Episodes

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 ...

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.

Senator Mitch McConnell takes a 'stand" against MAGA. Hmm, what's he really up to? Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks all things Joe Rogan. Asking and answering the question: Why do white people love to say the N word so much? Also, a word or two about Brian Flores. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's been a year since the great Karen Lewis died. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova, Injustice Watch reporter, returns to talk about the politicization of crime. Or more specifically, Mayor Lightfoot's unsubstantiated asssertion that there's a correlation between remote learning and a rise in carjackings. Maya explains the concept of moral panic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It has come to our attention that some, though not all, white people have been behaving badly these days. Ben offers advice. And then...radio legend Richard Steele, aka, "The Read Deal", returns with his views of the world. Including, what's it feel like to be 80. Also, a word or two or three about Black people running as the Great White Hopes, Lightfoot v. Duncan and the new Bears general manager. 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 Rummana Hussain's got a lot on her mind. Starting with the showdown at the Supremes where we have to decide--are any of our justices telling the truth about Neil Gorsuch not wearing his mask? I don't think so. Also, a few words about the bizarre adoration for Hugh Hefner among male journalists. And random riffs on Eric Clapton and other aging classic rockers who feel compelled to fight the Vax. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

Ben & Dr. D take a part the week's news. Including a primer on state budgets. And why Governor Pritzker frustrates Republicans. Not that anyone feels sorry for Republicans. And will Kenneth Griffin, the state's richest man, dump Richard Irvin as his gubernatorial candidate after Irvin bombs at answering basic questions from reporters? Particularly on abortion issues. Finally, Dave Glowacz--from Inside Chicago Government--returns with clips from recent City Council meetings. Listen as your alderm...

In a headline, the Sun-Times calls Jesse Sharkey "wonky". Ben wonders what they're really trying to say about the Chicago Teachers Union president who just announced he's not running for re-election. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer for In These Times, returns to talk Sharkey & CTU. And Joe Rogan & Spotify. And Brian Flores & racism. 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 sift through the wreckage of a year's worth of weeks. But first...Dr. D. opens up a portal to the Metaverse. Is that Welcome Back, Kotter we hear? Then it's on to stories 10-6. Lifeguards, teachers, congressmen, maps & more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Of all the weird news of the day, the weirdest may be Jesse Sullivan's Tribune essay on how to end crime in Chicago. Which Ben read so you don't have to. Ben riffs. Then Monroe Anderson weighs in the marxist notion that racism is dead. And Sergio Mims returns to join the conversation about Mayor Richard Irvin, crime and Republican politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump's rally in Saturday brings out some boos. MAGA's divided. Ben riffs. Joshua Tepfer returns with update on Ronald Watts case. And Ben Chou reports from Houston with updates on abortion law, gerrymandering and voter rights infractions. This is how MAGA plays the game, ladies and gentlemen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sonni and Zero--Starbucks barista in Chicago--talk about organizing efforts at their store and explain why so many Starbucks employees feel the time has come to form a union. Also, how is management responding to the organizing efforts. And what this means for the larger economy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris returns with a fury to discuss...Biden's first year. Not good for Dems. The Supreme Court as a tool for capitalism & white supremacy. What Biden should do to get around the Manchin/Sinema roadblock. And a primer on Ukraine, Putin & America. 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 news from around the state. And to talk about the news out of Chicago, Stacy Davis Gates, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, makes a long-awaited return. The conversation covers everything from COVID protocols, to Mayor Lightfoot to Karen Lewis to the media to North Siders and much more. Including a word or two about Ben's beloved Chicago Bulls. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...

Troy LaRaviere pays tribute to Ice Cube, while pointing out the fallacies in his admiration for Trump. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big money in GOP throw cash at Richard Irvin. Is he MAGA enough? Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson & LeAlan Jones fire up for a great debate. Supreme Court vacancy. Kamala Harris to the bench? Hillary Clinton as VP? No way. The state of racism in the U.S.A. And the Bears prove Ben & Monroe wrong by hiring a Black as their general manager. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grayson Allen knocks Alex Caruso out of the lineup for eight weeks. Milwaukee celebrates. Ben riffs. And Terry Cosgrove is back! That's TC, executive director of Personal PAC. He explains why 2022 is the turning point election. It's all on the line--LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, union rights, you name it. Wake up, Dems! Stop crying. Get the job done. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Sirota is a journalist and former Bernie Sanders advisor. Now he's a movie producer and writer, having teamed up with Adam McKay to create Don't Look Up, currently the number-one movie on Netflix. David talks about how he and McKay "spitballed" the the movie into existence. Also, much discussion about the media, MAGA, corporate Dems, and climate change/COVID deniers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i...

Filmaker Chris Buddy returns to take the deep dive on Quentin Tarantino. Because…well, why not? Ben joins in for utter geekdom. Among the things they ponder…will they one day be embarrassed to have loved his movies so much? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.