Episodes

Guess what! Dr. D returns from paternity week to help wrap up the news. News item one. He's a proud papa. Guess the D stands for daddy. Also, JB v. DB in the final debate. Mayor Lightfoot targets Vallas. Is Vallas as bad as Trump? And, who will represent lefties in the mayor's race--Brandon Johnson…

.Sun-Times runs a story about residents in Belmont Cragin never seeing their elected officials. Ben riffs. And community organizer Dixon Romeo returns to discuss Obama Center community benefits agreement, city's programs for Black vendors and how to fight MAGA propaganda. And then a mini deep dive …

President Biden drops an F bomb! Ben riffs. In These Times editor/writer Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk about the midterms. What Democrats must do to forestall Armageddon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my…

Election results prove voters don’t care if a candidate is a smooth talker. So why are mainstream reporters obsessing over John Fetterman’s debate performance? Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Putin, Griner, Fetterman & polit...

The President of the Los Angeles City Council gets caught on mic making racist comments--almost like she's from Chicago. Ben riffs. And election lawyer Adolfo Mondragon returns to talk about racism and bigotry and colorism in the Hispanic community. Also, what is up with Congressman Jesus Garcia? W…

Some how every football “expert” in Chicago predicted the wrong outcome to Mondays’s Bears/Patriots game. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova talks about the future of First Tuesdays. And Kelly Garcia, Reader staff writer, talks about her latest articles. Including Chicago’s audacious experiment in democracy…

.Political scientist David Faris returns to explore the MAGA psyche. Do MAGA true believers truly believe the insanity they spout? Are they actually feeling guilty? Is it a case of bad guys not wanting to be seen as bad? Is their change-the-subject strategy working? And what's with Ron DeSantis? …

Another week, more news. Ben & Chris riff away. Including...a new pol that shows JB leading DB. The different respnses by Dems & MAGA to polls. Michael Madigan in trouble—again. Avondale ranked a cool neighborhood. Its only a...

Sergio Mims dies at age 67. Ben pays tribute to a dear friend and super podcast guest. And director Joe Winston talks about Punch 9, his sensational documentary about Mayor Harold Washington. A word of advice…run don’t walk to see punch 9. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…

Turns out Herschel Walker, "pro-life" MAGA candidate for senator in Georgia, allegedly paid for one of his lover's abortion. Ben riffs. And suburban school activist Asafonie Obed makes her debut to talk about MAGA's attempt to take over suburban school systems by preaching hate and fear. See Priv…

A Sun-Times poll reveals that 45 percent of voters don't want to subsidize a new Bears stadium. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump. The MAGA man is being deposed in E.J. Carroll's defamation case. Probably take the fifth. Also, a word or two about the artist formerly known as Kanye West. Is…

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez returns with updates on progressive politics in Chicago. The Democratic Socialists had a clean sweep on the northwest side in March. But now what's left of the old Mell Machine is looking to fight back. Look for them to play the MAGA card on crime. Mayor Lightfo…

The city council moves heaven and earth on behalf of the Chicago Fire. Ben riffs. And Personnel Pac's Terry Cosgrove returns to talk politics. Particularly, the all-important Illinois Supreme Court campaigns in the second and third district. Why are those races so important? Because if the Republic…

Another week has come and gone, which means Ben and Producer Chris run down the news. Starting with...the state of Illinois looks to bring at least three more bookies on line to take the money of sports-betting suckers who should know better. Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey "soften…

Yvette Simpson--CEO of Democracy for America and progressive champion--returns to talk all things politics. Specifically, the fight to hold on to the House and Senate. Will Republicans win by scaring middle America? And if Republicans care so much about abortion, why have they stopped talking about…

Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer Rummana Hussain returns to discuss the Queen. In particular, why are Americans so obsessed with the Royal Family. Also, floods in Pakistan and indifference in America. What will it take to get Americans to care about environmental catastrophes in Asia? And much …

This year's MacArthur genius grants were awarded. Guess who didn't get one--again! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson pays tribute to Sergio Mims. Also, the latest on E. Jean Carroll's defamation case against Trump. And Punch 9. Podcaster Marc Sims returns to talk Kanye and colorism. See Privacy Polic…

A devastating hurricane hits Florida and their governor, DeSantis, asks for compassion. Ben riffs. And Mick Dumke, ProPublica reporter returns to talk politics and music. He takes the deep dive on CHA selling off the land, promised for low-income housing, for things that are neither housing or favo…

The Tribune editorializes about the mayor being unresponsive to Chicago's corporate elite. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova talks upcoming First Tuesdays show. And Dave Glowacz, from Inside Chicago Government, returns to talk City Council. Including...voting for a new 43rd ward aldermen; police settlemen…

It's time to review the week that was. And Ben and Producer Chris take the deep dive on...MAGA man in red and his passionate denunciation of white supremacy. Corporate Chicago and the mayor. Dan Proft, the brains behind Darren Bailey. And a visit from Mike Oquendo to talk comedy and promote a fundr…

Kenny Leon is one of the great directors of our time. He directed Denzel Washington in Raisin in one Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun and Sean Combs in another. He's won a Tony. He's worked with Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein and Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad and Viola Davis an…

State Senator Robert Peters and attorney April Preyar join Ben & Maya for the October 4th First Tuesdays at The Hideout. Crime was on the agenda--specifically, the truth v. fiction of the Safe-T act law, which Peter's helped ...

The Illinois Democratic Party is not unlike the Chicago Bears. Ben explains. And Jody Coss makes her debut. A former nurse and Army vet, she's now the chair of the Democratic Party of Stephenson County. And she has a message party leaders need to hear--if they can just bring themselves to listen to…

President of the Gun Violence Protection Pac, Kathleen Sances is trying to bring some sanity to the world by convincing Illinois legislators to pass sensible gun reform laws. But what a struggle it is. She explains her strategy, the successes she's had and the obstacles she faces. Largely because o…