Episodes

As a new year begins, things look bleak for President Biden. David Faris riffs. Hitting on everything from the war in Gaza to Biden’s age to amnesia to what Trump is and what he can do. Will the Supremes bounce Trump from the ballot? And a few closing words about the rise and fall of Chris Christie’s presidential campaign. Well, at least the fall. There was no rise. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Alderwoman Helen Shiller brings on the legendary Jacky Grimshaw to teach a couple of youngsters a history lesson or two about Mayor Harold Washington. So they will understand why he’s the GOAT. Ok, so one of the youngsters is Ben. Who hasn’t been a youngster since Harold was mayor. And the other is Brendan Shiller, poker player and criminal defense lawyer. Jacky Grimshaw is a political strategist who helped devise the tactics that resulted in Washington’s triumphs. Helen’s latest book is Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mueze Bawany tells you everything you need to know about the Bears, Justin Fields, and the upcoming Super Bowl. Ben makes a take it to the bank prediction about the politics of building new sports arenas—and getting the taxpayers to pay for it. Mueze Bawany is high school football coach and one of the city’s foremost authorities on football. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week, starting with…the clerk’s website? Ben riffs on the worthlessness of the website in a city that’s supposedly dedicated to transparency. Then Pat riffs on Ben’s riff. Then they discuss the ceasefire resolution. Which is what Ben was looking for on the website. Then Pat does his Nick Sposato imitation, followed by his imitation of Nick and Joe Biden conversing. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Rahm decides the world needs to know what he thinks about everything. Ben riffs. Gregory Pratt talks city hall. Including, though not limited to…Mayor Johnson. Mayor Lightfoot, and Jason Lee. He also has a hot take on Neil Steinberg. And Zach LaVine and Justin Fields. Gregory is a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and the author of The City Is up for Grabs. The views he expresses are his and his alone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s that time of the season where Ben and his friends look back at the year that was. And so Mick Dumke joins Ben to discuss…1973? So, okay, we’re a little behind. We start with a little politics and wind up talking about the greatest albums of that year. Meet Ernie Isley, Bruce Springsteen, Duane Allman, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and more. Mick Dumke is a reporter for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump declares war on Taylor Swift. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson, the country’s foremost authority on Trump, explains what he’s up to. Also, a few words from Yolanda, aka the nosy senior citizen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should the state hang portraits of officials who have dishonored their office. Like Speaker Michael Madigan. Rummana Hussain weighs in. Also a few words about the Epstein list. Which is not really a list. And why is it that Ben knows so much about football and nothing about fashion? 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.

Political strategist Peter Cunningham talks crime in Chicago. Shootings and homicides are down. Why aren’t we celebrating? Mayor Johnson gives police a raise. Why aren’t they celebrating? And he tackles the Justin Fields question. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Committeeman Anthony Beale may be kicked off the ballot while MAGA cries Trump should remain on ballot, even if he breaks the rules. Ben riffs. Candis Castillo talks ballot access, Claudine Gay, MAGA’s blindness regarding slavery and much more. Including…was Mayor Rahm a better politician than Mayor Lightfoot? Candis is the political director for SEIU Healthcare. The views she expresses are strictly her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA loves Jeffrey Epstein. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks former Harvard president Claudine Gay, white people love affirmative action for white people, and Justin Fields. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new year starts with so much potential and pain. Ben riffs. Marc Sims returns to talk crime, schools and integration. One thing all Chicagoans apparently agree on…they don’t want anything to do with anyone who doesn’t look like them. Marc is a podcaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bucks tell what looks to be a, uh, falsehood about firing their coach. Ben riffs. Monroe riffs on Ben’s riff, explaining the difference between lies and spin. Which brings us to Trump and Clinton and other liars in politics. Which leads to Monroe translating Nikki Haley’s latest dog whistle into plain English, just in case you missed the point. Also, a few thoughts on Tim Scott’s embarrassing grovel. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Darren Bailey shoots off his mouth and his guns, Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb talks all things politics. Including Trump, Biden, Claudine Guy and more. Much more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nikki Haley “forgets” that the south waged civil war to preserve slavery. Ben reminds her. Chris Scott talks politics as 2023 moves towards 2024. Are Democrats ready for the challenges ahead? Will America support an insurrectionist? The pros and cons of contested primaries. And more…Chris is the co-founder and president of Advance the Electorate PAC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Ricky O'Donnell take the deep dive on everything you need to know about Bulls fans booing former general manager Jerry Krause at the recent Ring of Honor ceremony. It's basically Mean Girls, set at the United Center with grown ups, mostly men, doing the dirty deed. Ricky O'Donnell is the basketball editor at SB Nation. He also hosts his own podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain explains the dilemma Nikki Haley faces. In order to win MAGA votes she needs to declare that the US is racist free. Even as Trump plays the racist card to turn MAGA against her. Also, a look back on the joke that was Vivek’s wanna be MAGA presidential campaign. And several words in praise of E. Jean Carroll. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist 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.

Donald Trump release his bat-shit crazy Christmas greeting. Ben riffs. Sergio Vicente returns to talk Trump, Joe Rogan, Colby Covington and other lunatics. Aldo, why he wants Democrats to replace Biden with Newsom. Why he’d vote for Biden over Trump. And a few words about basketball, Sergio hosts The Fight Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana and Ben consider the twisted saga of Bridget and Christian Ziegler, the psycho MAGA couple in Florida—where else? She helped create the Moms for Liberty, a hate group. He’s been accused of rape. Also, a few words about Reservation Dogs and the Bulls. Yes, Rummana is going to a Bulls-Lakers game. Rummana Hussain is a columnist/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.

MAGA caucus voters in Iowa toss around ballots like their confetti. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains why MAGA feels free to be so shamelessly hypocritical. Then Monroe asks the question: If almost 50 percent of GOP voters oppose Trump, why are almost all the GOP elected officials supporting him? Short answer—they’re scared. Finally, the great debate. Is Trump too incompetent to destroy democracy? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tuesday December 5 was First Tuesdays at the Night Hawk bar in Albany Park. The last First Tuesdays, at least for awhile. Maya and Ben welcomed Mick Dumke--who started the show with Ben back at the Hideout in 2014. Maya, Mick and Ben talk Chicago politics, then and now. And Mick addresses the Maya question--so named cause she came up with it. A great ending, at least temporarily, to a fabulous run. Maya Dukmasova is a reporter for Injustice Watch. Mick Dumke is a reporter for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wha a week it was! Rachel Hinton joins Ben to discuss it all. Including…buses impounded. The Ed Burke defense. Is listener Linda right about the Sanctuary City referendum? The “jungle cat” of west loop real estate. And our love for libraries, librarians and books. Rachel has a recommendation. Rachel Hinton is a reporter for Block Club, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pat Whalen and Ben take on all the issues of the day, including…MJ stiffs the Bulls celebration. ESPN scams the Emmys. Twitter sucks, but Pat defends it. But there’s no defense for mindless drivel from the mainstream talking heads. Pat teaches Ben the meaning of memes. And much more. Pat Whalen is a Chicago comedian, actor, political junkie and talk show host. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For almost 50 years, Rick Telander’s been one of America’s great sportswriters. And then this year, his collection of poems was published. He’s still one of America’s great sportswriters. But now he’s also a published poet. And that’s just so freaking cool! Ben and Rick talk about their lifelong love for poetry and how there are metaphors for everything everywhere. Like…Donald Trump goes through life playing tennis without a net. Shoutout Robert Frost! Rick’s poetry collection is Sweet Dreams. And he’s a columnist 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.