Episodes
Alderwoman Maria Hadden—“Pick Up The Trash"
A modest proposal—community service for Trump. Ben riffs. Maria Hadden riffs on Ben’s riff. Then Maria talks natural gas ordinance, Bears stadium, SpotShotter, and abortion clinic silent zones. Also, how to remain cool and calm when everyone else is losing their minds. Maria is the alderwoman of th…
Monroe Anderson—“Free Speech for Me"
The city council proposed to crack down on anti-abortion zealots who harass women at abortion clinics. Ben riffs. Monroe is moved to recite the First Amendment. Which leads to a conversation about campus protests and police arresting pro-Palestinian protestor (what about their right to free speech?…
Dave Glowacz—The Great Free Speech Debate
Dave Glowacz returns! And Ben is so happy, he riffs about it. Then they get down to business, breaking down clips from the April 1 City Council meeting dedicated to the question: Should Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez be stripped of his chairmanship of the Housing Committee? We got clips of Aldermen Lo…
Rachel and Cody—It’s Just Big Me
Rachel Joravsky and Cody Wilkins return to tell you all you need to know about the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Take notes, Boomers. Rachel and Cody are writers and stand-up comedians. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri…
Gregory Pratt—The Lightfoot Term
Gregory Pratt takes the deep dive on The City Is Up For Grabs, his recently published book about Mayor Lightfoot’s term as mayor. Greg is a reporter for the Tribune. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mueze Bawany—The Bearable Bears
Mueze Bawany dissects the Bears, starting with their lakefront stadium proposal. And moving onto Caleb Williams, who could be Chicago’s next superstar. But is still not worth spending public dollars on a stadium. And then—oh, just listen. Mueze is a high school football coach, an English teacher, p…
Ray Hanania—“Oh, What A Week"
Ben and Ray Hanania tackle all the news of the week, including…campus protests, Congress antisemitism vote, 1968 history lessons, Bears stadium, and more. Also, Ray’s 70-30 like for Ed Burke. Ray is a columnist, political strategist, Cicero spokesperson and comedian. See Privacy Policy at https:/…
Monroe Anderson—“Vallas Moo"
Paul Vallas pleads on Ed Burke’s behalf. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson discusses the concept of sacred cows in Chicago, campus protestors and Bears stadium. As in no one wants to pay for the Bears stadium, including the Bears. Also, an explanation of how the Sun-Times treats allegations of infidelity …
David Faris—The Kennedy Kid
David Faris talks Third Parties, specifically the oddball presidential campaign of Robert Kennedy Jr. Also Trump makes a play for the Jewish vote by…insulting Jewish voters? And a few words about voter turnout. David is a columnist for Slate and Newsweek and a political science professor at Rooseve…
Rummana Hussain—The Culture Divide
There are two Chicagos that know nothing about the other. Rummana Hussain and Ben explain. Rummana is as editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell…
Megan Jeyifo—America’s Choice
Megan Jeyifo explains how Chicago’s been impacted by anti-abortion laws in Florida, Arizona, Idaho and other states currently controlled by MAGA. Megan is the executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://…
Delmarie Cobb—“Oh, What-A-Week for a Bears Stadium”
Ben and Delmarie Cobb tear into the Bears and Mayor Johnson’s proposal to build a stadium on the lakefront. It may be the worst idea since…oh, you fill in the blanks. Forget the lakefront site—build it on 87th Street or just go to Arlington Heights. Then a few words about Gaza and abortion. Delmari…
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez—“Green Thursday"
Lefties try to figure out where they stand. Ben riffs. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez talks about her fist year in congress. Dealing with MAGA. Who’s more obnoxious—Darren Bailey or Marjorie Taylor Green. And why she voted how she did on Ukraine, Israel, TikTok and more. See Privacy Policy at https:/…
Monroe Anderson—“Lefties Love The Bears"
Mayor Johnson signs on to the Bears’ lakefront stadium. Ben riffs—more like a howl to the moon. Monroe adds his thoughts. More howling ensues. How can they throw money at the Bears when there’s no money for schools? Then it’s on to Trump and his hush-money trial. What’s more likely—Trump gets convi…
Delmarie Cobb--The Transparent City
NBC hires Ronna McDaniel. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb riffs as well. Then it’s onto the issues of the day. Voter turnout. Selective transparency. Bears and Sox maneuvers. Why the hate for Mayor Johnson. Plus, valuable lessons she learned from her mother. Delmarie Cobb is a political strategist. See P…
Abdon Pallasch and Bob Herguth—The Rebel Kind
Abdon Pallasch and Bob Herguth talk about their recently released 12-episode podcast—Underbelly: The Rebel Kind. It tells the story of Dave Rupert, a truck driver who winds up as an FBI mole, insinuating his way to the highest ranks of the Real IRA. Yes, the IRA, as in Irish Republican Army. Bob an…
Brendan Shiller—Slim Coleman
Brendan Shiller talks about the life and legacy of Slim Coleman, the longtime activist and organizer who recently died at the age of 80. Stick around for the part where Brendan schools Ben on what really matters in a man’s life. Then a few words about police and their investigations of other police…
Monroe Anderson—“Bleak and Gloomy”
Ben’s beloved Bright One tells him that life is futile and he must give up hope, Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson then tells Ben he’s a sucker for paying to read the Sun-Times. Then they launch a conversation about why MAGA likes O.J. more than they like Biden. And why did white north siders turn on Mayo…
Marc Sims— “Road Block"
The city council talks TIFs. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims talks Coleman Hughes, The View, Joe Rogan, men and doctors and whether we can truly be color blind. And much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my…
Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle—Lefties and the Mainstreams
The mainstreams in Chicago love to maximize lefty election losses and minimize their wins. As the continuing coverage of Tuesday’s primary proves. Ben riffs. Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle explains the obstacles facing lefties in dealing with the mainstream media. As the coverage of Bring Chicago Home prove…
D'Frantz Smart—Girls Got Game
D’Frantz Smart talks all things women basketball. Including Dawn Staley, South Carolina, and Caitlin Clark. Also, why is the men’s college game struggling. And a few words about Ben’s beloved Bulls and Bucks coach Doc Rivers. D’Frantz is a former all-star for Whitney Young High School and one of th…
Zack Kam—On The Front Lines
Zack Kam is the ex-Marine who burned a flag at a protest against Israel’s war in Gaza. After which several aldermen tried to punish Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez. He tells his story from being a kid growing up in Southern California to a marine in Afghanistan to an activist in Chicago. See Privacy…
Rummana Hussain—OJ From A to Z
Rummana Hussain takes the deep dive on all things O.J. Simpson, who died just a few days ago at age 76. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-…
Pat Whalen—“Oh, What-A-Week"
Pat Whalen and Ben go through a week’s worth of news. Including, positive press for the Mayor, abortion, Gaza and Nick Sposato. Well, Nick was last week’s news. But Pat can’t resist. Pat is a comedian and impresario. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at …