We Can Do Better

Follow We Can Do Better
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

We Can Do Better (WCDB) is a Chicago-centric podcast curated by co-hosts Mayor Chesney and Right Bank Bevly. WCDB provides an examination of, and commentary on, current news topics, social trends, food and drink, with an overarching theme of seeking improvement wherever possible. There will be laughs. There will be drinks. There will be better.

Mayor Chesney and Right Bank Bevly


    • Sep 28, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 72 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from We Can Do Better with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from We Can Do Better

    9.17: Chalking Around Town

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 53:58


    John, Lilly and Shaft(Baby) are you join by incredible chalk artist Rebecca LaFlure.Follow @chalkofthetown312

    8.28: Swimming, AITA and PQB

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2022 35:30


    John, Lilly and Shaft eat Publican Quality croissants while discussing the playpen, bike lanes and Guaranteed Income.  

    8.07: #Belonging and Public Transport

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 57:11


    This week John, Lilly and Shaft are joined by two stalwarts of the Chicago Arts and Comedy scene, Sarah Falkiner & Aaron ChaseGameball:https://bikegridnow.orghttps://cvg.org/what-we-do/#Belonginghttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/belonging-tickets-384316379637?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

    7.30: Depression Dogs, Ghosts and a 10yr Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2022 38:44


    We discuss the origin of the Chicago Dog, A cursed space and Chicago's 10 year plan.Gameball:https://www.locallunchbox.org/chi

    7.17: Nascar & Kasama

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 47:54


    John, Shaft & Lilly go to Kasama for brunch and to interview tasting menu Chef Mai Giffard. https://www.kasamachicago.com

    7.1: Photohunt and Primaries

    Play Episode Play 46 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 3, 2022 50:53


    John and D play a new game, discuss "Pub Royale" closing, "Quality Time" opening and Derondal helps a struggling politician. 

    6.24: Influencers, RvW, Copi!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 51:02


    John and D discuss Asian Carp, Roe V. Wade  and debut WCDB's new Logo designed by Producer Lilly!Some help for people links www.chicagoabortionfund.comThey provide financial, logistical, and emotional support to people seeking abortion care in Chicago, in Illinois, and the Midwest.midwestaccesscoalition.orgPractical Abortion Fund MAC helps people traveling in the midwest to access safe legal abortions, travel, lodging, food, medicine and emotional support. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinoishttps://www.reddit.com/r/auntienetwork/A place to help anyone who has a uterusThanks to  Producer Shaft for Mystery Bag 2.0 and  Producer Lilly for the Crumbl Cookies

    6.15: Airwolf, Attack Ads and Zambonis

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 18, 2022 47:05


    John and D are live at Slightly Toasted discussing Helicopters, Attack Ads and Zamboni's

    6.8: TaTas, Dogs and Miller Lite

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 11, 2022 57:38


    John and D discuss The Red Line Hero, barking dogs and CPS budgets.https://www.thetatatop.com

    6.1: Chi Web3, Ghost Trains and a Crowded Field

    Play Episode Play 58 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 4, 2022 54:19


    John and D discuss Web3 in Chicago, CTA and Beer Jpegs

    Census, Bazaar Meat, Texas & GF

    Play Episode Play 57 sec Highlight Listen Later May 28, 2022 49:36


    John and D discuss the Census correction, Piper Paparazzi and the tragedy in Texas. Earn a game ball and help out Elgin Food Pantrieshttps://www.foodforgreaterelgin.org  

    5.13: Ballys, Vegan Dogs and Guaranteed Income

    Play Episode Play 56 sec Highlight Listen Later May 21, 2022 57:44


    John and D return from their break to discuss everything that has happened in Chicago the last 9 months.

    9.14: McNuggets, Police Scanner & Gangs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 44:51


    John and D drink mystery whiskey, listen to the police scanner, and is D Chicagos top Mcdonalds fan?https://www.lostlakechicago.comMiddleditch "McNuggets"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSZ6k3QIsAkhttps://www.change.org/p/chicago-park-district-remove-amazon-from-parks-keep-public-spaces-community-focused

    9.08: Blue Line, The Stick & 1.7.20

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2021 58:04


    John and D discuss things that are growing: Violence in the city + The Stick MovementChicago Tribune 40,000 murders: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-history-of-chicago-homicides-htmlstory.htmlChicago Sun Times 2021 murders: https://graphics.suntimes.com/homicides/ Chicago Tribune Op-Ed on lack of unity: https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-sept-11-terrorism-pandemic-chapman-20210908-uyfb4y4uzzddxcviu4kz4ul4xm-story.html  RightBank's Gameball: Justice Rising: https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/09/08/west-side-legal-aid-program-will-bring-community-led-holistic-supports-to-break-cycle-of-crime/ John's Gameball: https://twitter.com/ChiPartyAunt

    8.31: Bears, The Loop & Back 2 Skool

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2021 58:40


    John and D drink while discussing Violence in the loop, Back2School and Chicago's first NFT space?  

    8.23: Parks, Art and Craigslist

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 43:53


    John and D discuss some updates to previous stories, John challenges D to Chicago Craigslist price is right and we discuss how the Pfizer FDA approval affects mandates in the city.instagram@Mayorchesney@rbbevly@chiefwhiskeyofficerJohn's Gameball@evandrawsthingsevanart.com

    8.18: BCBS, Lockers and Putt Putt

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2021 45:36


    John and D, discuss the new Goose Island BCBS line up, amazon taking over our parks and an amazing Putt Putt Course.

    8.10: The Stick and DMB

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 53:01


    John and D discuss the Vaccination Stick, Song 41 and what happened 17 years ago. 

    8.03: Evictions, Motorcycles and Whiskey Acres

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 51:06


    John and Derondal discuss end of the eviction moratorium, Timmy interviews Supt. David Brown and More

    7.27: Shot Spotter and Lightfoot on Sway

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 48:40


    Week 2 of our weekly cadence. John and D are discussing futuristic A.I. CCT Big Brother technology that we already have in Chicago.  We touch on Lori Lightfoot's Interview with Kara Swisher in her podcast "Sway"Books & Breakfasthttps://www.instagram.com/p/CRox59CLesU/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

    7.19: We're back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 46:31


    John and D return after a several month hiatus. We discuss Portillos, Fat Rice and Whiskey.John's Game Ball:Museum of Classic Chicago Televisionhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FuzzyMemoriesTV/videos?view=0&sort=da&flow=grid

    3.19: Lead and Loretto

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2021 41:06


    Episode 52 John and D, discuss Malort, Loretto Hospital and lead pipes in Chicago.D's Gameball:https://tasteforthehomeless.org

    3.04: EP 50b or 51 & Sarah from ATG

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 48:09


    John and D discuss, Chicago's ban on No Know Warrants, speeding tickets and we have a fantastic conversation with At The Garden's Sarah Falkiner.Support her below:Support At The Garden: https://gofund.me/69a9ffffJoin the live reading to support At The Garden: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-reading-of-something-beautiful-by-sharon-dennis-wyeth-a-fundraiser-tickets-142400141657?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

    2.20 Budgets & Palpatine

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2021 40:05


    John and D get chat about Mayor Lightfoots budget, David Rose's take on the the Schitt's Creek Pop Up and the march to fifty is nearly complete!Mentions in the show:http://www.lobapastry.comAt The Garden Tv Show Go Fund Mehttps://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-reshoot-our-at-the-garden-concept?member=7805726&rcid=9aece9292dd94568b31a92ed3f94cc74&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

    Dinkels and CPS Hostages

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2021 35:53


    John and D discuss the battle over Chicago students, Dinkels Bakery and Chicago's real life Catch Me If You can.

    1.21.21: Car Jackings and Mittens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2021 39:55


    John and D discuss Car Jackings in Chicago, Restaurants reopening and Bernie Sanders Memes.Lan's Old Town NEEDS TO DO BETTERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaTb84drBW4&feature=emb_logoTobe Nwigwe "Try Jesus"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFU0PTsykeU&feature=youtu.be

    1.07: Some Good News & The Capitol

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2021 35:26


    John and Derondal discuss some positive signs in Chicago as well as talking about the what happened at the Capitol on Wednesday.

    01.01.21: Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2021 44:34


    John and D return for season 2. Today they discuss Chicago schools, Mayor Lightfoots email problem and more.

    11.10: Post Election and Pritzker

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 45:34


    John and D discuss the some of the ramifications of the Fair Tax Amendment, Pritzker and the Central Park Movie Theater.

    10.29: Sun Riser & Navy Pier

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 69:13


    John and D and guests: Payal Patel (Communications Director for Navy Pier) and Kevin Conroy (Chicago band Sun Riser). Together, we navigate Facebook, discuss new Chicago shut downs and enjoy music from Kevin!https://open.spotify.com/album/3V5c2U6UHwVu9We5KViT89?highlight=spotify:track:2BIa47J86cwK2js077Xxdi

    10.24: #BrunchEdition

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2020 45:25


    John and D discuss a new Logan Square spot, Chicago's speed cameras and what will be left of the bar and restaurant scene.

    10.20: Rebranding Chicago & The Trump Dangler

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2020 49:37


    John and D discuss hotdogs, Mayor Lightfoot as the face of rebranding Chicago and Pritzker rollbacks.John's Do Better With Yourself:https://www.change.org/p/jewel-food-store-glenview-plaza-del-prado-get-khaled-his-job-back-at-jewel

    10.16: 40!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2020 49:11


    John and D, discuss Ds new identity, Chicago public schools reopening and Halloween.John's Gambeball:https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/10/16/malt-row-brewers-release-koval-barrel-aged-beer-to-raise-funds-for-greater-ravenswood-chamber-of-commerce/

    10.14: Developments and Chicago BAR

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2020 37:50


    John and D discuss Lincoln Yards connecting to the 606, a real life problematic Facebook friend and D pitches his latest tv show...Johns Gameball:https://youtu.be/TBGera6_5YY

    10.08: Unemployment & Perfect Strangers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2020 51:00


    John and D discuss unemployment, the winners of Chicago's outdoor dinning competition and D pitches more tv show remakes.John's Gameball:https://shop.rebuildingexchange.org/events-products-page/ik2mo0dgqi51wbdug9xq2fr2puiei0

    9.29: SKY and Dreadhead Cowboy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 47:50


    John and D discuss The Logan Theater closing, The Dreadhead Cowboy and Restaurants rules relaxing. John's Gameball:https://toronzocannon.comDerondal's Gameball:https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/09/29/want-to-fight-for-social-justice-but-not-sure-where-to-start-allyship-101-workshop-aims-to-inform-empower/

    restaurants cowboy logan theater
    9:18: Winter Dining & RBG

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2020 50:56


    Today John and D discuss Southport Lanes, the census, how Chicago solves winter dining and RBG.Please share this with anyone who needs it:https://www.census.gov

    9.11: Berry and 9/11

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 55:34


    John and D have some late drinks Friday night. We are joined by our first official guest Berry Faust. We discuss what lockdown was like for her and each of our experiences on Sept 11th.Johns Gameball:http://www.lakeeffectbrewing.com 

    8.31: Tamale Guy and Kenosha

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 51:54


    John and D discuss the violence in Chicago, Kenosha and Chicago's competitions around outdoor dining.https://challenges.openideo.com/challenge/city-of-chicago-winter-dining-challenge/ideasJohn's Gameball:https://www.millyspizzachi.com

    8.19: DNC and Shelbycoin

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2020 41:58


    D and John discuss the DNC, Lightfoot and Navy Pier.

    8.13: Together Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2020 53:35


    John and D discuss the powder keg, Kim Foxx and small business funds.

    8.04: Bugout Bag and CPS

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 52:52


    John and D have a conversation about Chicago Schools decision to start remotely, our Problematic Facebook friend and how long is acceptable to wait for a reservation. Game Ball:Johnwww.flourpowerpasta.com

    7.29: 30for30

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 45:21


    John and D discuss 30for30s that should get made, Mayor Lightfoot and Innertown Pub.

    7.24: Problematic Facebook Friend II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 44:02


    John and D talk about John's nephew and a return from the problematic Facebook friend. 

    7.22: Guthries and Secret Police

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2020 40:56


    John and D get into a room together for the first time in 4 months. We talk about Guthries, Secret Police and we drinkJohn's Game BallMy Block My Hood My City Digital 5k Lets Do it!https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Chicago/MyBlockMyHoodMyCity5k

    7.17: Shelbyville Bubble & Back To School

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2020 35:07


    John and D discuss Chicago's plan to put students back in School, fighting between Mayor Lightfoot and Trump, also we drink. 

    7.14: Census Whiskey and Right Bane

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2020 38:42


    John and Derondal discuss schools reopening, Lane Tech and the Census Cowboy. John's Game-ball: 2020census.gov

    7.09: 2020 Predictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2020 35:31


    John and D make some predictions about the back half of 2020, we give out some game balls and we try to do better. John's Gameballhttps://www.onetail.orgDerondal's Gameballhttps://cps.edu/chicagoconnected/Pages/home.aspx

    7.08: Offensive Ice Cream and Blackhawks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 36:36


    John and D discuss Alineas latest desert, Top Cop David Brown's new plan to quell violence and should the Blackhawks change their name?John's Gameball:https://www.gofundme.com/f/chicago-artists-relief-fund

    7.06: Boystown and Hamilton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2020 47:40


    Coming out of a holiday weekend John and D discuss Boystown, Continued violence in the city, the drive in at the Soldier Field and new goals.

    7.02: Squatters and Holiday Violence this weekend?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2020 47:51


    Claim We Can Do Better

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel