The Ben Joravsky Show

A classic blast from the past. What happens when Willie Wilson (a Trump voter) unexpectedly shows up, when Troy LaRaviere (a Bernie voter) is in the studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The city of Chicago has decided it's a good idea to take a scrap iron facility that no one wants on the wealthy north side and move it to the working class south side, where no one wants it either. Andrew talks the politics of zoning and development in Chicago--where money usually does the talking. Also, the city hides the Columbus statues while it figures out what to do with them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Lopez talks about his contentious relationship with Mayor Lightfoot. As he and Ben try to figure out what the agree on.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Political-Know-It-Alls talk about great conventions from the past and predict what to expect from this year's Democratic Convention. Ben weighs in with stories of his favorite conventions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Criminal defense lawyer April Preyar explains the basics of what to do and not do when you're arrested. Hint--shut up!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Podcast superstars Murri & Heidi--co-hosts of The Heartland Mamas--talk about what Biden has to do to win over swing voters in their Trump loving home towns. Also, a different take on Michael Madigan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a day when a gutsy reporter accuses Trump to his face of lying, the president finally tells one truth--trying to beat Biden by sabotaging the post office. The most deafening sound in America is the silence of cowardly Republicans too afraid of Trump to speak out. Rumman Hussain explains the significance of Kamala Harris and how Trump will exploit prejudice against her.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's actually a MAGA loving sheriff in Florida who is banning his troopers from wearing face masks. What happened to the rights of people to make up their own minds? Republicans hide under the table rather than speak out. Miles talks about being a Bernie delegate at this year's virtual convention.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buchanan & Seaton's own David Seaton joins us to talk Kamala Harris, Black Lives Matter, religion, Trump's racism, William Jefferson Clinton--and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben waves the flag for Kamala. Trump tries to have it two ways with Biden/Harris. Political strategist Delmarie Cobb talks about the all-important Black women vote. And Monroe Anderson weighs in with more Trump talk. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was an apocalyptic last few days what with looting on the Gold Coast followed by a wind storm as Chicago struggles to make sense of its racist past. Also, Mayor Lightfoot plays passive aggressive with Kim Foxx. And Maya on TV news coverage of the looting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pro Publica investigative reporter Mick Dumke returns to talk about whether "law-and-order" crackdowns have been effective in stopping crime in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Smyser-Deleon, host of the Paseo Podcast, breaks down what's at stake with the Goya boycott and other issues of the day.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defense attorney and writer Leonard Goodman returns to discuss the Jeffrey Epstein Case in the aftermath of Ghislaine Maxwell’s arrest. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who's luckier: Biden or Trump? On one hand, Biden's opponent is the worst president ever. On the other hand, Trump can "win" even if he loses--thanks to the Electoral College. Also, Ben on TIFs. And Rummana weighs in on everything from Biden to Trump to Kanye West.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bernie Sanders proposes to tax billionaires to pay for health care as Donald Trump angles to get Kanye West on the ballot in Wisconsin. Ben connects the two. Also, the latest on TIFs. Former Arkansas state rep. Eddie Armstrong talks about his latest venture--the Cannabis Capital Group. And then he talks about Senator Tom Cotton's transformation into a Trumpster.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Allen Lichtman--the man best known for predicting Trump would beat Hillary--weighs in on whether Trump will win again. And Ben weighs in on that. Also, Monroe Anderson returns to talk about Trump's double standard on voting by mail.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yes. Trump is crazy. As his Axios interview demonstrates. Governor Pritzker's Monday mask press briefing in review. WVON Host Atiba Buchanan talks the latest Axios Trump interviewSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laurie Glenn, political strategist, and Juanita Irizarry, director of Friends of the Parks, return to discuss everything from policing to Biden to whether they're sick and tired of Bill Clinton. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pharmacist Joseph Friedman joins Ben and Lisa Solomon to explain, among other things, the superiority of cannabis to opioids.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Freelance journalist Jonathan Ballew talks about covering street demonstrations in Chicago over the last few months, including the Memorial Weekend unrest and the take-down of the Columbus statue.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben looks at the parallels between Donald Trump and Speaker Madigan. Madigan announces he WILL NOT resign. State Rep Kelly Cassidy joins us. It's another Rummana Rundown with Chicago Sun-Times Editor Rummana Hussain See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben talks about Trump’s suggestion to delay the election. More on Madigangate. And El Dragon talks about Trump and Goya.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happened during the July 22nd Chicago City Council meeting? Hear the audio and find out from Inside Chicago Government's David Glowacz.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben talks Kanye West's and Willie Wilson's petition challenges. The details on JB Pritzker's COVID-19 press briefing. Mayor Lightfoot's conference on the census and the Chicago travelers quarantine. Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson talks Trump, Trump, William Barr & Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon Schleuss, president of the NewsGuild-CWA, talks about the Save the News Campaign, the future of journalism, and organizing efforts at news outlets across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben shares his thoughts on a certain Tribune column by a certain Tribune columnist. Pritzker gives his humble opinion on when we'll go back to normal. Madigan-Gate lives on. More updates on the Columbus statues. Director of the Black Harvest Film Festival Sergio Mims gives us his latest VP pick and more...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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Political science professor David Faris returns to talk about the leftward drift of Millennials and the impact it will have on a clueless Republican Party. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In These Times writer Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk about Trump's curious attitude toward law-and-order--it's law-and-order for everyone but Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben riffs on the release of Michael Cohen. The Columbus statues have been removed and the listeners weigh in. Alderman Raymond Lopez (15th) gives us his thoughts on Mayor Lightfoot, Trump, statue-gate! and more. It's another Rummana Rundown with Sun-Times Editor Rummana HussainSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Politically Correct Thursday" & Union Man Ed MaherSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miles Porter previews the upcoming baseball season. And Vincent Norment talks basketball, cannabis and the retaliation culture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More talk on Madigan-Gate! Governor Pritzker's press briefing in review and legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson talks Trump, Trump, Trump and John LewisSee 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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Are Trump's troops really coming to Chicago? Dennis is back from downstate and ready to talk ALL THINGS Mike Madigan and COMED and our Chicago Reader colleague Maya Dukmasova joins us to talk her latest piece on the conviction of Charlie Green in 1985https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/charles-green-police-misconduct-records/Content?oid=81510322See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben is joined by Salim Muwakkil, senior editor at "In These Times" and host of "The Salim Muwakkil Show" on WVON-AM, to deep dive Trump's list of "American Heroes" he wants included in his executive ordered garden.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPA researcher and local activist Loreen Targos joins Benny J for a bonus interview to discuss the local and national effects of heading back to a formal office as well as comparing Biden and Trump's climate stances heading into the 2020 election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Benny J is joined by Evan Brandt, the Pottstown, PA reporter for "The Mercury" featured in the New York Times article by Dan Barry. Together they discuss Alden Global Capital and what the hedge fund has done to Brandt's colleagues and hi long time employer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Benny J is forced to throw out the rundown as feds file a criminal case against ComEd, implicating Mike Madigan. And Rummana Hussain weighs in on Lightfoot's "Karen" controversy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill Stepien graduates from Bridgegate to [Insert Future Donaldgate Here] as Trump taps him as his latest campaign manager. Later Ben is joined by SEIU HCIIMK President Greg Kelley to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and the state of the union in Chicago’s backyard. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ace Attorney Jim Coogan is back to talk Trump's commutation of Roger Stone and Justice Neil Gorsuch's decision on Native American land in Oklahoma.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben discusses his weekend on a Wednesday and Monroe Anderson returns to talk the Supreme Court and Trump's chances in the fall.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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Podcast host Sameena Mustafa talks about white supremacy & the left.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Politico reporter Meredith Shiner analyzes the recent Supreme Court rulings and several upcoming senate races.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jacobin writer, Micah Uetricht talks about policing, Bernie and his chance encounter with Mayor Lightfoot.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben points out the contrasting ways our criminal justice system treats Trump and Michael Cohen. And Rummana Hussain weighs in on Tammy Duckworth, Harper’s magazine and Trump’s Mt. Rushmore speech.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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Radio personality Maze Jackson on what happened to him at WVON, Mayor Lightfoot, Bruce Rauner and other things.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.