Episodes

Alderman Ray Lopez and Mayor Johnson have different attitudes about Trump's plan to round up immigrants—that’s for sure. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks brainwashing. How Trump has successfully turned Americans, some recent immigrants included, against immigrants. Also, updates on the ADL and Musk…

Trump doesn’t lay his hand on the Bible while swearing to uphold the constitution. Ben riffs. Charles Henderson reports on going door to door in Milwaukee—it’s not pretty. Also, Trump pardons the insurrectionists. And Charles turns the tables on Ben. Asking about Fire on the Prairie, Gary Rivlin’s …

A day or two have passed since Trump took over, and the big question remains—can he do the stuff he says he’s gonna do? Snatch back the Panama Canal? Erase birthright citizenship from the constitution? Free the insurrectionists? Well, he already did that. Monroe says they’re his Brown Shirts. Speak…

On this the day of Trump’s inauguration, David Faris takes a look at the last days of, what? Biden’s presidency? Democracy in America? Both? How did we get here and how do we get out. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views ar…

Fox has an interesting interpretation of objective news presentation. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks TikTok. Which brings him to the all-important Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The world would look a lot different if 230 did not exist, that's for sure. Also, Trump's unconditional disc…

Alexi Giannoulias lets it be known he may run for mayor. Ben riffs. Denali joins in. They wind up talking about Robert Moses, Robert Caro, The Power Broker, Common Ground, Bill Burr, Jimmy Kimmel, Dolly Parton, 9-to-5, Cher, Miranda July, LA fires, Biden’s farewell warning, Eisenhower’s warning, Jo…

Ben stumbles on an old Tribune story about rich people and property taxes. Then he riffs. Monroe joins in. Also, Michelle Obama ends her strategy of when they go low, we go high. To which Monroe says—all right! A few words about the Hegseth confirmation hearings. And more. See Privacy Policy at ht…

Steve Bannon takes on Elon Musk. Ben riffs. Kina Collins ponders the question--is she with Musk or Bannon? How about neither, actually. Also, how should Democrats respond to Trump and MAGA attacks regarding LA fires. A few words about why voters went from Obama to Trump. Ta Nehisi Coates has the an…

Delmarie Cobb joins Ben to help understand what alders are really saying when they say the things they say. In this case, when they explain their budget votes. Listen to alders Beale, Vasquez, Hadden and Sposato. Hear why Alderman Sposato gets a profile in courage award. Delmarie is a political str…

Rummana Hussain asks and answers the difficult question. Why is it that so many people find it difficult to feel or express empathy for others in dire need? At least in relation to the fires in LA. Also, a few words about the oligarchs who have signed up with MAGA. And a defense of Suze Rotolo--who…

Mueze Bawany praises—yes, praises—Mayor Johnson. Look for MAGA and the mainstreams to lose their minds. The question must be asked—why does Chicago love temperamental white guys so much? Like Mayors Daley and Rahm and Coach Ditka. The conversation moves to the Bears. Mueze pleads with the Bears to …

Who comes closer to telling the truth—Justice Alito or Michelle Obama? Ben riffs. Jack White answers the question. Then they’re off...presidential chit chat. Obama and Trump at the Carter funeral service. Is Baby Bush worse than Trump? Cato the Elder. Cato the Elder? Yes, Cato the elder. Amazon’s d…

Trump responds to the fires in Los Angeles with hate. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner compares and contrasts President Carter and Trump. Also, the difference between a minority party and an opposition party. You have a choice, Dems. A few words about Mark Zuckerberg bowing to MAGA. Or the difference bet…

Mark Zuckerberg waves the white flag as he surrenders to Donny. Ben riffs. Monroe says it's all about sucking up to Big Daddy in order to make even more billions. Then it's on to the latest lunacy from Trump--whales, windmills, and various invasions. Monroe makes like the dairy farmer in South Dako…

News from “the world” has Baby Donny visiting Greenland. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon returns to explain the logic of the illogic to Ben. Including…why Dems don’t riot when they lose, like MAGA does. Why corporate Chicago loves Pedro Martinez. Why MAGA likes Mexican cuisine but dislikes Mexicans. Wh…

Alden Loury tells you everything you need to know about property taxes. Including…why we need them. Why we hate them. Why they’re unfair and not up for the task we demand of them. How they force people to leave their neighborhoods. Ben adds a few words about TIFs. Which are property tax hikes. Even…

Ben doesn’t want to talk about all the bad news that happened last night. But he does so anyway. Kevin Blackistone returns to take us from A to Z on the Congressional land-transfer bill that enabled Washington to take control of land in Washington. It makes no sense until you realize that DC is tre…

Producer-director Michael Tollin has made movies about Michael Jordan and Hank Aaron. Now he’s producing a movie about Dick Allen, one of the greatest baseball players of the 60s and 70s. Michael’s love for Allen goes back to when he was playing for the Phillies. Ben loves him for his years with th…

As the re-election of Speaker Johnson happens in the background, Pat Whalen explains the Trump-MAGA playbook. And, as one of the only Chicagoans who actually watches the George Stephanopolous Show, he discusses ABC’s decision to cut a deal, uhm, settlement, with Donnie. What’s the Trump library inc…

Congress elects Mike Johnson speaker by a few votes. Contrast that to Mayor Johnson’s four-vote budget victory. Ben riffs. Greg returns! He talks Mayors Lightfoot, Johnson, and Rahm. Also, journalism. Specifically, what constitutes a puff piece. Ever heard of a “beat sweetener”? Well, stick around …

Pension propaganda disguised as policy analysis—only in the NYT. Well, actually, it’s standard brainwashing in the mainstreams. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke riffs on Ben’s riff. Then they’re off—talking Jimmy Carter, Trump, Reagan and Bob Dylan. Yes, they both saw the Dylan movie. In the first show of 202…

Ben shares his New Years Resolution for 2025. If you know Ben, you know, it's a BIG ONE! Now the main issue is…what’s the over under before he breaks that resolution? Start the new year off right, by catching all the latest BennyJ Shows on your favorite podcast platforms. Happy New Year Every…

Crime falls in Chicago. Does Mayor Johnson get credit? Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains…only white mayors get credit for good things. Musk v Bannon! Apparently, the MAGA bosses think the great mass of MAGA voters are stupid. Which makes sense cause they voted for Trump. A few words of praise fo…

Miles Kamp-Lassin covers it all. The oligarchy of Musk. The kakistocracy of Trump. And the gerontocracy in the Democratic Party who launched a counter attack against Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, apparently cause she has the audacity to want to win future elections and use government to h…