Episodes

Aaron Rodgers takes a page from Bill Clinton's "depends what the meaning of is is" to convince people think he'd been vaccinated, when he wasn't. Ben riffs. And Sarah Bingaman, Indivisible activist from MAGA-land, talks about what Dems have to do to win over voters in a towns where people fly signs that say "Fuck Biden". Hint--jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. Let's hope Dems are listening... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...

The Reader through a virtual party, featuring Kim Hunt, executive director of Pride Action Tank, Stacy Davis Gates, Alderwoman Rodriguez and Benny J. And we talked about the future of progressive politics in Chicago. Needless to say, the old guy was the most jaded of the bunch. Man, you can't take him anywhere... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA wins in Virginia and almost in New Jersey. Democrats panic. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about what went wrong for Dems and what they have to do to change course. And legendary Chicago activist Jitu Brown makes his podcast debut to talk about community empowerment. In short, don't move right, Dems, out of fear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA takes its stand in Kenosha & Virginia, hoping to acquit Kyle Rittenhouse of murder and elect a Trumpster as governor. Dems look helpless. Ben riffs. And political strategist Andrew Ellison makes his debut to take the deep dive on congressional reapportionment. He gives Dems an A-. It might have been an A, but... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns to talk, among other things,Squid Games. Let the great debate begin. Also, was Katie Couric helping or hurting RBG by hiding her comments about Colin Kaepernick?. And, finally, what's with men and sports? How come they love the Bears so much that they ignore the World Champion Sky? Ben has another one of his infamous theories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...

Tuesday, July 2, 2019: Trump's stupid parade. The Illinois gas and cigarette tax. Maya Dukmasova of The Chicago Reader talks last week's debates. Gardening Guru and radio host Mike Nowak talks politics and parks. Preservationist Andrew Schneider shares some Chicago history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's week-summarizing time. With Dr. D in Alton, Atiba Buchanan--WVON talk show host--returns to engage Ben in a series of great debates. Topics include--congressional remap. White guy wins $10 million discrimination lawsuit. The Blackhawks scandal. Kyrie "flat earth" Irving. Dave Chappelle. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The City Council passes Mayor Lightfoot's budget. Ben riffs. Also, an apology to Johnny C. Sorta. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, writer/editor for In These Times, returns to talk about, among other things, taxing the rich. It's popular, yet Dems just can't get it done. Miles explains why. Finally, a shoutout to the great Joakim Noah. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

House Speaker Chris Welch returns to talk legislative maps, Ken Griffin, Lightfoot & Foxx and Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Chicago Blackhawks hockey team finally fess up to covering up allegations of sexual assault during the 2010 playoffs. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson & Sergio Mims talk Kyle Rittenhouse trial, mask mandates, Chicago Reader, Harold Washington, Bernie Epton and Black Harvest film festival. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Sun-Times isn't delivered, Johnny C defies Queen Lori, and parental notification. Ben riffs on all. And Dave Glowacz, ace reporter for Inside Chicago Government, returns for another City Council Synopsis. Featuring Inspector General Joe Ferguson's departing advice to the aldermen, if they truly want to avoid a monarchy. And much more. 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--the dean of city council Democratic Socialists--returns to tell you everything you need to know about Mayor Lightfoot's bizarre comments at a recent meeting with Latino caucus members. Those comments include the claim that's she's a better mayor than Mayor Harold Washington (which is like Alex Caruso saying he's better than Michael Jordan) and that she's done a "fuck ton" for the Black wards. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

David Shor is the whiz-kid, pollster, computer-geek strategist who says the Democrats must move right in order to keep from being annihilated in upcoming senate and congressional elections. The conventional wisdom among Democratic centrists is that President Biden should do whatever the kid says. Political Scientist David Faris explains the shortcomings to Shor's analysis. And the problems for Dems if they do what Shor says. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy ...

Tuesday, June 25, 2019: Trump continues to needle Iran and we're 24 hours away from the Democratic Presidential debates. Mick Jagger's Ed Burke jab and what the hell did Alderman Carrie Austin do? Marijuana will officially be legal in Illinois. In These Times Writer Miles Kampf-Lassin talks all things politics. Grassroots Collaborative Organizer Amisha Patel brings in a mystery guest to talk minimum wage in Illinois. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...

Mayor Rahm almost sheds a crocodile tear or two at his senate confirmation hearing. Ben riffs. Political strategist Delmarie Cobb explains why Rahm's nomination is such a betrayal to Black people. And SEIU's Candis Castillo returns to talk Chicago and national politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dems line up to make Mayor Rahm Ambassador Rahm. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Colin Powell. And Kina Collins, Democratic candidate for 7th congressional district, talks congressional maps, her race against Danny Davis, why Rahm shouldn't be confirmed, violence in Austin and Harold Washington. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We're calling this Ben's Back in Chicago Tuesday because...Ben's back in Chicago. Returning from Cali to find his city in crisis. Mayor Lightfoot having a showdown with FOP president Johnny Catanzara over vaccine mandates. Ben riffs. Also, Maya Dukmasova, Injustice Watch writer, returns to talk judicial slating--what do you have to do to become a judge in Cook County? For starters, donate $40,000 to the Democratic Party. Say what you will, but it's not as gross as pledging your allegiance to Tru...

Attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk legal issues & politics. Specifically, the case against Alex Jones. Eastman's attack on the constitution and the latest on Texas anti-abortion law. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jessica Chiarella wrote The Lost Girls, a thriller set in Chicago that is so good, Ben stayed up really late reading it. Not wanting to give anything away, let's just say this--he didn't see that ending coming. Jessica talks about the challenges of writing thrillers and who she's reading and why Chicago is good place for a writer to write. Listen to the interview and then read her book. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

June 18, 2019: Trump is set to kick off his 2020 campaign. Lori Lightfoot is in New York. illinois State Rep Rob Martwick returns to talk all things politics. Kristen Kaza of The Chicago Reader talks their block party and it's the return of the South Side Political Know it Alls Jerry Brown and Tom Shepherd. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's the end of the week, which means it's time for Ben and Dr. D to riff on a week's worth of news. Only with the good doctor enjoying a much-deserved day off, Reader editor Salem Collo-Julin steps in. And so Ben & Salem riff on Mayor Lightfoot's showdown with MAGA man John Catanzara. Also Mayor Lightfoot's assertion that she's a greater mayor than the greatest mayor of all time. Plus, Salem has a thing or two to say about her beloved White Sox. And Ben talks about his almost 50 year love affai...

The great activist/scholar Timuel Black dies at age 102. Ben offers a tribute. Harish Patel returns to talk about guaranteed income. And Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns to talk about getting over COVID, vaccine mandates, Obama Center, budgets and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In These Times writer/editor Miles Kampf-Lassin has bad news about democracy. The Republicans seemed determined to get rid of it, democracy, that is. And the Democrats seem clueless as to how to stop MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Reader turns 50! Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Jon Gruden. And Reader co-publisher Tracy Baim returns to talk journalism, Reader and Facebook. Monroe closes with a few thoughts about MAGA, Bannon and January 6. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .