Episodes
Alden Loury--Boom City
Chicago's population went up. Ben riffs. Alden Loury clarifies and explains the demographics. He goes on to annotate and explicate his Sun-Times column about his experience as a homeowner in Auburn Gresham on the South Side. ...
Adolfo Mondragón--The Gift Hangar
Qatar gives Donnie a $400M luxury jet. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon returns! The professor is in the studio--law professor, that is. Take out your pens and notebooks and take notes as the lawyer who took constitutional law fro...
Oh, What a Week!—The Big “Schakowski”
Ben and Dr. D consumed all the news so you don’t have to! You’re welcome. Let’s start with…the new parking meter deal, same as the old parking meter deal. Ben’s advice to city hall reporters—call Mick! Mayor Lightfoot returns...
Miles Kampf-Lassin--Clock Out
The city forces Trump Towers to open its sidewalks to the public. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks May Day protests and tariff madness--turns out there is no logic to MAGA's trade policy. And the great trade-off capitalism...
Delmarie Cobb—In Memory of Mike
Mike Miner, one of Chicago’s great journalists, died this month. Ben pays tribute. Delmarie Cobb explains how the media really works in this town. It isn’t always pretty. The blasphemy of Trump. Stephen A. Smith asks Trump a ...
David Faris--Not MAGA Enough
Apparently, Trump’s nominee for surgeon general is not nutty enough for MAGA. Ben riffs. David Faris explains MAGA’s strange double standard on vaccines. They hate Covid shots but are ok with flu shots. If MAGA hates mandates...
Oh, What a Week!—Da Dolton Pope
Ben and Dr D get biblical. Well, they talk about the new pope. Or more specifically—is he from Chicago or Dolton or Holland, Michigan? Also, since when did Chicagoans get so religious? Fran Spielman asks Mayor Johnson the tou...
Rummana Hussain--Donnie The Pope
MAGA says Trump should be pope. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks about the new hate. Out in the open. Even in Glenview. Maybe it’s not so new after all. Also a guide to the north shore, including Evanston, Lincolnwood and Nor...
Sylvia Ewing--It Starts With You
Trump calls Bezos to say--Jeff, old buddy old pal, don't mention the tariffs, if you know what's good for you. Ben riffs. Is a tax a tax if we don't call it a tax? Or pretend we’re not paying it? Sylvia Ewing talks strategies...
Monroe Anderson—Trump Cashes In
After 100 days in office, Trump puts his conflicts of interest right in our face, like he’s proud of them. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson asks what if the mainstreams covered Trump with as much as conviction and outrage as they cover Mayor Johnson. Then he asks why they don’t. Hint—race and money have …
Oh, What a Week!—Pritzker Does Kimmel
Ben and Dr D take a trip to Hollywood and New Hampshire, following Governor Pritzker wherever he goes in his non-announced campaign for President. Along the way, they stop in Chicago to talk about Mayor Johnson’s radio career. Then they go back on the JB beat. Did Pritzker’s pals really say bad thi…
David Faris--Escalate To De-escalate
The question must be asked--is there a method to Trump's madness? Ben riffs. David Faris explains the theory of escalating to de-escalate. Which is the closest thing to a strategy Trump may have. Then he riffs on, in no particular order, Bill Maher's blues, political correctness, Godwin's Law, Jero…
Denali Dasgupta--Hey, Boomer
Governor Gavin and Mayor Rahm follow the polls wherever they lead—even to the land of MAGA. Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta explains how some Trump policies were previously tried here in Chicago by Dems. Ben apologizes to millennials and makes a promise. Which he soon breaks. Denali is a political strat…
Achy Obejas--“Mami, I’m Scared”
Joe Rogan tries his hardest to take a stand against Trump. Ben riffs. Achy Obejas talks Rogan, Bill Maher and Larry David--nice to know that one of them is not scared of Trump. Then she talks about "Mami, I'm Scared," her gripping essay in Politico which asks the troubling question: How do you brea…
Oh, What A Week!—The Dick Durbin Bus
Ben and Dr D hop on the bus, Gus, with all the news you need to hear, including…Mayor Johnson takes a swipe at Mayor Rahm! Mayor J—what took you so long? And Senator Durbin pulls a classic Illinois hand off. Essentially anointing Juliana Stratton as his successor. With JB seconding the emotion, to …
Alejandro Verdin--Jackie Robinson Day
It’s Jackie Robinson Day in America, but will Trump allow us to celebrate? Has Trump cancelled the first Black man to play in the major leagues cause his story is too DEI? Ben riffs. Alejandro Verdin dons a Dodgers hat in solidarity with Robinson. And then explains the difference between electing l…
Monroe Anderson--The Price of Eggs
Trump says the price of eggs fell 87 percent. Ben riffs. Monroe joins in. Also a few words about what just may be the most idiotic comment any MAGA man has offered as defense of Trump. Jesse Watters’ Bulls hat theory. Monroe dons a Bulls hat. Will Trump deport him? Don’t give him any ideas. And Mon…
Jack White--The Crime Of Wearing A Bulls Hat
In a desperate attempt to justify the kidnapping of Kilmar Abrego Garcia by Trump's goons, Fox TV's Jesse Watters declares that any Salvadorian wearing a Bulls hat must be a gangster because...Because he says so. Ben riffs. Jack White connects the dots between Abrego Garcia--currently lodged in an …
Elizabeth Todd-Breland--Karen Lewis Didn’t Come Here To Lie
Wall Street tycoons wake up to realize that their guy Trump is a lunatic. Ben riffs. Elizabeth Todd-Breland talks about I Didn't Come Here to Lie, the new book she co-wrote with the late, great Karen Lewis, former president of the Chicago Teachers Union. Who, among many other things, galvanized the…
Julie Lynn—White Loot-us
Many people are trying to make a buck off of The White Lotus, making it the ideal show for the age of Trump. Ben riffs. Julie Lynn offers an abortion rights update. Georgia, Missouri, Texas and more. Ben shows much love for Margo’s Got Money Trouble. Julie is a political consultant. See Privacy …
Jim Coogan--Legal Attacks
Dems show some momentum. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan takes us A-Z on Trump’s war against lawyers. It’s one thing Trump didn’t lie about. He said he’d punish his “enemies” and he’s doing it. What happened to free speech, rule of law and due process? Better watch what you ask—that question can be held agai…
Monroe Anderson--Market Plunge
Trump announces tariffs, retirement portfolios plunge and MAGA cheers. Ben riffs. Even Monroe can't believe Trump would be so cruel, callous and clueless. What a combination. Pause for irony. The party that supposedly hates taxes--that would be you, Republicans--just socked everyone with a huge tax…
David Faris--History According To Trump
Trump to CPS--better not talk about race or I'll take away your federal money. Ben riffs. David Faris talks tariffs, Laura Loomer, Wisconsin supreme court race, and the twisted mindset of the president--as he deliberately inflicts pain on Americans because he can. Have Americans lost their ability …
Oh, What a Week!—Meet The New Alderman
Ben and Dr D have all the news that’s fit to print and then some, including…Ben takes a side in Pritzker’s fight with unions. Much love for Karen Lewis and shoutout to CTU on their new contract. Suburban election results in Orland Park and Aurora—yes, we cover it all. And a few words about the 35th…