We rarely lie to the American people! Milo, the great

Episodes

Nov. 20, 2023

Anderson and Joravsky—Someone You Should Know

Chicago, a city of immigrants, displays its not-so-loving attitude toward immigrants. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump and offers tributes to two late greats—Harry Porterfield and Richard Roundtree. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 17, 2023

Graciela Guzman—Politics and Policy

Aldermen claim it’s their prerogative to keep immigrants out of their wards. Ben riffs—maybe no one knows what prerogative means. Graciela Guzman, Democratic candidate for state senator in the 20th district, talks politics and policy. The politics are straight up Chicago. The policies have to do wi…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 16, 2023

Jesse Washington—The Coach

Jesse Washington spent two years working with legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson on his autobiography. But their book is not really about basketball. It’s about race in America. Also capitalism. And, yes, ok, basketball. Jesse and Ben discuss it all. The name of the book is…I Come …

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 15, 2023

"The Rahm Cult" and Monroe Anderson

Politico shows much love for Mayor Rahm. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson explains the love D.C. pundits have for Rahm. Then he explains the fear MAGA elected officials have for Trump. Which explains why MAGA pols, like Senator Markwayne Mullin and Congressman Kevin McCarthy, feel compelled to act so…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 15, 2023

“Oh, What A [Past] Week” with Brendan Shiller

Brendan Shiller and Ben talk the Chicago and national news of the week. Including…Trump takes control of Congress, or at least the Republican majority. The new police contract. A few hopeful thoughts about immigration. And “rats” in Chicago. Like William O’Neal. Brendan is a lawyer, political strat…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 14, 2023

David Faris—No End In Sight

David Faris breaks down the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. And then a word or two about the state of the Republican Party in congress. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 12, 2023

Rummana Hussain—The Look

Rummana Hussain talks Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ivanka Trump, and Rashida Tlaib. And more. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 10, 2023

S.L. Wisenberg—Wanderers

S.L. Wisenberg—aka, Sandi Wisenberg— tells her life in short stories and essays. From Texas to Evanston to Chicago and lots of places in between. She talks about those journeys—what she calls her “angsty way of moving through the world”. Her latest collection is The Wandering Womb: Essays in Search…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 9, 2023

Mick Dumke—Hidden City

Bulls lose their opener. Ben loses his mind. Mick Dumke explains what it takes to get the city’s budget office to reveal what should already be public information. In short, you have to file many FOIA requests to learn aldermanic salaries. Learn about the in-another-location excuse for concealing …

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 8, 2023

Nader Issa—School News

Anti-immigrant people in Brighton Park attack Alderwoman Julia Ramirez. Ben riffs. Nader Issa returns to talk all things Chicago Public Schools. Including…the impact of immigrants on enrollment. Why are school officials downplaying that impact? Also, a word or two about vouchers. And then a word or…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 7, 2023

Maria Degillo—Hurt and Anger in Chicago

Under pressure from the mainstream, Mayor Johnson backs off from his trip to the southern border. Ben riffs. Maria Degillo explains how her life story illustrates the need for a new approach to dealing with hurt, anger and fear in our high schools. Maria is the Youth Director at Voices of Youth in …

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 6, 2023

Rummana Hussain—Wenner World

Rummana Hussain explores the state of journalism. Why newspapers are looking to Taylor Swift coverage to boost circulation. The mindless racism of Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone. Taylor Swift reporters are instructed they can’t be a fan. But Jann Wenner made millions sucking up to rock stars. And sho…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 5, 2023

Bronn, Coss and Norman—On Guard

The Sun-Times and WBEZ reveal a deputy sheriff in Stephenson County had been an Oath Keeper. Concerned citizens want to know the implications. Karl Bronn is a member of the local NAACP. Jody Coss is the chair of the Stephenson County Democratic Party. And Pat Norman is president of the Freeport bra…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 3, 2023

Pemon Rami—When Black Was Golden

Mayor Johnson talks about visiting the border. Ben riffs. Activist, casting director, writer, director Pemon Rami talks Chicago history, Black activism, Sam Greenlee, The Spook Who Sat By The Door, Cooley High and all kinds of other things. Pemon is the author of newly published memoirs: When Black…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 2, 2023

Dan Montgomery—Before MAGA

Believe it or not, there was a time when the Republican Party wasn’t radiating hate for teachers. This was back in the 80s when a Republican Governor led the way for…oh, let Dan Montgomery tell the story. Dan is the president of Illinois Federation of Teachers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 1, 2023

"Baby Library" and Monroe Anderson

The city council entertains a proposal to prohibit residents from erecting little library book houses on the public way. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Trump trials, the left not voting for Biden, Pence dropping out and other things. Including…why did it take the friends in Friends so long to mak…

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 1, 2023

David Faris—Dunderheads Unite

David Faris breaks down a week’s worth of MAGA lunacy. Including…Matt Goetz leads his fellow dunderheads in a coup against Kevin McCarthy. The Republican presidential candidates have a debate in which they sorta declare war on the American worker. And President Biden goes Trump on the wall. David i…

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 31, 2023

Alderwoman Angela Clay—Live

On Tuesday October 3, Ben and Maya hosted First Tuesdays at the Haymarket House with 46th ward Alderwoman Angela Clay. On the agenda, all things politics including…asylum seekers, tent city, gentrification, property taxes, local schools, police, the future of Uptown, and finding her way as a first …

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 30, 2023

Anderson and Joravsky—The Evil Game Plan

Mayor Johnson released his budget, revealing he’s learned a trick or two about the TIF game. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks retaliatory culture—it’s as old as Romeo and Juliet. Steve Scalise versus Jim Jordan—who do you vote for? If you had no other choice. And Kevin Phillips dies. He’s the evil…

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 29, 2023

Rummana Hussain—Explaining Chicago

Rummana Hussain tries to explain to Ben why so many Chicagoans hate immigrants. Including people who are immigrants themselves. It’s hard for Ben to comprehend cause the hatred that motivates so many Chicagoans is incomprehensible. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Chicago Sun-Tim…

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 27, 2023

Jim Coogan—When 11 Is 30

Sun-Times tries to take a strong stand against the Bears only to pull its pinch. Ben riffs. Attorney Jim Coogan tells you all you need to know about Donald Trump’s fraud trial in New York City. Including how 11,000 square feet is the same as 30,000 square feet in the Trump universe. See Privacy…

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 26, 2023

Marcie Pedraza—On The Line

Senate Democrats act helpless in face of MAGA Senator Vance delay tactics. Ben riffs. Striking UAW member Marcie Pedraza talks about the ongoing strike against the big three auto makers. Marcie is an electrician at the Ford plant on the far south side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv…

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 25, 2023

Candis Castillo—Old Men

Candis Castillo covers it all, including…Tent city. Southerners going to Mexico to get abortions, cause MAGA has essentially outlawed it in their states. Trump and Biden in the senility competition. Also, a thing or two about aspirational voting. Candis is a political strategist and political direc…

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 24, 2023

"Brandon and John" and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez

John Catanzara has a new appreciation for Mayor Johnson now that city and police have tentatively agreed to a new contract. Ben riffs. Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez talks about what he likes and doesn’t like with the new contract. Then he talks immigration policy. Is Byron the diplomat and Ben the tr…

Listen to the Episode