Episodes

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-se...

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.

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://ar...

.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 sai...

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.