Episodes
"1980s" and Sergio Mims
Rod Sawyer--son of Mayor Sawyer--announce he's running for his father's old job. Ben riffs. And the Renaissance Man, Sergio Mims, returns to talk politics, Chicago & movies. Not necessarily in that order. He explains the conc...
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor--Crime, Casinos & Curfews
The feds argue that corrupt ex Alderman Danny Solis is actually sort of a hero. Ben riffs. And Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns to tackle all the tough issues of the day. Curfew, crime, Ukraine, Buffalo, ward map, CTU, mayor's race and abortion rights. And why do we spend $54 billion on Ukraine a…
"Dem Dems" and Kina Collins & LeAlan Jones
Congressional Dems go to bat for congressional incumbents. Ben riffs. And Kina Collins--candidate for congress in the 7th congressional--talks about her upbattle campaign against incumbent Danny K. Davis. And former Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones returns to talk violence and culture and Top Gun…
Miles Kampf-Lassin--The Party Of Lies
Right before today's show, Ben makes a call to Tom Brune, a great journalist and friend from the distant past. And their conversation about the old days offers insight into what's going on in Chicago right now. Ben riffs. And then Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer for In These Times, returns to tal…
Ed Mullen--The Supremes
Democrats seem to think reproductive rights will be here forever in Illinois. Ben riffs on their delusion. And then election lawyer Ed Mullen delivers a primer on the state supreme court. MAGA is poised to take over, if Dems keep sleeping. And that's bad news for reproductive rights in the state. S…
Oh, What a Week: "The Countdown to Gamble Town"
May 6, 2022: Mayor Lori Lightfoot picks a site for Chicago's casino! That's the big news of the week. Ben and Dr. D riff away. Also, Chicago makes a pitch for the Democratic convention. Ben has a few things to say about that as well. And guess who's ahead in the Republican governor primary? The ans…
"COVID Ben" & Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Ben got COVID. Which explains the coughing. Ben riffs, while coughing. And Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez returns to talk about his city council exchanges with Mayor Lightfoot over the casino and a zoning dispute in the 25th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy…
Jim Coogan--Privacy Rights
Great article in Sun-Times about upcoming teachers union election. Ben riffs. And attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk privacy rights. Or, what's at stake if Supreme Court really does say you have no right to private conversations with your doctor as to what it's in your best health interest. Or no …
"Death In Texas"--Monroe Anderson & Andrew Ellison
Nineteen children murdered in a school in Texas. And still Republicans block gun control. Monroe Anderson talks about the gun culture in America. And weighs in on Tim Anderson & Josh Donaldson. And Andrew Ellison--the electio...
David Faris--What's Next?
Political scientist David Faris takes a moment to reflect on the political madness of the last six years. Can the Republicans move further to the right without falling off the planet? Is there a rhyme or reason on Schumer's senate strategy? Also, an I told you so, or two, about the MAGA Supremes. …
Cody & Rachel--Dangerously Funny
In the aftermath of Smith slapping Rock and fan tackling David Chapelle, standup comics have to wonder--are they safe on stage. Stand up comics and podcast partners, Rachel Joravsky & Cody Wilkins talk standup comedy in the a...
Best of Ben: Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa & Dave Glowacz
The Latino and Black caucuses in the city council cut a deal on the ward map. Ben riffs. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa--who was part of deal making--explains. Then Dave Glowacz--from Inside Chicago Government--returns for another city council review. In this case, he dissects the April 27 meetin…
Mick Dumke on Politics
President Biden sort of leaked that he would be nominating Mayor Rahm to be ambassador to Japan. Ben can't help but riff. Also, more Rahm talk from Mick Dumke--ace Pro Publica reporter and Ben's former partner in crime at the Reader. From there it's a hop and skip and jump to a Ben/Mick gabfest abo…
Rummana Hussain--Law & Order
Editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times, Rummana Hussain talks crime. In Chicago and Buffalo. We know what the problem is, but we don't do anything about it so we look to short-term solutions that aren't solutions at all. Then it's on to more frivolous topics. Heard v. Depp. And finally, the l…
Oh, What A Week: "Harsh Realities"
May 13, 2022. Just as we're about to start the show there's...Breaking News! Paris Schutz from WTTW reports that Richard Irvin, Republican candidate for governor, has called Trump an idiot and a racist. Could be trouble in MA...
Kelly Cassidy & Anton Seals
Word breaks that the Supreme Court has already written the decision to overturn Roe and take America back to the middle ages. Ben riffs. And state rep. Kelly Cassidy explains the consequences for women. Also, once MAGA's supreme court robots get rid of privacy as a constitutional right, gay marriag…
"Ben Check" and Monroe Anderson
The Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates have a debate, arguing who loves Donald Trump the most. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson returns to talk about the shootings in Buffalo and white replacement theory, Things are getting scary when MAGA candidates throughout the nation are more MAGA than Tru…
Live At The Hideout: Aldermen Carlos Ramirez-Rosa & Rod Sawyer
It's May 3rd, the first Tuesday of the month, which means...Ben & Maya Dukmasova are at The Hideout for First Tuesday. Their guests? Aldermen Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Rod Sawyer. The topic? The ward map. Which version is bette...
"Bean Curfew" and Maya Dukmasova & Abdelnasser Rashid
Mayor Lightfoot imposes a curfew for minors at Millennium Park. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova returns to talk next First Tuesdays show. June 7 at 6 pm. And ward map. And Abdelnasser Rashid, candidate for state rep., talks about his race against incumbent Mike Zalewski. What's it like running against wh…
Achy Obejas—Susan Nussbaum Tribute
Poet-novelist-translator, Achy Obejas returns to pay tribute to Susan Nussbaum, the activist and actor who recently died. Then the conversation turns to reproductive rights. As Susan no doubt would want it to. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/…
Rummana Hussain--What's At Stake
Sun-Times editorial editorialist/columnist Rummana Hussain talks Roe. A personal view of what's at stake. Also, a shout out to Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong and Everything Everywhere All At Once. And a word or two about Zs in a movie theater. See Privacy Policy at https…
Delia Ramirez--Our Bodies
With the Supremes set to take this country back to the Middle Ages on women's rights, MAGA looks to change the subject by searching for a scapegoat, blaming the leak on Ketanji Brown Jackson. Who's not even on the court yet. Pretty pathetic, even for MAGA. Ben riffs. And congressional candidate and…
"Kenny D!" and Monroe Anderson & Benji "John Galt" Hall
Ken Davis clarifies his position on red light cameras. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to say "finally"! As in President Biden is finally getting around to telling the truth about MAGA. Which is...they're insane. Also, Benji Hall returns. You know him as Benji the Bookie--astute bball analys…
Miles Kampf-Lassin--Gas Giveways
The City Council actually does something for ordinary Chicagoans--giving away gasoline. The world goes nuts. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer, for In These Times, returns to talk politics. Specifically, President Biden's failure to deliver on promises regarding student debt and unio…