Episodes

Vincent E. Norment, owner of the Marijuana Hall of Fame, and Victoria Williams, CEO of ACC of Illinois, return to break it down. Sports, that is. Chicago sports, to be exact. Should the Bears fire Matt Nagy? Is Justin Fields the real deal? Are the Bulls just a mirage? Who's right and wrong in the Scottie v. Michael debate? And a few words about a few other things... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's news riffing time for Ben & Dr. D--aka, Demarvelous Dennis. And, a mystery guest with J.B. updates. Then it's down to business. Congressman Rodney Davis makes a decision. Mayor Lightfoot goes to Washington. The city council doesn't pass a map. Corporate/civic Chicago flips out about democracy. And Jussie on trial. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The headlines in today's papers could be the same headlines from two years ago. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova & Adolfo Mondragon, election law attorney, discuss the ward map battle in city council. Question of the day: Where are the precincts in Chicago that could be put together to support Ed Burke for alderman? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senator Durbin throws a party for Illinois congressman. And Republican Rodney Davis shows up to talk some trash. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Supreme Court and Roe. Look who's suddenly criticizing Plessey. And Ken Mejia-Beal, chairman of the DuPage County Democrats, returns to talk mid-terms, Newman v. Casten, abortion politics, how to beat those dastardly Republicans and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...

The Jussie Smollettage trial begins. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz, of Inside Chicago Government, returns to break down the latest City Council meetings. Topics include ward redistricting, policing and Alderman Walter Burnett's masterclass on how to butter up to the mayor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Publisher, activist, civil rights leader, Bennett Johnson has seen it all in his 90-something years of life. Best of friends with Mayor Harold Washington (going back to their days in college). Associate of Muhammad Ali. Good friends with the great writer Richard Durham. You name it, he's seen it. He tells all. Including what happened to Ali's gold medal. Hint--exactly what Ali said happened to it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...

As Rummana and Ben start to review the day's issues, the story breaks from Kenosha--Kyle Rittenhouse acquitted. Apparently, murder is now legal in the state of Wisconsin. As hard as it is to discuss, we discuss. From there it's on to the exoneration of Muhammad Azis & Khalil Islam for the murder of Malcolm X. Only took 55 years. Finally, a word or two about Impeachment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...

Thursday July 18, 2019: Donald Trump's stupid rally. Lori Lightfoot's 5 locations for a Chicago casino. Chicago Reader music Writer Leor Galil talks this weekend's Pitchfork Music Festival and Union Man/Pension Guru Jeff Johnson talks casino law, Mayor Lightfoot, pensions 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.

September 28, 2019: Dan Savage is an American author, media pundit, journalist, and LGBT community activist. He writes Savage Love, an internationally syndicated relationship and sex advice column See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Friday October 22, 2021. Ben & Dr. D riff on the news. But first, a "mystery guest" takes a much-deserved victory lap. Then it's down to the business of everything from Pritzker to Lightfoot to Johnny C to Mayor Rahm to Jussie Smollett to Hoosiers and so on 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.

The verdict comes in just as we go on the air. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson & Lavonte Stewart break down the verdicts. And Monroe's theory--"Kyle Rittenhouse is the white OJ." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Republican Keith Pekau announces he's running for Congress in the 6th district. But he's afraid to take a stand on Paul Gosar. Ben riffs. And Anna Feuer talks about efforts to form a union at the Art Institute. Finally, attorney Jim Coogan, fro Dwyer & Coogan, returns to talk about the Rittenhouse trial. Listen to Ben struggle to be dispassionate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former sports journalist Tom Shaer return to take the deep dive on Scottie Pippen & Michael Jordan. Specifically, just made the news, writing a book that rips Jordan. Why is Scottie so upset with MJ and does he have good reason? Tom spent a lot of time with the Bulls back in the day. And Ben? Well, he lives and breathes this stuff. He doesn't call them his beloved Bulls for nothing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not...

Political scientist David Faris explains the politics of inflation. Specifically, how Republicans will weaponize the issue over the next year. It won't be pretty. Especially, as centrists Dems, afraid of being called too liberal, abandon Biden's Build Back Better program. Also, an analysis of Virginia and New Jersey's governor's race. And a little good news, which you'll have to listen to hear... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/...

Thursday, July 11, 2019: That gator is still in the lagoon. Ed burke and his "burner" phones. "In These Times" Writer Miles Kampf-Lassin talks Gator-Gate and more. Jake Lewis of The Chicago Federation of Labor returns to talks Epstein and Janus. It's the Ben Joravsky Show debut of Ismael Cuevas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben & the Doctor riff on the week's news. And, oh, what a week it was. Obama meets with Pritzker. Republican candidates for governor fight for Kenny G's donations. Only in Chicago is it unfair to accuse Mayor Rahm of covering up video of Laquan McDonald's murder. And John Catanzara says you can't fire me, I quit. To run for mayor? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shia Kapos writes a great column for POLITICO Illinois Playbook about Democratic double standards. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer from In These Times, returns to talk about Democratic Socialism. Specifically, India Walton's loss in Buffalo. Has the Republican propaganda turned America against Socialism like they turned it against "political correctness" "woke" and "liberal"? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv...

When Ben booked political strategist Jason Lee to return to the show, they planned to talk about voter suppression in Texas, Georgia and other Republican states. And then Daunte Wright was shot in Minnesota and Chicago released the video of a police officer shooting Adam Toledo. And suddenly the conversation changed to policing, politics, Democratic inability to discuss crime and Republican eagerness to frighten white voters. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...

A post from Heidi Van Lier inspires Ben to riff about her father--the great Norm Van Lier. Then it's on to the political business of the day. Starting with Monroe Anderson and Ben talking about the exoneration of two men who spent years in prison after being falsely convicted of the murder of Malcolm X. Then South Bend councilmen Henry Davis Jr. returns to talk about criminal justice. In particular, the Kyle Rittenhouse case. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif...

Johnny Catanzara, president of the FOP, quits to run for mayor. Can't make this shit up. Also, Sam Holloway returns to talk politics from a lefty perspective. And Dave McCarver, Democratic chieftain from Lee County, explains what Dems must do to win in 2022. Hint: Don't make the same mistake you made in 2010, when you cowered. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer/activist Rebecca Sive talks about women in politics, the MAGA backlash and a few bright sides to Tuesday's elections. Also, a word or two about her latest book, Make Herstory Your Story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns to talk Jenna Ryan and the concept of internalized white privileged. Also, is the Tomahawk Chop a little too cultish? And while we're asking questions--how come entitled people in Chicago think they have the right to be entitled? And how about this? Rummana at a Bob Dylan concert? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Trump vs The Squad. That damn alligator is out of the lagoon. Election Lawyer Adolfo Mondragon gets candid. Co-Host of the Girl Talk Erika Wozniak on Trump and MORE and The South Side Political Know it Alls return to talk the news of the day, Alderman Carrie Austin and MORE! RIP--Jerry Brown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben & Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news. Including billionaire Ken “Kenny G” Griffin’s pledge to spend whatever it takes to defeat billionaire Governor Pritzker. Also, Chicago finally gets ready to build a casino. Guess who will pay for it, suckers? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.