The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: The Mincing Rascals 8.19.26: CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp

   The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast talking about the CTU filing a defamation lawsuit against the Illinois Policy Institute (as well as our friend / Rascals contributor Austin Berg). What do the Rascals make of this lawsuit? Also on the local scene, Chicago mayoral candidate Alexi Giannoulias proposed a $22 minimum wage, Governor Pritzker donated a bunch of money to his re-election campaign, and Darren Bailey wants to make the tollway free. The Rascals break it all down. Also making local news this week, former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin filed a complaint with the Cook County inspector general accusing Treasurer Maria Pappas of intimidation and official misconduct after she sent him a series of profane tweets. Do the Rascals think that Pappas is a legitimate mayoral candidate? Nationally, a polling company folded after faking recent polls in Wisconsin and California. Do the Rascals think this is a big deal? In a speech this week, Senator Jon Ossoff mentioned President Trump aide Natalie Harp that has now put her in the media spotlight. Do we need to know more about Harp? And what about the rest of Ossoff’s speech? Is he a serious contender for the White House? The Rascals also wonder if President Trump would seriously consider using a nuclear bomb. On a lighter note, the Rascals end the show with red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending or slightly recommending) this week? https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8602927/8-19-26_Mincing_Rascals_CTU_IPI_minimum_wage_toll_hike_Boykin_Pappas_rift_Jon_Ossoff_Natalie_Harp_2026-08-19-231227.64kmono.mp3 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vROcpXMQ1I?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=900&h=507] Recent Posts The Mincing Rascals Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Flock cameras, Chicago crime, Mayor Johnson’s future .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

   August 19, 2026·1h 9min
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   Number 2: The Mincing Rascals 8.26.26: Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly

   The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room (stay tuned for some BIG news from Brandon). This week, the Rascals begin the podcast honoring the life and legacy of the great Dolly Parton, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. RIP. The Supreme Court backed President Trump’s executive order that would restrict mail-in voting. What does this mean for the upcoming midterm elections? Next, the Rascals discuss Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. What do the Rascals think of the U.S.-Canada trade war? Locally, a private group unveiled a plan to bring an express train that would bring travelers from downtown to O’Hare Airport in 15 minutes. Are the Rascals on board? Also, what’s going on with Enes Kanter Freedom and the WNBA? Why are we even talking about this? Power has finally been restored to most residents in Indiana. How has this been going on for so long? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending this week? https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8621956/8-26-26_Mincing_Rascals_Dolly_Parton_RIP_mail_in_voting_SCOTUS_tariffs_Canada_OHare_Flyer_WNBA_Indiana_power_out_2026-08-26-230556.64kmono.mp3 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_IQw8AulXg?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=900&h=507] Recent Posts The Mincing Rascals Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Flock cameras, Chicago crime, Mayor Johnson’s future .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

   August 26, 2026·1h
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   Number 3: The Mincing Rascals 8.12.26: Pope Hat night, Karoline Leavitt leaving, Trump plane swap, Wisconsin election

   The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about why Cate thinks the Air & Water Show is stupid and dangerous. What about the rest of the Rascals? Speaking of Chicago things, what did the Rascals think of yesterday’s Pope Hat Night at the Rate? Next, the Rascals talk about President Trump announcing that Karoline Leavitt will be leaving as press secretary. And what’s the latest on the drama over the reflecting pool? Also this week, the Washington Post broke the story of President Trump secretly switching planes in Turkey following intelligence reports of a credible threat from Iran. What do the Rascals make of the plane switch plan? Up in Wisconsin yesterday, David Crowley pulled off a victory over progressive Francesca Hong. Eric says the Democrats avoided a big problem with Crowley’s upset win. The Rascals also wonder why the polling has been so wrong in Michigan and now in Wisconsin. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week? https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8589909/8-12-26_Mincing_Rascals_Pope_Hat_Air_Water_Show_Karoline_Leavitt_Trump_plane_switch_Wisconsin_election_2026-08-12-234409.64kmono.mp3 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boVMxtO57o4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=900&h=507] Recent Posts The Mincing Rascals Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Flock cameras, Chicago crime, Mayor Johnson’s future .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

   August 12, 2026·1h 3min
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   Number 4: The Mincing Rascals 9.9.26: 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium

   The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about Michigan’s controversial win over Western Michigan over the weekend. As a Michigan alum, Eric feels bad for Western Michigan, but doesn’t think this game will matter much by the end of the year. Next, the Rascals share their recollections of 9/11 and the days after the attack. Are the Rascals surprised that there hasn’t been another similar attack on our homeland? Speaking of 9/11, the Rascals discuss recent comments made by President Trump about what he was doing on 9/11. The Rascals also break down how the media has been covering Trump and his weekend full of Truth Social posts. The Rascals wonder how the GOP can defend someone so unserious. Last week, a mistrial was declared in the Lindsay Clancy case. How would the Rascals have voted if they were on the jury? Marj wrote an op-ed in the Tribune about how badly our healthcare system is broken. Locally, the future owner of the Chicago White Sox unveiled plans for a new South Loop stadium that includes the redevelopment of Amtrak facilities. What do the Rascals think of this new plan that has residents in Bridgeport very concerned. Finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week? https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8648658/9-9-26_Mincing_Rascals_Michigan_WMU_Remembering_911_Donald_Trump_Lindsay_Clancy_mistrial_White_Sox_stadium_2026-09-09-230658.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts The Mincing Rascals Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Flock cameras, Chicago crime, Mayor Johnson’s future .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

   September 09, 2026·56min
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   Number 5: The Mincing Rascals 9.16.26: Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters

   The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast this week talking about the controversial new Medical Aid in Dying law in Illinois. Where are the Rascals on this new law? The Rascals also talk about the great WGN Radio host Judy Markey, who died by medically assisted suicide in Switzerland. Next, the Rascals discuss President Trump’s ongoing effort for restrictions on mail-in voting. The new season of ’60 Minutes’ premiered on Sunday after the program was overhauled by Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. What did the Rascals think of the show? Was it any different than previous episodes? Nationally, is the whole Trump / Kennedy Center fiasco just a distraction? Or attraction? Locally, there could be a new deal for Chicago parking meters. Is the proposed new deal good for the city? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week? https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8664073/9-16-26_Mincing_Rascals_Medical_aid_in_dying_mail_in_voting_Kennedy_Center_60_Minutes_parking_meter_deal_2026-09-16-232313.64kmono.mp3 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtnptbFgCGU?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=900&h=507] Recent Posts The Mincing Rascals Medical aid in dying law, mail-in voting, parking meters .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} 9/11 anniversary, Lindsay Clancy, New Sox stadium .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Flock cameras, Chicago crime, Mayor Johnson’s future .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Mail-in voting, trade war, O’Hare Flyer, RIP Dolly .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} CTU suing IPI, minimum wage, toll hike, Natalie Harp .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

   September 16, 2026·58min
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