Presented by the Chicago Reader, hear senior writer Ben Joravsky discuss the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty. Tune in to LIVE episodes streaming Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-3 p.m. at chicagoreader.com/joravsky or on the Reader's YouTube channel—or catch up with episodes anytime. Podcast-only episodes are also released throughout the week. Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.
The Ben Joravsky Show podcast is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a mix of politics, humor, and local news. Hosted by seasoned Chicago print journalist Ben Joravsky and the entertaining Dr. D., this show brings laughter and energy to the listeners while also keeping them informed about important political issues. The chemistry between Ben and Dennis is exceptional, creating an enjoyable and engaging listening experience that makes it a highlight of the day.
One of the best aspects of The Ben Joravsky Show is the on-air chemistry between Ben and Dennis. Their banter and camaraderie bring a sense of fun to the show, making it highly entertaining to listen to. It's clear that they have a genuine friendship, which translates well on air and creates an inviting atmosphere for listeners. Additionally, Ben's interviews are top-notch, often featuring insightful guests who provide valuable perspectives on various topics. Whether discussing local politics or national news, these interviews offer in-depth discussions that keep listeners engaged.
Another standout aspect of this podcast is Ben Joravsky's extensive knowledge of Chicago politics. As a seasoned journalist, he has a deep understanding of the workings of the city's political landscape and isn't afraid to ask tough questions or challenge politicians' statements. This dedication to holding elected officials accountable adds depth and credibility to the show. Furthermore, Ben's expertise in topics such as TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) allows him to shed light on important economic issues that affect the community.
While The Ben Joravsky Show has many strengths, one potential downside is its localized focus on Chicago politics. Although this aspect may not be appealing to listeners outside of Chicago or those with little interest in local politics, it does provide valuable information for those within the area or those wanting to stay informed about city-specific issues.
In conclusion, The Ben Joravsky Show podcast stands out as an excellent source of informative political discussions, infused with humor and hosted by knowledgeable individuals. Ben Joravsky's skills as a journalist transfer seamlessly to radio, and his partnership with Dr. D. creates an entertaining dynamic that keeps listeners engaged. The show's emphasis on Chicago politics may limit its appeal to a broader audience but delivers valuable insights for those interested in local news. Overall, this podcast is a gem for anyone looking to stay informed while being entertained.
Looks like MAGA's still making it up as they roll along, as they accuse jack Smith of perjury. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain catches us up on everything. Including Trump, El Sayed, Mayor Rahm, and Mamdani. Ben admits Rummana was right. Rummana is a columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Twenty-nine aldermen take a stand against themselves. Say what? Ben riffs. Sarah Tang explains “categorical exclusion”—a policy weaponized by Trump to allow developers to do what they want without oversight. In this case, moving a railroad maintenance facility to Bridgeport, so a billionaire can build a new Sox stadium in the vacated land. Sarah is director for programs for the Coalition for a Better Chinese-American Community.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bridgeport residents are refreshingly unafraid to say what they think about the proposal to replace Sox Park with a railroad maintenance facility. Ben riffs. Miles takes the deep dive on the high-tech fascists who want to end democracy and replace us with robots. Also, the difference between Trump and Vance. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times. Do yourself a favor and read his latest essay—Tech Authoritarian Doomsayers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Forty percent of voters still trust Trump on the economy even though the man's clearly lost his mind. Ben riffs. Miranda Spivack makes her debut! A decorated investigative journalist, she talks about the secrets the government keeps from you about things they should be telling you. Like…chemicals in the drinking water. It's government by NDA. It's all in her latest book—Backroom Deals In Our Backyards. Which you should buy or check out of the library.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One of the more obscure mayoral candidates concocts a clever idea to win—bump Alexi G off the ballot for running for two offices at once. Ben riffs. The great guitar player Mike Allemana returns to talk jazz! He takes the Allemana Challenge. In this case, involving Charles Earland, Miles Davis and Aretha Franklin. Will Ben stump him again? Mike will be playing with Chico Freeman at the Jazz Showcase, Oct 1-4.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Anthropic warns the world that their product may destroy civilization as we know it—while racing to raise the billions needed for their I.P.O. Ben riffs. Daniel Biss takes us from A to Z on AI. Much of which is frightening. Also, what government can do about it, even when the president declares our concerns are a hoax. Daniel is the mayor of Evanston and the Democratic candidate for congress in the 9th district. The election is in November. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Want to know how much white northwest siders hate Mayor Johnson—just read one alderwoman's campaign flyer. Ben riffs. Denali returns, talking trauma. How she survived a plane hijacking. Living through 9/11. The myth of 9/11 versus the reality. And the trauma of Furious. Why there's an important distinction between the vigilantism of Furious and Dirty Harry. Denali is a researcher and former aldermanic candidate.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 welcome Atlanta and Phoenix to the fold. What's up, Dominique & Tom Chambers! Then it's down to business. As they plunge into a week's worth of news. Including…Trump endorses DB. DB says—Donny who? To which JB says—“Donny Trump, DB. You know, the hugely unpopular president you adore. Don't act like you don't know him.” Also, Mayor Johnson announces—finally. 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 confronts, sorta, a grumpy old, white guy at the Jazz Festival. Oh, Chicago, why must you be the way you are? Meet Debby Pope, candidate for school board in district 2B on the north side. Think Bernie Sanders running for school board. Hear about her journey from Erasmus High School—in Brooklyn—to Chicago, where she was a public school teacher for many years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the category of—wow, that's some really serious passive aggressive behavior, Congressman Bost blows Darren Bailey's cover. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Nicole Lee tells you everything you need to know about the monstrosity of a proposal that would put a rail yard in Bridgeport and build a new Sox stadium in the west loop. One of the dumbest ideas since the parking meter deal. Speaking of which—Nicole explains the latest on that front. Nicole is the alderwoman of the 11th Ward, where the current Sox Park is located. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Hulu show Furious is Dirty Harry for liberal millennials. Ben riffs. David talks Furious, oligarchs, AI, MAGA's midterm convention, Trump's ongoing insanity, and the state of John Fetterman. Also, Trump's latest promise to give us money. 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.
With another Bears season upon us, Ben makes a pledge—if the Bears move to Indiana, he will call them the Hammond Bears. Forever and a day. Tim Shaer talks Bears and brings Ben back to earth—they ‘re aren't moving to Hammond, people. But first, they get sidetracked on a tangent about Jerry Krause. Yes, two Boomers talking ancient sports history. Stick around for the great White Sox stadium debate. Tom is a former NBC sports anchor and host on The Score. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mayor Mamdani has a unique strategy for dealing with the legacy media—he bypasses them. Ben riffs. Hilario Dominguez makes his debut, explaining why he's running for school board president and his position on everything from school closings to school lunches to TIFs and dealing with powerful mayors. Hilario is a former special ed teacher, CTU political director and proud graduate of Whitney Young High School. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Untold billions in dark money is funding MAGA efforts to hold on to the Senate. Ben riffs. Jessica Biggs makes her debut. Talking about her candidacy for school board president. How she was punished by Mayor Rahm's school flunkies for daring to speak out for clean schools. And the need to be independent of the mayor—even an all powerful one like Daley or Rahm—on TIFs. Also, a few words about charters, magnets and neighborhood schools. Jessica is currently on the Chicago school board.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Caleb & Caleb & PCA, it's magic time in Chicago sports. Unrivaled since, dare I say, 1984. Ben riffs. Miles Porter takes the deep dive on the Cubs and Sox as they head into the final days of the regular season. The good news is they're doing better than anyone expected. The bad news is—well, let's not think about the bad news. Miles co-hosts the baseball podcast, Blue Line Radio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One week before Mayor Johnson announced he's running, Ben's source tells him he's running. Yes, Ben has a source. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims explains all. Including…why so many white people just can't bring themselves to vote for Mayor Johnson. And what Abdul El-Sayad needs to do to win the Black vote. And what is the Democratic Establishment. And why do fools fall in love. Ok, maybe he has no answer for that. Marc hosts the podcast Just A Few Questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ben and Dr D have all the news, including…Charles Barkley tells the truth about Democrats. Capitalists love socialism. JB's epic bus ride. And Mayor Johnson announces he'll make an announcement—next week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When it comes to Mayor Johnson, falling crime doesn't appear to matter to white liberals. Ben riffs. Monroe adds his two cents. From there they talk Hoosier Republicans and Hammond Bears and who's to blame for no power in Gary. Also, the great debate on Jewish and Black MAGA. Finally, Monroe's fearless predictions on Democratic victories in Florida, Texas and Kansas. Yes, Kansas. Talk about being out on a shaky limb.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Vance throws a hissy fit over Abdul El-Sayed. Ben riffs. Dr Thaer Ahmad returns to talk about, among other things, the documentary, American Doctor. It tells the story of three courageous U. S. doctors who go to Gaza to treat the wounded. One is Thaer—now the Israelis won't let him return. The conversation turns to politics. So much has changed in American attitudes toward Israel and Palestine in the last three years. And, sadly, so much is the same for the Palestinians. Thaer is an emergency room doctor in the Chicago area. 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.
At age 70, having made more money than he can even count, Bill Gates decides to take a stand against unbridled capitalism. Ben riffs. Maggie Wunderly explains what Democrats have to do to win in purplish suburban districts. Also, vote blue no matter who should be a two-way street. Maggie is a co-founder of Illinois Progressives, who are holding a fundraiser on September 13 in Aurora.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Another day, another scandal in Trump land. Ben riffs. David Faris catches us up on the latest political news. Including a riff or two on “reactionary Centrists” in the Democratic Party. Who are convinced that the only way to win back Congress is to abandon all principles. Also, a few words on polls and the senate elections. 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.
NBC 5 asks Mayor Brandon Johnson if he plans to run for re-election. His response was…interesting. Plus! Ben and Dr D talk about the 2026 Illinois State Fair. And Alexis G's movie double. And JB's latest commercial. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Meta dips into petty cash to get rid of a nasty legal headache. Ben riffs. Mike Allemana tells you everything you need to know about this year's Chicago Jazz Fest. Get ready for riffs on George Freeman, Ahmad Jamal, Cannonball Adderley, Robert Glasper, Paquito D'Rivera, Robert Irving, Miles Davis, Darryl Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The political news out of Michigan is promising—at least at one man's house. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham returns! Finally. And he's got a lot to say about the Democratic message in the stretch run to November. On everything from abortion to guns to climate change to Israel and so forth. Peter is a political strategist who worked for Mayor Daley and President Obama. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
So many lessons to be learned from Francesca Hong's Thanksgiving Tweet. Ben riffs. Rachel Hinton returns with the latest on the book backup at the Chicago Public Library. What does it say about Chicago that its leaders won't adequately fund the public libraries? Also, mayor race updates. And a few words about Pope Hat night at Sox Park. Rachel is an investigative reporter at Block Club.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Plus - Ben talks Wisconsin's (moderate) democratic gubernatorial candidate; The latest claims involving Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. Willie Wilson also running for mayor. And much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dems rejoice over David Crowley's win in yesterday's Democratic primary. Ben riffs. Kelly Cassidy on Speaker Welch, Harry Benton, Michael Madigan and sexual harassment in the General Assembly. Somethings never change. Also, a few words about data centers. And Kelly updates Ben's Helen Shiller Theory about Chicago politics. Kelly represents the 14th district on the north side.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
MAGA has fallen head over heels in love with Sophie Cunningham and apparently Sophie Cunningham has decided to return the favor. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks Trump “Justice.” Jeanine Pirro bails on the reflecting-pool case. Todd Blanche's confirmation as AG. And the prosecution of a cop in California for secretly recording the racist conversations of his fellow officers. Jim is managing partner Coogan Gallagher. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Centrist Democrats pledge to defeat Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed—hey, Dems, what happened to vote blue no matter who? Ben riffs. Miles adds his thoughts—many centrists would rather defeat progressives than defeat Trump. So much for the resistance. A few words about congressional candidate Will Lawrence. Finally, Ben and Miles are overjoyed by the prospects of Chicago's other Caleb—Wilson of the Bulls. 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.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks the truth about Trump's nonstop racism. Ben riffs. Gave Wilkins & Torrence Stagger, podcasters extraordinaire, talk LeBron, Bulls, Kwai, Ballmer and other issues of the NBA. Ben says Caleb Wilson reminds him of another Bulls rookie from 1984. The others say—hmm? Gave and Torrence co-host The New Twenty Four, aka TNTF. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lefties win big in Michigan's Democratic primaries. Ben tries not to gloat. Laurie Glenn tells Dems what's wrong with their party. Also, what's wrong with bullies in the workplace. Why guys who think they're big power players aren't so big after all. And the difference between diverting from or reframing a question. Laurie is CEO of Thinkinc, a communications and political strategy operation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It must be election time—lefties are suddenly discovering the Black vote. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb talks Michigan Democratic primary. And Alexi G's explanation for why he's running for two offices at once. And she makes another pitch for a south side Bears stadium and third airport. Delmarie is a political strategist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Data center lovers scoff at NIMBY to justify putting one in somebody else's backyard. Ben riffs. Grey Lucas goes A to Z on the Quantum Center that the state's building on the old steel yard at 87th and the lake. Starting with…what is a quantum center? Why put it there as opposed to anywhere else in the universe? Will it bring with it a data center? And more. Grey is an investigative reporter whose work on the quantum center is in the Chicago Reader.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chicago mayoral hopefuls begin gathering petitions; Mayor Rahm has words for Mayor Mamdani; Is Alexi running, and more See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dr. Fauci decides it's a good idea not to answer Rand Paul's questions about COVID. Ben riffs Monroe and Jack cover all the issues. Including Fauci, Paul, Trump's war in Iran, White House journalists dinner, Johnny Cochran and The Odyssey. Monroe is—well, everyone knows Monroe. Jack was a writer and editor for Time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
NYT reporters call Trump's election-theft conspiracies what they are—tenacious lies Ben riffs. Robert Vargas separates truth from fiction in the matter of crime. If crime in Chicago has gone down during Mayor Johnson's tenure, why do so many people think it's gone up? Ben says it's cause Chicagoans have been brainwashed. Robert says it's more nuanced than that. Robert is a sociology professor at the University of Chicago. 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.
Eric Zorn sets Ben straight on Alexi Gin-OO-lee-us. Ben riffs. Meet Cliff Johnson, Democratic candidate for the first congressional district in Mississippi. He explains why Mississippi is inching toward being Democrat. So it's closer to Georgia than Tennessee, politically speaking. A few words about John Grisham, Oprah and Elvis and where they come from. Cliff is a longtime civil rights lawyer and director of the MacArthur Justice Center in Mississippi. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A “moderate” beats a “centrist” in Arizona—clearly, Dems have identity issues. Ben riffs. And Governor Pritzker returns. Talking everything from his re-election campaign to his presidential ambitions to his views on Israel to Trump's war on Blue States. You can't cave, you have to fight. A few words about the Bears stadium and data centers and more. Governor Pritzker is, of course, the governor of Illinois. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
No sooner does the World Cup end, then they're scheming to make even more money at the next one. Serena returns to summarize the highs and lows of the tournament. Among the lows—anything that has to do with Trump or Infantino. Among the highs—Mexico's game against England. Also, the Balogun red card scandal explained. Intent does not matter, America. Serena is a student of the game. See you next year, Serena, for the women's World Cup.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Always broke schools lay off 760 or so teachers as aldermen whine about not giving enough property tax handoffs to rich people. Ben riffs. Marj Halpern tells you what you need to know about plans to develop the south loop. Including…the Chicago Fire soccer stadium, a possible new stadium for the White Sox and, say what for existing Sox Park? Bottom line—could be another parking meter deal in the making. Marj is co-founder of One Community Near South and a longtime writer and political strategist in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Michael Cohen and Trump break up to make up—again. Ben riffs. David figures out where Cohen—and Lindsey Graham—fit in the pantheon of fools who flock to Trump. Selling their souls for what? Money? Power? Access? A pat on the head from the boss? Updates on Trump's war in Iran. And the congressional vote on funding Israel. “The party is dedicated to a policy its base despises.” 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.
Amidst the local news, Ben & Dr D offer a few words about Trump's latest lunacy—his prime time televised oration about election fraud, a problem he made up. Alexi G sorta announces his campaign for mayor by releasing commercial promoting his re-election campaign for Secretary of State. Say what? Also, should a background in corporate America qualify someone to be mayor? And more Caleb Wilson updates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The late great editorial cartoonist Pat Oliphant had an interesting aversion to politicians. Ben riffs. Dylan returns just one day after he testified before the senate on waste and fraud in the Trump administration. All those inside deals and conflicts of interest that helped Trump make over $2 billion last year. His crypto deals and his hotel deals and his coin-meme deals and so on. Is Trump accurate when he says, “no one cares”? Also, the performative antics of senate hearings. Dylan is acting VP of policy and government for POGO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The late Senator Lindsey Graham would have fit right in as a Chicago alderman. Ben riffs. Denali adds her thoughts on parking meters, privatization scams, TIFs, handouts to the rich, and the DSA. Denali is an independent researcher and political activist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Graham Platner steps down, allowing Dems in Maine to select another candidate to run against Senator Susan Collins. Ben riffs. Joanna Klonsky explains what Platner's rise and fall says about the Democratic Party's effort to break from centrists and find “real” people, who aren't spineless, to run for office. How vetting works, or in this case, doesn't work. The obsession with convincing white males to vote Democratic, though they've been voting Republican since LBJ signed the Civil Rights Bill. And a few words about Platner's enablers, who kept on spinning, even after he was accused of rape. Joanna is a political strategist in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ben and Dr D catch up on what's going on. Alderman Marty Quinn—aka, Madigan's guy—says take this job and shove it. Mike Quigley says—I wanna be mayor! And noticeably absent from the growing list of announced mayoral candidates are the guys most likely to wind up in the runoff, if they do run—Mayor Johnson and Alexi G.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump's Supreme Court soldiers do their MAGA thing. Ben riffs. Paul Nolley returns to talk about his campaign for Congress in the 16th district. He's a Democrat and it's a R +11 district, but he sees an upset victory in plain sight. Why? Cause the issues are on his side. Starting with health care. His opponent—incumbent Darin LaHood—is so nervous he agreed to debate. Usually, MAGA candidates in red districts try to coast in on Donnie's coattails.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Why do hyphenated Americans—Mexican, Italian, Irish, Polish. Greek, you name it—root for the country on the left side of that hyphen? Ben riffs. Adolfo elaborates. And that leads them to the Supremes coming close—too close—to erasing the 14 amendment. So much for being textualists. Next thing you know, Ben & Adolfo are breaking down the meaning of Country Road. You know—“almost heaven, West Virginia…” Which US fans sing at soccer games. Adolfo is a lawyer—born & raised 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.
Can the U.S. media objectively cover the U.S. soccer team? Ben riffs. Kevin Blackistone adds a riff of his own. And then they're off. Talking soccer and colonialism, Caitlin Clark and MAGA, Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson's take down of Clarence Thomas and Trump's desecration of Kevin's beloved hometown of Washington, DC. Kevin is a writer, TV commentator, and journalism professor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A listener gently chides Ben for not giving DSA enough credit for congressional wins in NYC—in other words, it wasn't just Mamdani. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke explains the latest chapter in the Parking Meter Debacle. As Mayor Johnson looks into buying back the control of our streets that Mayor Daley foolishly sold for a relative pittance. Learn about the Investment Bros, the mayor's “dream team” of advisors, the non-disclosure agreement, the letter from Webb, Andre's mic drop and more. It's all so pathetic, it's funny. If you don't mind getting fleeced. Stick around for Mick's life advice to Ben. Mick is a writer and editor for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chicago aldermen debate the latest parking-meter debacle. Ben riffs. Christian Mitchell, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, returns. Talking Supreme Court ruling in Haitian deportation case, state police in Broadview, Darren Bailey and abortion, JB's possible presidential run, Bears stadium, lefties and centrists and more. A former state rep, Christian is Governor Pritzker's running mate in November's election. 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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