Episodes

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.

Police and Kyrie Irving form a curious anti-vax coalition. Ben riffs. Alderman Andre Vasquez and Frank Avellone talk about proposed anti-eviction ordinance. And Tom Tresser and Jonathan Peck talk TIFs. 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 to take the deep dive on politics. Specifically, what's wrong with Democrats? Do they want to lose? Do they want to let MAGA take control of the world? In short, do they have a clue? 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 runs down all the madness. Including Ellen Pompeo having the nerve to cuss out Denzel Washington. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 14, 2019: Trump's interview with Fox and Friends, Trump's interview with ABC and Elizabeth Warren's latest plan. Another Alderman doing jail time? Sun Times Columnist mark brown takes the deep dive. D'Frantz Smart talks politics in sports and Host of the Fight Podcast Sergio Vicente gives us tips on how to fight Donald Trump (politically) 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 a week's worth of news, including a fight between billionaires--Kenny G v. Governor Pritzker. Ben explains what Ken Griffin is really up to. Also, Mayor Lightfoot scapegoats Kim Foxx, again. DB comes in second to undecided in the latest Republican poll. And a word or two about the Bears, trying to soak taxpayers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts--of the Cubs owning Ricketts--goes to the border to keep people out. And it's not the Iowa border. Ben riffs. Marc Sims returns to talk crime and politics. And Adolfo Mondragon talks politics, crime and law. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NBA great Isiah Thomas offers some advice to antivaxxers like Kyrie Irving. And Monroe Anderson talks Pence, filibuster and insurrectionists. And state Rep. Lakesia Collins returns to talk about CPS inadequate response to COVID, Kim Foxx v. Lightfoot, and criminal justice. Also, both guests think Ben is too hard on Obama. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Facebook melts down. Ben riffs. Or tries to. Marlon Chamberlain from Fully Free joins Lisa Soloman to talk restorative justice. And state Senator Robert Peters returns to discuss dog whistles, Ken Griffin. Bears looking for handouts and the hypocrisy of "free marketers". 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 riffs on the sleazy Cuomo brothers of New York City; Tucker Carlson and white replacement theory; and cancel culture as a political tool of people whose culture almost never gets cancelled. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Benji the Bookie returns and gets a little political about anti-vaxxers in the NBA. Then he gets down to the business of prognostication, regarding Ben's beloved Bulls. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 13, 2019: A Mayor Lightfoot city council meeting number 2 in review and TIF talk with Casey Toner of The Better Government Association. Union Man Ed Maher returns and it's the 10th Ward Alderwoman Sue Sadlowski Garza. 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 do their riffing thing. Including riffs on the Bears, WBEZ/Sun-Times, and our big scoop. Hint, we owe it all to Scott Waguespack, Dan Mihalopoulos and Linda Paul. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crain's asks who's going to pay for a new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. Ben answers. Chinyere Farr talks Reader fundraising. And Jacob & Dan, the Illinois Political Know it Alls, return to talk politics from Chicago to Springfield to D.C. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez returns to talk policing, budgets, mayoral fibbing and the different rules for mayoral allies and independents in the city council. Also, it looks as though former alderman Richard Mell is teaming up with former Governor Blago, his Trump-loving son-in-law, to run someone against her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bears buy property in Arlington Heights. Ben says—good riddance. Monroe Anderson talks LeBron and vaccines. And south side activist Dixon Romeo talks Obama Center and gentrification. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben sets up shop in Cali. Nothing goes right. And Alderman Scott Waguespack, chair of the finance committee, talks budgets, mayors, Burke, Gardiner and why Mike Kelly had got to go. 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 to talk about the California recall election and the lunacy of hard-core anti-mandate Republicans. It's enough to make him almost optimistic about the future. Also, he riffs on France's upset over Australia, the U.S.A. and submarines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.