The Ben Joravsky Show
by Ben Joravsky
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.
Episodes
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Mueze Bawany--Chiocracy
Anti-Johnson aldermen want to “chip away” at a $36b pension obligation with $75m—only in Chicago. Ben riffs. Mueze Bawany returns! Talking politics—Michigan, Ohio and Chicago’s school board. Also, a few words about the Bears & the Bulls. Hey, lefties, remember this name—Caleb Wilson. Mueze is a...
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David Faris—Mean And Dirty Tricks
Trump’s Justice Department sues to overturn Alaska’s senate election, but only if the Democrat wins. Say what? Ben riffs. With less than two week’s before the election, David Faris explains who will win and why. A few words about MAGA’s gutter-racist campaign against El-Sayed and Ramaswamy’s...
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Oh, What a Week—Mayor Johnson’s Campaign Budget
Ben & Dr D explore Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Chicago’s own City Hall. The midterms broken down. And a lesson in how a mayor crafts a budget during a reelection campaign, knowing the aldermen will never pass it cause they want him to look bad.
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Jim Coogan—False Framing
Vance and Ramaswamy take the side of the indicted child molester in Ohio. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks about Trump’s version of “Justice.” Including…his lawsuit against the BBC. His pay to play with pardons. And concealing select parts of the Epstein Files. Give ‘em hell, Katie Phang. Jim is...
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Mark Wallace--Going Back In Time
The greatest mathematicians in America confront their fears that AI is rendering them obsolete. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace returns to talk the midterms, undoing Trump’s damage and why he thinks Stephen A Smith is a moron. Also, a few words about the mayoral election. Mark hosts The People’s Show, a...
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Shiller and Grimshaw--A History Lesson About Harold
Former Alderwoman Helen Shiller brings on the legendary Jacky Grimshaw to teach a couple of youngsters a history lesson or two about Mayor Harold Washington. So they will understand why he’s the GOAT. Ok, so one of the youngsters is Ben. Who hasn’t been a youngster since Harold was mayor. And the...
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Chicago Legend—Ken Davis
After 9 years as Host, Ken Davis announced that he is ending his Chicago Newsroom on CAN TV. Join us as we look back at the highlights with the man himself. It's our dear friend Kenny D. Originally ran May, 2019.
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Anat Shenker-Osorio--Winning Words
Anat Shenker-Osorio is a left-of-center political strategist who has spent many years studying messaging. That is--why certain messages resonate and others don't. Not surprising, she's determined that the right is more effective at the left at message. Why is that? She explains--with examples....
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Monroe Anderson—Take Out LA
Trump says: “Let them take out Los Angeles; let them take out San Diego.” Ben riffs. Monroe explains the essence of mainstream journalism as it’s practiced in America. “News is what’s happening in an editors backyard.”Also, Monroe sticks to his election predictions.
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Oh, What a Week—The American Debate
Ben & Dr. D have much to say about many things. Starting with…the Hegseth firing squad. The senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine. Will the wave be blue? And the latest in the Chicago Mayoral Race. Hello, Phoenix and Atlanta!
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Maya Dukmasova—Wise Judges Wanted
Colorado must choose between funding schools or allowing climate-change fires to ravage the state. Ben riffs. Maya returns! That means the Injustice Watch Judicial Election Guide is out. Maya explains the choices voters will face in November’s judicial retention elections in Cook County. And she...
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Mick Dumke--Obama Goes To Michigan
President Obama endorses Abdul El-Sayed—finally. Ben riffs. Mick returns to talk Michigan politics and Chicago parking meters. Two of his—and Ben’s—favorite subjects. Mick is an editor/reporter for Block Club. And, few words about life’s distractions.
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David Faris—Is That Wave Blue?
Ben has an existential crisis—for once he may see eye to eye with a majority of voters. David Faris explains the situation. With just a few weeks before the elections, Dems are winning. And here’s why. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation....
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Ishan Daya and Jimmy Rothschild—Mayoral Money
The Sox move on, the Cubs go home and Ben riffs about tribalism in Chicago. Ishan Daya and Jimmy Rothschild talk about the Institute for Public Good’s report on donations to mayoral candidates. Sure looks like the old Mayors Daley/Rahm band is getting back together. Ishan is policy organizer for...
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Rummana Hussain—It’s Worse Than We Thought
Looks like MAGA’s still making it up as they roll along, as they accuse Jack Smith of perjury. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain catches us up on everything. Including Trump, El-Sayed, Mayor Rahm, and Mamdani. Ben admits Rummana was right. Rummana is a columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.
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Sarah Tang—Saving Chinatown
Twenty-nine aldermen take a stand against themselves. Say what? Ben riffs. Sarah Tang explains “categorical exclusion”—a policy weaponized by Trump to allow developers to do what they want without oversight. In this case, moving a railroad maintenance facility to Bridgeport, so a billionaire can...
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Miles Kampf-Lassin—High-Tech Fascists
Bridgeport residents are refreshingly unafraid to say what they think about the proposal to replace Sox Park with a railroad maintenance facility. Ben riffs. Miles takes the deep dive on the high-tech fascists who want to end democracy and replace us with robots. Also, the difference between…
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Miranda Spivack—Government Secrets
Forty percent of voters still trust Trump on the economy even though the man’s clearly lost his mind. Ben riffs. Miranda Spivack makes her debut! A decorated investigative journalist, she talks about the secrets the government keeps from you about things they should be telling you. Like…chemicals...
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Mike Allemana—Find Your Groove
One of the more obscure mayoral candidates concocts a clever idea to win—bump Alexi G off the ballot for running for two offices at once. Ben riffs. The great guitar player Mike Allemana returns to talk jazz! He takes the Allemana Challenge. In this case, involving Charles Earland, Miles Davis…
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Mayor Daniel Biss—Robot Rage
Anthropic warns the world that their product may destroy civilization as we know it—while racing to raise the billions needed for their I.P.O. Ben riffs. Daniel Biss takes us from A to Z on AI. Much of which is frightening. Also, what government can do about it, even when the president declares…
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Denali Dasgupta--Hugs And Cookies
Want to know how much white northwest siders hate Mayor Johnson—just read one alderwoman’s campaign flyer. Ben riffs. Denali returns, talking trauma. How she survived a plane hijacking. Living through 9/11. The myth of 9/11 versus the reality. And the trauma of Furious. Why there’s an important...
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Oh, What a Week—Running Away From Trump
Ben & Dr D welcome Atlanta and Phoenix to the fold. What’s up, Dominique & Tom Chambers! Then it’s down to business. As they plunge into a week’s worth of news. Including…Trump endorses DB. DB says—Donny who? To which JB says—“Donny Trump, DB. You know, the hugely unpopular president you adore....
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Debby Pope—The People’s Candidate
Ben confronts, sorta, a grumpy old, white guy at the Jazz Festival. Oh, Chicago, why must you be the way you are? Meet Debby Pope, candidate for school board in district 2B on the north side. Think Bernie Sanders running for school board. Hear about her journey from Erasmus High School—in...
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Alderwoman Nicole Lee--The White Sox Follies
In the category of—wow, that’s some really serious passive aggressive behavior, Congressman Bost blows Darren Bailey’s cover. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Nicole Lee tells you everything you need to know about the monstrosity of a proposal that would put a rail yard in Bridgeport and build a new Sox...
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David Faris—A Circus For The Crazies
The Hulu show Furious is Dirty Harry for liberal millennials. Ben riffs. David talks Furious, oligarchs, AI, MAGA’s midterm convention, Trump’s ongoing insanity, and the state of John Fetterman. Also, Trump’s latest promise to give us money. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt...
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Tom Shaer—Look Alive
With another Bears season upon us, Ben makes a pledge—if the Bears move to Indiana, he will call them the Hammond Bears. Forever and a day. Tim Shaer talks Bears and brings Ben back to earth—they ‘re aren’t moving to Hammond, people. But first, they get sidetracked on a tangent about Jerry…
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Hilario Dominguez--Why I’m Running For School Board Prez
Mayor Mamdani has a unique strategy for dealing with the legacy media—he bypasses them. Ben riffs. Hilario Dominguez makes his debut, explaining why he’s running for school board president and his position on everything from school closings to school lunches to TIFs and dealing with powerful...
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Jessica Biggs--Why I’m Running For School Board Prez
Untold billions in dark money is funding MAGA efforts to hold on to the Senate. Ben riffs. Jessica Biggs makes her debut. Talking about her candidacy for school board president. How she was punished by Mayor Rahm’s school flunkies for daring to speak out for clean schools. And the need to be...
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Miles Porter—Stretch Drive
Caleb & Caleb & PCA, it’s magic time in Chicago sports. Unrivaled since, dare I say, 1984. Ben riffs. Miles Porter takes the deep dive on the Cubs and Sox as they head into the final days of the regular season. The good news is they’re doing better than anyone expected. The bad news is—well…
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Marc Sims--The Democratic Establishment
One week before Mayor Johnson announced he’s running, Ben’s source tells him he’s running. Yes, Ben has a source. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims explains all. Including…why so many white people just can’t bring themselves to vote for Mayor Johnson. And what Abdul El-Sayad needs to do to win the...
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Oh, What a Week—Mayor Johnson’s Big Announcement
Ben and Dr D have all the news, including…Charles Barkley tells the truth about Democrats. Capitalists love socialism. JB’s epic bus ride. And Mayor Johnson announces he’ll make an announcement—next week.
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Monroe Anderson—Shaky Limb
When it comes to Mayor Johnson, falling crime doesn’t appear to matter to white liberals. Ben riffs. Monroe adds his two cents. From there they talk Hoosier Republicans and Hammond Bears and who’s to blame for no power in Gary. Also, the great debate on Jewish and Black MAGA. Finally, Monroe’s...
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Dr. Thaer Ahmad—American Doctor
Vance throws a hissy fit over Abdul El-Sayed. Ben riffs. Dr Thaer Ahmad returns to talk about, among other things, the documentary, American Doctor. It tells the story of three courageous U. S. doctors who go to Gaza to treat the wounded. One is Thaer—now the Israelis won’t let him return. The...
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Maggie Wunderly--Bill Gates’ AI Warning
At age 70, having made more money than he can even count, Bill Gates decides to take a stand against unbridled capitalism. Ben riffs. Maggie Wunderly explains what Democrats have to do to win in purplish suburban districts. Also, vote blue no matter who should be a two-way street. Maggie is a...
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David Faris—Reactionary Centrists
Another day, another scandal in Trump land. Ben riffs. David Faris catches us up on the latest political news. Including a riff or two on “reactionary Centrists” in the Democratic Party. Who are convinced that the only way to win back Congress is to abandon all principles. Also, a few words on...
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Oh, What a Week—“Chicago is Back"
NBC 5 asks Mayor Brandon Johnson if he plans to run for re-election. His response was…interesting. Plus! Ben and Dr D talk about the 2026 Illinois State Fair. And Alexis G’s movie double. And JB’s latest commercial. And more…
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Mike Allemana—Meta’s $17 Billion
Meta dips into petty cash to get rid of a nasty legal headache. Ben riffs. Mike Allemana tells you everything you need to know about this year’s Chicago Jazz Fest. Get ready for riffs on George Freeman, Ahmad Jamal, Cannonball Adderley, Robert Glasper, Paquito D’Rivera, Robert Irving, Miles…
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Peter Cunningham--Good News From Michigan
The political news out of Michigan is promising—at least at one man’s house. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham returns! Finally. And he’s got a lot to say about the Democratic message in the stretch run to November. On everything from abortion to guns to climate change to Israel and so forth. Peter is…
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Grey Lucas--It’s Not A Data Center, Yet
Data center lovers scoff at NIMBY to justify putting one in somebody else’s backyard. Ben riffs. Grey Lucas goes A to Z on the Quantum Center that the state’s building on the old steel yard at 87th and the lake. Starting with…what is a quantum center? Why put it there as opposed to anywhere else…
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David Faris—All The President’s Fools
Michael Cohen and Trump break up to make up—again. Ben riffs. David figures out where Cohen—and Lindsey Graham—fit in the pantheon of fools who flock to Trump. Selling their souls for what? Money? Power? Access? A pat on the head from the boss? Updates on Trump’s war in Iran. And the…
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Troy LaRaviere & Willie Wilson (interview only)
Former 2019 Mayoral Candidates Troy LaRaviere and Willie Wilson join us in studio. Originally posted March 5, 2019.
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Rachel Hinton—Radical Turkeys
So many lessons to be learned from Francesca Hong’s Thanksgiving Tweet. Ben riffs. Rachel Hinton returns with the latest on the book backup at the Chicago Public Library. What does it say about Chicago that its leaders won’t adequately fund the public libraries? Also, mayor race updates. And a…
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Oh, What a Week—Alexi Runs for Mayor
Plus - Ben talks Wisconsin's (moderate) democratic gubernatorial candidate; The latest claims involving Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. Willie Wilson also running for mayor. And much more.
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State Rep. Kelly Cassidy—Crowley Wins in Wisconsin
Dems rejoice over David Crowley’s win in yesterday’s Democratic primary. Ben riffs. Kelly Cassidy on Speaker Welch, Harry Benton, Michael Madigan and sexual harassment in the General Assembly. Somethings never change. Also, a few words about data centers. And Kelly updates Ben’s Helen Shiller...
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Jim Coogan--Naturally Blonde
MAGA has fallen head over heels in love with Sophie Cunningham and apparently Sophie Cunningham has decided to return the favor. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks Trump “Justice.” Jeanine Pirro bails on the reflecting-pool case. Todd Blanche’s confirmation as AG. And the prosecution of a cop in...
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Miles Kampf-Lassin—Self-Hating Dems
Centrist Democrats pledge to defeat Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed—hey, Dems, what happened to vote blue no matter who? Ben riffs. Miles adds his thoughts—many centrists would rather defeat progressives than defeat Trump. So much for the resistance. A few words about congressional…
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Gave Wilkins and Torrence Stagger--Kareem The Truth Teller
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks the truth about Trump’s nonstop racism. Ben riffs. Gave Wilkins & Torrence Stagger, podcasters extraordinaire, talk LeBron, Bulls, Kwai, Ballmer and other issues of the NBA. Ben says Caleb Wilson reminds him of another Bulls rookie from 1984. The others say—hmm? Gave…
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Laurie Glenn—Big Swinging Dicks
Lefties win big in Michigan’s Democratic primaries. Ben tries not to gloat. Laurie Glenn tells Dems what’s wrong with their party. Also, what’s wrong with bullies in the workplace. Why guys who think they’re big power players aren’t so big after all. And the difference between diverting from or...
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Delmarie Cobb--Courting The Black Vote
It must be election time—lefties are suddenly discovering the Black vote. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb talks Michigan Democratic primary. And Alexi G’s explanation for why he’s running for two offices at once. And she makes another pitch for a south side Bears stadium and third airport. Delmarie is a...
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Oh, What a Week—Petition Time!
Chicago mayoral hopefuls begin gathering petitions; Mayor Rahm has words for Mayor Mamdani; Is Alexi running, and more
About this show
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.
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Ben Joravsky
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