Best of the Left Podcast

Tue, 24 July 2018

#1198 All we have to fear is fear itself (Our Culture of Fear)

Air Date: 7/24/2018

Today we take a look at our current moment in history and the two basic paths that lay before us, one dominated by fear that drives a willingness to give up power to authoritarian rulers and the other guided by hope for a better future and a willingness to work together toward that future

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Sasha Abramsky on the rise of fear and its influence on American society - This Is Hell! @thisishellradio - Air Date 9-20-17

Author Sasha Abramsky explains how irrational fear rules, and guides, life in America.

Ch. 2: Martha Nussbaum on the fear at the root of our political polarization - The Brian Leher Show - Air Date 7-3-18

Martha Nussbaum, author of The Monarchy of Fear: A Philosopher Looks at Our Political Crisis, argues powerlessness and fear underlying political polarization.

Ch. 3: Johann Hari explains why disconnection is at the center of depression and anxiety today - @ThisisHell - Air Date 1-31-18

Johann Hari, author of “Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions”, explains why disconnection is at the center of depression and anxiety today.

Ch. 4: THE MIDTERMS MINUTE (Primaries Edition): Connecticut & Vermont (and MN and WI) on 8.14 - Best of the Left Activism

*Scroll down for the segment info, dates and links. Or click above for the full blog post.*

Ch. 5: Sasha Abramsky on the rise of fear and it opens to the door to demagogues - @ThisisHell - Air Date 9-20-17

Author Sasha Abramsky explains how irrational fear is fertile ground for authoritarian demagogues.

Ch. 6: Escape from suffering - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 7-9-18

Dr Roger Ray explores some of the ailments of our society that keep so many of us from happiness.

Ch. 7: Barack Obama on the competing visions for the future and the struggle between fear and hope - Nelson Mandela Centenary - Air Date 7-18-18

A portion of Barack Obama's speech at Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations in Johannesburg, South Africa discussing the two political and social paths that lay before us. (Watch the entire lecture)

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: How medical bankruptcy made me change my worldview - Kim from Chicago

Ch. 9: Progressive philosophy is amorphous by nature and hard to track through history - Ariel from Memphis

Ch. 10: Without an underpinning philosophy, ideas only float but do not take root - V from Central New York

Ch. 11: Understanding the underlying philosophies of both the left and right with clarity

THE MIDTERMS MINUTE:

Check on candidates endorsed by Justice Democrats | Brand New Congress | DSA | Latino Victory | Our Revolution

Check your state registration deadlines and voter ID laws with rockthevote.org

For an easy way to donate to candidates, check out DownTicket.comon your mobile browser.

“15 Ways to Help a Campaign Win Their Election” (Political Charge)

August 14th Primaries:

Connecticut (Reg. Deadlines - Primary: Online, mail, or in person by Thurs. Aug 9th / General: Oct. 30th)

Governor (Dem. Primary) -Ned Lamont

5th District (Dem. Primary) -Jahana Hayes (Heads up! Republicans are vying for this seat in November.)

2nd District - Heads up! One large county in District 2 pivoted for Trump in 2016. Incumbent Dem. Joe Courtney will run against Republican Dan Postemski in the general.

Vermont (Reg. Deadlines - Primary: Early voting has begun. Must be registered by Aug. 14th / General: Nov. 6th)

U.S. House (statewide Rep.) (Dem. Primary) -Daniel Freilich (Read about incumbent Pat Welch corruption)

Governor - Christine Hallquistvs. James Ehlers vs. Ethan Sonneborn

U.S. Senate - Bernie Sanders

*Minnesota (Reg. Deadlines - Primaries: Online: July 24th, In person: Until August 14th / General: Oct. 9th) *Read our spotlight*

*Wisconsin (Reg. Deadlines - Primary: Post-marked by July 25th, or in-person by Aug 10th / General: post-marked by Oct. 17th, in-person by Nov. 2nd) *Read our spotlight*

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

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