The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben and Steve love talking about Bill Walton, the great basketball player of their youth who recently died of cancer at age 71. Steve knows a lot thing about Walton cause he directed a four-part documentary on his life for ESPN. And Ben knows about Walton cause he, Ben, is utterly obsessed with ‘70s bball. They figured the best way to pay tribute to Walton, one of the world’s great talkers, is to talk about him. Steve’s Walton movie is called The Luckiest Man in the World. He also directed Hoop Dreams, City So Real, Abacus and many other films.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris takes the deep dive on Trump’s conviction. But first…a few words about how the New York Times covers politics. It would be laughable if the stakes weren’t so high. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate 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 searches for the local angle to Trump’s conviction. Rob Martwick talks Trump and Illinois politics. The new state budget. The difference between the house and the senate, The urge to tax our “sins”. Springfield meddles with Chicago schools. And hemp as reefer. Rob is the state senator from a district on the northwest side.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben apologizes to Libertarians—sorta. Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle tells you everything you need to know about Mayor Rahm closing mental health clinics and Mayor Johnson re-opening them. Including the media’s role. Matt is a political activist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s hush-money trial goes to the jury. Ben riffs. Monroe adds his two cents. And then they’re off, covering everything from Congresswoman Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Green to which city is more racist: Boston or Chicago? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Libertarians boo Trump. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks about just about everything, including…Libertarians, slavery, Chicago’s inspector general, crime, snitches, Bill Walton and Franz Kafka. Marc host the Just a Few Questions podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Filmaker Steve James returns to talk about his latest movie—The Luckiest Man In The World, a four-part series for ESPN. It tells the story of Bill Walton, an anti-war activist, Grateful Dead aficionado, broadcaster and, oh, yes, one of the greatest basketball players of the 1970s. Ben gives the movie four stars. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are vets more politically conservative than non-vets? Or is that yet another MAGA myth that liberals have fallen for. Charles Henderson takes the deep dive into this and other topics. Charles is an Army vet who served in Afghanistan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana and Ben riff on Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez comment about anti-Zionist pediatricians. And mayoral aide Ronnie Reese’s ancient tweet about the Pride Parade. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her opinions are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran journalist Charlie Meyerson analyzes the media’s coverage of the rise and fall of Red Lobster. They could have blamed it on the owners. Instead they went for the shrimp joke. Also, a preview of this summer’s conventions. Can Charlie answer Ben’s 1968 trivia questions? Charlie is the publisher of the Chicago Public Square. Do yourself a favor and subscribe at chicagopublicsquare.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brendan Shiller and Ben break down the basics on ShotSpotter, Mayoral opposition, MAGA judges, Alito’s flag, and much more. Brendan is a defense lawyer, political strategist and a poker player.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kennedy Bartley gets a gig with Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace talks Shot Spotter. And, yes, I’m spelling it that way. Also Red Light Cameras and Trump’s openly bragging about his deal with Putin. Mark is an activist, podcaster and business man. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Capitalism bankrupts Red Lobster. Ben riffs. Monroe talks Justce Alito and his flag, Fani Willis, what Dems should do about the Supreme Court and, the difference between MAGA and liberal columnists and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Progressives in Springfield propose a handout for a women’s pro soccer team owned by fabulously wealthy people. Sigh. Ben riffs. Alderman Villegas explains his view of the world. What he means by being what he calls a pragmatic progressive. A Gil/Ben debate on MAGA and the left. And a few words about residency data centers, police and Mayor Johnson and more. Gil is the alderman of the 36th ward.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A north side resident wants to recall Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham riffs on Ben’s riff and then away they go, talking…police accountability, Dexter Reed, elected school boards, Peter’s run for office, and Dickey Betts. Peter is a political strategist, writer and rock ‘n roller.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachel Hinton and Ben talk the week’s news and introduce the world to…The Rachel and Ben Book Club. Today’s book is James by Percival Everett. Which if you haven’t read, hurry up! But first, listen to Rachel and Ben talk police, housing, and theatrical politics of the absurd. Rachel is a reporter 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.

Dan Mihalopoulos goes A-Z on Oath Keepers in the Chicago Police Department. A subject he knows a lot about, having broken one story after another on the matter with Tom Schuba of the Sun-Times. Dan is a reporter for WBEZ.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris explains the alliance between MAGA judges and Trump, the MAGA man. Starting with Justice Alito flying his flag upside down, in solidarity with the insurrection. A few words about the polls. And how the NYT covers politics. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a political columnist for Slate 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.

Salem Collo-Julin and Ben go through the news. Including…Barry Romo makes the Times, Reader goes weekly, media evaluates the mayor, and the difference between a city that fears its mayor (Rahm, Daley) and one that doesn’t. Suddenly, everyone is so courageous. Where was that courage when we needed it? And a new feature… Reader editor after dark explains the best way to serve the dish of revenge. Hint…add mustard and catsup. Salem is the editor of the Reader.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Crain’s Crowd weighs in on Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Denali Gasgupta tells you everything you need to know about Chicago’s elected school board. Is Chicago ready for democracy? I guess that depends on what you mean by democracy. Denali is a political activist and a numbers-crunching analyst of politics in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.