Episodes

Dozens of teenagers rampage in the Loop. Ben riffs. And podcaster Marc Sims does some riffing of his own on the same topic. Is anyone to blame? Should parents be punished for the misdeeds of their teens? Was Mayor-elect Johnson's response too Officer Krupke? And a few observations about Walmart and…

It’s a MAGA crime wave—Trump convicted, Santos indicted. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains MAGA to the masses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political scientist David Faris explains the illogic of the abortion pill ruling and Justice Thomas friendship with the Nazi artifacts collector. And why Dems should take AOC’s advice about impeaching Justice Thomas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at …

Jason Lee--Mayor-elect Johnson's campaign manager--breaks down the election. What worked, what didn't. The role of unforced errors. In short, how did Brandon Johnson go from two percent in the polls to the winner. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at htt…

Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to run through the week’s news. Including the latest Justice Thomas scandal. Which is different than yesterday’s Justice Thomas scandal. It’s hard to keep up. It’s similar to the Speaker Madigan...

Brandon Johnson had been mayor-elect for a week and already his opponents are maneuvering to make sure victories like his never happen again. Political strategist Anthony Jackson breaks down the election and its ramifications. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy…

Guilty is the verdict in the bribery trial of the Madigan 4. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson weighs in on the difference between MAGA Justice and real Justice. Also, Ben & Monroe take a metaphorical journey into Tucker Carlson...

President Biden announces that Chicago is getting the 2024 Democratic Convention one week after Brandon Johnson defeats Paul Vallas. Ben riffs. Dave Glowacz from Inside Chicago Government returns to talk city council reorgan...

Basketball legend D’Frantz Smart, one of the greatest point guards to come out of Chicago, returns to talk race and politics in basketball. Specifically, why do many white people got so upset when Angel Reese trash talked Caitlin Clark. Also, a few words about coach Kim Mulkey not standing up for B…

Actor-writer John Pick talks about the documentary he’s making about the life and work of his father, Grant Pick—one of the all-time great Reader writers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist Joanna Klonsky breaks down the legal, moral and political ramifications of E. Jean Carroll’s rape case against Donald Trump. “I’m here because Donald Trump raped me,” Carroll testified this week. “And when I wrote about it, he said it didn’t happen.” Also, a few words on Gianni…

Comedian Rachel Joravsky joins Ben in running through a week’s worth of news. But first! Tips on how to promote First Tuesday. Then it’s on to the Brandon Johnson transition team. Should the usual suspects be included? Then what folks really want…a deep dive into the life and career of Jerry Spring…

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain addresses the difficult question. How come Chicagoans are more tolerant of racism than socialism? Also, a few words about the “whitest” trial in America. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#…

Alderman David Moore refers to Johnson voters in his ward as children. Ben riffs. Block Club editor Mick Dumke returns to talk all things politics. Including…Moore’s comment. Alderman Beale. Council reorganization. Alderman Waguespack. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. And, last but not least, Jimmy Butle…

State Senator Robert Peters riffs on the good things in life. Like a mayoral victory for the left. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kim Foxx, the prosecutor MAGA loves to hate, decides not to run for re-election. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks MAGA’s conflicted attitude about law ‘n order. They say they want to get tough on criminals. Meanwhile, Trump, the man they adore, goes on trial for rape. Also, a few words about Tucker…

It's been a day since Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson's victory and here comes the counter-punch from corporate Chicago. Ben riffs. Alders Carlos & Rossana return to trash talk Ben--they did predict Brandon's win. And explain how...

A federal judge holds back his ruling in the abortion pill case. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Tiffany Walden, editor of the Triibe, talk mayor’s election. Including…Vallas love for military schools, Black pols endorsing Vallas and MAGA light. Also, Tiffany on Dionne Warwick. See Privacy Policy …

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain and Ben wonder why do many Chicagoans got so angry at Brandon Johnson for crimes that just happened. Even before he is mayor. Has a backlash already happened before he takes office? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a…

Chicago prepares to elect a new mayor. Ben riffs. Sam Holloway returns to talk politics of fear and trash talking. With brief excursions into women’s basketball. Featuring Warren Zevon, Hunter Thompson, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…

Leftist economist Saqib Bhatti explains how banks made big bucks from the borrowing schemes hatched by Paul Vallas during his days running the Chicago Public Schools. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot oversees her last City Council meeting. Ben riffs. And Tonia Hill, Triibe reporter, joins Monroe Anderson to talk politics. Specifically, reaction to the weekend’s mayhem and why Black pols endorsed Vallas and Lightfoot’s legacy. Then it’s on to the Fox News settlement, See Privacy…

Attorney Jim Coogan talks about the pending indictment in New York City against Donald Trump. The complexities of the arguments. The resistance by Trump. The role of Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels and Alvin Bragg. That one-night affair was, Stormy Daniels said, the worst 90 seconds of her life. …

Stacy Davis Gates said something that has some people in a tizzy. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz, editor of Inside Chicago Government, takes a part the City Council. Well, not literally. He and Ben riff on clips of recent council debates. Including…migration aid, Alderwoman Taylor’s stand, rule 16. An…