Episodes

Chicago never seemed so divided. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova talks about her latest masterpiece for the Reader. And Public Defender Sharone Mitchell talks criminal justice. 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/editor Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk politics. Including conspiracy theories, Tucker Carlson, and other malevolent forces. 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 for another rundown. On the agenda--the MAGA reaction to critical race theory, Megyn Kelly's defense of the insurrectionists, and whether Ben's wrong for not being impressed by putting a man on the moon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 18, 2019: The redacted Mueller report has been released! Smollet-Gate continues and Toni talks after her election loss. Investigative Journalist Mick Dumke takes the deep dive with Ben, Union Man Ed Maher talks healthcare in America and striking Chicago Symphony Orchestra member Steve Lester returns. Download Thursday'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.

The experts weigh in on the first week of free agency. Benji the Bookie says the Bulls blew it by signing Demar Derozen. Miles said it's to early to say for certain, but he loves Lonzo Ball. And Ben predicts--what else--a championship celebration for his beloved Bulls next summer in Grant Park. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr. "not a doctor" D riff on a week's worth of news. Including great thoughts on Jimmy Dore, Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker, Governor Cuomo, Lollapalightfoot, Dr. Arwady, Blago and much much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reporters writing stories about Park District looking the other way at evidence of sexual harrassment of lifeguards. Ben asks himself--would this happen if Harold Washington were mayor. And Jimmy Dore, comedian and podcast host, tries to convince Ben that the way for lefties to go is third party. And Ben tries to get Jimmy Dore to say something, anything, critical of Republicans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...

Former Tribune transportation reporter Mary Wisniewski returns to discuss Car Culture. She's writing a book about our addiction to all things cars. Also, a history lesson about the successful fight against the Crosstown Expressway. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senator Rand Paul sends out a fundraising letter saying you don't need the COVID vaccine. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson returns with talk-show host Mark Wallace to talk Harold Washington, Tim Evans, Eugene Sawyer, Lori Lightfoot, Nina Turner and why Black voters don't vote for Bernie--among other things. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Governor Blagojevich wants the right to run for office. Ben riffs. And Sox/Cubs experts Jim Coogan & Miles Porter return to discuss the Cubs trades. Do they know what they're doing? Or are they mindlessly paring the payroll. Also, Dave Glowacz returns with audio bits from recent City Council meetings. Time for the deep dive on what your aldermen and mayor are up to. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i...

Political science professor David Faris returns to talk all things politics. Including what to make of people who won't get the vaccine even if it means death. Also, the culture of the confederacy. And the fallacy of bipartisanship in the age of MAGA. And more. You know, sometimes it helps to vent... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 11, 2021: Lori Lightfoot goes to Springfield! Mayor Rahm's farewell speech, Ben and Sun-Times Writer Tommy Mac Tom McNamee debate Rahm and MORE! Chicago Federation of Labor's Jake Lewis talks state politics AND the newly elected 47th Ward Alderman (Ben's Alderman) Matt Martin discusses his victory. Download Thursday'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.

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns to discuss, among other things, Boomers. Posing the question--if they're so great, how come they elected Trump? And much, much more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh What a Week it Was: "LollapaLightfoot" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does MAGA really believe the stupid things it says? Or is it just trolling liberals? And is MAGA an it? Ben discusses. Jen Walling from the Illinois Environmental Council returns to discuss the Clean Energy Bill. Also, Terry Cosgrove of Personal PAC, on why he says Roe is gone. And what Democrats can do about it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben happened to be outside the Brooklyn federal courthouse when Thomas Barrack, Trump's crony, was arraigned. He gives his report. Monroe Anderson riffs on day one of congressional hearings on January 6. And election laywer Ed Mullen explains the politics of electing Supreme Court justices in Illinois. Question: Did Democrats outfox themselves when it came to drawing the judicial maps? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-...

Stacy Davis Gates--vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union--returns to talk about all the issues of the day. Including--Mayor Lightfoot's temperment, Toni Preckwinkle's handling of the SEIU strike, how to deal with crime and what to make of Eric Adams win in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How should corporations handle employee controversies and sexual harassment scandals? Definitely not the way ESPN, the Post and Chicago’s hockey team have handled theirs. Political strategist Joanna Klonsky returns to break it all down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump vs Pelosi rages on! Do Illinois Trump supporters support Pritzker's fair tax plan? Political Scientist Jim Lewis talks Lightfoot and the mayoral runoff, Chicago Sun-Times Director of Digital Operations Brian Ernst tells us about the new Sun-Times website and The Movie Man Chris Buddy chats about his latest film about blackjack dealers. Download Thursday's Ben Joravsky Show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...

The Washington Post says liberals are too mean to MAGA. Ben riffs. Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara in the need for affordable housing. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa returns to talk about what it took to win city council approval of a police Oversight Board. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Environmentalist and podcaster Mike Nowak returns to talk about the detrimental impact of climate change on Lake Michigan. We take the lake for granted--to our detriment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

COVID cases rising but Lollapalooza is still in. Ben discusses. Rod Wilson, executive director of the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, talks about elected school board politics in Chicago. And Monroe Anderson returns with breaking news about Nancy Pelosi booting Jim Jordan off the January 6 congressional investigation committee. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JB Pritzker announces he’s running for re-election. Ben ponders the frightening alternative. Dian Palmer, president of SEIU Local 73, and negotiator Larry Alcoff, on negotiating with Toni Preckwinkle. Also, political strategist Jason Lee on the Republican onslaught in Texas. And the fallacies of using pre-trial detentions to fight crime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden--the pride and joy of Rogers Park--makes a long awaited return to act as a play-by-play analyst, breaking down the parliamentary maneuvers employed by Mayor Lightfoot over the last few council meetings to make sure she gets what she wants. Is the mayor playing within council rules? No. Is she being inconsistent in her rulings? Yes. Listen and learn about your democracy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...