The Ben Joravsky Show

Former sports journalist Tom Shaer return to take the deep dive on Scottie Pippen & Michael Jordan. Specifically, just made the news, writing a book that rips Jordan. Why is Scottie so upset with MJ and does he have good reason? Tom spent a lot of time with the Bulls back in the day. And Ben? Well, he lives and breathes this stuff. He doesn't call them his beloved Bulls for nothing. See Privac...

Political scientist David Faris explains the politics of inflation. Specifically, how Republicans will weaponize the issue over the next year. It won't be pretty. Especially, as centrists Dems, afraid of being called too liberal, abandon Biden's Build Back Better program. Also, an analysis of Virginia and New Jersey's governor's race. And a little good news, which you'll have to listen to hear......

Thursday, July 11, 2019: That gator is still in the lagoon. Ed burke and his "burner" phones. "In These Times" Writer Miles Kampf-Lassin talks Gator-Gate and more. Jake Lewis of The Chicago Federation of Labor returns to talks Epstein and Janus. It's the Ben Joravsky Show debut of Ismael Cuevas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv...

Ben & the Doctor riff on the week's news. And, oh, what a week it was. Obama meets with Pritzker. Republican candidates for governor fight for Kenny G's donations. Only in Chicago is it unfair to accuse Mayor Rahm of covering up video of Laquan McDonald's murder. And John Catanzara says you can't fire me, I quit. To run for mayor? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Shia Kapos writes a great column for POLITICO Illinois Playbook about Democratic double standards. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer from In These Times, returns to talk about Democratic Socialism. Specifically, India Walton's loss in Buffalo. Has the Republican propaganda turned America against Socialism like they turned it against "political correctness" "woke" and "liberal"? See...

When Ben booked political strategist Jason Lee to return to the show, they planned to talk about voter suppression in Texas, Georgia and other Republican states. And then Daunte Wright was shot in Minnesota and Chicago released the video of a police officer shooting Adam Toledo. And suddenly the conversation changed to policing, politics, Democratic inability to discuss crime and Republican eagern...

A post from Heidi Van Lier inspires Ben to riff about her father--the great Norm Van Lier. Then it's on to the political business of the day. Starting with Monroe Anderson and Ben talking about the exoneration of two men who spent years in prison after being falsely convicted of the murder of Malcolm X. Then South Bend councilmen Henry Davis Jr. returns to talk about criminal justice. In particula...

Johnny Catanzara, president of the FOP, quits to run for mayor. Can't make this shit up. Also, Sam Holloway returns to talk politics from a lefty perspective. And Dave McCarver, Democratic chieftain from Lee County, explains what Dems must do to win in 2022. Hint: Don't make the same mistake you made in 2010, when you cowered. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

Writer/activist Rebecca Sive talks about women in politics, the MAGA backlash and a few bright sides to Tuesday's elections. Also, a word or two about her latest book, Make Herstory Your Story . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns to talk Jenna Ryan and the concept of internalized white privileged. Also, is the Tomahawk Chop a little too cultish? And while we're asking questions--how come entitled people in Chicago think they have the right to be entitled? And how about this? Rummana at a Bob Dylan concert? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...

Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Trump vs The Squad. That damn alligator is out of the lagoon. Election Lawyer Adolfo Mondragon gets candid. Co-Host of the Girl Talk Erika Wozniak on Trump and MORE and The South Side Political Know it Alls return to talk the news of the day, Alderman Carrie Austin and MORE! RIP--Jerry Brown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...

Ben & Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news. Including billionaire Ken “Kenny G” Griffin’s pledge to spend whatever it takes to defeat billionaire Governor Pritzker. Also, Chicago finally gets ready to build a casino. Guess who will pay for it, suckers? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Kyle Rittenhouse squeezes out a tear or two when he takes the stand. Ben riffs. Marc Sims talks Rittenhouse and crime. And Litesa Wallace--Democratic candidate for congress in the 17th district--returns to talk about her campaign. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben talks to Lenny Bruce! Ok, not really, Lenny Bruce. But Ronnie Marmo, the actor, who plays the great comedian in a one-man play that Marmo wrote called "I'm Not a Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce." Marmo talks about Lenny's impact on other comics, cancel culture, Dave Chappelle, being an Italian actor playing a Jewish comedian and a lot of other things. You can see the play--directed by Joe Mantegna-...

Kyle Rittenhouse takes the stand. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about the case against Trump and his insurrectionists. And Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party, talks politics. Specifically, what Dems should to offset MAGA's surge. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...

Political scientist David Faris returns to talk about Republican "moral panic" and how it's being used as a tool by Glenn Youngkin in his race against Terry McCauliffe for governor of Viriginia. The latest "moral panic" is critical race theory, which apparently scares otherwise moderate voters to vote MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...

Political strategist Laurie Glenn and Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks, return to talk politics. And somehow the conversation turns to a spirited discourse on the irony of powers in Chicago. In which well-connected people use their influence to get appointed by the mayor to boards where they act powerless. Of course it makes no sense--it's Chicago. Plus, much more... Se...

September 17, 2021--Ben & Dr. D have a lot to say about a week's worth of news. Especially, the attempts of politicians to fool the voters. Like a certain Republican "moderate" named Jesse Sullivan. And a certain Chicago alderman named Jim Gardiner. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben & Dr. D riff on a week's worth of news, starting with...Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Will he or won't he? Huh? You gotta listen. And the CEO of McDonald's had something to say about young victims of crime so he sent a text to Mayor Lightfoot? Huh? It seems when entitled people want to say something, they go to the top. Which is why they're entitled. Speaking of Avis LaVelle at the park dist...

Aaron Rodgers takes a page from Bill Clinton's "depends what the meaning of is is" to convince people think he'd been vaccinated, when he wasn't. Ben riffs. And Sarah Bingaman, Indivisible activist from MAGA-land, talks about what Dems have to do to win over voters in a towns where people fly signs that say "Fuck Biden". Hint--jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. Let's hope Dems are listening... See Privacy Po...

The Reader through a virtual party, featuring Kim Hunt, executive director of Pride Action Tank, Stacy Davis Gates, Alderwoman Rodriguez and Benny J. And we talked about the future of progressive politics in Chicago. Needless to say, the old guy was the most jaded of the bunch. Man, you can't take him anywhere... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...

MAGA wins in Virginia and almost in New Jersey. Democrats panic. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about what went wrong for Dems and what they have to do to change course. And legendary Chicago activist Jitu Brown makes his podcast debut to talk about community empowerment. In short, don't move right, Dems, out of fear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

MAGA takes its stand in Kenosha & Virginia, hoping to acquit Kyle Rittenhouse of murder and elect a Trumpster as governor. Dems look helpless. Ben riffs. And political strategist Andrew Ellison makes his debut to take the deep dive on congressional reapportionment. He gives Dems an A-. It might have been an A, but... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns to talk, among other things,Squid Games. Let the great debate begin. Also, was Katie Couric helping or hurting RBG by hiding her comments about Colin Kaepernick?. And, finally, what's with men and sports? How come they love the Bears so much that they ignore the World Champion Sky? Ben has another one of his infamous theories. See Privacy Policy a...

Tuesday, July 2, 2019: Trump's stupid parade. The Illinois gas and cigarette tax. Maya Dukmasova of The Chicago Reader talks last week's debates. Gardening Guru and radio host Mike Nowak talks politics and parks. Preservationist Andrew Schneider shares some Chicago history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf...