rosenstein on day one? Why is the left still obsessed with trying to overturn the 2016 election results? Is the media showing its true colors defending Pope Francis …
WIND: Open Heart Magic
Ed Barry, volunteer for Open Heart Magic, joins Dan and Amy to share some of his tricks that he performs for children and their families in hospitals. They have a fundraiser at Bourbon Street on Sept…
WIND: Dems Preparing Their Presidential Bids Awaiting SCOTUS Nomination Hearings
What does Chuck Todd know that we don’t? Is Trump going to get involved in the operations of the FBI and DOJ if they don’t get their act together? Do Republicans have a better chance against energeti…
WIND: Maximizing The Potential Of Every Person
Ikes Bites Dog Treats in Milwaukee employs adults who have aged out of special education programs and serves as a safety net to provide job training and work skills for our society’s most vulnerable.…
WIND: City Braces For Violent Protests Awaiting The Van Dyke Trial
Does the city need a guilty verdict in the Van Dyke trial to avoid riots? Should they start educating the community and offering counseling now if once the facts are presented he will be acquitted? F…
WIND: Make Trade Great Again
Will the new NAFTA make trade great again? Why does free trade require thousands of pages of laws and regulations? Why do Democrats not want minorities to open businesses? Do licensing regulations no…
WIND: Chicago FOP President: Van Dyke Will Be Found Not Guilty
Former CPD officer Jason Van Dyke speaks for the first time since his shooting of Laquan McDonald and in advance of his murder trial. Are we going to get answers surrounding the reason for the 16 sho…
WIND: Cupich's Race Baiting Defense Of Pope Francis
Reuters suggests conservatives are the problem for escalating the war against Pope Francis in his mishandling of the sexual abuse of children. Really? Do Cardinal Cupich’s comments show how serious t…
WIND: NIU Football Season Preview
Should we be expecting another great season from the Huskies and a potential bowl game on the horizon? How are some of the local kids shaping up and how much do they recruit from Chicago? Their compe…
WIND: Reckoning In The Catholic Church
Why are leaders in the Catholic Church acting like politicians in their handling of the abuse of children? Why were known abusers shuffled around? Should Pope Francis resign? Is the Catholic Church a…
WIND: Trump Driving His Critics Certifiably Insane
Does the left not just disagree with Trump but see the need for him and his ideas to be destroyed? Does the extension of the Mueller investigation benefit Trump? Does the Trump winning, drive his opp…
WIND: Trump Putting The Pressure On Canada
Is the new NAFTA a success in game theory but not in free market economics? Is Trump a protectionist or using those threats to get to free trade agreements? What is the market looking for in renegoti…
WIND: “I Have A Bean”
I Have A Bean, a coffee company in Wheaton, has a mission to employ men and women who have been in prison. Illinois has the second highest recidivism rate in the nation, but I Have A Bean’s employees…
WIND: Was The Stormy Daniels’ Hush Money A Campaign Contribution?
Has the confusion of Trump’s payment to Stormy Daniels’ helped bring a discussion of current campaign finance laws to the forefront? Should the hush money be considered a campaign contribution? Is th…
WIND: Should Catholics Call For The Resignation Of Pope Francis?
Should Pope Francis resign in the wake of the Vigano testimony? Why is Pope Francis not addressing the allegations directly? What did he know and when did he know it? Should conservative Catholics st…
WIND: Disingenuous Remarks From Democrats In Remembrance Of McCain
How should we remember John McCain? Can we separate his military service from his political career? When the left slanders Republicans is it just “politics"? Who and what can save Chicago? Is it a co…