Best Ben Joravsky Podcasts (2025)

1
Oh, What a Week—Blackjack Pritzker 1:06:24

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1h ago1:06:24

1:06:24

Ben and Dr D confront a week’s worth of lunacy. Starting with…reporters giving grief to Mayor Johnson for spending property tax dollars on schools. Silly mayor, don’t you know that TIF money—which are property tax dollars— are for rich guys? Updates on the ICE invasion. Will any of the mayoral wannabes criticize Trump? Or will they pretend he doesn…

1
Jen Sabella—Covering The Invasion 43:07

1d ago43:07

43:07

ICE invades the Southeast Side. Ben riffs. Jen Sabella on the state of journalism in the age of Trump’s invasion of Chicago. Reporters tear gassed or shot with pellets. Officials deny what you see with your own eyes. FOIA requests ignored. Basic info withheld. In short, the Trumpers make past Chicago’s mayors—even Daley annd Rahm—look like paragons…

1
Monroe Anderson--Nobel Nuttiness 1:00:31

2d ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Trump sulks cause he didn’t get the Nobel for bringing “peace” to the Middle East. Ben riffs. Monroe reconsiders his opposition to Trump in the hopes of making big bucks like Steven A. Smith. Then decides—nah, too late for that. Also…the government shutdown, racist young Republicans, Democratic strategists, and the Bears and their stadium. Monroe i…

1
David Faris—Stages Of Autocracy 1:02:44

4d ago1:02:44

1:02:44

Trump’s prosecutorial puppet prosecutes Leticia James. Ben riffs. David Faris runs down the stages of autocracy. We’re currently in the competitive authoritarianism phase. Thanks in part to John Roberts and his Supremes. Imagine a president named, oh, Pritzker behaving like Trump. The Gaza truce. David is a professor of political science at Rooseve…

1
State Senator Graciela Guzman--Testing Ground 47:47

7d ago47:47

47:47

ICE manages to avoid Wrigley Field. Ben riffs. State senator Graciela Guzman talks about Trump’s invasion of Chicago. How Chicago is a testing ground for MAGA messaging and other interventions. Her showdown at the Broadview detention center. The crackdown on academic freedom. And more. Oh, yes—don’t call her “Sporty Spice.” Graciela represents the …

1
Marc Sims--Noam’s Right Again 1:03:15

9d ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Chomsky’s wisdom helps explain America’s illogical take on immigration and deportations. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains everything all at once. Including…why Americans are so illogical about crime, immigrants, Trump’s behavior and deportations. A shout out to Atlanta. Why are Chicagoans so unfriendly? And more. Marc is a podcaster in Chicago. See Pr…

1
Laurie Glenn—Bari Cashes In 1:02:52

10d ago1:02:52

1:02:52

Bari Weiss hits the jackpot, showing millennials how to play the game. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn contemplates the ability of people to find a justification to embrace policies and politicians they once abhorred. Also, the Democrats and their governmental shutdown strategy, or lack thereof. How about that kid in Texas? That is—State Senator James Tala…

1
Mark Whitaker—The Afterlife Of Malcolm X 59:12

12d ago59:12

59:12

The Sun-Times shows much love for Alderman Marty Quinn. Ben riffs. Mark Whitaker talks about his new book, The Afterlife of Malcolm X. Which is about what the title says—how the legacy of Malcolm X lives even 60 years after his assassination. So much to discuss so little time. Why is Malcolm as relevant today as he was when he was alive? Was the FB…

1
Monroe Anderson and Jack White 1:03:18

14d ago1:03:18

1:03:18

The New York Times fact checker bends over backwards to avoid calling Trump’s lie a lie. Ben riffs. Trump is so autocratically demented, it takes two journalistic legends to explain it all. Jack White joins Monroe to break down everything from the memorial speech to the Tylenol denunciation to the broken United Nations elevator to Kimmel’s stance. …

1
Holly Kim--Portnoy's Complaint 52:50

16d ago52:50

52:50

Dave Portnoy, who made his name being politically incorrect, says Jimmy Kimmel went too far. Ben riffs. Holly Kim explains why she’s running for state comptroller. And what she will do if she wins. Get ready for the TIF debate. Holly Kim is treasurer of Lake County, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht…

1
Kevin Lamm--State By State 56:30

17d ago56:30

56:30

Dems start to realize they have to get out of their comfort zone to take back the country. Ben riffs. Kevin Lamm explains how it can be done. What are the issues that rally red district voters? What's the lesson from Catelin Drey and Debra Shigley? How they apply to the 16th congressional district in Illinois--one of the reddest districts in the co…

1
Kat Abughazaleh--Lizard People 46:14

19d ago46:14

46:14

Joe Rogan finally weighs in on Jimmy Kimmel and free speech. Ben riffs. Kat Abughazaleh talks about getting thrown to the ground by ICE thugs. If you think it’s bad outside an ICE facility, imagine the horror of what goes on inside where it can’t be seen. How to confront fascism? Hint—don’t take bad-faith arguments in good faith. Speaking of bad-fa…

1
Oh, What a Week—Lincoln Park’s Going To The Dogs 1:07:14

21d ago1:07:14

1:07:14

Ben and Dr D have so much to discuss and so little time in which to discuss it. Starting with Brendan Reilly going a little MAGA to try to beat Toni Preckwinkle. Is a little MAGA like a little pregnant? And Chicago is going to the dogs—if Lincoln Park gets its way. And Raja wins big in Rock Island. And Juliana says she doesn’t need corporate pac mo…

1
Congresswoman Robin Kelly--Backlash To The Backlash 48:05

23d ago48:05

48:05

Have we finally, at long last, reached the beginning of the end of the MAGA craze, when America says, you know, maybe it's not a good idea to let a demented authoritarian run the country. With Trump playing the role of Senator McCarthy and Jimmy Kimmel playing the role of Edward R. Murrow? Ben riffs. Congresswoman Robin Kelly explains why she think…

1
Asha Ransby-Sporn--Kneecapping The Left 54:56

24d ago54:56

54:56

Mayor Johnson's political enemies take a poll and guess what? It discovers that nobody likes Mayor Johnson. Funny how that works. Ben riffs. Asha Ransby-Sporn makes her debut, discussing how the mayor's opponents work the press against the mayor. It doesn't hurt that the mainstream press is more than happy to go along for the ride. Get ready for lo…

1
Denali Dasgupta--Just A Mom 52:38

26d ago52:38

52:38

Breaking news! As the recording starts, word arrives that a judge has dismissed Trump's $15 billion defamation suit against the New York Times. Ben riffs. Denali takes the long view--to understand what Trump is doing as president today, you need to go back in time to the Biden years, when MAGA was preparing to seize control. So she takes the deep d…

1
Oh, What a Week—ICE’s Street Justice 54:39

28d ago54:39

54:39

The week’s news gets personal for Ben and Dr D, as you shall see. But first! A roundup of the week’s events, including Aurora and the flag, Kevin Ryan’s plea, JB in London, and then…Ice comes to Dr D’s neighborhood. And one woman’s courageous stand. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p…

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2: A box full of '90s CDs 51:41

28d ago51:41

51:41

Dennis' journey at Val's Halla Record Store continues, as he finds a box full of 90s Comedy CDs (on the ground). Chicago comedian and actor Damian Anaya joins the show AND ALSO.... Did Denis Leary rip Louis C.K.? Did Denis Leary rip Bill Hicks? And Marlon loves Larry the Cable Guy!

1
Mayor John Laesch--Raising The Flag 42:53

30d ago42:53

42:53

Turns out there are divisions in MAGA—who knew? Ben riffs. Mayor John Laesch explains what's going on in Aurora. Specifically... why he ordered flags flown at full mast after Trump ordered all flags everywhere lowered to half-mast to commemorate Charlie Kirk. Turns out Trump isn’t the absolute Boss of everything everywhere—though he thinks he is. J…

1
Kevin Ryan—This Is Impossible 59:08

1M ago59:08

59:08

Trump sues the New York Times for defamation. Ben riffs. Kevin Ryan talks about his long-shot campaign for the U.S. Senate. He’s a 33-year-old southwest side, Marine vet, public school history teacher, bartender, self described New Deal Democrat who wants to take money out of politics so billionaires don’t control the process. And what’s so wrong w…

1
David Faris—Ezra’s Burden 46:46

1M ago46:46

46:46

In the spirit of peace and reconciliation, Ben gives a shoutout to a Tribune editorial. “If Americans cannot speak without fear of being shot, then democracy is dead.” David Faris talks about Charlie Kirk’s legacy. Was he the Jordan Klepper of the right? A modern day William F Buckley? A descendent of Joe McCarthy? Is being open minded a sign of po…

1
Oh, What a Week—Teddy D Meet Scotty G 1:03:35

1M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Ben and Dr D have so much to discuss. The Sky. The Jackal’s Mistress. What movie made Dennis cry? Hint—it starts with an R but it’s not Rocky. Brendan takes on Toni. Meet Scotty G, the Antioch Republican. Not to be confused with Teddy D, the Wilmette Republican. Why DB will beat them both to win the Republican nomination to face JB. Also, could Kev…

1
Monroe Anderson--Leave 'em Laughing 1:00:06

1M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

MAGA ties itself into knots trying to dislodge Trump from Epsteingate. Ben riffs Monroe talks Epstein, Biden, Kamala and Roger Taney. Who? He’s the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who wrote the opinion that slavery is legal. Is the current Supreme Court worse? Monroe advances that argument. How For the Love of Money by the O’Jays is misunderstoo…

1
Natalie Hopkinson--The Criminal In Chief 1:01:19

1M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

The Supremes say its okay to round up people for no crime other than the crime of being Hispanic, which is no crime at all. Ben riffs. Then Natalie Hopkinson connects the dots, so to speak. How Trump manipulates our stereotypes and prejudices to scare people into cheering or at least tolerating authoritarianism. And how the media helps him, frighte…

1
Exclusive—I Find That Funny Episode 1 (aka, Dennis' new show) 39:18

1M ago39:18

39:18

Dennis decided to start collecting comedy albums and Ben was kind enough to join him to talk all about it. It’s the first episode of I Find That Funny. Stick around for Marlon—one of Dennis’s oldest friends—to make his debut. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-in…

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1: So I started collecting comedy albums | with Ben Joravsky 39:18

1M ago39:18

39:18

The great collection that nobody asked for begins at Val’s Halla Records in Oak Park, IL.

1
Meredith Shiner--Spiteful Politics 1:02:34

1M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Clever investors devise a scheme to make money off of tariffs--oh, those capitalists. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner picks up where she left off with her latest essay in The New Republic--Trump's war on cities. Especially D.C. You know, real people live in D.C. As always Dems left their most dedicated voters hanging by allowing the District to be used …

1
Oh, What a Week—Going Hard on the Guard 50:14

1M ago50:14

50:14

Ben and Dr D take on all the issues, including…The new alliance between Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker to stand up against Trump’s invasion. And the governor talks about his weight. And all the latest local updates. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
State Senator Rachel Ventura--Playing By The Rules 56:57

1M ago56:57

56:57

Boss Donnie and his baby boys make big bucks off of Crypto. Ben riffs. State Senator Rachel Ventura explains why she's recording today's show in her car--in contrast to the Trumps flaunting their disdain for ethics and propriety. Rachel offers one riff after another on AI, crypto, the need for progressive taxation, the impact of tariffs on farmers,…

1
Nick Uniejewski—Staying The Invasion 44:10

1M ago44:10

44:10

As Trump prepares to invade Chicago, a federal judge rules that the invasion of Cali was unconstitutional. Ben riffs. Nick Uniejewski makes his show debut. He’s running against Senator Sara Feigenholtz, an entrenched incumbent in a North Side district that’s not had a contested Democratic primary since—get ready for this—Ben was in high school. In …

1
Jack White--Combatting Stupid 1:00:40

2M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

After experimenting with making nice to MAGA, Gavin Newsom goes for the jugular. Ben riffs. Jack White talks fascism, Trump, racism and the military occupations. Also, a conversation about the MAGA attempt to deny the existence of the trans-Atlantic slave trade elicits this confession from Jack: "I don't know how to combat stupid." But he goes on t…

1
Oh, What a Week—Sorry, Mate 1:11:03

2M ago1:11:03

1:11:03

Ben and Dr D have a week’s worth of news to discuss. But first! Ben apologizes to Cameron Maine for calling him British. He’s Australian. Cameron explains how he turned a passion for gaming into a career covering Illinois politics for WMBD in Peoria. Then back to the beat for B and D…News on Pritzker, Trump, Alderman Sposato, Darren Bailey and more…

1
Rummana Hussain—Cheesy Jussie 44:53

2M ago44:53

44:53

Trump says he can do anything he wants--like invading Chicago. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain predicts Chicago's reaction to an invasion. Then it's all things Jussie--again. As Ben and Rummana pick up a conversation they've been having for--get ready--six years! Yes, six years of Jussie talk. The pretext this time around? A new Netflix documentary that…

1
State Rep Kam Buckner—The Hefty Lefty 1:01:00

2M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Trump makes a Daley-like power move against Intel. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner talks about Trump's threat to send the national guard to Chicago--or just about any blue state city with a Black mayor. How Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson should respond. Redistricting battles state by state. Winning statehouse seats is the key to saving democracy. Why K…

1
David Faris----The Dummymanderers 1:02:40

2M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

An article in the Nation shows how the best-and-brightest Dems screwed up 2011 redistricting so bad, we're still paying for it. Ben riffs. Then David Faris goes deeper into the topic--as he co-wrote that Nation article with David Daley. In short, everything you need to know about how the game of redistricting. Stick around for a maestro David Faris…

1
State Sen. Robert Peters--Bleeding Blue 51:02

2M ago51:02

51:02

The NYT political writers are up to their old tricks—scaring anxious liberal Boomers. Ben riffs. On the eve of his rally with Bernie Sanders, Robert Peters explains why he’s running for Congress from the Second District and what he intends to do if he wins. Why he’s proud to have co-sponsored the bill to end cash bail. On being Black and Jewish. An…

1
Monroe Anderson--Happy Slaves 1:00:14

2M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

As MAGA Republicans in the Texas statehouse threaten to jail their Democratic colleagues for opposing their newly gerrymandered map, Bill Daley calls for Illinois to essentially give more legislative districts to Republicans. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Daleys and Republicans. And Trump's demand that the Smithsonian concentrate on the good sid…

1
Mick Dumke--The Litmus Test 1:09:18

2M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

Ben returns from Michigan with good news. Sorta. Mick Dumke, lover of all things Michigan, takes the Mitten State political trivia challenge--which counties voted for Kamala over Trump? Proving...as goes Michigan, so goes the country. Can Abdul El Sayed defeat Congresswoman Haley Stevens in next year's Democratic senate primary? Think of it as Bern…

3M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Apparently, Trump's Justice Department and Ghislaine Maxwell are playing footsie--got nothing but nice things to say about each other. Ben riffs. Monroe says what he thinks they're saying without them coming right out and saying. If you dig what I mean. Get ready for Espteingate to transform into pardongate. In the middle of our recording, the Wall…