Episodes

The Sox Park shooting exemplifies why it’s best to hold off on judgment until you know all the facts. Ben riffs. Radical firefighter Sam Holloway returns with a lefty’s take on Trump, Dems and fascist threats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Johnson Administration inks a $29 million contract with a bunch of Right Wingers from Florida to build tents for asylum seekers. Ben tried not to lose his mind as he riffs. Why can’t we put Chicagoans to work? State Rep Kam Buckner weighs in on the deal. A few words on the end of cash bail. A few suggestions for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And Kam tackles the Bears. Are they trying to destroy Justin Fields’ career? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tupac didn’t say the line Mayor Johnson said he said and boomer journalists have (too) much love for Dr. Arwady. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims talks White Sox threat to leave Chicago, crime, schools, Friday swim club and…golf? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Several aldermen vote against accepting a federal grant to help cover the cost of taking care of asylum seekers. Ben tries to explain the inexplicable. Monroe Anderson talks Jann Wenner, West Point affirmative action, Hunter Biden and Republicans on UAW strike. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The first Republican presidential debate was a case study in cowardice and deceit. And Roosevelt University political scientist David Faris has a field day, breaking it all down. Including their dancing, dodging denials on climate change, Trump’s coup and abortion. What a bunch of clowns. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA has a presidential debate last night, without the emperor. Ben riffs. Alderman Carlos Ramírez Rosa, Mayor Johnson’s city council floor leader, discusses the first 100 days of Mayor Johnson’s Administration. Including the Bring Chicago Home referendum, treatment not trauma, when he will reopen mental health clinics, photo ops with Mayor Rahm and firing Health Commissioner Arwady. Also, a word or two about Tupacgate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two Chicago lefties—Mueze Bawany and Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle—talk Bears. And it’s not good. Cause the Bears are awful. And Mueze is in pain over that cause he’s a lifelong fan. And Matt is delighted because he’s a—dare I say…he’s a Packers fan. He’s so happy that he composed a song special for this episode called—The Bears Suck. Which he sings. Then they start talking race and politics in the NFL. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Criminal defense attorney April Preyar joins Ben to run down the week’s with of news. Has Stacy Davis Gates replaced Kim Foxx as the Black woman MAGA loves to hate? No cash bail goes into effect Monday—what will happen? Does Jussie Smollett have a point? Yes, he’s back in the news. And liberals are conservatives who’ve been arrested. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain ponders the summer’s big question: Why do men hate Barbie so much? Well, not all men. But MAGA men and MAGA wannabes, like Bill Maher. Is Barbie’s success a precursor of a Democratic victory? And does the Bear’s success indicate people have a healthier attitude toward therapy and treating mental illness? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Basketball analyst D’Frantz Smart returns to talk all things hoops, including…the WNBA’s strange attitude toward pregnant players, why the Lakers got swept, and the saga of Ja Morant. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reader music writer Leor Galil explores the issue few Chicago leaders want to face—is Lollapalooza worth the time and trouble of turning over prime lakefront park space for a four-day music festival? Who benefits from the festival? Who pays the price? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traditionally, the city’s northwest side has been controlled by an alliance of conservative Democrats and Republicans. Michael Rabbitt is trying to change that by challenging Jim Gardiner for Democratic committeeman of the 45th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shia Kapos, Politico columnist, drops in to join Ben for a run down on a week’s worth of news. Including…Mayor Johnson’s back-to-back public appearances—one crowd leaned left, the other right. And Stacy Davis Gates’ school choice. And Darren Bailey tries to bring in Trump to beat Mike Bost. And her encounter with Don Jr at the GOP debate. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know that two conservative law professors wrote a law review article pointing out that Trump is ineligible to run for president? Now you do. Ben riffs. And alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez talks treatment bot trauma, Dr. Arwady, Columbus Day and Prager U. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson is the guest at First Tuesdays. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains what's white peoples mean when they say Black people are playing the race card. And what they mean when they say Mayors Daley and Rahm were smart but Mayors Lightfoot and Johnson are nasty and slow. A few words about Little Richard and Coach Prime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mainstream Chicago works the refs. Ben riffs. Attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk Trump crimes. Including…Trump’s claim of a two-tier system. His outlaw persona. His inside connections. And a word or two about the suggestion Trump’s too big to prosecute. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roosevelt University political science professor David Faris makes sense of the senseless. Trump’s arraignment for attempting a coup. Jack Smith’s indictment, laying it out for anyone to see. Unless they willfully close their eyes. Merrick Garland’s cautiousness. Mike Pence’s calculations. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is it that people love about Chicago? The lake? The jazz fest? The edge? Rummana Hussain examines it. Also, the Vivek Ramaswamy phenomenon as explained by Rummana, who broke his Vhicago story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Rahm wants the world to know he saw Barbie. Ben riffs. And Steve Krafft, retired Fox-news reporter from Arizona, makes his debut. He’s got the inside scoop on Kyrsten Sinema, Kari Lake (they shared a make-up mirror) and other Arizona politicians. Most pols try to win elections in purple states by moving to the middle. Arizona Republicans are trying to win by going full MAGA. Steve explains the inexplicable. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every day brings big and small examples of gun crazy. Ben riffs on a couple small examples. Then Monroe Anderson talks the rise and fall of Rudy G. Willful blindness. Why MAGA thinks Trump will win. And his love for MSNBC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired Northwestern University employee David Keown and Ben try to figure out what NU was up to with the way they handled the hazing schedule. The key is straight outta Deep Throat. Follow the money… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Maya bring First Tuesdays to the Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville to talk all things Chicago Public schools—what with the new school year about to start. Joining them are CPS high school teacher Mueze Bawany, parent activist Megan Franklin and Ling Young, chief of staff to alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, chair of city council education committee. As you all know, Maya Dukmasova is an investigative 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.

Edna Navarro-Vidaurre is on a mission—to get all the children in Chicago in school at an early age. All the kids. From every neighborhood and background. She explains why that’s so important and why it’s so challenging. Edna is the Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five Region 1A. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times Columbia Rummana Hussain calls out the double standard regarding Sinead O’Conor, who died this week. Why is it blasphemy when you’re offended, but. Hey, it’s free speech when someone else is offended? And a word or two about media coverage for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.