Episodes
“Oh, What A Week” with Chris Scott
Political strategist Chris Scott helps Ben make sense out of this week’s news and newsmakers from Washington. Including…Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, MAGA house speaker ineptitude, Senator Menendez scandal, gerrymandering strategy and more. Chris is the co-founder of the Advance the Electorate PAC. S…
Anderson and Mondragon—The Trump Suit Debate
Tommy Tuberville, MAGA senator from Alabama, blocks Biden military nominees to force the administration to weaken its support for abortion rights. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Ben debate whether election lawyer Adolfo Mondragon, should file a ballot access case against Trump on the grounds that h…
"The Middle East Comes to Chicago" and Leor Galil
The Chicago City Council delves into the Middle East. Ben riffs. Leor Galil defends Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez. And pleads with Israel not to retaliate to Hamas’s slaughter of Israelis by invading Gaza and slaughtering Palestinians. Leor is a Jewish-American who has family in Israel. He also happ…
Alex Holder—Inside Trump’s World
In 2020, filmmaker Alex Holder got the word he couldn’t quite believe. President Trump okayed Holder to have access to his re-election run. Apparently, Trump thought it would depict his triumph. It didn’t work out that way. As you can see by watching Unprecedented, Alex’s documentary. After hearing…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—Transformations
Mayor Johnson shows he’s learned a thing or two about the budget games that mayors play. Ben riffs. In These Times editor Miles Kampf-Lassin takes the deep dive on labor. Particularly…United Auto Workers threatens strike as negotiations with the Big Three automakers hits an impasse. And he and Ben …
Mayor Brandon Johnson—At The Promontory
On September 5, 2023, Mayor Johnson joined Ben and Maya on stage at the Promontory club in Hyde Park for First Tuesdays. For more than an hour, the mayor took questions. He looked like was having so much fun that he might still be there talking, just like old times, if not for a certain press side …
“Oh, What A Week” with Angela Caputo
Dick Butkus dies at age 80. Ben riffs. Journalist Angela Caputo talks about the investigative Project on Race and Equity. And its first major investigation: Black drivers are being stopped in record numbers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/…
Denali Dasgupta—Don’t Be Scared
A column from 1991 on mental health clinic shows that so much remains the same. Ben riffs. Activist Denali Dasgupta takes the deep dive on the influx of asylum seekers. Is this a crisis or an opportunity? And a word or two about a new Harvard professor named Lightfoot. See Privacy Policy at https…
"Lefty Army" and Monroe Anderson
Alderman Lopez announces he’s running against Congressman Jesus Garcia. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talk all things coup they ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
State Senator Lakesia Collins—Back Rooms
State Senator Lakesia Collins reveals the behind the scenes efforts to make it to the senate. Lessons for lefties—learn how to count your votes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oh, What A [Past] Week with Adolfo Mondragon
So much to discuss on so many fronts! Good thing attorney Adolfo Mondragon, the renaissance man, is in the house. On the docket…White Sox want more money. Or they’ll leave. Hispanic white nationalists. MAGA debate. How Trump and Ed Burke and Michael Madigan pay their lawyers with money they raise …
David Faris—Right In The Constitution
Roosevelt University political scientist David Faris talks amendment 14. Specifically, why it should be invoked to keep Trump off the ballot. Also, a word or two about Republican efforts to rebrand their “pro-life” message into a “pro-baby” one. Doesn’t get much absurd than this, people. See Priv…
"Oh, What-A-Week" with Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle
Ben and Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle take the deep dive on a week’s worth of immigration news. Or more like 40 years worth of immigration news. Cause if you really want to understand what’s going on at any moment in time you have to take some time to understand how that moment came to be. And so we talk f…
Boclin and Klinkenberg: Hoop Hysteria
Comedians Eytan Boclin and Liam Klinkenberg co-directed arguably the funniest movie of the year—a ten-minute mockumentary that has absolutely nothing to do with Hoop Dreams, Steve James epic movie. Despite the name. Which is sorta the first joke. They explain everything you need to know about the m…
"Close That Door" and Miles Kampf-Lassin
Chicago aldermen who are descendants of immigrants find their inner MAGA as they say to Venezuelans—get out! Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin takes the deep dive on the UAW strike. President Biden joins strikers on front lines, while Trump visits a non-union shop. Miles is an editor/writer for In Thes…
"Take Down That Sign" and Monroe Anderson
Judge in New York City rules against Trump—basically calls his enterprise a fraud. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks consequences. And asks—why have so many Chicago Dems sucked up to Trump? Also, the deep dive on Fox gaslighting scaredy cat Dems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and…
Brendan Shiller—When In Doubt
Mayor Johnson’s administration sues Kia to crack down on car thefts. Folks make fun of the mayor. Ben riffs. Brendan Shiller—activist, lawyer, poker player—returns and offers…A tribute to George Atkins. A new take on Sox shooting. And a few words about MAGA’s attempt to re-make Trump into Tupac. …
Steve James—Ted and Joan
Filmaker Steve James talks about his latest documentary—A Compassionate Spy. It tells the story of Ted Hall, a brilliant scientist at Los Almos who actually did what the fantasies accused Robert Oppenheimer of doing—turning nuclear secrets over to the Soviets. It’s also a love story, featuring Joan…
“Oh, What A [Past] Week” with Delmarie Cobb
Political strategist Delmarie Cobb and Ben break it all down, including…Jerry Reinsdorf speaks. Do we agree with what he says? Why Bronzeville didn’t develop like Wrigleyville. Heated Hyde Park debate over asylum speakers. The Republican primary—is there any voter Delmarie can even remotely see her…
"Oh, What-A-Week" with Rachel Hinton
Rachel Hinton, investigative reporter for Block Club, joins Ben to explain or try to figure out what’s going on the news. Including…Garde World’s $29 million tent deal with the city. Interim police superintendent Fred Waller takes the fall for Sox Park shooting. Does Trump have a first amendment pr…
Sam Holloway—The Threat
The Sox Park shooting exemplifies why it’s best to hold off on judgment until you know all the facts. Ben riffs. Radical firefighter Sam Holloway returns with a lefty’s take on Trump, Dems and fascist threats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/…
"C'mon Mr. Mayor" and State Rep. Kam Buckner
The Johnson Administration inks a $29 million contract with a bunch of Right Wingers from Florida to build tents for asylum seekers. Ben tried not to lose his mind as he riffs. Why can’t we put Chicagoans to work? State Rep Kam Buckner weighs in on the deal. A few words on the end of cash bail. A f…
Marc Sims—Summer Song
Tupac didn’t say the line Mayor Johnson said he said and boomer journalists have (too) much love for Dr. Arwady. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims talks White Sox threat to leave Chicago, crime, schools, Friday swim club and…golf? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy…
"Council Explainer" and Monroe Anderson
Several aldermen vote against accepting a federal grant to help cover the cost of taking care of asylum seekers. Ben tries to explain the inexplicable. Monroe Anderson talks Jann Wenner, West Point affirmative action, Hunter Biden and Republicans on UAW strike. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.…