The Neal Larson Show
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.
The Neal Larson Show
2.25.2026 - SOTU Review, Clown Car, Idaho Debates
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Neal Larson and Julie Mason open their February 25th, 2026 broadcast with a detailed analysis of a recent State of the Union address, which they generally praise for its solid structure and celebratory tone, rating it a B+/A-. They note the speech was "Trump-esque" with familiar catchphrases but appreciated that it didn't require them to "justify" the president's statements, a departure from past frustrations. Highlights included recognizing heroes such as Erica Kirk, whose husband, Charlie Kirk, was mentioned by Trump in the speech as having been "murdered for his beliefs," as well as celebrating the US men's hockey team.
The discussion quickly turns to a sharp critique of the Democratic Party's political standing and their behavior during the SOTU. Julie Mason labels the field of potential Democratic presidential nominees—including Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—as a "total clown car" lacking a clear frontrunner. Both hosts express dismay at the Democrats' perceived negativity, their refusal to applaud consensus issues (like honoring the mother of a daughter killed by an illegal immigrant or the hockey team), and their "circus-like" counter-events. The episode also delves into Idaho legislative matters, particularly debates around e-verify bills for employers and a controversial "brown face" testimony incident involving David Pettinger, sparking discussion on free speech versus racially insensitive acts and the awkward position lawmakers found themselves in.
### Highlight List
* Hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason analyze a recent State of the Union, rating Trump's speech positively for its structure and celebratory tone, while noting its "Trump-esque" style.
* Strong criticism is leveled at the Democratic Party, whose pool of presidential hopefuls is labeled a "clown car," and whose lawmakers are called out for their negative reactions and refusal to applaud during the SOTU.
* Discussion covers immigration policy, the primary duty of government to protect citizens, and the complexities of e-verify bills and employer responsibilities in the Idaho legislature.
* The incident of David Pettinger testifying in "brown face" during an Idaho legislative hearing is examined, probing the challenging balance between freedom of expression and addressing racially insensitive acts.
* Gavin Newsom's controversial comment about Kamala Harris and Willie Brown is highlighted, interpreted as an attempt to undermine her political ascent.
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