Episodes

Sergio Vicente, host of The Fight Podcast, and Benji "the Bookie" Hall return for a great debate. Who should be on the NBA top 75 players of all time and who should be left off. Also, will the Bulls ever be able to beat the good teams? Yes, when Alex Caruso returns.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week's worth of news it was! Michael Joseph Madigan indicted! Mayor Lightfoot allegedly brags about having the "biggest dick in Chicago!" George W. Bush, of all people, comes to town to denounce invasions of sovereign countries. And Jeanne Ives backs Darren Bailey, the (not a) hog farmer, over Richard "Money Man" Irvin in the Republican governor primary. Ben & Dr. D riff big time! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

The feds indict former House Speaker Michael Joseph Madigan on corruption charges. True to form, Ben is all over the map. And then state Rep Kelly Cassidy--who took a stand against Madigan long before it was fashionable--returns to talk about his legacy. Good and bad.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vincent E. Norment--owner of the Marijuana Hall of Fame--returns to consider the question: Is the NFL a racist organization, at least when it comes to the hiring Black coaches? Brian Flores, recently fired coach of the Miami Dolphins, says yes. Vincent and Ben talk about his discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arne Duncan announces he's not running for mayor. Now Mayor Lightfoot who had nothing but contempt for him can't love him enough. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Biden's state of the union and then joins LeAlan Jones--former Green Party candidate for senate--for a great debate about Ukraine. Also, Monroe & LeAlan weigh in on Duncan's decision not to run. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben woke up to discover he'd been scooped by his scoop. That is, his interview with Alderwoman Sue Sadlowski Garza had generated lots of coverage after Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune writer, wrote about it. Next thing you know, Mike Flannery's on the line. Ben riffs. And then Gregory Pratt, himself, talks about Alderwoman Garza, Arne Duncan not running for mayor, and his ongoing series about Mayor Lightfoot's text. Did the mayor's sharp elbows scare Duncan out of running against her? Listen to find out...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On March 10, 2019, Nadia Milleron's 24-year-old daughter, Samya Rose Stumpo, was one of 157 passengers who died when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on a flight from Adidas Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya. Nadia is waging a campaign to change Illinois law that will allow survivor's to sue Boeing, the manufacturer of the airplane that crashed, for punitive damages in wrongful death cases. It's a long and challenging struggle.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 set off a twitter fight with his tweet about relaxing COVID mandates. It got ugly. You don't want to be the "main character" on Twitter. The politics of mask mandates and COVID are changing as we head toward November's election. David explains. Also, the South Carolina Democratic primary pits a progressive against a Manchin type. David's recommendation--vote left Democrats!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Riffing time! As Ben & Dr. D look back on the news. But first! Maya Dukmasova makes a surprise appearance to promote March 1 First Tuesdays. Then back to the news, including: MAGA's twisted, very twisted, adoration for Putin; Governor Pritzker endorses Anna Valencia over Alexi Giannoulias in the race for secretary of state; Dr. D throws his hat into the ring for 11th ward alderman, and Alderwoman Sue Sadlowski Garza reveals she's not supporting Mayor Lightfoot in 2023. See Privacy Policy at http...

It's not swearing day. Ben explains. State Rep. Lakesia Collins returns to talk about what happened last week on the floor of the General Assembly when she dared to tell Republicans to, please, put on your masks. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer from In These Times, talks all things Ukraine. Including the alliance of Trump & MAGA with Putin and against Biden. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In an obvious effort to boost ratings, Ben was hoping to be "canceled". Didn't quite work out that way. As he laments. Monroe Anderson returns. On the topic--backlash voting. Trump's love for Putin. Does Trump really endorse an invasion of Mexico, as he said on a podcast? Does MAGA? If MAGA hates lawlessness and loves property rights, why are they supporting the Canadian truckers? And pending war in the Ukraine. Plus, Ben & Monroe make a bet on Biden's Supreme Court nominee. See Privacy Policy a...

Singer, song-writer Peter Jericho makes his debut. Talking about growing up as the "African kid" in Chicago. And then going back to Cameroon, his native country. A man of two continents, he explains what he means by his lyric: "You used to laugh at our funny names, now you want to Wakanda everything." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain--Sun-Times editorial writer--returns to talk censorship. As we ask the question--if MAGA hates censorship so much how come they're always trying to censor other people. Also, a few words about white people who want to use the N word. And, pay attention to All of Us Are Dead.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Achy Obejas is a poet, translator, novelist, journalist, mother, baseball fan and now...repeat guest on our show! Today's conversation roams from protesting Canadian truckers to Joe Rogan to Free Speech to Achy's theory about "the proximity to Blackness" to the greatness of Roberto Clemente. And then it concludes with Achy's reading of her poem The President of Coca-Cola, a tribute to the great Ana Mendieta.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 the week's news. Including...a $20 million valentine that Ken Griffin gave to Richard Irvin. A man that most voter in Illinois had never heard of until Griffin, the richest man in the state, chose him to be our next governor. Funny how democracy works. Plus, Chicago news. And Ben badly flunks his hip-hip test. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben makes a confession for which he must apologize. And then WVON-AM talk-show host David Seaton returns and then he and Ben promptly disagree about almost everything. Including, the NFL, Brian Flores, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Section-8, the Bears, Arlington Heights, Jennifer Lawrence and a few other things. They do agree that Sarah Palin is a phony. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aaron Rodgers whines that everyone's picking on him cause he's so anti-vax. Ben riffs. And Sam Holloway--firefighter and unapologetic leftist returns to talk liberty. Or--what MAGA means when they say liberty. Probably doesn't mean liberty for you. Also, the Democrats move right on COVID. As they generally do on just about any issue under pressure from Republicans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reporters seek Ben's comment. And Ben says no comment. Also, Monroe Anderson returns to discuss Kevin Blackistone's critique of the Super Bowl halftime show. Specifically, how the NFL uses superstar hip hop artists to deflect attention from Brian Flore's racial discrimination lawsuit. Jaquie Algee from SEIU Healthcare returns to talk about the Poor People Campaign. Also, a comment or two or three about Richard Irvin getting a $20 million campaign donation from Kenneth Griffin, the state's richest man. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson guilty of lying to feds and cheating on taxes. Ben riffs. And then WBEZ reporter Dan Mihalopoulos returns to talk Daley & corruption. Also, his ongoing investigations in sexual harassment and assault by lifeguards. In Evanston as well as Chicago. And it's law day on the show as attorney Jim Coogan returns. On the docket? Ginni Thomas, activist wife of Justice Clarence Thomas; Sarah Palin's defamation case v. The New York Times; and Remington settles with parents o...

LeRoy Gordon talks about his long journey from Jiu Jitsu fighter to Chicago cop to Roy Flash Gordon, the pro wrestler to trainer. A thing or two about wrestling--fixed but not fake. 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--this time with some good news. Apparently, Democrats have at long last figured something out. At least, they're doing to Republicans what Republicans have been doing to them--gerrymandering them out of power in states like New York, Illinois and California. That sobbing you hear are Republicans crying. Also, should President Biden nominate Rep. Clyburn's candidate to the Supreme Court?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben & the Dr. D race through the news of the week. Will Ken Griffin pull his support for Richard Irvin now that he bombed his press conferences? Will MAGA have any issues to use against Governor Pritzker now that he's rescinding the mask mandate? Also, the latest Mayor Lightfoot text leaks--who has she insulted this time? Finally, Mayor Lightfoot's pal from Wilmette decides to take sides in the Chicago Teachers Union election. Is that even legal? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...

Governor Pritzker announces mask mandates off in March. Now what's MAGA going to cry about? Ben riffs. The great singer Devin Thompson returns to talk about Eric Clapton. Specifically, why do Baby Boomers love this man so much? And then Ben & Devin list all the local guitarists who are as good or better than Clapton. Also, Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa makes his debut. Talking about his story about a special education student who was sexually assaulted in a CPS bathroom. Now, the forme...

Sergio Vicente--host of The Fight Podcast--returns just in time cause we have a lot to talk about. So let's get at it. Is Grayson Allen of the Bucks a punk for his cheap shot that broke Alex Caruso's wrist? Should Barry Bonds, Roger Clemons and Sammy Sosa get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, even though it's pretty obvious they were taking those steroids? And what does Dana White have against the great Francis Ngannou?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.