Podcasts about chicago sun times

Just when you thought the Trumps couldn't get any greedier, Jared and Ivanka invade Albania. Ben riffs. Rummana—aka, Chicago's foremost authority on Mayor Mamdani—talks…Mayor Mamdani! He went 3 for 3 in Tuesday's congressional primaries. What does that say about the future of American politics? Also, Rummana makes a prediction about the two sports known as football. Rummana is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 23, 2026 is: quail • KWAIL • verb To quail is to feel afraid and often to show your fear in a way that can be clearly seen. // Although giving a 5-minute speech was a requirement for passing the class, a few students quailed at the thought of public speaking, seeming to shrink behind their desks. See the entry > Examples: “Several came to protest but didn't want their own voices cited. A woman holding a sign reading ‘I'M A 77 YEAR OLD GRANNY FOR FREEDOM' quailed at the prospect of having her photo in the newspaper.” — Neil Steinberg, The Chicago Sun-Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Did you know? Turning to the noun quail, referring to any of a number of chicken-related game birds, for information about the verb quail is of little help. The two are etymologically unrelated, and there's nothing specific in the behavior of quails to suggest the verb's meaning. But never fear—the next time you hear quail, think quiver instead. Although quail and quiver are also unrelated, they both start with a distinctive qu and have meanings involving a physical reaction to fear. When you quiver (as in response to, say, hearing things that go bump in the night), you shake or move with a slight trembling motion. Quailing often goes a bit beyond trembling; quail implies shrinking or cowering in fear, as perhaps when the things that go bump in the night suddenly start approaching.

No you're not seeing things – we're bringing you our Weekly News Recap a day early! Illinois Governor JB Pritzker promises to be “very involved” in the 2028 presidential election. A man accused of burning a cross in Grant Park faces hate crime and arson charges. The U.S. Department of Justice challenges Evanston's reparations program. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune transportation and labor reporter Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Justin Laurence, Crain's Chicago Business government and politics reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Northwestern University student and former Chicago Sun-Times intern Zoe Singer joins the Lisa Dent Show to discuss her article detailing how there has only been one arrest in the over 1,200 occurrences of airbag theft.

Chicago Sun-Times journalist Lynn Sweet offers more insight on the upcoming Obama Presidential Center; the Pacific Whale Foundation shares new research on the endangered false killer whale.

Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel joins Patrick to discuss the ComEd Four convictions, controversy in Chicago's U.S. Attorney's office, and the next step for former Speaker Michael Madigan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Steve Greenberg joins Patrick to talk about fan reaction to the Bears stadium debacle and his trip across the state line to Hammond, IN.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Sun-Times political reporter Mitchell Armentrout joins Patrick to discuss the next step in the Bears saga, the state budget, and if the White Sox are actually...good? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview recorded - 3rd of June, 2026On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming on Dr Mark Thornton. Dr Mark Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute and a leading voice of the Austrian School of economics, author of The Skyscraper Curse. He is one of the few economists to have warned about the housing bubble well before 2008.During our conversation we spoke about his current view on the economy, Austrian Economic Theory, the FED's betrayal, what would fix the current situation, which assets to perform and more. I hope you enjoy!0:00 - Introduction2:06 - Current view of economy6:22 - Austrian Economic Theory11:50 - Wages going up?16:11 - Recent inflation23:00 - Kevin Warsh balance sheet28:36 - Solution35:30 - Which assets to perform?42:40 - One message to takeawayMark Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute, and was the Peterson-Luddy Chair in Austrian Economics from 2021-2023. He hosts two podcasts, Minor Issues and Unanimity, and serves as the Book Review Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics. His publications include The Economics of Prohibition (1991), Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War (2004), The Quotable Mises (2005), The Bastiat Collection (2007), An Essay on Economic Theory (2010), The Bastiat Reader (2014), and The Skyscraper Curse and How Austrian Economists Predicted Every Major Crisis of the Last Century (2018). [high-res photo]Dr. Thornton served as the editor of the Austrian Economics Newsletter and was a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Libertarian Studies and several other academic journals. He has served as a member of the graduate faculties of Auburn University and Columbus State University. He has also taught economics at Auburn University at Montgomery and Trinity University in Texas. Mark served as Assistant Superintendent of Banking and economic adviser to Governor Fob James of Alabama (1997-1999), and he was awarded the University Research Award at Columbus State University in 2002. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and received his PhD in economics from Auburn University. In 2014, he debated in opposition to the “War on Drugs” at Oxford Union.Dr. Thornton has been featured in American Spectator, Barron's, Bloomberg, Christian Science Monitor, The Economist, Forbes, Investors' Business Daily, Le Monde, New York Post, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Economic Times (India), Financial Times (Norway), and Tejarat-e-Farda (Iran). He has also had regular multiple appearances on Russia Today and Press TVHis editorials and interviews have appeared in the following leading regional newspapers: Apple Daily (Hong Kong), Atlanta Constitution, Birmingham News, Business Alabama, Chicago Sun-Times, Houston Chronicle, Mobile Press Register, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Montgomery Advertiser, New York Post, Orange County Register, Richmond Times Dispatch, Tampa Tribune, and the Washington TimesHis commentary appears regularly in the Mises Daily and the Mises Wire. He also appears regularly on Boom-Bust, RT, Butler on Business, Tom Woods Show, Thom Hartmann Show, Scott Horton Show, Press TV and Freedom Works.Dr Mark Thornton - Misses Institute - https://mises.org/X - https://x.com/DrMarkThorntonWTFinance -Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wtfinancee/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/67rpmjG92PNBW0doLyPvfniTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wtfinance/id1554934665?uo=4Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnthonyFatseas

Morgan and I discuss the Mirage Tavane.  Show notes: Time: Barroom Sting Chicago Sun-Times : Part 1 Chicago Sun-Times: 40 years later, reporters remember how they bought a bar to expose corruption The Newspaper that bought a Bar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Obama Presidential Center announces the schedule for its grand opening. Chicago's U.S. Attorney's Office says it's instituting reforms after the high-profile case against a group of ICE protesters falls apart because of prosecutorial misconduct. Plus, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visits Pope Leo XIV in Rome. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with freelance journalist and City Cast Chicago contributor Brandon Pope, Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Violet Miller. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Most leaders think they're doing fine. Their teams think otherwise. And that gap - hiding in plain sight across organizations everywhere - is exactly what my guest today has spent his career trying to close. David Grossman is one of America's foremost authorities on leadership and change communication inside organizations. He's a six-time author, and his latest book is The Heart Work of Modern Leadership: 6 Differentiators of Exceptional Leaders.David shares findings from a survey he conducted in partnership with Harris Poll to find out what 2,200 employed Americans thought of their leaders and what they revealed about the dangerous gap between how leaders see themselves and how their teams actually experience them. We get into the three gaps preventing good leaders from becoming exceptional, why the poker face problem is quietly undermining your credibility and connection, and why David pushes back on calling empathy a soft skill. He makes the case that empathy is actually an intelligence system, and we discuss why exceptional leaders blend both heart and head skills, how vulnerability builds trust in ways nothing else can, and that the most important leadership skill might be learning to hear what people aren't saying out loud.If you think you're a pretty good leader, this conversation is going to reveal how you can be an exceptional one.To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.Listen in for…The three gaps that good leaders aren't thinking about but should be. The six differentiators of exceptional modern leaders.Why David wants to get rid of the term “soft skills” and start talking about the “human skills” necessary to be an exceptional leader.How to move past the Poker Face Problem. Modifying your leadership style to handle times of uncertainty. The advanced listening skills everyone should work on. "Part of our responsibility as leaders is to help create stability for our folks. We create that stability by being predictable, by leveraging these all-important heart skills as a means to get to results. I want to ensure leaders hear the need for balance between strategic thinking and empathy, or EQ - this is not an either/or proposition." — David Grossman About David Grossman, Founder and CEO, Author, The Heart Work of Modern Leadership:David Grossman is one of America's foremost authorities on leadership and change communication inside organizations. An award-winning author, keynote speaker, and trusted executive coach to the C-suite, he also advises academic institutions, offering guidance on curriculum and programs. David is the founder and CEO of The Grossman Group.A media source for his expert commentary and analysis on employee and leadership issues, David has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Sun Times, Fast Company, Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek, the World Economic Forum, Directors & Boards, and CBS MoneyWatch, among many others.David is a six-time author, and his latest book, The Heart Work of Modern Leadership: 6 Differentiators of Exceptional Leaders, is an Amazon Best Seller in Communication, Leadership & Motivation, Workplace & Culture, and Business Culture.Connect with David:The Grossman Group: yourthoughtpartner.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidgrossmanaprabc Get the book! The Heart Work of Modern Leadership: 6 Differentiators of Exceptional Leaders: www.thegrossmangroup.co/edge Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceGet your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Happy Memorial Day which marks the beginning of boating season.  So we decided to revisit this infamous event.  Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Band's driver denies drenching boat Chicago Sun-Times: Tour boat hit with raw sewage // 2 large buses on bridge blamed for discharge that sent 5 to hospital Chicago Sun-Times: Complaint links rock band to dumped sewage // Dave Matthews Band denies involvement in tour boat defilement Chicago Sun-Times: Daley: Go tough on Dave Matthews driver // Mayor still likes group despite alleged sewage dumping Chicago Sun-Times: Band's attitude reeks Chicago Sun-Times: Bus' waste dumping leads alderman to call for crackdown Chicago Sun-Times: Matthews Band in harmony with clean-river efforts // $100,000 gift to begin 'healing process' after bus dumps sewage Chicago Sun-Times: Boat tour guest sues Matthews band Chicago Sun-Times: Dave Matthews driver to face criminal charges Chicago Sun-Times: Matthews band driver charged in river dumping // Band faces $70,000 suit for summer's Kinzie bridge incident Chicago Sun-Times: Tour boat owners sue Dave Matthews Band Chicago Sun-Times: Bus driver pleads guilty to dumping raw sewage // Dave Matthews Band cuts ties to employee who sloshed boaters Chicago Sun-Times: Matthews band dumps cash into settlement Chicago Sun-Times: $200,000 apology ends waste-dumping suit // Dave Matthews Band also donated to Park District, river group Chicago Sun-Times: Dave Matthews 'couldn't be more sorry' for bus-dumping Chicago Sun-Times: Nevada family, Matthews Band settle suit over dumped waste Chicago Sun-Times: City's surveillance cameras are making Chicago safer Case Text: Mercury Skyline Yacht Charters v. the Dave Matthews Band Block Club Chicago: Dave Matthews Tour Bus Dumped 800 Pounds Of Poop On People Taking A Chicago River Cruise 19 Years Ago TodayMercury Lawsuit Fox 32 Chicago: Dave Matthews Band tour bus feces incident remembered 19 years later with plaque dedication Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Friday! It's been another busy week in politics, the economy, and more. So before you head out for the long Memorial Day weekend, get caught up on the top local stories you need to know about: Illinois lawmakers debate insurance rate reform and prescription drug costs, charges are dropped against the Broadview Six, and Chicago broadcast journalists sue big tech. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent; David Greising, president of the Better Government Association; and Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Persuasion seems conspicuously absent from our politics.  Not shouting, denouncing, or trying to convince the "other side" that they're wrong, evil, or both.  But the good faithed attempt to reach the hearts, minds, and emotions of others and persuade them to our point of view.  Why?  Why is persuasion so hard?  And is it even possible to persuade in an era of political polarization?   Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis welcomes fellow "Josh"—Josh Bandoch—on the show to discuss his latest book, How to Get What You Want: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasion, and to explore how persuasion can engage with how the human brain is actually wired.   About Josh Bandoch Bio from Illinois Policy   Josh Bandoch is the Head of Policy at the Illinois Policy Institute.   His research focuses on empowering people to rise out of poverty, increasing social mobility, improving housing affordability, and removing barriers to opportunity (e.g. burdensome regulations). His work has appeared in popular outlets like National Review, Real Clear Policy, RealClearMarkets, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, The Washington Examiner, The Washington Times, and Discourse, as well as peer-reviewed journals like Political Studies. He regularly appears in the media to discuss these and other policy issues, and speaks regularly at local and national events.   He is the author of The Politics of Place: Montesquieu, Particularism, and the Pursuit of Liberty (University of Rochester Press, 2017), which has received numerous positive reviews. He's currently working with his literary agent to submit his book manuscript on persuasion to publishers. He's using his persuasion research to develop strategies to advocate for policies that expand freedom and prosperity.   Josh is a member of the American Enterprise Institute's Leadership Network – a policy education and professional development program for state-based leaders in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Before joining IPI, Josh was a Research Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a speechwriter for numerous senior government officials, a strategic communications consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, and a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   He earned his bachelor's in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.   To learn more about Josh, check out his website joshuabandoch.com  

Send us Fan MailDr. Glenn Livingston is a veteran psychologist and former CEO of a multi-million-dollar consulting firm that served Fortune 500 clients in the food industry. After years of working “on the wrong side”, helping corporations influence consumer behavior, he turned his focus toward helping individuals reclaim control over their eating habits.You may have seen his (or his company's) previous work, theories, and research in major periodicals like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Sun Times, The Indiana Star Ledger, The NY Daily News, American Demographics, or other major media outlets. You may also have heard him on ABC, WGN, and/or CBS radio, or UPN TV.Driven by his own personal journey from obesity to a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Livingston spent decades researching binge eating and overeating through both clinical practice and a self-funded study involving over 40,000 participants.Today, he is the author of several books, including Defeat Your Cravings and has helped thousands of clients overcome food obsession using a practical, science-backed system that does not rely on willpower alone. He also has 1,000,000 books in distribution and over 1,000,000 readers on PsychologyToday.com!Find Dr. Livingston at-https://www.defeatyourcravings.com/Find Boundless Body at-myboundlessbody.comBook a session with us here! 

Ready for a week's worth of news in under an hour? Illinois State Police open an investigation into the ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas González. Mayor Johnson goes on the offense against the Bears in Springfield. Tickets for the opening of the Obama Center go on sale. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter; Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune city hall reporter; and Mitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Steve Greenberg from the Chicago Sun-Times joined the show to discuss the red-hot Chicago Cubs and what's fueling their incredible winning streak. Later, Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports broke down the Big Ten Conference football offseason, debating which programs made the biggest moves and who came out on top heading into 2026. The hour wrapped up with the crew's weekly Friday Toasts, celebrating the best moments from the week in sports and beyond. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

  Pack Nation, Big Sal from Peshtigo is fired up — and this time it started with a headline. The Chicago Sun-Times ran a piece calling the Bears "stable by comparison," and brother, that is the rallying cry of a team that has already accepted third place. Big Sal reads it word for word and tears it apart brick by brick. The Bears' beat writer called Caleb Williams' year-three ceiling "making questions a little less acute" — while Jordan Love is 26 years old, healthy, and surrounded by a full arsenal. Big Sal explains what that gap actually looks like on a cold November Sunday. Garrett Bradbury and a non-premium safety. That is the offseason that earned the "stable" headline. Big Sal is not trying to be mean — he just needs you to see it for what it is. Micah Parsons is coming back. Jonathan Gannon is building a defense on purpose. And the projections — buried in the same article celebrating stability — have Chicago finishing third. Big Sal noticed. Patrick Finley should save this episode. Subscribe, drop a five-star review, and send this to every Bears fan in your life. They need it more than anyone. #PackNation #GreenBayPackers #ChicagoBears #NFCNorth #MicahParsons #JordanLove #CalebWilliams #LetMeTellYouSomething #PackernetPodcast #BigSal This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast Help keep the show growing and check out everything I'm building across the Packers and NFL world: Support: Patreon: www.patreon.com/pack_daddy Venmo: @Packernetpodcast CashApp: $packpod Website: https://nfldraftgrades.com/ My Board: https://nfldraftgrades.com/board/83a18c42-7a0b-4590-8d1b-453e49840d02          

  Pack Nation, Big Sal from Peshtigo is fired up — and this time it started with a headline. The Chicago Sun-Times ran a piece calling the Bears "stable by comparison," and brother, that is the rallying cry of a team that has already accepted third place. Big Sal reads it word for word and tears it apart brick by brick. The Bears' beat writer called Caleb Williams' year-three ceiling "making questions a little less acute" — while Jordan Love is 26 years old, healthy, and surrounded by a full arsenal. Big Sal explains what that gap actually looks like on a cold November Sunday. Garrett Bradbury and a non-premium safety. That is the offseason that earned the "stable" headline. Big Sal is not trying to be mean — he just needs you to see it for what it is. Micah Parsons is coming back. Jonathan Gannon is building a defense on purpose. And the projections — buried in the same article celebrating stability — have Chicago finishing third. Big Sal noticed. Patrick Finley should save this episode. Subscribe, drop a five-star review, and send this to every Bears fan in your life. They need it more than anyone. #PackNation #GreenBayPackers #ChicagoBears #NFCNorth #MicahParsons #JordanLove #CalebWilliams #LetMeTellYouSomething #PackernetPodcast #BigSal This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast Help keep the show growing and check out everything I'm building across the Packers and NFL world: Support: Patreon: www.patreon.com/pack_daddy Venmo: @Packernetpodcast CashApp: $packpod Website: https://nfldraftgrades.com/ My Board: https://nfldraftgrades.com/board/83a18c42-7a0b-4590-8d1b-453e49840d02          

Team previews are back! Jesse and Victor welcome Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times to talk pros. Discussed are Connor Bedard, Tyler Bertuzzi, Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, Ilya Mikheyev, Teuvo Teravainen, Ryan Donato, Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Moore, Nick Lardis, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, Kevin Korchinski, Spencer Knight, and Arvid Soderblom, InGoal magazine's Cat Silverman returns to talk prospect goalies Drew Commesso and Ilya Kanarsky. Then the Dynasty Dig features analysis of top prospects Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov, and Vaclav Nestrasil with reports from lead scout Tony and polls from NHLRankKing Mason Black. Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by Fantrax.com. Email fantasyhockeylife@gmail.com and ask to join our free discord. Join our Patreon at Patreon.com/fantasyhockeylife for rankings, bonus podcasts, in-depth prospect reports with video, show notes and more. Check out our YouTube for more prospect videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPYVXp3foOcvh7344fjKmA. Listen and subscribe wherever podcasts are posted - and give us 5 stars! We want to be your best place to talk about the game of dynasty fantasy hockey

Chicago's Cinco de Mayo parade is cancelled for a second year due to immigration enforcement fears. IBM announces a new innovation center at the Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago's South Side, pledging hundreds of jobs for City College graduates. Meanwhile, in Springfield, the Illinois legislature is finalizing its game plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Block Club Chicago reporter Mack Liederman, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mary Norkol and Alex Nitkin, Illinois Answers Project government finance and accountability reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In this hour of Money Moves, hosts Stormy Buonantony and Jonathan Von Tobel are joined by Patrick Finley, Chicago Bears beat reporter - Chicago Sun Times, to discuss the Bears upcoming draft. Also, joining the show is Nick Kosmider, Denver Broncos beat reporter - The Athletic, to give his mock draft and discuss how the Broncos are going to draft. Stormy and Jonathan hit on MLB pitcher strikeout projections for Thursday, and give their best bets. Get instant access to expert picks, public betting splits data, and pro betting tools when you join VSiN pro. You can take 17% off an annual subscription when you use promo code: POD26. Click Here to get started. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Movie of the Year: 1971Straw Dogs (feat. Erik from the Cradle to the Grave pod!)The Straw Dogs Podcast: Peckinpah's Most Dangerous FilmThe Straw Dogs podcast episode of Movie of the Year confronts one of 1971's most debated, disturbing, and relentlessly provocative films — Sam Peckinpah's psychological siege thriller starring Dustin Hoffman and Susan George. Ryan, Mike, and Greg are joined by Erik Hanson of the Cradle to the Grave podcast. Together, they examine the film's violence, its contested rape scene, and the gender dynamics at the heart of Peckinpah's vision. Consequently, no other episode this season demands more from its hosts — or from its audience.Moreover, the 1971 film Straw Dogs arrived in remarkable company. A Clockwork Orange, Dirty Harry, and The French Connection all hit theaters the same year — forming a cluster of films that fundamentally altered what Hollywood was willing to show. Furthermore, Straw Dogs distinguished itself from all of them. Filmed entirely in a Cornish village, it replaced the city's noise with something quieter and more suffocating. Ultimately, it is a film that has never stopped demanding conversation — and that is exactly what the Taste Buds deliver.About the FilmSam Peckinpah directed Straw Dogs (1971), starring Dustin Hoffman as David Sumner, a mild-mannered American mathematician who relocates with his English wife Amy (Susan George) to her rural hometown in Cornwall. David hires local men to repair their farmhouse. Almost immediately, however, the couple faces escalating harassment, intimidation, and violence from the villagers — including Amy's former boyfriend Charlie (Del Henney).Peckinpah and screenwriter David Zelag Goodman adapted the film from Gordon M. Williams's 1969 novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm. Peckinpah famously dismissed the source material. The film builds to a harrowing siege in which David, pushed past every limit, defends his home with escalating brutality. Additionally, the title derives from the Tao Te Ching, which describes straw dogs as ceremonial objects — used briefly, then discarded without feeling. The Criterion Collection edition includes a discussion of this symbolism in its supplemental materials.Released theatrically in the UK in November 1971, the film earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Score. It was later issued as a Criterion Collection release featuring new critical scholarship. The British Film Institute also maintains an entry on the film. The British Board of Film Classification banned it for home video release for years after its UK theatrical run.Guest Panelist: Erik HansonJoining the Taste Buds for this Sam Peckinpah film discussion is Erik Hanson, the creator and host of Cradle to the Grave — a horror movie podcast built around a distinctive structural premise. Starting with 1971, his own birth year, Erik ranks and discusses his Top 10 horror films from every year of his life, covering each in depth with rotating guests. The show has developed a devoted following for Erik's knowledgeable, laid-back, and genuinely funny approach to the genre.In addition to podcasting, Erik is the author of Death Machine, a debut horror novel set in 1987 Northern California that reimagines the Zodiac Killer returning to terrorize a group of kids. Based in Sacramento, California, Erik is also a musician. His work across fiction and podcasting reflects a lifelong relationship with horror that goes well beyond fandom and into genuine craft. Notably, the fact that Cradle to the Grave begins precisely with 1971 makes Erik an especially fitting guest for a deep dive into one of that year's most unsettling films. You can pick up Death Machine on Amazon.Peckinpah and Violence: A Director Pushed to the EdgeBy 1971, Sam Peckinpah had already established himself as Hollywood's most uncompromising chronicler of violence. The Wild Bunch (1969) had rewritten the grammar of the Western, deploying slow-motion carnage in a way that made violence impossible to process cleanly. Straw Dogs, however, moved in a very different direction. Furthermore, Warner Bros. had effectively exiled Peckinpah from Hollywood following a chaotic falling out, which is why he filmed this Straw Dogs 1971 production entirely in England, far from his natural terrain.The violence in Straw Dogs is not operatic like The Wild Bunch. Instead, it is domestic, intimate, and deeply uncomfortable. Peckinpah builds menace through accumulation — small humiliations, loaded glances, minor intrusions — before releasing it all in the siege. Additionally, the film implicates the audience in David's rampage by making it feel, at least in the moment, cathartic. That troubling catharsis is entirely the point. As a result, the Straw Dogs podcast discussion centers on Peckinpah's central question: whether violence is ever truly civilized, or whether it simply waits beneath the surface of every man who believes he is better than it. Roger Ebert, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1971, gave the film two stars and called it a film committed to the pornography of violence while laying on moral outrage with a shovel — a dissent worth hearing even for those who disagree.The Rape Scene: Context, Controversy, and CriticismNo discussion of Straw Dogs is complete without addressing its most contested sequence. Charlie, her former boyfriend, first assaults Amy — then a second attacker follows. What makes the scene so difficult to analyze is the way Peckinpah films the first assault. Many critics interpreted Amy's shifting emotional response during the rape as suggesting consent or complicity. That reading fueled decades of fierce feminist criticism of the Sam Peckinpah film.Moreover, the British Board of Film Classification rejected the film for home video release for years, specifically over this content. The studio cut the scene for the US release to secure an R rating. Susan George has spoken in interviews about her complex relationship to the role and the sequence. Notably, film scholar Linda Williams frames the film within the longer history of misogynistic representation in cinema. Her analysis appears in the Criterion Collection release. She argues that Straw Dogs belongs in conversation with works that are technically significant but ethically compromised. Consequently, the scene is not a matter of simple condemnation or simple defense. It is the central wound around which the entire film's meaning turns, and the Taste Buds treat it accordingly.David, Amy, and Gender in Straw Dogs 1971At its core, Straw Dogs is a film about masculinity in crisis. David Sumner is an intellectual — passive, avoidant, and seemingly incapable of the physical authority the Cornish village treats as natural male behavior. The film, however, refuses to position his bookishness as a virtue. Dustin Hoffman understood his character as a man who unconsciously provokes the violence around him — a pacifist whose repressed aggression the siege finally unlocks.Amy occupies an equally impossible position. The film's gaze codes her as provocative — bare feet, no bra, conspicuous in the village — while simultaneously punishing her for that very visibility. Nevertheless, Susan George's performance introduces ambiguity and depth that the script does not always earn on its own. The dynamic between David and Amy is as much a source of tension as the men gathering outside. They seem genuinely ill-suited and miscommunicate constantly. Above all, Straw Dogs asks what gender roles cost everyone involved. Specifically, the film suggests that masculinity, however dormant, will ultimately assert itself through violence. That is Peckinpah's most unsettling argument — and one that the A Clockwork Orange episode of Movie of the Year covers from a very different angle.Career Retrospective: Dustin HoffmanBy the time the Straw Dogs podcast era film was released in 1971, Dustin Hoffman had already fundamentally changed what a movie star could look like. His breakthrough in The Graduate (1967) — neurotic, unhandsome, deeply searching — made him a voice for a generation that distrusted certainty. Midnight Cowboy (1969) proved he could disappear entirely into character, earning his first Academy Award nomination. Little Big Man (1970) demonstrated his ability to age through an entire life on screen. Straw Dogs, therefore, marks something different in his catalog: not charm or pathos, but something colder and harder to forgive.Hoffman's Career After...

Despite the Fighting Illini's Saturday loss to UConn, fans rejoiced in the team's longest March Madness run in 21 years. And a strong season not only reinvigorated school spirit, but was an economic boost to the university and even local businesses can see a major economic boost. We dig into what a winning season means for both the fan experience and for business. Our panel at the table: Matt Brown, publisher of the sports newsletter Extra Points; Steve Greenberg, Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist; and Robert Rosenthal, publisher of Illiniboard.com and the Illini Boardroom podcast. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Police Supt. Larry Snelling faces public questioning about whether Chicago police coordinated with ICE agents. Illinois politicians respond to the firing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Thousands gather in Grant Park and suburbs for the third No Kings rally. University of Illinois makes it to NCAA's Final Four, while the Bulls dismiss a player for social media posts. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent; Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter; and Brandon Pope, freelance journalist. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago-Sun Times architecture critic Lee Bey joins Bob Sirott to discuss the likelihood of the former Chicago Daily News building achieving landmark status and what he thinks will happen. He also shares details about future plans for Grant Park, as well as a planned restoration for Jackson Park’s “Gold Lady.”

Steve Greenberg from the Chicago Sun-Times joins the show to discuss Brad Underwood's continued success at Illinois. He breaks down the Illini's impressive wins over Houston & Iowa and what stood out most. Greenberg also shares insight into how far the program has come under Underwood's leadership. Plus, a look ahead at just how tough a matchup UConn will be for Illinois in the Final Four. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Federal job cuts last year hit one group the hardest — Black women. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a journalist who interviewed some of the women who lost their jobs about how they are doing a year later — financially and emotionally. The article was published recently in Hammer and Hope, an online magazine that focuses on Black politics and culture.Guest:Natalie Moore is a senior lecturer and director of Audio Journalism Programming at Northwestern University in Illinois. She was a reporter and editor at the Chicago public radio station, WBEZ, for 17 years where she was known for her reporting on segregation and inequality.She writes a monthly column for the Chicago Sun-Times and she is also the author of “The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation.” And she is co-author of “The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang” and “Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation.”

In this episode, we dive into the tragic story of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old who was murdered in Chicago by an illegal alien with tuberculosis. The Michael shares his thoughts on the media's response, questioning why the Chicago Sun Times' initial headline focused on the victim being in the wrong place at the wrong time, rather than the perpetrator's actions. We also explore the politics surrounding sanctuary cities and the consequences of releasing violent criminals into the community. Michael also touches on other topics, including a refinery explosion in Texas and a disturbing trend in Colorado regarding child rape sentencing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City Council votes to end a phaseout of the sub-minimum wage and raise the tax on downtown hotels, making it the highest hotel tax in the nation. And federal prosecutors say a local cyber security expert turned out to actually be a cyber criminal. Plus takeaways and surprises from Tuesday's primary election. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with Julie Bosman, Chicago bureau chief for the New York Times, Fox 32 political correspondent Paris Schutz and senior public safety editor for WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Tom Schuba. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Beyond party affiliation, there is a broad diversity in who, how and why we vote. For some, it's the issues that matter most; for others, it's party loyalty. And then there are those who choose abstention. Today on In the Loop, Stevie Valles, executive director, Chicago Votes, and Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times reporter, give us a primary day primer on what motivates us to vote. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Kristi Noem is out as DHS secretary; meanwhile, Cook County prosecutors dismiss 21 cases against local ICE protesters. Chicago is one step closer to video gambling in bars and restaurants and Jesse Jackson memorials conclude in Chicago. In the Loop goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap. Today's panel: Mitch Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times, Geoff Buchholz of WBBM Newsradio, and Jake Sheridan of the Chicago Tribune. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

More in-depth analysis of Connor Murphy as a hockey player, this time from Ben Pope from the Chicago Sun Times Don't forget to follow Brenden on X (@BrendenEscott) and subscribe to the show wherever you get your streaming audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About 17 of the 32 people charged with nonimmigration crimes during Operation Midway Blitz have had their cases dropped with no convictions. Regardless, the toll that comes with federal prosecution doesn't just disappear as soon as the case does. In the Loop talks to Jocelyne Robledo, a defendant of one of the 17 failed prosecution cases and with Jon Seidel, Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In this week's episode photographer Pete Souza takes on our 'Proust Photo Quiz'... The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Proust answered the questionnaire in a confession album, a form of parlour game popular at the end of the 1890s. The album, titled An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc. was found in 1924 and published in the French literary journal Les Cahiers du Mois. Our 'Proust Photo Quiz' is an adaption of the original text. Pete Souza is a best-selling author, speaker and freelance photographer. He started his career working for two small newspapers in Kansas. From there, he worked as a staff photographer for the Chicago Sun-Times;  an Official Photographer for President Reagan; a freelancer for National Geographic  and other publications; the national photographer for the Chicago Tribune based in their Washington, D.C. bureau; and an assistant professor of photojournalism at Ohio University. While at the Tribune, Souza was part of the staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2001. After 9/11, he was among the first journalists to cover the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1992, Souza published, Unguarded Moments: Behind-the-Scenes Photographs of President Reagan, based on his 5 1/2 years in the Reagan White House. Souza was also the official photographer for the 2004 funeral of President Reagan. His 2008 book, The Rise of Barack Obama, includes exclusive photographs of Obama's rise to power. For all eight years of the Obama administration, Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer and the Director of the White House photo office. His book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, was published in 2017. His 2018 book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, tells the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations. In 2021, Souza was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Photographers of America. Based on his best-selling books, Souza became the subject of a documentary film in 2020, The Way I See It. The film was nominated for an Emmy. Souza's most recent photography book, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency, was published in 2022. He has won numerous photojournalism awards and had solo exhibits of his photographs at numerous galleries. He is also Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication at Ohio University. www.petesouza.com Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at Sotheby's, art directed foto8magazine, founded his own photographic gallery, edited Professional Photographer magazine and launched his own title for photographers and filmmakers Hungry Eye. He founded the United Nations of Photography in 2012, and is now a Senior Lecturer and Subject Co-ordinator: Photography at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, and a BBC Radio contributor. Scott is the author of Professional Photography: The New Global Landscape Explained (Routledge 2014), The Essential Student Guide to Professional Photography (Routledge 2015), New Ways of Seeing: The Democratic Language of Photography (Routledge 2019), and What Does Photography Mean To You? (Bluecoat Press 2020). His photography has been published in At Home With The Makers of Style (Thames & Hudson 2006) and Crash Happy: A Night at The Bangers (Cafe Royal Books 2012). His film Do Not Bend: The Photographic Life of Bill Jay was premiered in 2018. Scott continues to work as a photographer, writer and filmmaker and is the Subject Coordinator for both undergraduate and post graduate study of photography at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, England. © Grant Scott 2026

Chicago Sun-Times special correspondent Lynn Sweet joins Bob Sirott to talk about whether or not State of the Union Addresses carry a lasting impact and if he should have condensed his speech. She also discusses some important points mentioned in his speech, like state income tax versus sales tax and the state of the economy.

In Trump’s second term, ICE has ramped up use of a program that deputizes local police forces to participate in immigration enforcement. NPR’s Jaclyn Diaz discusses the expansion of the program, known as 287(g). Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is calling for the resignation of the chair of the 2028 Olympics after his name showed up in the Epstein files. Dakota Smith of the Los Angeles Times explains the fallout. Civil-rights leader Jesse Jackson died on Tuesday. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joins to talk about Jackson’s life and legacy. Plus, a federal judge ruled that Kilmar Abrego Garcia can’t be arrested again, what Stephen Colbert says about why he couldn’t air a certain interview, and the American bobsledder who’s become the oldest-ever Winter Olympic champion. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecelia Lei.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson's story in Chicago begins in the 1960s when he moved to the city to study at the Chicago Theological Seminary. Not long after his move, he met Martin Luther King Jr. and asked him for a job at the Chicago chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket. Since then, Rev. Jesse Jackson became a symbol for the Civil Rights Movement, Black politics and Black America. Rev. Jackson died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the age of 84. In the Loop looks back at the life and impact of the Rev. Jesse Jackson on civil rights, politics, the nation and Chicago with Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ and Natalie Moore, senior lecturer, Northwestern Medill School and Chicago Sun-Times columnist. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/16/26): Mike “Houli” Houlihan, a well-known Irish-American actor, filmmaker, stand-up comedian, and former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, joins Jeff Carlin while John Kass regains his voice. Houli has a new piece on JohnKassNews.com and is always working on multiple projects at Hibernian Media. Check out more from Kass at JohnKassNews.com or contact me at john@johnkassnews.com, […]

Illinois joins three other Democrat-led states in suing the White House over public health funding cuts. Amazon announces drone delivery coming to southwest suburbs. Portage, Ind., unveils its pitch for a Bears stadium, as northwest suburban residents and mayors rally to secure a stadium in Arlington Heights. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel and Capitol News Illinois state government and politics reporter Hannah Meisel. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Greg and Aldo begin by talking about the Super Bowl and are then joined by Jeff Agrest, who covers sports media for the Chicago Sun-Times, to comment on NBC's broadcast. (Jeff's audio was sub-standard. If you want to skip it fast forward to the 46:10 mark). Then, Greg shares his thoughts on the last Chicago Bears news (stadium, offensive coordinator, etc). At the 1:21:00 mark, Greg begins his scouting reports. The six defensive tackles he evaluates are: 1. Caleb Banks 2. Kayden McDonald  3. Peter Woods 4. Lee Hunter 5. Christian Miller 6. Darrell Jackson Jr

Monday, February 9th, 2026Today, Trump posted a disgusting racist video on Truth Social and the right wing is making excuses; Tulsi Gabbard hid an intelligence report about a phone call involving someone close to Trump; DHS requested expedited deportation for five-year-old Liam Ramos, but a judge said no; members of Congress will review unredacted Epstein files; the federal judge will allow Marimar Martinez to release ICE text messages about her shooting; another judge says Trump can't block funds for the Getaway Tunnel project; the New Mexico governor has signed the Immigration Safety Act; and Dana delivers your Good News.Thank You, WildgrainGet $30 off your first box + free Croissants in every box. Go to Wildgrain.com/DAILYBEANS to start your subscription.Thank You, CoyuchiGet 15% off your first order when you visit Coyuchi.com/dailybeansGuest: Andrew BakajAttorney Representing The Gabbard WhistleblowerWhistleblower AidWhistleblower Aid - @wbaidlaw.bsky.socialWhistleblower Aid - @wbaidlaw - TwitterDaily Beans Listeners Fundraiser for Whistleblower AidThe LatestWhistleblower SOUNDS ALARM on Trump SCANDAL Gabbard Tried to BURY | AG | The Breakdown | MeidasStories​MAGA star claims Trump doesn't have 'attention span' to know Obama vid was racist | Raw StoryFederal judge will let Marimar Martinez release text messages sent by Border Patrol agent who shot her | Chicago Sun-TimesJudge denies DHS bid to rush removal of Liam Ramos and his family | MS NOWMembers of Congress will be able to view unredacted Epstein files next week | NBC NewsU.S. Judge Says Trump Cannot Halt Funding for Gateway Tunnel Project | The New York TimesNew Mexico governor signs Immigrant Safety Act among other bills into law | KFOX14Good TroubleTell Your Senators to reject the SAVE Act (or the SAVE America Act as it's been re-named). The SAVE Act could block millions of American citizens from voting by requiring people to produce documents like passports or birth certificates to register to vote. The Brennan Center shows that 21 million Americans don't have these documents readily available.You can use this form or call your senators!https://secure.brennancenter.org/secure/tell-your-senators-reject-save-ahttps://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf→How to Film ICE | WIRED→Standwithminnesota.com→Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible→Defund ICE (UPDATED 1/21) - HOUSE VOTE THURSDAY→Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU→ICE List  →iceout.org →Demand the Resignation of Stephen Miller | 5 Calls→2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the MorningGood NewsCentral Vermont Council on AgingDonate to the Work of The United Methodist Church | UMC.org Tour — DANA GOLDBERG→Go To Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans to Share YoursSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTubeOur Donation LinksPathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson defends an executive order that requires Chicago police to help hold ICE agents accountable for alleged abuses. Marimar Martinez, a Chicago woman shot by Border Patrol, speaks out in an exclusive WBEZ-Sun-Times interview and on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, Reshona Landfair, the Jane Doe in R. Kelly's infamous tape, is out with a memoir, Who's Watching Shorty?, where she tells her story and “reclaims her name.” In the Loop goes behind the headlines of those and other state and local stories Better Government Association president David Greising, Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Violet Miller. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

From 'Take The North' (subscribe here): We have former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Potash filling in alongside Mark Grote for this one. Potash explains why he's so confident the Bears will continue to have success when the 2026 season comes around. Also in this episode, Grote and Potash look closely at the Bears defense. What do they need to add most in order to improve next season? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The field to replace longtime Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is a crowded one: 16 people are vying for the nomination. Leading in the polls are Congresswoman Robin Kelly, representing Illinois' 2nd district, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois' 8th district and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. For a sense on where they stand on key issues, WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics and International House hosted a U.S. Senate Democratic Primary debate ahead of the March 17th primary. The rules of the debate: Candidates had two minutes to answer a question, and 30 seconds for a rebuttal at the moderators' discretion. They also had a chance to make opening and closing remarks – two minutes for opening and one minute for closing. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Why did Chicago just agree to ban some hemp products? Who is falling behind in the race to replace Sen. Dick Durbin? And did a Chicago landlord tip off ICE? In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Tahman Bradley, WGN political editor, Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter, and Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Selena Fragassi publishes more books before 9am than most people do all day. Just last year, the always hustling music writer and journalist wrote and published books about Alanis Morissette, Sabrina Carpenter, Greta Gerwig AND her latest:  PEARL JAM LIVE — a hefty and thorough tome covering the band's 35 year history as one of the world's best live acts (it also features a forward written by Scott, but we digress). In between all the manic book writing, Selena somehow finds time for her regular gigs writing for the Chicago Sun Times, monthly appearances on WFLD 32 and contributing to every publication and outlet from SPIN to Loudwire. This week we talk to Selena about life moments with Cameron Crowe, fan letters to Donnie Wahlberg, looking Chrissie Hynde in the eye, what to do when Jim DeRogatis trashes all your favorite bands, the ineffable awesomeness of Bonnie Raitt, the sue-happy UN-awesomeness of Gene Simmons, and getting mammogram advice from Debbie Harry. Pretty awesome. PLUS: Ben gets gonged and our buddy John Oakes calls in with a report from the front lines in Minneapolis.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 15, 2025 is: dreidel • DRAY-dul • noun A dreidel is a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun like a top in a game of chance. The game, played by children especially at Hanukkah, is also called dreidel. // All the kids in the family look forward to playing dreidel together during Hanukkah. See the entry > Examples: “The Jewish tradition has always been syncretic, adapting and responding to the culture around it, he [Rabbi Steven Philp] said. Hanukkah is ‘a great example of this,' Philp said, noting that the holiday's traditions—like spinning the dreidel, eating latkes or potato pancakes, and munching on ... jelly-filled doughnuts—are customs that were borrowed from neighboring cultures over time.” — Kate Heather, The Chicago Sun-Times, 25 Dec. 2024 Did you know? If your dreidel is spinning beneath the glow of the menorah, it's probably the Jewish festival of lights known as Hanukkah. The holiday celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil—enough for one day—burning for eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem. And though it's a toy, the dreidel's design is very much an homage: on each of its four sides is inscribed a Hebrew letter—nun, gimel, he, and shin—which together stand for Nes gadol haya sham, meaning “A great miracle happened there.” (In Israel, the letter pe, short for po, “here,” is often used instead of shin). In the game of dreidel, each letter bears its own significance: the dreidel is spun and depending on which letter is on top when it lands, the player's currency, or gelt, is added to or taken from the pot. Nun means the player does nothing; gimel means the player gets everything; he means the player gets half; and shin means the player adds to the pot. Wherever you land on holiday traditions, we wish you words of gimel: gratitude, grub, and, of course, gaiety.

Looking for a festive holiday gathering that plants seeds of hope to rebuild our democracy? Andrea was invited to the Courage>Cowardice event hosted by Courier News, the folks who built the searchable database of the Epstein files released by Congress. She'll be joined by other independent journalists and creators at Eaton in the heart of Washington, DC from 6pm to 9pm this Thursday December 11.  Andrea will be speaking on a panel about media capitulation and how to fight back with Meredith Lynch, Cohost of The Moment Live; Jack Cocchiarella, Gen Z Political Commentator & YouTuber; Brian Beutler, Journalist, Off Message; in a discussion moderated by veteran journalist Mark Jacob, the former Metro Editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sunday Editor at the Chicago Sun-Times.  For more info, check out the event link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/courage-cowardice-tickets-1968694585501?aff=promotoolkit Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!