Episodes
"Kim Foxx Day" & Monroe Anderson
Kim Foxx, the prosecutor MAGA loves to hate, decides not to run for re-election. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks MAGA’s conflicted attitude about law ‘n order. They say they want to get tough on criminals. Meanwhile, Trump, the man they adore, goes on trial for rape. Also, a few words about Tucker…
Alders Carlos Ramirez-Rosa & Rossana Rodriguez—The Counter Punch
It's been a day since Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson's victory and here comes the counter-punch from corporate Chicago. Ben riffs. Alders Carlos & Rossana return to trash talk Ben--they did predict Brandon's win. And explain how...
Anderson & Walden--Not Even a Choice
A federal judge holds back his ruling in the abortion pill case. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Tiffany Walden, editor of the Triibe, talk mayor’s election. Including…Vallas love for military schools, Black pols endorsing Vallas and MAGA light. Also, Tiffany on Dionne Warwick. See Privacy Policy …
Rummana Hussain—Demonizing Chicago
Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain and Ben wonder why do many Chicagoans got so angry at Brandon Johnson for crimes that just happened. Even before he is mayor. Has a backlash already happened before he takes office? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a…
Sam Holloway—Kingdom Of Fear
Chicago prepares to elect a new mayor. Ben riffs. Sam Holloway returns to talk politics of fear and trash talking. With brief excursions into women’s basketball. Featuring Warren Zevon, Hunter Thompson, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…
Saqib Bhatti—Borrowers & Lenders
Leftist economist Saqib Bhatti explains how banks made big bucks from the borrowing schemes hatched by Paul Vallas during his days running the Chicago Public Schools. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
"Lori's Last Meeting” and Monroe Anderson & Tonia Hill
Mayor Lightfoot oversees her last City Council meeting. Ben riffs. And Tonia Hill, Triibe reporter, joins Monroe Anderson to talk politics. Specifically, reaction to the weekend’s mayhem and why Black pols endorsed Vallas and Lightfoot’s legacy. Then it’s on to the Fox News settlement, See Privacy…
Jim Coogan—Stormy Days
Attorney Jim Coogan talks about the pending indictment in New York City against Donald Trump. The complexities of the arguments. The resistance by Trump. The role of Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels and Alvin Bragg. That one-night affair was, Stormy Daniels said, the worst 90 seconds of her life. …
Dave Glowacz—Inside the City Council
Stacy Davis Gates said something that has some people in a tizzy. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz, editor of Inside Chicago Government, takes a part the City Council. Well, not literally. He and Ben riff on clips of recent council debates. Including…migration aid, Alderwoman Taylor’s stand, rule 16. An…
Sarah Garza Resnick—Choice In Chicago
Sarah Garza Resnick, chief executive officer of Personal Pac, talks about Chicago’s role in the fight for abortion rights. Especially after judge’s ruling against abortion pill. Also, why Personal Pac endorsed Brandon Johnson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …
Oh, What A Week--With Rachel Hinton
Rachel Hinton, reporter from the Illinois Answers Project, joins Ben to break down a week's worth of news. Mayor Lightfoot's texts with Kim Foxx. Brandon Johnson's transition. The convention comes to Chicago. And the Justins of Tennessee. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
Denali Dasgupta—“Make Or Take”
A few weeks after her unsuccessful campaign for 39th ward alderwoman, Denali Dasgupta returns to talk budgets. Or the narrative of budgets created by Mayor Daley, emulated by Rahm and Paul Vallas, should he win. In this world, private is better than public and taxes spent on poor people is seen as …
Rummana Hussain--Woke At Last
Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist has a few things to say about Gwyneth Paltrow and woke. Specifically, Paltrow's remarkable ability to get her fans to buy stuff they can't really want. And you almost have to give MAGA credit. They've managed to sorta turn a virtue into a vice. As they try to tu…
"Brandon's Team" & Monroe Anderson
Mayor-elect Johnson picks his transition team filled with lefties. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson addresses J Marie's question--are Black voters progressive? Also, Monroe explains why Clarence Thomas is not an Uncle Tom. More like a Stephen. And can Senator Scott with the Republican presidential nomin…
David Faris—Trump Trick Bag
Roosevelt University Political Science professor David Faris returns from his paternity break early to discuss the indictment of Trump. Including…why does MAGA love him so much, what the indictment means for DeSantis and how it puts Republicans in a trick bag? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.…
Stephen "Andy" Schneider--Law `n Order In The First Ward
As tech high rollers get their government bailout, Chicago southwest siders cheer for Paul Vallas. Hmm, wonder what that’s about. Ben riffs. And Andrew Schneider talks about running for first ward alderman in the age of law ‘n order. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California …
Four Years Ago: Lightfoot beats Preckwinkle!
April 3, 2019. We're in the time capsule, returning to the day after Mayor Lightfoot defeated Toni Preckwinkle. Trump's drunken uncle speech at the BIG Republican dinner. The Lori Lightfoot landslide and Ben's wishes for our new Mayor elect. Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson talks Trump …
Oh, What A Week--"Advice for Mayor-elect Brandon"
Brandon Johnson wins. Everyone gives him advice. Ben and Pat Whalen--comedian/talk show host--go through a week's worth of news. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor—Say It To My Face
Recent polls show Paul Vallas with around 46 percent of the vote, causing MAGA to jump for joy at the thoughts of their guy running Chicago. Ben riffs. And 20th ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns! She talks Mayor Lightfoot, migrants bill, council racists, the time she saw the mayor cry, Vallas…
Alden Loury—Scared Of Our Shadows
WBEZ editor Alden Loury wrote a column last week, noting that Paul Vallas’s law-and-order campaign plays best in low-crime mostly white neighborhoods. Hmm, what’s going on here? He and Ben discuss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/…
"Why Brandon Won" and Monroe Anderson & Delmarie Cobb
Brandon wins! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson & Delmarie Cobb explain what happened and why. The Black vote. The Bernie vote. The lakefront is sorta liberal vote. The MAGA vote. And more. Also, Trump talk. As promised. See Pri...
Jamie Daniels—Baby Blue
By day, Jamie Daniels is an actor. But at night, he turns into Bob Dylan in a tribute band based in Los Angeles. This may be as close as Ben gets to interviewing the enigmatic Bobby D. Stick around for a couple of songs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…
Steve James--A Real City
Three years ago, movie-man extraordinaire Steve James directed City So Real, a brilliant documentary about the 2019 mayor's race and the turbulence of the summer of 2020. He returns to talk about what the 2019 race has in common with this election. And what's different. Specifically, why Mayor Ligh…
Oh, What A Week: Bernie v. Vallas
Ben & Kina Collins, activist & Justice Democrat candidate, talk the week’s worth of news. Including…Trump’s indictment, Paul Vallas connection to FOP, gun violence in Chicago & Nashville and Bernie’s visit to Chicago on behal...