Best of the Left Podcast

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The Podcasts

Air Date 3/26/2020

Today we take a look at the toll the pandemic is taking on mental health and offer a wide range of coping mechanisms to help get everyone through.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Trumps Dumbest Statements on the Pandemic - The Majority Report with Sam Seder - Air Date 3-18-20

Sam breaks down the failure of the Trump admin.

Ch. 2: A Slight Temporary Relief - Social Distance - Air Date 3-18-20

Lori Gottlieb of "Dear Therapist" talks us through how to stay sane.

Ch. 3: Coping with Coronavirus Life - The Love, Happiness and Success Podcast with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby - Air Date 3-16-20

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby shares some therapeutic practices to get through the pandemic.

Ch. 4: Tips for surviving isolation! (Tinder Update) - The Last Post - Air Date 3-20-20

Tinder in an age of Coronavirus. Dating, Jane Austen style.

Ch. 5: Adam Grant On the frontlines and in peoples' minds - Epidemic - Air Date 3-24-20

Understanding the psychological elements at play during the course of a pandemic

Ch. 6: Dealing with COVID-19 with Buddhist Jack Kornfield - The Tim Ferriss Show - Air Date 3-12-20

Tim and Buddhist Jack Kornfield discuss mentally dealing with the pandemic.

Ch. 7: Cüking - The Bugle - Air Date 3-20-20

Exploring new art forms from home.

Ch. 8: Coping During COVID-19 - Happier with Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft - Air Date 3-14-20

Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft discuss coping mechanisms for the pandemic and social distancing.

Ch. 9: How To Preserve Your Mental Health - Coronavirus Daily Briefing - Air Date 3-19-20

Preparing for the pandemic is not just about protecting yourself physically but preparing yourself mentally.

Ch. 10: Tips for surviving isolation! - The Last Post - Air Date 3-20-20

A few tips for what you can do to stave off boredom at home.

Ch. 11: "And the People Stayed Home" by Kitty O'Meara - Common Censored - Air Date 3-16-20

Eleanor shares the viral silver-lining poem of the pandemic.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 12: The peaceful upside - James from Sacramento, CA

Ch. 13: A trip to the grocery and liquor store - Alan from Connecticut

Ch. 14: Bread & Roses & Roger too - Alan from Connecticut

Ch. 15: Solidarity forever - Eammon from Orange County, California


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 16: Final comments with nothing to add


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Haena - Cloud Harbor
  • Molly Molly - Barstool
  • Cicle Veroni - Cicle Kadde
  • Scratcher - Darby
  • Interlude - The Nocturne
  • Glass Runner - Marble Run
  • Peacoat - Studio J
  • Derailed - The Depot
  • Chrome and Wax - Ray Catcher
  • Arizona Moon - Cholate
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1345_Coronovirus_Coping_Air_Date_3-26-20_-_3-26-20_20.29.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Air Date 3/20/2020

Today we take a look at the social safety net we need in the face of Coronavirus and the forces preventing us from having it.

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EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Janine Jackson takes a quick look at recent coverage of the coronavirus - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-13-20

Some suddenly realize that we need a real social safety net

Ch. 2: Lack of Paid Sick Leave Makes It Difficult for Many Workers to Comply with CDC Advice to Stay Home - Democracy Now - Air Date 3-12-20

Labor Department data says that one in four workers have no access to paid sick leave, including two-thirds of lowest earners. The U.S. is one of the only wealthy countries that does not require employers to offer its workers paid sick leave.

Ch. 3: Naomi Klein and Jeremy Scahill Discuss Coronavirus - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 3-17-20

Author Naomi Klein and Jeremy Scahill discuss the bipartisan ruling coalition that created and supported a health system where profits are more important than public health

Ch. 4: O Government, Where Art Thou? Medicare For All vs Coronavirus - Rumble with Michael Moore - Air Date 3-15-20

In a modern, functioning, democratic society, how should a public health crisis be handled? And what would America's response to the coronavirus pandemic look like if we had a universal healthcare system such as Medicare For All?

Ch. 5: Society Run By Criminal Rackets Not Great For Public Health - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-15-20

In this Majority Report clip, Kevin McCarthy is sure everything is going to be fine.

Ch. 6: The coronavirus election - The Weeds - Air Date 3-17-20

Ezra Klein and Matt Yglesias discuss Donald Trump’s disastrous coronavirus speech and dueling pandemic response plans from Sanders and Biden.

Ch. 7: “Something Is Wrong in America” Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor & Michael Eric Dyson Debate Sanders v Biden - Democracy Now - Air Date 3-16-20

We play highlights from the debate and get responses from scholars Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Misrepresenting Biden voters - Erin from Philadelphia


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the nature of the cliff that we’re all on the edge of


TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Calm - Take a Deep Breath: A compilation of free meditations, stories to go to sleep to, calm music, soundscapes, movements & stretches, meditations for kids, mindfulness tips and resources, and more.  


Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • An Opus in Ab - Blue Nocturnal
  • Landon Depot - The Depot
  • The Basket - The Balloonist
  • One Little Triumph - Piano Mover
  • Cradle Rock - Nursury
  • Donder - Darby
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1344_Coronovirus_Safety_Net_Air_Date_3-19-20_-_3-20-20_19.52.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Air Date 3/14/2020

Today, Amanda and I discuss the emotional toll of dealing with a pandemic, some facts about how math works in cases of exponential growth, the unfortunate truth about what we should all be doing right now, the predictable amorality of the health insurance and Pharma companies, the unconscionable propaganda from Trump and his supporters and the aspects of humanity that are revealed when tested.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991

MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USAAmazon CAAmazon UK


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Our BAD week

Ch. 2: Italy on the Brink? What Would It Take For That To Happen Here? - Coronavirus Daily Briefing - Air Date 3-9-20

Ch. 3: Individualistic advice in a time of need for social cohesion

Ch. 4: Young and unafraid of the pandemic? Good for you. Now stop killing people

Ch. 5: Wendell Potter reminds us that the health insurance companies are going to try to screw us over while looking like heroes - Twitter

Ch. 6: Pandemic Propaganda - On the Media - Air Date 3-13-20

Ch. 7: Don’t be a hoarder

Ch. 8: Quarantined Italians Sing Together Across Empty Streets In Hauntingly Beautiful Video - Huffington Post

Ch. 9: The hand-washing advice the mainstream media doesn’t want you to know


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_198_-_3-14-20_21.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:58pm EDT

Air Date 3/10/2020

Today we take a look at Democratic Socialism and how to explain it because socialism and the freedoms it provides are a lot more American than we tend to think. 

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Democratic Socialism Explained with Spencer Cox - Washington State Indivisible Podcast - Air Date 5-16-19

Spencer Cox discusses what democratic socialism means in action.

Ch. 2: Move Over Socialism Democrats Need to Reclaim the Word "Freedom" - Thom Hartmann - Air Date 3-18-19

Among Democrats, there is a big debate about the word Socialism but should Democrats be talking about the word freedom instead?

Ch. 3: Bernie Sanders' Socialism is As American as The Post Office - The Benjamin Dixon Show - Air Date 1-23-20

Ben Dixon breaks down a clip from MSNBC and what they get wrong about democratic socialism.

Ch. 4: Jackson Mississippi's Socialist Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba - Backstory - Air Date 4-26-19

A conversation with the mayor of a southern town looking to make it the most radical in the nation

Ch. 5: Capitalism vs Socialism - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 9-1-19

"Socialism" has become a political scare word used to frighten voters away from progressive programs intended to expand health care coverage, make higher education available to lower-income families, and to raise the minimum wage to a living wage.

Ch. 6: Who’s Really Afraid of Socialism? - Deconstructed - Air Date 2-6-19

To discuss America’s long-held resistance to socialism and its current rise in popularity, Mehdi Hasan is joined by Washington Post columnist Elizabeth Bruenig.

Ch. 7: Astra Taylor on Socialism, Democracy and Liberalism - Jacobin Radio The Dig with Daniel Denvir - Air Date 7-5-19

The world is changing and we need to make the world work for more people. If we do nothing the world will end, but we have so much to gain. A promised land is just beyond the horizon.

Ch. 8: Talking Democratic Socialism with Bhaskar Sunkara - Hear the Bern - Air Date 6-25-19

Bernie Sanders gives a democratic socialist speech and Bhaskar Sunkara helps break it down.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the lasting effects of propaganda and the coming revolution


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • PolyCoat - The Cabinetmaker
  • Blue Jay - Feathers
  • Astrisx - Bodytonic
  • Yarrow and Root - The Bulwark
  • These Times - The Pine Barrens
  • Tripoli - Pecan Grove
  • Contrarian - Sketchbook
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE

"Medicare for All Rally," Molly Adams, Flickr | License | Modifications: Cropped & increased contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1343_Democratic_Socialism_Air_Date_3-10-20_-_3-11-20_11.37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:09am EDT

Air Date 3/7/2020

Today we take a look at the Coronavirus through the lens of the systems it is affecting including the incompetence of a government that doesn't believe in governing, the dangers of the lack of universal access to medical care and the interdependency of our economies regardless of the inevitable racism that flares up in times of panic.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991

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EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USAAmazon CAAmazon UK


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: “Pence is Not a Medical Expert” Is the Trump Admin Ready to Stop a U.S. Coronavirus Pandemic? - Democracy Now - Air Date 2-27-20

We speak with Laurie Garrett, former senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations and a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer. She is the author of several books, including “Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health.”

Ch. 2: Hayes On Dangers Of Incompetent Admin Trying To Lead Us Through A Major Crisis - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 2-29-20

“The core principle of any of us who have a platform...is to be transparent and clear about what the science says and what the risks might be. And right now, that basic threshold has not been met.”

Ch. 3: Coronavirus Reveals Middlemen Destroying The Prescription Drug Market - Ring of Fire - Air Date 2-29-20

David Dayen, from The American Prospect, joins Ring of Fire’s Sam Seder to discuss the real story behind the coronavirus and how middlemen are destroying the prescription drug market.

Ch. 4: Coronavirus: The Virus That Can Become a Pandemic - Thom Hartmann - Air Date 1-29-20

The New CoronaVirus out of China could turn into a pandemic and without Universal Healthcare. Americans could face the worst of it.

Ch. 5: Lead Health Official GRILLED On Coronavirus Vaccine Cost - The Majority Report - Air Date 2-28-20

When you really dig into our public health policy, you begin to realize how messed up we are in the face of a possible health scare.

Ch. 6: Coronavirus: Is the Climate Plague Here? - The Real News - Air Date 2-14-20

Jane C. Hu talks about the rise of xenophobia as the virus spreads.

Ch. 7: COVID-19 and Protective Face Masks - Past/Present - Air Date 2-24-20

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss COVID-19 and the history of protective face masks.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Coronavirus and the election - George from Tonawanda, NY

Ch. 9: Comments on DNC machine - Alan from Connecticut


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on catching flies with honey


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Smooth Stone - Blue Dot Sessions
  • Algea Trio - Algea Fields
  • LaBranche - Bayou Birds
  • A Burst of Light - Delray
  • Turning - Lathe
  • Cradle Rock - Nursury
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1342_Coronavirus_Air_Date_3-6-20_-_3-7-20_11.37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Air Date 3/3/2020

Today we take a look at the election through the lens of billionaire politics, from the candidates in both parties to the heads of media organizations to the way a pro-billionaire mentality trickles down to the establishment class on the media and Democratic Party. And what has all of this money been able to buy in terms of opposition research and narrative building against Bernie Sanders? Red-baiting at its most naked and pathetic.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991

MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USAAmazon CAAmazon UK


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Bernie Sanders’ Rise Prompts Media Meltdown, Establishment Panic: A Closer Look - Late Night with Seth Meyers - Air Date 2-25-20

Seth takes a closer look at some pundits and members of the Democratic establishment panicking after Bernie Sanders won the Nevada caucus in a landslide.

Ch. 2: Janine Jackson takes a quick look at recent coverage of Bernie Sanders - CounterSpin - Air Date 2-28-20

The embarrassing journalistic choices by the mainstream media in their coverage of the primary elections.

Ch. 3: Michael Bloomberg Is Buying the Election - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 2-19-20

Intercepted investigates the multitude of problematic and harmful aspects of Michael Bloomberg.

Ch. 4: The Billionaire Election with Anand Giridharadas - Democracy Now - Air Date 2-26-20

Anand Giridharadas discusses Bloomberg buying his way to the Democratic nomination

Ch. 5: Sanders & Socialism Debate Between Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman & Socialist Economist Richard Wolff - Democracy Now - Air Date 2-24-20

A debate on Bernie Sanders and democratic socialism featuring two well-known economists, Paul Krugman and Richard Wolff.

Ch. 6: Bernie's Fight Against Trump, the GOP, The Democratic Establishment, and Corporate Media - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 2-26-20

Jeremy discusses the establishment's resistance to Bernie.

Ch. 7: The state of the race - The Bugle - Air Date 2-29-20

A comprehensive explanation of the state of the Democratic Primary race


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Get a message going! - Jeff from Charlotte, NC

Ch. 9: What do we do if Bernie gets screwed over again? - Anonymous


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on navigating the post-primary election landscape


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Middle - American Moon Bicycle
  • That Horse Ithica - Sketchbook
  • One Dirty Sleeve - Wax Museum
  • Skyway - The Balloonist
  • Wingspan - Bayou Birds
  • Cicle DR Valga - Cicle Kadde
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1341_Bernie.Bloomberg_Air_Date_3-3-20_-_3-3-20_21.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT