The Ben Joravsky Show

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson announces he’s running for mayor—will confused MAGA voters line up to support him? Ben riffs. Historian Sean Dinces, author of Bulls Market, talks about Chicago’s history of giving handouts to sports franchises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Artist & radio show host Damien Perdue has been studying cults & conspiracy theories for years. He takes the deep dive on QAnon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The British Prime Minister steps down. Ben apologizes for riffing on it. And Micah Uetricht, editor/writer for Jacobian, manages to defend the New York Times. Is Ben unfair to the Times? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain talks capitalism. Specifically, Twitter employees getting fired because Elon Musk needs to use their salaries to pay back the money he borrowed to buy the company. Which he paid too much for. Crazy… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben & Maya host November's First Tuesday show at a new location--the Nighthawk on Kimball. On tap--the coming elections. Especially judicial. Especially the Supremes. No, not the Diana Ross Supremes. But the seven justices of the state supreme court. If MAGA seizes control of that court, they will be in position to undo abortion rights, collective bargaining rights and environmental regulation...

The Tribune reports that dozens of public officials are members of the Oath Keepers. Ben riffs. And former state Rep. Julie Hamos returns to talk about the upcoming elections to the Illinois Supreme Court. Specifically, why these should be top-of-the-ballot races as opposed to bottom-of-the-ballot ones. That's because the future of Illinois laws regarding environment, labor, guns, education, and a...

More weather news--most of it bad. Ben riffs on the difference between Democrats and MAGA when it comes to each other's tragedies. And Rummana Hussain--Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer--asks the question: What's in a name? Particularly in the case of Nikki Haley. Rummana explains why she's on Team Sunny. And a few words about People of Color who love Trump. See Privacy Policy at https://art19....

Trump & Kanye unleash their hate. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns! And she's got a lot on her mind--Trump, Kanye, property tax, budgets, and the hate Chicago has for poor people. Also, a prediction about the midterms. As once again America looks to Black women to rescue America from the crazies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...

Writer & radio show host Salim Muwakkil returns. At last! To talk Pharoah Sanders. And Kanye West. And is it time to panic? Nothing is left untouched. The phenomenal realm. The spiritual realm. Does the creator really have a master plan? Why Salim calls Kanye an "idiot savant". And MAGA's endless search for "Black mascots". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

Guess what! Dr. D returns from paternity week to help wrap up the news. News item one. He's a proud papa. Guess the D stands for daddy. Also, JB v. DB in the final debate. Mayor Lightfoot targets Vallas. Is Vallas as bad as Trump? And, who will represent lefties in the mayor's race--Brandon Johnson or Chuy Garcia? And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

.Sun-Times runs a story about residents in Belmont Cragin never seeing their elected officials. Ben riffs. And community organizer Dixon Romeo returns to discuss Obama Center community benefits agreement, city's programs for Black vendors and how to fight MAGA propaganda. And then a mini deep dive on Ben's beloved Bulls. Dixon is not so optimistic. And out of nowhere a debate over Draymond Green e...

President Biden drops an F bomb! Ben riffs. In These Times editor/writer Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk about the midterms. What Democrats must do to forestall Armageddon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Election results prove voters don’t care if a candidate is a smooth talker. So why are mainstream reporters obsessing over John Fetterman’s debate performance? Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Putin, Griner, Fetterman & political malfeasance. Stick around long enough and you’ll hear the call from Monroe’s contractor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

The President of the Los Angeles City Council gets caught on mic making racist comments--almost like she's from Chicago. Ben riffs. And election lawyer Adolfo Mondragon returns to talk about racism and bigotry and colorism in the Hispanic community. Also, what is up with Congressman Jesus Garcia? Will he run for mayor? And a word or two or three about why the White Sox should bring back Ozzie Guil...

Some how every football “expert” in Chicago predicted the wrong outcome to Mondays’s Bears/Patriots game. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova talks about the future of First Tuesdays. And Kelly Garcia, Reader staff writer, talks about her latest articles. Including Chicago’s audacious experiment in democracy. Paul Vallas courts MAGA in Naperville. And using the parks for concerts. See Privacy Policy at http...

.Political scientist David Faris returns to explore the MAGA psyche. Do MAGA true believers truly believe the insanity they spout? Are they actually feeling guilty? Is it a case of bad guys not wanting to be seen as bad? Is their change-the-subject strategy working? And what's with Ron DeSantis? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv...

Another week, more news. Ben & Chris riff away. Including...a new pol that shows JB leading DB. The different respnses by Dems & MAGA to polls. Michael Madigan in trouble—again. Avondale ranked a cool neighborhood. Its only a matter of time before the coolness is priced out. And President Biden inches--and I mean, inches--toward something that should have been done decades ago. Legalizing...

Sergio Mims dies at age 67. Ben pays tribute to a dear friend and super podcast guest. And director Joe Winston talks about Punch 9, his sensational documentary about Mayor Harold Washington. A word of advice…run don’t walk to see punch 9. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Turns out Herschel Walker, "pro-life" MAGA candidate for senator in Georgia, allegedly paid for one of his lover's abortion. Ben riffs. And suburban school activist Asafonie Obed makes her debut to talk about MAGA's attempt to take over suburban school systems by preaching hate and fear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n...

A Sun-Times poll reveals that 45 percent of voters don't want to subsidize a new Bears stadium. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump. The MAGA man is being deposed in E.J. Carroll's defamation case. Probably take the fifth. Also, a word or two about the artist formerly known as Kanye West. Is he the most effective promoter of White Supremacy? And a word or two about David Axelrod, Charles Th...

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez returns with updates on progressive politics in Chicago. The Democratic Socialists had a clean sweep on the northwest side in March. But now what's left of the old Mell Machine is looking to fight back. Look for them to play the MAGA card on crime. Mayor Lightfoot attempts to keep Alderman Matt Martin from chairing the ethics committee. And a word or two about...

The city council moves heaven and earth on behalf of the Chicago Fire. Ben riffs. And Personnel Pac's Terry Cosgrove returns to talk politics. Particularly, the all-important Illinois Supreme Court campaigns in the second and third district. Why are those races so important? Because if the Republicans win, they will have the votes to outlaw abortion in Illinois. Anti-abortion zealots realize what'...

Another week has come and gone, which means Ben and Producer Chris run down the news. Starting with...the state of Illinois looks to bring at least three more bookies on line to take the money of sports-betting suckers who should know better. Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey "softens" his rhetoric to win over swing voters by trying to pretend he's not against abortion, even though...

Yvette Simpson--CEO of Democracy for America and progressive champion--returns to talk all things politics. Specifically, the fight to hold on to the House and Senate. Will Republicans win by scaring middle America? And if Republicans care so much about abortion, why have they stopped talking about it? And can Democrats be on message and focused--for once in their lives? And what's going on with A...

Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer Rummana Hussain returns to discuss the Queen. In particular, why are Americans so obsessed with the Royal Family. Also, floods in Pakistan and indifference in America. What will it take to get Americans to care about environmental catastrophes in Asia? And much praise for Mo. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...