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The Ben Joravsky Show

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.

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51 episodes
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Avg 58 min
English

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#2591
Today · 47 min
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 build a new Sox stadium in the vacated land. Sarah is director for programs for the Coalition for a Better Chinese-American Community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2590
Monday · 1 hr 5 min
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 Trump and Vance. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times. Do yourself a favor and read his latest essay—Tech Authoritarian Doomsayers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2586
Saturday · 51 min
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 in the drinking water. It’s government by NDA. It’s all in her latest book—Backroom Deals In Our Backyards. Which you should buy or check out of the library. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2589
Thursday · 1 hr 8 min
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 and Aretha Franklin. Will Ben stump him again? Mike will be playing with Chico Freeman at the Jazz Showcase, Oct 1-4. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2587
September 23 · 52 min
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 our concerns are a hoax. Daniel is the mayor of Evanston and the Democratic candidate for congress in the 9th district. The election is in November. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2584
September 21 · 1 hr 4 min
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 distinction between the vigilantism of Furious and Dirty Harry. Denali is a researcher and former aldermanic candidate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2585
September 19 · 54 min
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. Don’t act like you don’t know him.” Also, Mayor Johnson announces—finally. And more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2582
September 17 · 57 min
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 Brooklyn—to Chicago, where she was a public school teacher for many years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2583
September 16 · 1 hr 1 min
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 stadium in the west loop. One of the dumbest ideas since the parking meter deal. Speaking of which—Nicole explains the latest on that front. Nicole is the alderwoman of the 11th Ward, where the current Sox Park is located. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2581
September 14 · 1 hr
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 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.
#2580
September 12 · 58 min
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 Krause. Yes, two Boomers talking ancient sports history. Stick around for the great White Sox stadium debate. Tom is a former NBC sports anchor and host on The Score. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2579
September 10 · 1 hr 6 min
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 mayors. Hilario is a former special ed teacher, CTU political director and proud graduate of Whitney Young High School. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2573
September 9 · 57 min
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 independent of the mayor—even an all powerful one like Daley or Rahm—on TIFs. Also, a few words about charters, magnets and neighborhood schools. Jessica is currently on the Chicago school board. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2577
September 8 · 1 hr 1 min
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, let’s not think about the bad news. Miles co-hosts the baseball podcast, Blue Line Radio. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2575
September 7 · 1 hr 3 min
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 Black vote. And what is the Democratic Establishment. And why do fools fall in love. Ok, maybe he has no answer for that. Marc hosts the podcast Just A Few Questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2576
September 5 · 34 min
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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2574
September 4 · 1 hr 5 min
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 fearless predictions on Democratic victories in Florida, Texas and Kansas. Yes, Kansas. Talk about being out on a shaky limb. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2572
September 3 · 59 min
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 conversation turns to politics. So much has changed in American attitudes toward Israel and Palestine in the last three years. And, sadly, so much is the same for the Palestinians. Thaer is an emergency room doctor in the Chicago area. 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.
#2571
September 2 · 52 min
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 co-founder of Illinois Progressives, who are holding a fundraiser on September 13 in Aurora. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#2568
August 31 · 1 hr
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 polls and the senate elections. 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.

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