Ben Joravsky

  • Ben Joravsky's guide to asking tough questions

    5 November 2017

    Dave Glowacz interviews the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky about Ben's recent radio experience. Ben and Dave explore how journalists develop trust with the people they interview—including how and when to call bullshit.

    Dave and Ben discuss Ben's technique for interviewees who duck the question; Ben's growing reluctance to write direct quotes; and whether Ben gives former Gov. Pat Quinn a pass on Quinn's actions—compared to those of Gov. Bruce Rauner. Length 6.1 minutes standard, 24 minutes premium.

    Music: "Outta Tune" by Poly Action

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    Article: "How Bruce Rauner is trying to cripple the Democratic Party" (Chicago Reader)

  • The Reader's new owners: well-heeled, hands-off

    16 October 2017

    Dave Glowacz interviews the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky about conditions at the Reader after its acquisition by a group of investors.

    Dave and Ben discuss the history of Reader ownership; whether the Reader's new owners have figured out how to turn a profit; and how wealthy and powerful owners have affected Reader journalism. Length 5.7 minutes standard, 10 minutes premium.

    Music: "Machine" by Mercury and the Architects

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    Article: "And now, in local news . . ." (Chicago Reader)

  • Mr Bike: Tips and politics around Chicago bicycling

    3 October 2017

    In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on WCPT-AM's Ben Joravsky Show, Mr Bike describes bicycling's inevitable link with gentrification.

  • Mr Bike: Transit assets bring biking boost

    15 August 2017

    In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on WCPT-AM's Ben Joravsky Show, Mr Bike describes how better transit could boost bicycling in Chicago

  • Strike-primed Reader staff ache over takeover

    11 July 2017

    Dave Glowacz interviews the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky about the the Reader staff's attempt at a collective bargaining agreement in the face of the paper's impending sale.

    Dave and Ben discuss the impact on Reader staff of Wrapports' proposed sale; the attrition of Chicago newspapers; and which newspapers have historically provided an independent voice. Length 5.1 minutes standard, 10 minutes premium.

    Music: "Seeing the Bigger Picture" by Big Mean Sound

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    Article: "Tronc will likely be Sun-Times's new owner. And the Reader?" (Chicago Reader)

  • Rauner's "reforms" riff on Obama?

    2 July 2017

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on the motives of Governor Bruce Rauner in insisting on government "reforms" as part of a state budget deal.

  • Audiobook: Joravsky on tax-increment financing

    6 June 2017

    This first-in-a-series audiobook features years of in-depth discussions by Chicago Reader columnist Ben Joravsky and journalist Dave Glowacz about tax-increment financing.

  • Is Chris Kennedy smart about dumb voters?

    15 May 2017

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on what Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy thinks about voters, and more.

  • Claypool and Rahm: combatants or colluders?

    11 May 2017

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on CPS chief Forrest Claypool's threat to end the 2017 schoolyear early.

  • Ben Joravsky's new radio gig at WCPT-AM

    10 May 2017

    Dave Glowacz interviews the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky about Ben's new talk-radio program, "The Ben Joravsky Show," on Chicago's WCPT-AM.

    Dave and Ben discuss how the show is the culimation of a lifetime of radio listening; the characteristics of the radio station's left-leaning audience; and synergies between Ben's broadcast and print material. Length 5.7 minutes standard, 16 minutes premium.

    Music: "Breakup Breakdown" by Cullah

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  • Do Chicago bike riders blindly support the mayor?

    12 April 2017

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on the loyalty of Chicago bicycle riders to bike-friendly mayors.

  • School cash crisis tips Rauner's hand, marks Rahm's brand

    7 March 2017

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on the annual Chicago Public Schools funding crisis, and the roles of Governor Bruce Rauner, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and the General Assembly.

  • Rich-guy Rahm comm

    18 January 2017

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky about a rare window into back-channel deals with the wealthy, provided by a release of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2016 private e-mail communication.

  • Trump and transit: Rahm railroads Red Line appeal

    17 November 2016

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on the Emanuel administration's scramble, after the presumed election of Donald Trump as president, to secure federal funding and TIF designation for Red Line reconstruction.

  • Reader staff goes public on contract talks

    10 October 2016
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    Staff of the Chicago Reader last year became unionized members of the Chicago News Guild—and since then have been in contract negotiations with the owners of the Chicago Sun-Times.

    In the talks, Reader writer Ben Joravsky has emerged as a face of the negotiations—a role he says he didn't expect, nor did he want. That's one subject of this audio interview with Joravsky by Dave Glowacz.

    Dave and Ben also discuss Joravsky's role in the bargaining unit; the contentious issues that have prevented a contract agreement; and the dilemma facing activist journalists. Length 6 minutes standard, 30.5 minutes premium.

    Music: "Space Girlfriend" by The Dirty Moogs

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    Article: "Don't think of the Reader's public appeal as a negotiating gimmick" (Chicago Reader)

    Article: "Help us win the fight for the Reader: its bold writing must be saved" (medium.com)

  • Aldermen float, sink schools tax-increment financing

    4 October 2016

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on the stalled Cardenas-Garza ordinance that deals with the city's tax-increment financing surplus, and more.

  • Divvy and Fleet suck from the TIF teat

    16 September 2016

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on why the Fleet Dept.'s South Side move works better for taxpayers than the McCormick Marriott deal, and more.

  • Alderman's shot at shorting TIF slush thwarted?

    8 August 2016

    The Lathrop Homes redevelopment brackets a purported mayoral slush fund, an alderman's bold claim that he'd reform it, and little-known uses of your property-tax dollars.

  • Building green: who profits from city's latest development schemes

    27 July 2016

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on why the Loop's perimeter basks in development, and more.

  • Lucas Museum narrative is a mixed art

    17 May 2016

    Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on Mayor Emanuel's obsession with international visitors, and more.