Episodes

After avoiding post-election interviews for weeks, Mayor Lightfoot speaks her mind. Ben riffs. Election lawyer and southwest side politico Adolfo Mondragon joins the conversation. Why did Lightfoot lose? Is it ok to have a grudge? Why are immigrant asylum seekers sleeping in police stations? How is it that we can absorb 50,000 Amazon workers but not 8,000 asylum speakers? Who’s more deserving of a standing ovation—Ed Burke or Danny Solis? And more… 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 scientist David Faris has his concerns about President Biden’s plans to run for re-election. Will it result in, gulp, a Trump win? David breaks it down. Plus, a word or two about Nate Silver. Also, the return of the Manchin nightmare. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Joining Ben to break down some of the news of the week is Salem Collo-Julin, editor of Ben’s beloved Reader. Where’s he worked for almost 40 years! And so they talk…the first week of Mayor Johnson, the Reader’s Best of Chicago party, Reader reader favorite pols, and the MAGA meltdown over bathrooms. Salem’s riff is priceless. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Singer/songwriter Michael Gerardi—the Neil Young of Chicago—drops some truths. Like…why is it that a city in which 1 in 3 is in poverty has enough money to give billions to rich guys? Also, Brandon Johnson hasn’t even been sworn in—still mayor elect—and he’s already getting blamed for crime. He closes with his biting satire—The Shadow Budget. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One day after Mayor Johnson is sworn in, the opposition lets loose. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Durham report, Anderson Cooper, Ron Desantis, Brandon haters, and Trump. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lots of things to talk about, including Paul Vallas’s suit against his former campaign aide. Ben riffs. And CTU president Stacy Davis Gates suggests that old lefties like Ben should be more like Jimmy Butler—don’t be afraid of losing. Stacy weighs in Mayor Lightfoot, States Attorney Foxx, President Biden, Senator Durbin and the demonization of young people in Chicago. Also, a few words about Jimmy Butler. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tribune reporter Greg Pratt spent the last four years covering Mayor Lightfoot’s administration. As she’s heading out the door, he tries to make sense of it. Including her strange texts and unnecessary squabbles. Like the one with Kim Foxx. Also, a few words about the final council meeting of the term and Paul Vallas’s post-election lawsuit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week it was! Washington Post sports columnist Kevin Blackistone joins Ben to run it all down, including…Mayor-elect Johnson’s new chief of staff. Reconsidering Jackie Robinson Day. Tale of two punishments: Daniel Snyder v Draymond Green. A tribute to Ahmad Jamal. And the movie Kevin helped make—Imagining the Indian—opens in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aaron Cohen talks all things Ramsey Lewis. To celebrate the recent publication of Gentleman of Jazz, the Ramsey Lewis autobiography, which Aaron co-wrote.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another week, more news. Joining Ben to discuss is Max “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, actor/writer/podcaster. On the agenda…Mayor elect sorts breaks a promise. Anderson Cooper defends CNN’s town hall with Trump. And the writer’s strike. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dozens of teenagers rampage in the Loop. Ben riffs. And podcaster Marc Sims does some riffing of his own on the same topic. Is anyone to blame? Should parents be punished for the misdeeds of their teens? Was Mayor-elect Johnson's response too Officer Krupke? And a few observations about Walmart and capitalism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a MAGA crime wave—Trump convicted, Santos indicted. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains MAGA to the masses.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political scientist David Faris explains the illogic of the abortion pill ruling and Justice Thomas friendship with the Nazi artifacts collector. And why Dems should take AOC’s advice about impeaching Justice Thomas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Lee--Mayor-elect Johnson's campaign manager--breaks down the election. What worked, what didn't. The role of unforced errors. In short, how did Brandon Johnson go from two percent in the polls to the winner.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to run through the week’s news. Including the latest Justice Thomas scandal. Which is different than yesterday’s Justice Thomas scandal. It’s hard to keep up. It’s similar to the Speaker Madigan Com Ed scandal. Only Thomas will get away with it. Also, AI & the writer’s strike. Why no one cares about anyone but themselves. And what’s with MAGAites who claim to be “lifelong Democrats”? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...

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 Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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’s brain. Scary. And much more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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 reorganization. Is the city council ready for reform & independence? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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 Britney Griner. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

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 Giannis, basketball and what constitutes “failure”.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Springer. Dems should have been paying attention. And then it’s on to the rape trial of the man who did pay attention—Donald Trump. And finally a word or two about Frank Ocean. 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 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#do-not-sell-my-info.