Episodes

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 Ca...

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-inf...

May 21, 2019: Lori Lightfoot's inauguration in review! Hosts of "Humanity in the Headlines" Atiba Buchanan and David Seaton talk Trump, Trump and Trump! Sun-Times Investigative Reporter Stephanie Zimmermann on her latest Watchdog car insurance rip-off investigation AND Host of "The Fight" Podcast Sergio Vicente talks how democrats can be better political fighters. Download Tuesday's Ben Joravsky Show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...

Oh What a Week: "A Mayor and her Policemen" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Catanzara--president of the Fraternal Order of Police and one of Chicago's biggest Trump fans--compares mandatory vaccines to sending people to Nazi gas chambers. Sorry, MAGA, that's taking it too far. Ben riffs. In These Times journalist Sarah Lazare talks about the media and Afghanistan. Specifically, the habit of giving air time to the generals who got us into this war in the first place. Also, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi covers everything from TIFs to Trump Tower to your property t...

Ben discovers a copy of the Wall Street Journal on his front porch. His world will never be the same. Monroe Anderson asks: Does Trump control MAGA or does MAGA control Trump? And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor of In These Times, has a question of his own: How can Democratic congressmen claim to be "moderate" when they're to the right of President Biden? Also, discussion of Afghanistan, budgets and vaccine mandates. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht...

Ben returns from a vacation in MAGAVILLE only to discover--nothing's changed! Also, attorney Leonard Goodman talks about the Obama Center. And Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks, talks about Amazon in the parks. Apparently, no one in charge of the park district knows what's going on in the parks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political science professor David Faris returns to talk about the upcoming governor's recall election in California. Somehow or other Democrats in the country's most progressive state have left the door open for a radical Trumper to replace Gavin Newsome as governor. David us leads us through each excruciating step. Also, the latest on the politics of COVID and the infrastructure showdown in Congress. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...

For years, John Schulian was an award-winning columnist for the Sun-Times. Then he essentially said, the hell with this. And went to Hollywood and made his name as an award-winning screen writer. He joins Ben to talk sports and politics and newspapers, among many other things. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 28, 2019: Pritzker's fair tax bill passed the house! Chicago Reader Columnist Maya Dukmasova returns to talk local politics. Sun-Times Reporter Tina Sfondeles gives us a Springfield legislation update and it's the long awaited return of the Illinois-Political-Know-It-Alls Jacob Kaplan and Dan Pogorzelski. Download Tuesday'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.

On August 3, Cook County Chief Judge Evans joined Maya Dukmasova and Ben at their monthly talk show at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Among the topics of discussion—are Mayor Lightfoot & Police Chief scapegoating judges for shootings in Chicago? Also, Evan’s talks about his days as Mayor Washington’s floor leader during Council Wars. And he has a thing or two to say about his old fourth ward rival, President Toni Preckwinkle. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...

July 23, 2021--Ben & Dr. D take the deep dive on a week's worth of news. Such as...Lollapooza in the face of a rise in Delta variant cases, police reform, JB running for re-election, the folly of the Olympics and the difference between pandemic, post-pandemic and post-post-pandemic. Take notes, everyone--cause it's all on the test. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union Stacy Davis Gates returns to talk ALL THINGS local politics, Bloomberg and what the hell happened in Iowa? 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor talks about the Obama Center and life in City Hall Mayor Lori Lightfoot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Black voters and politicians are flexing their political muscle. So MAGA responds with a backlash. Ben & Monroe discuss. Also, Michael Malcolm joins the conversation to talk cannabis, guns, crime and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben riffs on Trump's insistence that Republicans swear allegiance to his "BIG LIE". And all five members of the newly formed City Council Democratic Socialist Caucus join the show to talk all things politics: Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor; Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, Alderman Daniel La Spata and Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez. They explain why they formed the caucus and what they hope to accomplish. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Friday, April 26, 2019: Biden's apology to Anita Hill, Rahm's interview with Fran Spielman, The "Rummana Rundown" with Sun-Times Editor Rummana Hussain, Grundy County Activist Heidi Henry gives us an education on politics outside of Chicago AND Director of the Black Harvest Film Festival, Sergio Mims returns! Download Friday'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.

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Delmarie Cobb is bringing Yvette Simpson to town. Ben riffs. And then Yvette Simpson talks about Biden, white progressives, Bernie and other things, including dealing with two knuckleheads like Mayor Rahm and Chris Christie. Also, Dan Mihalopoulos of WBEZ, returns to talk about his ongoing investigation into Chicago and Evanston burying evidence of sexual harassment and assault against women lifeguards. Shame on both cities. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

Ben didn’t get invited to Barack Obama 60th. He riffs. Monroe Anderson didn’t get invited either. He talks COVID, infrastructure and budget reconciliation. And former alderman Bob Fioretti talks redistricting. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.