Episodes

President Biden offers student debt relief. Everyone starts complaining. Ben riffs. And South Bend councilman Henry Davis, Jr returns. He talks about police dealing with mental health crises. And Indiana ‘s upcoming senate race. Can Dems win? And who’s worse—Indiana, Chicago or Michigan when it comes to potholes. Also, a word or two about Mayor Pete.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben returns from a week in Michigan, where MAGA is taking a page from the Daley book--as in Richard J. Ben riffs. John Nichols makes his debut on the show. Political columnist for the Nation and author of a dozen or so books--including Coronavirus Criminals--he talks all things Wisconsin politics. Including the capitulation of Robin Vos to MAGA. And radio legend Richard "the Real Deal" Steele returns to talk Herschel Walker, OJ, Johnny Cochran, MAGA hate, Dennis Rodman and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore talks about her play, The Billboard. It's about the fight over abortion in Englewood, on the city's south side. And what happens when...well, let Natalie tell the story. A reminder--you can buy Natalie's book--the Billboard--at any bookstore in town.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Maya welcome folks back to The Hideout for the August edition of First Tuesdays. On the agenda, nothing less than the future of abortion rights in Illinois post Dobbs. Our guests--Terry Cosgrove, executive director of Personal Pac, and Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund. First question: Is Illinois really the Blue sanctuary starry-eyed Dems think it is? Oh, Dems--you have so much to learn. Terry and Megan explain the challenges ahead. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Public School librarian and activist Nora Wiltse considers this question. Why would a city, as rich as Chicago, allow most of its schools to be without librarians? They have a library. But no librarians. Do they want their children to lack critical thinking skllls? To believe whatever they're told? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Tom Tunney is the latest alderman to announce he's not running for re-election. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to help Ben dissect Senator Roy Blunt's response to a basic question about whether it's legal for Donald Trump to take secret documents out of the White House. Blunt, a Republican from Missouri, is so scared of MAGA he ducks and dodges like a dancer. And Mark Wallace joins the conversation to discuss the situation in Jackson, Mississippi. It's the 21st century and somehow they don't have safe and running water.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Environmentalist, radio man and gardening superstar, Mike Nowak returns to talk environment. And the news, to put it mildly, is not good. We are, as Barry McGuire once prophesied, on the eve...oh, you know the song. It's cause of man's greed and stupidity and stubbornness, etc. On the bright side...Well, Ben and Mike journey through the landscape of flash floods and raging fires and hurricanes and rising seas and other ecological disasters born from climate change to find the bright side. Join their journey...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 and Ben ask the question: Was the Kansas abortion referndum the moment we look back and say--that's when we knew that something had changed? Or...oh, let's not think about the or. Then Rummana tries to defend Mr. Springsteen for charging thousands to see a concert. It's actually cheaper to fly to Oslo and buy a ticket to watch Bruce there, then to watch him in the USA. Finally, a word or two about Nope.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's that time for Ben to review a week's worth of news. Dr. D is on a much deserved vacation. So joining Ben is Chris Schrage. And away they go, talking Merrick Garland and his warrant to search Mar-a-Lago. MAGA's reaction. The Republican Party in Illinois trying to find it's way on Trump. This is not Jim Thompson's party, that's for sure. And a word or two about Vic Mensa's cannabis career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Allemana is one of our great jazz guitarists. He's also a jazz professor at the University of Chicago. And this conversation is like 101 of the Chicago Jazz Fest, as Mike explains the styles of the stars in this year's festival. Starting with...himself. Mike will be opening act on the Big Stage when the festival begins Thursday, September 1. Take notes, people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The feds raid Trump's Florida home--MAGA's outraged. Ben riffs. And political consultant Delmarie Cobb returns to talk all about it. The raid, that is. And MAGA's outrage. And the precised choreography of the MAGA outrage response. And then it's on to Kansas. And messaging abortion rights. And crime. And the CTA. And Rahm looking out for Rahm. And who's who in the mayoral race.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 try and make sense of the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, MAGA's reaction to that raid and Trump pleading the fifth in another case. It only makes sense if you view Trump as a mob boss. Which is sort of how Trump views himself. Also, what's with MAGA's obsession with Nazis? David explains...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA runs an an anti-Pritzker commercial that darkens Mayor Lightfoot's skin. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk Trump. What motivates MAGA? Fear? Hate? Love for Donnie? Legendary CBS Cameraman Robert Tutman joins the conversation. Was the darkening of Mayor Lightfoot intentional? Can you believe MAGA if they say no? Are public relations professions really professional liars. And more, including Robert's favorite country song. Hint--it's not by Johnny Cash.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The political know it alls--Jacob Kaplan and Danny P--return to talk politics. And, man, there's a lot of politics to discuss. Jacob is the executive director of the Cook County Party and Dan is the recent winner of the Democratic primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Kansas. Dems running ads that help MAGA candidates. What's up with Manchin and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Details are starting to emerge about the faulty warrant used by police to justify the deadly raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment. Just as MAGA is crying about Mar-a-Lago. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin--writer/editor from In These Times--returns to talk about the Mar-a-Lago raid. Then he does a detailed analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act. It's a bill capitalists should love--yet all the Republicans vote against it. Just like they voted against the insulin bill. Then we move on to United for Clean Power, which is a bunch of Republicans pretending to be lefties to kill the inflation bill. In short, they're doing what Dems did in Pennsylvania and Illinois--getting involved in the other party's process. Finally, a word or two about Brittney Griner. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 28, 2019: Pritzker talks the Thompson Center. Lori Lightfoot gives her own 100 day mayoral review. Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson unpacks the latest trump news. Jacobin Writer Micah Uetricht talks his new Bernie book. Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson tells us why he is supporting Elizabeth Warren.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas hangs out with MAGA. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--from Inside Chicago Government--returns for another segment of City Council Follies. Actually, Ben just made up that title. Playing clips from the latest city council meetings, Ben & Dave analyze the great aldermanic debate over police overtime, NASCAR, drag racers, litterers and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

August 4, 2019--Sergio Mims is the Director of The Black Harvest Film Festival. Chris Buddy and Christopher Adams are both film Directors. And they can't stop talking about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's that time to talk about the week. And Ben & Dr. D have a lot to talk about, Including--campaign commercials from Darren Bailey, Lori Lightfoot and JB Pritzker. Ben explains why he is so upset by Bailey's Holocaust comments. Dennis points out that Bailey's comments are another reason it was so dangerous for Dems to effectively promote Bailey's campaign in the primary. Also, Lolla talk. Is it a good deal for Chicago? And much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...

Darren Bailey reveals his inner anti-Jewish bias, comparing abortion to the Holocaust. Then he apologizes (sorta). Then he backs off from his (sorta) apology. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about yesterday's stunning win for abortion rights in Kansas. And Tom Brune--Washington bureau chief for Newsday--joins the conversation on national politics. Tom concludes with a deep dive on how Mayor Richard J. Daley and Cardinal Cody sorta made it possible for John McDemott to create the Chicago Reporter. It's a parable about the sometimes positive benefits coming from powerful people doing the wrong thing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Google announces it's buying the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Is there actually such a thing as good news? Ben riffs. And Heidi Henry returns! She's running for state Rep against a MAGA man in a district north of Chicago and she has a lot to say about what it's going to take to win. First rule--don't run away from who you are! Also a few words from a real Horse Whisperer about Nope, Jordan Peele's latest. Yes, Heidi is a horse trainer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

.Alderwoman Sophia King announces she's running for mayor. Ben riffs. And then Monroe Anderson returns to talk about the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago. What are they looking for? With the Donald Trump and his many crimes it could be one of a number. And then LeAlan Jones returns to talk about the crimes of Trump from his Green Party perspective. As you might imagine, he's more critical of Dems than Ben or Monroe. The debate gets passionate. Also, a tease--LeAlan will be returning next month to debate Bears v. Packers with a diehard Packers fan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Activist, lawyer, philanthropist and proud graduate of Englewood High School, Aurie Pennick has been pushing for social justice almost from the days Dr. King came to Chicago in 1966. She's staying strong in the face of the MAGA challenges--occasionally chastising Ben to be just a little less judgmental. Get ready for their debate on Attorney General Merrick Garland.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 talks about Senator Joe Manchin's recent conversion back to being a Democrat. As the senators suddenly, and without much explanation, signed on to Biden's Build Back Better--oops, I mean, his anti-inflation bill. The conversation turns to Andrew Yang's announcement that he's tag teaming with Republicans to form a new party. Get ready for a classic Faris riff. Finally, the early returns on the dangerous Democratic strategy of promoting MAGA extremists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.