The Ben Joravsky Show

Mayor Johnson is the guest at First Tuesdays. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains what's white peoples mean when they say Black people are playing the race card. And what they mean when they say Mayors Daley and Rahm were smart but Mayors Lightfoot and Johnson are nasty and slow. A few words about Little Richard and Coach Prime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mainstream Chicago works the refs. Ben riffs. Attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk Trump crimes. Including…Trump’s claim of a two-tier system. His outlaw persona. His inside connections. And a word or two about the suggestion Trump’s too big to prosecute. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roosevelt University political science professor David Faris makes sense of the senseless. Trump’s arraignment for attempting a coup. Jack Smith’s indictment, laying it out for anyone to see. Unless they willfully close their eyes. Merrick Garland’s cautiousness. Mike Pence’s calculations. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is it that people love about Chicago? The lake? The jazz fest? The edge? Rummana Hussain examines it. Also, the Vivek Ramaswamy phenomenon as explained by Rummana, who broke his Vhicago story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Rahm wants the world to know he saw Barbie. Ben riffs. And Steve Krafft, retired Fox-news reporter from Arizona, makes his debut. He’s got the inside scoop on Kyrsten Sinema, Kari Lake (they shared a make-up mirror) and other Arizona politicians. Most pols try to win elections in purple states by moving to the middle. Arizona Republicans are trying to win by going full MAGA. Steve explains the inexplicable. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every day brings big and small examples of gun crazy. Ben riffs on a couple small examples. Then Monroe Anderson talks the rise and fall of Rudy G. Willful blindness. Why MAGA thinks Trump will win. And his love for MSNBC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired Northwestern University employee David Keown and Ben try to figure out what NU was up to with the way they handled the hazing schedule. The key is straight outta Deep Throat. Follow the money…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Maya bring First Tuesdays to the Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville to talk all things Chicago Public schools—what with the new school year about to start. Joining them are CPS high school teacher Mueze Bawany, parent activist Megan Franklin and Ling Young, chief of staff to alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, chair of city council education committee. As you all know, Maya Dukmasova is an investigative reporter for Injustice Watch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Edna Navarro-Vidaurre is on a mission—to get all the children in Chicago in school at an early age. All the kids. From every neighborhood and background. She explains why that’s so important and why it’s so challenging. Edna is the Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five Region 1A.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times Columbia Rummana Hussain calls out the double standard regarding Sinead O’Conor, who died this week. Why is it blasphemy when you’re offended, but. Hey, it’s free speech when someone else is offended? And a word or two about media coverage for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White Sox do a squeeze play. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks GOP debate, Trump indictment in Georgia, and the Trump chumping of Mayor Rudy G. Also, Dems let MAGA follow Pritzker’s Darren Bailey strategy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson tells reporters--don’t rush me! Ben riffs. In These Times writer Miles Kampf-Lassin talks MAGA insurrection, Trump indictment, MAGA’s curious take on the First Amendment and labor. A much needed view from the left.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress held a hearing on UFOs. Ben riffs. Damien Perdue, host of the radio show, Think Theory Radio, joins Ben for the deep dive. Why don’t people believe government? Maybe it’s cause government lies so much. UFOs, Baby Bobby Kennedy, TIFs and so on. Then the truth about Hispanos and Oppenheimer. First the government erased them from their land and then the movie erases their erasure. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump polls at 54 percent. Ben riffs. And CTU president Stacy Davis Gates weighs in on all the issues. Including…Mayors Johnson and Rahm’s sorta BFF moment. The principal’s union. Rubber stamp school boards. Ben’s back-to-the 90s shirt. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gordon Mantler just wrote a book about Mayor Harold Washington and Ben can’t stop talking about it. Every logical person agrees that Washington is the greatest mayor Chicago ever had. But why? What obstacles did he have to overcome? What lessons can Mayor Johnson learn from Washington? How did President Obama try not to emulate Washington? Gordon is a professor of writing and history at George Washington University. The name of his book is The Multiracial Promise.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roosevelt University professor David Faris considers the question of the week…What’s more pathetic, CNN’s attempt to boost ratings by giving Trump an hour of prime time, or CNN’s attempt to convince us they did it for a larger public good? Also, a plea to Biden to invoke the 14th on debt ceiling. And the lies of George Santos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Attorney Adolfo Mondragon joins Ben to riff on the news of the week. So naturally they begin by talking about Jackie Brown, a movie that came out in the 90s. Then it’s on to Chicago’s search for a police chief, affirmative action, racism in sports and Benno Schmidt.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Theresa Runstedtler, a history professor at American University, talks about her latest book, Black Ball. It’s the story of basketball in the ‘70s, when it was transformed by Black players, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Oscar Robertson. Kermit Washington. Every step of the way, the NBA owners fought against allowing players to have more power, freedom and money. Nothing came easy. Nothing ever does…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben has got Oppenheimer fever. He can’t stop talking about the man and the movie and what it all means. Block Club reporter Mick Dumke returns to talk CHA and the billionaire. Mayor Johnson and Mayor Rahm—BFF? Harry Truman. Oppenheimer. And the NU hazing scandal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over 30 years ago, Sun-Times sports columnist Rick Telander wrote The Hundred Yard Lie, an expose of corruption and exploitation in college football. Well, with the recent hazing and racism scandal involving the football team at Northwestern University, he could add another chapter to his book. Ben and Rick run through the scandal in all of its sleaziness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Montgomery brawl has political implications. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Montgomery, Fani Willis, Cheseboro memo, Ohio referendum and the latest lunacy from MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago gets ready to hire a police superintendent. Ben riffs. Newly elected fifth ward Alderman Desmon Yancy talks development. Specifically, what can be done to give ordinary South Shore residents the same sort of protections that billionaires get from the free market. Also, a word or two about the Kenwood connection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson ousts the old school board and names a new one. Ben riffs. And on the eve of his participation in the World Series of Poker, Brendan Shiller returns to talk politics and a whole bunch of other things. Including…imposter syndrome, the MAGA 6, and Mayor Johnson’s long game. Can the new mayor undo all the damage caused by his predecessors? Is poker a metaphor for politics? How Mayor Daley spent ten years before he got down to the business of selling off the city. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a week’s worth of news so let’s talk about it with mark Wallace, podcaster and activist. Starting with…Ben cuts a deal with Mayor johnson. Say what? And Trump gets arraigned. And DeSantis rewrites the history of slavery. And it’s Lolla versus MJ. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Northwestern University fires its football coach after details of the team's hazing scandal publicized. Ben riffs. Environmental justice activist Oscar Sanchez talks about running for alderman, serving on Mayor Johnson’s transition team and the cost of water. Then he says a thing or two about building a Bear's stadium on the south side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You know what we’re talking about. Trump indicted—again! Monroe and Ben take it from A to Z.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Candis Castillo, political director of SEIU Healthcare, hadn’t been on for awhile. But she makes up for lost time talking about police, asylum seekers, affirmative action, the MAGA 6, the difference between Republicans and Democrats and more. Welcome back, Candis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roosevelt University political science professor David Faris breaks down the political ramifications of the latest rulings from the MAGA Six on the Supreme Court. Apparently it’s discriminatory for universities to want a diverse student body. But it’s ok to discriminate against gays. How out of touch are the justices with America? The answer to that question could determine the outcome of the 2024 elections. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Music writer Mark Guarino explains the roots of Jason Aldean’s controversial song, Try That In A Small Town. Does Aldean really hate Black people or is he pretending to in order to sell records and make more money? How is the song different than Merle Haggard’s Okie from Muskogee? And more. Mark knows as much or more about country music as anyone in Chicago as he just wrote a book called Country and Midwestern:: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago’s favorite gambler Brendan Shiller joins Ben to discuss a week’s worth of news. Including… Public education. Will north siders go to venues south of Roosevelt Road? UFOs. How to discern truth from lies. Should Mayor Johnson have said nice things about Mayor Rahm? Should the city raise the minimum wage for restaurant workers? And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sergio Vicente, host of the Fight podcast, analyzes the weird bravado coming from Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. They say they want to get into the ring and fight. What insecurities gnaw at the psyche of these billionaires that makes them want to such ridiculous talk trash? What doubts are they trying to cover up? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marie Collins l-Wright is an activist and longtime resident of the Southside and she’s got a big question for the Chicago Bears. Why don’t they build their stadium at 83rd and Lake Michigan. On the 400 or so acres of what used to be the South Works steel mill. Better yet, why won’t the powers that be in this city clean up the site? It’s only been in need of remediation for roughly 50 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Biden announces memorial to Emmett Till as MAGA attempts to rewrite the history of slavery, Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks about the legacy of Till. And John Johnson. And Ebony . And Jet. And a trip he made to Mississippi with Curtis Mayfield in 1973. And then it’s on to Hunter Biden, Kevin McCarthy and the latest on Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tribune City Hall reporter Gregory Pratt just finished his biography of the Mayor Lightfoot years and it’s a classic. Everything you want to know about Lightfoot but were afraid to ask. Listen here, if you want to know. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bas Hendra, host of Historical Homos, joins Ben to discuss the week that was. Including…insanity from MAGA Supremes. As Alito and Thomas see it, Helping Black people is bad, discriminating against gays is good. Also, a word about billionaires and the submersible. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teenagers party in Lakeview—Chicago loses its mind. Ben riffs. And political strategist Denali Dasgupta returns! Talking affirmative action, Supreme Court ruling against Harvard, Chicago’s attitude toward segregation, how Rocky feeds racial concepts and much more. That’s Rocky, the movie. As opposed to the squirrel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Terry Cosgrove makes his first visit to the show since retiring from Personal PAC, the reproductive rights organization. And, man, does he have a lot to say. Starting with...Ohio. The August referendum is a proxy fight for a bigger battle in November which is itself a proxy for 2024. You snooze, you lose Democrats. Cause MAGA is not playing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roosevelt University political science professor compares and contrasts three of the leading political lunatics of our time: Robert Kennedy Jr, Joe Manchin and, of course, Donald Trump. Each has his own distinct brand. The first two are essentially enablers for the third. And it all could have been avoided had Mitch McConnell not—well, let David tell the story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Community organizer Dixon Romeo joins Ben for a week’s worth of news. Including…the city council’s conservative caucus. Is there one? The Obama Center community benefits agreement. Will it be adopted? The latest MAGA editorial in the Tribune. Does anyone read this drivel besides Ben? Northwestern hazing scandal? How can smart people be so dumb? And what’s it gonna be—Barbie or Oppenheimer? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Canadian forest fires fill Chicago’s air with smoke. Will the mainstreamers figure out a way to blame this on Mayor Johnson? Ben riffs. Lefty firefighter Sam Holloway talks pensions, Greyhound station, capitalism, property taxes, Bears and more. Way more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson shows some love for democracy. Ben riffs. Criminal defense attorney April Preyar talks about the No-cash—bail law. It has, she says, some flaws that its boosters overlooked. And April uses a murder “confession” in Waukegan to explain why her motto is “shut up, lawyer up”.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Executive director of Rust Belt Rising, Paul Kendrick knows a thing or two about Democrats winning elections in the key Midwest states—Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. And let’s not forgot Pennsylvania. He breaks it down, including the distinction between persuadable and unreliable voters. Also, a word or two about Nine Days, a book he and his father, Stephen Kendrick, wrote about MLK and JFK.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Northwestern football scandal keeps getting worse. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson ties it together—it’s the Age of Cynicism. Plus, Trump updates. As Jack Smith prepares to indict Trump for his role in the insurrection. At some point, Trump may be on trial in four states at once. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aundra Thompson has been a bus driver for the CTA for years. So it might be a good idea to listen to what he says should be done to make the service safer and bring back more riders. Here’s a starter—bring back the train conductors. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The experts dismiss the old South Chicago steel mill site as suitable for a new Bears stadium. Ben riffs. And political strategist Delmarie Cobb makes the case for a stadium to go there. She asks the question—why do the powers that be have such disdain for the south side? Then it’s on to Trump and Biden. Why does MAGA overlook Trump’s dementia and focus on Biden’s? And more…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 asks the question—why are so many men behaving so badly? From football players and coaches to movie stars and producers. Perhaps cause they usually get away with it. And why do so many people pretend that bullying doesn’t bother them?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everyone in Chicago bemoans the fact that things are political. Like politics is a dirty word. Ben riffs. And political strategist Peter Cunningham talks—what else?—politics. Including police, police chiefs, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Attorney Jim Coogan breaks down the federal classified documents case against Trump from top to bottom. The charges. The venue. The motive. The judge. The co-defendant. And the strategy, on both sides. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Northwestern takes a page from Jaws to deflect attention from their hazing, weirdly racist football program. Ben riffs, eventually. Monroe Anderson talks about the latest Clarence Tomas scandal, NU football, “affirmative action” doctors and Trump’s tactics. Stick around to hear Joyce Owens make her debut—“they should have gone to Howard”.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Darren Bailey battles Mike Bost for Trump’s blessings. Ben riffs. South Bend council member Henry Davis Jr returns to talk about his recent run for mayor. How Dems take Black people for granted. How Trump feeds nihilism to Black voters. And why it’s crazy to give handouts to sports teams, owned by “capitalists” who believe in socialism for themselves. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.