Episodes
Monroe Anderson - "Donny Don't Play"
Trump forces Disney to its knees. Ben riffs. Monroe says I told you so. Trump is the emperor-elect, the media better get in line. A word or two about the Des Moines Register case. And Trump greeting Daniel Penny at the Army-Navy game. Finally, a few thoughts about why white people embrace Mayor Eri…
Perri Small - "Budget Balance"
The city council passes a budget and instead of praising Mayor Johnson, everyone’s hating on him. Ben riffs. Perri Small riffs on Ben’s riff. Explaining what’s going in words that north siders know is true even if they’d never admit it. A few words about pardoning Jesse Jackson Jr. And reflections …
Jim Coogan--Out of Order
For seven years, Jim Coogan has been keeping track of the prosecution of Donald Trump for his various crimes. Now with MAGA having pardoned Trump by electing him president, it's time to consider Trump's revenge. Should President Biden anticipate the persecution with massive pardons? Jim Coogan is a…
Heidi Henry -- Knockin' on MAGA's Door
Shooting of an insurance executive in New York exposes hatred of our privatized health-care system. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry riffs on Ben’s riff. Then she talks about running as a New Deal Democrat in Trump country. And some of the strange comments she heard from voters while going door-to-door. Also…
Rummana Hussain—The Smell of Trump
Rummana Hussain contemplates a universe where men want to smell like Trump. Hence, the prez elect is selling cologne. He’ll sell anything knowing that MAGA will buy it. Also, Rummana vigorously defends Chicago voters after Ben asserts—they’d jump into the lake, if Baby Daley told them it was a good…
Kina Collins - "MAGA Chorus"
MAGA has a curious inconsistency when it comes to gun-toting vigilantes. Ben riffs. Kina Collins talks about MAGA messaging. They stay on message even if what they say today contradicts what they said yesterday. Which gets into their contradictory attitudes toward Luigi Mangione and Kyle Rittenhous…
Monroe Anderson - "Be Nice 2 Donny!"
Alderman Vasquez and the Sun-Times suggest that Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker are being too belligerent in their anti-Trump rhetoric. And that the way to keep Trump and Homan from locking up Chicagoans or cutting off aid to Chicago is to be super nice. Like Blago. Or Mayor Adams in NYC. Ben r…
Dave Glowacz - "Homan Hype"
Trump’s Border Czar comes to the northwest side, but he’s not talking about Chicago’s border with Skokie. Ben riffs. Dave Glowacz returns to discuss the absurdity of the ongoing budget spectacle. Which is more of a pageantry staged by aldermen and mayor to fool Chicagoans into thinking their city i…
Jack White—Infinite Stupidity
In an effort to prove that Albert Einstein was correct when he said stupidity was infinite, Americans elect Trump. That’s how much they hate, fear or envy powerful Black women. Now they awake to realize they’ve turned the country over to lunatics. Jack White discusses. Shoutout to Kareem Abdul Jabb…
Rummana Hussain—Trump Takes Lincolnwood
Just as we were set to record, word breaks. Bears fire Coach Eberflus. After he awakes from passing out, Ben riffs. Then Rummana Hussain explains why she couldn’t care less. Then the discussion turns to politics. Rummana sees a Trump flag in Lincolnwood. Are Trump voters stupid? Rummana is an edito…
David Faris--Democratic Self-Flagellation
David Faris talks pardons. Including Hunter Biden and January 6 insurgents. And he offers advice to Democrats--stop the self-flagellation. It's embarrassing. And counter productive. A few words about Trump's nominees. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist fo…
Marc Sims - "Waste of Time"
Mayor Johnson and his Board of Ed think it’s a good idea to fire Pedro Martinez. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks race and politics in Chicago. Also explains why mainstreamers have turned him against the mayor. “They control his narrative.” So true. Marc sorta defends north side liberals. Key word being …
Monroe Anderson - "Pardon Day"
The mainstreams rejoice over Mayor Rahm’s return from exile. Ben riffs. Monroe explains why mainstream journalists love Rahm so much. Sorry, Mayors Johnson and Lightfoot—you will never get that kind of love. Monroe defends President Biden’s Hunter pardon. Ben’s all over the map on that one. And a f…
Alvin Tillery - "Moana 2 Tuesday"
The most popular movie in America is what you might call “politically correct”. Ben riffs. Alvin Tillery examines the Democratic outreach to Black voters. In short, Dems, you should consider a new strategy. Also, is the Democratic ceiling for white vote in prez elections at 45 percent? Will Marjori…
Sergio Vicente--The Jake Paul Generation
Sergio Vicente explains how the rise of Jake Paul is a metaphor for the age of Trump. An age of women-hating white guys, entitled brats. Don't get him started. Also, a few words about the Black vote. And was the Mike Tyson fight rigged? And could he, Sergio, beat Jake Paul, if he had a year to get …
Flint Taylor--December 4, 1969
In preparation of publication of his latest book on the assassination of Fred Hampton, Flint Taylor talks about the role of the FBI, and the police in the murder and the role of Mayor Richard J. Daley and the media in the coverup. Not the finest of moments for the Tribune, that's for sure. Everythi…
Rami Faraj—Uncommited USA
Rami Faraj examines the vote out of Dearborn, Michigan. A city he once lived in. As he explains the difference between a Trump voter and an uncommitted Democrat on the issue of funding Israel’s slaughter in Gaza. Apparently, shut up and vote Democrat doesn’t work. Rami is an activist and teacher in…
Benny J- - "Happy Thanksgiving"
It’s Thanksgiving. Time to give thanks… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monroe Anderson - "Serafin Shindig"
Having had a great year turning the public against teachers and a lefty mayor, the mainstreams throw a party. Ben riffs. Monroe gives an eye-witness report of the shindig. Then it’s off to Trump. Why does Trump live putting a Black man in housing? And more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/…
Ald. Gil Villegas - "Boris and Danny"
Who’s more corrupt—Boris Epshteyn or Danny Solis. Ben riffs. Gil Villegas covers the bases. Are the current aldermen Jake Paul’s? Is there such a thing as the Latino vote? Why did Gallegos win and Kamala in Arizona? Is there really a crisis at the border or have we been gaslit by Donny? And is he r…
David Faris—2016 Again
The Dems swore they wouldn’t go back. But back they went—to 2016. David Faris tells you everything you need to know about what went down last Tuesday. While Ben tries to stay sane. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are h…
Meredith Shiner—Bring In The Clowns
Meredith Shiner and Ben talk all things Trump II—the early days. We’d be laughing if the consequences weren’t so painful. Meredith is a political columnist for The New Republic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-…
Mark Wallace - "Book Ban"
MAGA says they hate censorship but loves banning books. Ben riffs. Podcaster Mark Wallace predicts a day of reckoning for this country is just ahead. He predicts Mitch O’Connell will close out his career by doing something he’s never done before—the right thing. And he riffs on the myth of the “Bla…
Peter Cunningham - "Justice 4 Jussie"
Breaking News—Illinois Supremes overturn Jussie conviction. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham talks lessons learned from the election. As the show’s resident centrist—every lefty show needs one—he says the Dems lost the message battle. Ben says—any old white guy could have beat Trump. And they’re off. Al…