Episodes

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.

Nikki Haley “forgets” that the south waged civil war to preserve slavery. Ben reminds her. Chris Scott talks politics as 2023 moves towards 2024. Are Democrats ready for the challenges ahead? Will America support an insurrectionist? The pros and cons of contested primaries. And more…Chris is the co-founder and president of Advance the Electorate PAC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Ricky O'Donnell take the deep dive on everything you need to know about Bulls fans booing former general manager Jerry Krause at the recent Ring of Honor ceremony. It's basically Mean Girls, set at the United Center with grown ups, mostly men, doing the dirty deed. Ricky O'Donnell is the basketball editor at SB Nation. He also hosts his own 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 explains the dilemma Nikki Haley faces. In order to win MAGA votes she needs to declare that the US is racist free. Even as Trump plays the racist card to turn MAGA against her. Also, a look back on the joke that was Vivek’s wanna be MAGA presidential campaign. And several words in praise of E. Jean Carroll. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist 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.

Donald Trump release his bat-shit crazy Christmas greeting. Ben riffs. Sergio Vicente returns to talk Trump, Joe Rogan, Colby Covington and other lunatics. Aldo, why he wants Democrats to replace Biden with Newsom. Why he’d vote for Biden over Trump. And a few words about basketball, Sergio hosts The Fight Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana and Ben consider the twisted saga of Bridget and Christian Ziegler, the psycho MAGA couple in Florida—where else? She helped create the Moms for Liberty, a hate group. He’s been accused of rape. Also, a few words about Reservation Dogs and the Bulls. Yes, Rummana is going to a Bulls-Lakers game. Rummana Hussain is a columnist/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.

MAGA caucus voters in Iowa toss around ballots like their confetti. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains why MAGA feels free to be so shamelessly hypocritical. Then Monroe asks the question: If almost 50 percent of GOP voters oppose Trump, why are almost all the GOP elected officials supporting him? Short answer—they’re scared. Finally, the great debate. Is Trump too incompetent to destroy democracy? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tuesday December 5 was First Tuesdays at the Night Hawk bar in Albany Park. The last First Tuesdays, at least for awhile. Maya and Ben welcomed Mick Dumke--who started the show with Ben back at the Hideout in 2014. Maya, Mick and Ben talk Chicago politics, then and now. And Mick addresses the Maya question--so named cause she came up with it. A great ending, at least temporarily, to a fabulous run. Maya Dukmasova is a reporter for Injustice Watch. 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.

Wha a week it was! Rachel Hinton joins Ben to discuss it all. Including…buses impounded. The Ed Burke defense. Is listener Linda right about the Sanctuary City referendum? The “jungle cat” of west loop real estate. And our love for libraries, librarians and books. Rachel has a recommendation. Rachel Hinton 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.

Pat Whalen and Ben take on all the issues of the day, including…MJ stiffs the Bulls celebration. ESPN scams the Emmys. Twitter sucks, but Pat defends it. But there’s no defense for mindless drivel from the mainstream talking heads. Pat teaches Ben the meaning of memes. And much more. Pat Whalen is a Chicago comedian, actor, political junkie and talk show host. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For almost 50 years, Rick Telander’s been one of America’s great sportswriters. And then this year, his collection of poems was published. He’s still one of America’s great sportswriters. But now he’s also a published poet. And that’s just so freaking cool! Ben and Rick talk about their lifelong love for poetry and how there are metaphors for everything everywhere. Like…Donald Trump goes through life playing tennis without a net. Shoutout Robert Frost! Rick’s poetry collection is Sweet Dreams. And he’s a columnist 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.

Michael Gerardi weighs in on heartless landlords. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks Colorado verdict on Trump. And radical right. And threat of fascism. And he defends Chicago—not always easy to do. And he still finds time to take a stand on Zach LaVine. Miles is an editor and 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.

Turns out city didn’t take in as much money as it projected from the casino. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson ranks our mayors and entertains the question. Are Chicago Baby Boomers embarrassed to admit they voted for Mayors Daley and Rahm? Also, Trump’s lawyers argue he’s immune from any prosecution for anything. And a few words about Aaron Rodgers, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Doctors Thaer Ahmad and Zaher Sahloul are physicians in the Chicago area. But they’ve been to Gaza and they explain the health crisis that’s exacerbated by the Israeli invasion. It’s time to end this madness—ceasefire now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Ed Burke's corruption trial goes to the jury. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon returns for another episode dedicated to the Burke trial. An ongoing conversation between Ben and Adolfo that's been called the world's greatest Burke trial coverage. Okay, Ben called it that. But that doesn't make it any less true. In this installment, the fellas analyze Burke's defense. Why didn't they raise an entrapment defense? Who is lamer--Chicago aldermen for giving Burke a standing O or Chicago's mainstream press corp for calling Burke so smart? How did Danny Solis on cross examination? What's worse in the mind of the average Chicagoan--a corrupt alderman or an alderman who rats on a corrupt alderman? Can you tell the difference between a quote from Burke and one from Goodfellas? And more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pamella Gronemeyer is a Pathologist in downstate Highland Illinois and she supports Bernie Sanders for president. Hear her story and download this Benny J bonus interview See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Race relations in France, MAGA’s hypocritical take down of former Harvard president Claudine Gay and the hateful things gentiles say about Jews…these are just a few of the topics Ben and Laurie Glenn eagerly discuss. Laurie is one of Chicago’s premier political strategists. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s closing time in the Ed Burke trial. Ben riffs. Terry Cosgrove talks abortion rights. Particularly, the Kate Cox case in Texas. It once again proves that Republicans want to outlaw abortion in all cases. So stop deceiving yourself, voters. Also, a few words about the mainstream press. And a few other words about Maestro. Terry is the former executive director of Personal Pac. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana and Ben have flags on their minds—after a landlord in Logan Square moves to evict a tenant for flying a Palestinian flag. Which gets Rummana reminiscing how Lincolnwood treats flags. Lots of flag talk. Ben asks Rummana the “Maya” question. Which gets them talking journalism. And more. Rummana Hussain is an editorial writer and columnist 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.