Episodes

JD Vance lies about SNAP cuts. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain says—hey, wait, what about Kamala confessing she shoulda gone on Joe Rogan’s show? Thus, a Kamala deep dive. Before we get down to the Usha/JD/Kirk triangle. Is Usha Vance the Stephen of her husband’s political career? Stephen being Samuel Jackson’s character from Django. The similarities between Bill Clinton and JD Vance. Rummana is a columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.

Hakeem Jeffries wants to squeeze another Democratic seat from Illinois. Ben riffs. Anthony Driver, Jr on why he wants to go to Congress. And how Chicago police tactics compare with ICE’s. And how his high school, named for one of the country’s greatest novelists, turned its library into a detention center. Anthony is a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 7th district and executive director of SEIU Illinois State Council. His views are his own.

A podcaster is upset cause Kat walked off her show. In the category of laughing to keep from crying, Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin details Trump’s terror campaign against America. He shuts down SNAP, obliterates health care and invades Chicago, using ICE goons to terrorize trick or treaters. ICE feasts on federal dollars while children go hungry. A “capital strike” in New York. And a little love for Mayor Johnson. Miles is editor and writer for In These Times.

You’ve heard of the Chicago 7? Now there’s a Chicago 6 as Trump’s Justice Department trumps up a case against local activists. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry returns to give a perspective on how ICE’s invasion is playing in her neck of the woods—LaSalle County. Also, Trump’s impact on farmers. The difference between corporate and family farmers. A word of warning to Dems—every step to the center is a step to the right. Heidi is one of the founders of Illinois Valley Indivisible, a horse trainer, a Heart...

Gregory Pratt—ace reporter for the Tribune and the pride and joy of Little Village—stands up for his city. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez takes a moment to express her gratitude to Chicago for its resistance. While pointing out—there is no upside to the ICE Invasion. A few words about Bad Bunny. Rossana is the alderwoman of the 33rd Ward.

Trump sends in the wrecking crew—literally. Ben riffs. David Faris talks about Trump’s attack on cities and states whose residents dared to vote for Harris. How to respond? The case for a general strike. The No Kings March. And a few words about Platner v Mills in Maine. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt university. Read his essays in The Nation. His views are his own.

Ben & Dr D spare no details in their examination of a week’s worth of news. Including…SDG and the IFT, JB and BJ, Pritzker and Trump, Benny and the Bulls, Gambling and the NBA, Rahm and Rahm and more. Stick around to discover the Doctor’s favorite movie.

MJ is back, sorta. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon explicates the ICE invasion of his beloved southwest side and makes the case against calling people illegals. And not cause he’s a snowflake. Which spurs an exchange about snowflake as a weapon of destruction. Word of warning to pot heads—you’re also “illegal”. Adolfo is an attorney, who hosts Voices of the Mexican Song—every Thursday from 4-5 pm on WHPK.org

Trump seeks $230m from taxpayers as compensation for what? Leading an attempted insurrection? Ben riffs. Jim Coogan on the weaponization of the Justice Department. The fictitious weaponization—imagined by MAGA—versus the real one, led by Trump. Also, the Erez Reuveni whistleblower suit. Stephen A Smith’s false framing. And the Dirty Harry influence on due process. Jim is managing partner of Coogan Gallagher.

Houston’s Mayor John Whitmire says he knows how to deal with Boss Donnie—suck up to him. Ben riffs. And get out your paper and pencils to take notes as Ishan Daya and Julie Dworkin tell you everything you need to know about Mayor Johnson’s budget. Also a word or two about TIFs. Don’t get Ben started. Ishan and Julie are co-founders of the Institute for Public Good, a budget-analysis think tank in Chicago.

Trump erects a white-people-only sign on the USA. Ben riffs. Antonio Correa answers your MAGA questions. Why Latinos voted for Trump? What do they say about that now? Where is the don’t-tread-on-me-crowd when we need them? Do they really mean tread on them not me? What would he do if ICE came after him? Finally, how did he find his ocean waves? Antonio is a former Marine and a senior digital strategist for Heartland Signal. His views are his own.

Ben and Dr D confront a week’s worth of lunacy. Starting with…reporters giving grief to Mayor Johnson for spending property tax dollars on schools. Silly mayor, don’t you know that TIF money—which are property tax dollars— are for rich guys? Updates on the ICE invasion. Will any of the mayoral wannabes criticize Trump? Or will they pretend he doesn’t exist? And Governor Pritzker wins $1.4 million at a Vegas blackjack table. Proving, among other things, that life isn’t fair. Also, a shout out to ...

ICE invades the Southeast Side. Ben riffs. Jen Sabella on the state of journalism in the age of Trump’s invasion of Chicago. Reporters tear gassed or shot with pellets. Officials deny what you see with your own eyes. FOIA requests ignored. Basic info withheld. In short, the Trumpers make Chicago’s mayors look like paragons of transparency. America’s not free, if its press is shackled. Jen is cofounder and executive editor of Block Club.

Trump sulks cause he didn’t get the Nobel for bringing “peace” to the Middle East. Ben riffs. Monroe reconsiders his opposition to Trump in the hopes of making big bucks like Steven A. Smith. Then decides—nah, too late for that. Also…the government shutdown, racist young Republicans, Democratic strategists, and the Bears and their stadium. Monroe is a longtime journalist and truth teller.

Trump’s prosecutorial puppet prosecutes Leticia James. Ben riffs. David Faris runs down the stages of autocracy. We’re currently in the competitive authoritarianism phase. Thanks in part to John Roberts and his Supremes. Imagine a president named, oh, Pritzker behaving like Trump. The Gaza truce. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek and The Nation.

ICE manages to avoid Wrigley Field. Ben riffs. State senator Graciela Guzman talks about Trump’s invasion of Chicago. And Chicago as a testing ground for MAGA messaging and other invasions. Her showdown at the Broadview detention center. The crackdown on academic freedom. And one last thing—don’t call her “Sporty Spice.” Graciela represents the 20th senatorial district on the northwest side.

Chomsky’s wisdom helps explain America’s illogical take on immigration and deportations. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains everything all at once. Including…why Americans are so illogical about crime, immigrants, Trump’s behavior and deportations. A shout out to Atlanta. Also, on a topic having nothing to do with anything: Why are Chicagoans so unfriendly? And more. Marc is a podcaster in Chicago.

Bari Weiss hits the jackpot, showing millennials how to play the game. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn reflects on MAGA lite’s ability to justify and embrace policies and politicians they once abhorred. Also, the Democrats and their governmental shutdown strategy, or lack thereof. How about that kid in Texas? That is—State Senator James Talarico. A great debate about Mayor Johnson. Laurie is a political consultant and strategist.

The Sun-Times shows much love for Alderman Marty Quinn. Ben riffs. Mark Whitaker talks about his new book, The Afterlife of Malcolm X. Which is about what the title says—how the legacy of Malcolm X lives even 60 years after his assassination. So much to discuss so little time. Why is Malcolm as relevant today as he was when he was alive? Was the FBI complicit in his murder? Why did it take so long for two men wrongfully convicted of murdering Malcolm to get exonerated? Why didn’t America care wh...

The New York Times fact checker bends over backwards to avoid calling Trump’s lie a lie. Ben riffs. Trump is so autocratically demented, it takes two journalistic legends to explain it all. Jack White joins Monroe to break down everything from the memorial speech to the Tylenol denunciation to the broken United Nations elevator to Kimmel’s stance. And more…

Dave Portnoy, who made his name being politically incorrect, says Jimmy Kimmel went too far. Ben riffs. Holly Kim explains why she’s running for state comptroller. And what she will do if she wins. Get ready for the TIF debate. Holly Kim is treasurer of Lake County.

Dems start to realize they have to get out of their comfort zone to take back the country. Ben riffs. Kevin Lamm explains how it can be done. What are the issues that rally red district voters? What's the lesson from Catelin Drey and Debra Shigley? How they apply to the 16th congressional district in Illinois--one of the reddest districts in the country. Kevin is a candidate for state Democratic Committeeman in the 16th.

Joe Rogan weighs in on Jimmy Kimmel and free speech—finally! Ben riffs. Kat Abughazaleh talks about getting thrown to the ground by ICE thugs. If you think it’s bad outside an ICE facility, imagine the horror of what goes on inside—hidden from view. How to confront fascism? Hint—don’t take bad-faith arguments in good faith. Speaking of bad-faith arguments, Trump on Tylenol. Kat is running in the Democratic primary for Congress in the 9th congressional district.

Ben and Dr D have so much to discuss and so little time in which to discuss it. Starting with Brendan Reilly going a little MAGA to try to beat Toni Preckwinkle. Is a little MAGA like a little pregnant? And Chicago is going to the dogs—if Lincoln Park gets its way. Raja wins big in Rock Island. And Juliana says she doesn’t need corporate pac money cause she has JB’s money. Well, she didn’t say the last part. And Robin talks gun control. And DB makes it official. He’s running for governor again a...