Episodes

Mick Dumke and Paul Kiel of Propublica write an expose about how Kenneth Griffin, formerly Illinois's richest resident, spent money to save money. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer for In These Times, considers these questions: Are Dems too timid? Should lefties challenge Biden in 2024? And a word or two about why lefties should take the January 6 insurrection seriously. Also, Miles's guide to fighting inflation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 24, 2019: Meredith Shiner is a former correspondent for Politico, Roll Call and Yahoo News. She is currently a communications professional based in Chicago. Joanna Klonsky is a political strategist and worked for the Lori Lightfoot mayoral campaign. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 17, 2022--Time for Ben & Dr. D to run through a week of news. There's a blast from the past--an update on Rahm and his love for trains. Was Ken Davis correct? Also, an analysis of Governor Pritzker's curious election strategy in regards to the Republican primary. Ben is skeptical. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot drops the F-bomb. Chicago reels. Ben riffs. And progressive political activist Sarah Bingaman talks politics in Trump Country. What's the fall out to the end of Roe? The brainwashing of young minds by MAGA. The curious attitude MAGA has toward free expression. They have the right to post a sign that says Fuck Biden. But the local library does not have the right to feature books they don't like. Also, the intimidation factor. MAGA tries to scare Democrats from running. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump & his advisors have their unhinged meeting in the White House. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump and the January 6 hearing. Can it get anymore unhinged? Black Harvest co-founder Sergio Mims joins Monroe to talk Herschel Walker, Darren Bailey, MAGA allegiance and James Caan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JB Pritzker got his wish. Darren Bailey is his opponent. Ben riffs. BGA political reporter Rachel Hinton breaks down election results from governor to Board of Review. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emma Tai of the United Working Families reports some good news on the local front--at least for lefties. She offers advice to Dems for November. And word or two or three of warning about the MAGA agenda. 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 talks R Kelly, Harvey Weinstein, the MAGA Supremes, Trump and other women haters. Also, a few words about why Cassidy Hutchinson's congressional testimony threw MAGA for a loop. And then something nice--Ted Lasso. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. D returns from his Alcation, which is what people call a vacation in Alton. He and Ben run through the election results from Tuesday's primary. Which means lots of talk about (not a) hog farmer Darren Bailey. And Kenny G, (no longer) the state's richest man. And Richard Irvin (not Irwin) and Jesse "I Love Cali" Sullivan and much much more. Including Dr. D's imitation of Jay Leno speaking like President Obama. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Saxophonist extraordinaire, Chico Freeman talks about the legacy of his family of great jazz musicians. And they came from Chicago. There's his father, Von, and his uncles, George and Bruz. Mike Allemana, a great jazz guitarist, who's played with Chico and George, joins the conversation about jazz in Chicago. And then Ben stuns one and with his not-so-fabulous rendition of Chico--from All in the Family, a classic album from Chico and George. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tucker Carlson blames some unnamed and probably fictitious high school counselor for the Fourth of July shootings in Highland Park. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson & Mark Wallace, broadcaster/activist, ask the question: Has Trump given MAGA a license to kill? And a word or two from Chicago on Red Light cameras. Why do Chicago mayor's dislike democracy? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez describe the lunacy that is the Chicago City Council. They discuss speed cameras, Mayor Lightfoot, defer and publish, and the backlash against any elected official who dares to say we might consider different methods of fighting crime. As you will tell, they're Democratic Socialists and not afraid to admit it. 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 analyzes the Texas Republican Party Platform. It's frightening, people. And it's also a blueprint for Illinois, if Republicans take over. Then a few words about President Biden going to Saudi Arabia. Finally, to relieve the madness, David talks baseball. Specifically, White Sox manager Tony La Russa. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Activist/political strategist Heather Booth returns to talk about her role as a Jane. She was one of the founders of the underground network of Chicago women who called themselves Jane and ran illegal abortion clinics in the pre-Roe days of the late `60s and early `70s. With the Supremes ready to eviscerate Roe, Heather sends out the warning. It's time to fight for what you believe. Listen to Heather and then see The Janes, the documentary on HBO. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A former Marine, Toni talks about patriotism, policing & the Fourth of July. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA wants Miranda rights for themselves, even as the MAGA supremes are prepared to eliminate it for everyone else. Ben riffs. And criminal defense lawyer April Preyar returns to discuss the state of justice in America. Not so good. Also, April offers her analysis of three major trials--Smollett, Rittenhouse and Heard/Depp. April Prayer knows her stuff! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yesterday's primary vote has been counted and it's official--Republican voters in Illinois have lost their little MAGA minds. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Cassidy Hutchinson testimony. Looks like the January 6 congressional committee found a John Dean witness. And attorney Adolfo Mondragon explores several what ifs. Such as--what if Kevin McCarthy and the other MAGA congressmen had participated in the congressional investigation instead of pretending it didn't exist? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian/talk show host Scott Duff returns to deliver a state of the union. And it's a mixed bag. On the one hand, you got Trump & MAGA and all their diabolical toxins. But on the other hand, you got Everything Everywhere All At Once. Which, if not the antidote, surely helps. Shout out to Michelle Yeoh. 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 breaks down her latest column. It's about how politics in India plays in Chicago. As Chicagoans struggle to fit things they don't understand into a familiar U.S. narrative. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

William Barr testifies that Trump's election lie was bullshit. And 75 percent of Republicans say they believe it anyway. Ben riffs. Then Terry Cosgrove of Personal Pac returns to say stop wringing your hands and get to work. In particular, there are several crucial elections that the Dems must win if they are to keep reproductive rights in Illinois. Two are for the state supreme court. Take notes, folks--Terry knows his politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 10, 2022: Mayor Lightfoot announces she's running for re-election. That's just one of this week's news stories about which Ben & Dr. D riff. Also, Darren Bailey moves way ahead of Richard Irvin in the polls. Does Ben owe MAGA an apology? A few campaign commercials annotated. Plus, a word or two or three about the Illinois State Stone. And we don't mean Dr. D. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Cohen, a good friend of Ben's family, died at the age of 29. Ben reflects. And then it's a Chicago Reader Special as managing editor Salem Collo-Julin and theater critic Kerry Reid talk about the latest issue. One thing leads to another as the conversation flows from Fritz to Kina to Prince to Precious to cullud watta, the sensational new play at the Victory Gardens Theater. Kerry says--run don't walk to see it! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA has fallen in love with Elon Musk, who made his fortune selling cars to liberals. Ben riffs. And Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt returns for what we hope becomes a regular feature--Greg's Twitter page! Ben & Greg run through his latest tweets, taking the deep dive on Mayor Lightfoot, Johnny "I love MAGA" Kass, the mayors texts and more. Much more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ray Charles says Elvis is a "punk" not a king. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson breaks down the January 6 insurrection hearings. William Barr, Rusty Bowers, Ivanka and more. Then podcaster/environmentalist Mike Nowak joins the conversation. Talking about the state of the Republican Party, Watergate, Mark Felt, health care, a night in the emergency room and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.