Episodes

Demographer Rob Paral goes over the early census reports to see what they say about what Chicago was, is and will be. One obvious conclusion is that Republicans are full of…well, let’s let Rob explain… 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 takes the deep dive on The White Lotus. A show in which white people look really, really bad. No spoilers--as we are disciplined conversationalists--so you can listen even if you haven't watched the show. Also, the latest on Smollettgate, which keeps getting weirder. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

May 22, 2019: Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson and Former Chicago Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Ray Hanania talk Trump, Pelosi, the great cover up of 2019 and the first 100 days of Chicago Mayors past. Download Wednesday's Ben Joravsky Show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Investigative journalist and former Bernie Sanders speechwriter, David Sirota returns to talk Mayor Rahm. Specifically, why are Dems rewarding Rahm after he, among other things, buried evidence of murder? You can read David's work at The Daily Poster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Keith Forsyth was a 20-year-old "freak" back in 1971, when he and other anti-war activists broke into the FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania and made off with various reports. That enabled them to eventually expose the secrets the FBI didn't want you to know--like COINTELPRO. He tells his story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA loves Nicki Minaj because of her cousin's friend's swollen testicles. Or something like that. Ben riffs. Also, Monroe Anderson takes a victory lap for correctly predicting the California recall election. And Sergio Mims--co-founder of the Black Harvest Film Festival--offers his opinions on everything from Larry Elder to Jordan Peele. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben talks about the life and times of Veronica Wolski, who went from Bernie to QAon. Also, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy returns to talk about her counter attack against the anti-choicers. Also, a word or two about Republican "moderates". And David Weiss--AKA, Mr. Facebook--our correspondent in L.A., talks about the California recall election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

President of the Chicago Principals Association Troy LaRaviere returns to talk about the opening of school. Or, Chicago's abysmal lack of preparation. Also, he offers advice to Los Angeles principals. And his thoughts on anti-vaxers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Thursday May 16, 2019: Bill de Blasio come on down, you're the next 2020 POTUS candidate! Mayor Rahm and casinos in Chicago. Sun-Times Editor Evan Moore on the news of the day and his Go Defenders podcast. Lightfoot's to do list in her first 100 days as mayor, Union Woman Kim Ortiz AND President of the American Federation of Government Employees, Nicole Cantello. Download Thursday's Ben Joravksy Show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19....

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain talks about 9/11, white liberals, the new anti-abortion law in Texas, and other issues of the day. She poses the question: If it's white Christians who have outlawed abortion in Texas, why do so many white liberals call it Texas Taliban--as though Muslims did the outlawing? 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...There's a new candidate for governor in the Republican primary. Meet Jesse "Sully" Sullivan, who is going to try to be the first resident of California to be elected governor of Illinois. How is that possible? Also, they take the deep dive on the other Republicans in the race. All of whom are looking the other way at the new law in Texas that essentially outlaws abortion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priva...

Another Republican is set to run against Governor Pritzker. Ben riffs. City Council Finance Committee Chief of Staff Anne Emerson talks about the abusive language of Alderman Jim Gardiner. Some of which was directed at her. And attorney Adolfo Mondragon returns to talk about police and prosecutors and civil liberties and Bill Clinton and Mayor Rahm. El Dragon tells it like it is! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sel...

Sun-Times reporter Evan Moore and freelance writer Jashvina Shah talk about their newly published book, Game Misconduct: Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix It. They used to love the game. But it's racism, misogyny and violence eventually pushed them away. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Last night was the opening episode of Ryan Murphy's ten-part saga on Clinton & Lewinsky. Ben asks who's more deceitful: Bill Clinton or Donald Trump? Monroe Anderson's answer: Trump! Political strategist Jason Lee returns to discuss the madness in his home state of Texas. Will Republicans be rewarded at the ballot box for essentially outlawing abortion? And then Jason discusses the rift between Chicago police and Cook County prosecutors. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

Political science professor David Faris takes the deep dive on the tragic absurdity of the United States' 20-year war in Afghanistan. Starting with 9/11 and going through Biden's withdrawal. Actually, he starts with the Soviet invasion in 1979. Like I said--the deep dive. Must listening, if you want to know... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dr. D saves the day. Ben riffs. Political activist Bruce Williams returns with his analysis of California's governor recall election. Bottom line--looking good for Democrats. And attorney Jim Coogan breaks down the abortion law in Texas, the Supreme Court's ruling on that law and what it means going forward. And while he's here, one brief word about the White Sox. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

May 29, 2019: Robert Mueller has spoken. What happened at Lori Lightfoot's first City Council meeting? Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson and Host of "Humanity in the Headlines" Atiba Buchanan talk Mueller, Trump and more AND it's our favorite grassroots activist Amisha Patel of Grassroots Collaborative with her mystery guest talk the latest on their Lincoln Yards lawsuit. Download Wednesday's Ben Joravsky Show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

Ben & Dr. D riff on the week’s news. Including, though not limited to, the opening of school, bullies in the City Council and anti-vaxxers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Supreme Court lets Texas get away with basically outlawing abortion. Ben riffs. And firefighter Sam Holloway returns to talk about the "astro-turf" rebellion against vaccine mandates. Also, Miles Kampf-Lassin on the pitchfork rebellion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sun-Times columnist/editor Rummana Hussain confronts the issue: How do you respond to an anti-vaxxer who says something absurd? Do you shame them? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The Republican hypocrisy is so outrageous you have to laugh. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk anti-covid madness. And then he sticks around to join Delmarie Cobb and Norman Solomon as they debate whether Mayor Rahm should be approved as ambassador to Japan. Delmarie and Norman are leaders in the movement against Rahm. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A pro-liberty revolt is brewing against mandating the vax. Ben asks--where were these lovers of liberty when the government was making them take drug tests? And Stacy Davis Gates, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, returns to talk school opening, masking and vaccine policies and educational "reformers". Also, a little Bulls talk... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In These Times writer, Sarah Lazare talks about Testimony, the recently published novel she wrote based on a first draft her father, Peter Lazare, left behind after he had died. It's a dark mystery dealing with sleazy utility company magnates and corrupt regulators. And, well, if you want to know more, listen to Sarah talk to Ben about writing the novel, her father's legacy and the usefulness of powerful story-telling to convey dark truths. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...

With the Bears about to, gulp, begin another season, we turned to V & V, our football experts to make predictions: Vincent E. Norment, President of the Marijuana Hall of Fame, and Victoria Williams, CEO of ACC of Illinois. Put it this way--they're a lot of more optimistic then Ben, who's cynical & jaded after too many years of watching wretched performances by the Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...