Joshua Johnson
@joshualistening.bsky.social
Hey there! I anchor the Onion News Network (as Dwight Richmond). Former NBC & NPR. “A pure interviewing beast w/ballerina-like grace." -someone on reddit
I’m a former MSNBC anchor. Now that it’s changed to @ms.now I have a suggestion to overcome its past failures: stop being so grim. Try this instead.
Hope On-Air: How MS NOW Can Avoid the Failures of MSNBC
Lose the grim approach to politics, and try this instead
open.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I’m a former MSNBC anchor. Now that it’s changed to @ms.now I have a suggestion to overcome its past failures: stop being so grim. Try this instead.
News Editor’s Note: please don’t refer to July 4, 2026 as “America’s 250th Birthday”. The Declaration of Independence was signed six years after the Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770), so hostilities were well underway. Our Constitution wasn’t signed until 1787. America didn’t originate in 1776.
November 13, 2025 at 10:23 PM
News Editor’s Note: please don’t refer to July 4, 2026 as “America’s 250th Birthday”. The Declaration of Independence was signed six years after the Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770), so hostilities were well underway. Our Constitution wasn’t signed until 1787. America didn’t originate in 1776.
Kyle is a very dear friend of mine. Please read this true and loving account of how demonic these secret police are who conduct “immigration enforcement” in Chicago nowadays.
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Kyle is a very dear friend of mine. Please read this true and loving account of how demonic these secret police are who conduct “immigration enforcement” in Chicago nowadays.
WATCH (5 mins.)
Preventing Political Hatemongers From Recruiting Everyday People
Watch Now | What would you do to protect the ones you love? The key may not be confronting radicals, but intercepting potential recruits.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
WATCH (5 mins.)
LOVING the new ad from The Onion lampooning the pseudo-debate stylings of the YouTube channel @jubileemedia.bsky.social.
I shared my critique of their style in this week’s livestream (next in this thread)
I shared my critique of their style in this week’s livestream (next in this thread)
1 Onion Subscriber vs 20 Non-Subscribers on our new series: Encircled. Subscribe at https://membership.theonion.com/?campaign=701a500001bfegPAAQ to get the paper delivered to your door.
November 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
LOVING the new ad from The Onion lampooning the pseudo-debate stylings of the YouTube channel @jubileemedia.bsky.social.
I shared my critique of their style in this week’s livestream (next in this thread)
I shared my critique of their style in this week’s livestream (next in this thread)
Join me at the top of the hour!
LIVE STREAM, MONDAY NOV 3, 8P ET
Political violence has gone too far. Little is being done to prevent it nationwide... so let's do it ourselves. Join me as I lay out my new project: a game to encourage smart, honest debate in America. Let’s all help protect democracy, one argument at a time.
Political violence has gone too far. Little is being done to prevent it nationwide... so let's do it ourselves. Join me as I lay out my new project: a game to encourage smart, honest debate in America. Let’s all help protect democracy, one argument at a time.
A New Game to Prevent Political Violence in America
The midterms are one year away, and political tensions are heating up. It’s time we helped our divided country talk it out, so no one will choose to shoot it out. Join Joshua Johnson for an early look...
youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Join me at the top of the hour!
NEW PROJECT LIVESTREAM (Mon., Nov. 3, 8p ET)! Here are 4 slides from my presentation. Can you guess what it is? Join me and find out!
youtube.com/live/6HMVsET...
youtube.com/live/6HMVsET...
November 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM
NEW PROJECT LIVESTREAM (Mon., Nov. 3, 8p ET)! Here are 4 slides from my presentation. Can you guess what it is? Join me and find out!
youtube.com/live/6HMVsET...
youtube.com/live/6HMVsET...
LIVE STREAM, MONDAY NOV 3, 8P ET
Political violence has gone too far. Little is being done to prevent it nationwide... so let's do it ourselves. Join me as I lay out my new project: a game to encourage smart, honest debate in America. Let’s all help protect democracy, one argument at a time.
Political violence has gone too far. Little is being done to prevent it nationwide... so let's do it ourselves. Join me as I lay out my new project: a game to encourage smart, honest debate in America. Let’s all help protect democracy, one argument at a time.
A New Game to Prevent Political Violence in America
The midterms are one year away, and political tensions are heating up. It’s time we helped our divided country talk it out, so no one will choose to shoot it out. Join Joshua Johnson for an early look...
youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM
LIVE STREAM, MONDAY NOV 3, 8P ET
Political violence has gone too far. Little is being done to prevent it nationwide... so let's do it ourselves. Join me as I lay out my new project: a game to encourage smart, honest debate in America. Let’s all help protect democracy, one argument at a time.
Political violence has gone too far. Little is being done to prevent it nationwide... so let's do it ourselves. Join me as I lay out my new project: a game to encourage smart, honest debate in America. Let’s all help protect democracy, one argument at a time.
It’s time to stop political violence before it starts: by helping Americans talk it out, not shoot it out. I’d love your help.
I Made A Game To Prevent Political Violence. Let's Test It.
Americans don't debate the issues well. Wanna change that?
www.nightlightshow.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
It’s time to stop political violence before it starts: by helping Americans talk it out, not shoot it out. I’d love your help.
Seen in Chicago tonight.
October 18, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Seen in Chicago tonight.
The slow, steady erosion of journalism and press freedom hurts more than just our liberty. It hurts our sense of community. I’d miss this kind of connection if it all went away. Wouldn’t you?
October 17, 2025 at 3:32 AM
The slow, steady erosion of journalism and press freedom hurts more than just our liberty. It hurts our sense of community. I’d miss this kind of connection if it all went away. Wouldn’t you?
I’m really proud of the diverse stories we told at NBC News. I’ve linked two of my bigger projects below.
When the political tide turns back toward inclusion - and it will - Comcast will regret this move.
When the political tide turns back toward inclusion - and it will - Comcast will regret this move.
NBC News’ 150 Layoffs Gut Black, Latino, Asian American and LGBTQ+ Diversity Teams
The cuts affected teams across the NBC News operation and came as the network no longer needed to support two different news operations. MSNBC has begun growing its own newsroom, hiring swaths of tale...
www.thewrap.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:20 PM
I’m really proud of the diverse stories we told at NBC News. I’ve linked two of my bigger projects below.
When the political tide turns back toward inclusion - and it will - Comcast will regret this move.
When the political tide turns back toward inclusion - and it will - Comcast will regret this move.
Madagascar and Nepal just ousted their heads of state after weeks of Gen Z protests. Morocco has also been rocked by protests. I firmly believe in dialogue and debate, but direct action has power too. America taught the world to do it, and the world has learned well.
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Madagascar's president has left the country on French military plane - French radio RFI
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina is no longer believed to be in the country after being flown out of the African nation on a French military aircraft, following a deal with President Emmanuel Macron, French radio RFI reported on Monday.
www.reuters.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Madagascar and Nepal just ousted their heads of state after weeks of Gen Z protests. Morocco has also been rocked by protests. I firmly believe in dialogue and debate, but direct action has power too. America taught the world to do it, and the world has learned well.
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Thoughts on today’s Chicago Marathon, about the power of being on the sidelines:
open.substack.com/pub/nightlig...
open.substack.com/pub/nightlig...
Run On and See What the End Will Be (4-minute read)
In stressful times, being on the sidelines can do more good than you might think.
open.substack.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Thoughts on today’s Chicago Marathon, about the power of being on the sidelines:
open.substack.com/pub/nightlig...
open.substack.com/pub/nightlig...
Oliver Darcy is a reputable journalist covering the media industry. His reporting is disheartening, but not surprising. We’re gonna have to build some new news organizations to replace these, sooner or later.
…Anyone wanna help me do it?😎
…Anyone wanna help me do it?😎
News: Bari Weiss just sent a memo to staffers at CBS News asking them to produce a memo explaining "how you spend your working hours—and ideally, what you've made (or are making) that you're most proud of."
One CBS News staffer puts it like this to me: "We just got Elon Musked."
One CBS News staffer puts it like this to me: "We just got Elon Musked."
October 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Oliver Darcy is a reputable journalist covering the media industry. His reporting is disheartening, but not surprising. We’re gonna have to build some new news organizations to replace these, sooner or later.
…Anyone wanna help me do it?😎
…Anyone wanna help me do it?😎
If you love screwball, absurd comedy, treat yourself to this 20-minute mockumentary from @theonion.com. This is the funniest thing they’ve ever made, and we could use a good laugh right now. Don’t skip the credits.
youtu.be/XjhSoGcQhWU?...
youtu.be/XjhSoGcQhWU?...
The Onion Investigates: Jeffrey Epstein
YouTube video by The Onion
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
If you love screwball, absurd comedy, treat yourself to this 20-minute mockumentary from @theonion.com. This is the funniest thing they’ve ever made, and we could use a good laugh right now. Don’t skip the credits.
youtu.be/XjhSoGcQhWU?...
youtu.be/XjhSoGcQhWU?...
This is what it’s come to.
Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts
Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations. The Bonhams auction is to begin Nov. 11 in Los Angeles with three of the paintings.
apnews.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
This is what it’s come to.
RIP @cbsnews.com: 1927-2025
Paramount Buys Bari Weiss’s the Free Press for $150 Million
Weiss, who once said she was done with legacy media, is to take control of CBS News’s editorial vision, aiming for “news that reflects reality.”
www.wsj.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:58 PM
RIP @cbsnews.com: 1927-2025
Very pleased with how TEDxChicago went! Events like this remind us the world is still full of good people doing kind and brilliant things: many of them are brilliant because they’re kind. I’m drained, but I did well, so I’m having a treat. 😊
September 27, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Very pleased with how TEDxChicago went! Events like this remind us the world is still full of good people doing kind and brilliant things: many of them are brilliant because they’re kind. I’m drained, but I did well, so I’m having a treat. 😊
Friday is almost here! In rehearsals today… it’s going well. Looking forward to sharing my “big idea” at TEDxChicago!
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
September 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Friday is almost here! In rehearsals today… it’s going well. Looking forward to sharing my “big idea” at TEDxChicago!
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
Reposted by Joshua Johnson
Do you want to screen Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile in your town or city, unlike a cowardly major movie chain?
Email us at [email protected].
We'll allow you to screen it for free.
Yes, again, this is real.
Email us at [email protected].
We'll allow you to screen it for free.
Yes, again, this is real.
A very big Onion announcement:
The Onion has spent the last two months working on a masterpiece.
It's a documentary titled Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile.
It's so good, in fact, we were set to release it in theatres nationwide on October 2nd.
Then two weeks ago, Charlie Kirk was shot.
The Onion has spent the last two months working on a masterpiece.
It's a documentary titled Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile.
It's so good, in fact, we were set to release it in theatres nationwide on October 2nd.
Then two weeks ago, Charlie Kirk was shot.
September 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Do you want to screen Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile in your town or city, unlike a cowardly major movie chain?
Email us at [email protected].
We'll allow you to screen it for free.
Yes, again, this is real.
Email us at [email protected].
We'll allow you to screen it for free.
Yes, again, this is real.
Join me for this cinematic experience October 2nd!
Forget everything you already know about America's most notorious dead person. Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile is in select theaters October 2.
September 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Join me for this cinematic experience October 2nd!
How should you deal with people whose views you despise? I did it by sticking to all my professional principles… except one.
I’ll tell you in my TEDxChicago talk on Friday, Sept. 26th!
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
I’ll tell you in my TEDxChicago talk on Friday, Sept. 26th!
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
Join Joshua Johnson at TEDxChicago 2025 — TEDx Chicago
Friday, September 26th @ Harris Theater, Millennium Park
www.tedxchicago.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:29 PM
How should you deal with people whose views you despise? I did it by sticking to all my professional principles… except one.
I’ll tell you in my TEDxChicago talk on Friday, Sept. 26th!
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
I’ll tell you in my TEDxChicago talk on Friday, Sept. 26th!
www.tedxchicago.com/joshuajohnso...
I’ll address Charlie Kirk’s death at TEDx Chicago this month and share how I deal with people of every ideology. Enough with all this political violence. ENOUGH.
September 11, 2025 at 3:07 AM
I’ll address Charlie Kirk’s death at TEDx Chicago this month and share how I deal with people of every ideology. Enough with all this political violence. ENOUGH.
If my news editor fell for this morning's "Andy 100" prank on SiriusXM - who assumed that Howard Stern had left his show before, oh, I don't know, LISTENING TO THE FIRST 20 MINUTES - I'd suspend them for a week. I would be furious if we were this gullible.
Aim... THEN fire. Idjits. 🤦🏾♂️
Aim... THEN fire. Idjits. 🤦🏾♂️
September 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
If my news editor fell for this morning's "Andy 100" prank on SiriusXM - who assumed that Howard Stern had left his show before, oh, I don't know, LISTENING TO THE FIRST 20 MINUTES - I'd suspend them for a week. I would be furious if we were this gullible.
Aim... THEN fire. Idjits. 🤦🏾♂️
Aim... THEN fire. Idjits. 🤦🏾♂️