Episodes
Heidi Henry—New Voters in 75
Palestinian-American Democrats want to speak at the convention. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry, a Heartland Mama, explains how Dems can win in her MAGA country legislative district. Thanks in part to 8,000 new voters. One more time—8,000 new voters! Most of whom are not MAGA. Are you listening, Democrats? …
David Faris—The Trump Cycle
David Faris explains his latest theory—“the Trump cycle”. It couldn’t happen without the complicity of the mainstream media. Like the New York Times. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy a…
Charles Henderson—“Fanne Foxe"
Speaking of MAGA Mark Robinson’s alleged penchant for porn, Ben goes back in time for a history lesson about stripper Fanne Foxx and Congressman Wilbur Mills. Charles Henderson offers his own thoughts. The discussion turns to Afghanistan, US wars, what Biden could have done better in leaving Afghan…
Monroe Anderson—“Corn Politics"
Breaking news! Mark Robinson, the MAGA candidate for Governor in North Carolina, watched a lot of porn, according to media reports. Ben riffs. Then Monroe riffs. From there the discussions covers Clarence Thomas, Moms for Liberty, why so many white woman love Trump, abortion rights, left wing consp…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—Messages Mixed
Miles Kampf-Lassin covers the convention from top to bottom. Including the failure of the mainstreams to give Mayor Johnson credit for anything. Also, the many mixed messages of the Dems. And a word or two about Tesla, China and the contradictions of contemporary capitalism. Miles is an editor/writ…
Miles Porter and Saul Rodriguez—Sad Sack Sox
As the baseball season heads into its final month, Miles and Saul have all the news you need to know about the Sox and Cubs. First the bad—really bad—news about the Sox, who are poised to set a record for most losses in the season. Then the sorta good news about the Cubs. Mediocre as they’ve been, …
Terry Cosgrove—"Do Your Job!!!"
Anti-abortion zealot says she may not vote for Trump. An exceedingly skeptical Ben riffs. Terry Cosgrove gives his state of the election. Will swing voters but Trump’s repositioning of himself as an abortion rights supporter? The pros and cons of ballot initiatives. And more. Terry is the former e…
Anan Abu-Taleb and Richard Goldwasser—“Busted in Paris"
The founder of Telegram gets busted in Paris, Elon Musk calls for free speech. Ben riffs. Anan Abu-Taleb and Richard Goldwasser plead for a ceasefire in Gaza. Anan is Palestinian-American and Richard is Jewish-American. They organized the lakefront runs for ceasefire during the DNC. The time to tak…
Monroe Anderson—“Paranoia Strikes Deep"
Scaredy-cat Dems are coming up with innovative explanations for why they will lose in November. Ben riffs. Monroe boldly predicts victory. Then sorta defends clueless Dems in Maryland who don’t realize a vote for Larry Hogan is a vote for Trump. Also, a few words about Baby Bobby voters and conspir…
Meredith Shiner—"Eat Your Vegetables"
Fun is over, the Sun-Times proclaims. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks all things politics. Including her New Republic essay about the mainstreams. Their reality is not our reality. Meredith and Ben cover everything from Trump on reproductive rights to Nancy Pelosi to Keith Olbermann’s dramatic rea…
Alden Loury—Foster Park Forever
WBEZ editor and demographer Alden Loury talks about the Sun-Times/BEZ expose on Mayor Rahm’s school closings. Bottom line—a lot of broken promises. He also analyses the connection between closing schools and losing people. And he gets personal about his glory days at Foster Park school on the south…
Mueze Bawany—Hard Knocks
Mueze Bawany talks all things Bears. But first Ben gets something off his chest about the ingratitude and indifference the Bulls show for their great players from the past. Then it’s onto Caleb Williams, Ian Wheeler, Coach Matt, cutting players, office furniture, where to get a good fade in Chicago…
David Faris—Moving Forward
With the DNC behind us, David Faris breaks down the race. What worked for the Dems at their convention, what didn’t. What did Kamala Harris achieve in her speech. Why do Dems keep calling Bill Clinton to the stage. Trump’s return to North Carolina. And the impact of the uncommitted movement. David …
Kina Collins—“DNC Wrap"
Obviously, Kamala Harris does not listen to Ben’s show. Or she would have invited a Palestinian-American to speak at the DNC. Ben riffs. And then Kina Collins takes the deep dive on the convention. Covering everything from the roll call to the Walz family to the unforced error of alienating the unc…
Monroe Anderson--"Back 2 Back Obamas"
Barack and Michelle take the DNC stage. Ben riffs. Then Monroe returns to talk all things convention. Including..do something (but don't mention Gaza) and roll call (Ben weeps) and Black cowboys in South Dakota, and going high as opposed to going low and whether Barack still has the magic, and Mich…
Mark Wallace—“Back on the Block"
Ben’s back from Michigan. But he still has Michigan on his mind. Especially something he saw amidst the Trump signs along the highway. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace riffs right back. Then they talk about day one of the Democratic Convention. Particularly…should Dems go high or low in their speeches. Mark…
Denali Dasgupta—Small Mercies
A lot of things happened this weekend—to put it mildly. Ben riffs on everything from the Trump shooting to Vance as VP to Amber Rose as MAGA spokeswoman to opening night of MAGA’s convention. Denali Dasgupta tells you what you need to know about the 2025 Project blueprint—a document she read so you…
Mike Nellis—Not Every White Dude’s For Trump
Trump comes to Chicago and insults Black people. Ben riffs. Mike Nellis explains how he and some friends created White Dudes for Harris. How they were so successful that Musk shut them down, Okay, we don’t know if Musk shut them down. Probably just a coincidence that their Twitter account died. Mik…
Delmarie Cobb—Tim Time
Kamala Harris selects a running mate. Ben jumps for joy. Delmarie riffs on Ben’s joy. Then they take the deep dive on why MAGA hates Black women, Trump’s appearance at NABJ, and why Black people think the Trump shooting was fake. And much more. Delmarie is a political strategist and founder of Ida’…
David Faris—Told You
For well over a year, David Faris had urged Democrats to find another presidential candidate to replace President Biden. And last week, Biden himself…well, you know what Biden did. David talks Biden, Kamala, and the challenges ahead. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University an…
Brandon Johnson—Back in the Day
The Mayoral runoff, life under Lori, Joe Biden in the POTUS race, baseball player Tim Anderson and MORE with Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. Originally ran April 29, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—Summer of Kamala
Biden to Harris. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks Biden, Harris, Gaza, Bernie, AOC, Sean O’Brien at the MAGA convention. And more. Miles is an editor/writer at In These Times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-…
Anderson and Joravsky—Fake News
The Tribune calls Ben “great”. Ben riffs. Then Ben and Monroe talk some local news—should Mayor Johnson remove the George Washington statue from City Hall? How about replacing it with a statue of Hercules Posey? Then it’s on to national news. The Trump shooting, the MAGA convention, JD Vance. And m…
Trae Crowder—JD Vance Before He Was A Virgin
When Trae Crowder met JD Vance it was the early days of Trump. And JD came across as a relatively sane moderate who thought Trump was awful. As any normal person would. Then Vance obviously concluded to get along you gotta…well, let Trae tell you everything you need to know about the deal that Vanc…