Episodes
Brendan Shiller—Back in Chicago
With all eyes on the presidential race, Ben shifts his attention back to Chicago. At least for today. Brendan joins Ben to talk…Musical committee chairs in the council. Why do some alders hate on Byron Sigcho Lopez? What does the zoning committee chair do and why do we need a mayoral ally to do it?…
Jim Coogan—COVID and JD
Gotta give JD Vance credit—he’s a great apple polisher. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan riffs on Ben’s riff. Meet Peter Thiel. On other topics… Is a case of COVID President Biden’s exit excuse? Jim explains how the MAGA Supremes teamed up with Judge Cannon to enable Trump to avoid trials until after the elec…
Alderman David Moore—The Lion and the Jackass
Alderman David Moore camps out in a tent in his ward as a tactic to fight violence. Ben riffs. And Alderman Moore explains what he’s doing with that tent and why. Also, he talks ShotSpotter and his defer-and-publish showdown with Alderman Daniel La Spata. And he offers a parable about the Lion, the…
Mueze Bawany—Biden and Basketball
Mueze Bawany takes on all the issues. Talking…Biden and Dems. Fascism and Trump. Bears on the eve of the season. Men and women as basketball fans. And Ben’s beloved Bulls. A high school football coach and unapologetic lefty, Mueze is Chicago’s foremost authority on football. Aside from his inexplic…
David Faris—Coattail Catastrophe
David Faris spares no details pointing out the ripple effect if Trump beats Biden in a landslide—the White House, House and Senate. And the Supreme Court, which MAGA already controls. In short, Trump’s coattails. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Sla…
Rummana Hussain—In Denial
As Rummana Hussain and Ben sat down to talk, it was the day after an excessive night of Fourth of July fireworks as Americans ostensibly celebrate their independence from one king, while preparing to elect another. Then President Biden declared he was staying in the race regardless of what anyone t…
Kina Collins—"Good News"
Hey, Dems, look on the bright side—at least people are paying attention to Biden. Ben riffs. Kina Collins breaks down the election—crazies, cowards and the couch. Who’s on the couch and why. And everything wrong with Dems with the Cisneros-Cuellar congressional race as exhibit A. That said, Kina sa…
Tara Dickman and Laurie Glenn—“As In France"
Laurie and Tara explain what’s going on in France, politically speaking, and what it means for politics right here in the USA. A must listen to learn the basics of French politics and to hear Ben butcher the pronunciation of Macron, Le Pen, Bardella, Melenchon and a few other French names. Stick ar…
Monroe Anderson—“Nancy Weighs In"
Nancy Pelosi gives a master class in passive aggressiveness as she more or less gently tries to tell President Biden it’s time to step down. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson seconds that motion. Again, more or less. And then explains why some people are reluctant to endorse Kamala Harris. Also, why won’t…
Peter Cunningham —“Back In Time"
Biden in 2023 = Daley in 2006. Ben riffs. He can’t help himself! Always making everything about Chicago politics. Speaking of which, Peter Cunningham riffs on Ben’s riff. Going back to his ‘06 Daley talking points as though time has stopped. Then he explains why he’s sticking with Joe. And what Bid…
Chris Pennant—The Sky Way
Chris Pennant ponders a few of the big bball political questions of the day, including…what is it that makes basketball-hating, hockey-loving, Trump-voting MAGA men fall in love with Caitlin Clark? Also, why are the experts who run the Bulls and the Sky incapable of signing any player who can shoot…
A Chicago Legend—Edward "Buzz" Palmer
In December 2019, a true Chicago legend, Edward "Buzz" Palmer, came to the studio to talk about his life as military man, internationally renown activist, retired Chicago Police Department officer and founder of the Afro-American Patrolmen's League. Mr. Palmer died in 2021. See Privacy Policy at …
Julie Lynn—The Ballot Game
Julie Lynn explains why ballot initiatives on abortion are not quite the game changers Dems think they are. As if Dems didn’t have enough problems. More to the point, they will not protect abortion as a right once Trump gets elected and bows to the zealots and bans it. Julie is a communications con…
Pat Whalen-"HELLLLLLP"
Ben and Pat try to keep their sanity in the face of utter madness. Including, some Dems bright idea about what to do to save President Biden’s campaign. It is…AI to create a new and improved Joe Biden. Ben says it’s a weak attempt at satire. Pat says, no, the dude is serious. And that may be the l…
Chicago Legend—Ken Davis
After 9 years as Host, Ken Davis announced that he is ending his Chicago Newsroom on CAN TV. Join us as we look back at the highlights with the man himself. It's our dear friend Kenny D, Ken Davis on this Saturday. Originally ran May, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal…
Monroe Anderson—“Ralph Weighs In"
Ralph Nader blames Hillary Clinton for the MAGA supremes devious. Ben riffs. Then Monroe talk all things Biden. In other words…should he resign? Can he when in his demented state? And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d…
Andrew Schneider—“The Professor’s Balm"
In the aftermath of the debate debacle, Professor Alan Lichtman has a message that’s soothing and seductive for pain -stricken Dems. Ben riffs. Then Andrew riffs. Then Ben riffs on Andrew’s riff. Soon they’re riffing on all things national politics even though they intended to talk preservation in …
Mary Wisniewski—The Great Mr. Algren
Mary Wisniewski talks about the life and legacy of Nelson Algren, whose novels remain as relevant as ever. She wrote Algren: A Life. Originally dropped—March, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dave McKinney—just Call It A Gratuity
Looks like the Supremes are toying with the notion of legalizing bribery by calling a bribe a gratuity. Dave McKinney breaks down the case of James Snyder. former mayor of Portage, Indiana. The Supreme Court ruling may impact the feds prosecution of former speaker Michael Madigan. Dave is s reporte…
David Faris—Oh, No, Joe
In the aftermath of Thursdays disastrous presidential debate, David Faris explains what Dems must do to remove President Biden from the ticket, recognizing that they probably won’t do it. He tries hard not to say—I told you so. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a co…
Meredith Shiner—“Disaster"
Biden and Trump have a debate, if that’s what you call last night’s debacle. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner explains how we arrived at a point where our choice comes down to a corrupt fascist and an incoherent old man. Also, a few words about CNN, MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, Kamala Harris, Biden’s inner circ…
Delmarie Cobb—“Much to Discuss”
Dan Mihalopoulos writes a column explaining how Ed Burke sorta tried to win him over with ear muffs. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb explains why it will take more than ear muffs for her to forgive Burke for what he did to Mayor Washington. Delmarie also talks Jamaal Bowman, what Biden has to do to win th…
Monroe Anderson—"Just In”
The Supremes accidentally release a ruling on abortion. Accidentally, huh? Ben riffs. Monroe is even more skeptical about the Supreme’s accident than Ben is. Monroe talks AIPAC and Jamaal Bowman. Pretty cynical move, AIPAC. A few words about Reese and Clark and Magic and Bird and Ali and Frazier. …
Sarah Bingaman—“Prison Stripes"
Burke’s sentencing judge chastizes Danny Solis. Ben riffs. And Sarah Bingaman returns! Talking Blue politics from Red country Illinois. Sarah is a political activist from Lee County. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not…