The Ben Joravsky Show
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Chicago journalist Ben Joravsky starts each show by riffing on the news of the day with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty. Then he talks politics with activists, elected officials, journalists and all sorts of political know-it-alls. We talk Chicago, Illinois, national (lots of national), international and lefty politics. Find The Ben Joravsky Show wherever you download podcasts.
2400 Episodes
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A NYT headline about Obamacare is absurd even by NYT standards. Ben riffs. David Faris defends the voters, sorta. He covers Trump’s gas guzzling energy policy and Trump’s get rid of healthcare policy. Also, a few words about Hegseth, Fox News and what’s it gonna take to win an election. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation. His views are his own.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 decide it’s time to tell you what you need to know. Including…what gas station in Springfield squeezes the most money from the suckers who play video gambling. Hint…it’s not Quick ‘n Easy. There’s got to be a better way to pay for our obligations than soaking suckers. On to Chicago…a crew of Mayor Rahm flunkies try to scare voters against Mayor Johnson by invoking the name of Byron Sigcho Lopez. Apparently, Mamdani’s name was taken. And Toni Preckwinkle releases a poll. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Want Boss Donnie to do whatever you want him to do? It’s easy. Just call him—Your excellency. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn does not hold back—extended riffs on this age of hate and madness and the need to stand strong. Hear that, Dems? On a personal note—her 30-year fight against cancer. There is no courage without fear. And all power to Jewish girls with long, curly hair. Laurie is a political activist and strategist and CEO of Thinkinc.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The “reformers” tag team with the Bright One to keep TIF money out of our schools. Ben riffs. Mueze Bawany delivers his takes on Mayors Mamdani and Johnson. Why Trump likes one but not the other. Hint…it’s cause one is a “model minority” and the other is not. Trump’s anti-Blackness. A close-out riff on the Bears, including a bold prediction for Sunday’s Packers game. Mueze is an activist, high school teacher, football coach and proud union man. As in the CTU.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It’s one battle after another in the fight against fascism. Ben riffs. Paul Nolley talks about running for Congress against MAGA man Darrin LaHood. The issues are jobs, health care and SNAP. Just like in Chicago. It’s time Dems stop conceding rural voters to MAGA. Paul is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 16th district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bubba and Donnie share Epstein’s love. Ben riffs. Joshua Smyser-De Leon talks everything Bad Bunny. Who he is. Why he’s great. His role in Puerto Rican politics. Where he fits on the Mt Rushmore of Puerto Rican musicians. And why his selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer blows MAGA’s collective little brain. Joshua hosts The Paseo Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Trump administration tries to figure out its stance on whether swastikas are bad. Ben riffs. Pat Whalen explains how everything in contemporary politics is like a scene from One Battle After Another. Oh, yes—Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! And thank you Paul Thomas Anderson for directing and writing such a great movie. Ben and Pat geek out over their favorite scenes. Finally, what to do if your Uncle MAGA shows up at your turkey day table, spouting nonsense like Stephen A Smith. Pat is a comedian and podcaster in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A Thanksgiving day thanks, Chicago for standing strong. Ben riffs Michael Horton returns to talk about growing up around Cabrini and playing and coaching basketball and confronting and overcoming demons. No pun intended. Skeet’s is a CPS high school guidance counselor and basketball coach and author of Hoop ‘til It Hurts, his newly published book. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The country that elected Trump also elected Obama—how is that possible? Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta adds her thoughts to that conundrum. “We don’t live there anymore.” The there in that sentence being America in the age of Obama. Denali tells you what you need to know about Trump’s $2,000 health care scam. Ben tells the story of how Studs Terkel got kicked out of a Chicago public library. And a Thanksgiving shoutout to everyone on the Group W Bench—love you, Arlo!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What’s the news across the nation? Ben and Dr D offer this…Congress rebukes Chuy, Brad Schneider weighs in, El Dragon breaks the Bubbagate story and Governor Pritzker has a busy week, dropping $25M on his re-election campaign, throwing Mayor Johnson’s head tax under a bus and hanging with the pope. Not even the pope can save the Sox.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
If you can overlook the pain and cruelty Trump’s inflicting on the people he hates, life in MAGA America is absurdly, darkly and perversely funny. Sorta. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson—America’s foremost authority on white people—helps Ben make sense of Epsteingate. Good luck with that.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 makes its big stand defending rich people. Sigh. Ben riffs. Miguel Alvelo-Rivera explains why he’s running for state representative, why we need progressive taxation and why he still has faith in the people. And Ben explains why he, Ben, is not cynical even though so many people say he is. Stick around for Miguel’s exposition on Boricua en la Luna by Juan Antonio Corretjer—song by Ray Brown. Miguel is running for state rep in the 40th district on Chicago’s northwest side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mark Epstein clarifies—the bubba Trump blew was not Bill Clinton. Well, that’s good to know. Ben riffs. Steve Krafft returns with an update from swing state land, aka, Arizona. Hear the latest on Democrats chances to oust MAGA. Right now Steve says it’s about 50-50 that our fragile democracy survives. Steve is a longtime political reporter and a member of the Nichols Jr High Quiz Bowl Hall of Fame. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
MTG talks big, then capitulates to Trump. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke offers up some Bible lessons and then takes off on Trump’s propaganda blitz. Bovino’s Rambo shtick. Pritzker’s mixed message to resisters. And a few words of love in memory of Tony Adler. Mick is an editor and writer for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Epstein’s emails confirm what we already knew about Trump. Ben riffs. Evanston’s Mayor Daniel Biss covers almost every topic. Including…why he’s running for Congress, as opposed to staying on as mayor. What he thinks about AIPAC, Israel, Mamdani, the Democratic filibuster busters, and the role local law enforcement plays in dealing with ICE. Hint—time to indict the ICE lawbreakers. Daniel is running in the Democratic primary for Congress in the 9th district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One little snowfall and ICE is suddenly leaving Chicago for warmer climes. Ben riffs. Kalman Resnick explains the legal fight he’s waging on behalf of Chicagoans swept off the street by ICE’s masked and armed goon squad. Most notably, his case on behalf of Ruben Torres Maldonado, whose daughter is undergoing cancer treatment. And Diana Santillana Galeano, the teacher snatched from a north side daycare center. These fights are in the courts but the larger struggle is at the ballot box. Kalman is a lawyer in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dems cave to Trump—or did they? Ben riffs. Charles Henderson talks about the struggle to convince people to vote Democrat, knowing that push come to shove the Dems part of the Democratic Party will let them down. Also…Trump’s VA cuts. Are boomers worthless? Mamdani and the Black vote. And Charles turns the tables and asks Ben a tricky Mayor Rahm question. Charles is an Army vet and peace activist in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump appeals a judge’s SNAP ruling. Ben riffs. David Faris gives the good and bad news from Tuesday’s elections. The good news—America hate Trump. The bad news—he’s still in charge. Also, envy as a political force. Americans are philosophical conservatives and policy liberals. What if SNAP were like Social Security—open to all? Would Donnie and Musk take it? You know they would. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation and Newsweek. His views are his own.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 D pull themselves away from watching the Bulls long enough to talk about a week’s worth of news, including…Chuygate! Congressman Jesus Garcia pulls a move so outrageous it has Ben and the Tribune seeing eye to eye. Also, the gift room returns. And should JB apologize for cussing out Boss Donnie? Ben says—fuck no! Oh my goodness—we’re so sorry for that outburst of profanity! And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In one stupendous night, Dems crush Donnie and Bulls win—Ben’s cup runneth over. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson joins the celebration. Talking about Mamdani, Sherrill, Spanberger and Prop 50. Also, some love for JB, Kwame and Brandon. Monroe weighs in on Chuygate—“it’s not playing fair, it’s playing to win.”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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hi, I'm very concerned that IDOT will rebuild an expressway along the lake instead of a world class park with world class public transit. can y'all have an episode on that? Senator Mike Simmons and Kam Buckner are currently working on it. it'd be great to shed some light on this process of modern day expressway building in Chicago.
hi y'all, I think the perception that electric bikes, skateboards,unicycles as being similar to cars is wrong. ebikes require a lot less resources to make and are substantially lighter then electric cars. electric cars are super heavy and go super fast. when you consider a car going 40mph has a 90% chance of killing someone vs 20mph being 10% the issue is obvious. we need to transition away from cars and more into mass transit and bike Infastructure. an ebike is a valid form of commuting and transportation! what is a city without safe efficient transportation. cars just cause problems 😵💫
you guys should interview the mayoral candidate/Chicago state rep Kam Buckner! he's got a good campaign going! would love to hear an experienced Chicago journalist do an interview with him!!!
wow, I had no idea there was a plan for a nature conservancy where the casino is going. what is wrong with these people? it's just heartless, shortsighted and cold. casino over a genuine piece of beauty and more than likely a more sustainable source of revenue for the community. what an atrocity.
I disagree, I'd say most people would want more prairie. the # of people with ambition and power who don't probably outnumber those who want to preserve it though.
I 100% agree with the opposition, but the alderwoman who asked "what his(Ramirez) point was" had a point. I think the opposition could have made their point much more simple and clear. less words the better, which is hard when you're put on the spot and you've been sitting there for hours. y'all put it perfectly, just because you can watch the committee doesn't mean you can vote which is fucked because it's effecting communities who can't vote on the decision making! why don't those people have a say! if I was there I'd just say "this is corrupt uncreative and regressive legislation" and if people wanted to know what was wrong it bring the -facts-. Facts are the oppositions greatest strength. Their job is to create as much doubt as possible.
Jeanette Taylor is absolutely 100% right. the lack of accountability in Chicago, in policing as a whole, and our federal government is our biggest problem. journalists can only do so much there needs to be frameworks for holding bad actors/incompetent actors accountable so things get done. I don't know a time in Chicago politics that isnt absolute chaos.
We heard it here first, folks! lol