Episodes

Dems rejoice over a victory in a state senate election in Pennsylvania. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn continues the positivity. Dyett High wins a state bball championship. Remember when Mayor Rahm tried to close it? Then Laurie riffs. Asking the big questions, like...can peace and love beat war and hate? Will geezer Dems ever give it up for a younger generation? And wake up America! Which is not a question but an answer. Laurie is a political consultant and strategist who speaks from her heart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wisconsin voters tell Trump and Musk—stay out of our business! Ben riffs on Judge Crawford’s big win. Delmarie Cobb congratulates Wisconsin voters for doing the right thing and breaks down why they did it. In no particular order—can’t stand Musk, support abortion rights and in general think Trump’s lost his freaking mind. Well, that last one may be Ben’s take. Also, a shoutout to Senator Booker for breaking Strom Thurmond’s record. And a history lesson or two about Thurmond and Jesse Jackson. Delmarie is a political strategist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old TikTok influencer who's never held office, challenges Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky in the 9th congressional district--as a bunch of Boomers and Gen Xers lose their collective minds at her audacity. Ben riffs. Kat joins the show to talk about her candidacy, her background, what the Dems need to do to beat MAGA, her days at Media Matters, her battles with Musk, her investigation of Tucker Carlson and more. Hear Ben boomersplain The White Lotus to Kat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D examine the week that was. Including…The Durbin revolt. Do any high profile Dems have the guts to make Senator Durbin pay for his filibuster vote? Short answer—no! Long answer—no way. Hold it! Time out for Giddey. Back to politics. Kat, the zee-lennial, challenges Congresswoman Schakowsky. What do the “whisperers” say? Governor Pritzker goes to Mexico. Comptroller Mendoza finds her inner White Lotus. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA has a curious way of processing their opposition to the cuts Trump is making—it’s Musk’s fault! Ben riffs. Alderman Gil Villegas breaks down the false narratives Trump employees to justify the unjustifiable. Like social security is a Ponzi scam. And it helps veterans to cut programs that helps veterans. Also, his encounter with X's bots. A few words on "buy the dip"--Eric Trump's pleasure at the country's misfortune. And how he’d have voted on the filibuster. Hint--differently than Schumer and Durbin. Gil is alderman of the 36th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rosie O'Donnell decides to sit out the Trump years in Ireland, trashing the U.S. press corps as she runs off to safety. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks about cuts at the Sun-Times. And the desperate state of journalism. A few words about Bill Maher, once Mr. Politically Incorrect, crying like a snowflake cause he thinks Saturday Night Live was mean to MAGA. Boo hoo, hoo, Billy. Also, what's with Rummana's hat? Has she gone MAGA? Look again. Rummana is an columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump thought it was a good idea to put a lunatic in charge of national health. Now Robert Kennedy has a big idea to deal with the avian flu. Ben riffs. Monroe covers the latest madness from Trump World. Including... the El Salvador deportations, Trump's defiance of federal judges, Trump's attempts to make Black people invisible, MAGA's war on experts and the beginning of the end. Don't worry--it's a good thing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mahmoud Khalil learns there's an asterisk to MAGA's dedication to free speech. Ben riffs. Joanna Klonsky says if you're waiting for Trump, Musk or MAGA to be principled, you'll be waiting a long time. Then the talk turns to centrist Dems and the continuing resolution showdown. Is appeasement the best strategy for dealing with Trump? Also, does Mayor Rahm really think he'll be president? And the next big fight--Judge Susan Crawford's campaign for Wisconsin Supreme Court. Joanna is a political strategist and publicist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senator Schumer, leader of the senate Dems, rolls over for Trump on the continuing resolution. Ben riffs. David Faris takes it from there. Explaining why the Dems should have kept the filibuster going. And how they wound up giving even more power to Trump. And how it shows divisions in the Democratic Party and uncertainty as to how to deal with a tyrant. He also answers the Benji question. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr. D hop on JB’s presidential tour bus as it goes to Texas and Chicago and New Hampshire. Mayor Rahm has no tour bus. But he does have a puff piece in Politico heralding his potential prez campaign. And the city council debates RayLo’s fur ban. Can Dennis pass the who-voted-how trivia test? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After trashing electric cars for years, Trump pimps for Tesla to help make money for Musk. Ben riffs. Kina Collins explains Gavin Newsom's new-found love for Charlie Kirk--think of it as "white dude's white duding." Also, a primer on the short-sighted foolishness of Democrats who did not support Congressman Al Green. They lost a chance to shine a spotlight on MAGA's talk of cutting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. C'mon, Dems--think! Kina Collins is a west side activist and former congressional candidate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ten Democratic congressmen vote to censure Congressman Al Green for the high crime of telling the truth about Trump. Ben riffs. Ken Mejia-Beal adds his two cents.Pointing out that the DuPage area Dems--Casten and Underwood--somehow managed not to wimp out even though they represent Purplish districts. Also, "the transformation of Bill Maher into a jackass." And a few not very complimentary words about Mayor Rahm's seventh-grade bathroom joke. Ken is the former chair of the DuPage County Democrats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just another day in MAGA, USA--Trump threatens to lock up agitators. Guilty or not. Ben riffs. Nicole Cantello offers an update on the Trump-Musk war against federal employees. The bizarre often contradictory orders. Like the return-to-the-office directives. Followed by proposals to sell the buildings they're supposed to return to. It's pretty clear Trump and Musk don't know what they're doing. Unless their main purpose is to torture good people in a sadistic game of psychological warfare. Nicole is the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Be happy, Chicago--your local politicians made the big time. Mayor Johnson testified before congress, Governor Pritzker was a guest on The View, and lest we forget--Mayor Rahm made an ass of himself on Bill Maher's show. Ben and Dr. D break it all down and tell you what it means. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump gives a speech to congress. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson--back from his world travels--asks and answers all the big questions. Such as...Is there anything more pathetic than MAGA continuing to bow to Trump even as he drives them broke with his inflationary policies? Why do voters care about the price of eggs when Biden's president and not when Trump's president? Will voters ever realize a tariff is a tax they have to pay? Will Chicago's Republicans come out from hiding to criticize Trump for raising taxes? Or will they continue to pretend like he doesn't exist cause they're too chicken to criticize him? While we're on the subject--why are Republicans so brave when it comes to criticizing Mayor Johnson, but so scared of Trump? Good to have you you back, Monroe! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump punishes AP for not bowing to his commands. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke joins the conversation with memories of how Mayors Daley and Rahm treated reporters they didn't like. What kind of country will we have if the press is controlled by the president? Then some memories of people who recently died. Tuyet Le. Jerry "the Iceman" Butler. And Roberta Flack. Mick is an editor for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Good news for lefties—CM Punk dons a CTU sweatshirt. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains how MAGA creates its own reality. And how they hate leftists but love leftist critiques. And how they hate unions but love unionized workers. Or so they say. And more. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After ordering federal employees not to even mention DEI, Trump throws a party in the White House to celebrate Black History Month--MAGA style. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez covers the news. Including...the free speech debate, Gaza protest puppets, Chicago City Council disinformation, and signs of hope. Rossana is the alderwoman of the 33rd ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Bannon, Trump's ideological brain, gives the Nazi salute to a bunch of MAGA lovers and Governor Pritzker warns we’re looking a little too like Germany in the `30s. Ben riffs. David Faris explores this theme--American voters saw what Trump did on January 6 and voted for him anyway. What does this say about our democracy? David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA writes a script for teachers which makes no sense. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks resistance. What must be done and who must do it. Also, a few words about the midterms. And the mayor. And the people who want to be mayor. And a sorta shoutout to her libertarian critics. Who are not really libertarians. Stacy is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and the doctor are in the house, talking a week’s worth of news. Including… Governor Pritzker's 2026 budget address. The latest Trump poll, paid for by JB Pritzker. Also known as...President Pritzker. And the first in a series—the Chicago Mayoral Candidate spotlight. Yes, 2027 is right around the corner. Also, Dennis takes the 2019 mayoral trivia test. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump says no judge tells him what to do! Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain ponders the day’s great questions. Can Trump remove the Associated Press from the White House cause they won't bow to his commands? Can he disobey the rulings of federal judges? Can he command Palestinians to leave Gaza? Is that even a plan or just Trump trash talking? Is Trump more powerful than Mayor Daley was in Chicago? Also, a few words about the AP style book. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump decides it's okay to ignore the rulings of federal judges. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks about her revelation. It's time Democrats took back their party from the feckless consultant class that runs it. Hence, it's time to primary all incumbents. Including Senator Durbin right here in Illinois. As she suggested she might do in a recent essay. Was that for real or satire? Does it matter? She also explains why Democratic senators do the things they do. Like not filibustering. Meredith is a former capitol hill reporter and a 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-my-info.

Ben and Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news, including…President Pritzker. Yes, Ben’s sticking to his prediction. Former speaker Madigan. He was convicted. Mainly cause he didn’t pledge his allegiance to Trump. And New York City’s Mayor Adams. He did pledge allegiance to Trump and, voila, charges dropped. And Blago. Pardoned. And may be nominated ambassador to Serbia. A few words about Mayor Rahm and his new gig with CNN. And finally…a visit to Mayor Johnson’s gift room. Don’t touch those cuff links! Imagine how big Trump’s gift room would be. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.