The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben has an existential crisis—for once he may see eye to eye with a majority of voters. David Faris explains the situation. With just a few weeks before the elections, Dems are winning. And here’s why. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation. His views are his own. 

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The Sox move on, the Cubs go home and Ben riffs about tribalism in Chicago. Ishan Daya and Jimmy Rothschild talk about the Institute for Public Good’s report on donations to mayoral candidates. Sure looks like the old Mayors Daley/Rahm band is getting back together. Ishan is policy organizer for the Institute for Public Good. And Jimmy is an organizer for the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. Their views are their own. 

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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