Episodes
Anthony Jackson—Political Maneuvers
Brandon Johnson had been mayor-elect for a week and already his opponents are maneuvering to make sure victories like his never happen again. Political strategist Anthony Jackson breaks down the election and its ramifications. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy…
"Madigan's Next" & Monroe Anderson
Guilty is the verdict in the bribery trial of the Madigan 4. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson weighs in on the difference between MAGA Justice and real Justice. Also, Ben & Monroe take a metaphorical journey into Tucker Carlson...
Dave Glowacz—City Council Musical Chairs
President Biden announces that Chicago is getting the 2024 Democratic Convention one week after Brandon Johnson defeats Paul Vallas. Ben riffs. Dave Glowacz from Inside Chicago Government returns to talk city council reorgan...
D'Frantz Smart—On The Point
Basketball legend D’Frantz Smart, one of the greatest point guards to come out of Chicago, returns to talk race and politics in basketball. Specifically, why do many white people got so upset when Angel Reese trash talked Caitlin Clark. Also, a few words about coach Kim Mulkey not standing up for B…
John Pick—Loving Grant
Actor-writer John Pick talks about the documentary he’s making about the life and work of his father, Grant Pick—one of the all-time great Reader writers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Joanna Klonsky—Carroll v Trump
Political strategist Joanna Klonsky breaks down the legal, moral and political ramifications of E. Jean Carroll’s rape case against Donald Trump. “I’m here because Donald Trump raped me,” Carroll testified this week. “And when I wrote about it, he said it didn’t happen.” Also, a few words on Gianni…
Oh, What A Week—In Defense Of Jerry Springer!
Comedian Rachel Joravsky joins Ben in running through a week’s worth of news. But first! Tips on how to promote First Tuesday. Then it’s on to the Brandon Johnson transition team. Should the usual suspects be included? Then what folks really want…a deep dive into the life and career of Jerry Spring…
Rummana Hussain—Socialism v. Racism
Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain addresses the difficult question. How come Chicagoans are more tolerant of racism than socialism? Also, a few words about the “whitest” trial in America. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#…
"Childish Chicago" & Mick Dumke
Alderman David Moore refers to Johnson voters in his ward as children. Ben riffs. Block Club editor Mick Dumke returns to talk all things politics. Including…Moore’s comment. Alderman Beale. Council reorganization. Alderman Waguespack. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. And, last but not least, Jimmy Butle…
State Senator Robert Peters—The Lefties Win!
State Senator Robert Peters riffs on the good things in life. Like a mayoral victory for the left. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
"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…