Episodes
Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle - "50-0!"
The City Council unanimously votes against a property tax hike. Ben riffs. Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle analyzes MAGA votes in the 50th ward. A combo of Democratic disenchantment and MAGA converts. Well, maybe they were already MAGA. Also, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. His policies created the migrat…
Denali Dasgupta - "Attorney General Gaetz"
Trump nominates Matt Gaetz for AG. Ben riffs. Then he riffs about the Sun-Times article on the Latino bloc. Then Denali riffs on the curious attitude voters have for women candidates. And then they’re off, searching for meaning in the illogical behavior of voters. Also, a brief look at elected scho…
Monroe Anderson - "That's How You Do It, Dems”
Biden welcomes Trump to the White House. Oh, what a difference between MAGA and Dems. Ben riffs. Monroe already looking forward to 2026 midterms. Will Senate Republicans have a backbone? Only if votes are private. The great debate—did Saturday Night Live roll over? When will Mayor Johnson ever lear…
Miles Kampf-Lassin — “Admit It, America"
Trump picks the governor of South Dakota to police the border with Mexico. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin assesses the election and what will follow. Will Sean O’Brien use his clout with Trump to stand up for labor? Stop laughing, people. Will Joe Rogan use his clout with Trump to keep Trump from lo…
Michael Crommett—In Case You Forgot
Michael Madigan really has left the building, as he’s not running for re-election as committeeman. Ben riffs. And cinematographer Michael Crommett talks about filming the January 6 insurrection. Michael was there that day. First at Trump’s rally. And later on the steps of the Capitol, where he film…
Rep. Kelly Cassidy -- Madigan Agonistes
The MAGAzation of America hits the airplane boarding lines. Ben riffs. Kelly Cassidy joins the riffing and broadens the conversation to Yankee fans. Is America as anti-women as MAGA thinks? Will Kelly’s home state of Florida vote Kamala? And a few words about MJM, or Michael Joseph Madigan. Kelly i…
Kina Collins - "Lessons Learned"
The day-after comments of Dems and Trumpers reveal—again—that MAGA plays the game of politics by its own set of rules. Ben riffs. Kina Collins offers her views on what went down in the election. As much as she wanted Kamala to win, she saw it coming. A few words about misogyny. And much more. Kina …
Monroe Anderson and Jack White - "Harris Defeats Trump"
When it came to election predictions, Ben got everything wrong. Ben riffs. Then legendary journalist Jack White join Ben and Monroe in breaking everything down. Including what to do next. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do…
Rep. Kam Buckner - "Anything Goes"
As America votes, the polls tell the story. Sorta. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner offers his state of the union on this day of decision. Ben gets sentimental. Kam can relate. Our ancestors are talking to us. A word or two about gaslit north siders who have been brainwashed into hating Mayor Johnson. And th…
Alderman Matt Martin—A Few Hours To Go
Alderman Matt Martin talks about how to pay Chicago’s school bills. The limitations of TIFs. Why Chicago needs Kamala to win. Property tax assistance. His fair election ordinance. And the need for safer crosswalks. Matt is the alderman of the 47th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri…
Delmarie Cobb — Time To Step Up
New school board prez loves Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb addresses voter attitudes toward women. Will voters overcome their fears and elect a woman president? Flashbacks to Hillary. The Liz Cheney strategy. And a word or two about north side white liberals. They’re aghast! And they’re th…
David Faris--Anticipatory Obedience
With just a few days before the election, David Faris considers the possibility of American democracy turning into a dystopian horror show. Already you can see the billionaires making the same calculations. Like Jeff Bezos, trying to win over Trump by ordering the Post not to endorse Kamala. And t…
Omar Torres-Kortright—Puerto Rican Pride
Having already denigrated and hated on Blacks, Mexicans, Jews, and Haitians, MAGA turns in Puerto Ricans. Omar Torres-Kortright talks about Puerto Rico’s connection to the mainland. What MAGA is up to by hating on Puerto Ricans. How Puerto Rican voters will respond. And more. Omar is an activist an…
Adolfo Mondragon - "Mayor Boo"
Chicago wakes up to realize Mayor Johnson broke the property tax promise he should never have made. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon talks about the psychology of voters supporting politicians who denigrate them. Also, the Don Rickles impact on MAGA. And the Musk ask—what will he want from Donny in exch…
Monroe Anderson - "76,000 Big Macs"
Tens of thousands of people turn out in Washington to hear Kamala. Ben riffs. Monroe chimes in. The talk turns to the gender gap. What’s a matter with men? Does Washington Post columnist Brian Broome have a point? And what will the world look like when we record next Wednesday’s show? See Privacy…
Jacob Kaplan--"Madison Square Hate"
MAGA denigrates Puerto Ricans at Trump rally in New York. Ben riffs. Jacob Kaplan riffs. And then it's the deep dive on the presidential election. Including, though not limited to, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Nebraska. Yes, Nebraska. C'mon, rookies, you can learn from Jacob, one of …
David Faris--Swinging States
David Faris talks swing states. That is, the concept that only seven states matter in the presidential election and how everything else that follows is insane. As in the media's coverage of MAGA's reaction to hurricanes And the tribal identities of Blue versus Red. And...oh, just listen. Also, a lo…
Jason McGrath—Poll Troubles
Trump sways to music in what was a bizarre campaign moment, even for Trump. Ben riffs. Pollster Jason McGrath tells you everything you need to know about the polls. They're guideposts, nothing more or less. Please don't hate the messenger even if you hate his message. And if you want to know who's …
Rummana Hussain—Trump Scares Bezos
Jeff Bezos spikes the Washington Post’s editorial endorsing Kamala Harris. Looks like Trump scared him off, just like he apparently scared Jamie Dimon. Rummana Hussain talks about the limitations of our so-called free press. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are …
Miles Kampf-Lassin - "Trump Scares Dimon"
Jamie Dimon is afraid to endorse Kamala Harris. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin gives some last minute advice to the Dems. Not that they will listen. Also, imagine if the mainstreams covered corporate greed like they cover Mayor Johnson. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times. See Privacy Pol…
Monroe Anderson -- "Obama Does Eminem”
President Obama channels Eminem—that’s how bad he wants to beat Trump. Ben riffs. Monroe on polls and predictions. And John Kelly calling Trump a fascist. Is Sean right? Everyone wants to be a swing voter. Just as everyone talks like a pundit. The Central Park 5 take it to court. Will Monroe chann…
Maya Dukmasova - "Mad Dog Madigan Defense"
With fascism at the gates, the feds start prosecuting Michael Madigan. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova talks justice. Or at least judges. As she previews Injustice Watch’s guide to judges. A very entertaining and enlightening view of how judges got to the bench and what they did once they got there. …
Denali Dasgupta—Tech Bros
Apparently having nothing better to do, the city council wages a revolt on behalf of ShotSpotter. Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta talks about the aldermanic love for tech bros, technology, privatization and “magical thinking”. That is, the belief that a device peddled by a clever salesman will magically…
Lynn Toussaint— Haitian History
Desperate to scare enough white voters to vote him back to the White House, Trump hates on Haitians. Lynn Toussaint gives a primer on Haiti, its history with the USA, what Trump is up to by making up lies about Haitians and other immigrants and more. Including, an answer to the Marvin Gaye question…