Podcast
The Ben Joravsky Show
Hosted by Ben Joravsky · EN
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.
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
State Senator Karina Villa--Cautiously Optimistic
1w ago00:49:15Tap to summarizeMaria Pappas speaks the truth about handouts to the Bears. Ben riffs. Karina Villa gives us the low down on her race for comptroller, the impact of Trump cuts on Illinois, the states’s misplaced budget priorities, the need to tax the rich and why she’s cautiously, very cautiously, optimistic about November’s midterms. Karina is the state senator from the 25th district. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Michael Rabbitt—The Vindication of The Broadview 6
1w ago01:05:21Tap to summarizeOne last riff about Paul Singer and Thomas Massie. Take it away, Ben. Michael Rabbitt tells you everything you need to know about the ordeal he and his five co-defendants faced in the Orwellian legal charade known as The Broadview 6 prosecution. They did nothing wrong other than exercise their right to protest against Operation Midway Blitz. Which is not wrong at all—exercising their rights, that is. Plenty wrong with the Blitz, of course. Michael is the Democratic committeeman of the 45th Ward in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Kevin Ryan—Unto The Breach Once More
1w ago01:14:36Tap to summarizeTrump diverts about $1.8 billion in taxpayers’s money to his cronies—just call him President Slush Fund. Ben riffs. Kevin Ryan talks about the lessons he learned from his recent Senate campaign. From there he covers everything from Hegseth in Kentucky to George Washington at Valley Forge. A shout out to Robin Kelly. A call for ranked-choice voting. A plea for a separation between church and state. A recital from Henry the Fifth. And a few words about the paradox of saying Happy Memorial Day. Kevin is the state director for Veterans For All Voters. 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.
Transcribe →Oh, What a Week—JB Slams Brandon
2w ago00:38:54Tap to summarizeBen and Dr D have all the news you need to know. The City Council stands up for rich people—again. Darren Bailey almost sorta blames Trump for rising gas prices. SDG takes on Michael Sacks and vice versa. And the “simmering feud” between Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson rises a few degrees as JB accuses Brandon of having no Bears plan. And Brandon says I’m the only one with a plan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Miles Kampf-Lassin--Mamdani The Money-Man Whisperer
2w ago00:59:59Tap to summarizeAmidst Trump’s gangster shakedown of America, a little hope from Mayor Mamdani. Ben riffs. Miles examines Trump's latest shakedowns—the $1.7 billion trust fund for January 6 insurrectionists and other kooks and crooks. And immunity for Trump and his family from IRS audits. Massie’s loss in Kentucky. And lessons Dems can learn by contrasting Biden and Trump. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →David Faris—Massie And MAGA
2w ago01:01:48Tap to summarizeAn antigay commercial by Thomas Massie lets MAGA voters know what he thinks of them. Ben riffs. David adds his thoughts. Also, Kash Patel’s payback. Basically, Trump’s moved Nixon’s plumbers out of the basement and into the front room, where everybody can see them. And, a few words about Trump’s orgy of redistricting. 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.
Transcribe →D'Frantz Smart and Natalie Frazier—Potty Mouth Pete
2w ago01:12:49Tap to summarizePCA. Cubs center fielder PCA says something nasty to a Sox fan. Ben riffs. D’Frantz and Natalie offer their views. And then they’re off on a wide ranging exchange about the WNBA. Topics include, in no particular order, Rickea Jackson’s knee injury, Angel Reese, Coach Tyler Marsh, Candace Parker, Brianna Stewart & Myles Turner & Giannis. And much more. D’Frantz is an activist and one of the greatest point guards to come out of Chicago. Natalie is a journalist and filmmaker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →State Senator Graciela Guzman—Time To Act
2w ago00:57:32Tap to summarizeGraham Platner runs as a working-class hero, and The NYT says, but his daddy’s a lawyer. Ben riffs. Graciela Guzman runs down the progressive state-wide agenda. Including fair taxes, data center controls, and no handouts to the rich, including the Bears. Graciela is the state senator from the 20th district on Chicago’s northwest side. She’s a proud progressive, and not afraid to say it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Oh, What A Week—Mayor Johnson Does Television
3w ago00:46:09Tap to summarizeBen and Dr D reveal some secrets as they race through a week’s worth of news. Chicago pitches for another Democratic convention. The Board of Ed throws away fifty-something thousand. And in honor of his third year in office, Mayor Johnson sits down with CBS newsman Chris Tye. We break down the clips. Finally, Dr D tells all about how he got through college. Oh, that Dr D.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Mick Dumke--Keeping The Faith
3w ago01:07:45Tap to summarizeGroup think is not limited to MAGA. Ben riffs. Mick talks religion. Or the Hegseth variant, a toxic blend of “faith-based” hate. As well as JD Vance cheering on Trump’s attack on Pope Leo. And more. Mick is well qualified to discuss religion and politics as he may be the only political reporter in Chicago who’s read the Torah, the New Testament and the Koran. Also, gerrymandering gone viral. Finally, on a lighter side—should Ben renew his Bulls season tickets? Mick is a writer and editor for Block Club. 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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