Episodes

Writer & radio show host Salim Muwakkil returns. At last! To talk Pharoah Sanders. And Kanye West. And is it time to panic? Nothing is left untouched. The phenomenal realm. The spiritual realm. Does the creator really have a master plan? Why Salim calls Kanye an "idiot savant". And MAGA's endless search for "Black mascots". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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 or Chuy Garcia? And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

.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 on Ben's beloved Bulls. Dixon is not so optimistic. And out of nowhere a debate over Draymond Green erupts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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-info.

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 & political malfeasance. Stick around long enough and you’ll hear the call from Monroe’s contractor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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? Will he run for mayor? And a word or two or three about why the White Sox should bring back Ozzie Guillen as manager.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Paul Vallas courts MAGA in Naperville. And using the parks for concerts.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 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? 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. 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 matter of time before the coolness is priced out. And President Biden inches--and I mean, inches--toward something that should have been done decades ago. Legalizing marijuana. You watch, the Republicans will do it first. Sigh… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

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

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

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 he the most effective promoter of White Supremacy? And a word or two about David Axelrod, Charles Thomas and journalistic ethics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Lightfoot attempts to keep Alderman Matt Martin from chairing the ethics committee. And a word or two about Ron DeSantis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Republicans win, they will have the votes to outlaw abortion in Illinois. Anti-abortion zealots realize what's at stake. But do pro-choice voters?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 "softens" his rhetoric to win over swing voters by trying to pretend he's not against abortion, even though he previously said abortions are worse than Nazi genocide. Mayor Lightfoot says no property tax hike. Must be an election year. Speaking of which...Congressman Jesus Garcia can't make up his mind about running for mayors. And lefties call his bluffing, drafting Brandon Johnson to run.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 it? And can Democrats be on message and focused--for once in their lives? And what's going on with Aunt Karen and her embarrassing rap. And much much more...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/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 praise for Mo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

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 favorable to the low-income. Like a practice field for a professional soccer team. Apparently, some promises are made to be broken. And then Mick digs into his record bin to pluck out a couple of classics to discuss. Starting with Motown Show Tunes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 settlements; and a new field for the Fire that will go on land that was supposed to be for low-income housing. Let's be honest, everybody...Chicago's always looking for an excuse to move poor people out of town.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 fundraiser for Freddie Cruz--cop, marine, dedicated family man and an old friend of Ben's.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 and on and on. So what is he doing on a Chicago podcast largely dedicated to politics? Well, he directed King James at the Steppenwolf Theatre. And Ben saw it. And loved it so much he just had to see it again. So, he flew to L.A. and...well, you'll have to listen to hear the rest of the story. Kenny talks basketball, politics, theater and his ongoing mission to find common themes that might help bridge our many divisions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 author. The Republicans are back to their age-old tricks of trying to scare voters into voting against Democrats. Preyar explains why the stakes are so high. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sel...

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 someone who's not in the Cook County bubble, that is. She explains why the fight to win at the local level is so important. And what Dems have to do if they want to expand their party. And why the race for county clerk in Stephenson County is critical. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.