Episodes

David Faris examines the state of MAGA. Are they losing their minds or is this a carefully choreographed political strategy designed to win the election? Case in point...Trump's declaration that Kamala Harris was Indian before she was Black. If it's a strategy--as opposed to deranged racism--it's p…

Governor Pritzker makes his move to convince Kamala to select him as VP. Ben riffs. Pat Whalen riffs on Ben's riff. Then they're off, covering everything from MAGA disarray to Trump's racism to who Kamala should select as VP. Ben's answer to the that is--anyone but Shapiro. Pat's answer is...oh, ju…

Trump comes to Chicago to speak to Black journalists. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about MAGA’s attacks on journalism, Black journalists in particular and Black America in general. Having said all this—should the National Association of Black Journalists invited him to speak to their convention…

Illinois MAGA discovers the CTU has appealed its property tax assessment. Ben riffs. Nicole Cantello briefly riffs on Ben’s riff. Then she explains what Trump wants to do to federal employees. And that is—fire them and replace them with MAGA flunkies. Time to learn about Schedule F, folks. Nicole i…

With the Freak Show having just ended, Meredith Shiner turns her attention to the shit show that’s ongoing. That is, MAGA’s twisted cult-like convention is over while the Dems frantic efforts to convince President Biden to step down continues. Meredith is a communications consultant and longtime Wa…

The mainstreams give JB credit for a mega-south side project—Mayor Who? Ben riffs. Jasmine Wright talks about returning to her hometown to write a feature on Mayor Johnson. She also takes the deep dive on Vice President Harris, who she covered for years at CNN. Jasmine is a politics reporter for NO…

Kamala calls JB re V.P. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks Kamala, Black Trumpers, identity politics, conspiracy theories, crime, self hate and more. Marc hosts the podcast Just A Few Questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n…

Elon Musk says he's not really giving $45 million a month to Trump. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains Musk to Ben. Also explains Alderman Bill Conway and JD Vance and Lincoln Park liberals and Nikki Haley and Haley for Harris and few other things. Also, an I told you so about Kamala Harris repla…

Tom Near is a professor of Evolutionary Biology at Yale University—and the chair of the department. But back in the 1980s, he was a gang member in a rough-and-tumble neighborhood near Diversey and Clybourn on the North Side. Yes, kiddies—there was a time before gentrification on the North Side. Tom…

Maya Goldberg-Safir and Alissa Hirsh talk all things WNBA, including…the difference between men and women as sports fans. Male fragility in the press box. And where the league is going. Maya blogs about the Sky. And Alissa covers the Sky for The Next. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac…

Rummana Hussain explains Usha Vance's role in the Trump/Vance campaign. That is--she's using her background as an Indian-American woman to convince voters her husband, Senator JD Vance, is not a racist even if he's running with Trump. Good luck with that. Also, the roles of spouses in the campaigns…

With all eyes on the presidential race, Ben shifts his attention back to Chicago. At least for today. Brendan joins Ben to talk…Musical committee chairs in the council. Why do some alders hate on Byron Sigcho Lopez? What does the zoning committee chair do and why do we need a mayoral ally to do it?…

Gotta give JD Vance credit—he’s a great apple polisher. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan riffs on Ben’s riff. Meet Peter Thiel. On other topics… Is a case of COVID President Biden’s exit excuse? Jim explains how the MAGA Supremes teamed up with Judge Cannon to enable Trump to avoid trials until after the elec…

Alderman David Moore camps out in a tent in his ward as a tactic to fight violence. Ben riffs. And Alderman Moore explains what he’s doing with that tent and why. Also, he talks ShotSpotter and his defer-and-publish showdown with Alderman Daniel La Spata. And he offers a parable about the Lion, the…

Mueze Bawany takes on all the issues. Talking…Biden and Dems. Fascism and Trump. Bears on the eve of the season. Men and women as basketball fans. And Ben’s beloved Bulls. A high school football coach and unapologetic lefty, Mueze is Chicago’s foremost authority on football. Aside from his inexplic…

David Faris spares no details pointing out the ripple effect if Trump beats Biden in a landslide—the White House, House and Senate. And the Supreme Court, which MAGA already controls. In short, Trump’s coattails. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Sla…

As Rummana Hussain and Ben sat down to talk, it was the day after an excessive night of Fourth of July fireworks as Americans ostensibly celebrate their independence from one king, while preparing to elect another. Then President Biden declared he was staying in the race regardless of what anyone t…

Hey, Dems, look on the bright side—at least people are paying attention to Biden. Ben riffs. Kina Collins breaks down the election—crazies, cowards and the couch. Who’s on the couch and why. And everything wrong with Dems with the Cisneros-Cuellar congressional race as exhibit A. That said, Kina sa…

Laurie and Tara explain what’s going on in France, politically speaking, and what it means for politics right here in the USA. A must listen to learn the basics of French politics and to hear Ben butcher the pronunciation of Macron, Le Pen, Bardella, Melenchon and a few other French names. Stick ar…

Nancy Pelosi gives a master class in passive aggressiveness as she more or less gently tries to tell President Biden it’s time to step down. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson seconds that motion. Again, more or less. And then explains why some people are reluctant to endorse Kamala Harris. Also, why won’t…

Biden in 2023 = Daley in 2006. Ben riffs. He can’t help himself! Always making everything about Chicago politics. Speaking of which, Peter Cunningham riffs on Ben’s riff. Going back to his ‘06 Daley talking points as though time has stopped. Then he explains why he’s sticking with Joe. And what Bid…

Chris Pennant ponders a few of the big bball political questions of the day, including…what is it that makes basketball-hating, hockey-loving, Trump-voting MAGA men fall in love with Caitlin Clark? Also, why are the experts who run the Bulls and the Sky incapable of signing any player who can shoot…

In December 2019, a true Chicago legend, Edward "Buzz" Palmer, came to the studio to talk about his life as military man, internationally renown activist, retired Chicago Police Department officer and founder of the Afro-American Patrolmen's League. Mr. Palmer died in 2021. See Privacy Policy at …

Julie Lynn explains why ballot initiatives on abortion are not quite the game changers Dems think they are. As if Dems didn’t have enough problems. More to the point, they will not protect abortion as a right once Trump gets elected and bows to the zealots and bans it. Julie is a communications con…