Episodes

Sox want to build a new ballpark. Ben riffs. Then Alden Loury leads us on a wonderful journalistic and spiritual journey. Talking economic development, Black demographics, crime, the psychology of dibs and culminating in a description of his cross country trip to the Grand Canyon. And then…a passionate riff on Justin Fields. Alden Loury is editor/columnist for WBEZ and the Sun-Times. And one of Chicago’s great demographers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A judge admonishes Tim Mapes. Ben riffs. And it’s welcome back day on the show as Ben welcomes back his First Tuesdays partner Maya Dukmasova. Maya tells you all you need to know about judicial elections. And she knows a lot! Maya is a reporter for Injustice Watch.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miles and Ben discuss a week’s worth of news, including…The City Council debates Gaza ceasefire. President Biden may have to win without the left. The similarities between the ‘68 presidential election and this one. Charter schools in Chicago. Chicago’s curious attitude toward migrants. And Ron DeSantis’ failed attempt to out Trump Trump. Miles is an editor/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.

The NBA trade deadline just passed and it’s time to figure out how the Bulls did. Ben and Pushkar Sharma debate almost every conceivable angle even remotely involved, including…MJ, Thibs, Jerry Krause, Jerry Reinsdorf, Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Charles Oakley, the Knicks and more. They finally reach consensus on the proposed Sox stadium, Pushkar is a mediator and diplomat.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Willie Preston is a rookie legislator who is quickly learning the ins and out of politics in Chicago. He explains how he won election even as man no one sent, senator Preston represents the 16th district on the south side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Time to wrap up what’s been going down with the poker man—Brendan Shiller. Starting with…78 handout. Or, why is Chicago always so eager to give money to rich people. And how the news feeding business works. And the ceasefire resolution, and is Biden too old. Brendan’s prediction—neither Trump nor Biden will he on the ballot in November. Brendan is a longtime Chicago activist who’s since moved to Vegas to pursue a career playing poker.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump wins the Iowa caucus. Ben riffs. Then Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor riffs on Ben’s riff. The discussion turns to Chicago. Jeanette talks about the reaction to her last conversation with Ben. The lesson being…MAGA hears what it wants to hear and disregards the rest. A shoutout to Dorothy Tucker’s latest investigation brings the conversation to violence against Black women. Jeanette Taylor is alderwoman of the 20th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mainstream Chicago swoons over proposed Sox stadium. Election lawyer Ed Mullen analyzes today’s Supreme Court hearing on Colorado case against Trump. Ed is one of the lawyers attempting to bounce Trump from the Illinois ballot for being an insurrectionist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Coogan makes the case for bumping Trump from the ballot. Then he makes the case for dismissing Trump’s claim that he, Trump, is immune from prosecution for anything. Including murder. Jim is a lawyer and the host of the podcast Jim Coogan Knows the Law.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To prove its loyalty to all things Trump, MAGA kills an immigration bill. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks immigration bill, Trump immunity ruling, Nikki in Nevada and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a new year begins, things look bleak for President Biden. David Faris riffs. Hitting on everything from the war in Gaza to Biden’s age to amnesia to what Trump is and what he can do. Will the Supremes bounce Trump from the ballot? And a few closing words about the rise and fall of Chris Christie’s presidential campaign. Well, at least the fall. There was no rise. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Alderwoman Helen Shiller brings on the legendary Jacky Grimshaw to teach a couple of youngsters a history lesson or two about Mayor Harold Washington. So they will understand why he’s the GOAT. Ok, so one of the youngsters is Ben. Who hasn’t been a youngster since Harold was mayor. And the other is Brendan Shiller, poker player and criminal defense lawyer. Jacky Grimshaw is a political strategist who helped devise the tactics that resulted in Washington’s triumphs. Helen’s latest book is Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mueze Bawany tells you everything you need to know about the Bears, Justin Fields, and the upcoming Super Bowl. Ben makes a take it to the bank prediction about the politics of building new sports arenas—and getting the taxpayers to pay for it. Mueze Bawany is high school football coach and one of the city’s foremost authorities on football. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week, starting with…the clerk’s website? Ben riffs on the worthlessness of the website in a city that’s supposedly dedicated to transparency. Then Pat riffs on Ben’s riff. Then they discuss the ceasefire resolution. Which is what Ben was looking for on the website. Then Pat does his Nick Sposato imitation, followed by his imitation of Nick and Joe Biden conversing. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Rahm decides the world needs to know what he thinks about everything. Ben riffs. Gregory Pratt talks city hall. Including, though not limited to…Mayor Johnson. Mayor Lightfoot, and Jason Lee. He also has a hot take on Neil Steinberg. And Zach LaVine and Justin Fields. Gregory is a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and the author of The City Is up for Grabs. The views he expresses are his and his alone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s that time of the season where Ben and his friends look back at the year that was. And so Mick Dumke joins Ben to discuss…1973? So, okay, we’re a little behind. We start with a little politics and wind up talking about the greatest albums of that year. Meet Ernie Isley, Bruce Springsteen, Duane Allman, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and more. Mick Dumke is a reporter 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.

Trump declares war on Taylor Swift. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson, the country’s foremost authority on Trump, explains what he’s up to. Also, a few words from Yolanda, aka the nosy senior citizen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should the state hang portraits of officials who have dishonored their office. Like Speaker Michael Madigan. Rummana Hussain weighs in. Also a few words about the Epstein list. Which is not really a list. And why is it that Ben knows so much about football and nothing about fashion? Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist Peter Cunningham talks crime in Chicago. Shootings and homicides are down. Why aren’t we celebrating? Mayor Johnson gives police a raise. Why aren’t they celebrating? And he tackles the Justin Fields question. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Committeeman Anthony Beale may be kicked off the ballot while MAGA cries Trump should remain on ballot, even if he breaks the rules. Ben riffs. Candis Castillo talks ballot access, Claudine Gay, MAGA’s blindness regarding slavery and much more. Including…was Mayor Rahm a better politician than Mayor Lightfoot? Candis is the political director for SEIU Healthcare. The views she expresses are strictly her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA loves Jeffrey Epstein. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks former Harvard president Claudine Gay, white people love affirmative action for white people, and Justin Fields. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new year starts with so much potential and pain. Ben riffs. Marc Sims returns to talk crime, schools and integration. One thing all Chicagoans apparently agree on…they don’t want anything to do with anyone who doesn’t look like them. Marc is a podcaster.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bucks tell what looks to be a, uh, falsehood about firing their coach. Ben riffs. Monroe riffs on Ben’s riff, explaining the difference between lies and spin. Which brings us to Trump and Clinton and other liars in politics. Which leads to Monroe translating Nikki Haley’s latest dog whistle into plain English, just in case you missed the point. Also, a few thoughts on Tim Scott’s embarrassing grovel. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Darren Bailey shoots off his mouth and his guns, Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb talks all things politics. Including Trump, Biden, Claudine Guy and more. Much more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.