The Ben Joravsky Show

Donald Trump hates on Milwaukee. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains why Trump is staying in Chicago and not Milwaukee for the GOP convention, even though the convention is in Milwaukee not Chicago. Then he explains why Charlamagne Tha God is singing a new song about Black voters loving Trump. And then he explains why he believes unnamed WBEZ and Sun-Times editors felt compelled to write their uns...

Rick Telander teaches aspiring young journalists how to cover TIFs. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke joins the riff. Soon they’re leading a symposium on journalism. Mick then discusses his latest investigative story. It deals with drugs, low income housing, policing and the inability of the CHA to take care of its property. Also, a few words about Sherman Alexie. Mick is a reporter for Block Club. See Privac...

David Faris sends out a warning—Trump’s looking for vengeance. But first he, Trump, must figure out his position on abortion. And a few words about Hunter Biden, who’s a classic senator’s son. To paraphrase John Fogarty. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His opinions are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...

Ben gets an unexpected turn of events that leaves him asking—what would Joe do? Joe as in Rogan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Eric Zorn has a good response to pearl clutches, like Ben, who thought it was unfair for a movie maker to entrap the Alitos. Ben riffs. And Sarah Garza Resnick talks all things abortion rights. Including Trump’s attempts to bamboozle voters with his leave it up to the state’s ploy. And how the MAGA justices tried to defuse the abortion issue to help elect Trump. And how the MAGA zealots have IVF o...

North Dakota voters ban geezers—sorta. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Trump’s senility, Biden’s age, Alito’s recording, Hunter’s conviction, Democrat’s timidity, Burke’s sentencing and Mayor Johnson’s haircuts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Hunter Biden is convicted. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks hard right election gains in Europe. Netanyahu’s tactics. Billionaires make their move for Trump—so much for democracy. Labor after the UAW vote in Alabama. And this being the Ben show…a few words about Caitlin Clark. Miles is an editor/writer for In TheseTimes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

MAGA Chicago loves Ben as long as they find him useful, Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks contract negotiations, legacy media, Bears stadium and more. Including a few words about Anthony Edwards. Stacy is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Adolfo explains the latest trend in excuse making—blame the wife! Not only Justice Alito but Senator Menendez from New Jersey. Also, a few words about Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president elect. And Trump and Burke updates. Adolfo Mondragon 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 .

Rummana Hussain covers it all, including…Mayor Johnson’s $30,000 a year grooming bill; the presidential election in India, Caitlin Clark and Larry David. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views 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 .

Dr. Thaer Ahmad offers a first-hand account of the desperation in Gaza as Israel continues its bombardment. And he explains the politics at play—in Israel and Washington. Thaer is an emergency room doctor in the suburbs who has worked in hospitals in Gaza over the last few months. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...

The feds prosecuting Hunter Biden on gun charges. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks Hunter Biden prosecution. And then takes the deep dive on Trump’s hush money trial. Including why Trump didn’t take the stand. Jim is a trial lawyer in Chicago. He hosts his own podcast, Coogan Knows The Law. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not...

Now Ed Burke wants a new trial? Ben riffs. Then he promises not to talk about the WNBA. Then he breaks that promise. Ben can’t help himself. Kady McFadden gives you the A to Z on the latest environmental news. Including…carbon capture legislation in Illinois. Gas stove ordinance in Chicago. And whether this country is ready to revolt against the MAGA zealots who apparently want to destroy the worl...

Ben continues where he left off yesterday—raging against the Tribune’s egregious race-baiting Chennedy Carter editorial. Why does Chicago put up with such blatant race baiting? Monroe explains. And he should understand—he once worked for the Trib. Then it’s on to Trump, Don Jr’s race baiting, and the 34. Monroe makes more predictions—having to do with sentencing, See Privacy Policy at https://art1...

The betting bosses are crying cause they don’t like paying taxes. Ben riffs. Maya Goldberg-Safir and Ben talks all things Chennedy Carter and Caitlin Clark. Including what the Tribune is up to with yet another editorial of hate. Maya is a Chicago-based writer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mayor Lightfoot’s supporters are chortling over Bears Stadiumgate and Rahm-Peckergate. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin takes the deep dive on the UAW vote in Tennessee, Gaza protests on college campuses, the Bears stadium and a revelation about the latest Bulls hat. Also, a shoutout to the journalists and djs at WBEZ. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://ar...

Ben has compassion for immigrants. That makes him hopelessly out of touch. Soon to be state senator Graciela Guzman explains why it makes financial sense to be compassionate. In other words, there’s a financial advantage for doing what you should have done in the first place. Then it’s on to discussions about Bears stadium, abortion rights and college campus protests. See Privacy Policy at https:/...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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 .