Episodes
Sarah Bingaman--MAGA Brainwashing
Mayor Lightfoot drops the F-bomb. Chicago reels. Ben riffs. And progressive political activist Sarah Bingaman talks politics in Trump Country. What's the fall out to the end of Roe? The brainwashing of young minds by MAGA. The curious attitude MAGA has toward free expression. They have the right to…
"Unhinged" and Monroe Anderson & Sergio Mims
Trump & his advisors have their unhinged meeting in the White House. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump and the January 6 hearing. Can it get anymore unhinged? Black Harvest co-founder Sergio Mims joins Monroe to talk...
Rachel Hinton--And The Winner is...
JB Pritzker got his wish. Darren Bailey is his opponent. Ben riffs. BGA political reporter Rachel Hinton breaks down election results from governor to Board of Review. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m…
Emma Tai--A Few Wins
Emma Tai of the United Working Families reports some good news on the local front--at least for lefties. She offers advice to Dems for November. And word or two or three of warning about the MAGA agenda. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1…
Rummana Hussain--Women Haters
Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer, Rummana Hussain talks R Kelly, Harvey Weinstein, the MAGA Supremes, Trump and other women haters. Also, a few words about why Cassidy Hutchinson's congressional testimony threw MAGA for a loop. And then something nice--Ted Lasso. See Privacy Policy at https:/…
Oh, What A [Last] Week For A Primary!
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…
Chico Freeman & Mike Allemana--Everyone Loves The Freemans
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's Defense" and Monroe Anderson & Mark Wallace
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 ...
Carlos & Rossana--The Home Front
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 …
David Faris--Texas Republicans
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…
Heather Booth--As Seen On HBO
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…
Toni Oh--Patriotism & the Fourth Of July
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 .
April Preyar--American Justice
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…
"Voters' Verdict" and Monroe Anderson & Adolfo Mondragon
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…
Scott Duff--Everything Everywhere
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...
Rummana Hussain--Chicago "Discovers" India
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…
Terry Cosgrove On The Post-Roe Fight
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 …
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Yes, Lori's Running Again & Bailey's Big Pol…
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...
"In Memory Of Adam" and Salem Collo-Julin & Kerry Reid--A Chicago Rea…
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…
Gregory Pratt--The Texting Mayor
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...
"Elvis Is No King" and Monroe Anderson & Mike Nowak
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, …
Marc Sims--Honestly Speaking
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...
"Pence In Chicago" and Maya Dukmasova
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…
Charlie Meyerson--The Public Square
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…