Episodes
"Why Lori Lost" & Monroe Anderson and Derrick Blakley
Mayor Lightfoot comes in third, misses the mayoral runoff. Ben riffs. And veteran journalists Monroe Anderson and Derrick Blakely break down Tuesday’s election results. Why did Lightfoot disrespect Willie Wilson? Can Brandon Johnson win? What happened to Chuy? Why do white people love Paul Vallas s…
Emma Tai—“I Play To Win!”
Mayor Lightfoot rips the city council for asking for more time to consider her Com Ed deal. Ben riffs. And Emma Tai, executive director of the United Working Families, returns to talk aldermanic and mayoral politics. Specifically, is Chicago ready for democracy? And what she means when she says: “I…
Rummana Hussain--Hiding The Truth
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis eliminates Advanced Placement African-American history cause he's afraid the truth will upset white children. That's just one of the issues Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain discusses. Also, a word or two or three about President Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, and MAGA's us…
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Casinos & Crypto"
Ben & Dr. D have gambling on their mind as they take a look back on the week that was. Specifically, why does Chicago think it's a good idea to fund government with a casino? And, how did Sam Bankman-Fried convince the Lightf...
Vincent E. Norment & Victoria Williams: Welcome Back, Pat Bev
Vincent E. Norment & Victoria Williams—the pride and joy of Englewood—return to talk Bball. Specifically. Ben’s beloved Bulls. Stumbling into the all-star break with six straight losses, it looked bleak for the Bulls. Then th...
Oh, What A Week—“The Final Stretch”
Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to talk about the week that was. Which includes…the Vallas surge. The Axe is back. Campaign signs. Madigan’s and Burke’s aldermanic candidates. Why MAGA is so happy. Hint, Vallas speaks to them. And a few words about the Sunday morning talk shows. See Privacy Policy …
Mick Dumke--Going Through Those Changes
Block Club investigative reporter Mick Dumke stops by to pick up the conversation on politics that he and Ben have been having since about 2005. Join them for the deep dive into the mayoral and aldermanic elections. Could Chicago actually replace autocracy with democracy? The safe bet is on autocra…
“Outside Chicago” & Miles Kampf-Lassin
Wisconsin gets ready for an all-important Supreme Court election. Ben riffs. In These Times editor Miles Kampf-Lassin deconstructs “strategy voting” in the mayor’s race and Paul Vallas’ thoughts on CRT. Also, the CTU gamble. And he makes a prediction yiu can take to Vegas. See Privacy Policy at …
Denali Dasgupta—Talking Sense To Chicago
Mayor Lightfoot celebrates the opening of the police & fire training academy. Ben riffs. And Denali Dasgupta, 39th ward aldermanic candidate, makes her debut. Talking budgets, property taxes, TIFs, public safety, and why her ...
State Rep. Kam Buckner—Running For Mayor
The mayor wants city to consider Com Edison deal in the midst of an election campaign. Ben riffs. And state Rep. & mayoral Kam Buckner weighs in on all the issues. Including…Com Ed deal, police community relations, education,...
State Rep. Bob Morgan--Up Against The Gun Cult
A new poll and a taxing proposal by Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs on the latest news from the mayor's race. And state Rep. Bob Morgan talks gun control. Specifically, the bill he sponsored in the wake of last summer's shootings in Highland Park. The resistance he faced. The compromises he made. The fi…
Oh, What A Week -- With Comedian Rachel Joravsky
It’s been a wacky week. So Ben turned to a comedian to help explain it—Rachel Joravsky. Hmm, that last name is familiar. Ben and Rach riff on the news, including…the anti-Vallas strategy. Fox personalities reveal what they th...
David Faris--Gas Stove Moms
Columnist/political scientist David Faris talks about the latest bit of insanity from MAGA--gas stove panic. Also, an analysis of Speaker Kevin McCarthy's precarious hold on MAGA in congress. David offers advice for Dems and asks—what were security documents doing in Biden's garage? And more... Se…
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth—Local Politics
For the last seven years, activist Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth joined forces with Indivisible members throughout the state to battle Trump and Trumpism. Now she’s shifted her sights to the local front, running for alderwoman of the 48th ward. She explains her strategies, reasons and aspirations. See P…
“1989 Flashback” & Monroe Anderson
Paul Vallas smiles while Mayor Lightfoot and Ja’Mal Green attack Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson analyzes a mailer he received from the Vallas campaign. Is Vallas The great White Hope? Then it’s on to national MAGA news. Specifically, Mike Pence’s attempt to convince MAGA he won’t “…
Juanita Irizarry—Humboldt’s Gift
Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks, returns with an only in Chicago story. A prominent museum, headed by a man who used to be an alderman, somehow doesn’t realize you need permission to build a big building in a park. In this case, Humboldt Park. Now the issue is will the …
Marc Sims--Why You Can't Say The Things You Can't Say
Ben moderated last night's aldermanic forum in the 30th ward. Democracy lives. Podshow host Marc Sims returns. And he's on fire. Keep the kiddies away from this episode! He shares his thoughts on race, the N-word, self hate, why Mayor Lightfoot may not make the runoff, and why he's probably going t…
Laurie Glenn--Singing Chuy's Praise
Four years ago, political strategist Laurie Glenn voted for Lori Lightfoot for mayor and then came on the podcast to urge Ben to be less critical. She explains why she's changed her mind about Mayor Lightfoot. And why she's urging people to vote for Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Also, why the pr…
Mecole Jordan-McBride--Policing Crossroads
Advocacy Director for the Chicago Neighborhood Policing Initiative, Micole Jordan-McBride has been pushing for police reform for years. As she sees it, it looks as though Chicago might finally be ready to change its approach to policing. Maybe... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and…
Oh, What A Week--with Pat Whalen!
Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to go over a week's worth of news. Starting with...Palos Hills! Or is it Palos Heights? Whatever it is, that's where Paul Vallas lives. Or maybe it's his wife who lives there and Paul lives in Bridgeport. Does it matter if the mayor of Chicago lives in Palos Hills? Or …
Mueze Bawany--Grading The Mayor
Mueze Bawany, CPS high school teacher and aldermanic candidate in the 50th ward, analyzes "extracreditgate". That's the breaking scandal in which a Mayor Lightfoot campaign aide sent emails to teachers promising that their students would get extra credit if they volunteered for the mayor's re-elect…
Kelly Garcia—Woke Vallas
Indiana AG Todd Rokita, who wants to lock up doctors who perform abortions on 10-year-old girls who have been raped, takes a stand on our inalienable right to own a gas stove. Ben riffs. And Kelly Garcia from Injustice Watch returns to talk mayoral politics. Is Chuy moving right? Is Mayor Lightfoot…
"Poll Mania" & Monroe Anderson
The latest mayoral polls are all over the map. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson suggests that the main reason so many white Chicago voters are leaning toward Paul Vallas is because they want a white guy in charge. Okay, Monroe doesn't suggest that. He comes right out and says it. Also, a discussion of Pr…
Brandon Johnson--The Home Stretch
Brandon Johnson talks about his mayoral campaign. A survey, not a poll, suggests he's a front runner. Does he believe it? A few words about Mayor Lightfoot and extracreditgate, policing and playing to win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art…