Episodes

Great article in Sun-Times about upcoming teachers union election. Ben riffs. And attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk privacy rights. Or, what's at stake if Supreme Court really does say you have no right to private conversations with your doctor as to what it's in your best health interest. Or no right to do what you want with another consenting adult in your bedroom. Who controls MAGA? It's scary, folks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nineteen children murdered in a school in Texas. And still Republicans block gun control. Monroe Anderson talks about the gun culture in America. And weighs in on Tim Anderson & Josh Donaldson. And Andrew Ellison--the election whiz kid, returns to analyze the results of yesterday's primaries in Georgia & Texas. Andrew is the the second coming of Steve Kornacki. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political scientist David Faris takes a moment to reflect on the political madness of the last six years. Can the Republicans move further to the right without falling off the planet? Is there a rhyme or reason on Schumer's senate strategy? Also, an I told you so, or two, about the MAGA Supremes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the aftermath of Smith slapping Rock and fan tackling David Chapelle, standup comics have to wonder--are they safe on stage. Stand up comics and podcast partners, Rachel Joravsky & Cody Wilkins talk standup comedy in the age of the assault. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Latino and Black caucuses in the city council cut a deal on the ward map. Ben riffs. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa--who was part of deal making--explains. Then Dave Glowacz--from Inside Chicago Government--returns for another city council review. In this case, he dissects the April 27 meeting, which includes passionate debate on Mayor Lightfoot's gas card proposal and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Biden sort of leaked that he would be nominating Mayor Rahm to be ambassador to Japan. Ben can't help but riff. Also, more Rahm talk from Mick Dumke--ace Pro Publica reporter and Ben's former partner in crime at the Reader. From there it's a hop and skip and jump to a Ben/Mick gabfest about all the political news of the day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times, Rummana Hussain talks crime. In Chicago and Buffalo. We know what the problem is, but we don't do anything about it so we look to short-term solutions that aren't solutions at all. Then it's on to more frivolous topics. Heard v. Depp. And finally, the launching of the Rummana Book Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 13, 2022. Just as we're about to start the show there's...Breaking News! Paris Schutz from WTTW reports that Richard Irvin, Republican candidate for governor, has called Trump an idiot and a racist. Could be trouble in MAGA paradise. That's just one news item Ben & Dennis riff on. Also, in the news...Kam Buckner announces he's running against Mayor Lightfoot. Darren Bailey could win, if Trump endorses him. But will Trump dare to upset Kenny G? Than and much more, including...a weather report...

Word breaks that the Supreme Court has already written the decision to overturn Roe and take America back to the middle ages. Ben riffs. And state rep. Kelly Cassidy explains the consequences for women. Also, once MAGA's supreme court robots get rid of privacy as a constitutional right, gay marriage, trans rights and interracial marriage are next to go. Also, Anton Seals, from Greater Grow Englewood, talks about Whole Foods leaving his community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates have a debate, arguing who loves Donald Trump the most. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson returns to talk about the shootings in Buffalo and white replacement theory, Things are getting scary when MAGA candidates throughout the nation are more MAGA than Trump. Also, why Madison Cawthorn lost. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's May 3rd, the first Tuesday of the month, which means...Ben & Maya Dukmasova are at The Hideout for First Tuesday. Their guests? Aldermen Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Rod Sawyer. The topic? The ward map. Which version is better--Rod's or Carlos. Well, it's a little more complicated than that. But everything will be explained so you'll be enlightened when you have to vote on the map referendum on June 28. Enjoy the show... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

Mayor Lightfoot imposes a curfew for minors at Millennium Park. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova returns to talk next First Tuesdays show. June 7 at 6 pm. And ward map. And Abdelnasser Rashid, candidate for state rep., talks about his race against incumbent Mike Zalewski. What's it like running against what's left of the Madigan Machine. Why he'd vote for the abolition of parental notification for minors getting an abortion. Criminal justice. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Poet-novelist-translator, Achy Obejas returns to pay tribute to Susan Nussbaum, the activist and actor who recently died. Then the conversation turns to reproductive rights. As Susan no doubt would want it to. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times editorial editorialist/columnist Rummana Hussain talks Roe. A personal view of what's at stake. Also, a shout out to Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong and Everything Everywhere All At Once. And a word or two about Zs in a movie theater. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the Supremes set to take this country back to the Middle Ages on women's rights, MAGA looks to change the subject by searching for a scapegoat, blaming the leak on Ketanji Brown Jackson. Who's not even on the court yet. Pretty pathetic, even for MAGA. Ben riffs. And congressional candidate and state rep Delia Ramirez gets personal as she explains why reproductive rights is a fight that must be won. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Davis clarifies his position on red light cameras. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to say "finally"! As in President Biden is finally getting around to telling the truth about MAGA. Which is...they're insane. Also, Benji Hall returns. You know him as Benji the Bookie--astute bball analyst. Here he puts on his political analyst hat as he describes his two-week experiment with Truth--Trump's version of Twitter. Yes, Benji downloaded the app. Let's just say if there's any truth on Truth, it's accidental. Benji did some trolling as "John Galt". For instance, on Mother's Day, Donnie Jr, aka Baby Trump, "truthed": "Happy birthing person's day." To which Benji responded: "It must be a sad day to remember all the aborted sibblings you never met." Which I believe the Truthers took down. So much for free speech. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The City Council actually does something for ordinary Chicagoans--giving away gasoline. The world goes nuts. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer, for In These Times, returns to talk politics. Specifically, President Biden's failure to deliver on promises regarding student debt and union organizing. The theme of the day--on everything from gas giveaways to union organizing, why is it that Democrats so afraid of their own shadows? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The leftist firefighter, Sam Holloway, returns to talk about the C word--capitalism. He starts with banks lending billions to Elon Musk to throw out $44 or so billion dollars on Twitter and goes from there. "The government loves to give money to rich people." And "billionaires are like crazy hoarders. Only more dangerous." And so forth... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben's got three topics on his mind and political scientist David Faris riffs on them all...Kick Joe Manchin out of the Democratic Party. The anti-abortion lunatics in Ohio telling teenage girls to look on the bright side of getting raped. And the political implications of Elon Musk buying Twitter. To quote David..."give extremists power, and they do extremist things. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Walter Burnett says it's either casino revenues or property tax hikes. Ben points out that the casino will raise your property taxes. Cause someone has to pay to build it. Guess who that someone will be. And Teresa Cordova, director of the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago, discusses economic development in Chicago. Especially in relation to poor communities, like North Lawndale and Englewood. Also, she explains cost benefit analysis. Ben bets there will be none of that in regards to a casino. Pun intended, sort of. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"So Scared." Have you noticed everyone's trying to scare you these days? Ben riffs. And Keith Kelleher returns to talk unions. Specifically, all the hurdles workers have to clear to form one. As the employees at Starbucks & Amazon are learning the hard way The rules are stacked against the employees and in favor of the employers. And the employer rarely concedes even when he's lost. Keith knows a thing or two about these hurdles as he helped organize several unions, including SEIU here in Chicag...

The Bulls stun the Bucks last night thanks to Mr. DeRozan. Ben riffs. And then appeals, again, to Len Goodman to save the Reader by transferring control to the not-for-profit. Micah Uetricht returns. Yes, the editor/writer for Jacobin magazine has moved to New York City where he will be the Ben Joravsky show correspondent covering Eric Adams. Well, that's not really why he moved there. But that's what he'll be. Micah talks Chicago parking-meter deal. He's lead plaintiff in a lawsuit to undo that horrendous deal. Then a few words about Peter Thiel and other billionaire "libertarians". And much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain, Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist, returns to explain the inexplicable. In this case, why are so many people so happy about taking off their masks on a plane? Also, a word or two about interviewing Kim Foxx. Yes, a Jussie question was asked. And guess who asked it? Finally, the great debate. Who's more stuck up--Reader or Sun-Times staffers. Ben explains his theory about reporters who walk with their heads down as though they're lost in thought. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Co-host of the At Bat podcast, Saul Rodriguez makes his debut to talk Chicago baseball. Or to talk Ben off the ledge. Lousy starts by the White Sox & Cubs have convinced Ben that it will be another year of futility. Not so, says Saul. The future is better than it seems. And so begins another...Great Debate! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.