Episodes

On Friday it will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of Harold Washington--the greatest mayor in the history of Chicago. To mark the event, there have been celebrations all over town. Ben riffs. And then Monroe Anderson and Josie Childs join the show to talk all things Harold Washington. Josie C…

Host of The Fight Podcast, Sergio Vicente returns to discuss Colby Covington, the Trump-loving, MAGA flag-waving UFC fighter, who's trying to make a name for himself by baiting LeBron James with trash talk. Sergio explains wh...

Anat Shenker-Osorio is a left-of-center political strategist who has spent many years studying messaging. That is--why certain messages resonate and others don't. Not surprising, she's determined that the right is more effective at the left at message. Why is that? She explains--with examples. She'…

Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer Rummana Hussain returns to talk Will Smith, Chris Rock, toxic masculinity and Tucker Carlson and then one thing leads to another and she explains the destructive side effects of the myth of the model minorities. And a word or two about Chris Rock's white produce…

It's been busy week. Ben & Dr. D jump right in. Starting with...the mayor's favorite newspaper. Well, it's not a local one. Moving on to Richard Irvin's delicate dance with MAGA. Campaign commercials from Alexi. Too bad he's ...

Why is it that when Chicago does the right thing, it's generally for the wrong reason? Ben ponders that question. And then Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor makes her long-awaited return. And not a moment too soon. The conversation moves from Republicans attitude toward Black women to the war on crime to …

It's Monroe Anderson's birthday. Ben seeks some words to live by. And then another Chicago legend, Richard Steele--aka, The Real Deal--comes on to offer his advice. Then the topic turns to race. And Clarence & Ginni Thomas. A...

Laurie Glenn & Juanita Irizarry return. And after a word or two or three about MAGA and the Brown-Jackson hearings, the talk turns to casinos. As in--it's crazy that Chicago would rely so much on the proceeds from a vice. Als...

WBEZ reporter Linda Lutton--one of Chicago's great reporters--will be taking a year off. She stopped by to talk about some of her favorite stories. Or, at least, some of Ben's favorite Linda Lutton stories. Including her masterpiece about the "vandals" who put an extra s on the signs, thus turning …

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain returns and she's got a lot on her mind. The Ricketts family & Islamaphobia. Senator Ted Cruz and his racist behavior. Ketanje Brown Jackson staying cool under pressure. Why is it "okay" fo...

Breaking news starts the show! Amazon warehouse workers in State Island vote union. Ben riffs. Then Michael Gerardi--Chicago's Neil Young--returns to play one of his latest songs: "Look Me In The Eye". Then it's time to riff on a week's worth of news, including the Democratic attack commercial on R…

Want to know why people in Chicago are so cynical about politics? Maybe it's because their leaders say things everybody knows can't be true. Speaking of which...Ben riffs on Willie Wilson, Mayor Lightfoot and the rising cost of gasoline. And then election lawyer Adolfo Mondragon and Alderman Sigcho…

John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, deliver his MAGA-marching orders to Nick Sposato and other northwest side alderman--oppose Rob Martwick or else! Ben riffs. Also, Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer from In These Times, returns to talk: Ukraine, War Criminals, Paul Volcker …

Republicans double down on their attempt to win in November by being tough on crime. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson and Professor Dick Simpson talk about the fragile state of democracy locally and nationally. The consensus--Chicago's in better shape than the rest of the country. See Privacy Policy…

State Senator Rob Martwick has achieved the impossible. He's clearly hated by two people who hate each other--John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police--and Mayor Lightfoot. How did such an easy-going guy ach...

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock and Ben riffs. Just when you thought you've seen it all. And LeRoy Gordon, aka Roy Flash Gordon, retuns to give it all some perspective. The man's a former professional wrestler, so he knows a thing or two about the fine line between dramatic trash talk and violence. And…

School activists Cassie Creswell & Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth tell the only-in-Chicago story of Jones High School, located in the south Loop, who has a principal who allegedly lives in Missouri. What, CPS, you couldn't find someo...

David Faris returns to break down the latest on Ukraine, Putin, Biden, MAGA, NATO, China, COVID & more. As he & Ben come face to face with the depressing realization--there's always money for war. See Privacy Policy at https:...

Another week's worth of news for Ben & Dr. D to riff on. Where to start? How about some old news--Republicans latest efforts to scare voters into voting against JB. Then the secretary of state's race. Then Light My Fire. Ligh...

Two of Chicago's smartest movie minds--Sergio Mims from the Black Harvest Film Festival & Chris Buddy, director extraordinaire--join Ben to geek out over The Godfather. Can it really be 50 years? Favorite scenes. Why is it th...

Michael Flynn endorses Gary Rabine for governor. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks the Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearings. And then LeAlan Jones--former Green Party candidate for senate--returns to discuss the war in Ukraine. Is there are any even glimmer of hope? Finally, the Chicago c…

Ben & Maya invite political strategists Wallace "Gator" Bradley & Mary Kay Norton to The Hideout for the March 1 version of First Tuesdays. Yes, we're back. The conversation--what do you got to do to get elected as a Cook County Judge? If you want to understand how the system works, you've got to l…

Shia Kapos runs a story about a new poll showing JB Pritzker in trouble. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova, Injustice Watch reporter, returns to talk criminal justice. Also, Maya and Ben will be hosting Alaina Hampton & Dave McKi...

33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez talks about the need to stay compassionate, sane, focused and determined during difficult times. Also, a word or two or three about dealing with Mayor Lightfoot. Pushing for alternatives to the old ways of policing. And praise for Alderwoman Maria Hadd…