Tell Me What Happened

Ben Joravsky Staff Writer, Chicago Reader Investigative Reporter, Author and Host of the Ben Joravsky Show Podcast. Ben Joravsky is a prize winning journalist whose piece about Chicago’s Roosevelt High School was chosen as one of 1992’s outstanding sports articles.

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day's stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky or on the Reader's YouTube channel—or wherever you podcast. Don't miss Oh, What a Week!--the Friday feature in which Ben & special guests review the week's top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Ben in his own word’s:

I moved to Chicago in 1981 and have been writing about local politics ever since. I started freelancing for the Reader in the early 1980s and became a full-time staff writer in 1990.

Since 2003, I’ve zeroed in on larger citywide matters, with a special interest in exposing municipal financing scams, most notably tax increment financing and the the city’s proposal to bring the Olympics to Chicago. I’ve also written dozens of profiles and features, including my year with the Roosevelt High School boys basketball team, which was included in the Best American Sports Writing Anthology.

I’ve written five books, including Hoop Dreams and The Greens, which I cowrote with Rick Stone. I’ve won many journalism prizes, including the 2010 Chicago Journalist of the Year Award from the Chicago Journalists Association and the 2010 Illinois Journalist of the Year Award from Northern Illinois University. Last but not least, I also write for The Third City, a daily humor blog that “rarely lies to the American people.”

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

More information about Susan Salidor can be found at her website Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about our sponsor's 10 x 10 Blackhole Chess game can be found at www.blackholechess.com

Caleb Frankel, recalls the pain he experienced and the resilience he developed as a result of his parent's divorce. Caleb was seven at the time, and he became the protector of his younger brother while his parents frequently changed homes subsequent to their break up. Caleb recalls the sustaining love of his extended family and family friends that has helped him develop an "eternal optimism."

Caleb Frankel is co-founder and COO at EarlyBird, a financial technology company and investing platform that empowers parents, family, and friends to collectively invest in the children they love, starting at the earliest age. Caleb was born and raised in Chicago, went to University of Illinois, and has spent over a decade as an operator and builder at multiple startups in his hometown.

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

More information about Susan Salidor can be found at her website

Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about other quality publications from our sponsor can be found on Sidelineinkpublishing.com

Those interested in recording and saving your laughter for free and forever go to Laughsaver.com

Gayle Petrillo recalls being a toddler, and experiencing a horrific accident that scarred her for life. While she and her mother were visiting a neighbor Gayle accidentally spilled an urn of scalding hot coffee on herself, causing burns over 40% of her body. After months in the hospital, Gayle spent her formative years with scars both internal and external.

Born & raised in Albany, New York, Gayle has called Tucson home for 24 years. She has been married to her best friend and most avid supporter, Al, for 43 years.With over 35 years in healthcare leadership roles In 2017 Gayle launched First Impressions, an image consulting and career coaching firm because “We never get a second opportunity to make that all important first impression, on paper, in our virtual world, or in person.”Gayle enhances her clients’ first impressions. From resumes, to presentation skills including eye contact, listening skills and body language to mock interviews, networking strategies, negotiation skills and business etiquette. She works with her clients’ wardrobes ensuring their confidence shines no matter the occasion. Additionally, Gayle works with entrepreneurs to ensure they present the best they have to offer on their website, business card and other collateral.Gayle believes in mentoring our next generation of leaders and giving back to her community. Gayle donates time to local chambers of commerce and a variety of non-profit organizations including the Red Cross of Southern Arizona, Arizona Burn Foundation, Junior Achievement, Southern Arizona Diaper Bank and National Organization of Women Business Owners.Gayle’s first book, The Accident and its Spanish counterpart, El Accidente was released in 2021. As a burn survivor from an accident as a toddler, she shares her story of being fearful of everyone and everything to becoming fearless. She has turned obstacles into positive outcomes and tackled many phobias in an attempt to gain and retain self-confidence.The Accident contains very personal stories told for the first time in the hopes that it will both encourage and support others with physical and emotional scars, to share their stories to help the healing process.

You can contact Gayle Petrillo, MBA directly at: 6855 W. Ina Road

Tucson AZ 85743 TEL: 602-621-0042 Email: [email protected]

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

Ellie Moller believes words are "Like magic spells." That is, what we say to one another often has the capacity to impact us in very powerful ways.

As an 18 year old, Ellie returns from two months in Denmark and, while at a family gathering, her Aunt comments on the weight she has gained since being abroad.. Taking it to heart, Ellie immediately begins working out. She joins a gym, and unbeknownst to her boyfriend, family members and close acquaintances, she becomes bulimic. Two years later, Ellie meets a life coach and is able to help her understand the "stories she has told herself" and develop successful strategies to appreciate all aspects of a healthy body and lifestyle.

Ellie is the Publishing Priestess at Majik Kids, a creative writer and designer of Dark Woods upcycled clothing. She lives in paradise on Salt Spring Island.

Follow Ellie on instagram @collidesaltspring

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

More information about Susan Salidor can be found at her website Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about our sponsor's 10 x 10 Blackhole Chess game can be found at www.blackholechess.com

Jon Taber recalls being ten and the tragedy of losing his thirteen year old brother, Luis Filipe to a drowning accident. Jon expresses his grief through a poem he wrote, and discovers that his school won't allow him to include it as part of a science fair presentation.

Jon Taber is an Internal Audit professional and host of the AUDIT 15 FUN podcast. The podcast assists Internal Audit professionals across the globe, having reached 140 countries as of March 2023.In his reflection,

Jon makes reference to the book, The Rabbit Listened.

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

More information about Susan Salidor can be found at her website

Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about other quality publications from our sponsor can be found on Sidelineinkpublishing.com

Those interested in recording and saving your laughter for free and forever go to Laughsaver.com

Jon Taber is an Internal Audit professional and host of the AUDIT 15 FUN podcast. The podcast assists Internal Audit professionals across the globe, having reached 140 countries as of March 2023.

In his reflection, Jon makes reference to the book, The Rabbit Listened.

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

More information about Susan Salidor can be found at her website

Raised by a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, Hope Rehak shares her powerful perspective on the impact religious fundamentalism can have on friendships and relationships. In this childhood memory, Hope recalls being recruited for a religious summer camp by a third grade classmate, who is worried Hope may wind up in hell if she doesn't convert.

Hope Rehak is a comic and writer whose work has appeared online, in print, and on stages in Chicago, New York, LA, Glasgow, Malmo, and Copenhagen. Her weekly blog, "Obsessions This Week" clues readers in on what's happening in the world, from Hope's LA perspective. She sometimes appears onstage as well. Hope has been honored to teach on occasion and hopes to do it again soon.

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

More information about Susan Salidor can be found at her website Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about our sponsor's 10 x 10 Blackhole Chess game can be found at www.blackholechess.com

While on a childhood vacation on Mackinac Island, Michigan, eight year old Harker Jones and his younger sister are drawn by a caricature artist. The caricaturist draws and labels his little sister "cute," while drawing and labelling Harker as a "clown." For years, and until only very recently, those two images haunted him for as they hung on the wall of his family's home.

Harker Jones grew up on a dirt road in Michigan in a town so small it doesn’t to this day have a traffic light. He has written an Amazon #1 best-selling love story, “Until September,” and nine screenplays, revealing truths through humor and horror. His short thrillers “Cole & Colette” and “One-Hit Wonder” have been accepted into more than 60 film festivals combined, garnering several awards. He was managing editor of “Out” magazine for seven years, spent two in gay porn, and worked at Disney Publishing. He’s a member of both the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and Mensa, loves cats and carbs and would like to be a one-hit wonder but would settle for being killed in a slasher movie.

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about other quality publications from our sponsor can be found on Sidelineinkpublishing.com

Those interested in recording and saving your laughter for free and forever go to Laughsaver.com

Tina El Gamal is an artist, educator, and arts administrator in Chicago. She believes in the power of a good story, and a good cup of coffee.

Tina El Gamal (she/they) is a Chicago-based actor, director, educator, and arts administrator. They hold a BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Recent acting credits include: Measure for Measure (u/s) (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); the U.S. premiere of Light Falls (u/s, perf.) (Steep Theatre); Passage (u/s, perf.) (Remy Bumppo); Young Playwrights Festival (Pegasus Theater); Twice, Thrice, Frice... u/s (Silk Road Rising); Much Ado About Nothing (Oak Park Festival Theatre); the Chicago premiere of I Call My Brothers (Interrobang Theatre Project), and the world premiere of Through the Elevated Line (u/s) (Silk Road Rising). Tina was featured in Newcity Mag's Players 50 2022. When she isn't performing and directing for stages across Chicago, Tina serves as the Managing Director of Jackalope Theatre Company. She is represented by Big Mouth Talent. You can find her on insta @streetlightcleopatra."

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about other quality publications from our sponsor can be found on Sidelineinkpublishing.com

Those interested in recording and saving your laughter for free and forever go to Laughsaver.com

Dr. Kaci is an intuitive thought provoking leader, licensed as a Mediator, Life & Sex Coach with over 7 disciplines, Earned a Bachelors in Applied Management & Psychology before being honored with a Doctorate Degree for her work & book introducing a new area of psychology: Spiritual Human Behavior. Dr. Kaci has been working as a Life Coach for 10+ years; she's an Author of 16 books and workbooks. But her favorite accomplishment is being a mom & community leader, taking pride in growing and shifting the world into Healing & Wholeness with Love. Her podcast, Speaking Freedom TV has Reached over 650k viewers during the 12 Seasons and counting that it has aired,

Tell Me What Happened features the music of Susan Salidor.

Get Susan Salidor’s One Little Act of Kindness Children’s Book

Get Susan Salidor’s I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers Children’s Book

More Information about other quality publications from our sponsor can be found on Sidelineinkpublishing.com

Those interested in recording and saving your laughter for free and forever go to Laughsaver.com