Episodes
Laurie Glenn--Wake Up, America!
Dems rejoice over a victory in a state senate election in Pennsylvania. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn continues the positivity. Dyett High wins a state bball championship. Remember when Mayor Rahm tried to close it? Then Laurie riffs. Asking the big questions, like...can peace and love beat war and hate?…
Delmarie Cobb—Cheeseheads Step Up
Wisconsin voters tell Trump and Musk—stay out of our business! Ben riffs on Judge Crawford’s big win. Delmarie Cobb congratulates Wisconsin voters for doing the right thing and breaks down why they did it. In no particular order—can’t stand Musk, support abortion rights and in general think Trump’s…
Kat Abughazaleh—New Kid On The Block
Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old TikTok influencer who's never held office, challenges Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky in the 9th congressional district--as a bunch of Boomers and Gen Xers lose their collective minds at her audacity. Ben riffs. Kat joins the show to talk about her candidacy, her backgrou…
Oh, What a Week!—The Winds of Change
Ben and Dr D examine the week that was. Including…The Durbin revolt. Do any high profile Dems have the guts to make Senator Durbin pay for his filibuster vote? Short answer—no! Long answer—no way. Hold it! Time out for Giddey. Back to politics. Kat, the zee-lennial, challenges Congresswoman Schakow…
Alderman Gil Villegas--Blame It On Elon
MAGA has a curious way of processing their opposition to the cuts Trump is making—it’s Musk’s fault! Ben riffs. Alderman Gil Villegas breaks down the false narratives Trump employees to justify the unjustifiable. Like social security is a Ponzi scam. And it helps veterans to cut programs that helps…
Rummana Hussain--Rosie Leaves the USA
Rosie O'Donnell decides to sit out the Trump years in Ireland, trashing the U.S. press corps as she runs off to safety. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks about cuts at the Sun-Times. And the desperate state of journalism. A few words about Bill Maher, once Mr. Politically Incorrect, crying like a sn…
Monroe Anderson--Bird Brain Flu
Trump thought it was a good idea to put a lunatic in charge of national health. Now Robert Kennedy has a big idea to deal with the avian flu. Ben riffs. Monroe covers the latest madness from Trump World. Including... the El Salvador deportations, Trump's defiance of federal judges, Trump's attempts…
Joanna Klonsky--Free Speech
Mahmoud Khalil learns there's an asterisk to MAGA's dedication to free speech. Ben riffs. Joanna Klonsky says if you're waiting for Trump, Musk or MAGA to be principled, you'll be waiting a long time. Then the talk turns to centrist Dems and the continuing resolution showdown. Is appeasement the be…
David Faris--Schumer Buckles
Senator Schumer, leader of the senate Dems, rolls over for Trump on the continuing resolution. Ben riffs. David Faris takes it from there. Explaining why the Dems should have kept the filibuster going. And how they wound up giving even more power to Trump. And how it shows divisions in the Democrat…
Oh, What a Week!—Fur-Gate
Ben and Dr. D hop on JB’s presidential tour bus as it goes to Texas and Chicago and New Hampshire. Mayor Rahm has no tour bus. But he does have a puff piece in Politico heralding his potential prez campaign. And the city council debates RayLo’s fur ban. Can Dennis pass the who-voted-how trivia test…
Kina Collins--Trump Touts Tesla
After trashing electric cars for years, Trump pimps for Tesla to help make money for Musk. Ben riffs. Kina Collins explains Gavin Newsom's new-found love for Charlie Kirk--think of it as "white dude's white duding." Also, a primer on the short-sighted foolishness of Democrats who did not support Co…
Ken Mejia-Beal--Still in Love with Al Green
Ten Democratic congressmen vote to censure Congressman Al Green for the high crime of telling the truth about Trump. Ben riffs. Ken Mejia-Beal adds his two cents.Pointing out that the DuPage area Dems--Casten and Underwood--somehow managed not to wimp out even though they represent Purplish distric…
Nicole Cantello--Federal Employees Fight Back
Just another day in MAGA, USA--Trump threatens to lock up agitators. Guilty or not. Ben riffs. Nicole Cantello offers an update on the Trump-Musk war against federal employees. The bizarre often contradictory orders. Like the return-to-the-office directives. Followed by proposals to sell the buildi…
Oh, What a Week!--Johnson Goes to Congress and Pritzker Does The View
Be happy, Chicago--your local politicians made the big time. Mayor Johnson testified before congress, Governor Pritzker was a guest on The View, and lest we forget--Mayor Rahm made an ass of himself on Bill Maher's show. Ben and Dr. D break it all down and tell you what it means. See Privacy Pol…
Monroe Anderson--Donnie Talks To Congress
Trump gives a speech to congress. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson--back from his world travels--asks and answers all the big questions. Such as...Is there anything more pathetic than MAGA continuing to bow to Trump even as he drives them broke with his inflationary policies? Why do voters care about the…
Mick Dumke--Free the Press
Trump punishes AP for not bowing to his commands. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke joins the conversation with memories of how Mayors Daley and Rahm treated reporters they didn't like. What kind of country will we have if the press is controlled by the president? Then some memories of people who recently died…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—MAGA Goes Left
Good news for lefties—CM Punk dons a CTU sweatshirt. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains how MAGA creates its own reality. And how they hate leftists but love leftist critiques. And how they hate unions but love unionized workers. Or so they say. And more. Miles is an editor and writer for In Th…
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez--Trump Trolls
After ordering federal employees not to even mention DEI, Trump throws a party in the White House to celebrate Black History Month--MAGA style. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez covers the news. Including...the free speech debate, Gaza protest puppets, Chicago City Council disinfor…
David Faris--Bannon's Salute
Steve Bannon, Trump's ideological brain, gives the Nazi salute to a bunch of MAGA lovers and Governor Pritzker warns we’re looking a little too like Germany in the `30s. Ben riffs. David Faris explores this theme--American voters saw what Trump did on January 6 and voted for him anyway. What does t…
Stacy Davis Gates--Resistance Is Not An Option
MAGA writes a script for teachers which makes no sense. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks resistance. What must be done and who must do it. Also, a few words about the midterms. And the mayor. And the people who want to be mayor. And a sorta shoutout to her libertarian critics. Who are not really …
Oh, What a Week!--Pritzker’s Poll
Ben and the doctor are in the house, talking a week’s worth of news. Including… Governor Pritzker's 2026 budget address. The latest Trump poll, paid for by JB Pritzker. Also known as...President Pritzker. And the first in a series—the Chicago Mayoral Candidate spotlight. Yes, 2027 is right around t…
Rummana Hussain--Even Daley Wasn't This Mighty
Trump says no judge tells him what to do! Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain ponders the day’s great questions. Can Trump remove the Associated Press from the White House cause they won't bow to his commands? Can he disobey the rulings of federal judges? Can he command Palestinians to leave Gaza? Is that e…
Meredith Shiner--Primary the Dems!
Trump decides it's okay to ignore the rulings of federal judges. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks about her revelation. It's time Democrats took back their party from the feckless consultant class that runs it. Hence, it's time to primary all incumbents. Including Senator Durbin right here in Illi…
Oh, What a Week: Brought to you by The Gift Room
Ben and Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news, including…President Pritzker. Yes, Ben’s sticking to his prediction. Former speaker Madigan. He was convicted. Mainly cause he didn’t pledge his allegiance to Trump. And New York City’s Mayor Adams. He did pledge allegiance to Trump and, voila, charges …