Episodes

The Wall Street Journal rushes to Justice Samuel Alito’ s rescue after he’s caught taking freebies from a billionaire. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains the difference between Democrats and MAGA on ethics. Mainly, MAGA has none. And more, including Chicago’s curious attitude about the south side.…

School teacher and political activist Mueze Bawany joins Ben to talk about the news of the week. Including…the Machine is dead! Even as it lives on as a metaphor. Also, Mayor Johnson’s school board. Nihilism among millennials and Zs. And a word or two about what Mueze would do if he ran the Bulls. …

On June 6, Ben and Maya brought First Tuesdays to the Night Hawk in Albany Park. Our guests were state Rep Kam Buckner and activist Lynda Lopez. We were talking CTA. Things got interesting when several bus drivers, with years in the system, explained what’s really going on. If only Chicago’s leader…

Dems better realize Trump plays by no rules. Ben riffs. Political strategist Andrew Ellison—aka, Steve Kornacki II—breaks down the electoral map. For Prez and senate races. It’s not as gloomy as Dems think, unless, of course, they fall back asleep. But first a word or two about what worked in Michi…

The media’s attempt to make it seem like anyone in Chicago gave an hoot about NASCAR is straight out of Chomsky. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks affirmative action and the gaslighting of Black Americans. Also, an update on Trump’s rally in South Carolina. Has MAGA become a fascistic version of Dea…

Lincoln Yards developers seek bailout from Chicago teachers. Ben riffs. And professor Lance Williams talks about his latest book: King David and Boss Daley. As he explains it, Chicago’s violence, segregation and hate is in the city’s DNA. So don’t act surprised by what’s going on. See Privacy Po…

The Chicago Bears prove that meritocracy is dead as they extend their paw for a handout. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz from Inside Chicago Government joins Ben to break down the latest city council maneuvers. Including Scott Waguespack farewell as committee chair. See Privacy Policy at https://art1…

The smoke from the Canadian forest fires forces Ben to stay inside, where he spends his time catching up on the Robert Kennedy Jr presidential campaign. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson makes another bold prediction regarding Trump. As he and Ben analyze the latest Trump secret recording. A few thoughts …

Comedian Rachel Joravsky and Ben break down a week worth of issues. Including…Taylor Swift comes to Chicago. She is welcomed. Asylum seekers are not. Matty Healey and the Edgelords. Senator Mullin’s very woke attitude about reading to children. What’s in Trump’s woke brain. And more… See Privacy P…

Roosevelt University political science professor David Faris confronts the spectacle of Ron DeSantis’s spectacularly bad presidential announcement. And his efforts to win over MAGA be being worse than Trump. And the lure of Republican sloganeering. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy …

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain tells us everything we need to know about India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington, DC. Including what it says about the dangers of being too cynical regarding geopolitical strategies. Also, an analysis of the guest list at the White House …

It’s really oh, what a year. Cause it’s been about a year since the Supreme Court’s Dobb’s decision, overturning Roe and essentially leaving states free to outlaw abortion. Sarah Garza Resnick, CEO of Personal Pac, and Ben talk about the political and medical ramifications. Are the justices having …

The City Council approves Mayor Johnson’s funding request for asylum seekers. Ben riffs. In These Times editor Miles Kampf-Lassin breaks down the debt ceiling debate. And is Donald Trump suddenly a liberal on woke? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h…

The striking screenwriters have clearly learned a thing or two from teachers unions. Ben riffs. State Senator Rachel Ventura describes the ups and downs of her rookie year in the senate. As she introduces one progressive bill after another. Most notably on cannabis criminal Justice. Will the War on…

As the former president of the board of trustees of the Chicago Teachers pension fund, Jay Rehak probably knows as much or more than anyone about public pensions. He gives us the ABCs of a system that’s been exposed to the scams and schemes of elected officials and Right Wing ideologues for decades…

Sun Times columnist Rummana Hussain and Ben break it all down. Including…Elizabeth Gilbert agrees to delay publication of her new book cause it’s set in Russia. And journalism grows up. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri…

Friends of the Parks executive director Juanita Irizarry joins Ben to riff on some of the news from a week of madness. Including…MAGA making more money for Bud, the beer company they’re supposedly boycotting. The city turning over public parks for private use. Paul Vallas, the lifelong Democrat, go…

Ron Desantis makes the world’s worst campaign kickoff. Ben riffs. Former congressional candidate Kina Collins talks Desantis, Trump, city council, Mayor Johnson and asylum seekers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s…

While you weren’t paying attention, political junkies, Ari Emanuel cut a deal that makes him one of the most powerful man in combat sports. The Fight podcast host, Sergio Vicente explains what went down and what it means for fans and athletes. Also, a few words about Ryan Garcia, Tank Davis and Ja…

GOP comment on Trump. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a bow. He predicted Trump would be arrested and arraigned. And Trump was arrested and arraigned. Everything you need to know about Trump’s latest crime and its political fallout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California …

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain talks Clarence Thomas. And one thing leads to another and she’s talking about self haters. Especially Indian American self haters. Then it’s on to all kinds of topics. Culminating in the writers strike. Enjoy the ride. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…

The Sun-Times and WBEZ take the deep dive on Mayor Rahm’s school closings. Ben riffs. And Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Loreen Targos return to talk all things lefty politics. Oh, yes, they’re married. And she was his campaign manager in his recent successful re-election run. See Privacy Policy…

Comedian Hope Rehak joins Ben to review a week’s worth of news. Including…the latest Trump indictment, Hannah Gadsby v the NYT, maternal leave in Chicago and has Bret Kavanaugh gone liberal? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#…

Matt Topic, one of the foremost FOIA lawyers in the state, ponders the big question: Why are our mayors so determined to keep us ignorant of what they’re doing? And was Mayor Lightfoot—who promised to “bring in the light”—even worse on this front than Rahm and Daley? Worse as in concealing basic in…