Episodes

It’s time catch up on the week’s news—in this case with Mick Dumke, editor and writer for Block Club. Ben and Mick talk, Rahm and Ron, Brandon and Lori, Carlos and Scott, and Jayson and Jimmy. And more. If you don’t know these people by their first names alone, then you must listen so you will know…

Mayor-elect Johnson plays musical chairs with the city council. Ben riffs. Political activist Denali Dasgupta asks to reconsider our notions about policing, social services, distraught people on subways, Rudy G. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…

On May 2, Maya Dukmasova & Ben hosted a First Tuesday show at the Promontory night club in Hyde Park. Alders Maria Hadden and Jeanette Taylor were the guests, talking city council committee chairs under Mayor Johnson. Pretty ...

It’s the time of year for tallies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a deeper dive on tallies. Will Texan Republicans tally enough legislative votes to remove their sleazy MAGA attorney general? Will Kevin McCarthy tally enough MAGA congress people to approve his debt ceiling deal with President Bid…

SDG & Pedro Martinez of CPS join forces to plead for Chicago. Ben riffs. And podcaster Mark Wallace talks politics. How MAGA used Vallas to seize Chicago. Meritorious Manumission. And the lawlessness of Clarence Thomas & Trum...

Matt Harvey talks about what he witnessed, covering three days of protests over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party and Water Rec Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski—aka, The political know-it-alls—make their long-awaited return! Talking local and national politics in the wake of Chicago’s mayoral election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…

The city councils closed out its term with nostalgic tears. Ben riffs. And Micah Uetricht, Jacobin editor, puts Johnson’s win in historical perspective. Also, a few words about the mainstream media. And dream blunt rotation, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…

Breaking news!!! Foxes in Millennium Park!!! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson discusses Jim Brown, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, Trump, DeSantis, Tim Scott and the concept of nice mayors. Plus, is there such a thing as nice MAGA? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…

After avoiding post-election interviews for weeks, Mayor Lightfoot speaks her mind. Ben riffs. Election lawyer and southwest side politico Adolfo Mondragon joins the conversation. Why did Lightfoot lose? Is it ok to have a grudge? Why are immigrant asylum seekers sleeping in police stations? How is…

Roosevelt University political scientist David Faris has his concerns about President Biden’s plans to run for re-election. Will it result in, gulp, a Trump win? David breaks it down. Plus, a word or two about Nate Silver. Also, the return of the Manchin nightmare. See Privacy Policy at https://a…

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Joining Ben to break down some of the news of the week is Salem Collo-Julin, editor of Ben’s beloved Reader. Where’s he worked for almost 40 years! And so they talk…the first week of Mayor Johnson, the Reader’s Best of Chicago party, Reader reader favorite pols, and the MAGA meltdown over bathroom…

Singer/songwriter Michael Gerardi—the Neil Young of Chicago—drops some truths. Like…why is it that a city in which 1 in 3 is in poverty has enough money to give billions to rich guys? Also, Brandon Johnson hasn’t even been sworn in—still mayor elect—and he’s already getting blamed for crime. He clo…

One day after Mayor Johnson is sworn in, the opposition lets loose. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Durham report, Anderson Cooper, Ron Desantis, Brandon haters, and Trump. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-…

Lots of things to talk about, including Paul Vallas’s suit against his former campaign aide. Ben riffs. And CTU president Stacy Davis Gates suggests that old lefties like Ben should be more like Jimmy Butler—don’t be afraid of losing. Stacy weighs in Mayor Lightfoot, States Attorney Foxx, President…

Tribune reporter Greg Pratt spent the last four years covering Mayor Lightfoot’s administration. As she’s heading out the door, he tries to make sense of it. Including her strange texts and unnecessary squabbles. Like the one with Kim Foxx. Also, a few words about the final council meeting of the t…

What a week it was! Washington Post sports columnist Kevin Blackistone joins Ben to run it all down, including…Mayor-elect Johnson’s new chief of staff. Reconsidering Jackie Robinson Day. Tale of two punishments: Daniel Snyder v Draymond Green. A tribute to Ahmad Jamal. And the movie Kevin helped m…

Aaron Cohen talks all things Ramsey Lewis. To celebrate the recent publication of Gentleman of Jazz, the Ramsey Lewis autobiography, which Aaron co-wrote. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another week, more news. Joining Ben to discuss is Max “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, actor/writer/podcaster. On the agenda…Mayor elect sorts breaks a promise. Anderson Cooper defends CNN’s town hall with Trump. And the writer’s strike. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …

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…