Best of the Left Podcast

Put a description of your podcast here.

The Podcasts

Air Date 3/15/2024

Republicans have been trending toward Putin fandom for more than a decade but with each passing year the stakes get higher, the propaganda gets more brazen, and what they're willing to support gets more grotesque.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Chris Wallace DESTROYS former colleague Tucker Carlson - Bryan Tyler Cohen - Air Date 2-10-24

Ch. 2: Trump voters tell NBC Reporter that ‘Russia is not our enemy’ - MSNBC - Air Date 2-27-24

Vaughn Hillard discusses meeting with Trump voters who have started to echo the rhetoric from Putin and Russia when it comes to that country’s war on Ukraine and how the base of the MAGA movement has leaned into authoritarian rhetoric.

Ch. 3: American Patriots Support... Vladimir Putin - On the Media - Air Date 3-4-22

Casey Michel joins to discuss why white nationalists like David Duke, Richard Spencer, and Matthew Heimbach have long since looked to Putin's Russia as inspiration for their far-right movements in this country

Ch. 4: The Dark and Destructive Vision of Putin's GOP - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 2-27-24

Author and reporter Heidi Siegmund Cuda has the dirt that ties Mike Johnson to President Putin. Does Mr Johnson want to follow Russia's example and become an authoritarian pseudo-theocracy?

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Trump Backers Kill Navalny - Gaslit Nation - Air Date 2-20-24

Andrea and Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack discuss the assassination of Navalny and the work ahead to build a meaningful opposition.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the global view of autocratic propaganda


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Protestors in a major city at night hold up cutouts of Putin’s head and Trump’s head. Large cutouts of open hands are on either side of Trump.

Credit: “2I4A7393” by rob walsh, Flickr | License: Public Domain | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1616_Putin_Russia_GOP_Air_Date_3-15-24_General_-_3-14-24_19.20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EDT

Air Date: 3-11-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- mascuzynity and the conservative male ethos
- talking to young men to prevent their slide to the right
- and that brutal man camps that are more a symptom and cry for help than a solution

REFERENCES:
Mascuzynity: How a nicotine pouch explains the new ethos of young conservative men

Can Parents PreventTheir Sons From Sliding to the Right?

Men are going to brutal boot camps to reclaim their masculinity. How did we get here?

Do You Need a Visit to the Confident Man Ranch?

 

Outro song courtesy of Supergoldfl

 

Join our Discord Server

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: 294_-_Bonus_Sample.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58am EDT

Original Air Date 2-17-2018

We hear from activists and advocates to get a sense of the life, land, and walls that divide occupied Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Amer Zahr on working toward rights and democracy for all in Israel - Part 1 - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 3-18-17


Ch. 3: The Oakland Institute's Anuradha Mittal on Life, Land and the Wall Between Them in Occupied Palestine Part 1 - This is Hell - Air Date 11-1-17


Ch. 4: Ben Ehrenreich and Amy Wilentz looking at life for Palestinians on the West Bank - Start Making Sense from @TheNation - Air Date is 7-6-2016


Ch. 5: Amer Zahr on working toward rights and democracy for all in Israel - Part 2 - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 3-18-17


Ch. 6: The Oakland Institute's Anuradha Mittal on Life, Land and the Wall Between Them in Occupied Palestine - Part 2 - This is Hell - Air Date 11-1-17


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Original Air Date 2/7/2018

Looking at Israel from a variety of angles including what they do to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and why White supremacists, of all people, support them

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Breaking down Trump's moves on Israel - Intercepted (@theintercept) - Air Date 1-31-18


Ch. 3: What doesn't get mentioned when reporting on Israel - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 1-19-18


Ch. 4: “Gaza An Inquest into Its Martyrdom” Norman Finkelstein on the Many Lies Perpetuated About Gaza - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 01-10-18


Ch. 5: What Israel has to do with local policing in the US - Intercepted (@theintercept) - Air Date 9-20-17


Ch. 6: Richard Spencer Appears On Israeli TV, Says Ethno-Nationalism Should Make Viewers Respect Him - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 08-21-17


Ch. 7: Ilan Pappé: The Myths of Israel - @TheRealNews - Air Date 3-30-17


Ch. 8: Final comments addressing some of the concerns about the #MeToo movement

(Music from Blue Dot Sessions, Free Music Archive)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

 

Direct download: 1163_-_Strange_Bedfellows_-_Israel_Throwback_General_-_3-1-24_12.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Air Date: 3-3-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- why men struggle with friendship 
- why men and boys are lonelier than ever
- the impact of different masculine identities on relationships
- something The Beatles apparently did that no one seems to talk about

REFERENCES:
Why Men Struggle With Friendship 

Boys and men are lonelier than ever. What can we do about it? 

3 ‘Masculine Identities’ Men Take On In Relationships 

Release the Beatles Jerk-off Cut 

Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: 293_-_Bonus_Sample_-_I_love_you_man_-_3-1-24_2.52_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

Air Date 3/1/2024

We don't have to think too hard to understand the fears of a world in which work, and the ability of millions to support themselves, are lost to automation and artificial intelligence. But that is only a capitalist future in which the benefits of technological advancement are hoarded by the already-wealthy. Today we imagine a different path.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Introduction to Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work by Srnicek & Williams - Dank Audio Stash - Air Date 4-8-21

Introduction to Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work by Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams

Ch. 2: The People's Republic of Walmart Interview with Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski - Novara Media - Air Date 6-13-19

Since the demise of the USSR, the mantle of the largest planned economies in the world has been taken up by the likes of Walmart, Amazon and other multinational corporations.

Ch. 3: The Two Futures Of Automation Capitalism VS Socialism - Second Thought - Air Date 12-15-21

With jobs being automated and handed off to machines at an ever-increasing pace, it's only natural to consider what our future will look like.

Ch. 4: Planet of the Robots: Four Futures of AI (Documentary) - 1Dime - Air Date 10-15-21

In this video we will be discussing automation, which is often confused with being the ‘technological revolution’ in it of itself as it is what the mainstream focuses on, and for good reason, as how we handle automation will determine the trajectory or co

Ch. 5: Universal Basic Income Explained (An Automation Solution) - Futurology - Air Date 5-28-24

With jobs being automated and handed off to machines at an ever-increasing pace, it's only natural to consider what our future will look like.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: The People's Republic of Walmart Interview with Leigh Phillips and Michal Rozworski Part 3 - Novara Media - Air Date 6-13-19


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on living our values and stepping away from work


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Photo of a patch on a backpack that says "What would you do if your income were taken care of?"

Credit: "Berlin UBI March" by Patrick Maynard, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1615_Leftist_Economic_Future_Air_Date_3-1-24_General_-_3-1-24_19.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

Air Date 2/28/2024

AI-generated deepfakes, entirely fabricated audio and video of recognizable people, are here. They have been on the horizon for years but they have finally arrived during the biggest global election year in history which may prove to be a make of break year for democracy itself as we struggle to separate fact from fiction and autocracy is on the rise around the world.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Deepfaking Democracy: Why AI Threatens News And Global Elections In 2024 - Forbes - Air Date 2-6-24

Deepfaked news segments that appear to be delivered by well-known journalists and TV networks are going viral on social media. Oftentimes, the view counts of deepfaked segments largely outnumber those of real news stories.

Ch. 2: AI Deepfakes Are Everywhere and Congress is Completely Out of Their Depth - CYBER - Air Date 2-9-24

An AI-generated Biden called voters in New Hampshire ahead of the primary and told them to stay home. X locked down the search term “Taylor Swift” after AI-generated nudes of the pop giant flooded the platform.

Ch. 3: Tech giants pledge action against deceptive AI in elections - All Things Considered - Air Date 2-16-24

Tech giants including Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon, X, OpenAI and TikTok unveiled an agreement on Friday aimed at mitigating the risk that artificial intelligence will disrupt elections in 2024.

Ch. 4: Deepfake Adult Content Is a Serious and Terrifying Issue - Aperture - Air Date 5-1-23

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on even more dangers from news sites populated with AI-generated content


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Computer-generated image of a silhouetted man standing in front of a large wall-sized image of the profile of a middle-aged man with digitized lines and cracks running through it.

Credit: "ai-generated-man-computer-science" by NickyPe, Pixabay | License

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1614_Deepfake_Elections_Air_Date_2-28-24_General_-_2-28-24_09.45.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Air Date: 2-25-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon discuss:
- authoritarian Technocracy
- and why interoperability may be one of the best weapons against it

REFERENCES:
THE RISE OF TECHNO-AUTHORITARIANISM

Big Tech Won’t Let You Leave. Here’s a Way Out

The Great Interoperability Convergence: 2023 Year in Review

 

Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Sample_292_Sample_-_2-22-24_15.30.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:21am EDT

Air Date 2/23/2024

2024 is already shaping up to be even more of a disaster than expected. The causes for anxiety are many and varied, leaving many of us with questions. We generally try to avoid topics and commentaries that lean into the realm of pure speculation but today we decided to lean all the way in to answer your most pressing questions. What about Biden's support of Israel? What about his age? Should he be replaced at the Democratic Convention? How likely is Trump to do the horrible things he promises? And what about his court cases?

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Biden GENOCIDE COMPLICITY US Court Backs ICJ - Breaking Points - Air Date 2-1-24

Krystal and Emily discuss a US court ruling Biden may be complicit in genocide after the ICJ's ruling against Israel.

Ch. 2: Moral Failure Democrats Urge Biden to Change Gaza Policy - Democracy Now! - Air Date 2-21-24

"The administration needs to change course in foreign policy in the Middle East to gain the trust of people who we have lost," says California Democratic Congressmember Ro Khanna.

Ch. 3: Manufacturing Discontent How Was America SO Easily Convinced Biden’s Brain is Bad - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 2-13-24

Did the media convince you that Biden is losing his touch? Thom Hartmann explains why you can’t trust this false narrative.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the presidential age debate and what we're really voting for


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Graphic design composite featuring a large pile of red, triangular traffic attention/warning signs. Every sign has a question mark in the middle with the exception of two, which show the faces of President Biden and Donald Trump, respectively.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Composite components: “Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr (License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped). “The Swearing-in Ceremony of the Honorable Brett M. Kavanaugh” via Trump White House Archive, Flickr (Public domain). “Traffic-signs-attention-right-of-way” via Pixabay (Public domain).

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1613_2024_Air_Date_2-23-24_General_-_2-23-24_16.04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:16am EDT

Air Date 2/20/2024

"Luddite" should never have become the epithet that it is as the Luddites were never afraid of or opposed to technological advancement, they only opposed the exploitation of workers and the degradation to society that came with the unfair distribution of the benefits of the targeted technology.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The New Luddites - SHIFT - Air Date 2-14-24

Activists are fighting back against generative AI and reclaiming a misunderstood label in the process, says Brian Merchant in a new piece for The Atlantic.

Ch. 2: Being a Luddite Is Good, Actually ft. Jathan Sadowski - Left Reckoning - Air Date 5-29-21

Jathan Sadowski (@jathansadowski) of the This Machine Kills (@machinekillspod) podcast repairs our sabotaged understanding of the legacy of the Luddites.

Ch. 3: Why this top AI guru thinks we might be in extinction-level trouble | The InnerView - TRT World - Air Date 1-22-24

Lauded for his groundbreaking work in reverse-engineering OpenAI's large language model, GPT-2, AI expert Connor Leahy tells Imran Garda why he is now sounding the alarm.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the fork in the road and a look at our options

References:

Rethinking the Luddites in the Age of A.I.

A Scottish Jewish joke - Things Fall Apart - Air Date 1-25-22


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: An 1812 block print of “The Leader of the Luddites” depicting a man in disheveled early 1800s clothing and missing one shoe leading other men up a hill while a building burns in the background. 

Credit: “The Leader of the Luddites”, Messrs | Working Class Movement Library catalog | Public Domain

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1612_Luddites_Air_Date_2-20-24_General_-_2-20-24_16.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55pm EDT

Air Date: 2-19-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda and Deon discuss:
- how augmented reality and the Apple Vision Pro affects the human brain 
- how algorithms are changing and flattening our culture
- how to take back your life from algorithmic choices

REFERENCES:
The Vision Pro's scary side effect

Why Tim Cook Is Going All In on the Apple Vision Pro

We’ve Forgotten How to Use Computers

Have Algorithms Ruined Our Culture?

How to Take Back Your Life From Algorithms

 

Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: 291_-_Bonus_Sample_-_Recommendations_and_Manipulations-_2-17-24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22am EDT

Air Date 2/17/2024

The debate over education has been derailed from the legitimate concerns of the past focused on the downfalls of No Child Left Behind and Common Core policies into a cul-de-sac of ignorance over opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and the teaching of critical race theory. Not to mention the new McCarthyism that has sprung up to squash any criticism of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How to Dismantle the Anti-DEI Machine - At Liberty Podcast - Air Date 2-9-24

Free speech on campus, book bans, education gag orders, the overturn of affirmative action, the resignation of former Harvard president Claudine Gay. All of these issues center on one hot-button topic: DEI.

Ch. 2: Fighting Back Against The GOP’s War On College w. Bradford Vivian Part 1 - The Majority Report - Air Date 2-8-24

Author Bradford Vivian joins Emma to discuss his book Campus Misinformation: The Real Threat to Free Speech in American Higher Education.

Ch. 3: Wadie Said on the New McCarthyism - CounterSpin - Air Date 12-22-23

Powerful institutions, including the media, combine a selective understanding of free expression with a vehement desire to enforce it.

Ch. 4: The Education Myth - How America Changed Its Relationship With School w. Jon Shelton - The Majority Report - Air Date 8-20-23

Sam and Emma host Jon Shelton, professor at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, to discuss his recent book The Education Myth: How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Resistance to Change in Higher Ed Part 2 - with Dr. Brian Rosenberg - The EdUp Experience Podcast - Air Date 11-7-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the tradeoffs we make when we allow culture wars to dominate the education debate

Articles:

The Loss of Things I Took for Granted - Slate

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo of the gothic facade of a university with dark clouds overhead.

Credit: "Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana", Pixabay | License

Direct download: 1611_Higher_Ed_Air_Date_2-17-24_General_-_2-16-24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:36am EDT

Air Date 2/13/2024

The entire political system has lurched to the right on immigration as Democrats adopt the talking points of the Republicans and the MAGA Republicans put Trump's election chances over the policies they claim to support.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: ‘Basically a cult’: Trump's MAGA Republicans slammed for vowing to block immigration reform bill - The ReidOut with Joy Reid - Air Date 2-5-24

MAGA Republicans have vowed to block the latest immigration reform bill, while also saying immigration is a crisis and immediate threat. Donald Trump’s influence over MAGA Republican elected officials regarding immigration is discussed

Ch. 2: Democrats Fully Embrace Trump’s Immigration Narrative - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 2-9-24

Ch. 3: Republican CALLS OUT Trump By Name Over Outrageous Border Lies - The Damage Report - Air Date 2-10-24

Republican Chip Roy goes off on a fiery rant against his own party, explicitly calling out Donald Trump for posting false claims on Truth Social over the border deal he plotted to destroy. John Iadarola and Sharon Reed break it down on The Damage Report.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES

 

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the incentives for our politicians to fail at governing

Related Articles:

How Texas officials stymied nonprofits' efforts to help migrants they bused to northern cities

As cities struggle to house migrants, Biden administration resists proposals that officials say could help

Half of Republicans say California isn’t really American

Commentary: If only Congress would listen to the CBO on immigration

 

SHOW IMAGE
Description: Photo of detained migrants - adults and children - lined up against the US-Mexico border fence as a border patrol officer walks by.

Credit: "U.S. Border Patrol agent apprehends a group of migrants" via Picryl | License: Public Domain

Direct download: 1610_Immigration_Air_Date_2-14-24_General_-_2-14-24_14.50.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:18am EDT

Air Date 2/10/2024

Continuing to tell the stories of those directly impacted by abortion bans is important to demonstrate the extreme stances taken by anti-choice politicians but we also look ahead to potential ways the situation could be made even worse as well as efforts to relieve the suffering.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Texas Abortion Laws Cruel Outcomes - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 12-16-23

The results of overturning Roe have reached their awful, logical conclusion.

Ch. 2: Post-Roe America 5. Culture of Silence - The Nocturnists - Air Date 10-19-23

In episode 5 of The Nocturnists: Post-Roe America we talk about the culture of silence around reproductive health in medical spaces, and how breaking that silence is our only hope for reclaiming our reproductive freedom.

Ch. 3: Texas Abortion Laws Cruel Outcomes Part 2 - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 12-16-23

Ch. 4: Did Kate Cox Expose GOP Plan To Turn Women into Property - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-14-23

The saga of Kate Cox in Texas is making it clear to every American that GOP opposition to abortion isn’t just about abortion: it’s ultimately about controlling every aspect of women’s bodies and lives.

 

...

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on addressing concerns regarding the 15-minute city concept of walkable towns


TAKE ACTION!

Support repro rights orgs doing vital work, such as: 

National Network of Abortion Funds 

Center for Reproductive Rights

Abortion Access Legal Defense Fund

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Photo of a protestor holding a handmade sign that reads "You can't ban abortion. You can only ban safe abortion." 

Credit: "Defend Abortion Rights - Maintain the Rage" by Matt Hrkac, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1609_Abortion_Air_Date_2-10-24_General_-_2-9-24_18.55.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:47am EDT

Air Date 2/7/2024

Loneliness is an epidemic that long-predates the COVID lockdowns that only made things worse but it's not primarily cultural or even technological in origin. The issue largely has to do with how our built environment is designed and then social and technological aspects compound the problem.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Surgeon General discusses health risks of loneliness and steps to help connect with others - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 5-2-23

The U.S. Surgeon General declared a new public health epidemic in America, loneliness. A new report finds loneliness can have profound effects on mental health as well as heart disease, stroke and dementia.

Ch. 2: Our Loneliness Epidemic is Infrastructuralized - Studio Leonardo - Air Date 6-2-22

The infrastructure in the US is one of the main culprits for our loneliness. In this video, we deep-dive into why that is and how it has come to be this way. So, what can we do to fix this?

Ch. 3: Original Barcelona video - @The Happy Urbanist TikTok - Air Date 12-15-23

Ch. 4: How cohousing can make us happier (and live longer) | Grace Kim - TED - Air Date 8-7-17

Loneliness doesn't always stem from being alone. For architect Grace Kim, loneliness is a function of how socially connected we feel to the people around us -- and it's often the result of the homes we live in. She shares an age-old antidote to isolation

 

....

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photograph taken from behind a woman in a dark room who is leaning out an open window. She looks out at a brick apartment building across the way. 

Credit: "Woman looking out the window" by Jon Eric Marababol, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC0 1.0 Universal

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

 

Direct download: 1608_Loneliness_Air_Date_2-7-24_General_-_2-7-24_17.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:35am EDT

Air Date: 2-6-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The impacts of the myth of the model minority
- Haley and Ramaswamy Denying America's racism as they both experience and use racism during the Republican primary race

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Hear the full Bonus Shows! + No Ads!)

REFERENCES:
Vivek Ramaswamy and the lie of the “model minority”

Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy Can’t Escape GOP Racism

Scholars worry Haley and Ramaswamy's race-blindness helps GOP advance "white supremacist worldview"

Jake Tapper Confronts Nikki Haley About Saying U.S. Is Not ‘Racist’

Nikki Haley, MAGA and the Confederacy: Time to purge these myths

 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_289_Sample_-_2-5-24_4.22_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:29am EDT

Air Date 2/3/2024

We attempt to understand as many of the interlocking elements as possible in the current Middle East conflicts sparked most prominently by the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: From Red Sea to Iran, Will Israel's Gaza Assault Spark Wider War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-17-24

For a look at where all this is headed, we speak with journalist Spencer Ackerman, who says it's "the most dangerous moment for the Middle East" he has witnessed in over 20 years of covering war and security.

Ch. 2: Houthis Are Not Iranian Proxies Helen Lackner on the History & Politics of Yemen's Ansar Allah - Democracy Now! - Air Date 2-1-24

Helen Lackner, author of several books on Yemen, describes the history of the Houthis, the political landscape in Yemen, and debunks the idea the group is controlled by Iran.

Ch. 3: What does Iran want - The Inquiry - Air Date 1-25-24

After months of tension and hostility in the Middle East over the Gaza-Israel conflict, Iran has publicly stated its desire to avoid a regional conflict. It has however displayed its military force on several fronts.

Ch. 4: Biden Stands at the Precipice of a Greater War in the Middle East and His Political Future Part 1 - Intercepted - Air Date 1-31-24

After years of attempting to pivot away from the region, the Biden administration now looks set to deepen its military involvement in the Middle East as it fights the Houthis in Yemen and squares off in an escalating proxy war with Iran.

Ch. 5: Drone Strike Kills 3 U.S. Troops in Jordan as Risk Grows of Regional War over Israel's Gaza Assault - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-29-24

"There will be more of these attacks, for sure," says Palestinian American journalist Rami Khouri, who lays out the simmering regional conflict and questions U.S. foreign policy running counter to American opinion and strategic goals.

 

.......

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A satellite image of the Middle East.

Credit: "Satellite relief map of Middle East" by Merikanto, Wikimedia | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1607_Middle_East_Air_Date_2-3-24_General_-_2-3-24_15.50.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:03am EDT

Air Date: 1-28-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Boardgames Ritual
- Making kids cry buy taking their phones away at school
- Making kids sad by never buying them phones in the first place

REFERENCES:
It Sure Looks Like Phones Are Making Students Dumber

Schools don't want kids on cellphones. Is banning them the solution?

Birmingham head calls for ban after pupils 'in tears' when phones confiscated

The Schools That Ban Smartphones

I Won’t Buy My Teenagers Smartphones

 

Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_288_Sample_-_1-28-24_19.43.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

Air Date 1/26/2024
In an election year where, more than ever before, democracy itself is on the ballot, there is less democracy happening in the lead-up to the election than at any time in recent memory. And with two profoundly disliked candidates running, the supporters of democratic ideals have a hard uphill push ahead of them.
Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)
Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES
Ch. 1: Democratic Strategists Have Their Heads In The Sand - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-24-24
Semaphor's Dave Weigel talks to Sam about what happened during the 2024 Iowa Caucus.
Ch. 2: Bidenomics Continue To Worsen For Young Adults - The Ring of Fire - Air Date 1-21-24
The Biden administration keeps telling us that the economy is humming along, but for young Americans, things are getting worse.
Ch. 3: Is Biden Trying to Lose - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-18-24
Ch. 4: Maddow on Trump-Biden rematch 'Not very much democracy in an election about saving democracy' - MSNBC - Air Date 1-24-24
Rachel Maddow discusses the looming 2024 general election clash with President Biden possibly taking on Donald Trump again. Maddow points out that there has been little democracy so far in the race for the White House.
Ch. 5: 2024 Election Is About The Fight For Democracy - The NPR Politics Podcast - Air Date 1-25-24
President Biden used his first campaign event of 2024 to call out his likely opponent, former President Donald Trump, for the threat he poses to American democracy, calling the issue a 'sacred cause' for the race ahead.
Ch. 6: Iowa, New Hampshire, and No Fair Remembering 2012 - The Professional Left Podcast - Air Date 1-24-24

....
 
SHOW IMAGE: 
Description: A photograph with bokeh edges of glossy, red-white-and-blue-striped "VOTE" buttons on a table.
Credit: "2012 U.S. Presidential Election Gala" by U.S. Embassy Dakah, Flickr | License: Public Domain
 
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES

Direct download: 1606_Biden_Election_Air_Date_1-26-24_General_-_1-26-24_18.29.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55pm EDT

Air Date 1/23/2024

The recent discovery of hundreds of bodies buried behind a jail in unmarked graves sparks a renewed discussion about the futility and counter-productiveness of our system of incarceration and the context of our history that has brought us to this point.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

 #1313 Why Prison Abolition is not Nearly as Scary as it Sounds


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Families in disbelief after hundreds of bodies found buried behind Mississippi jail - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 1-10-24

The discovery of 215 bodies buried in unmarked graves behind a jail outside of Jackson, Mississippi, has left a community in disbelief. The families are angry they were never notified of the deaths and how their loved ones are buried

Ch. 2: The Most Infamous Jail in America - Olurinatti - Air Date 3-29-23

Bail reform is essential in the fight to close horrible pre-trial detention centers like Rikers Island.

.... 


EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

8 Ways You Can Advocate for Justice Reform in 2024 (Vera)

Prison and Jail Reform (Brennan Center for Justice)

Criminal Justice Reform (Equal Justice Initiative)

Cutting Jail and Prison Populations (Brennan Center for Justice)

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Photograph of the outside of Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. Barbed wire lines the fences of the entrance in front of the dark gray cement building with tinted windows.

Credit: "A sagebrush sea change from behind barbed wire" by U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

 

GO TO FULL SHOW NOTES

Direct download: 1605_Prison_Reform_Air_Date_1-23-24_General_-_1-23-24_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:15pm EDT

Original Air Date 12/3/2022

Today, we take a look at the mega-companies that touch all of our lives and the monopolistic practices that have been developed to keep power and wealth concentrated with the few while the rest of us get screwed.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Tech Monopolies - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 6-13-22

John Oliver discusses tech monopolies, and how to address the hidden harm they can do.

Ch. 2: How Ticketmaster Is Destroying Live Music - More Perfect Union - Air Date 10-19-22

Ticketmaster is destroying live music. Their scam fees now cost as much as 78% of a ticket. They control the events, the venues, and even the artists. There’s a movement pushing the Justice Department to take on its monopoly. Cory Doctorow breaks it down.

Ch. 3: Corporate Greed Is Causing Inflation But The Rich Blame Workers - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-16-22

Not since the Great Depression have corporate profits soared so high. But it is not enough to satisfy them. More than 54% of the inflation America is experiencing is caused by record-setting corporate profits.

Ch. 4: Why Food Prices Could Skyrocket Thanks to This Grocery Merger - More Perfect Union - Air Date 11-14-22

Safeway, Ralphs, Smiths, Harris Teeters, Shaws, Kings, Randalls, and about 25 other brands, will all be owned by a single company if the Kroger-Albertsons merger goes through. And that’s really bad news for the prices you pay.

Ch. 5: Chokepoint Capitalism (with Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 11-1-22

Novelist Cory Doctorow and intellectual property expert Rebecca Giblin discuss their new book, Chokepoint Capitalism, which documents the increasing tensions between extractive corporations and creative laborers.

Ch. 6: Making The Case For Abolishing Billionaires - MSNBC - Air Date 11-21-22

"One after another, four of our best-known billionaires laid waste to the image of benevolent saviors carefully cultivated by their class," Anand Giridharadas writes in a recent New York Times column.

Ch. 7: Elon Musk Is An Idiot (and so are Zuck and SBF) - Adam Conover - Air Date 11-23-22

Tech CEOs aren't geniuses, and here's the proof.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Chokepoint Capitalism (with Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin) Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 11-1-22


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on how regulation helps stop financial scams


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1529_Monopolies_Air_Date_12-3-22_General_Rerun_-_1-20-24_10.55.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:13am EDT

Air Date 1/17/2024

It is evident that the immigration debate is more about acquiring raw power than about immigration as demands from the Republican Party change along with whatever strategies they feel are most likely to get Republicans elected and in the age of Trump, that means the most draconian, harmful and, ultimately, pointless demands to date.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Beginning Monroe and Migration Part 1 - Under the Shadow - Air Date 1-9-24

In the second half of the episode, we meet migrants walking North toward the United States on the edge of Central America. A very real manifestation, right now, of the never-ending impact of US intervention in Latin America.

Ch. 2: Rep. Greg Casar on GOP’s Hard-Line Immigration Demands in Ukraine Funding Request - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-13-23

As negotiations on the emergency funding request continue, we speak with Democratic Congressmember Greg Casar of Texas about how he and other lawmakers oppose “some of the worst changes to our immigration system in decades.”

Ch. 3: The Migrant Crisis On The Border And The Hill - The NPR Politics Podcast - Air Date 1-11-24

The stream of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border hit record numbers at the end of 2023. Guests: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd.

Ch. 4: GOP Bets It All on the Border - What Next - Air Date 11-8-23

A partial government shutdown is just 10 days away.

Ch. 5: The Beginning Monroe and Migration Part 2 - Under the Shadow - Air Date 1-9-24

Ch. 6: Trump Plans to Declare War on Who? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 1-9-24

If re-elected, will Trump dredge up an archaic 18th-century law as a de-facto anti-immigration policy? Just how far will he go…?

Ch. 7: Under Attack TX Law Targets Immigrants as Trump Cites Hitler, GOP Pushes for Border Crackdown - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-20-23

It's very clear that we are under attack. … We have targets on our backs," says Marisa Limón Garza, executive director of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, which is challenging the new Texas law along with other rights groups.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Fox Host Admits GOP Doesn’t Give A Sh— About Immigration - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-12-24

Laura Ingham gives the conservative game away

Ch. 9: AOC Dismantles GOP Immigration Lies - The Majority Report - Air Date 9-25-23

When interviewed, AOC "...sanctions that were originally authored by Marco Rubio took a large part in the driving of populations to our southern border, shortly after those sanctions were enacted, we started seeing dramatic increases."


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the naked power grab behind the immigration debate and Trump's long-held fascination with Hitler

Bonus: 

Trump Claims He’s Never Read Mein Kampf After Quoting Hitler, Praising Putin: A Closer Look - Late Night with Seth Meyers - Air Date 12-22-23

Articles: 

House Republican Admits He’ll Kill Border Deal If It Helps Biden

Donald Trump's ex-wife once said Trump kept a book of Hitler's speeches by his bed


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A photograph taken during a "Reform Immigration March" in D.C. A man holds a homemade sign that says "Militarized Border = A Failed Policy." Other protestors in background hold American flags.

Credit: "Reform Immigration March on Washington" by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, increase in contrast and brightness.

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1604_GOP_immigration_Politics_Air_Date_1-17-24_General_-_1-17-24_17.37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:52am EDT

Air Date: 1-15-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- why one of the last isolated tribes in the world desperately wants to stay that way
- why we know that women also hunted, counter to what all the male archeologists would have us believe 

REFERENCES:
Why Uncontacted Tribes Want to Stay Uncontacted

They choose to live in isolation—but the world won’t leave them alone

The Mission Documentary

The Theory That Men Evolved to Hunt and Women Evolved to Gather Is Wrong


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_286_Sample_-_1-15-24_14.03.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:11am EDT

Air Date 1/13/2024

The Supreme Court began to lose its legitimacy in the eyes of many when President Obama wasn't allowed to fill the open seat left by the death of Antonin Scalia but, in truth, the scandal and manipulation of the nation's highest court go back much, much farther than that. However, in a bygone age, scandal was handled much differently than today, putting our current state of disfunction and hyper-partisanship into sharp focus.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Ralph explains the need for resignations and reform on the Supreme Court - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 12-30-23

I think they are reaching a point—the six-justice majority— of getting a huge backlash… I don't call for the impeachment of Justices very easily. In case after case these Justices come down on the side of artificial entities called corporations

Ch. 2: Astonishing Corruption at The Supreme Court? - LegalEagle - Air Date 5-6-23

Ethics? Never heard of it

Ch. 3: Supreme Court's Corrupt Financial Ties To Billionaire Exposed During Senate Hearing - The Majority Report - Air Date 5-3-23

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) used a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court ethics on Tuesday to discuss the financial ties between Justice Clarence Thomas and conservative billionaire Harlan Crow.

Ch. 4: EXPOSED: Supreme Court Corruption CAUGHT Red Handed - The Kyle Kulinski Show - Air Date 4-27-23

Looking at Neil Gorsuch's questionable property sale and Clarence Thomas' refusal to answer to congress

Ch. 5: Clarence Thomas Grifting - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 12-19-23

They shift to another bombshell report about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's taking advantage of his position to enrich his lifestyle.

Ch. 6: New Supreme Court ethics code 'does very little' to hold justices accountable, expert says - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-13-23

The nine Supreme Court justices handed down a surprise unanimous decision binding themselves to a new code of ethics. It comes after criticism over undisclosed perks for some of the justices.

Ch. 7: How to Fix a Broken Supreme Court - Robert Reich - Air Date 7-18-23

Justice Roberts refused to testify in a hearing on SCOTUS ethics. Thomas and Alito accepted luxury vacations from GOP megadonors. Gorsuch sold property to the CEO of a law firm that argues cases before the Court.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Bombshell new report on the Supreme Court's abortion leak - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 12-15-23

New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor joins Chris Hayes to discuss her behind-the-scenes look into the dismantling of Roe

Ch. 9: Supreme Court Scandals: A Story of Justice - Now & Then - Air Date 4-26-23

Samuel Chase’s impeachment over his pronounced Federalist leanings, Stephen J. Field’s 1880s relationships with railroad magnates, and Abe Fortas’ 1969 resignation following the revelation of his acceptance of consulting fees from a felonious financier


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on John Roberts' year-end report and the slide away from the possibility of accountability

Article: Chief Justice John Roberts’ AI Report Reads Like an Old Robot Wrote It


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A close-up photograph of the entrance of the U.S. Supreme Court building. White stone columns partly lit by sun slightly obscure the dark wooden entryway door at the center in shadow.

Credit: "Supreme Court of the United States Facade" by Leandro Paes Leme, Pexels | License | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1603_SOCTUS_Corruption_Air_Date_1-13-24_General_-_1-13-24_19.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:34pm EDT

Original Air Date 1/7/2023

Today, we take a look at the criminal charges against Donald Trump that the January 6th Committee has referred to the DOJ but examine them through the lens of past presidential crimes that have gone unpunished from Nixon to George W. Bush

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: No One Is Above The Law - Calls Grow for Trump to Be Charged to Avoid Another Coup Attempt - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-20-22

We speak with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a scholar of fascism and authoritarianism, and Robert Weissman, president of the advocacy group Public Citizen.

Ch. 2: Historian Meets Watergate Prosecutor On The Right (And Wrong) Kinds Of President Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 12-28-22

Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University and Jill Wine-Banks, MSNBC legal analyst and former Watergate special prosecutor look to lessons from Watergate for what needs to happen with the Jan. 6th committee report.

Ch. 3: Lisa Gilbert on the January 6 Report - CounterSpin - Air Date 12-23-22

We spoke with Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of Public Citizen and co-founder of the forged-for-purpose Not Above the Law Coalition, about what the hearings found and why it can’t end there.

Ch. 4: Historian Meets Watergate Prosecutor On The Right (And Wrong) Kinds Of President Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 12-28-22

Ch. 5: "Brazen" Fraud: David Cay Johnston on How Trump's Tax Returns Show He Defrauded U.S. & Enriched Himself - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-3-23

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter David Cay Johnston, who has covered Trump for decades, says the new documents show "absolutely brazen" tax fraud. "Donald Trump has been a criminal his whole life," says Johnston.

Ch. 6: Obama on Investigating Bush Crimes: "Need to Look Forward" - This Week - Air Date 1-11-09

Barack Obama on This Week, January 11, 2009

Ch. 7: Obama Admin: Torture Not Illegal, Just A "Disagreement" - The Young Turks - Aired 3-27-10

Speaking of hangovers... Look forward, not backward. We don't do truth and reconciliation in this country.

Ch. 8: The Central Cause of January 6th Was One Man House Panel Urges Trump Be Banned from Public Office - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-23-22

We’re joined by John Nichols, The Nation’s national affairs correspondent, to discuss the full report.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Ginni Thomas not mentioned in Jan. 6 Committee report - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 1-3-23

Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern and political strategist Rina Shah join Mehdi to discuss.


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date: 1-7-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- the little bit of Paganism that's in all of us
- the Christian priests who want to reform the church through psychedelic mushrooms

REFERENCES:
The Return of the Pagans

God, Magic Mushrooms, and Me


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_285_Sample_-_1-4-24_17.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EDT

Air Date 1/5/2024

As the war in Gaza drags on, accusations of genocide by Israel have been filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice and we are reminded that the tactics and technology that Israel develops and tests against Palestinians are sold around the world.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1584 Israel's Political Upheaval, Supreme Court Power Struggle, US Support, and the Normalization of Apartheid

#1589 War in the Holy Land: Context Behind the Atrocities, Crimes Against Humanity, and the Possible Escalation

#1591 Broken News: Understanding traditional media and social media reporting on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza

#1592 Israel and Palestine are less complicated than you think


SHOW NOTES

Introduction: In Gaza and Israel, side with the child over the gun

Ch. 1: Israels Push to Expel Residents of Gaza - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-3-24

Dutch Palestinian policy analyst Mouin Rabbani says Israel is using the Hamas attack of October 7 as a pretext to carry out its “long-standing ambition” to push Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.

Ch. 2: South Africa Files Case Against Israel at International Court of Justice over Genocidal Gaza War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-2-24

"I believe South Africa will win an order against Israel to cease and desist from committing all acts of genocide against the Palestinians," says Francis Boyle, an international human rights lawyer

Ch. 3: A Conversation on the Horrors in Gaza with Jeremy Scahill and Sharif Abdel Kouddous - The Intercept - Air Date 12-20-23

Intercept co-founder Jeremy Scahill and journalist Sharif Abdel Kouddous discuss the U.S. role in Israel’s scorched-earth campaign to annihilate Gaza.

Ch. 4: Disease In Gaza - Up First - Air Date 12-28-23

The World Health Organization warns that disease could kill more people in Gaza than the bombings.

Ch. 5: Gaza, Solidarity, and the Movement for Palestinian Liberation - Making Contact - Air Date 11-29-23

We uncover the military corporations profiting from the war.

Ch. 6: Gaza is a weapons lab for the arms industry w/ Antony Loewenstein - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 12-8-23

Antony Loewenstein, journalist and author of The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World, joins The Chris Hedges Report for a deep dive.

Ch. 7: Gaza, Solidarity, and the Movement for Palestinian Liberation Part 2 - Making Contact - Air Date 11-29-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Gaza is a weapons lab for the arms industry w/ Antony Loewenstein Part 2 - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 12-8-23

Ch. 9: Christian Zionism - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 12-30-23

Ralph welcomes Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner, National Program Director of Friends of Sabeel—North America, to discuss the ongoing violence in Palestine, the influence that Christian Zionists have on America's Israel policy, and more.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the impacts of the antisemitism that is felt by the Jewish diaspora in the wake of the Hamas attack and war in Gaza

Articles referenced:

California lawmakers ‘pull the fire alarm’ on antisemitism

Anti-Defamation League staff decry ‘dishonest’ campaign against Israel critics


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Black and white photo of a woman at a protest in the city. She stares straight into the camera while holding a cardboard sign that reads "Bombing refugee camps, hospitals, ambulances, children is not self defence."

Credit: "Bombing Refugee camps, Hospitals, Ambulances, Children - is not self defence" by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, increased contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1602_Israel_ICJ_Air_Date_1-5-24_General_-_1-5-24_18.22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:36pm EDT

Air Date 1/2/2024

Trump's greatest impact has been to bring the fringes of the conservative movement into the center and, by strongly courting the Evangelical Christian vote, helped accelerate the Christian Nationalist movement to merge religion with patriotism

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: A Threat to Church and State - Confronting Christian Nationalism - Air Date 9-9-23

In this episode, we’ll hear from experts, authors, and theologians who will help articulate what Christian Nationalism is, what it’s not, and why it’s a a threat to both the church and democracy.

Ch. 2: How Trump Is Dividing The Evangelical Church - Fresh Air - Air Date 11-29-23

Journalist Tim Alberta grew up in a conservative, republican, evangelical church, where his father was the pastor. He wanted to know why so many evangelical Christians had become extremists, and ardent supporters of Trump.

Ch. 3: How Trump Has Transformed Evangelicals - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 12-14-23

How did evangelical Christians shift from being reluctant supporters of Trump to among his most passionate defenders? How did some evangelicals, historically suspicious of politicians, develop a “fanatical cult-like attachment” to Donald Trump?

Ch. 4: Will MAGA Mike Inflict a Religious Crusade on America? - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 11-2-23

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is closely tied to Christian groups that want to make America a theocracy. So why does he support policies that are so contrary to Christ's teachings? Plus - Handmaiden Tale Alert!

Ch. 5: Trump's "personal shortcomings" have become a bonus for evangelical Christians, says Tim Alberta - Meet the Press - Air Date 12-24-23

In an interview with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, author and writer Tim Alberta discusses the role of white evangelical Christians in building support for Donald Trump’s presidency and the “uneasy alliance” the community established with him.

Ch. 6: The Trump movement is turning America fascist w/ Jeff Sharlet - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 10-27-23

Jeff Sharlet has spent two decades covering the intersection of extreme Christian nationalism and the far-right. In his new book, Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, he gives snapshots of a country rapidly devolving into a Christian fascist state.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Interview with Author Elle Hardy on Christian Nationalism - The Benjamin Dixon Show - Air Date 1-19-23

Ch. 8: Trump's Escalating Racist Rhetoric & the Far-Right's Plan for a Slow Civil War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-21-23

As the 2024 presidential election campaign heats up, Republican front-runner Donald Trump is escalating his racist rhetoric, repeatedly saying in recent days that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country,” drawing comparisons to Hitler.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the idolatry at the heart of Christian Nationalism


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: The image of a cross leans into the frame over a representation of the American flag. 

Credit: "Cross banner USA flag cross sign" by Kalhh, Pixabay | License: Creative Commons (CC0)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1601_Christian_Nationalism_Air_Date_1-2-24_General_-_1-2-24_18.02.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:12pm EDT

Air Date: 12-31-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon discuss:
- how Italy is making it harder for same-sex partners to have children by making it harder for everyone to have children
- how well-meaning advocates in the US are putting same-sex families at risk
- why Christian homophobia may just be based on a mistranslation of the Bible

REFERENCES:
‘The state says our kids don’t exist’ - how LGBT life is changing in Italy

Why Anonymous Sperm Donation Is Over, and Why That Matters

Did Christian homophobia come from a mistranslation of the Bible?


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_284_Sample_-_12-31-23_20.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:22pm EDT

Original Air Date 12/17/2022

Today, we take a look at the fringe philosophy of accelerationism that is having a bigger impact on society than you will likely have realized as it's been behind some of the worst terror attacks in recent years and is likely behind attacks on infrastructure targeting society as a whole.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Dystopian Philosophy You've Never Heard Of - Philion - Air Date 6-26-22

Explaining the origins of Accelerationism

Ch. 2: A Foiled Plot in Texas: The Threat of Violent Fringe Online Networks - Tech Against Terrorism - Air Date 2-22-22

Matt Kriner is an intelligence analyst with almost a decade of experience researching and analyzing US domestic violent extremists, transnational far-right extremism, and radicalization.

Ch. 3: “It only takes a few” - White Hot Hate - Air Date 11-28-21

Some members of The Base are planning deadly attacks that they hope will spark a race war. Will they be stopped, before it's too late?

Ch. 4: Proud Boys, January 6, and When a U-Haul Is a Clown Car - Angry Planet - Air Date 6-17-22

So, it’s time to look again at what this group — and related groups — did on January 6, and just how dangerous they really are. We’ll also talk about accelerationism, what it is and what accelerationists want.

Ch. 5: Right-Wing, Domestic Terror Eyed In N.C. Infrastructure Sabotage As Facts Remain Elusive - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 12-6-22

Rachel Maddow looks at a mysterious gun attack on electricity infrastructure in North Carolina and how it lines up with a past attack in California in 2013 and a DOJ case this year against white supremacists in Ohio.

Ch. 6: Accelerationism: The International Apocalyptic Doctrine That's Unifying the Far Right - World Affairs Council Monterey Bay - Air Date 5-29-21

Accelerationism is a doctrine of revolutionary violence that holds that society is irreparably broken and must be destroyed. In recent years it has caught on among a variety of disparate movements throughout the world.

Ch. 7: The seductive dangers of speed - RSA Podcasts - Air Date 7-5-17

The accelerating pace of political and economic change can be disorienting – but, for some, change isn’t happening fast enough. Matthew Taylor is joined by the journalist Andy Beckett and philosophers Benjamin Noys and Nina Power


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Why We’re All Rooting for the Apocalypse - Wisecrack - Air Date 4-8-22

The apocalypse has never been more omnipresent in the cultural zeitgeist. But why are we all so convinced that the world is going to end, and do we have a moral obligation to prevent this gnarly fate?


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments giving some helpful advice to White supremacists looking to start a race war


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A young white man dressed in a black hoodie with the hood over his hat is looking away from the camera while wearing a black mask with the image of the lower half of a skull on it. A lit torch is next to him in the foreground. A lit structure and a crowd of people are visible in the background.

Credit: “Face of the streets” by spoilt.exile, Flickr | License CC by 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1532_Accelerationism_Air_Date_12-17-22_General_Rerun_-_12-26-23_11.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:28am EDT

Original Air Date 12/24/2022

We compare the far-right religious extremists who are fighting to gain power in the US with the protests against the theocratic regime in Iran supporting women's rights in the country.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How a new Christian right is changing US politics - BBC News - Air Date 11-28-22

A new battle of faith is being driven by some pastors and politicians in the United States. Their central message is that the country's conservative Christian way of life is under threat, and American society is moving in the wrong direction.

Ch. 2: Women's Rights Activist on Protests Sweeping Iran, the Intensifying Gov't Crackdown & Executions Part 1 - Democracy now! - Air Date 10-15-22

"Iranians voted multiple times for over two decades for some process of reform … but the state has not given in to those demands," she says. "What we're seeing now is the result." Tahmasebi is the director of FEMENA

Ch. 3: The Taliban’s Far-Right Fan Base - VICE - Air Date 10-18-21

In chat rooms and message boards on the darker corners of the web - far-right groups have been praising the Taliban’s takeover, lauding their religious fundamentalism, execution of opponents, and hatred of so-called liberalism.

Ch. 4: Complete Dissatisfaction with the Current Order - Why Protests in Iran Are Not Slowing Down - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-6-22

"Today's movement is not calling for reform. Today's movement is calling for a new vision of politics … with women at the helm of it," says Narges Bajoghli, professor of anthropology and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University

Ch. 5: Are We Prepared For Anti-Democratic Extremist Threats? Featuring Peter Montgomery - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-15-22

Far Right, Anti-Democratic Extremist groups are not slowing down. Some even have connections with ‘mainstream’ Republican politicians. Peter Montgomery joins Thom Hartmann to discuss the threat the far right still poses.

Ch. 6: Inside the Iran Protests: What You Need to Know Nahid Siamdoust - The Majority Report - Air Date 12-18-22

Sam and Emma host Nahid Siamdoust, Assistant Professor of Middle East and Media Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, to discuss the recent political protests in Iran.

Ch. 7: Republican Leader Trump's Dinner With Racist Forces Reckoning For Normal Americans - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 11-28-22

Rachel Maddow shares some of the fringe perspectives of the racist, Christian fascist who Donald Trump hosted for dinner at Mar-a-Lago

Ch. 8: Women's Rights Activist on Protests Sweeping Iran, the Intensifying Gov't Crackdown & Executions Part 2 - Democracy now! - Air Date 10-15-22


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Will SCOTUS Turn America Into A Theocracy? (w/ Rachel Laser) - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 4-18-22

Joseph Kennedy, a football coach, pressured his students to pray with him. He was asked not pressure students into religion during Public School activities. but he refused. Rachel Laser joined Thom to discuss the case and the pressure on students.

Ch. 10: Hayes: Supreme Court conservative majority is ‘high council of Fox News viewers’ - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 12-5-22

“Because the conservative majority has tossed away all pretense of being anything other than, essentially, a high council of Fox News viewers, they decided her case should be heard before the Supreme Court,” says Chris Hayes


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on why Christian Nationalists would be better off not installing a dictatorship


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 12/23/2023

The housing crisis is at a worse point than at any time in recent history. Solutions are available and require political will to bring into reality but because the problem is now so widespread, we may actually be able to take action that would have been untenable before.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

WINTER SALE! 20% Off Memberships (including Gifts) in December!

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1496 Home Is Where The Hardship Is

#1565 Co-Housing Builds Community and Fights Loneliness


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Bookshop BotL BOOKSTORE

BestOfTheLeft.com/Store BotL MERCHANDISE!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Housing is a Moral Issue w Shaun Donovan - Future Hindsight - Air Date 12-7-23

Shaun Donovan is the CEO and President of Enterprise Community Partners. We discuss how the deeply entrenched housing crisis has become worse in recent years and the multiple strategies to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

Ch. 2: Why NYCs Move to Privatize Public Housing Could Impact the Rest of the Country - Notes to America - Air Date 12-18-23

On this week’s show, Fanta — a reporter for WNYC’s Radio Rookies — speaks with residents, organizers and officials as she tries to find out what this program means for families like hers.

Ch. 3: Biden In Trouble With Voters Over Inequality And Housing - The Majority Report - Air Date 11-28-23

President Joe Biden’s approval ratings surrounding the economy are not good! What, if anything, can Biden and the Democrat do to improve on those poll numbers (maybe…run on something? Anything?)

Ch. 4: Housing is a Moral Issue w Shaun Donovan Part 2 - Future Hindsight - Air Date 12-7-23

Ch. 5: Why NYCs Move to Privatize Public Housing Could Impact the Rest of the Country Part 2 - Notes to America - Air Date 12-18-23

Ch. 6: Why The US Is Failing At Housing And How To Fix It - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-9-23

Rachel Cohen describes how the US housing crisis came to be and how it can be solved.

Ch. 7: Housing is a Moral Issue w Shaun Donovan Part 3 - Future Hindsight - Air Date 12-7-23

Ch. 8: Can the French Plan For Social Housing Save America From Hyper-Gentrification w Cole Stangler - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-9-23

Is Paris more gentrified than New York? Gentrification is the process where beloved cities & towns price out residents with rents ‘too damn high’ to pay & failing infrastructure.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Why NYCs Move to Privatize Public Housing Could Impact the Rest of the Country Part 3 - Notes to America - Air Date 12-18-23

Ch. 10: How to build beautiful social housing in a crisis - Channel 4 News - 9-7-23

The architect Peter Barber has been winning awards for turning tiny patches of land into innovative estates and houses, designed not just to be beautiful – but to foster a sense of community too.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on why North America Can't Build Nice Apartments

Bonus: Why North America Can't Build Nice Apartments (because of one rule)


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 
Description: Photograph of newly built, colorful single-family row houses.

Credit: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development archive, License: Public Domain

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1600_Housing_Air_Date_12-23-23_General_-_12-23-23_18.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:52pm EDT

Air Date 12/20/2023

AI needs to be regulated by governments even though politicians don't understand computers just as the government regulates the manufacture and operation of aircraft even though your average politician doesn't know their ass from an aileron. That's why expert advisory panels are for.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

WINTER SALE! 20% Off Memberships (including Gifts) in December!

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1547 Shaping the Future of the Internet

#1578 A.I. is a big tech airplane with a 10% chance of crashing, should society fly it?


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Bookshop BotL BOOKSTORE

BestOfTheLeft.com/Store BotL MERCHANDISE!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How are governments approaching AI regulation - In Focus by The Hindu - Air Date 11-16-23

Dr Matti Pohjonen speaks to us about the concerns revolving around AI governance, and if there are any fundamental principles that an AI regulatory regime needs to address.

Ch. 2: A First Step Toward AI Regulation with Tom Wheeler - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 11-2-23

President Biden released a sweeping executive order that addresses many risks of artificial intelligence. Tom Wheeler, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, shares his insights on the order and what's next for AI regulation.

Ch. 3: Artificial Intelligence Godfathers Call for Regulation as Rights Groups Warn AI Encodes Oppression - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-1-23

We host a roundtable discussion with three experts in artificial intelligence on growing concerns over the technology’s potential dangers: Yoshua Bengio, Max Tegmark, and Tawana Petty.

Ch. 4: The EU agrees on AI regulations - What will it mean for people and businesses in the EU - DW News - Air Date 12-9-23

European Union member states and lawmakers reached a preliminary agreement on what they touted as the world's first comprehensive AI legislation on Friday.

Ch. 5: EU vs. AI - Today, Explained - Air Date 12-18-23

The EU has advanced first-of-its-kind AI regulation. The Verge’s Jess Weatherbed tells us whether it will make a difference, and Columbia University’s Anu Bradford explains the Brussels effect.

Ch. 6: A First Step Toward AI Regulation with Tom Wheeler Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 11-2-23

Ch. 7: How to Keep AI Under Control | Max Tegmark - TEDTalks - Air Date 11-2-23

Scientist Max Tegmark describes an optimistic vision for how we can keep AI under control and ensure it's working for us, not the other way around.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Anti-Democratic Tech Firm’s Secret Push For A.I. Deregulation w Lori Wallach - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-8-23

Giant tech firms are meeting secretly to deregulate Artificial Intelligence technologies in the most undemocratic ways possible. Can profit really take over and corrupt progress?

Ch. 9: How are governments approaching AI regulation Part 2 - In Focus by The Hindu - Air Date 11-16-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on the need to understand the benefits and downsides of new technology


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1599_Regulating_AI_Air_Date_12-20-23_General_-_12-20-23_14.50.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:19pm EDT

Air Date: 12-15-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon discuss:
- why humans need rituals for mental health and community
- what happens when corporations try to adopt rituals
- what happens when squishy-blob humans are allowed to drive cars that somewhat drive themselves a little bit

REFERENCES:
Rituals are important to human life — even when they seem meaningless

Can Rituals Fix Our Soulless Corporate Culture? A Ritual Designer Says Yes

THE INSIDE STORY OF MICROSOFT’S PARTNERSHIP WITH OPENAI

The Way We Talk About Self-Driving Cars Is Going To Get People Killed

Self-Driving Cars Won’t Save Us Anytime Soon


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_283_Sample_-_12-15-23_21.24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:29pm EDT

Air Date 12/12/2023

Henry Kissinger, it turns out, was actually a pretty good representative of the United States, the foreign policy actions we took, and the reasonings we gave for them over the past century. He embodied the idea that the US is always on the side of right, the world and its inhabitants are merely a game board and pieces for us to manipulate for our own ends, and that lives, particularly foreign lives, lost in pursuit of our interests are not of much concern.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

WINTER SALE! 20% Off Memberships (including Gifts) in December!

Join our Discord community!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Bookshop BotL BOOKSTORE

BestOfTheLeft.com/Store BotL MERCHANDISE!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: A look at the consequential and controversial legacy of Henry Kissinger - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-30-23

Henry Kissinger, America’s most consequential and controversial Secretary of State, died Wednesday at the age of 100. He reached the peak of his power in the 1970s and remained highly influential until the very end. reports.

Ch. 2: Henry Kissinger's Huge but Deeply Problematic Legacy - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 11-30-23

Henry Kissinger has died at 100 years old. Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War examines the diplomat's impact on U.S. foreign policy

Ch. 3: Kissinger: An Architect of Genocide - The Majority Report - Air Date 12-5-23

Tim Shorrock then gives his initial reflections on Kissinger’s passing and the myriad lies he told for the ends of US primacy. Shorrock and Emma trace Kissinger’s bloody footprints from Vietnam and East Timor to Argentina

Ch. 4: Henry Kissinger and the Moral Bankruptcy of U.S. Elites - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-30-23

Henry Kissinger is dead at the age of 100. The former U.S. statesman served as national security adviser and secretary of state at the height of the Cold War and wielded influence over U.S. foreign policy for decades afterward.

Ch. 5: The Case Against Henry Kissinger: War Crimes Prosecutor Reed Brody on Kissinger’s Legacy of “Slaughter” - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-1-23

Former U.S. secretary of state and national security adviser Henry Kissinger has died at the age of 100. He leaves behind a legacy of American statecraft that brought war and mass atrocities to Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America

Ch. 6: The world Henry Kissinger built - The Take (Al Jazeera English) - Air Date 12-1-23

Henry Kissinger was a giant of our world order for half a century. The former US secretary of state died at the age of 100 on Wednesday. He left a mark on every region – often not for the better of those left in the wake of his controversial policies.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Henry Kissinger's Reactionary Idealism - Against the Grain - Air Date 10-11-17

Historian Greg Grandin reflects on the ideology and practice of Henry Kissinger.

Ch. 8: Amb. Martin Indyk Pens Kissinger Book - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 11-12-21

Former envoy to Israel, Martin Indyk, is out with a new book that details Henry Kissinger’s legacy in the Middle East.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on our year-end membership drive


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A photo of the profile of an elderly Henry Kissinger with a solemn expression. His hair is white and he wears glasses and a dark suit. 

Credit: "Dr. Henry Kissinger listens..." by U.S. Secretary of State, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Horizontal crop

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1598_Kissinger_Air_Date_12-12-23_General_-_12-12-23_20.44.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:57pm EDT

WINTER SALE! 20% Off Memberships (including Gifts) in December!

Original Air Dates 12-3-23 and 12-10-23

We discuss in episode #281:

- the impacts of a stratified wealth disparity
- the anti-social habit we're adopting that will make us more anti-social
- the desperation many feel to just put life on hold for a few days

REFERENCES:
Infants Are Born With Syphilis in Growing Numbers, a Sign of a Wider Epidemic

Behind the Gates of a Private World for Only the Wealthiest New Yorkers

Hungry (but Not for Human Contact), Americans Head for the Drive-Through

Let’s unpack the hospital fantasy

 

We discuss in episode #282:

- the relationship between religion and AI
- the probably results of uploading your mind to a computer
- an idea for helping to disconnect from your technology a bit

REFERENCES:
Silicon Valley’s vision for AI? It’s religion, repackaged.

Uploading your consciousness will never work, a neuroscientist explains

Uploading Our Consciousness To a Computer. But Should We?

Mind Uploading? Not Worth it.

In a future of mind uploading, will you still be you, and who will own your mind?

This Ancient Ritual Is Key to How I Run a Company of 500 People. Harvard Research Shows Why.

Everything You Need to Enjoy One Tech-Free Day a Week

 

Join our Discord Server

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_281-282_Sample_-_12-11-23_17.09.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:29pm EDT

Air Date 12/8/2023

Neoliberalism has created a lot of economic suffering and insecurity in addition to weakened social ties over the past few decades. And now, in what may be the most devastating result of the ideology yet, neoliberalism may be leading much of the world toward fascism bolstered by legitimate grievances about economic precarity which are coopted by the false promises of right-wing populism.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

WINTER SALE! 20% Off Memberships (including Gifts) in December!

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1491 Mismanaging Capitalism Can Lead to Fascism (Inflation and the Working Class)

#1519 International Fascist Movement on the Move


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Store BotL MERCHANDISE!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Far-right extremism on the rise around the globe - The ReidOut with Joy Reid - Air Day 11-28-23

A troubling sign of the rise of far-right extremists being elected around the world, as anti-Islamic populist Geert Wilders is newly elected in the Netherlands.

Ch. 2: How Can Democracy Survive in an Age of Discontent Rachel Navarre and Matthew Rhodes-Purdy on Populism and Political Extremism - Democracy Paradox - Air Date 11-28-23

Populism is rather a specific form of discontent. Discontent is the umbrella term. It's this vague sense that the way things are being done is not working. That democracy is not effective.

Ch. 3: Argentina's Trump? Far-Right Javier Milei Wins Presidency with Echoes of Past Dictatorship - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-21-23

Far-right libertarian Javier Milei has been elected president of Argentina. Franco Metaza, the director of international relations for the Argentine Senate, joins to discuss.

Ch. 4: How Can Democracy Survive in an Age of Discontent Rachel Navarre and Matthew Rhodes-Purdy on Populism and Political Extremism Part 2 - Democracy Paradox - Air Date 11-28-23

Ch. 5: Media Coverage of the Trump Movement is Missing Vital Context - On the Media - Air Date 11-29-23

Jeff Sharlet, author of The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, argues that Trump's narratives of martyrdom, a persecuted in-group, a mysterious out-group, and a rhetoric of violence are all hallmarks of fascism.

Ch. 6: 'Democracy on a Knife's Edge' Far-right electoral victories in Argentina, Holland; Trump threatens Insurrection Act - The Bradcast - Air Date 11-28-23

Ultra-conservative former federal Judge Michael Luttig warns: 'American democracy [is] on a knife's edge...in greater peril today than it's ever been in American history.

Ch. 7: How Can Democracy Survive in an Age of Discontent Rachel Navarre and Matthew Rhodes-Purdy on Populism and Political Extremism Part 3 - Democracy Paradox - Air Date 11-28-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Media Coverage of the Trump Movement is Missing Vital Context Part 2 - On the Media - Air Date 11-29-23

Ch. 9: How Can Democracy Survive in an Age of Discontent Rachel Navarre and Matthew Rhodes-Purdy on Populism and Political Extremism Part 4 - Democracy Paradox - Air Date 11-28-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on preparing for the 2024 election


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A photo triptych of Donald Trump, Geert Wilders president-elect of The Netherlands, and Javier Milei president-elect of Argentina. Trump is smiling and looking toward Wilders and Milei.

Credits: “Trump at CPAC”  by Kingofthedead, Wikimedia Commons; License: CC BY SA 2.0; Changes: Cropped | “Geert Wilders during a political campaign” by Peter van der Sluijs, Wikimedia Commons; License: CC BY SA 2.0; Changes: Cropped | “Javier Milei in VIVA22” by Vox España, Wikimedia Commons; License: Public Domain; Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1597_Creeping_Fascism_Air_Date_12-08-23_General_-_12-8-23_09.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:29pm EDT

Air Date 12/5/2023

It's important to focus on positive visions and not only get stuck in doom cycles of complaining about what's going wrong. So, we're looking at a variety of positive visions including rethinking human nature, reimagining our relationship with consumerism, considering how design can work with nature instead of against it, and understanding why cooperation is better than individualistic competition from an evolutionary point of view.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Bookshop BotL BOOKSTORE

BestOfTheLeft.com/Store BotL MERCHANDISE!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What We Get Wrong About Human Nature - Andrewism - Air Date 1-11-23

What does it mean to be human? Join me as I explore the many interpretations of human nature across various philosophies and delve into the true breadth of human possibilities.

Ch. 2: Gabor Maté on Illness, Human Nature, Capitalism, and Socialism - Against the Grain - Air Date 5-30-23

North Americans are sick, stressed, and alienated, a state of affairs accentuated in recent years by Covid. Gabor Maté argues that capitalism engenders illness, while the medical system blindly ignores the lives of its patients.

Ch. 3: Imagining a Solarpunk Education - Human Restoration Project - Air Date 5-11-23

Do we have the willingness to challenge the predominant social, economic, & political structures & systems that need to be challenged? To change the very nature of humanity's relationship to the planet? What role does education play in all of this?

Ch. 4: What science fiction teaches us about imagining a better world - The New Humanitarian - Air Date 1-11-23

Time and again, guests on this season of Rethinking Humanitarianism have called for systemic changes to the humanitarian system and global governance – from alternatives to the UN to revolutionized global climate financing.

Ch. 5: Elon Musk Has Become the Very Thing He Hates Most - The New Abnormal - Air Date 11-20-23

A conversation with award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor about her transformational Africanfuturism and the importance of inclusive visions of science fiction.

Ch. 6: How We Can Build A Solarpunk Future Right Now (ft. @Andrewism) - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 4-20-22

In this Our Changing Climate climate change video essay, I look at ways in which we can build a Solarpunk future right now. Solarpunk envisions a world in which nature and humanity are seamlessly intertwined

Ch. 7: The Race to Cooperation - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 2-2-23

David Sloan Wilson's work shows that humans can and have chosen values like cooperation, altruism and group success – versus individual competition and selfishness


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Race to Cooperation - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 2-2-23


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Geoengineering concerns - Bud from Idaho


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments clarifying some details about using Solar Radiation Management as a geoengineering strategy


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1596_Positive_Visions_Air_Date_12-05-23_General_-_12-5-23_17.57.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:57pm EDT

Original Air Date: 10/8/2022

Today, we take a look at the recent elections in Italy, Brazil and Sweden where far-right parties are either taking power or looking to maintain it as well as the parallels to our own politics including moderate conservatives helping to legitimize the far-right while delegitimizing elections.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Fascist Brothers of Italy Party takes power in Italy - The Mehdi Hassan Show - Air Date 10-2-22

Why the American right wing is racing to embrace Italy's next prime minister.

Ch. 2: Italian Fascism w/ David Broder - Jacobin Show - Air Date 9-30-22

Our own European editor David Broder explains what Giorgia Meloni and the Brothers of Italy's victory means for Italy.

Ch. 3: Fascist Brothers of Italy Party takes power in Italy Part 2 - The Mehdi Hassan Show - Air Date 10-2-22

Why the American right wing is racing to embrace Italy's next prime minister.

Ch. 4: Fascism scores another victory with Italian election - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 9-26-22

Conservatives in the US have been courting the extreme right on and off all along

Ch. 5: The Stakes Are High - In The Thick - Air Date 10-4-22

"The candidates and their vision for Brazil’s future could not be more different, but the trends underpinning this election are an echo of global experiences,” reports Roberta S. Braga for the ISPI.

Ch. 6: Noam Chomsky & Vijay Prashad: A Lula Victory in Brazil Could Help Save the Planet - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-30-22

Noam Chomsky joins us from Brazil with Vijay Prashad just back from Brazil to discuss Sunday’s Brazilian election between Brazil’s far right president Jair Bolsonaro and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Ch. 7: Brazil Votes For Democracy While SCOTUS Does Not - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 9-4-22

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the ramifications of the Brazilian election for president, as Bolsonaro loses by 5 points and is priming the country to reject the second round election later this month.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Rise of the Swedish far right w/ David Broder - Jacobin Show - Air Date 9-30-22

Jonas Pontusson joins us to unpack the strong electoral showing of the Swedish far right.

Ch. 9: Fascism scores another victory with Italian election - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 9-26-22

A history lesson on the rise and fall of fascism in Europe and what it says about the path we're all on today.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the big problem with small misunderstandings


TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022 - Installment #2: 

Today’s focus is on toss-up Senate races in GA, NV, PA, and WI, and Senate races (precariously) leaning Democrat or Republican: GET FULL DETAILS AND ACTION LINKS

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo from 2014. Far-right Italian politician (and newly elected Prime Minister) Giorgia Meloni stands in front of a backdrop with the Italian tricolor flame, a symbol of the neo-fascist political party in Italy. She is a white woman with straight blond hair. She is wearing a leather jacket and smiling with her arms crossed.

Credit: “Giorgia Melone 2014” by Jose Antonio, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC Attribution 4.0 International | Changes: Black vignette

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 11/29/2023

The movement for universal health care is still underway, though it rarely gets recognized in mainstream discourse. The death of Medicare For All (M4A) activist Ady Barkan is an occasion worth using to look at the progress being made to improve our system of promoting the health of all people in the United States as well as efforts to rein in the power of big Pharma that's used to gouge the American people with exorbitant prices. So, that's what we're doing.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Healthcare Activist Ady Barkan Dies of ALS; Watch His 2021 Interview on Demanding Medicare for All - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-27-23

Healthcare activist Ady Barkan has died at the age of 39 of the neurodegenerative disease ALS. His story is told in the documentary Not Going Quietly. In 2021, Democracy Now! spoke with Ady Barkan just ahead of the film’s premiere.

Ch. 2: Why your health insurance is tied to work - The Weeds - Air Date 10-18-23

The wartime policy that changed health insurance forever

Ch. 3: Rethinking the path to winning single payer - Code WACK! - Air Date 4-10-23

Winning Medicare for All in the U.S. may be at a standstill at the federal level, but it's a different story In the states. In 2021 alone, 18 single-payer bills were introduced in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Oregon.

Ch. 4: How Can This Predatory Exploitation Be Considered Health Care - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-15-23

If Medicare Advantage, the profit-driven entity that is decidedly NOT part of REAL Medicare, could be summed up in three words, they might be: deny, deny, deny.

Ch. 5: Biden vs. Big Pharma Medicare to Begin Negotiations to Lower Price of 10 Costly Drugs & Insulin - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-30-23

Peter Maybarduk joins us to discuss how the new negotiation process aims to break up drug monopolies and disband the pharmaceutical industry’s profit incentive.

Ch. 6: Inequality Undermines Health & Healthcare in the U.S. - Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff - Air Date 11-14-23

Interview with Dr. Stephen Bezruchka on how economic inequality connects to stress, health problems, and inadequate healthcare."

Ch. 7: Big Pharma Explained Why Are Meds So Expensive [& The Solution] - The Laura Flanders Show - Air Date 6-12-23

Today's three integral guests (listed below) join the Laura Flanders Show to discuss the pharmaceutical industry and how to end Big Pharma companies' monopoly.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Challenge of Caring for Our Elders - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 11-15-23

Reed Abelson, New York Times reporter, talks about the financial challenges of caring for our elders since the United States does not have a comprehensive system to help pay for long-term care as the population ages.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on more good news from the fight against climate change


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A photo of Ady Barkan wearing a “Be A Hero” shirt while sitting in his specialized wheelchair and smiling at someone off-camera.

Credit: “Elizabeth Warren & Ady Barkan”, Elizabeth Warren, Flickr | License: CC By 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1595_Medicare_for_All_Air_Date_11-29-23_General_-_11-29-23_17.31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:16pm EDT

Air Date 11/26/2023

As the hottest year in 125,000 years or so begins to come to a close, we turn to two projects still in their infancy that have big plans to decarbonize our electricity generation on one hand and give us a bit more time to turn our climate futures around on the other. The first is a reinvigoration of the geothermal power industry with the hopes of scaling up globally and the second is geo-engineering which aims to reduce the solar radiation hitting the planet to reduce devastating climate impacts while the world finishes up the work of going carbon neutral. Both ideas are a little scary, either or both could be brilliant or disastrous. The two things that are clear to me are that failure in the face of climate chaos will definitely be disastrous and any ideas with a reasonable chance of helping deserve further study.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Have We Made ANY Progress on Climate Change? Here's The Data, You Decide - PBS Terra - Air Date 12-20-22

Tune into this episode of Weathered to see where we’ve been in our race against the clock, where we’re going, and how the RCP scenarios can help us understand this story as well as our future on this planet.

Ch. 2: Batteries are dirty. Geothermal power can help. - Vox - Air Date 11-1-22

Lithium-ion batteries are a transformative technology in the fight against climate change. Most notably, they power electric vehicles, which have the potential to replace emissions produced by road transportation. But there’s a problem.

Ch. 3: The Untapped Energy Source That Could Power the Planet | Jamie C. Beard - TEDTalks - Air Date 10-28-21

Deep beneath your feet is a molten ball of energy the same temperature as the surface of the sun -- an immense clean energy source that could power the world thousands of times over, says technologist and climate activist Jamie C. Beard. How do we tap it?

Ch. 4: A Messy and Unhinged Introduction to Geoengineering - vlogbrothers - Air Date 10-4-23

Describing the most dangerous way to save the world

Ch. 5: Smog Cloud Silver Lining - Radiolab - Air Date 9-22-23

Summer 2023 was a pretty scary one for the planet. Global temperatures in June and July reached record highs. And over in the North Atlantic Sea, the water temperature spiked to off-the-chart levels.

Ch. 6: How to think about solar radiation management - Volts - Air Date 2-24-23

Even if greenhouse gas emissions halted entirely right now, we would continue to feel climate change effects for decades due to existing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — and warming could accelerate


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 7: Final comments and interview with Mike Tidwell about the arguments for and against geo-engineering


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1594_Climate_Geo-_Air_Date_11-26-23_General_-_11-26-23_07.31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:47am EDT

Original Air Date 10-5-2022

Today, we take a look at the life and legacy of President Ronald Reagan, the last transformational U.S. president who's regime we are still living in. Between his neoliberal economics, anti-government ideology and white supremacist appeal to authoritarians, he did more to shape the last 40 years of the politics of the country and conservative movement than anyone else.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: 40 years later, is this the end of Reaganomics? - Make Me Smart - Air Date 12-14-21

It’s been just over 40 years since newly elected President Ronald Reagan declared, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem.”

Ch. 2: The Democracy We Think We Live In - On the Media - Air Date 8-9-19

Adam Serwer [@AdamSerwer], staff writer at The Atlantic, on the catastrophic, deadly idea that "only white people are fit for self-government."

Ch. 3: General Motors Proves Trickle Down Theory Only Works If You Shower With Gold Water - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-3-18

General Motors admits what we all know, after receiving a massive tax cut, the auto maker is laying off thousands of American employees and closing it's plants.

Ch. 4: The Lasting Impact of Reagan's Firing of Air Traffic Controllers (1/2) - The Real News Network - Air Date 8-4-14

Prof. Joseph McCartin and former PATCO spokesperson Elliot Simons discuss the anniversary of the firing and Ronald Reagan's betrayal

Ch. 5: When American Presidents Go to Trial - On the Media - Air Date 9-9-22

Rick Perlstein [@rickperlstein], a journalist and author of The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan, explains the continuing impact of Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon for his crimes.

Ch. 6: Ronald Reagan “Terrifying Words - ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 5-13-21

We scrutinize Reagan's famous quote "the nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help’” in today's episode. Where and when was it coined? What is its broader meaning?

Ch. 7: How Ronald Reagan's Regime Led To The Jan 6th Capitol Riot - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-17-21

The Capitol insurrection on January 6th was a long time coming. Back in 1980, Ronald Reagan's campaign was laying the groundwork for what would become Donald Trump's platform.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: America’s Right Turn with Rick Perlstein - Why Is This Happening? - Air Date 9-1-20

How did America’s modern conservative movement come to power? Historian and author Rick Perlstein’s prolific work has traced the arc of modern electoral politics, and specifically has laid out how modern conservatism arose.

Ch. 9: Why the "Reagan Regime" Endures - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 3-7-22

Presidencies are rarely transformational, and neither Biden nor Trump have lived up to their supporters’ dreams. So what does it take to really change our politics? Host Kai Wright is joined by political theorist Corey Robin to confront that question.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on my first debate about Reagan

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A large portrait of former American President Ronald Reagan in a dark suit and red tie is framed on a wall in a dim, museum-like room. His smiling face is softly lit with a spotlight.

Credit: “President Ronald Re[a]gan” by LunchboxLarry, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0  | Changes: Slightly cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1518_Reagan_Bad_Air_Date_10-5-22_General_-_11-22-23_17.20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:35pm EDT

Air Date: 11-17-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- The internet culture of putting people on blast,
- a reexamination of kids who want their parents to track their movements,
- trying to learn about the human condition but getting tricked into watching poverty porn,
- and using AI to talk to whales and save all life on earth

REFERENCES:
Teens Want Parents to Track Their Phones and Monitor Their Every Move - Wall Street Journal

Whoever staves lease wins - Vulture

How to Use AI to Talk to Whales—and Save Life on Earth - Wired


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_280_Sample_-_11-17-23_08.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am EDT

Air Date 11/14/2023

The Supreme Court turned the table on average, working people back in the 70s when they empowered wealthy individuals and corporations to have an outsized role in our politics. Now we're trapped in the reality that shift in power created and are dreaming of a better way to manage our economic and political systems for the benefit of all people.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1247 The Fight for the Four Freedoms (FDR vs. Libertarianism)


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Citizens United Has Destroyed America Why Is Nobody Talking About It - Thom Harmann Program - Air Date 10-27-23

If America is to recover any semblance of meaningful democracy in our country, we have to cut out the cancer of big money in our political system. We MUST overturn Citizens United.

Ch. 2: How Things Work Congress's Revolving Door - Jim Hightower's Lowdown - Air Date 11-9-23

Hear it? What’s that sound? “Whoop-whoop-whoop.” Oooo, it’s Washington’s revolving door, allowing corporate interests to come directly inside Congress to pervert public policy.

Ch. 3: Corporate Bullsh*t Legal Bullsh*t - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 11-11-23

Donald Cohen discusses the long history of corporate propaganda covering for corporate greed, and his new book Corporate Bullsh*t: Exposing the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power, and Wealth in America.

Ch. 4: What Socialism Needs to Succeed - Economic Update - Air Date 10-32-23

This week's episode covers the crisis of today's left, the need to build upon and go beyond successful socialism of the 19th and 20th century, the state and micro focus on the workplace, and democratizing workplaces.

Ch. 5: Redefining Wealth–with Aisha Nyandoro - OFF-KILTER - Air Date 11-2-23

As Aisha Nyandoro—CEO of Springboard to Opportunity and architect of the Magnolia Mother’s Trust—argues in her recent Tedx Talk, it’s time to redefine wealth in the United States.

Ch. 6: Prof. Richard Wolff Why Not Democratize Big Auto Companies - The Zero Hour - Air Date 10-28-23

Prof Wolff joins Zero Hour with RJ Eskow to discuss the recent agreement between the Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers and how it relates to the larger issues of labor, capitalism, and democratizing workplaces.

Ch. 7: Inside West Virginia's New Economic Bill of Rights–with Troy N. Miller - OFF-KILTER - Air Date 11-9-23

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Troy N. Miller, who’s long served as the Off-Kilter podcast’s beloved “man behind the curtain,” aka executive producer.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: How Media's Use of 'The Economy' Flattens Class Conflict - Citations Needed - Air Date 11-1-23

Kim Kelly joins to discuss the term "the economy," how and why metrics reflect interest of capital- GDP, the DOW - which are positioned as more important indicators of economic strength versus the needs of the average person.

Ch. 9: Redefining Wealth–with Aisha Nyandoro Part 2 - OFF-KILTER - Air Date 11-2-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on how a shifting baseline obscures the inequity of our economic system


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A photo of a protest banner depicting a drawn human figure with its arms out standing on top of the symbol for dollars ($). The words “People Over Profits” are written across the middle.

Credit: “World Bank/IMF demonstration [06]”  by Ben Schumin, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1593_Economic_Visions_Air_Date_11-14-23_General_-_11-14-23_17.02.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:55pm EDT

Air Date 11/10/2023

Violence and oppression are destructive and corrosive to both the victim and perpetrator and this goes a long way toward explaining many of the dynamics at play in the holy land between Israelis and Palestinians.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why Hamas Attacked Israel - And What's Next For Gaza - AJ+ - Air Date 10-13-23

On October 7th, Hamas launched one of the deadliest attacks on Israel in years. But why? And what does this mean for the 2.3 million people trapped in Gaza, often called the largest open-air prison on Earth?

Ch. 2: 'The possibility of genocide is staring us in the face' in Gaza: Holocaust studies professor - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 11-3-23

Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, joins Mehdi to discuss Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Bartov tells Mehdi, “I don’t think that what is happening there right now is genocide…

Ch. 3: Shock Doctrine Israel with Naomi Klein - The Bitchuation Room - Air Date 10-31-23

Weaponizing trauma to inflict more trauma is Israel's forte. Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine, No Logo, and the new book Doppelganger, joins Francesca to discuss the all out assault on the people of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas' attack.

Ch. 4: Antisemitism: An Evil, An Enemy Of Peace - Owen Jones - Air Date 10-31-23

Antisemitism is an evil in itself - it is the cause of terrible horrors over many centuries - and it is also a mortal enemy of peace in Palestine.

Ch. 5: Far Right Exploiting Gaza War to Spread Antisemitism and Islamophobia / Shane Burley - This Is Hell! - Air Date 11-7-23

Shane Burley on his writing at Waging Nonviolence on white nationalists manipulating the Gaza crisis. Plus 'Rotten History.'

Ch. 6: Naomi Klein on 'Selective Information' About Israel and Gaza - Inside the Hive - Air Date 11-2-23

Host Brian Stelter joins Naomi Klein to discuss the challenges of understanding what’s happening on the ground in Israel and Gaza as an information war plays out alongside the carnage.

Ch. 7: What’s Happening in Israel and Why with Nathan Thrall - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 11-1-23

The October 7th attack by Hamas and Israel's subsequent response has left the world in shock. To better understand the context behind this moment, Adam is joined by Nathan Thrall, one of the leading experts on the conflict in Gaza.

Ch. 8: Ta-Nehisi Coates Speaks Out Against Israel's "Segregationist Apartheid Regime" After West Bank Visit - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-2-23

Ta-Nehisi Coates joins us to discuss his journey to Palestine and Israel and learn about the connection between the struggle of African Americans and Palestinians.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Beyond Settler-Colonialism - Against the Grain - Air Date - 10-31-23

Mahmood Mamdani, the acclaimed scholar of colonialism and anti-colonialism, reflects on the United States, Nazi Germany, South Africa, and Israel — settler-colonial societies built on internment and ethnic cleansing.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on an extraordinary case of looking the find the humanity in the inhumane attacks on Israel of October 7th


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A black and white photo of a street protest in London. An older man holds a large handmade protest sign, which reads "Hamas targetting civilians = war crimes. Israel targetting civilians = war crimes." The greeting "Shalom" is written in Hebrew next to the greeting "Salam" written in Arabic. At the bottom, "End the occupation!"

Credit: "No Excuses for War Crimes under any Pretext." by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped and slightly increased contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1592_Israel_Air_Date_11-11-23_General_-_11-10-23_19.57.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:35pm EDT

Air Date 11/6/2023

Media literacy is a basic requirement for understanding the war in Gaza, as propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation are being distributed for both ideological and financial reasons.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Breaking News Consumer's Handbook Israel-Gaza Edition - On the Media - Air Date 10-27-23

Discussing how to navigate your social media feed in the midst of the war in Gaza.

Ch. 2: Hearts, minds, and likes - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-23-23

False information about what is happening in Israel and Gaza is taking over SM faster than journalists like BBC Verify’s Shayan Sardarizadeh can check it. 

Ch. 3: US Media, Washington Rush Head First into 9-11 2.0 - Citations Needed - Air Date 10-11-23

In this public News Brief, we discuss the recent escalation in violence in "the Middle East" and the quickly forming bipartisan consensus to jam the issue into a simplistic, dehumanizing War on Terror narrative

Ch. 4: Fog of War The Media and the Israel–Palestine Conflict - Deconstructed - Air Date 10-13-23

Ryan Grim is joined by Intercept reporter Alice Speri, who has frequently reported from occupied Palestinian territory, and Palestinian American writer and political analyst Yousef Munayyer.

Ch. 5: Hate Crimes, American Media & the 'Free Palestine' Movement - NowThisNews - Air Date 11-1-23

As attacks on Gaza continue, so do violent acts in the U.S., and this researcher is breaking down our media's narratives.

Ch. 6: 12 Journalists, Mostly Palestinians in Gaza, Killed in Deadliest Time for Journalists - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-16-23

Sherif Mansour of the Committee to Protect Journalists says it is one of the highest death tolls for journalists covering the conflict since 1992 and calls today it the "deadliest time for journalists in Gaza."

Ch. 7: Breaking News Consumer's Handbook Israel-Gaza Edition Part 2 - On the Media - Air Date 10-27-23

Ch. 8: Peter Maybarduk on Paxlovid, Maya Schenwar on Grassroots Journalism - CounterSpin - Air Date 11-27-23

The media lens—the points of view that they show us day after day, those they obscure or ridicule—affects the way we understand the world, our neighbors, and what’s politically possible. Guest Maya Schenwar, author and editor at large of Truthout.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Gaza Siege and the Liberal Handwringing Industrial Complex - Citations Needed - Air Date 10-18-23

We break down the latest efforts by Democrats to support Israel's brutal bombing and collective punishment of Gaza while still looking "deeply concerned" about the logical outcomes of this bombing and collective punishment.

Ch. 10: Not in Our Name 400 Arrested at Jewish-Led Sit-in at NYC's Grand Central Demanding Gaza Ceasefire - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-30-23

We bring you the voices of Jewish Voice for Peace and their allies who shut down the main terminal of Grand Central Station during rush hour Friday in one of New York's largest acts of civil disobedience in 20 years to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: The influence of calling Congress - Craig from Ohio


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on a case study in war media manipulation

Reference: Does a Photo Show 'Wonder Woman' Actor Gal Gadot Turning Up to Serve in the Israel Defense Forces? - Snopes


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Composite image of an illustrated hand holding a phone with "LIVE" and "BREAKING" on the screen, along with the much-maligned initial NY Times headline "Israel Strike Kills Hundreds in Hospital, Palestinians Say". A finger is pressing an invisible button at the bottom of the screen. Many "share" arrows point out away from the phone.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. News image credit: "Gaza" by Marcin Monko, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 DEED | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1591_Israel_Media_Air_Date_11-6-23_General_-_11-6-23_13.24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:20pm EDT

Original Air Date: 8/31/2022

Today, as the news of Trump's various trials continues to drop out, we take a look back at this episode covering the long and illustrious history of powerful people avoiding prosecution in the United States.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Welcome to the golden age of white collar crime (with Michael Hobbes) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 3-10-20

Why is right now the easiest time in modern history for the wealthy to get away with whatever they want? HuffPost reporter and fellow Seattleite Michael Hobbes join Zach in the studio for a deep dive into his most recent article about white-collar crime.

Ch. 2: Flint Residents Outraged as Charges Dropped in Fatal Water Scandal That Poisoned Majority-Black City - Democracy Now - Air Date 5-30-22

Eight years after the deadly Flint water crisis began, the state’s Supreme Court has thrown out charges against former Governor Rick Snyder and eight other former officials for their complicity in the public health emergency.

Ch. 3: Obama Requests Immunity for War Criminal George W. Bush - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-22-13

Obama's DOJ has requested that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Paul Wolfowitz be granted immunity in a case that is alleging that they violated international law with the Iraq War...

Ch. 4: Obama on Investigating Bush Crimes: "Need to Look Forward" - This Week - Air Date 1-11-09

Barack Obama on This Week, January 11, 2009

Ch. 5: How George H.W. Bush's Pardons for Iran-Contra Conspirators Set the Stage for Trump's Impunity - Democracy Now - Air Date 12-4-18

In 1992, when Bush Sr. was president, he pardoned several Iran-Contra defendants, including Caspar Weinberger, Robert McFarlane, and Elliott Abrams. We speak with Greg Grandin, prize-winning author, and professor of Latin American history at New York Univ.

Ch. 6: Pardon Me - Reveal - Air Date 7-6-19

Presidential pardons grab the headlines each time Donald Trump grants clemency to a controversial person. We tell the untold story of a pardon system that is completely broken and a pardon attorney’s office that is being ignored by the White House.

Ch. 7: Bryan Stevenson on the racial terrorism of lynching - Cape Up - Air Date 4-24-18

Bryan Stevenson wants us to confront our country’s racial terrorism and then say, ‘Never again’

Ch. 8: Justice Department Weighs Whether Or Not To Prosecute Trump - MSNBC - Air Date 8-29-22

New York Times Justice Department Reporter Katie Benner and former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman discuss how the inquiry into Trump’s handling of classified documents poses an unparalleled test for DOJ


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Restoring the Brotherhood of Union: Confederate Pardon and Amnesty Records, 1865-1877 - US National Archives - Air Date 5-21-15

"Restoring the Brotherhood of Union: Confederate Pardon and Amnesty Records, 1865-1877" Archives specialist John Deeben provides a brief legislative history of amnesty activity during and after the Civil War.

Ch. 10: The power of presidential pardons - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 12-25-20

Pardons are among the most powerful tools a president has. While pardons can be politically motivated, drawing criticism, they can also change lives.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the nature of pardons, accountability and hurt feelings


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: TBT_1510_Accountability_Air_Date_8-31-22_General_-_11-1-23_08.37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EDT

Original Air Date: 8/16/2022

Today, we take a look at the strategies underway to systematically dismantle democracy in the United States including installing Big-Lie™ believers in elected and poll-working positions, preventing state-level Supreme Courts from holding GOP-dominated state legislators to the state constitutions, and wiping out tens of thousands of career civil servants from the federal government to be replaced by right-wing extremists.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Republicans Caught Planning MASSIVE Voter Fraud - David Pakman Show - Air Date 6-2-22

Republicans are caught planning massive voter fraud in a mindblowing new report from Politico

Ch. 2: Republican plans to use political operatives as poll workers alarm voting rights activists - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 6-1-22

Now, reporting by POLITICO details GOP efforts on the local level to challenge and potentially overturn elections. Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine and the author of "Cheap Speech" joins William Brangham to discuss.

Ch. 3: Inside Trump's Stealth Purge Plan with the Congressman Leading the Fight Against It - Beyond Politics - Air Date 7-28-22

Trump’s top allies are prepping a plan to purge the federal government. They want to remove thousands of key decision-makers and replace them with MAGA loyalists, all through an Executive Order called "Schedule F."

Ch. 4: 2024 Republican Hopefuls Support Trump Allies' Plan To Purge Government Workers - Ring of Fire - Air Date 8-4-22

Many of the possible 2024 Republican contenders have told Axios that they support the plan being put together by Trump's allies to purge career government workers and replace them with their own loyalists.

Ch. 5: Fake Electors, Real Crimes and Much More - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-26-22

Explaining the plan to election 2020 election deniers into positions of power to influence the 2024 election.

Ch. 6: Dark Money Is Fueling Election Deniers In Secretary Of State Races - The Ring of Fire - Air Date 8-6-22

Across the country, dark money is pouring into Secretary of State races to promote election-denying candidates. This money is mostly untraceable, thanks to our absurd campaign finance laws.

Ch. 7: Judicial Coup SCOTUS Gerrymandering Case May Let GOP State Legislatures Control Federal Elections - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-6-22

Carolyn Shapiro says a ruling in favor of North Carolina Republicans would be "extremely problematic from the perspective of democracy" and "could cause enormous chaos."

Ch. 8: The Supreme Court Case That Could Upend U.S. Elections - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-5-22

"I always counsel against assuming that any one court decision is going to dramatically change the landscape. But this case is different," says Marc Elias on the Supreme Court taking up a case on state legislatures' authority over elections.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Fake Electors, Real Crimes and Much More Part 2 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-26-22

Previously undisclosed emails between top associates and aides of Donald Trump expose how they coordinated their plot to present 'fake' electors in seven states to steal the 2020 election from the American people.


TAKE ACTION:

Become a Poll/Election Worker: 

How to Be A Poll Worker Where you Live (US Election Assistance Commission)

WorkElections.org (Fair Elections Center)

Defeat MAGA Secretaries of State in Midterms:

MoveOn "US v. MAGA" Campaign

Help People Get Voter IDs:

VoteRiders


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A voter crouches by a folding table, his head is obscured by the white voter privacy box decorated with an American flag on each side. Other tables and privacy boxes can be seen in the large building foyer. Glass entrance doors can be seen in the distance.

Credit: “Election Day 2020” by Phil Roeder, Flickr | License: CC by 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: TBT_1507_Loyalists_Air_Date_8-16-22_Throwback_General_-_10-27-23_09.36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23am EDT

Air Date 10/23/2023

The people who want to pull the country in directions that are only supported by a small minority of the population have to develop very intricate plans to have any hope of succeeding. This is the story of the latest plan to establish unchecked rule to implement unpopular policies supported only by the far right.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: ‘The endgame of election denial is that we shouldn't have elections’: Authoritarianism expert - The ReidOut - Air Date 10-6-23

Donald Trump has ramped up his violent rhetoric in recent weeks. Meanwhile, a Fox host has urged the U.S. towards civil war and claimed that voting does not work.

Ch. 2: Violent Authoritarianism: How Did This Become the GOP? - Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen - Air Date 11-23-21

Pat Buchanan was ahead of his time. He used the KKK’s David Duke to breed a new nativist religious nationalism, based on fear of liberalization. On this show, political science professor Joseph Lowndes sheds light on how the Republican Party got here

Ch. 3: Analyzing The Dark Roots Of Modern Conservatism - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 10-15-23

Emma hosts John S. Huntington, professor of history at Houston Community College, to discuss his recent book Far-Right Vanguard: The Radical Roots of Modern Conservatism.

Ch. 4: How Often Do YOU Think About the Roman Empire? - Wisecrack - Air Date 10-16-23

The real reason TikTok is crazy for ancient Rome If you’re even a little bit online, you know that the men love ancient Rome. This isn’t new: The civilization has loomed large in the Western imagination ever since its catastrophic collapse.

Ch. 5: The Conservative Plan to Take Over the Country Part 1 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 9-26-23

Project 2025 is the terrifying plan set out by conservatives to take over the government. But it's radical, and it doesn't align with what most Americans want. Which is why we have to make sure this plan never happens.

Ch. 6: The GOP’s "Red Caesar" New Political Order Plan Marches Forward - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-3-23

A Trump supporter just displayed exactly how stochastic terrorism works.

Ch. 7: The Conservative Plan to Take Over the Country Part 2 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 9-26-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Think Tanks: How Fake Experts Shape the News - Tom Nicholas - Air Date 5-13-23

A video about how billionaire-funded right-wing “think tanks” such as the Heritage Foundation, Adam Smith Institute, Manhattan Institute, and Institute of Economic Affairs manipulate the news to spread their propaganda.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments discussing the Red Caesar movement and our strange allies opposing it


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A white marble bust of Julius Caesar in armor and robes wears a red MAGA hat.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Source images of bust and hat are copyright-free from Pixabay.

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1590_Red_Caesar_Air_Date_10-23-23_General_-_10-23-23_20.10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT

Air Date: 10-21-23

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:

- the complainers at The Atlantic

- why a mindful workforce is an oxymoron

- the myriad problems with creeping on people

- how Taylor Swift is going to solve anti-native racism

 

REFERENCES:

The Microwave Makes No Sense - The Atlantic 

Real mindfulness would transform the economy - Vox 

Maybe think twice before making an innocent stranger go viral? - NPR 

The Very Common, Very Harmful Thing Well-Meaning Parents Do - The Atlantic 

The 7 Best Conspiracies About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce - Wired 

Native Americans hope Taylor Swift can help get tomahawk chop banned from Chiefs games - USA Today 

 

Join our Discord Server 

 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_279_Sample_-_10-21-23_12.48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:07pm EDT

Air Date 10/17/2023

There is absolutely no understanding of the conflict in Israel and Gaza without deep context, history, and human psychology. Those who attempt to find moral clarity through simplification of the situation will only find themselves supporting atrocities by one side or the other and demonstrate themselves to be fools in the process.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Israel and Palestine A Difficult Discussion Part 1 - Gaslit Nation - Air Date 10-10-23

Andrea is joined by Terrell Starr, host of the Black Diplomats podcast, who recently visited the West Bank.

Ch. 2: Israeli Human Rights Leader Orly Noy on Israel’s War on Palestinians After Hamas Attack - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-9-23

Israel has declared war on Hamas after Hamas fighters launched a surprise coordinated attack over the militarized border, the largest in decades.

Ch. 3: Phyllis Bennis on Gaza - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-13-23

“War is not the time for context” still seems to be the mantra for many in the US press. We’ll talk with Phyllis Bennis from the New Internationalism project at the Institute for Policy Studies.

Ch. 4: Israeli Journalist Gideon Levy Israel Should Lift Siege & Call Off Plan for Ground Invasion of Gaza - Democracy Now - Air Date 10-11-23

From Tel Aviv, we hear from award-winning Israeli journalist and author Gideon Levy, whose recent column for Haaretz is headlined “Israel Can’t Imprison Two Million Gazans Without Paying a Cruel Price.”

Ch. 5: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez On The Israel-Hamas Conflict & USA's Role - Ebro in the Morning - Air Date 10-12-23

Ebro in the Morning sits down with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to discuss the conflicts in the Israel-Hamas war, the role of the United States in the conflict, the conversation, and the next steps.

Ch. 6: Israel and Palestine A Difficult Discussion Part 2 - Gaslit Nation - Air Date 10-10-23

Ch. 7: Between Israel and Palestine, Things are going to get a lot worse - The Marc Steiner Show - Air Date 10-12-23

We speak with journalist and Palestine News Director for Mondoweiss Yumna Patel from Bethlehem about the events of the past week

Ch. 8: Gaza Is Running Out of Life Human Rights Watch Sounds Alarm on Israel's Collective Punishment - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-16-23

As the humanitarian crisis worsens, we get an update from Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, who says conditions in Gaza are dire.

Ch. 9: How Western Leaders & Media Are Justifying Israel’s “Genocidal Campaign” Against Palestinians - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-13-23

The unfolding crisis in Gaza, where relentless Israeli bombardment has killed more than 1,500 people since Saturday, is “a humanitarian catastrophe,” says Palestinian American human rights attorney Noura Erakat.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: US Media's Pro-Israel Propaganda Interrupted By Palestinian Mustafa Barghouti's CNN Interview - The Majority Report - Air Date 10-9-23

Palestinian National Initiative leader Mustafa Barghouti discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine with CNN's Fareed Zakaria.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Calling Congress about the latest war - Andrew


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments with even more notes of nuance from the conflict


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Photo. In the foreground, piles of broken concrete and twisted metal line a section of the coast of Gaza. The sea and tall buildings are visible in the distance. The sky is cloudy and ominous.

Credit: "Gaza" by Marcin Monko, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 DEED | Changes: Tightly cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1589_Israel_Hamas_Air_Date_10-17-23_General_-_10-17-23_19.06.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:19pm EDT

Air Date 10/13/2023

Understanding the historical context of the civil war within the GOP as they have just fought their way out of being able to govern at all with an empty Speakership in the house that is grinding congress to a halt.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Shutshow - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-2-23

The US government is open for business at the cost of Ukraine aid. Semafor’s Jordan Weissmann explains how we got here. And White House communications director Ben LaBolt explains how the Biden administration is justifying the compromise.

Ch. 2: Far-Right Republicans Look to Oust Speaker McCarthy After He Averts Government Shutdown - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-2-23

“It’s a crisis entirely of Kevin McCarthy’s own making,” says our guest Sasha Abramsky, the West Coast correspondent for The Nation.

Ch. 3: AOC Explains Why Democrats Voted To Remove Kevin McCarthy From Speaker Position - Forbes Breaking News - Air Date 10-6-23

At a virtual town hall, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) spoke about the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the Speaker role, which every Democratic lawmaker in the House voted for.

Ch. 4: The House that Newt Built: The Rise of Matt Gaetz Part 1 - UNFTR - Air Date 10-7-23

Max struggles to understand exactly what Matt Gaetz is after, but has his suspicions. Regardless of the right-wing endgame, this week’s fiasco was made possible by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s.

Ch. 5: Through the Gaetz of Hell - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-6-23

Brad begins with an analytical discussion of political nihilism in order to provide a window into the chaos in Congress created by the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Ch. 6: The House that Newt Built: The Rise of Matt Gaetz Part 2 - UNFTR - Air Date 10-7-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Why Our Politics Are Stuck In 2016 - FiveThirtyEight Politics - Air Date 9-25-23

In this installment of the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast, Galen Druke speaks with American politics professor Lynn Vavreck to help make sense of how we got here.

Ch. 8: Who Will Replace Kevin McCarthy - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 10-6-23

Since a faction of far-right Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy as speaker, Luke Broadwater, congressional reporter for The New York Times, talks about the candidates vying to replace him.

Ch. 9: It's Now Or Never For The GOP Candidates - FiveThirtyEight Politics - Air Date 9-28-23

The crew reacts to the second Republican presidential primary debate in this late-night podcast.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on what divides the parties from each other and from within


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A caricature of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy standing in front of the seal of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Credit: “Kevin McCarthy - Caricature” by DonkeyHotey, Flickr | License: CC By 2.0 DEED | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1588_GOP_Fighting_Air_Date_10-13-23_General_-_10-13-23_17.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:26pm EDT

Original Air Date: 2/22/2023

Today, we take a look at some of the work of the chaotic wrecking crew that is the GOP of the 118th Congress including their plan to hold the world economy hostage and weaponize the government against Democrats all while infighting their way to the 2024 presidential election.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What House Speaker McCarthy’s concessions to get elected mean for the nation - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 1-7-23

His dramatic victory came after a series of concessions that will give hardline conservatives greater influence in the House. Sarah Binder, a political scientist at George Washington University, joins John Yang to discuss.

Ch. 2: GOP is playing with U.S. prosperity in fight over debt ceiling - MSNBC - Air Date 1-14-23

McCarthy and the House GOP are threatening to not raise the debt ceiling. That would be a huge mistake. Ali Velshi explains why.

Ch. 3: Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Impending debt ceiling showdown a ‘manufactured crisis’ - GBH News - Air Date 1-19-23

Senator Warren joined Jon Keller to discuss the debt ceiling which she called a "manufactured crisis" that Republicans don't care enough about, and that wealthy corporations need to pay more in taxes.

Ch. 4: Joe: Debt ceiling fight is just a lose-lose for McCarthy - Morning Joe - Air Date 1-18-23

The Republican-controlled House has planted the seeds for a debt-ceiling showdown. The Morning Joe panel discusses.

Ch. 5: Right-Wingers FINALLY Exposed For Crushing Plot In Real Time - The Damage Report - Air Date 2-12-23

Right-wingers, including Matt Gaetz, Lindsey Graham and Kevin McCarthy, get caught for their blatant lies over social security on camera while ABC Johnathan Karl runs cover. John Iadarola and Ben Carollo break it down on The Damage Report.

Ch. 6: The real reason behind the Republican Party infighting Part 1 - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 2-10-23

Then, Republican infighting keeps going public, as even Fox News pans their hearings. Guests: Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Stacey Plaskett, Yurii Hundych, Alfie Williams, Gov. George Pataki

Ch. 7: House GOP Twitter Hunter Biden laptop 'censorship' hearing crashes and burns Part 1 - The BradCast - Air Date 2-9-23

The awaited GOP-led House hearings are now underway, and as predicted, they are not going well. Republicans intended a hearing on Twitter's content moderation policies to bolster their bogus claims of alleged federal government censorship of social media.

Ch. 8: The real reason behind the Republican Party infighting Part 2 - All In W Chris Hayes - Air Date 2-10-23

Ch. 9: House GOP Twitter Hunter Biden laptop 'censorship' hearing crashes and burns Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 2-9-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: Is America broken? - The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Air Date 2-2-23

Sean Illing speaks with Alana Newhouse, the editor-in-chief of Tablet magazine. They discuss her recent essay on "brokenism," a term she coined in an effort to redefine political divisions in America.


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: TBT_1545_GOP_Congress_Air_Date_2-22-23_General_-_10-10-23_19.41.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:51pm EDT

Air Date 10/7/2023

Spanning the gamut of terrible policy choices and their impacts on children, we look today at the perverse reality at odds with conservatives' claim to be standing up for "family values" and saving children from the abuse of Democrats.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1479 Torturing Children and Families in the Name of Protecting Them (Trans Rights)

#1563 Putting Our Kids to Work for Corporate Profits


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What "Parents' Rights" REALLY Means - Zoe Bee - Air Date 9-26-23

"Parents' Rights" has been a rallying cry for several political and social groups in the past few years. But what does it really mean? Let's find out.

Ch. 2: Child poverty increases sharply following expiration of expanded tax credit - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 9-12-23

In 2021, as the economy reeled from the pandemic, a one-year expansion of the child tax credit led to a historic 46 percent decline in the child poverty rate. But new census data shows a dramatic reversal with the rate of children in poverty skyrocketing

Ch. 3: Why Child Labor in America is Skyrocketing - Robert Reich - Air Date 5-16-23

Corporations are now using the “labor shortage” as an excuse to bring back child labor. It’s part of a horrifying trend: Since 2015, child labor violations have risen nearly 300%.

Ch. 4: America First 2.0 & A Defense of Child Marriage - Head in the Office - Air Date 4-19-23

The boys highlight a slurry of bad news coming from states like Florida and Ohio, the Missouri GOP defends child marriage, a GOP presidential contender drops a 25 point plan for America First 2.0, many people might lose Medicaid

Ch. 5: Having A Baby In America – SOME MORE NEWS - Air Date 9-27-23

Conservatives sure want Americans to have more children, but they don't seem to like children at all or want to support them in society! In today's episode, we look at the many challenges Americans face if they want to become parents

Ch. 6: How Inequality Fuels Child Abuse - One in Ten - Air Date 9-5-23

How do we come alongside and stand with families in poverty who are struggling with child abuse and neglect? How do we examine our own policies and procedures to ensure that we’re being genuinely helpful and not just adding to families’ burdens?

Ch. 7: Sen. Booker blasts GOP: ‘Morally obscenity’ of child poverty is a ‘policy choice’ - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 9-13-23

Sen. Cory Booker on the child poverty rate doubling after Republicans let the expanded child tax credit expire: “We have now proved something pretty phenomenal and at the same time, pretty obscene.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Why It Sucks To Be Young - Andrewism - Air Date 2-3-21

We don't talk enough about how our society treats young people and children. Let's change that.

Ch. 9: We Uncovered the Shocking Plot to Eradicate Public Schools in America - More Perfect Union - Air Date 10-2-23

Leaked videos and recordings uncovered by investigative watchdog Documented expose the Alliance Defending Freedom’s plot to wipe out public schools in America.

Their goal is to take down the entire system of education


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the article that inspired today's episode and more examples of abusing children through policy New


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1587_Children_Air_Date_10-7-23_General_-_10-6-23_19.53.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:04am EDT

Air Date 10/3/2023

The Stop Cop City movement in Atlanta is the current tip of the spear of the police accountability movement but the instinct of elected officials to lean into building more and bigger policing facilities is likely to spread as part of the backlash to the backlash against police violence which calls for defunding and redistributing resources to programs that actually help people.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Cop City, RICO, and corporate fascism w/ Taya Graham & Stephen Janis - Rattling the Bars - Air Date 9-18-23

Ch. 2: The Struggle to Stop Cop City - On the Nose - Air Date 6-22-23

Joining to discuss Stop Cop City, Micah Herskind, a community organizer and writer; Keyanna Jones, a reverend and organizer; and Josie Duffy Rice, a writer who covers criminal justice.

Ch. 3: Is America becoming Cop City - The Police Accountability Report - Air Date 4-10-23

We went on the ground in Atlanta, GA to find the truth behind the Cop City protests, the police shooting death of Manuel "Tortuguita" Tehran and the dark money funding the creation of the Atlanta Public Safety Center.

Ch. 4: The Struggle to Stop Cop City Part 2 - On the Nose - Air Date 6-22-23

Joining to discuss Stop Cop City, Micah Herskind, a community organizer and writer; Keyanna Jones, a reverend and organizer; and Josie Duffy Rice, a writer who covers criminal justice.

Ch. 5: Armed Police Raid on Bail Fund for Cop City Opponents Is Attack on “Infrastructure of the Movement” - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-2-23

These new and unprecedented arrests are a clear attack on “the infrastructure of the movement,” says Kamau Franklin, founder of the organization Community Movement Builders and a vocal Cop City opponent.

Ch. 6: Stop Cop City with Atlanta DSA - Revolutions Per Minute - Air Date 8-23-23

Tonight we’ll hear from Atlanta DSA member Gabriel Sanchez about the chapter's effort to stop Cop City through a ballot referendum and the terrifying tactics police, the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia have used to in order to crush opposition.

Ch. 7: A Political Prosecution 61 Cop City Opponents Hit with RICO Charges by Georgia's Republican AG - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-6-23

"They are choosing to use the legal process in an essentially violent way to target protesters," says attorney Devin Franklin with the Southern Center for Human Rights, which is organizing legal representation for the defendants in the case.

Ch. 8: Stop Cop City - Keyanna Jones - Air Date 9-17-23

Sam talks with Keyanna Michelle Jones, an organizer with Community Movement Builders. They discuss the ominous and illegitimate RICO indictments "Cop City" opponents face and the fascist assault on the right to protest there.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Stop Cop City Part 2 - Keyanna Jones - Air Date 9-17-23

Ch. 10: Stop Cop City with Atlanta DSA Part 2 - Revolutions Per Minute - Air Date 8-23-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments Final comments on understanding the movement cycle


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Protesters walking in the street in NYC hold a large banner that says “Stop Cop City: NYC Supports Atlanta Forrest Defenders” with images of trees.

Credit: “36 Stop Cop City” by Felton Davis, Flickr | License: CC BY 4.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1586_Cop_City_Air_Date_10-3-23_General_-_10-3-23_19.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:17pm EDT

Air Date: 9-29-23

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:

- The economics of witch trials

- The creation of content for capital

- Layers and layers of bullshit obscure reality

- Post script: visit to the Salem museum

 

REFERENCES:

How Social Turmoil Has Increased Witch Hunts throughout History - Scientific American 

To Be a Consumer of Culture Means Living in a Hostage Situation - Slate 

WE’VE LOST THE PLOT - The Atlantic 

Dance, I Said — Dance! And Leave the Package on the Porch. - NYTimes 

The Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice - Peabody Essex Museum; Salem, Mass 

 

Join our Discord Server 

 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_278_Sample_-_9-29-23_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:44pm EDT

Air Date 9/26/2023

Rays of hope for the worker's struggle against unfettered, exploitative capitalism are coming from multiple angles as strikes from creatives in Hollywood and autoworkers in Detroit are striking to demand wages, benefits, and protections while executives make arguments for why workers should be made to feel the threat of poverty to keep them in line.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1463 People Are Waking Back Up To The Need For Labor Unions

#1557 Tactics and Counter-Tactics of the Struggle for Labor Rights


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: GM CEO Flails In Response To CNN Question Over Her Pay vs. Workers - The Rational National - Air Date 9-15-23

On day 1 of the UAW strike, CNN questioned CEO of General Motors Mary Barra over why she has seen a 34% increase in her pay while GM workers haven't. I break down how ridiculous her response here is.

Ch. 2: Far-Right Anti-Science Conspiracies Are Literally Killing Us - The New Abnormal - Air Date 9-18-23

Dr. Peter Hotez joins The New Abnormal this week to discuss his new book, “The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science”—and why anti-vaccine conspiracies are so dangerous. Plus! An interview with labor reporter and author Kim Kelly about the UAW strike.

Ch. 3: Sociopath Businessman Tells The Truth About Capitalism - Novara Media - Air Date 9-14-23

A CEO says the quiet part out loud about the inhuman fundamentals of capitalism

Ch. 4: GOP, Corporate Media Attempt to Manufacture Conflict Between Autoworkers and Climate - Citations Needed - Air Date 9-20-23

In this public News Brief, we break down recent attempts by Politico, Axios, New York Times and faux populist Republicans to pit autoworkers against climate mandates.

Ch. 5: Labor historian Nelson Lichtenstein on the UAW strike and the U.S. labor movement rising - The BradCast w/ Brad Friedman - Air Date 9-18-23

UC Santa Barbara labor historian Dr. NELSON LICHTENSTEIN explains the specific concerns of autoworker unions, how 2023's summer of unionization compares to prior waves of union organizing in the US and the political implications of unionization

Ch. 6: Labor Decision Could Lead To A Union Revolution In America - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 9-23-23

Harold Meyerson, editor-at-large at The American Prospect, discusses the recent decisions made at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Ch. 7: Workers Fighting Back: The UAW Goes on Strike! - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 9-19-23

Teddy Ostrow and Maximillian Alvarez from The Real News Network join Breht to discuss the recent "stand up" strike launched by the United Auto Workers labor union. Teddy and Max discuss the strike and explain the causes


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: How These Strippers UNIONIZED Their Strip Club with Equity Strippers Noho - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 9-13-23

Every worker deserves a union — including strippers! Recently, strippers at the Star Garden in North Hollywood became the first strippers in decades to unionize. On this week’s Factually, Charlie and Lilith from Equity Strippers Noho join Adam

Ch. 9: Marvel workers just won the first union in visual effects history - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-13-23

The workers who power the biggest superhero movies on the planet voted unanimously to unionize with VFX-IATSE. This is a major first step for the industry, and Disney is next.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on Biden's visit to the picket line and the importance of how moral questions are framed


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1585_Labor_Strikes_Air_Date_9-26-23_General_-_9-26-23_18.22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:35pm EDT

Air Date 9/24/2023

Israel's politics have been upended by the return of Netanyahu as Prime Minister, put in office with the help of extremely far-right factions who have now pushed through reforms to the Israeli Supreme Court that fundamentally undermine their democracy. All this while they were already a farce of a democracy due to the maintenance of an apartheid-like system of differing rules applying to different residents based on ethnicity.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1447 Settler Colonialist Structures Around the World

#1542 Despair and violence in Israel's illiberal and exclusionary "democracy"


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The U.S. should not reward Israel’s bad behavior - Velshi - Air Date 9-3-23

Israel’s internal politics has been upended, with indicted Prime Minister Netanyahu returning to office and, in a situation echoing American politics, trying to use his power and influence to remain in power to avoid prosecution.

Ch. 2: Haggai Matar & Gideon Levy - Israel's Fight over Judicial Changes Ignores Occupation & Apartheid Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-25-23

We speak with two Israeli journalists in Tel Aviv after lawmakers in Israel passed a highly contested bill Monday weakening the power of the Supreme Court by preventing it from blocking government decisions it deems unreasonable.

Ch. 3: Protests in Israel: The Rights Further Consolidation of Power - Intercepted - Air Date 7-26-23

Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussain are joined by Mairav Zonszein, an Israeli American journalist and a senior analyst on Israel-Palestine at the International Crisis Group.

Ch. 4: Congress Melts Down Over Israel Again - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-21-23

The House overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday pledging "the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel” and that Israel is “not a racist or apartheid state.” Guest Beth Miller

Ch. 5: Protests in Israel: The Rights Further Consolidation of Power Part 2 - Intercepted - Air Date 7-26-23

Ch. 6: Palestinian Attorney Noura Erakat: The U.S. Is Normalizing Apartheid by Hosting Israel's President - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-23

The visits from Israeli leadership are an attempt to "normalize apartheid," says Palestinian human rights attorney Noura Erakat, who compares today's U.S. support of Israel to the nation's support for South African apartheid.

Ch. 7: The Palestine Laboratory Antony Loewenstein on How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-23-23

We speak with journalist and author Antony Loewenstein about his new book, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Palestine Laboratory Antony Loewenstein on How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-23-23

Ch. 9: Protests in Israel: The Rights Further Consolidation of Power Part 3 - Intercepted - Air Date 7-26-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the circular Supreme Court case sending Israel into a spiral of chaos


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Israeli flags fly around a crowd of people standing on a sidewalk holding signs that say "Saving Israeli Democracy" and "Democracy for All" with a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Netenyahu behind bars. 

Credit: "Democracy for All" by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0) | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1584_Israel_Supreme_Court_Air_Date_9-24-23_General_-_9-24-23_17.04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:14pm EDT

Original Air Date: 8/8/2020

Today we take a look at the concept of defunding the police; what it means, what it doesn't and what the goals of the movement are. 

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Race, Police, & The Pandemic - FRONTLINE - Air Date 6-2-20

Jelani Cobb describes how the relationship between black Americans and the police has become a “barometer” for race relations in the country and that explosive tensions are “overwhelmingly” in response to an issue of police use of force.

Ch. 2: Panel Discussion on Radical Police Reform - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-10-20

Trevor hosts a panel on movements to radically reimagine policing in the U.S. with Patrisse Cullors, Josie Duffy Rice, Sam Sinyangwe, Mychal Denzel Smith and Alex S. Vitale.

Ch. 3: The Racial Justice Uprising in the U.S. is Taking Hold Overseas - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-8-20

Explaining that an overburdened police system that takes on way too much, including much that is outside the realm of their training, is something that no one should want.

Ch. 4: The End of Policing with Alex Vitale - The Bastani Factor, Novara Media - Air Date 6-3-20

Aaron Bastani interviews author of ‘The End of Policing’, Alex Vitale, to ask just how bad law enforcement is in the United States, and what can be done about it.

Ch. 5: Defunding the Police Is Only the Beginning - The Mother Jones Podcast - Air Date 6-17-20

Josie Duffy Rice joins Jamilah King for a discussion about the recent police killing of Rayshard Brookes in Atlanta, the deep racist and classist structural issues with policing in America, and why defunding the police is only step one.

Ch. 6: Defund Police What It Means & How It Would Really Work - News Beat - Air Date 6-16-20

In the wake of the police slaying of George Floyd in Minneapolis, protesters have not only flooded the streets, but they're actively pushing reforms that go well beyond traditional solutions.

Ch. 7: How to Defund the Police - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 6-11-20

Racism is baked into the U.S. model of policing. More and more people are starting to believe that no amount of "reform" will help; a full tear-down is required. But what does "defunding the police" actually mean?

Ch. 8: Is It Time To Defund the Police? - Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan - Air Date 6-11-20

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors joins Mehdi Hasan to discuss the future of policing and community-oriented systems of public safety in the United States.

Ch. 9: The Politics of "Defund the Police" - Politics with Amy Walter, The Takeaway - Air Date 6-12-20

Congress is reckoning with how to respond to the protests and calls for police accountability. Two national reporters join to discuss the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.

Ch. 10: We Can't Let The Uprising Get Co-opted - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 6-10-20

Notes on the uprising and how we move forward without allowing the forces of neoliberalism to co-opt the movement.

Ch. 11: Angela Davis: Abolishing police is not just about dismantling. It’s also about building up. - Democracy Now - Air Date 6-12-2020

Amid a worldwide uprising against police brutality and racism, we discuss the historic moment with legendary scholar and activist Angela Davis.


EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The Movement for Black Lives Introduces the BREATHE Act (Colorlines)

What Exactly Does It Mean to Defund the Police? (The Cut, NY Mag,)

What Does It Mean to Invest in Black Communities? (The Nation)

How to Defund the Police (The New Yorker)

How to Make Defunding the Police a Reality (The Nation)

Defunding the Police Will Actually Make Us Safer (ACLU)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: TBT_1360_Redefine_Unburden_and_DefundThePolice_General_-_9-22-23_15.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm EDT

Air Date 9/18/2023

Exploring the captivating world of conspiracy theories! We are all wired to believe misinformation to some degree, but not all to the same degree. With help from Naomi Klein, and other experts, discover why people are drawn to conspiracies, the psychology behind belief and ideas about the best way to prevent conspiratorial thinking.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why we are all attracted to conspiracy theories - The Guardian - Air Date 3-10-21

Belief in conspiracy theories is far more widespread than the stereotypes that dominate pop culture.

Ch. 2: How did conspiracy theories become mainstream? | Naomi Klein | Big Questions - Penguin Books UK - Air Date 9-12-23

When Naomi Klein discovered that a woman who shared her first name, but had radically different, harmful views, was getting chronically mistaken for her, it seemed too ridiculous to take seriously. Then suddenly it wasn't.

Ch. 3: Why Do Conservatives Fall For Fake News? - Leeja Miller - Air Date 6-28-23

Why do conservatives fall for fake news? Is it just them, or are we all culpable? How did Americans become so susceptible to falling for disinformation? And what can we do about it??

Ch. 4: Naomi Klein on Her New Book "Doppelganger" & How Conspiracy Culture Benefits Ruling Elite Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-14-23

Klein explains her initial motivation for the book was her own alter-ego, the author Naomi Wolf, for whom she has often been mistaken.

Ch. 5: How Conspiracy Theories Capture the Mind - UChicago Institute of Politics - Air Date 4-8-22

Journalisms role in solving the spread of misinformation

Ch. 6: Naomi Klein on Her New Book "Doppelganger" & How Conspiracy Culture Benefits Ruling Elite Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-14-23

Ch. 7: Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories, with Karen Douglas, PhD - Speaking of Psychology - Air Date 1-13-21

This past year, COVID-19 and the U.S. elections have provided fertile ground for conspiracy theories—with sometimes disastrous consequences. Karen Douglas, PhD discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start & why they persist.

Ch. 8: Birds Aren’t Real? How a Conspiracy Takes Flight | Peter McIndoe - TEDTalks - Air Date 9-13-23

Peter McIndoe isn't a fan of birds. In fact, he has a theory about them that might shock you. Listen along to this eye-opening talk as it takes a turn and makes a larger point about conspiracies, truth and belonging in divisive times.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Conspiracies Around Trump, Military Leadership, and Militias - Jordan Klepper Fingers The Conspiracy - The Daily Show - Air Date 7-12-23

MAGA supporters not only believe that Donald Trump is still president, but that he's in charge of the military.

Ch. 10: Mother has Moment of Truth that leads to her rejecting conspiracy theories she believed - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 9-27-22

Like millions of Americans, Karen Robertson of Iuka, Mississippi believed in conspiracy theories. But one day she had an experience that convinced her to challenge her beliefs. She spoke about that moment with student reporter Makenna Mead


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the importance of making connections while avoiding conspiratorial thinking


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1583_Conspiratorial_Thinking_Air_Date_9-18-23_General_-_9-18-23_18.48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:49pm EDT

Original Air Date: 6/15/2018

The high toll Puerto Rico is paying, in both money and lives, for the triple disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Maria and disaster capitalism

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Deadlier than Katrina & 9/11 Hurricane Maria Killed 4,645 in Puerto Rico, 70 Times Official Toll - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 05-30-18

Ch. 2: Colonialism during hurricane season - On the Media - 6-6-18

Ch. 3: Elizabeth Yeampierre on Puerto Rican colonialism and disaster capitalism - Infinite Earth Radio - Air Date 2-22-18

Ch. 4: The Battle for Paradise: Naomi Klein on Disaster Capitalism & the Fight for Puerto Rico’s Future - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 03-21-18

Ch. 5: Naomi Klein on Puerto Rico and Disaster Capitalism - Touré Show - Air Date 4-25-18


Ch. 9: Final comments on the lessons of Mister Rogers that we could use right now

 

TAKE ACTION

Get involved with/support Mutual Aid Disaster Relief

MARD Skillshare Trainings (Links for request forms are at the bottom of the blog post)

Read more about MARD ongoing work in Puerto Rico

FOR FURTHER READING/SHARING

FEMA Blamed Delays In Puerto Rico On Maria; Agency Records Tell Another Story (NPR/Frontline)

About a quarter of Puerto Rico’s schools are shutting down. Here’s a look inside one. (Vox)

"Justice was served": Judge halts school closures in Puerto Rico (CBS)

New bill pushes for commission to investigate federal response to Puerto Rico hurricanes (NBC)

At Issue In Florida Senate Campaign: Who's Fighting For Puerto Rico? (NPR)

Hurricane Maria Casts Shadow Over Puerto Rican Parade (NY Times)

Puerto Rico's Push For Food Independence Intertwined With Statehood Debate (NPR)

The Shame in Puerto Rico (NY Times)

Fighting for Those Who Can No Longer Speak (SocialistWorker.org)

Resisting Disaster Capitalists and Building Solidarity in Puerto Rico (Grassroots International)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 

 

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Air Date 9/13/2023

This eye-opening episode will explore the complex web of colonialism, disaster capitalism, and climate change is ravaging Native Hawaiian communities. We explore how corporations and privatization going back to annexation have exacerbated wildfires, water scarcity and housing issues in Hawaii. We also discuss the role of tourism and its impact on local culture and resources and learn how community-led mutual aid efforts are offering a glimmer of hope for the unhoused and those struggling to reclaim their ancestral lands.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1401 That is a Texas-Sized Climate Disaster You Got There

#1546 Exist, Resist, Indigenize, Decolonize: A story of colonialism, cultural renaissance and modernity


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Plantation Disaster Capitalism: Native Hawaiians Organize to Stop Land & Water Grabs After Maui - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-18-23

We speak with Hawaiian law professor Kapuaʻala Sproat about the conditions that made the fires more destructive and what’s yet to come for residents looking to rebuild their lives.

Ch. 2: Why Maui burned - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-15-23

Hawaii’s landscape has been rapidly changing for the last 200 years thanks to plantations, tourism, and climate change. A reporter and climatologist explain how those factors fueled one of the worst wildfires in US history.

Ch. 3: We are concerned for you. - Read Choi - Air Date 8-4-23

A skit imagining a discussion between an elite property owner and a Native Hawaiian

Ch. 4: Disasters at every turn - Native America Calling - Air Date 8-28-23

Officials are still sorting out the human and financial toll of the unprecedented fire on Maui. Many Native Hawaiians remain missing, hundreds more sustained serious damage to their homes and businesses.

Ch. 5: “We’re Living the Climate Emergency”: Native Hawaiian Kaniela Ing on Fires, Colonialism & Banyan - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-11-23

We speak with Kaniela Ing, national director of the Green New Deal Network and seventh-generation Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiian, about the impact of this week’s devastating wildfires and their relationship to climate change.

Ch. 6: As Fires Destroy Native Hawaiian Archive in Maui, Mutual Aid Efforts Are Launched to Help Lahaina - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-11-23

In Lahaina, the area in west Maui that is of historical importance to Indigenous people, entire neighborhoods were wiped out by this week’s historic wildfires, including the Na 'Aikane o Maui Cultural Center

Ch. 7: Janine Jackson takes a quick look back at recent press coverage of the Maui fires and the climate crisis - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-25-23

Janine Jackson takes a quick look back at recent press coverage of the Maui fires and the climate crisis.

Ch. 8: Wildfires - This is Democracy - Air Date 9-5-23

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guests Randy Denzer and Dr. Alison Alter to discuss the increasing incidence of wildfires in the United States and what efforts have been made to mitigate them.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Relationships, Money, and Maui Tourism - The Amanda Seales Show - Air Date 8-18-23

Is Tourism helpful to the Hawaiian Islands? Is the tourism industry a byproduct of the colonization of Hawaii?

Ch. 10: How Native Hawaiians have been pushed out of Hawai'i - Bianca Graulau - Air Date 2-7-23

Native Hawaiians are struggling to afford to live on the land that was once stolen from their ancestors.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the need for better systems to respond to predictable disasters


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1582_Maui_Fire_Colonialism_Air_Date_9-13-23_General_-_9-13-23_18.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:29pm EDT

Air Date: 9-8-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- The need for good structures of society, not scripture
- Jesus is too liberal for Christians
- Amateur anthropology
- Technology and humanity
- Drugs and alcohol

 

REFERENCES:
Report: Record Number Of People Following Their Hearts - Babylon Bee

The Misunderstood Reason Millions of Americans Stopped Going to Church - The Atlantic

Evangelicals Are Now Rejecting 'Liberal' Teachings of Jesus - Newsweek

Doug Rushkoff Is Ready to Renounce the Digital Revolution - Wired

A kind of magic - CEO Mag

A philosopher's psychedelic encounter with reality - The Gray Area with Sean Illing


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_277_Sample_-_9-8-23_15.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:06pm EDT

Air Date 9/6/2023

The first GOP presidential debate happened without the frontrunner, Donald Trump, being present for the event but rather hanging over the proceedings like a specter. Meanwhile, Trump's legal troubles continue to mount and we examine what it is that is keeping Republican voters and presidential candidates alike, with minor exceptions, firmly defending the former president.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Party of Authoritarianism - In The Thick - Air Date 8-23-23

As the GOP presidential debates make their premiere in Milwaukee, Jeanne Whalen reports on Donald Trump’s failure to make good on a promise of bringing a manufacturing boom to Wisconsin

Ch. 2: Trickle Down Trumpism - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-26-23

The GOP debate, where Trump was somehow both absent and present.

Ch. 3: An Argument at the Kids' Table John Nichols on First GOP Debate Held Without Trump Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-23

Highlights from the first Republican presidential debate of the 2023 race and analysis from John Nichols

Ch. 4: Why top Republicans want to bomb Mexico - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-29-23

Long-shot presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he would send US forces into Mexico “on day one.” Longer-shot presidential candidate Will Hurd explains why that’s a bad idea.

Ch. 5: Trickle Down Trumpism Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-26-23

Ch. 6: The Party of Authoritarianism Part 2 - In The Thick - Air Date 8-23-23

Ch. 7: Is America Run By A Psychopathic Cult w Seth D. Norrholm - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-24-23

Will America’s Democracy be a memory before Trump’s cult wakes up?

Ch. 8: Trickle Down Trumpism Part 3 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-26-23

Ch. 9: Ticking Bomb Inside GOP’s Plan To Defund Trump Prosecution - Thom Hartmann - Air Date 8-31-23

Far-Right lawmakers want to defund Fani Willis without settling for legal means to stop the persecution of Donald Trump.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: An Argument at the Kids' Table John Nichols on First GOP Debate Held Without Trump Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-23

Discussing the 14th Amendment option

Ch. 11: An Argument at the Kids' Table John Nichols on First GOP Debate Held Without Trump Part 3 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-23

Discussing the GOP debate on support for Ukraine


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the need to ban Trump from office in the right way


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A four-quadrant layout of photos of GOP presidential candidates, including Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy. At the intersection of the images is a red circle around a photo of Donald Trump’s face, mid-speech, pointing a finger at the camera.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Individual image credits: Chris Christie by Michael Vadon, Flickr (License: CC BY-SA 2.0), Changes: Cropped; Photos of Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Donald Trump all by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1581_GOP_Debate_Authoritarianism_Air_Date_9-6-23_General_-_9-6-23_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:24pm EDT

Air Date 9/3/2023

Sports gambling through smartphones has become widely available and wildly addictive but the effects are being felt beyond the individual gambler's bank account and anxiety levels. Partnerships between gambling companies and colleges, influencers, and even journalistic institutions like ESPN are changing the fundamentals of the sports themselves and how they're understood by fans - all for the worse.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How the Sports Betting Industry Quietly Consumed America - Wendover Productions - Air Date 12-13-22

How the Sports Betting Industry Quietly Consumed America

Ch. 2: The Explosion of Online Sports Betting with Eric Lipton - Why Is This Happening? - Air Date 5-9-23

You’ve probably encountered an advertisement for sports betting in one form or another. In the past few years, there’s been a marked rise in the number of online sports betting ads from companies like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Ch. 3: Gambling controversy continues to hit the NFL, MORE Players suspended - The Domonique Foxworth Show - Air Date 6-29-23

On the Domonique Foxworth Show, Domonique dives into the latest news of NFL players suspended for gambling violations and how everything revolves around money.

Ch. 4: ESPN Will NEVER be the Same After This Major Decision - TYT Sports - Air Date 8-12-23

Now that legal sports betting has become normalized and adopted nationwide, ESPN is trying to wedge themselves into the market, which is something that should worry anyone who cares about sports. Rick Strom breaks it down.

Ch. 5: The Toxic Normalization of Online Gambling - Cara Nicole - Air Date 9-30-22

In this video, we're dissecting the rise of sports betting apps, gambling shows on Twitch and ESPN, casino streams by celebrities like Drake, and how we're creating widespread gambling addictions

Ch. 6: College partnerships are bringing sports betting to campus. Are students safe? - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 2-27-23

We are weeks away from college basketball’s March Madness and billions of dollars worth of wagers on the games. As more states legalize sports betting, Paul Solman reports on the increasing concern that some colleges are too involved in its promotion.

Ch. 7: What Happened to Black Activism in Professional Sports? - Edge of Sports - Air Date 7-26-23

Later in the show, we have Choice Words about the social cost of smartphone sports gambling becoming the economic lifeblood of sports.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Puppets of Online Gambling - Philion - Air Date 4-7-23

Stake.com is the world's largest crypto casino valued at over 1 billion dollars. It is licensed in Curacao and operates out of Australia. Stake.com is infiltrating pop culture via Twitch streamers celebrities & coporate sponsors

Ch. 9: How Australian sports make money from gambling - Full Story - Air Date 5-10-23

As the online gambling industry grows, at least one Australian football league is taking a greater share of its revenue. Reporter Henry Belot tells Jane Lee why this is a problem for fans, punters and even some players


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Buddhist teachings and A.I. - Craig from Ohio


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the outsized influence of impetuous billionaires


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1580_Sports_Gambling_Air_Date_9-3-23_General_-_9-3-23_15.23.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:39pm EDT

Original Air Date: 12/15/2017

The history and current state of rich people seeking to undermine democratic rule by the people in favor of oligarchy for the rich 

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Why The Koch Brothers Despise The Constitution - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 07-26-17


Ch. 2: Jane Mayer on the Rise of Conservative Orthodoxy - On The Media - Air Date 5-5-17


Ch. 3: The complicated reality of corruption rules. @BackStory - Air Date: 11-24-17


Ch. 4: Millionaire Donor Threatens Democrats - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-14-17


Ch. 5: Why our democracy in is danger - Belabored (@DissentMag) - Air Date 5-13-16


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon & check out our Winter Fundraiser!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

 
 
 
Direct download: 1152_Rise_of_the_oligarchy_Money_in_Politics_General_-_8-31-23_15.43.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:56pm EDT

Original Air Date 8/10/2022

Origins of the European colonial land-grab, the need for the #Landback movement,  and the benefits to society and the environment in the context of the climate crisis to return stewardship of the land to native peoples.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why It’s Time To Give Native Americans Their Land Back - AJ+ - Air Date 10-9-20

For some reason, Oct. 12th is still Columbus Day in a lot of the United States. Fortunately, more and more cities and states are adopting that day as Indigenous Peoples Day

Ch. 2: Canada, it's time for Land Back - The Breach - Air Date 6-2-21

Since its inception, Canada has been stealing Indigenous lands — by the barrel of a gun, by starvation tactics & by tearing children from their families.

Ch. 3: Mark Charles: An Indigenous Liberation Theology - A People's Theology - Air Date 7-7-21

Mason chats with Mark Charles about his book, Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery. We chat all about the Doctrine of Discovery, Mark's theology of land and water, and much more.

Ch. 4: Can Indigenous People Lead the Fight Against Climate Change? - Above the Noise - Air Date 4-20-22

Indigenous communities across the globe are experts at managing and protecting land. Is it time the U.S. finally returned STOLEN parklands back to them?

Ch. 5: LandBack: The Indigenous Liberation Movement - Andrewism - Air Date 1-6-21

LandBack isn’t about deporting white people. It’s a path to a better future.

Ch. 6: What We Can Learn About #LandBack From These Native American Comedies - PBS Origins - Air Date 6-13-22

Native American representation in film and TV used to be confined to Westerns and storylines of defeat. Today, a new wave of Native American comedies, written and created by Native peoples, are taking back their narratives.

Bonus: Landback cold open - Reservation Dogs S1 E3 Uncle Brownie - Air Date 8-16-21


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Meet the native Hawaiians fighting U.S. occupation - AJ+ - Air Date 3-3-17

In 1893, armed U.S. naval forces helped American sugar plantation owners illegally overthrow Hawaii’s constitutional monarchy. 100 years later, the U.S. apologized and admitted in a resolution that Native Hawaiians had never relinquished their sovereignty

Ch. 8: Why Native Americans are buying back land that was stolen from them - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 10-16-21

From 1877 to 1934, under a range of laws and reneged-upon treaties, the U.S. government appropriated tens of millions of acres of Native American land. In recent years there has been a growing movement known as “land back” to reclaim their lands.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Definition of power and organizing - Pat from Chicago


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on why the left doesn't fight hard enough for political power


TAKE ACTION / EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

Yellowhead Institute (@Yellowhead_): "Land Back - A Yellowhead Institute Red Paper" (Includes tools and resources. Canadian-based, but broadly applicable.)

NDN Collective (@ndncollective): LandBack.org (U.S.-based)

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A red "Land Back" flag waves outside the front of a courthouse. An American flag flies above it against a blue sky at the top of the courthouse.

Credit: "A Land Back flag flies under the US Flag outside Aitkin County Courthouse in Aitkin, Minnesota" by Lorie Shaull | License CC by 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, increased contrast, decreased brightness

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1506_Landback_Air_Date_8-10-22_General_Rerun_-_8-29-23_20.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:45pm EDT

Original Air Date 8/2/2022

Explaining neurodiversity and why it should be seen as a strength and benefit to society when accommodated properly rather than a problem to be solved or, worse, ignored. Autism, ADHD and other examples of neurodiversity all have positive attributes that rarely get talked about which blinds society to those benefits but also perpetuates stigma.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What Exactly is Neurodiversity? - How to ADHD - Air Date 1-18-22

The neurodiversity movement has been around for some time, but what exactly is it? In this video, we talk about what the neurodiversity movement is and how it's linked to the autistic community.

Ch. 2: Adriana White - Autism and Neurodiversity: Different Does Not Mean Broken - TEDx Talks - Air Date 11-11-21

In this talk, Adriana discusses the idea of neurodiversity. Many people are labeled incorrectly because their brains are wired differently. Adriana offers awareness and an alternative way to see people as unique and valuable.

Ch. 3: Giftedness is Not Achievement with Aurora Remember Holtzman - ADHD Essentials - Air Date 12-11-21

Today, we’re talking to Aurora Remember Holtzman. Aurora is a school psychologist, neurodivergence coach, and host of the Embracing Intensity podcast. And her focus is giftedness and twice exceptionality.

Ch. 4: Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming World - Neurodiversity Podcast - Air Date 8-10-21

Emily Kircher-Morris and Joel Schwartz talk about what it would take to create a neurodiversity-affirming world where old stereotypes and perceptions are shed.

Ch. 5: Elaine Halligan: Neurodiversity is a super power, not a problem - TEDx Talks - Air Date 11-25-19

We have to break the stigma around mental health and children. Most of the time the signals are quite subtle and can be often overlooked by parents, so many children may be suffering behind closed doors.

Ch. 6: The Utility (or Futility) of Labels - The Neurodiversity Podcast - Air Date 7-7-22

The reality of working within a system in flux. The meaning or usefulness of the term “gifted.” The utility (or futility) of labels. The confusion of overlapping diagnoses.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Neurodivergence and Queerness with Leela Sinha - Embracing Intensity - Air Date 5-23-22

Today’s episode is a recording of our talk with Leela Sinha on the intersection of neurodivergence and gender. This is definitely not an “inside-the-box” topic.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the hyper-focus ability of ADHD


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: The neurodiversity awareness symbol - an infinity symbol (a horizontal elongated number 8) in a rainbow of overlapping colors - is against a white background.

Image Credit: “Neurodiversity Symbol” by MissLunaRose12, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC by-SA 4.0 | Changes: White background added

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1504_Neurodivergency_Air_Date_8-2-22_General_Rerun_-_8-26-23_17.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:37am EDT

Original Air Date 9-11-2018

Strategies to, and reasons why we need to, have better political conversations. As the first GOP debate signals the beginning of a new election cycle with the country divided as ever, we could always use a refresher on better ways to communicate.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Robb Willer: How to have better political conversations - @TEDTalks - Air Date 2-9-17

Robb Willer studies the forces that unite and divide us. As a social psychologist, he researches how moral values -- typically a source of division -- can also be used to bring people together.

Ch. 2: Understanding the backfire effect Part 1 - You are not so smart - Air Date 2-10-17

Stephan Lewandowsky takes us step-by-step through The Debunking Handbook, a guide he and John Cook wrote for avoiding the backfire effect when confronting vaccine and climate change deniers.

Ch. 3: THE MIDTERMS MINUTE: California’s Battleground Races! - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment.

Ch. 4: Van Jones: Exposing Liberal Hypocrisy and Conservative Close-Mindedness - Big Think - Air Date 11-23-17

The amount of political disagreement in the nation is matched only by righteous indignation. But in order to disagree without disrespecting each other, we need to look hard at our own positions, and Van Jones does just that.

Ch. 5: Understanding the backfire effect Part 2: Replacing the leg of a table - You are not so smart - Air Date 2-10-17

Explaining the key takeaway regarding the backfire effect. Always replace a faulty idea with a valid one. Never debunk a claim only to leave a void.

Ch. 6: In This Life - How to argue with those we oppose - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 7-15-18

Explaining why saying the things you may want to say to your political adversaries is more likely to exacerbate the problems in our political divide further, making you part of the problem.

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Air Date 8/23/2023

For decades, we have rightly been focused on dialing back endemic misogyny and poking holes in the patriarchy in the hopes of a new normal of gender relations emerging that would be genuinely healthier for everyone, not just women. But, with so much of the focus on the type of masculinity men and boys shouldn't embrace, we may have fallen short on giving positive direction to boys about what they should be and do.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Andrew Tate & Re-examining Masculinity - Long Story Short The Daily Show - Air Date 4-21-23

Jordan Klepper looks at Andrew Tate and breaks down how a void of role models has harmful consequences for young boys.

Ch. 2: The new crisis of masculinity - The Gray Area - Air Date 8-7-23

What does masculinity mean these days? Sean Illing speaks with Christine Emba, a columnist at The Washington Post who wrote the piece “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness.”

Ch. 3: The New Masculinity - ON BOYS podcast - Air Date 4-27-23

Boys and men, Manley says, are caught between traditional definitions and understandings of masculinity, and a future definition that hasn’t been fully defined.

Ch. 4: Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability - The Daily Show Beyond the Scenes - Air Date 3-7-23

Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with the co-founder of “A Call to Men,” Ted Bunch, and developmental psychology professor at NYU, Niobe Way, to chat about boys' friendships and how therapy could be transformative for a lot of men.

Ch. 5: What Does Positive Masculinity Look Like? - Paging Dr. NerdLove - Air Date 4-12-18

Toxic masculinity doesn’t mean that being a man is toxic, bad, or even undesirable. At the same time, non-toxic or positive masculinity doesn’t mean apologizing for being a man or trying to be as gender-neutral as possible.

Ch. 6: What is Positive Masculinity: How Patriarchy Oppresses Men - Swolesome - Air Date 12-2-22

Looking at what patriarchy teaches boys to do

Ch. 7: Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability Part 2 - The Daily Show Beyond the Scenes - Air Date 3-7-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The New Masculinity Part 2 - ON BOYS podcast - Air Date 4-27-23

Ch. 9: Why Allan Energy Is The New “Big D_CK Energy” - Barbie Movie - Fashionistas - Air date 8-4-23

Examining positive masculinity through Allen from The Barbie Movie


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on why emotionally stunted men are a social, not individual, problem


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1579_Positive_Masculinity_Air_Date_8-23-23_General_-_8-23-23_18.33.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:49pm EDT

Air Date 8/20/2023

Big tech is currently scrambling to bring untested A.I. products to market, over-promising, under-delivering, and working hard obscure and ignore any possible downsides for society. Big tech needs A.I. regulation now before we all suffer the easily foreseeable consequences as well as some unforeseeable ones.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: A.I. is B.S. - Adam Conover - Air Date 3-31-23

The real risk of A.I. isn't that some super-intelligent computer is going to take over in the future - it's that the humans in the tech industry are going to screw the rest of us over right now.

Ch. 2: Center for Humane Technology Co-Founders Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss The AI Dilemma Part 1 - Summit - Air Date 6-15-23

What does it look like to align technology with humanity’s best interests? Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss how existing A.I. capabilities already pose catastrophic risks to a functional society

Ch. 3: Tech's Mask Off Moment - What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Air Date 8-13-23

When conservative writer Richard Hanania’s old posts, originally published under a pseudonym, came to light people were shocked at just how racist and reactionary they were. Perhaps less shocking were the tech moguls who were revealed to be supporting him

Ch. 4: Pregnant Woman’s False Arrest in Detroit Shows “Racism Gets Embedded” in Facial Recognition Technology - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-7-23

A shocking story of wrongful arrest in Detroit has renewed scrutiny of how facial recognition software is being deployed by police departments, despite major flaws in the technology.

Ch. 5: Princeton University's Ruja Benjamin on Bias in Data and A.I. - The Data Chief - Air Date - 2-3-21

Joining Cindi today is Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and the founding director of the IDA B. WELLS Just Data Lab. She has studied the social dimensions of science, technology, and medicine for over 15 years

Ch. 6: AI ethics leader Timnit Gebru is changing it up after Google fired her - Science Friction - Air Date 4-17-22

Timnit Gebru was fired by Google in a cloud of controversy, now she's making waves beyond Big Tech's pervasive influence

Ch. 7: Center for Humane Technology Co-Founders Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss The AI Dilemma Part 2 - Summit - Air Date 6-15-23

Ch. 8: Can We Govern AI? - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 4-21-23

Our guest Marietje Schaake was at the forefront of crafting tech regulations for the EU. In spite of AI’s complexity, she argues there is a path forward for the U.S. and other governing bodies to rein in companies that continue to release these products


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Buddhism in the Age of AI - Soryu Forall - Monastic Academy - Air Date 6-21-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on the difference between Microsoft's marketing and the realities of capitalism


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1578_Regulating_AI_Air_Date_8-20-23_General_-_8-18-23_17.59.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:18pm EDT

Original Air Date 12-7-2019

In the context of the devastating fire on Maui, we are replaying this throwback episode to look at the reaction to decades of the fetishization of privatization in the form of a reinvigorated movement for public ownership of institutions meant to serve the public such as utilities, banks, train systems and so on. But this isn't your grandfather's top-down public ownership, the new movement has bottom-up, accountable, democratic control of institutions at the very core of its mission.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: As California Burns Again, Rep. Ro Khanna Calls for PG&E to Become Publicly Owned Utility - Democracy Now - Air Date 10-31-19

PG&E declared bankruptcy amid a number of lawsuits related to the wildfires. We speak with California Congressmember Ro Khanna, who is calling for the California state government to take over control of PG&E.

Ch. 2: When Power Goes Out, Who Is Held Accountable? - Building Local Power - Air Date 10-31-19

PG&E’s negligence and how a distributed energy system could avoid future outages and detrimental fire damage.

Ch. 3: Public Ownership 2.0 - Weekly Economics - Air Date 2-18-19

Public ownership is back on the agenda. But if privatization has failed, what kind of public ownership should replace it?

Ch. 4: From Private Profits to Public Alternatives - The Next System Podcast - Air Date 1-24-19

The conversation runs the gamut from the pitfalls of the privatization of goods and services to the social benefits of public ownership and envisioning democratic governance thereof.

Ch. 5: The Future of Banking - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 6-29-19

Ralph welcomes Walt McRee President of Public Banking Associates, who explains how public banks should be the future of banking.

Ch. 6: Trinity Tran on Public Banking - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-11-19

Trinity Tran, co-founder and lead organizer for Public Bank LA and a founding member of the California Public Banking Alliance.

Ch. 7: Who’s Afraid of Public Ownership? - The Laura Flanders Show - Air Date 1-28-19

Laura in conversation with Thomas Hanna, research director at The Democracy Collaborative and author of “Our Common Wealth: The Return of Public Ownership in the United States”.


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Air Date: 8-15-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- The Internet, it turns out, is bad
- Musk and Zuckerberg cage fight
- The "Dopamine Detox" movement

 

REFERENCES:
The Ugly Honesty of Elon Musk’s Twitter Rebrand

The ‘Dopamine Detox’ Is Having a Moment

Dopamine fasting: Misunderstanding science spawns a maladaptive fad

#dopamine  #dopamineaddiction  #classpolitics  #disabilitystudies - slug.town on TikTok

 

Join our Discord Server

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_276_Sample_-_8-15-23_20.36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:05am EDT

Air Date 8/12/2023

Today, we take a look at the most consequential case against Trump which summarizes his direct involvement in using allegedly illegal means to contest the 2020 election while making knowingly false claims about the legitimacy of election process while directing a conspiracy of followers to do the same.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Presidents Are Not Kings Unpacking Indictment of Donald Trump for Plot to Overturn Election - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-2-23

We speak with Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, and former federal prosecutor Dennis Aftergut on the new criminal charges against Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Ch. 2: A Special Reading Of The Special Counsel's Trump Indictment Part 1 - Brian Lehrer - Air Date 8-4-23

We present longform readings of key excerpts from the Trump indictment, plus analysis from legal experts.

Ch. 3: House Democrats The Trump trials should be televised Part 1 - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 8-4-23

House Democrats: The Trump trials should be televised.

Ch. 4: Charges to Overturn an Election - Prosecuting Donald Trump - Air Date 8-2-23

Donald Trump has been indicted for a third time, twice now at the federal level. Jack Smith’s indictment lays out the chilling details of his alleged plot to overturn the 2020 election.

Ch. 5: A Special Reading Of The Special Counsel's Trump Indictment Part 2 - Brian Lehrer A Daily Podcast - Air Date 8-4-23

Ch. 6: Trump & KKK Act: Carol Anderson on Reconstruction-Era Voting Rights Law Cited in Trump Indictment Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-4-23

We speak with Author Carol Anderson about Trump's attempt to wipe out the votes of Americans of color and the intimidation of Black voters and election workers.

Ch. 7: House Democrats The Trump trials should be televised Part 2 - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 8-4-23

Ch. 8: A Protective Order - Prosecuting Donald Trump - Air Date 8-7-23

Trump and team spent the weekend unleashing defenses across social media and major news networks. This, along with the former president’s record of revealing private information, led prosecutors to seek a protective order from Judge Chutkan.

Ch. 9: Trump & KKK Act: Carol Anderson on Reconstruction-Era Voting Rights Law Cited in Trump Indictment Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-4-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: A Special Reading Of The Special Counsel's Trump Indictment Part 3 - Brian Lehrer - Air Date 8-4-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the possibility of accountability for Trump at last


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1577_Trump_Indictment_Air_Date_8-12-23_General_-_8-9-23_17.10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am EDT

Original Air Date 11-1-2016

Today we dive deeply into the world of conservatives as described in the new book “Strangers in their own Land” by Arlie Russel Hochschild in an attempt to understand how some non-deplorable people in the country could be supporting Donald Trump.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: What Drives Trump Supporters? Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild on Anger & Mourning of the Right Part 1 - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 9-28-16


Ch. 4: Act 2: The environmentalist tea-partier who dumped toxic waste in public water - Start Making Sense from @TheNation - Air Date 10-5-16


Ch. 6: Act 3: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics Part 1 - @BillMoyersHQ in Conversation - Air Date 4-15-16


Ch. 8: Act 4: What Drives Trump Supporters? Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild on Anger & Mourning of the Right Part 2 - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 9-28-16


Ch. 10: Act 5: The Deep Story of conservatives and the rise of Trump - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date 9-29-16


Ch. 12: Act 6: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics Part 2 - @BillMoyersHQ in Conversation - Air Date 4-15-16


Ch. 14: Act 7: Where shame is the companion to need - @thisishellradio - Air Date 10-22-16


Ch. 16: Act 8: The Media That Created Trump - United States of Anxiety - Air Date 10-13-16


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Original Air Date 6/25/2022

Today we take a look at some of the takeaways from the hearings investigating the January 6th insurrection. Most notably: they knew, they knew, they knew, they knew from the very beginning that their fraud claims were nonsense and they pushed ahead anyway.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Jan. 6 Insurrection Understanding The Big Picture Part 1 - Fresh Air - Air Date 6-9-22

New York Times Congressional reporter Luke Broadwater says the effort to overturn the 2020 election results was a "sprawling and diffuse" one that involved local governments as well as White House insiders.

Ch. 2: January 6th Goes Primetime Part 1 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 6-10-22

Brad is joined by guest co-host Dr. Leah Payne. They begin by discussing the first primetime hearing of the J6 Select Committee. They then focus on Tucker Carlson's response to hearings.

Ch. 3: Special coverage of House J6 Hearing, Day 3 Part 1 - The BradCast - Air Date 6-16-22

RANDALL D. ELIASON, and HEATHER DIGBY offer important insights into today's hearing, which was focused on Donald Trump's corrupt pressure campaign to induce former Vice President Mike Pence to violate his oath to the Constitution

Ch. 4: The Jan. 6 Insurrection Understanding The Big Picture Part 2 - Fresh Air - Air Date 6-9-22

Ch. 5: January 6th Goes Primetime Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 6-10-22

Ch. 6: Special coverage of House J6 Hearing, Day 3 Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 6-16-22

Ch. 7: Jan. 6 Hearings Point Finger at Donald Trump. But Federal Prosecutors Haven't Gone That Far. - The Intercept - Air Date 6-15-22

This week on Intercepted, investigative reporter Trevor Aaronson is joined by Margot Williams, research editor for The Intercept, and Michael Loadenthal, founder and executive director of the Prosecution Project.

Ch. 8: Generals Warn America's Democracy Is in Danger From the Inside - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-23-22

These retired Generals fought to defend Democracy abroad, now they are warning that America's Democracy needs to be defended from threats inside the country.

Ch. 9: Guess Which Republican Congressmembers Sought Pardons After Trying to Help Trump Subvert Vote - Democracy Now - Air Date 6-24-22

Six Republican members of Congress who supported Donald Trump's lies sought broad presidential pardons for their involvement in the campaign to discredit the election results


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: Top Arizona Republican Testifies He Rejected Trump Plot to Overturn Vote, Then Faced Violent Threats - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-22-22

Republican Speaker of the Arizona House "Rusty" Bowers described how he was pushed by Trump, John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani to call the Arizona Legislature back into session to investigate claimed illegal votes.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on turning anger into election action


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: The logo of the House January 6th Commission sits on a background image of the interior ceiling of the U.S. Capitol dome. The logo is a white illustration of the U.S. Capitol dome and below it are the words "Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol".

Credit: January6th.house.gov

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1499_Jan_6_Hearings_Air_Date_6-25-22_General_Rerun_-_8-8-23_21.34.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Air Date 8/6/2023

Today, we take a look at the education curriculum reforms currently being pushed through in Florida through the lens of the long pattern of choosing to see our history in a way that comforts the comfortable and afflicts the afflicted.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Meet the Man Driving the Right’s Culture War Panic - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-28-23

The Republican Party’s full embrace of the culture war as a political tactic — from drag queen story hour to critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives — has been chiefly guided by activist and polemicist Christopher Rufo

Ch. 2: DeSantis culture war drives AP Psychology out of Florida schools - Alex Wagner Tonight - Air Date 8-4-23

Rachel Chapman, who teaches AP Psychology in Florida, talks with Alex Wagner about being an educator in Florida why psychology can't pick and choose which people to consider.

Ch. 3: We Actually Have To Explain To DeSantis Why Slaves Didn't Benefit From Slavery - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-25-23

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman had to break down why the new curriculum in Florida that requires teachers to explain how slaves benefitted from slavery is racist

Ch. 4: PragerU in Florida Schools - I Doubt It Podcast - Air Date 7-28-23

Jesse and Brittany discuss the heat wave wreaking havoc on the nation as well as their recent adventures engaged in tourist activities in DC, listener communication related to Biden's re-election and the new Florida education guidelines

Ch. 5: Why a Leftist is Defending Conservatives Over Desantis' Racist Florida Curriculum - The Benjamin Dixon Show - Air Date 7-30-23

Highlighting some of the gentle pushback from Black Republicans to the new Florida education curriculum

Ch. 6: Fox News BUSTED For Rewriting History Of Slavery - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-26-23

Jesse Watters spoke with William Allen, one of the authors of Florida's revised Black History curriculum, about Vice President Harris's representation that one of the standards outlined implies teaching that slavery in some ways benefitted Black Americans

Ch. 7: I was teaching before he was born: Professor slams DeSantis for quashing Black history education - The Reidout - Air Date 1-23-23

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is trying to control the type of education that Florida students can receive, most recently rejecting an advanced placement course in African-American studies, claiming it was “contrary to Florida law”


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: It’s hard to vilify DEI training, without announcing one’s racism - Think About It with Michael Leppert - Air Date 8-1-23

If the average American were to learn about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training through its discussion in the political arena alone, suspicion of it should be expected, and hostility toward it would be understandable. Duh.

Ch. 9: Andrew Spar, Florida Education Association President and Scott Slawson, UE Local 506 President - America’s Work Force Union Podcast - Air Date 7-26-23

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the fight over African American studies in Florida’s curriculum

Ch. 10: The Court Room of History - Why Now? A Political Junkie Podcast - Air Date 7-29-23

In this episode, we are talking about her most recent book, Sisters and Rebels: A Struggle for the Soul of America (W.W. Norton, 2019), which tells the story of three sisters, women from the slave-holding Lumpkin family of Georgia.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on how education curriculum is helping maintain power imbalances


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1576_Florida_Education_Air_Date_8-6-23_General_-_8-6-23_19.09.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:41pm EDT

Air Date: 8-4-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- Barbie, Black Mirror and corporations in on the joke
- The Extended Mattel Cinematic Universe
- The alternate conservative commerce universe
- The alternate conservative entertainment universe

REFERENCES:
Sorry Netflix, Streamberry isn't funny - Mashable

Matt Gaetz Can’t Say Margot Robbie Is Hot Without Being Transphobic - Rolling Stone

Can the Daily Wire Become a Right-Wing Entertainment Machine? - Bloomberg


Join our Discord Server


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_275_Sample_-_8-4-23_13.40.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:17pm EDT

Air Date 8/2/2023

Today, we take a look at the status of the war in Ukraine and the decision made recently for the US to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine, a munition that Biden's Press Sec. referred to as a potential war crime when it was reported that Russia had used them.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Is Russia Headed Towards Collapse - Gaslit Nation - Air Date 6-27-23

Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman joins Andrea to discuss where things are headed in Russia’s escalating power struggle, what it means for Ukraine, and how the world needs to start preparing for a post-Putin Russia.

Ch. 2: Tim Mak on the Ukrainian Counteroffensive - The Good Fight - Air Date 7-1-23

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Tim Mak discuss the slow progress of Ukraine’s counteroffensive and how a big breakthrough might come about.

Ch. 3: NATO, Ukraine, and The American Empire Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-23-23

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison hosts of the American Prestige Podcast join the program to discuss the problematic origins behind the formation of NATO and its continued role in the world today.

Ch. 4: William Arkin CIA Is Playing Outsize Role in Ukraine Despite Biden Pledge Not to Send U.S. Forces - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-19-23

We're joined on the show by the author of the investigation, William Arkin, a national security reporter and senior editor at Newsweek, who says that the CIA has "got its hand in a little bit of everything" in Ukraine.

Ch. 5: Cluster Bomb Fight in the House - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-15-23

Ryan Grim is joined by Erik Sperling to discuss how a bipartisan bill to prevent the Biden administration from sending cluster bombs to Ukraine went from gaining momentum to being undermined by another bill.

Ch. 6: The Indiscriminate Rain of Cluster Bombs Part - Intercepted - Air Date 7-18-23

Marc Garlasco joins Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussain to discuss how cluster munitions kill civilians during war and long after, and why their use should be considered a war crime.

Ch. 7: Cluster Bomb Fight in the House Part 2 - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-15-23

Ch. 8: NATO, Ukraine, and The American Empire Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-23-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: The Indiscriminate Rain of Cluster Bombs Part 2 - Intercepted - Air Date 7-18-23

Ch. 10: Tim Mak on the Ukrainian Counteroffensive Part 2 - The Good Fight - Air Date 7-1-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the coming civic renewal of 2024


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Two unexploded cluster bomblets (cylindrical metal canisters) lay on the ground amongst dirt, rocks and leaves.

Credit: "Cluster bombs in fig orchard in Yaroun, Lebanon" by Cluster Munition Coalition, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0  | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1575_Cluster_Bombs_Air_Date_8-2-23_General_-_8-2-23_10.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Original Air Date 6/17/2022

Today we take a look at many intertwining realizations that are beginning to permeate society which include but are not limited to the dead-end mentality of infinite growth, the uselessness of growth past a certain point for wellbeing, and the deepening alienation being felt in response to consumerism in place of community.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Capitalism is the Planet’s Cancer: Operate Before it’s too Late George Monbiot - Double Down News - Air Date 1-30-20

“Infinite growth on a finite planet is a recipe for catastrophe”

Ch. 2: Degrowth: why some economists think abandoning growth is the only way to save the planet Part 1 - The Conversation Weekly - Air Date 10-28-21

Some economists have long argued that to really save the planet – and ourselves – from the climate crisis, we need a fundamental overhaul of the way our economies work.

Ch. 3: Degrowth: liberation from growthism - The Taxcast - Air Date 9-23-21

In this episode, Naomi Fowler explores degrowth and how we liberate ourselves from ‘growthism’ with economic anthropologist Jason Hickel.

Ch. 4: Our Struggles are Your Struggles: Stories of Indigenous Resistance & Regeneration - Upstream - Air Date 3-21-22

Standing Rock was a pivotal moment in regards to Indigenous resistance — but it was just one in a long line of battles that Indigenous peoples have been fighting against the twin forces of colonialism and capitalism since first contact.

Ch. 5: Eco-Socialist Degrowth? w/ Paul Murphy - Rupture Radio - Air Date 5-2-22

Capitalist growth is destroying our life support systems. Every single year the material taken from the Earth to feed the insatiable capitalist appetite for profits grows larger and the waste spewing into the atmosphere, land, rivers, and sea grows bigger

Ch. 6: Jason Hickel on how degrowth will save the world (part two) - Politics Theory Other - Air Date 12-19-21

We talked about the concept of 'green growth', and why the notion of decoupling growth from intensive resource use is ultimately unconvincing. We also chatted about the Green New Deal and whether it is compatible with the politics of degrowth.

Ch. 7: Infinite Growth on a Finite Planet? (Tim Jackson Interview) - The David Pakman Show - Air Date 9-19-21

Tim Jackson, ecological economist, professor, and author of the book "Post Growth: Life After Capitalism," joins David to discuss consumption, growth, macroeconomics, the modern economy, and more.

Ch. 8: Degrowth: why some economists think abandoning growth is the only way to save the planet Part 2 - The Conversation Weekly - Air Date 10-28-21

Some economists have long argued that to really save the planet – and ourselves – from the climate crisis, we need a fundamental overhaul of the way our economies work.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: How We End Consumerism - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 6-4-21

How we end consumerism, explained.

Ch. 10: Jason Hickel on International Development and Post-capitalism (In Conversation) - Upstream - Air Date 5-28-20

We spoke with him about international capitalism during the pandemic, new opportunities for degrowth economics, and how to fundamentally move to a post-capitalist world — which will take more than just a shift in economic policy

Ch. 11: Post Growth - Life after Capitalism (Podcast with Prof. Tim Jackson - CUSP) - Circular Metabolism Podcast - Air Date 4-28-21

We explored some alternative societal and economic models such as degrowth, living well within limits, permacircularity and we continue our quest by looking into post-growth.


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1497_Wellness_Economy_Air_Date_6-18-22_General_Rerun_-_7-30-23_18.38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:20pm EDT

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Original Air Date: 2/15/2019

Today we take a look at recent teachers union strike in the Los Angeles school district and see it as another event in an emerging pattern of progressive uprisings that have been stirring for the last decade, fighting back against the status quo, neoliberal instinct to privatize everything for the ultimate benefit of billionaires. 

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why Teachers Are Striking in Los Angeles - NowThis - Air Date 1-20-19

‘This strike is a strike to save public education.’ — Here’s why Los Angeles teachers are striking in their own words.

Ch. 2: Alex Caputo-Pearl explains the teachers union strategy and planning ahead of the strike - Belabored by Dissent Magazine - Air Date 1-13-19

Caputo-Pearl talks about a wide range of issues that led to the strike. Building up to the strike as a leader in the union. UTLA received criticism for being too bold but with an issue this large, it's important to be bold.

Ch. 3: Sarah Jaffe on the intersectional movements coming together in the teachers' strike - The Dig - Air Date 1-17-2019

The people in power are all about privatization. Public education attacks are compared to citizens united. Public schools have become a competing marketplace instead of educational services.

Ch. 4: A surge in strikes! - Past Present - Air Date: 1-28-2019

Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the Los Angeles teachers’ strike. Enthusiasm for collective action since the election of '45. Fighting for the very existence of public schools. Charter makes things better for some, public makes things better for all (when properly funded and supported). Charter squirms around Unions. 

Ch. 5: Sarah Jaffe on the conflict within the Democratic party at the core of the LA teachers strike - Start Making Sense - Air Date 1-22-2019

Sarah Jaffe discusses why the parents agreed with the strike. Librarians who have to travel to different schools every day of the week. Will austerity reign, or can they turn it around. Fight for a society that actually provides what people need.

Ch. 6: LA Teachers Striking For All Of Us - The Michael Brooks Show - 01-07-2019

While the LA Teachers Union strikes, their demands are referred to as shiny distractions. Increased privatization by charter schools reduces the effectiveness of public education.


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Air Date 7/25/2023

Today, we take a look at the impact of the rise of streaming video services and the potential for AI-written scripts on the future of show business and those trying to earn a living from it.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Writers Guild Strikes Back | Adam Conover Part 1 - The Majority Report - Air Date 6-11-23

 Adam Conover then talks Sam through updates on the writers’ strike as it reaches its fifth week, tackling the scope of the issues – from the gigification of the job to the labor threat of AI 

Ch. 2: Why Actors Are Striking For The First Time In 40 Years - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-23-23

Hollywood actors have joined writers on strike and shut down the TV and film industry. Streaming has broken the industry. Successful actors are working second jobs. Some received $0 in residuals from Netflix shows with millions of viewers.

Ch. 3: Why the Supreme Court Broke Up Hollywood's Studio System - On the Media - Air Date 7-5-23

The dominance of giant streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus has led to the current strike by television writers, who say their ubiquity has led to lower pay, shakier job security, and perhaps even worse writing.

Ch. 4: How streaming caused the TV writers strike - Vox - Air Date 6-7-23

The way scripted television gets made today has transformed the careers of writers.

Ch. 5: Why Are Studio Executives Like This? - Steve Shives - Air Date 7-17-23

Donate to support the striking members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA!

Ch. 6: How AI Took Center Stage In The Hollywood Writers' Strike - CNBC - Air Date 6-30-23

As streaming companies scramble to nourish their bottom line, content is being removed from platforms, cutting off creators from being compensated.

Ch. 7: Writers Guild Strikes Back | Adam Conover Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 6-11-23

Ch. 8: Hollywood On Strike: Who Cares? - Wisecrack - Air Date 6-2-23

Screenwriters are on strike, which means a lot less new television for our greedy consumption. And understandably, nobody’s excited about Hollywood shutting down. But what if the writers’ strike can actually teach us about how labor movements function


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Meet the AI company that wants to remake Hollywood - Recode Media with Peter Kafka - Air Date 6-14-23

For some people that’s a dystopian vision. But for Cristóbal Valenzuela, it’s a mission statement: Valenzuela is the co-founder and CEO of Runway, an AI startup that wants to radically change the way movies and TV are made.

Ch. 10: 'We Know Where He F***ing Lives' - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-17-23

Hollywood star Ron Pearlman delivers a serious response to Disney CEO Bob Iger’s comments about using the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes to force writers and actors into homelessness.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on closing in on the end of our membership drive


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A person holds a large sign in a crowd of protestors that says “Writers Guild of America ON STRIKE!”

Credit: “WGA Strike 6.21.2023 032” by ufcw770, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1574_Hollywood_Strikes_Air_Date_7-25-23_General_-_7-25-23_17.51.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:49pm EDT

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Air Date 7/22/2023

Today, we take a look at the action needed to curb and adapt to the extreme weather that climate change is already delivering

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Climate and energy journalist Andrew Freedman on the spate of record-shattering extreme weather - The BradCast - Air Date 7-10-23

The planet last week registered its hottest day ever recorded and then broke it four different times on four consecutive days. Our climate is in crisis, from the U.S. to Canada to Spain to India. Andrew Freedman joins us to discuss.

Ch. 2: Bill McKibben Climate Crisis Needs Urgent Action as Earth Records Hottest Temps Ever - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-7-23

"We can't stop global warming at this point," says Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org. "All we can do is try to stop it short of the place where it cuts civilizations off at the knees."

Ch. 3: Climate and energy journalist Andrew Freedman on the spate of record-shattering extreme weather Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 7-10-23

Ch. 4: Emily Sanders on How Not to Interview an Oil CEO, Kaufman & Bozuwa on Fighting Climate Disrupters - CounterSpin - Air date 7-7-23

Emily Sanders discusses the article “How (Not) to Interview an Oil CEO”. Johanna Bozuwa joined us during 2019’s California wildfires and power outages, to explain the potential role of public utilities in the climate crisis.

Ch. 5: Climate Precipice & Israel’s Palestinian Expulsion w Bill McKibben, Basel Adra - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-12-23

Sam and Emma talk to Bill McKibben, contributing writer at The New Yorker and founder of ThirdAct.org, to discuss the recent climate disasters across the country.

Ch. 6: To Be Forewarned The Historical Record on Climate Change - WhoWhatWhy - Air date 7-14-23

Climate change shapes history, says historian Peter Frankopan. Civilizations thrive or fall on environmental stewardship and adaptability.

Ch. 7: Disaster unpreparedness - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-13-23

Vermont just got slammed with flash floods, road closures, and evacuations. Harvard’s Juliette Kayyem says the storm reveals how unprepared the US is for the present moment when natural disasters are more frequent and more intense than ever before.

Ch. 8: How will the next generation of cities address the challenges of climate change? - VOX - Air Date 6-15-23

By taking inspiration from ancient cities, they can prioritize public transportation and foster human connection, resulting in reduced emissions and more accessibility.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Emily Sanders on How Not to Interview an Oil CEO, Kaufman & Bozuwa on Fighting Climate Disrupters Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air date 7-7-23

Ch. 10: Rep. AOC Reintroduces the Green New Deal on its 4th Anniversary - RepAOC - Air Date 4-20-23

“First they laugh at you, then they fight you, then we win.”


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments giving a hopeful perspective on climate action


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1573_Climate_Adaptation_Air_Date_7-22-23_General_-_7-22-23_13.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:33pm EDT

Original Air Date: 10/16/2019

Today we take a look at the literally depressing truth about our economy, our work and the culture that surrounds it. We work too hard to be perfect, we don't get enough time off, many of us don't have enough control over the work we do and too many know their jobs are completely worthless.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How the Economy Is Damaging Our Mental Health with Becki Winson, Hana Riaz and Annie Quick - Weekly Economics Podcast - Air Date 2-4-19

One in eight young people have a mental health problem. One big problem is access to treatment. Mental health services are underfunded, leaving many people stuck on waiting lists.

Ch. 2: From Stigma to Oppression - Off-Kilter with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 5-31-19

Mental Illness is very common in the US, from burnout to anxiety to depression to suicide, and our systems don't support proper care.

Ch. 3: Neoliberalism Is Creating a Mental Health Crisis - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 02-08-18

Neoliberalism, the belief that markets are democratic and that what works for them, works for all parts of society, isn't working for working people. Neoliberalism is creating a mental health crisis in America and around the world!

Ch. 4: David Graeber Bullshit Jobs - Novara Media with James Butler - Air Date 2-1-19

David Graeber discusses neoliberalism, bullshit jobs, capitalism and the value of labor.

Ch. 5: On Bullshit Jobs with David Graeber - This Is Hell - Air Date 5-14-18

David Graeber and Chuck discuss bullshit jobs, financial feudalism, the ruling class and human instinct.

Ch. 6: Uncovering the Causes of Depression with Johann Hari - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-19-19

The biological makeup of humans has not changed for many centuries, but depression, anxiety and addiction are on the rise. Sam and Johann discuss.

Ch. 7: Why You Are Depressed and Anxious with Johann Hari - TED Talks Daily - Air Date 9-18-19

Johann Hair discusses the causes of rising depression and anxiety because of the modern capitalist neoliberal world.


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Air Date 7/16/2023

Today, we take a look at the problems of overconsumption and some policy solutions for reducing waste through a circular, rather than linear, approach to the economy.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Is capitalism actually broken? - TED-Ed - Air Date 11-1-22

People have become increasingly worried that the threats we face today, like climate change and rising inequality, can’t be solved by a capitalist economic system. So, is that true? And if it is, can we fix capitalism or do we need to tear the system down

Ch. 2: World Water Day: UN chief warns “vampiric overconsumption” is draining “humanity’s lifeblood” - Global News - Air Date 3-22-23

The United Nations (UN) opened its first conference on water security in almost half a century on Wednesday, with a plea to governments to better manage one of humanity's shared resources.

Ch. 3: How Our 'Stuff' Problem Impacts the Planet (and the Key to Beating Overconsumption for Good) - Good Together - Air Date 6-28-23

We have a major “stuff” problem. With everything we want just a click away, we bring new things into our homes every day just to toss them out. Excessive consumption has led to an alarming statistic: The average American produces 4.5 pounds of trash daily

Ch. 4: How do we create a better economy? - TED-Ed - Air Date 11-29-22

Can we call any economy “healthy” in the face of dwindling resources and growing inequality? What if we cut off our addiction to endless growth, and used a new compass for modern prosperity?

Ch. 5: Europe's Circular Economy Action Plan - euronews - Air Date 11-24-20

Business Planet takes a look at Europe's plans for a Circular Economy and examines what this transition might mean for both businesses and consumers.

Ch. 6: Amsterdam's "doughnut economy" puts climate ahead of GDP - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 4-24-21

Amsterdam is the first city in the world to adopt a radical economic theory that suggests economic growth shouldn’t be the ultimate measure of success. Instead, “doughnut economics” focuses on protecting the environment while meeting citizens’ basic needs

Ch. 7: Busting the myths of circular design for fashion - The Circular Economy Show Podcast - Air Date 4-11-23

The current fashion system is broken. Every year the fashion industry misses out on hundreds of billions of dollars and contributes significantly to waste and pollution through the linear take-make-waste economy.

Ch. 8: We Need A Library Economy - Andrewism - Air Date 10-5-22

The library has been a long-standing institution in our society, but what if we applied its philosophy more broadly? Let's imagine what it would mean to realise the possibilities of this proto-socialist concept and reintroduce free access to the commons.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: How Can We Make Policy Makers Realize & Understand the Potential of the Circular Economy? - Ellen MacArthur Foundation - Air Date 10-11-19

How do you convince work colleagues that your bright idea isn’t just another burden to their existing workload? Working with policymakers at the regional and city level in Italy, Luigi Acquaviva has had to learn a few tricks

Ch. 10: Add to basket: How retailers are working towards a circular economy for food | Redesigning Food series - The Circular Economy Show Podcast - Air Date 6-5-23

What if there were no bad choices in your shopping basket? What if every bite of food had been designed in a way that helped to regenerate nature?


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments giving an update on the membership drive


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1572_Circular_Economics_Air_Date_7-16-23_General_-_7-16-23_11.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00pm EDT

Air Date: 7-14-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- A bad take on smartphones
- Eating alone
- Lunches of suffering
- The failure of Instant Pot

REFERENCES:
What Did People Do Before Smartphones?

A Brief History of the 'Sad Desk Lunch'

Party Of 1: We Are Eating A Lot Of Meals AloneParty Of 1: We Are Eating A Lot Of Meals Alone

‘Lunch of suffering’: plain ‘white people food’ goes viral in China

The Instant Pot Failed Because It Was a Good Product

 

Join our Discord Server

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_274_Sample_-_7-14-23_15.14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:50pm EDT

Air Date 7/11/2023

Today, we take a look at the history and unceremonious end of affirmative action for college admissions that were an attempt to correct the compounded impact of hundreds of years of systemic racism.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Affirmative Reactions Part 1 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-1-23

What does the SCOTUS decision on affirmative action have to do with the Don't Say Gay bills, book bans, and attacks on school curricula all over the country? How is is part and parcel of a certain White supremacist libertarianism?

Ch. 2: The Architect Part 1 - More Perfect - Air Date 12-7-17

More Perfect profiled Edward Blum in season one of the show. We catch up with him to hear about his latest effort to end affirmative action at Harvard.

Ch. 3: What Does Color-Blind Really Mean - Notes From America - Air Date 7-10-23

Affirmative action is gone. Ibram X. Kendi tells us the history leading up to this moment and what could be next.

Ch. 4: MAGA SCOTUS Is Back - Amicus - Air Date 7-1-23

The Supreme Court’s conservatives return to form, stripping protections for same-sex couples, striking down student loan relief, and ending race-conscious college admissions.

Ch. 5: The Architect Part 2 - More Perfect - Air Date 12-7-17

Ch. 6: Asian Americans + Affirmative Action - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-5-23

Myths, Data, Predictions

Ch. 7: What Does Color-Blind Really Mean Part 2 - Notes From America - Air Date 7-10-23

Ch. 8: Affirmative Reactions Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-1-23

Ch. 9: Legal Scholar Says Supreme Court Could Become a “Pointless Institution” - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 5-17-23

“Shadow docket.” This refers to cases that are decided quickly, without written opinions or oral arguments. In his new book, Vladeck traces the transformation of the Supreme Court. He explains all to Hari Sreenivasan.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: Elie Mystal's Court Packing Plan - Contempt of Court - Air Date 7-10-23

When most people talk about expanding the Supreme Court, they're talking about adding a few justices. Two or four to the bench. But I am not most people.

Ch. 11: Weekly Roundup Affirmative Reactions Part 3 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-1-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the need for a new solution to the old problem that affirmative action was trying to solve


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: The angled shadow of a student in a cap and gown stretches across white concrete.

Credit: "Graduation_Future_University_Cap" by Csparks, Pixabay 

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1571_Affirmative_Action_Air_Date_7-11-23_General_-_7-11-23_19.01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:23pm EDT

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Become a member in July for 20% off!)

Air Date 7/8/2023

Today, we take a look at the dubious, ideologically-driven debate between overpopulation being a danger to the future of humanity and it being a dangerous myth obscuring the real issue of over-consumption

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Is Overpopulation Killing the Planet? - Ideas - Air Date 6-12-23

In the fall of 2022, humanity entered unprecedented territory when, according to the United Nations, the world’s population reached eight billion people. Journalist Bruce Livesey explores the complex issues around population growth

Ch. 2: Richard Heinberg: Powering Down | Beyond Growth, Toward Simplicity - The Overpopulation Podcast - Air Date 5-16-23

We discuss how we might deliberately rein in our power, starting with an urgent transition away from fossil fuels, and move from a culture of unabated growth toward a culture of sufficiency, simplicity, and resilience.

Ch. 3: Could Everything You Know About Global Population Growth Be Wrong? - WhoWhatWhy - Air Date 4-5-19

Contrary to popular and long held assumptions, global population is declining. The environmental consequences are good, the economic consequences are bad, says this podcast guest.

Ch. 4: The Dubious Overpopulation Debate - Acclimated - Air Date 8-12-20

Is overpopulation driving environmental collapse? Nope. But that hasn't stopped politicians, filmmakers, and comic book villains from making the claim. We consider the real-world consequences of two centuries of overpopulation concerns

Ch. 5: Overpopulation or overproduction? Marx vs. Malthus - International Marxist Radio - Air Date 5-31-23

Is human population growth to blame for poverty and climate change? Plenty of pundits and politicians on the right and left alike seem to think so. Knowingly or not, they repeat the reactionary ideas of the Reverend Thomas Malthus

Ch. 6: An Eye-Opening Discussion On Practical Solutions To Human Overpopulation - Rewilding Earth Podcast - Air Date 7-18-22

Overpopulation and pronatalism, the role of humane education in turning the tide on human population issues, the effects of overpopulation on people, wildlife, and wild places, and simple, practical, humane solutions to the population crisis

Ch. 7: The Dangerous Myth of Overpopulation - The Wild Life - Air Date 4-8-21

Welcome to part 1 of Us, an ongoing series examining our connections and impact on the environment, sustainability, and our changing climate.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Naomi Oreskes: How Free-Market Fundamentalism Fuels Overpopulation Denialism & Undermines Democracy - The Overpopulation Podcast - Air Date 6-1-23

We discuss the role that libertarian, techno-fundamentalist, anti-choice think tanks have played in fueling anti-Science propaganda on overpopulation denialism, and why these forces must be vehemently opposed for a more just and sustainable planet.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the philosophical question behind the overpopulation debate


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1570_Overpopulation_Air_Date_7-8-23_General_-_7-8-23_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:37pm EDT

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Original Air Date: 1/2/2018

Today we take a look at a few different visions of what the future holds for our labor market and some policies we should be putting in place to set the scene for the coming evolution of work

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Show Notes

Act 1: The future of work in a world of artificial intelligence - Ideas - Air Date 9-12-17

Act 2: Robots Causing Wealth Inequality? - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date: 04-28-17

Act 3: A 15 Hour Work Week Would Save the Planet - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 07-26-17

Act 4: Demanding a future of full automation and a post-work world - Ideas - Air Date 9-26-17

Act 5: Designing the future of jobs and economics - Freakonomics - Air Date 4-20-17

Act 6: Ai-jen Poo on the caretaker jobs of the future - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 11-13-17

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions Free Music Archive)


Action Resources/Further Reading

New Economy Coalition 

The Next System Project

Democracy At Work

Public Predictions for the Future of Workforce Automation (Pew Research Center, 2016)

A World Without Work (The Atlantic, 2015)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get 20% Off Membership in July!)

Air Date 7/4/2023

Today, we take a look at the difference between the kind of political messaging that feels like the right thing to say and the reframed messages that actually get political results that allow for progressive policies to get passed.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why Behind The What with Gretchen Barton - How We Win - Air Date 6-21-23

Gretchen Barton, founder of Worthy Strategy Group, is a researcher and strategist who spends most of her time going inside the minds of American voters, and shares her unique perspective and insights with us!

Ch. 2: Winning a Trifecta with Mike Lux - How We Win - Air Date 5-31-23

And joining us for our interview to urge us all into action to win in 2024, is a democratic campaign veteran and progressive media trailblazer, the one and only Mike Lux!

Ch. 3: Winning Messages Anat Shenker-Osorio - Future Hindsight - Air Date 4-13-23

Anat Shenker-Osorio is a renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor, the host of Words to Win By, and the Principal of ASO Communications.

Ch. 4: Democrats Can Win If They Follow These Rules Featuring Ken Weber & Daryl Weber - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-14-22

Why can't the Democratic Party message as well as the Republican Party? Ken Weber and his son Daryl Weber explain how the left can finally win if they use these rules on messaging that the GOP uses every single time.

Ch. 5: A Dmitri Rebuttal by Messaging Expert Anat Shenker-Osorio - Deconstructed - Air Date 6-2-23

Grim and Shenker-Osorio discuss why certain messages do well and others fail, why reframing the debate is essential, and how to craft messages that resonate and win.

Ch. 6: How Democrats can win Working-Class Voters - Start Making Sense - Air Date 6-21-23

Katie Rader joins the Start Making Sense podcast to discuss the issues that are most likely to mobilize them.

Ch. 7: Winning Messages Anat Shenker-Osorio - Future Hindsight - Air Date 4-13-23

Anat Shenker-Osorio is a renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor, the host of Words to Win By, and the Principal of ASO Communications.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Why Behind The What with Gretchen Barton Part 2 - How We Win - Air Date 6-21-23

Discussing the politics of Florida

Ch. 9: Why Behind The What with Gretchen Barton Part 3 - How We Win - Air Date 6-21-23

Looking at the messaging hurdles women face when running for president


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments launching our overdue membership drive


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo of a three-dimensional museum sign hanging on a wrought iron bracket that reads “The People’s Story.” A sculpted person holding a rolled-up newspaper and calling out with one hand cupped to his mouth sits above the words.

Credit: “People’s Story” by Alan Levine, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1569_Messaging_Air_Date_7-4-23_General_-_7-4-23_14.22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:33pm EDT

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Become a member in July for 20% off!)
 
Air Date: 7-1-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- Marriage and christianity collapsing
- Free lunches for kids
- Neo-nazis doing pushups at Pride
- The assault on no-fault divorce
- Hannah Gadsby's wedding cake
 
REFERENCES:
 
 
Leave a message at 202-999-3991
Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
Direct download: Bonus_Show_273_Sample_-_7123_18.53.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:10pm EDT

Original Air Date 6/11/2022

Today we take a look at the reasons why Democrats lost rural America and why it's important to make gains outside urban centers through working-class coalitions and a focus on the policy failures of unchecked Republicanism.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How can Democrats win back rural America? (with Bill Hogseth) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 1-26-21

Democrats used to win elections in rural areas, but that seems like a distant memory now. This week, Zach is joined by Bill Hogseth, a political organizer from rural Wisconsin, to talk about the difference between making promises and delivering change

Ch. 2: Can Democrats Win in Rural America? - Deconstructed - Air Date 6-4-22

Maine state Sen. Chloe Maxmin tackles one of the most pressing problems confronting the modern Democratic Party: how to reverse its decades-long backslide in rural support. Maxmin and her co-author and campaign manager Canyon Woodward join Ryan Grim

Ch. 3: How Democrats Lost Rural America w/ Anthony Flaccavento Part 1 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 3-24-22

Anthony Flaccavento, Virginia-based farmer, author, and co-founder of the Rural-Urban Bridge Initiative, joins the Jacobin Show to discuss rural America—and why the Democrats lose so consistently in rural elections.

Ch. 4: Joe Shepherd of United Rural Democrats - The Rick Smith Show - Air Date 5-9-22

By working people. For working people. Welcome to The Rick Smith Show.

Ch. 5: How Democrats Lost Rural America w/ Anthony Flaccavento Part 2 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 3-24-22

Anthony Flaccavento, Virginia-based farmer, author, and co-founder of the Rural-Urban Bridge Initiative, joins the Jacobin Show to discuss rural America—and why the Democrats lose so consistently in rural elections.

Ch. 6: David Pepper On Why We Need to Focus on State Capitols to Save Democracy - The Tennessee Holler Podcast - Air Date 2-9-22

Former OHIO Democratic party chair David Pepper On Why We Need to Focus on State Capitols to Save Democracy, and why we all need to do our part to lift it up.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Corporate Democrats Have a Vested Interest in Not Listening to Workers – RAI with Thomas Frank - The Real News - Air Date 9-5-17

On Reality Asserts Itself, Thomas Frank, author of “What’s the Matter with Kansas” and “Listen, Liberal”, tells host Paul Jay that the Democratic Party serves the professional class and the top 10% and no longer cares about the poor or working class.

Ch. 8: The New Democrats w/ Lily Geismer - The Dig - Air Date 6-5-22

Dan’s second episode with historian Lily Geismer, who he interviewed in 2019 about Don’t Blame Us: Suburban Liberals and the Transformation of the Democratic Party. This interview is on Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the ignoring the middle class and poor open the door to right-wing populism of the worst sort


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Photo of a blue, dented, and rusted mailbox on a spike leaning against an old wooden fence. Its flag is down, indicating no mail. Thick, golden tall grass grows behind it against a blue sky. 

Credit: "Rural America" by Kris Notaro, Flickr | License CC by 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, slight increase in brightness and saturation

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 6/25/2023

Today, we take a look at the state of the religious right as declining religiosity and the looming 2024 election put a strain on the movement.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Trump Indicted, Robertson Dead, + Catholic Public Schools? - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 6-9-23

Brad and Dan being by discussing Trump's indictment on federal charges. They then break down the life and death of Pat Robertson - an architect of the Religious Right and someone whose influence resounds in American Christian nationalism today

Ch. 2: The Power Christian Nationalists Seek | The Evil Ignorance of Marjorie Taylor Greene - The Benjamin Dixon Show - Air Date 4-27-23

Ch. 3: How Rapture Theology Shaped America (Part 2) - The Holy Post - Air Date 5-10-23

How did a theological system that rejected Christian participation in politics eventually give birth to the Religious Right? Phil talks to historian Daniel Hummel about the spread of rapture theology in the 20th century

Ch. 4: Trump Taps Into Evangelical Fascism To Hypnotize His Followers - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 9-20-22

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss a rally Donald Trump hosted over the weekend, where he mixes the rapture of fervent religious followers with the QAnon conspiracy set to lure people with the sweet siren sounds of fascism.

Ch. 5: DeSantis Tries To Attack Trump on Abortion - The Damage Report - Air Date 6-19-23

Ron DeSantis attacks Trump on his abortion stance. John Iadarola and Brett Erlich break it down on The Damage Report.

Ch. 6: Americans Are Losing Their Religion. That's Changing Politics. - FiveThirtyEight Politics - Air Date 4-22-21

About 20 years ago, 70 percent of Americans belonged to one of those houses of worship. Today, it’s 47 percent. While that doesn’t mean a majority of Americans are areligious, the share of religiously unaffiliated Americans has also been increasing


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Is Religion Dead? - Wisecrack - Air Date 6-9-23

Philosophy and religion might seem as incompatible as peanut butter and raw garlic. But what if understanding religion from a philosophical perspective could actually illuminate some of our deepest cultural and social values?

Ch. 8: How My Christian Faith Fell Apart | A Case Study of DECONSTRUCTION - Sara Martin - Air Date 8-26-20

How does someone go from a faith-filled follower of Jesus to no longer identifying as a Christian? In this video, I share my personal story of how my faith fell apart and demonstrate how, step by step, a person’s relationship with Jesus can unravel.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the enduring support for Trump by the evangelical right


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

God's Playground - Nathanael Christy

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1568_Religious_Right_Air_Date_6-25-23_General_-_6-24-23_19.00.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Original Air Date 2-5-2019

Today we take a look at the history of FDR's "Four Freedoms" and "Economic Bill of Rights" that laid the groundwork for the fight for economic freedom for all that continues to this day.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Harvey Kaye, "The Fight for the Four Freedoms" - Book TV - Air Date 5-11-14

Harvey Kaye examines the progressivism of the Roosevelt-era and argues that a reminder of the "four freedoms" could address today's political and social issues.

Ch. 2: What Ted Cruz Doesn't Get About 'Freedom' - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 7-21-16

Thom talks about Ted Cruz's speech at the Republican Convention and compares his definition of 'freedom' with the way it was described by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ch. 3: An Overdue Second Bill of Rights Part 1 - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 10-7-18

F.D.R. recognized that the original bill of rights would not be enough to make all American’s truly free and proposed an economic bill of rights. Of the eight amendments he proposed in 1944, seven are still waiting to be implemented.

Ch. 4: Fighting for the Four Freedoms - @BillMoyersHQ And Company - Air Date 4-15-14

Historian Harvey J. Kaye talks about how FDR was able to mobilize Americans to create "the strongest and most prosperous country in human history."

Ch. 5: Libertarian Definition of "Freedom" is Freedom in Name Only - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date 8-1-13

Explaining that libertarian thinking doesn't incorporate the existence of economic coercion

Ch. 6: An Overdue Second Bill of Rights Part 2 - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 10-7-18

Ch. 7: Bernie Sanders & FDR's Second Bill of Rights - Berniementum - Air Date 8-12-15

President FDR's Second Bill of Rights speech - January 11, 1944 Sen. Bernie Sanders speech at the National Press Club - Mar. 9, 2015 Music - "There is Romance" by Imcompetech

Ch. 8: Fight for the Four Freedoms What Made FDR & the Greatest Generation Truly Great (w: Harvey J Kaye) - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date 9-9-15

University of Wisconsin Professor Harvey J Kaye author of Fight for the Four Freedoms: What Made FDR and the Greatest Generation Truly Great, explains Ronald Reagan and the great pushback against a progressive America

Ch. 9: An Overdue Second Bill of Rights Part 3 - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 10-7-18


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Air Date 6/20/2023

Today, we take a look at the story of how neoliberalism was born, how corporations were organized to help push it into the mainstream, and how the courts were reshaped to permanently tilt the rules in favor of corporate power.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Chile, Neoliberalism and the CIA - AJ+ - Air Date 11-29-19

This is the story of how Chile came to be called the “neoliberal laboratory of the world’ ... and it even involves the CIA.

Ch. 2: The Powell Memo. Corporate America's Call to Arms. - Unf*cking The Republic - Air Date 2-9-23

Today’s episode discusses the nature of the memo, the inspiration for it and details its prescriptive elements.

Ch. 3: How the Corporate Takeover of American Politics Began - Robert Reich - Air Date 12-13-22

In 1976, I watched as thousands of corporate lobbyists descended on Washington. Fast forward to today, and lobbying has become a $3.7 billion dollar industry.

It all began with the Powell Memo.

Ch. 4: Greed Is Rotting America From The Inside Out - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 7-29-22

The GOP has become a rotting corpse, politically, infested with maggots & defended by wealthy vultures. It has only one true principle, greed, & is determined to reinvent America in greed’s image

Ch. 5: Economic False Prophets Part 1 - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 6-10-23

Ralph welcomes New York Times reporter, Binyamin Applebaum, author of “The Economists' Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society”

Ch. 6: What has Greed Cost America - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-28-14

Thom Hartmann begins a conversation about how greed has destroyed the American economy.

Ch. 7: Economic False Prophets Part 2 - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 6-10-23


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Wall Street's ESG Scam EXPLAINED - Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar - Air Date 6-16-22

Krystal and Saagar are joined by researcher and policy analyst Ron Ivey to better understand the wall street ESG scam being investigated by regulators for its deceptive practices

Ch. 9: Anti-Capitalist Investing Is... Absurd — Jen Pan - Jacobin - Air Date 6-11-22

Jen Pan explains why the new trend of "anti-capitalist investing" is just elite charity with another name, and only helps maintain the power of elites over everyone else's lives.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on the next revolution in values we need


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1567_Greed_is_Good_Generation_Air_Date_6-20-23_General_-_6-20-23_21.10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:11am EDT

Air Date: 6-17-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon discuss:
- Hoopy Froods
- Other people with diarrhea 
- The lack of civil engineers to manage the waste water
- Neoliberal pay scales of business professors 
- How billionaires became our gurus

REFERENCES:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The billionaire’s guide to self-help

 

Join our Discord Community


Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_272_Sample_-_6-15-23_21.04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am EDT

Original Air Date 4/13/2022

Today we take a look at the mainstreaming of crypto and NFTs by celebrity endorsements, why they're terrible by nearly any metric and why they are emblematic of our broken culture.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Line Goes Up – The Problem With NFTs - Folding Ideas - Air Date 1-21-22

If someone pitches you on a "great" Web3 project, ask them if it requires buying or selling crypto to do what they say it does.

Ch. 2: NFTS and Celebrities: A Match Made in Hell? - Wisecrack - Air Date 4-4-22

How did NFTs become the new Coca-Cola? NFTs are everywhere, nowhere more so than on the lips of celebrities. But why are celebrities getting into the world of crypto? And what can the rise of celebrities endorsing NFTs tell us about our society?

Ch. 3: Celebrities Love Cryptocurrencies - and it's lame (Feat. Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman) - Crypto Critics' Corner - Air Date 2-16-22

Bennett and Cas are joined by Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman who discuss the ideas behind their upcoming book about cryptocurrency, their issues with celebrity shilling of speculative assets, and how it really feels like corporate greed

Ch. 4: Why Scams Are Inherent To Cryptocurrency - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 3-27-22

Explaining the systemic reasons why the features of crypto are so amenable to scams

Ch. 5: Can Our Climate Survive Bitcoin? - Reveal - Air Date 3-25-22

Bitcoin’s demand for electricity is so great that it’s giving new life to the dirtiest type of power plants: ones that burn coal. In Hardin, Montana, the coal-fired power plant was on the verge of shutting down until bitcoin came to town.

Ch. 6: Line Goes Up Creator Breaks Down The Problem with NFTs and Cryptocurrency - The Damage Report - Air Date 3-6-22

Crypto specialist, Dan Olson, shares his takes on NFTs and explains pieces from his insanely popular video, "Line Goes Up – The Problem With NFTs." John Iadarola and Dan Olson break it down on The Damage Report.

Ch. 7: The Crypto Grift Descends on Ukraine - Scam Economy - Air Date 3-17-22

Matt Binder breaks down how grifting cryptocurrency founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and hustlers are trying to pump their money-making schemes for a profit and generate good PR for the crypto industry under the guise of charity for Ukraine.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on how people, myself included, get scammed


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1482_Crypto_and_NFT_Air_Date_4-13-22_General_Repost_-_6-15-23_13.37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Original Air Date 2-2-2020

Today we take a look at the relationship between fear, anger and how to deal with the structural forces of harm in our society. To help us, we examine two of the greatest thinkers of the past 65 years, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mister Rogers, and go beyond the nonviolence of King and interrogate Mr. Roger's insistence on liking everyone just the way they are.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: W. Kamau Bell on coming face to face with white supremacists - Finding Fred - Air Date 11-26-19

Empathy can be found when you understand what circumstances people came from

Ch. 2: Author Christian Picciolini on how white nationalists recruit and radicalize online - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-18-19

Reformed neo-Nazi and author Christian Picciolini explains how white nationalists target vulnerable online communities

Ch. 3: The dubious luxury of anger - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 6-24-17

Understanding the fear that underlies anger.

Ch. 4: Help the Helpers: Evil cannot withstand forgiveness - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

On being your best self. On the least of these. On the virtues of a cup of tea.

Ch. 5: Help the Helpers: But forgiveness can be complicated - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

You can't be nice to everyone because being nice to certain people is inherently cruel to others.

Ch. 6: Anger and forgiveness as a survival strategy - In The Thick - Air Date 10-4-19

Discussing the conviction and sentencing of Amber Guyger, the Dallas police officer who shot and killed her black neighbor, Botham Shem Jean

Ch. 7: Forgiveness in the #MeToo era - Interfaith Voices - Air Date 6-24-18

Many faith traditions emphasize the importance of forgiveness. But in the context of the #MeToo movement, can forgiveness silence women who have been abused?

Ch. 8: Why Do Black People Always Have to Forgive? - The Real News - Air Date 10-4-19

As Botham Jean’s brother makes headlines for “forgiving” Amber Guyger, Real News hosts Jacqueline Luqman and Lisa Snowden-McCray to discuss what Christian forgiveness in the face of oppression means.

Ch. 9: Why accountability matters for faith-based forgiveness - Interfaith Voices - Air Date 7-13-18

Serene Jones says deep forgiveness is actually part of a larger process of seeking justice and accountability.

Ch. 10: The art and science of apologies and forgiveness Commentary - Best of the Left - Air Date 3-23-19

Final comments on strength, power, fragility, apologies, forgiveness and the legacy of the Confederacy

Ch. 11: Help the Helpers: Grace - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

Grace is to focus on the humanity of others than to see them as monsters.

Ch. 12: Help the Helpers: The fear and hurt that gets in the way - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

The difficulty of focusing on helping the needy rather than punishing the dangerous

Ch. 13: Van Jones: Why Casting “Bigots” Out Doesn’t Move America Forward - Big Think - Air Date 12-6-17

There is a limit to empathy, you cannot tolerate the intolerant for too long—but having empathy for those who interpret change as scary, and understanding why they think that way, maybe the only inroad to untying this great mess.

Ch. 14: The birth of the Black Power Movement - King in the Wilderness (HBO) - Air Date 4-2-18

The story of King's reaction to the rise of the Black Power movement and the roles of anger, fear and sickness


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 15: Final comments on the various sicknesses infecting our society


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 6/13/2023

Today, we take a look at the struggle to act ethically, at least by our own measure if there's not a universally-agreed standard to compare with, relating to the purchase of both the necessities of life we all need as well as the more luxury items that get added on top.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: No ethical consumption under capitalism: short deep dive - @professor_neil - Air Date 4-13-23

Origin of "no ethical consumption under capitalism"

Ch. 2: Hasan and The Left's Paradoxical Relationship with Consumer Capitalism - The Kavernacle - Air Date 5-26-23

What once was a statement of fact, now has been taken as an excuse to essentially be a consumer without even thinking about the ethics involved of what you were buying.

Ch. 3: "Separating Art vs. the Artist" doesn't work for Harry Potter - Kuncan Dastner - Air Date 4-14-22

Secrets of Dumbledore and Hogwarts Legacy aren't enough to save this franchise

Ch. 4: There are many forms of ethical consumption under capitalism, you just have to understand ethics - poppysaw - Air Date 2-11-23

Alternate thoughts on the ethics of consumption within capitalism

Ch. 5: Ethical Consumption - Pullback - Air Date 3-7-23

So, there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism. Does that mean there’s no value to movements like slow fashion, eating local, and Fairtrade?

Ch. 6: The moral philosophy of The Good Place (with Mike Schur and Pamela Hieronymi) - The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Air Date 12-9-19

This is a conversation about how and why The Good Place exists and what it reflects about The Odd Place in which we actually live. Unlike a lot of conversations about moral philosophy, this one is a lot of fun.

Ch. 7: Ethical Capitalism: Is It Possible? - Wise Crack - Air Date 7-19-21

We live in an era of increased skepticism towards capitalism. But is participating in capitalism inherently antithetical to living an ethical life? Or is it possible to act ethically within a capitalist system?

Ch. 8: Ethical Behavior in Modern Society – Can We Still Get Into The Good Place? - Like Stories of Old - Air Date 4-30-19

A video essay on modern day ethics as discussed in the Netflix show The Good Place. Focusing in particular on the notion of ethical consumerism and individuality from a sociological perspective.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Conscious Consumerism: Does it make a difference - Roundtable - Air Date 7-10-19

Conscious consumerism focuses on making positive decisions throughout the buying process, with the intention of helping to balance some of the negative impacts that consumerism has on the planet.

Ch. 10: “No Ethical Consumption” is Not License for Nihilism & Hedonism. So What Is It? (Hausfrau Friday) Parkrose Permaculture - Air Date 6-3-22

My 17 yr-old and I have noticed an unsettling trend on social media: folks choosing to take the concept of "No ethical consumption under capitalism" as a license to give up when it comes to trying to make ethical purchases for our bodies and our homes.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Response to cohousing episode


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on why people being misled into unethical behavior gives me hope


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: White text in a funky font says “There is no ethical consumption under capitalism.” in quotation marks on a black background.

Credit: Design by A. Hoffman using "BM Kirang Haerang" font.

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 6/10/2023

Today, we take a look at the emerging trend of various community housing styles people are using to build community, fight loneliness and lighten the load of everyday chores and tasks.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Cohousing The Future of Community and Human Connection Part 1 | Trish Becker-Hafnor - TEDx Talks - Air Date 1-13-20

Trish is the owner of StorySpring Consulting and Director of Community Engagement at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work.

Ch. 2: Katie McCamant of CoHousing Solutions Part 1 - Transforming Cities - Air Date 8-24-22

On this episode, I’m speaking with Katie McCamant, President at CoHousing Solutions. Katie brings the depth and diversity of her 35 years of experience as a developer, architect, and cohousing resident to benefit her clients.

Ch. 3: Cohousing communities help prevent social isolation - PBS Newshour - Air Date 2-12-17

Groups in Denmark and the U.S. are choosing to live in intentionally intergenerational communities, which emerged to strengthen social ties between aging seniors and their younger counterparts who are balancing work and family.

Ch. 4: Katie McCamant of CoHousing Solutions Part 2 - Transforming Cities - Air Date 8-24-22

Ch. 5: Cohousing Communities of Ann Arbor — Episode 4 of Planet Community - Foundation for Intentional Community - Air Date 1-17-19

Cohousing communities are collaborative neighborhoods created with intention and a little ingenuity.

Ch. 6: Cohousing The Future of Community and Human Connection Part 2 | Trish Becker-Hafnor - TEDx Talks - Air Date 1-13-20


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Jack Kerouac's boarding house now co-living for creatives - Kirsten Dirksen - Air Date 11-7-20

Sara McEre bought the former 19th-century boarding house in San Luis Obispo (CA), it was rundown. Instead of converting it to apartments for a profit, she turned it into a communal living residence for 19 like-minded individuals.

Ch. 8: Microgrid energy and community cohousing - Local Zero - 5-4-22

We hear from Andy O’Brien from the Bristol Energy Cooperative, and Monica King from Bridport Cohousing in Dorset.

Ch. 9: Katie McCamant of CoHousing Solutions Part 3 - Transforming Cities - Air Date 8-24-22


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on a couple of undervalued benefits of cohousing


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A photograph of a winding path through a colorful, close-together neighborhood of houses with children's toys and flowers on the grass.

Credit: "Cohousing" by Joy Cross, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, increased saturation and contrast

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1565_CoHousing_Air_Date_6-10-23_General_-_6-9-23_16.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm EDT