Episodes

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 of the refusal of most Republicans to even think about the carnage their policies are causing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Rep. Theresa Mah makes a power play against the mayor. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk Earth, Wind & Fire? Derrick Blakely, retired CBS anchorman, makes his debut. The talk starts with Ginny Thomas, goes to Clarence Thomas and then on to the Plan for Transformation. And then Ben makes a very foolish bet with Derrick. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Governor Ron DeSantis, looking to out MAGA Trump & Abbott, flies immigrants to Martha's Vineyard. Ben riffs. And criminal defense lawyer April Preyar returns to talk about "The Purge". Which is not really a purge but a nasty attempt to scare voters about the Safe-T Act. Get ready for learning everything you need to know about bail, presumption of innocence, fear tactics and the so-called war on crime. Followed by a word or two about Elvis marrying a 14-year-old. See Privacy Policy at https://art...

.Political scientist David Faris returns with a confession. He's enjoying watching the desperation of MAGA as the Democrats pick up ground heading into November's midterms. They overplayed their hand on abortion. They've lost all credibility on documentgate. They're argument against student aid relief is patently hypocritical. And, best of all, President Biden's operatives have settled on an attack strategy that is like something out of David's book. And, yet, the Republicans won't admit they're in a bad way. Being MAGA means never having to say you're sorry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Producer Chris Schrage riff on a week's worth of news. Starting with...the remarkable flip-flop of Don Bolduc, MAGA candidate for senator in New Hampshire, who miraculously realized that Biden won the election after all. Also, the curious case of various CEOs discovering crime in Chicago after pretending it never existed during the Daley/Rahm years. And Dave Glowacz--AKA, Mr. Bike--talks biking in Chicago. Particularly the challenges of electric bikes. And what can be done to minimize car traffic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Catherine Adel West makes her debut to talk about her latest novel, The Two Lives of Sara. It tells the story of a young woman and her infant son, who flee Chicago for Memphis in the early 1960s. They wind up living in boarding house run by Mama Sugar. And that's about all we'll say, cause we don't want to give anything away. Catherine talks about growing up in Chicago, her influences, her love for Sam Cooke. She even sings a song.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 returns to talk about the latest election atrocity from MAGA. TV commercials and mailings intended to whip up votes for Darren Bailey--the Republican candidate for governor--by scaring the hell out of white people. Haven't seen anything this blatantly racist since the "Before it's too late" campaign against Harold Washington. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer Aaron Cohen returns to talk about the greatest music ever made--soul, r & b and jazz from the `60s and `70. Specifically, he talks about the book he's writing with Ramsey Lewis. His upcoming show with Ava Cherry, who sang with David Bowie and Luther Vandross. And Aaron offers tributes to the recently departed--William Hart of the Delfonics, Sam Gooden of the Impressions and Lamont Dozier, the great Motown song writer. As a bonus, a tale or two about Charles Earland. See Privacy Policy at ...

September 9, 2022: Time's come for Ben & Dr. D to riff on a week's worth of news. So, let's start with a news item from...1959? That's when Queen Elizabeth spent 14 hours in Chicago. Also, reflections on more aldermen stepping down--in this case, Howard Brookins Jr. and Sue Sadlowski Garza. Comedian Pat Whalen talks about his Promontory show featuring Governor Pritzker. He asks Ben what questions he should ask the governor. Where do we start? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and ...

.Sporting News football beat writer Vinnie Iyer makes his debut. The man knows as much, or more, about pro football than anyone in the business. As he's super smart--he was on Jeopardy, people!-- and he's been covering this beat for 20 something years. He reviews the upcoming season with thoughts on...the Bears (they won't be so bad), the Packers, Aaron Rodgers, marijuana in football, Justin Fields, Mitch Trubisky, Josh Gordon, Ryan Pace, Ryan Poles and Matt Eberfluss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September 17, 2019: Mayor Lightfoot cracks down on vaping. Maya Dukmasova of The Chicago Reader returns to talk cancel culture. Sun-Times Writer David Roeder weighs in on his latest work. 42nd District State Rep candidate Ken Mejia-Beal makes his Benny J Show debut!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist Rummana Hussain returns just in time to take the deep dive on "Sweeneygate". Pretty sure, we're the only people calling it that. It's when the famous TV actress threw a make-60-great again party for her mother. Turns out every white family in America has a little MAGA in them. From there it's on to the downstate lament that Chicagoans are mean to them. Yet it's Darren Bailey--the downstate MAGA man--who thinks he can get elected governor by calling Chicago a "hellhole".See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sarah Palin loses to Mary Peltola in Alaska. Ben riffs. And attorneys Joshua Tepfer & Matt Topic return to talk about he Ronald Watts case. Also known as--Chicago mayors doing the wrong thing. Watts is the corrupt cop who manufactured phony drug cases against innocent people, sending some to prison. The city had a report, put together by a public body, that further illustrated the depths of this scandal. But, the city wouldn't release it because. Well, cause being fair and truthful and honest is...

Robert Sarver announces he's selling the Phoenix Suns & Mercury in part because of "our current unforgiving climate". Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson and Mark Wallace return to examine just three of the lawsuits Donald Trump is facing. Including...the New York attorney general's suit against Trump's company; the attorney general's case against him for taking secret documents out of the White House; the E. Jean Carroll's ongoing defamation suit case against him for calling her a liar after she sa...

Another day another alderperson announces they're not running for re-election. In this case, it's Alderwoman Sue Sadlowski Garza. Ben riffs. Tribune political reporter Gregory Pratt returns to talk alderpeople leaving. Why? What does it bode for the future? And Miles Kampf Lassin, editor/writer for In These Times, talks Biden cancelling student debt and whether Dems can handle the MAGA blowback.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times writer Manny Ramos returns! This time he's talking about his excellent coverage of the underground drag-racing scene in Chicago. (Shout out to photographer Ashlee Rezin for her incredible photos featured in the story!) He explains who does the racing, where they come from and why they do it. Also, the difference between drifters and spinners and drag racers. And how the issue is being politicized. And more...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 for the weekly update of what's going on. And Ben & Dr. D riff away. Today's theme--say it ain't so, aldermen. A bunch are choosing not to run for office. Why? Job too hard? Not enough appreciation? Mayor too mean. Also, update on the latest corruption in Chicago. A word or two about Willie Wilson and more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

LeAlan Jones and Kevin Lamm are best known for their politics--LeAlan as a Green Party senatorial candidate and Kevin as a Democratic Party strategist. But in their other lives they are football fanatics who know the game iside and out. On the eve of tonight's Bears/Packers showdown, they do battle. Who will win? Are Bears under-rated? Are the Packers over-rated? Is Justin Fields better than Mitch Trubisky? And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Raymond Lopez proposes cutting city council by half. Ben riffs. And attorney Jim Coogan returns to break down Trump's legal strategy. What's the method to his madness? What's a "special master" and why does Trump want one? Why does Trump feel compelled to take documents out of the White House? And then as long as we're talking con men and grifters, it's off to Alex Jones country. Jim explains Jones' legal strategy. If that's what you call trying to duck a jury's verdict by claiming bankruptcy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer, producer, agent, and promoter Allison Jordan is the host of Brain Truth, a podcast dedicated to getting people to be honest about the mental trauma that impacts their lives. To many people, especially in the Black community, are in denial. "I ain't claiming it" being too common a refrain. Allison talks about her challenges. Her break through. And her advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has been calling Chicago a hell hole. Now, he's moved here. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to explain the behavior of Robert Sarver, the billionaire owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team who thinks it's okay to use the N word. And writer Aaron Cohen returns with a tribute to the great Ramsey Lewis, who died a few weeks ago. It was just a few weeks ago that Aaron was on the show, talking about the memoir he was helping Ramsey write. The conversation starts with a mini-debate between Monroe and Aason on the difference between AME and Baptist churches. 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.

Millennials have been calling for new blood in the Democratic Party. Well, meet Mueze Bawany, 35-year-old Chicago Public School high school English teacher and basketball coach who's running for alderman of the 50th ward. He's up against incumbent Alderwoman Debra Silverstein who knows a thing or about running tough campaigns. So beating her will be no joke. Mueze's a progressive Democrat with strong opinions about...well, let him tell his own story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The great Ramsey Lewis died at age 87. Ben riffs. And Brian Costin from American Prosperity for Illinois joins to talk Bears stadium handout. Yes, American Prosperity is a Koch Brothers organization. And Brian is conservative. And he used to work for the Rauner administration. And so on and so forth. But he's one of the few conservatives who's opposed to what he calls "corporate welfare." So, well, listen to what he has to say. It will keep you up to date on what's going on.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben & Dr. D riff on a week's worth of news. Starting with...mayoral politics. Mayor Lightfoot calls Paul Vallas a Republican. Vallas says not fair. Then Darren Bailey jumps into the mayor's race--sorta. That gets Ben explaining the ins and outs of getting on the ballot. Which reminds him of the candidate he wished he had voted for last time around. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .