Episodes

Dr. D returns from his Alcation, which is what people call a vacation in Alton. He and Ben run through the election results from Tuesday's primary. Which means lots of talk about (not a) hog farmer Darren Bailey. And Kenny G, (no longer) the state's richest man. And Richard Irvin (not Irwin) and J…

Saxophonist extraordinaire, Chico Freeman talks about the legacy of his family of great jazz musicians. And they came from Chicago. There's his father, Von, and his uncles, George and Bruz. Mike Allemana, a great jazz guitarist, who's played with Chico and George, joins the conversation about jazz …

Tucker Carlson blames some unnamed and probably fictitious high school counselor for the Fourth of July shootings in Highland Park. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson & Mark Wallace, broadcaster/activist, ask the question: Has Trump ...

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez describe the lunacy that is the Chicago City Council. They discuss speed cameras, Mayor Lightfoot, defer and publish, and the backlash against any elected official who dares to say we might consider different methods of fighting …

Political scientist David Faris analyzes the Texas Republican Party Platform. It's frightening, people. And it's also a blueprint for Illinois, if Republicans take over. Then a few words about President Biden going to Saudi Arabia. Finally, to relieve the madness, David talks baseball. Specifically…

Activist/political strategist Heather Booth returns to talk about her role as a Jane. She was one of the founders of the underground network of Chicago women who called themselves Jane and ran illegal abortion clinics in the pre-Roe days of the late `60s and early `70s. With the Supremes ready to e…

A former Marine, Toni talks about patriotism, policing & the Fourth of July. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA wants Miranda rights for themselves, even as the MAGA supremes are prepared to eliminate it for everyone else. Ben riffs. And criminal defense lawyer April Preyar returns to discuss the state of justice in America. Not so good. Also, April offers her analysis of three major trials--Smollett, R…

Yesterday's primary vote has been counted and it's official--Republican voters in Illinois have lost their little MAGA minds. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Cassidy Hutchinson testimony. Looks like the January 6 congressional committee found a John Dean witness. And attorney Adolfo Mondragon expl…

Comedian/talk show host Scott Duff returns to deliver a state of the union. And it's a mixed bag. On the one hand, you got Trump & MAGA and all their diabolical toxins. But on the other hand, you got Everything Everywhere All...

Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist Rummana Hussain breaks down her latest column. It's about how politics in India plays in Chicago. As Chicagoans struggle to fit things they don't understand into a familiar U.S. narrative. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N…

William Barr testifies that Trump's election lie was bullshit. And 75 percent of Republicans say they believe it anyway. Ben riffs. Then Terry Cosgrove of Personal Pac returns to say stop wringing your hands and get to work. In particular, there are several crucial elections that the Dems must win …

June 10, 2022: Mayor Lightfoot announces she's running for re-election. That's just one of this week's news stories about which Ben & Dr. D riff. Also, Darren Bailey moves way ahead of Richard Irvin in the polls. Does Ben owe...

Adam Cohen, a good friend of Ben's family, died at the age of 29. Ben reflects. And then it's a Chicago Reader Special as managing editor Salem Collo-Julin and theater critic Kerry Reid talk about the latest issue. One thing leads to another as the conversation flows from Fritz to Kina to Prince to…

MAGA has fallen in love with Elon Musk, who made his fortune selling cars to liberals. Ben riffs. And Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt returns for what we hope becomes a regular feature--Greg's Twitter page! Ben & Greg run thro...

Ray Charles says Elvis is a "punk" not a king. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson breaks down the January 6 insurrection hearings. William Barr, Rusty Bowers, Ivanka and more. Then podcaster/environmentalist Mike Nowak joins the conversation. Talking about the state of the Republican Party, Watergate, …

Podcaster Marc Sims returns to talk crime & politics. Or the politics of crime. More specifically, what politicians don't tell you about the message they're conveying. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif...

Former Vice President Mike Pence comes to Chicago and makes a speech. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova from Injustice Watch returns. Time for a deep dive on Injustice's judicial evaluation site. For Ben, it's like eating fried chicken--once he starts he cannot stop. The back story of judges is fascina…

Radio newsman turned aggregator Charlie Meyerson returns to discuss the method to his madness, or the madness to his method, of writing the Public Square, his daily online column. Not sure he calls it a column. And a word or two about classic rock `n roll djs... See Privacy Policy at https://art19…

April 22, 2022--Ben & Dr. D riff on the week's news. But first...a brutally honest message from Neil Young. Or, Chicago's Neil Young. Then it's on to the deep dive about which candidate has how much money. A riff or two about...

For the June 7, 2022 First Tuesdays Show, Ben & Maya talked politics. I mean, folks, this is a deep dive for serious students of the political game. Sorry, rookies--no hand-holding here. Lots of talk about the Republican prim...

Voting guide time! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson reviews the good and bad news from yesterday's Republican primaries in South Carolina & Nevada. More MAGA madness. And journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir returns with an update on...

By chance, Ben began the day seeing an on-this-day-picture from 2015 of Troy LaRaviere on stage at the Hideout with the great Karen Lewis. That gets Ben & Troy--president of the Chicago Principals Association--talking about t...

The Trib's editorial board endorses a Republican candidate for governor. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--the pride and joy of Inside Chicago Government--returns with city council clips. Yes, you Chicago City Council in action. Ward map, curfew, special meetings, casino and more. What a city. What a co…