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The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben Joravsky
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Abortion Rights
Supreme Court
Chicago
Politics
Meredith Shiner
Kamala Harris
Bribery
Nelson Algren
Left Coalition
Election Strategies
Far Right
La France
Grassroots Mobilization
Communication Strategy
Chicago Politics
MSNBC
Media Narrative

Chicago journalist Ben Joravsky starts each show by riffing on the news of the day with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty. Then he talks politics with activists, elected officials, journalists and all sorts of political know-it-alls. We talk Chicago, Illinois, national (lots of national), international and lefty politics. Find The Ben Joravsky Show wherever you download podcasts.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2469Founded7 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Ben Joravsky Show

Latest Episodes

The solar, clean-energy crew plays hardball politics in Texas—finally. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb returns! Talking about how Donna Miller won the second congressional district primary. Listen closely, lefties, if you want to learn about politics in dis... more

A busy week of quips and flips had Ben & Dr D scrambling to cover it all. Starting with—can the dark side lure four aldermen to break from the mayor and stick it to waiters and waitresses? That’s what they need—four flippers—to override the mayor’s v... more

Leon Black could have saved himself a whole lotta money had he’d gone to anyone other than Epstein for advice. Ben riffs. Julie Lynn urges everyone to go to Saturday’s No Kings demonstration. Then she talks abortion rights. Cause no one knows more a... more

Long lines forming at airports cause Trump refuses to cut a deal with Dems and release the money to pay TSA employees. Ben riffs. Adolfo takes the deep dive on Cesar Chavez’s legacy and why some people feel compelled to defend him, even now. He takes... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kat Avigazela
Concession speaker for Illinois Ninth Congressional District race
Democratic candidate for Illinois 9th Congressional District
Episode: Oh, What a Week—Counting The Votes
Darren Bailey
Republican gubernatorial candidate update speaker
Republican Party (Illinois)
Episode: Oh, What a Week—Counting The Votes
Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County Board President candidate/figure discussed
Democratic Party (Illinois)
Episode: Oh, What a Week—Counting The Votes
Daniel Laurison
Sociology professor at Swarthmore College, expert on political participation
Swarthmore College
Episode: Daniel Laurison--The Non-voters
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
Alderman, Chicago City Council, 48th Ward (Edgewater and Uptown)
Chicago City Council
Episode: Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth--Maricopa Madness
Sunjay Kumar
Candidate for state representative in the 13th district, queer person of color
Campaign for State Representative, 13th district (Illinois)
Episode: Sunjay Kumar—Bus Apologist
Amisha Patel
Grassroots Collaborative organizer and policy expert
Grassroots Collaborative
Episode: Amisha Patel and Niketa Brar--Fighting the Cynics
Niketa Brar
Policy expert, organizer, co-lead of Illinois Against MAGA
Illinois Against MAGA
Episode: Amisha Patel and Niketa Brar--Fighting the Cynics
Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Alderman of the 25th Ward and candidate for Congress in the 4th Congressional District
Illinois State Government
Episode: Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez--Running Independent

Host

Ben Joravsky
Chicago journalist and host; longtime political commentator focused on Chicago politics and accountability.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 171 ratings
  • Monroe Anderson and Jack White — The Country Preacher

    I remember where I was when I heard the news on my car radio that Jesse Jackson was running for President. I was in Elk Grove to pick up my daughter.

    White girl who had recently moved to Chicago and trying to figure out all the black history I had never learned.

    Been to Operation Push many times.

    Love your show and appreciate all of your awesome guests. Huge Fan of Monroe Anderson.

    Thank you thank you for this important episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deborah McCoy
    United Statesa month ago
  • Tied for my favorite local news pod (with the Mincing Rascals)

    Podcast Addict
    5
    thmsdw
    a year ago
  • Give him a Pulitzer

    Hard hitting journalism, speaking truth to power. Fascinating interviews with politicians, activists, and journalists. I listen every day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rojo 12345
    United Statesa year ago
  • Hard to listen to

    The level of kool aid this podcast is constantly drinking makes it really hard to listen to. I don’t need you to be even, I just don’t need to be gaslit every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SkelatoreLuke
    United States2 years ago
  • The Heartbeat of Chicago Politics

    I’m mostly interested in Illinois policy, but Ben has a way to make local and national policy fun. Great sense of humor to go along with his decades of wisdom.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heh-heh-heh. Mumbra!
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many describe the show as a go-to source for deep dives into local politics with a liberal perspective.
A mix of listeners criticize or push back on some takes, showing engagement and differing views.
Guests and interviews are highlighted as strong, informative, and timely for city politics.
Listeners praise the host's Chicago-focused political analysis and entertaining delivery.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David Faris—Trump’s War
Q: What changed in your opinion that he launched this war?
He was lured by the perception that military action could yield quick, visible victories and bolster domestic support, but that assumption underestimated Iranian resilience and regional complexities.
Adolfo Mondragon--Weekend At Bernie’s
Q: Adolfo, what are your thoughts on the current breakdown at the airports and Trump's role in it?
We discuss the conflicting funding priorities, the use of ICE 'goon squad' and the broader critique of how political decisions impact security and livelihoods, while acknowledging the chaos of the moment and the need for accountable governance.
Bushra Amiwala--War In Iran
Q: What have you learned since your last appearance on the show?
Amiwala emphasizes growth from campaigning, the importance of grassroots organizing, and remaining steadfast on progressive policies even amid a crowded field.
Daniel Laurison--The Non-voters
Q: What practical implications do these dynamics have for campaigns and outreach in communities that feel left out?
The guest argues for more year-round organizing, direct outreach in low-income communities, and storytelling about how policies translate into tangible benefits, rather than relying solely on broad messaging or targeting only swing voters.
Daniel Laurison--The Non-voters
Q: So how do you explain people who vote against their own interests, which is one of the true bizarre little aspects of political life in America right now?
He distinguishes between those who are financially affected by policy yet still vote against their economic interests and those who are alienated and feel politics doesn't serve people like them, emphasizing both strategic and non-strategic non-voting dynamics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Ben Joravsky Show

What is The Ben Joravsky Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show delivers sharp, opinionated Chicago-area political analysis with a left-leaning tilt. It blends local governance coverage, national politics critiques, and lively conversations with activists, journalists, and politicians. Listeners can expect frank takes on policy, elections, and accountability, often framed with humor and a grassroots, anti-establishment bent. A standout is the host duo's willingness to challenge power while spotlighting underrepresented voices and local governance issues that shape everyday life in Illinois and beyond.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ben Joravsky Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ben Joravsky Show:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. The Adam Friedland Show
4. Pod Save America
5. TRUE ANON TRUTH FEED

How many episodes of The Ben Joravsky Show are there?

The Ben Joravsky Show launched 7 years ago and published 2469 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Ben Joravsky Show?

Recent guests on The Ben Joravsky Show include:

1. Kat Avigazela
2. Darren Bailey
3. Toni Preckwinkle
4. Daniel Laurison
5. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
6. Sunjay Kumar
7. Amisha Patel
8. Niketa Brar

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