Episodes

Fun is over, the Sun-Times proclaims. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks all things politics. Including her New Republic essay about the mainstreams. Their reality is not our reality. Meredith and Ben cover everything from Trump on reproductive rights to Nancy Pelosi to Keith Olbermann’s dramatic reading of the aforementioned New Republic essay to Rahm’s inflated sense of self to whether Kamala should be interviewed by the NYT. Meredith is a former Washington-based journalist, media consultant and 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.

WBEZ editor and demographer Alden Loury talks about the Sun-Times/BEZ expose on Mayor Rahm’s school closings. Bottom line—a lot of broken promises. He also analyses the connection between closing schools and losing people. And he gets personal about his glory days at Foster Park school on the south side back in the ‘80s.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mueze Bawany talks all things Bears. But first Ben gets something off his chest about the ingratitude and indifference the Bulls show for their great players from the past. Then it’s onto Caleb Williams, Ian Wheeler, Coach Matt, cutting players, office furniture, where to get a good fade in Chicago and other things on our mind. Mueze is a teacher and football coach.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the DNC behind us, David Faris breaks down the race. What worked for the Dems at their convention, what didn’t. What did Kamala Harris achieve in her speech. Why do Dems keep calling Bill Clinton to the stage. Trump’s return to North Carolina. And the impact of the uncommitted movement. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and columnist for Newsweek and Slate. 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.

Obviously, Kamala Harris does not listen to Ben’s show. Or she would have invited a Palestinian-American to speak at the DNC. Ben riffs. And then Kina Collins takes the deep dive on the convention. Covering everything from the roll call to the Walz family to the unforced error of alienating the uncommitted movement to the great debate between policy v pizzazz. And more. Kina is an 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.

Barack and Michelle take the DNC stage. Ben riffs. Then Monroe returns to talk all things convention. Including..do something (but don't mention Gaza) and roll call (Ben weeps) and Black cowboys in South Dakota, and going high as opposed to going low and whether Barack still has the magic, and Michelle's Black Jobs jab and Barack's little dickie jab (is that too low?) and Monroe's latest prediction. Hint--Trump won't like it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben’s back from Michigan. But he still has Michigan on his mind. Especially something he saw amidst the Trump signs along the highway. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace riffs right back. Then they talk about day one of the Democratic Convention. Particularly…should Dems go high or low in their speeches. Mark hosts a local podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A lot of things happened this weekend—to put it mildly. Ben riffs on everything from the Trump shooting to Vance as VP to Amber Rose as MAGA spokeswoman to opening night of MAGA’s convention. Denali Dasgupta tells you what you need to know about the 2025 Project blueprint—a document she read so you won’t have to. Also, the Denali Book Club examines Small Mercies, a novel set in Boston in 1976 when white people revolted against forced school busing. It was the seeds of MAGA. Denali is an activist and former aldermanic candidate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump comes to Chicago and insults Black people. Ben riffs. Mike Nellis explains how he and some friends created White Dudes for Harris. How they were so successful that Musk shut them down, Okay, we don’t know if Musk shut them down. Probably just a coincidence that their Twitter account died. Mike talks about whether Trump’s attempt to “other” Kamala Harris hurt or hindered his campaign. Mike is a political strategist and diehard Notre Dame football fan. Please don’t hold the latter against him.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kamala Harris selects a running mate. Ben jumps for joy. Delmarie riffs on Ben’s joy. Then they take the deep dive on why MAGA hates Black women, Trump’s appearance at NABJ, and why Black people think the Trump shooting was fake. And much more. Delmarie is a political strategist and founder of Ida’s Legacy—an organization dedicated to the promotion of Black women in progressive politics. Originally ran August 6, 2024. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For well over a year, David Faris had urged Democrats to find another presidential candidate to replace President Biden. And last week, Biden himself…well, you know what Biden did. David talks Biden, Kamala, and the challenges ahead. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. Originally dropped July 27, 2024.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mayoral runoff, life under Lori, Joe Biden in the POTUS race, baseball player Tim Anderson and MORE with Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. Originally ran April 29, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Biden to Harris. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks Biden, Harris, Gaza, Bernie, AOC, Sean O’Brien at the MAGA convention. And more. Miles is an editor/writer at 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.

The Tribune calls Ben “great”. Ben riffs. Then Ben and Monroe talk some local news—should Mayor Johnson remove the George Washington statue from City Hall? How about replacing it with a statue of Hercules Posey? Then it’s on to national news. The Trump shooting, the MAGA convention, JD Vance. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Trae Crowder met JD Vance it was the early days of Trump. And JD came across as a relatively sane moderate who thought Trump was awful. As any normal person would. Then Vance obviously concluded to get along you gotta…well, let Trae tell you everything you need to know about the deal that Vance, now Trump’s running mate, must have made with the MAGA devil. Trae is a comedian known as the Liberal Redneck. You can follow him on YouTube and TikTok.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sergio Vicente explains why MAGA hates Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who just won the gold medal. Basically, they don’t like strong women. Speaking of strong women—a word or two about Kamala. And some advice for his beloved left. Sergio hosts The Fight, the world’s greatest combat sport podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain asks what it says about American politics for everyone to assume that Vice President Harris must select a white male running mate. Also, a few words about the insistence of a New York Times liberal columnist that women not be excited to elect a woman president. Why are liberals so scared to be liberals? And more. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are here own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fifty years ago today, President Nixon resigned. Ben riffs. Steve Krafft gives the state of the state of Arizona and the country post Biden stepping down. A different world. Other topics include…The difference between Republicans and MAGA. The pressures on FOX TV to call the election for Trump. Baby Bobby voters. What’s wrong with local TV news. And a word about disco. Steve was a longtime TV reporter in Arizona. One more thing—he’s a proud graduate of Nichols Junior High.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a moment of uncharacteristic giddiness, Ben likens Cole Hocker’s come-from-behind win in the Olympics 1500 meter race to what Kamala will do to Trump come November. Litesa Wallace explains why she’s not as optimistic. Speaking from personal experience from her days in the Illinois legislature, Litesa analyses MAGA’s hatred for feeding school children. Also, a few words about who Litesa wanted Kamala to pick as her running mate and why. Caught Ben off guard with that one. Litesa is a former state Rep and candidate for lieutenant governor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tim Walz makes his debut. But Ben's still fixated on some insane tweet from Trump. Does this bode well for MAGA? Monroe weighs in from an undisclosed hangout. He's talking Kamala, Walz, Shapiro, Trump and the inside story of what happened last week with Trump at the National Association of Black Journalists. Also, does Monroe agree with the gloom-and-doom crowd?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gregory Pratt talks mayors. In particular…is everyone from the CTU to corporate Chicago treating Mayor Johnson differently than his predecessors? Duh. Well then—how? Also, Greg compares Mayor Lightfoot to President Biden. Greg is a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune and author of the book: The City is Up For Grabs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Four years ago, Toni Oh came on this show to explain why he, a decorated Marine, did not stand for the national anthem. It's one of our most popular episodes. Now he explains why and how he's changed his attitude about standing for the anthem. And why he's sick and tired of MAGA cultists claiming that they're the real patriots.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderwoman Nicole Lee talks all things politics, including...the Asian-American community in the USA is not a monolith. Something the Dems need to understand as they move forward. Also, why she endorsed Kamala Harris before just about any other Illinois Democrat. And a word or two or three about the White Sox stadium. Nicole is, after all, the alderwoman of the 11th ward which is where the current Sox stadium is located. She's also a delegate to the Democratic Convention. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 probably bound to fail. David explains why. David Faris is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. He's also one of the only Democratic-leaning pundits who begged and pleaded for Biden not to run for re-election--and he was making this case long before it was fashionable. 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.