Episodes
Steve James—Walton’s Trip
Ben and Steve love talking about Bill Walton, the great basketball player of their youth who recently died of cancer at age 71. Steve knows a lot thing about Walton cause he directed a four-part documentary on his life for ESPN. And Ben knows about Walton cause he, Ben, is utterly obsessed with ‘70…
David Faris—Convicted!
David Faris takes the deep dive on Trump’s conviction. But first…a few words about how the New York Times covers politics. It would be laughable if the stakes weren’t so high. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his…
State Senator Rob Martwick—“The Local Angle”
Ben searches for the local angle to Trump’s conviction. Rob Martwick talks Trump and Illinois politics. The new state budget. The difference between the house and the senate, The urge to tax our “sins”. Springfield meddles with Chicago schools. And hemp as reefer. Rob is the state senator from a d…
Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle—“Sorry, Libbies"
Ben apologizes to Libertarians—sorta. Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle tells you everything you need to know about Mayor Rahm closing mental health clinics and Mayor Johnson re-opening them. Including the media’s role. Matt is a political activist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ…
Monroe Anderson—-“To The Jury"
Trump’s hush-money trial goes to the jury. Ben riffs. Monroe adds his two cents. And then they’re off, covering everything from Congresswoman Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Green to which city is more racist: Boston or Chicago? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …
Marc Sims—"Libertarian Boos”
Libertarians boo Trump. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks about just about everything, including…Libertarians, slavery, Chicago’s inspector general, crime, snitches, Bill Walton and Franz Kafka. Marc host the Just a Few Questions podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr…
Steve James—Bill Walton, Lucky Man
Filmaker Steve James returns to talk about his latest movie—The Luckiest Man In The World, a four-part series for ESPN. It tells the story of Bill Walton, an anti-war activist, Grateful Dead aficionado, broadcaster and, oh, yes, one of the greatest basketball players of the 1970s. Ben gives the mov…
Charles Henderson—Memorial Day
Are vets more politically conservative than non-vets? Or is that yet another MAGA myth that liberals have fallen for. Charles Henderson takes the deep dive into this and other topics. Charles is an Army vet who served in Afghanistan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California P…
Rummana Hussain—Things We Say
Rummana and Ben riff on Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez comment about anti-Zionist pediatricians. And mayoral aide Ronnie Reese’s ancient tweet about the Pride Parade. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her opinions are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…
Charlie Meyerson—Shrimp Scapegoat
Veteran journalist Charlie Meyerson analyzes the media’s coverage of the rise and fall of Red Lobster. They could have blamed it on the owners. Instead they went for the shrimp joke. Also, a preview of this summer’s conventions. Can Charlie answer Ben’s 1968 trivia questions? Charlie is the publish…
Brendan Shiller—“Oh, What A Week for…for Spotters?
Brendan Shiller and Ben break down the basics on ShotSpotter, Mayoral opposition, MAGA judges, Alito’s flag, and much more. Brendan is a defense lawyer, political strategist and a poker player. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv…
Mark Wallace—“Lefty Whisperer"
Kennedy Bartley gets a gig with Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace talks Shot Spotter. And, yes, I’m spelling it that way. Also Red Light Cameras and Trump’s openly bragging about his deal with Putin. Mark is an activist, podcaster and business man. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri…
Monroe Anderson—“Red Lobster"
Capitalism bankrupts Red Lobster. Ben riffs. Monroe talks Justce Alito and his flag, Fani Willis, what Dems should do about the Supreme Court and, the difference between MAGA and liberal columnists and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://…
Alderman Gil Villegas—"Missed the Point"
Progressives in Springfield propose a handout for a women’s pro soccer team owned by fabulously wealthy people. Sigh. Ben riffs. Alderman Villegas explains his view of the world. What he means by being what he calls a pragmatic progressive. A Gil/Ben debate on MAGA and the left. And a few words abo…
Peter Cunningham—No Accountability
A north side resident wants to recall Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham riffs on Ben’s riff and then away they go, talking…police accountability, Dexter Reed, elected school boards, Peter’s run for office, and Dickey Betts. Peter is a political strategist, writer and rock ‘n roller. See P…
Rachel Hinton—Percival Everett Tribute
Rachel Hinton and Ben talk the week’s news and introduce the world to…The Rachel and Ben Book Club. Today’s book is James by Percival Everett. Which if you haven’t read, hurry up! But first, listen to Rachel and Ben talk police, housing, and theatrical politics of the absurd. Rachel is a reporter …
Dan Mihalopoulos—Oath Keepers
Dan Mihalopoulos goes A-Z on Oath Keepers in the Chicago Police Department. A subject he knows a lot about, having broken one story after another on the matter with Tom Schuba of the Sun-Times. Dan is a reporter for WBEZ. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…
Salem Collo-Julin-"Oh, What A Week for…Revenge?”
Salem Collo-Julin and Ben go through the news. Including…Barry Romo makes the Times, Reader goes weekly, media evaluates the mayor, and the difference between a city that fears its mayor (Rahm, Daley) and one that doesn’t. Suddenly, everyone is so courageous. Where was that courage when we needed i…
Denali Dasgupta—“They Think It’s Legit"
The Crain’s Crowd weighs in on Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Denali Gasgupta tells you everything you need to know about Chicago’s elected school board. Is Chicago ready for democracy? I guess that depends on what you mean by democracy. Denali is a political activist and a numbers-crunching analyst of …
Monroe Anderson--"Dumb Polls"
The polls are in for Mayor Johnson and President Biden. Ben riffs. And then Monroe explains. Trump trial. Stormy. Cohen. The Rockettes? And a few words about a Virginia school districts attempts to show love for slave owners. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …
David Faris—Unelectable Positions
David Faris explains the absurdity of moderates searching for an alternative to Biden. Hello—he is a moderate. And speaking of absurdity. Nothing matches Trump’s desperate attempt to figure out an electable position on abortion. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and …
Rummana Hussain—Spitting Out The Pellets
Rummana and Ben have the news business on their minds. How folks are put in metaphorical boxes based on what they’re expected to be interested in. Breaking out is harder than it looks.?Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https…
Sean Dinces—Money For Free
With an eye for the Bears stadium propossl, Sean Dinces explains how the public helped pay for Sox Park and the United Center. Think tax breaks and handouts. And what did we get for it? Will Chicago be dumb enough to fall for this game again. Sean is a professor of history and the author of Bulls M…
Charles Henderson-"Oh, What A Week for Barry Romo”
Ben and Charles Henderson break it all down, starting with…a tribute to the great activist Barry Romo, who died a few days ago. Barry was a Vietnam War vet turned anti-war activist who wasn’t afraid to take on the Daley Machine. Also, a few words about the working class janitors and college protest…