Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006. Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!
info_outline
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #27 - Watch what you say! How weaponized language changes our reality
11/16/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #27 - Watch what you say! How weaponized language changes our reality
Air Date: 11-10-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” Ch. 2 - “Politically correct” Ch. 3 - “Ethnic cleansing” Ch. 4 - “Meritocracy” Ch. 5 - Our current “wealth pump” crisis and how it has been solved throughout history BACKSTAGE! Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!): The best words to articulate the current moment FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) REFERENCES - Huffington Post - NPR - Mondo Weiss - Lucid (Substack) - Michael Sandel - Kottke - Vox TAKE ACTION: Find your - or start one Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening!
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/39051605
info_outline
#1752 Reigniting the Nuclear Arms Race: Fat Man, Little Boy, and Donald Trump
11/14/2025
#1752 Reigniting the Nuclear Arms Race: Fat Man, Little Boy, and Donald Trump
Air Date 11/7/2025 The most dangerous part of nuclear weapons has always been the people in charge of them. As we potentially enter a new arms race, some of the worst people in the world are in charge of the vast majority of nuclear weapons. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: (00:44:32) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the morality of facts we don't question DEEPER DIVES (00:56:09) SECTION A: CONSTANT PERIL (01:22:44) SECTION B: THE NEW ARMS RACE, WORSE THAN THE FIRST (02:05:41) SECTION C: THE DETERRENCE MYTH (02:44:12) SECTION D: THE AFTERMATH 80 YEARS LATER SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Image of a president’s hand reaching out to press a big red button. Credit: “” by geralt, Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/39040055
info_outline
#1751 Monthly-ish Mix: Institutions Fall, Reality Breaks, Empire Rises
11/11/2025
#1751 Monthly-ish Mix: Institutions Fall, Reality Breaks, Empire Rises
Air Date: 11/11/25 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we examine how power is being quietly consolidated across institutions, how propaganda and AI are reshaping our sense of reality, and how division and fear are fueling both domestic repression and global aggression. From the Supreme Court to state media manipulation, from dismantled voting rights to foreign influence campaigns, we trace the machinery of authoritarian control—and spotlight the journalists, educators, and activists still pushing back to keep truth and democracy alive. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! PART 1: INSTITUTIONAL CAPTURE & CONSOLIDATION (00:01:44) (00:16:53) (00:43:56) PART 2 INFORMATION WARFARE & REALITY CONTROL (01:08:35) (01:40:37) (01:54:27) PART 3 OTHERING & EXPANSION (02:13:08) (02:31:27) (02:56:07) (03:20:01) Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38988550
info_outline
#1750 "America's Backyard" - The War on Terror Meets the War on Drugs
11/07/2025
#1750 "America's Backyard" - The War on Terror Meets the War on Drugs
Air Date 11/7/2025 The United States claiming a divine (and imperialist) right to tamper in the politics of South American countries is nothing new. As is so often the case with Trump, the biggest difference is that he’s doing proudly and in the open what used to be done only shamefully and in secret. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: (00:53:59) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the long history of messing with Latin America DEEPER DIVES (00:59:42) SECTION A: HISTORY AND NARRATIVE (01:20:49) SECTION B: MILITARY PRETEXT (01:58:37) SECTION C: US AGGRESSION (02:28:44) SECTION D: REGIONAL ECHOES SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Image of a topographical globe of the Earth, only showing North America and South America. Credit: “” by quimono, Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38955520
info_outline
SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “Transgressive Thoughts in a Villain Era” (Original Air Date: 1-6-25)
11/06/2025
SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “Transgressive Thoughts in a Villain Era” (Original Air Date: 1-6-25)
Re-Air Date: 11–6-25 Unless you were a member in January of 2025, this episode of SOLVED! will be brand new to you! We’re slowing down production for a little bit to reorganize our production processes, so enjoy this episode from our archives (and B.Y: before YouTube) where Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - Why people love villains Ch. 2 - How plutocracy kills Ch. 3 - Why the path forward is through membership organizations FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES The Year Villainy Won - Wired Plutocracy Kills - The American Prospect Democracy Is Not a Customer Loyalty Program - Jacobin
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38941675
info_outline
#1749 Democracy: In Theory, In Practice, and Under Threat
11/04/2025
#1749 Democracy: In Theory, In Practice, and Under Threat
Air Date 11/4/2025 Elections are always coming up, some sooner than others, so we thought we would take a look at the state of our democracy and what we must do to maintain it in the face of the greatest direct assault on our institutions we've seen in our 250 year history. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: KP 8: (00:49:12) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the willingness to sound the alarm DEEPER DIVES (00:58:05) SECTION A: MAGA POLITICS (01:25:25) SECTION B: GENERAL POLITICS (02:01:21) SECTION C: PROGRESSIVE POLITICIANS (02:25:17) SECTION D: ZOHRAN MAMDANI SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Close up photo of a “I voted early!” sicker from the City of New York Board of Elections Credit: ““ by Eden, Janine and Jim | | Changes: Heavily cropped, slight increased saturation and decreased contrast Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38915805
info_outline
#1748 Patriotism in Peril: Democracy, the Military, and the Fight Over What America Means
11/02/2025
#1748 Patriotism in Peril: Democracy, the Military, and the Fight Over What America Means
Air Date 11/02/2025 A lot of people on the left aren't feeling the love for their country right now and that's understandable but we have some thoughts on more productive ways to channel those conflicting feelings toward a country that is currently falling far short of living up to its founding ideals. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (00:59:59) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how the Left embraces the contradictions of the US DEEPER DIVES (01:10:45) SECTION A: SOCIETAL DRIVERS (01:47:04) SECTION B: INSTITUTIONAL EROSION (02:18:26) SECTION C: MILITARIZED LAWFARE (02:41:12) SECTION D: PATRIOTISM AND NARRATIVE SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image of the Declaration of Independence with three question marks on top filled with the image of the American flag. Credit: Internal composite design. Images via Pixabay. | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38876605
info_outline
#1747 Racism in the United States, it turns out, is a problem
10/28/2025
#1747 Racism in the United States, it turns out, is a problem
Air Date 10/28/2025 As we were looking for episode topics, I came across an article making the case that racism is a real problem in the country and that there were lots of recent examples that proved the point. And I was like, "Racism? In the US?! In Trump's Republican Party?? That doesn't sound like the country I've heard of." (sarcasm) But then we looked into it and it turns out racism is everywhere and also quite bad. (true) Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (00:50:25) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how you CANNOT purchase your happiness with the misery of others DEEPER DIVES (00:56:12) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT (01:36:52) SECTION B: WHITE LASH (02:04:02) SECTION C: SYSTEMIC RACISM (02:50:39) SECTION D: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: 1970s poster that says “Racism Chains Both” with an image of a black person’s hand and a white person’s hand both in connected shackles. Credit: “” via Library of Congress Public Domain Archive Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere!
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38816295
info_outline
#1746 What an actual attack on free speech looks like
10/25/2025
#1746 What an actual attack on free speech looks like
Air Date 10/25/2025 Trump's attacks on free speech, particularly with the use of the Federal Communications Commission, goes far beyond the Jimmy Kimmel story. We're in the middle of an all-out assault on freedom of speech, a free and unbiased press, and freedom of association. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: (00:48:56) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On 'Working the Refs' DEEPER DIVES (00:53:51) SECTION A: ANTIFA (01:15:09) SECTION B: POLITICAL ENEMIES (01:53:02) SECTION C: FREE SPEECH (02:29:52) SECTION D: MEDIA TAKEOVER (02:52:28) SECTION E: MOCKING THE FACISTS SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Black and white version of the official portrait of FCC Chair Brendan Carr with the list of words banned by the Trump administration in red over his face. Credit: Internal composite design. | via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38778905
info_outline
#1374 Tell Stories, Not Myths: Columbus and the Centrality of Colonialism (Throwback)
10/22/2025
#1374 Tell Stories, Not Myths: Columbus and the Centrality of Colonialism (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 10/13/2020 Today we take a look at the myths of Columbus and American Exceptionalism™ that we cling to and turn our gaze to some of the less-understood but more accurate and important aspects of our collective history Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: Ch. 8: Ch. 9: SHOW IMAGE | | Modifications: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38721445
info_outline
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #25 - Trump’s “State Capitalism” is Just a Grift, NOT Socialism
10/21/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #25 - Trump’s “State Capitalism” is Just a Grift, NOT Socialism
Air Date: 10–14-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - The cartoonish conservative and libertarian responses to Trump’s state capitalism Ch. 2 - Trump’s interest in sovereign wealth funds, and the lie the right sells its supporters about getting money back Ch. 3 - The left spectrum of reactions to Trump’s state capitalism Ch. 4 - Why Trump is definitely, 100%, not in any way a socialist SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: Ayn Rand’s nearly psychotic opposition to altruism FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - Time magazine - Cato Institute - Reason - BBC - Heterodox - The New Republic - The American Prospect - Current Affairs EXTRAS - Britannica - Interviews (Anthology 1859-1993) BACKSTAGE - CNBC - Wikipedia
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38636595
info_outline
#1745 Fake New World: The Age of AI Slop, AI Education, and AI Fascism
10/20/2025
#1745 Fake New World: The Age of AI Slop, AI Education, and AI Fascism
Air Date 10/19/2025 Robber Barons™ of The Gilded Age™ told themselves stories about how they were ushering in progress for all which is why, they argued, they shouldn't be constrained by things like safety regulations or worker unions - impoverishing millions while injuring and killing thousands in the process. It took a stock market crash, the Great Depression, WWII, and The New Deal to finally wrench the power away and redistribute it for the sake of building a middle class that could work in relative safety in the US. Today's Robber Barrons™ ushering in techno-feudalism under the banner of AI-For-All are no different but with even higher stakes in the balance. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (00:56:20) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the pattern of capitalism's social costs DEEPER DIVES (01:05:22) SECTION A: AL SLOP (02:05:43) SECTION B: SOCIAL ASPECTS (02:47:46) SECTION C: LABOR AND EDUCATION (03:46:34) SECTION D: DATA CENTERS SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: AI-generated image of robot hands holding up a small globe against a desolate dessert background. Credit: “” via geralt, Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38636550
info_outline
#1744 Sell Outs, Shills, and Scandals: Saudi Arabia and Israel are buying the credibility they can't earn honestly
10/15/2025
#1744 Sell Outs, Shills, and Scandals: Saudi Arabia and Israel are buying the credibility they can't earn honestly
Air Date 10/15/2025 It's said that money can't buy a variety of things like peace, happiness, loyalty, and, relevant for today; integrity and trust. But in a world in which impressions (a very multilayered word, in this case) can be bought and sold on the open market and an audience's loyalty to influencers, entertainers, and athletes can be leveraged in an attempt to transfer the credibility from the talented to the tyrannical... you better believe places like Saudi Arabia and Israel are going to try. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: (00:48:45) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Explaining that influencers are just infomercial hosts DEEPER DIVES (00:55:11) SECTION A: SELL OUTS & SHILLS (01:35:50) SECTION B: INFLUENCERS (01:58:52) SECTION C: SAUDI ARABIA BUYING SOFT & HARD POWER SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image of a microphone in a spotlight against a red curtain with burlap sacks overflowing with money at the base with the Israeli and Saudi Arabian flags on them. Credit: Internal composite design. Multiple images from Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38591730
info_outline
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #24 - Attacking the Medium is the Message: Trump’s Media Oligarchs and the Assault on Free Speech
10/14/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #24 - Attacking the Medium is the Message: Trump’s Media Oligarchs and the Assault on Free Speech
Air Date: 10–5-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - The state of American media consolidation Ch. 2 - The debate over free speech and the how the history of the right proves they have never been in favor of it. Ch. 3 - The Trump administrations latest aggressive anti-free speech moves, and the Jimmy Kimmel suspension Ch. 4 - A look at how independent media was absorbed in the early days of Putin’s regime, and the dire importance of not complying in advance Ch. 5 - A perspective on why the Trump administration will lose the war on free speech, and some other hopeful notes SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: Ezra Klein’s bizarre interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - The New Republic - The New York Times - The New York Times - The New York Times - The New York Times - The New Yorker - New York Magazine EXTRAS (by Malvina Reynolds) **Carsie Blanton and ~450 other unarmed humanitarians from more than 40 countries have been abducted by Israeli forces from the Global Sumud Flotilla. Call your members of Congress: BACKSTAGE (The New York Times) TAKE ACTION:
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38578015
info_outline
#1743 Trump and Project 2025: Blitzkrieg Against America
10/10/2025
#1743 Trump and Project 2025: Blitzkrieg Against America
Air Date 10/10/2025 The strategy that Trump and the masterminds behind Project 2025 are following is to move as fast as possible to implement their agenda because they know perfectly well how unpopular it is and will be as time goes on. It's hard to argue that anything good will come of this but I'm going to try during my comments anyway. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (01:04:39) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On what Trump's lightning attack on America could mean for the future DEEPER DIVES (01:48:40) SECTION B: SHUTDOWN & PROJECT 2025 (02:30:24) SECTION C: AUTHORITARIAN'S HAMMER SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Illustrated image in pop art style of Donald Trump smirking in front of a red banner and sunburst imagery with “Project 2025” on the banner on either side of his head. Base Image Credit: “” by tweetyspics, Pixabay | | Changes: Text overlay added Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38535355
info_outline
#1742 Captured Court, Captured Nation: SCOTUS Serves Trump's Authoritarianism
10/07/2025
#1742 Captured Court, Captured Nation: SCOTUS Serves Trump's Authoritarianism
Air Date 10/7/2025 The Trump administration has been doing what we knew it would: breaking laws and losing about 95% of their court battles. And the conservatively stacked Supreme Court has been doing what we knew it would: overwhelmingly ruling for Trump to cover his tracks because that's what they were put there to do. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: (00:51:05) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On authoritarianism in practice DEEPER DIVES (01:00:16) SECTION A: PAVING THE PATH A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: (01:41:19) SECTION B: LEGAL GRAY AREA B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: (02:19:05) SECTION C: CORRUPTION C1: C2: (02:31:03) SECTION D: HOPE? D1: D2: D3: D4: D5: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image depicting a photo of the exterior of the U.S. Supreme Court with giant chains crossed over the building with an orange seal with the silhouette of Donald Trump where the chains cross. Photo Credit: “US Supreme Court” by David (dbking), Flickr | | Changes: Cropped, and added chain vector image Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38497140
info_outline
#1741 Global Uprisings: Dissatisfaction Roiling France, the UK, and Nepal
10/03/2025
#1741 Global Uprisings: Dissatisfaction Roiling France, the UK, and Nepal
Air Date 10/3/2025 People around the world are angry, often for different reasons and even more frequently based on falseities - though not always. For instance, the Right in the UK and France are upset about immigration though most of those who are angry are wrong about the facts. But there's also widespread dissatisfaction with national governments and pessimism about their ability to make life better over the short term which is leading to much less predictable politics. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: KP 8: (01:01:29) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On free speech and framing DEEPER DIVES (01:15:16) SECTION A: BLOQUONS TOUT (01:48:32) SECTION B: UK FAR-RIGHT (02:19:45) SECTION C: AMERICA AND THE EU (02:46:06) SECTION D: NEPAL SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of France Emmanuel Macron walking down a street. Credit: “” by Number 10, Flickr | | Changes: Cropped
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38458870
info_outline
#1740 Monthly-ish Mix: The Enemy Within and the Enemy Without—America's Two-Front
09/30/2025
#1740 Monthly-ish Mix: The Enemy Within and the Enemy Without—America's Two-Front
Air Date: 09/30/25 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we track the dangerous convergence of domestic collapse and international chaos by looking at political violence and martyrdom accelerating division, institutional capture from the courts to the media, the dismantling of voting rights and public health infrastructure, military deployments at home and wars abroad, plus the resistance movements fighting back through town halls, labor organizing, and revolutionary art despite overwhelming odds. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! PART 1: THE HOME FRONT CRUMBLES (00:01:50) 1: 2: 3: (00:22:18) 4: 5: (00:40:43) 6: 7: 8: (01:02:37) 9: 10: PART 2: INSTITUTIONAL DECAY AND CONTROL (01:17:27) 11: 12: 13: (01:43:50) 14: 15: 16: (02:04:58) 17: 18: 19: PART 3: THE WORLD BURNS (02:26:54) 20: 21: 22: (02:51:27) 23: 24: 25: PART 4: RESISTANCE DESPITE FRAGMENTATION (03:15:52) 26: 27: 28: (03:39:51) 29: 30: Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38404385
info_outline
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #23 - ROBBING YOU BLIND: ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ and Mass Consumer Manipulation
09/28/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #23 - ROBBING YOU BLIND: ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ and Mass Consumer Manipulation
Air Date: 9–24-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - Intro, and quick follow up on bad satire Ch. 2 - The new culture of ‘buy now pay later’ and how these companies are manipulating the public to normalize the culture of overconsumption Ch. 3 - How companies pass the environmental toll of their products on the public, and the rise of “cute” debt Ch. 4 - The way heavy ‘buy now pay later’ marketing has dramatically changed people’s impression of how they spend their money Ch. 5 - Why poor voters are America’s swing voters and why that’s extremely important right now SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: How we should address young boy’s anger FOLLOW US ON: (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - Fox Business - The New York Times - Fast Company - The Atlantic - The Atlantic - Time MEMBERS - Slate TAKE ACTION: Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38330310
info_outline
#1526 A History of Political Violence in the US (Throwback)
09/26/2025
#1526 A History of Political Violence in the US (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 11/15/2022 Today, we take a look at our extremely steady history of political violence from the Revolution, through the Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow, into the Civil Rights era, the Militia Movement and domestic terrorism, and now to our current once-again-radicalized, right-wing movement willing to use and tacitly condone violence as a political tactic. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: Ch. 8: Ch. 9: Ch 10.
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38357175
info_outline
#1739 The Charlie Kirk Assassination and the Plans to Weaponize It
09/23/2025
#1739 The Charlie Kirk Assassination and the Plans to Weaponize It
Air Date 9/23/2025 All that is happening in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination was quite predictable because we've actually seen this game plan play out before. The only thing we didn't know was what would be the catalyst to really put the autocracy into high gear. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (00:48:55) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the new cancel culture and bloodlust DEEPER DIVES (00:57:52) SECTION A: KIRK (01:37:38) SECTION B: NAZI PLAYBOOK (02:31:41) SECTION C: HISTORICAL CONTEXT (03:03:36) SECTION D: IT'S NOT BOTH SIDES SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of Donald Trump hugging Charlie Kirk on stage at a Turning Point USA event. Credit: “Charlie Kirk & Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38320170
info_outline
SOLVED! #22 - The Culture Wars at 10,000 Feet
09/22/2025
SOLVED! #22 - The Culture Wars at 10,000 Feet
Air Date: 9–20-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - The right-wing’s continued attempts at satire Ch. 2 - Manufactured outrage about male cheerleaders and sorority dances Ch. 3 - How political outsiders always adopt new tech, and how that ties to pushing back against misinformation Ch. 4 - Final thoughts on how when bad actors make gains, there is always a reaction SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: The doctor exposing insurance companies’ worst behavior FOLLOW US ON: (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - Vox - The David Frum Show, The Atlantic - Vox MEMBERS - The Current Affairs EXTRAS Also, campaign for Melbourne, Australia Metro Trains, which went viral worldwide. TAKE ACTION: Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Find your - or start one Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening!
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38305645
info_outline
#1738 Escalations: Russia, Israel, And What We Are Allowed to Say About It
09/20/2025
#1738 Escalations: Russia, Israel, And What We Are Allowed to Say About It
Air Date 9/20/2025 The escalations are happening so fast now that even though this episode is about Russia increasing tensions by violating NATO airspace in Poland with drones and Israel intensifying their belligerence by bombing inside Qatar, those aren't even the most recent incidents now that Russian jets have entered NATO airspace in Estonia and Israel has launched a new attack on Gaza City while Netanyahu says he wants Israel to become like the doomed city-state of Sparta, which was weird. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (00:58:31) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On Israel as the new Sparta DEEPER DIVES (01:03:11) SECTION A: RUSSIA A1: A2: A3: (01:27:06) SECTION B: QATAR BOMBING B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: (02:06:29) SECTION C: OTHER GAZA UPDATES C1: C2: C3: C4: C5: C6: (02:53:26) SECTION D: UK CRACKDOWN D1: D2: D3: D4: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of protestors holding signs that say “Ceasefire Now” and “Stop the Genocide” Credit: “” by Can Pac Swire, Flickr | | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38292335
info_outline
#1737 State of the Resistance: Labor, Anger, and Knowing That We've Been Here Before
09/16/2025
#1737 State of the Resistance: Labor, Anger, and Knowing That We've Been Here Before
Air Date 9/16/2025 Between recent Labor Day rallies and Republican Town Hall meetings, we're seeing that resistance to Trump's deeply unpopular policies is alive and well. Plus we're going to look at some historical legacies of resistance movements that can both inform and inspire us today. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (00:53:35) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On what our history can tell us about our present political conflict DEEPER DIVES (01:03:18) SECTION A: LABOR DAY A1: A2: A3: A4: (01:36:45) SECTION B: PROTESTS B1: B2: B3: B4: (02:08:57) SECTION C: STATE-LEVEL PUSHBACK C1: C2: C3: C4: C5: (02:39:21) SECTION D: LEGACIES OF RESISTANCE D1: D2: D3: D4: D5: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo from the Labor Day rally in Boston depicting Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren holding a “Workers” banner with other participants. Tall, vertical rally flags are held behind them that say “Justice”, “Solidarity,” “Fairness,” “Security,” and “Freedom” Credit: Internal photo. “Boston Labor Day Rally” | Copyright 2025, Best of the Left, All rights reserved. Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38233865
info_outline
#1736 Not the Opposition Party the Country Need Right Now
09/11/2025
#1736 Not the Opposition Party the Country Need Right Now
Air Date 9/11/2025 I've always learned the high-level understanding that the Nazis were partly able to come to power because the opposition at the time was too caught up with infighting to create a coherent resistance. With hindsight, it's easy to lament how badly they miscalculated the circumstances but living through the modern day and watching the Democratic Party struggle gives even more clarity to how that kind of inability to get organized in the face of existential threats to democracy can happen. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: (00:50:07) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the murder of Charlie Kirk DEEPER DIVES (01:04:12) SECTION A: DARK MONEY AND THE INFLUENCER WAR (02:01:36) SECTION B: AIPAC, ISRAEL, AND COMPLICITY (02:46:14) SECTION C: MOSTLY WEAK BUT SIGNS OF LIFE SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A graphic illustration depicting a donkey colored in red and blue, with stars, looking in shock at its shadow on the ground. Credit: “” by | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38186835
info_outline
#1735 Trump's Making Friends of Enemies and Enemies of Neighbors (Foreign and Domestic Wars)
09/07/2025
#1735 Trump's Making Friends of Enemies and Enemies of Neighbors (Foreign and Domestic Wars)
Air Date 9/7/2025 Trump has been setting a new tone both at home and abroad which is shaking up everything from the war in Ukraine to threats of force against Mexico, Venezuela, and our own American cities with the militarization of domestic policing. And we made all of this before Trump posted an Apocalypse Now meme about using the Department of War against Chicago. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: KP 8: (00:56:33) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On encroaching fascism and the Boston Massacre DEEPER DIVES (01:07:01) SECTION A: UKRAINE A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: A6: (01:47:03) SECTION B: MEXICO & VENEZUELA B1: B2: B3: B4: (02:11:53) SECTION C: THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT C1: C2: C3: (02:37:10) SECTION D: DC AND US CITIES D1: D2: D3: D4: D5: D6: D7: D8: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A sticker depicting a drawing of a police person in full riot gear, gas mask and visor, holding a baton in their hands with a banner underneath that says “Do you feel safe?” Credit: “” by Elvert Barnes | | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38121855
info_outline
SOLVED! #21 - GerryF**ked: How to Fix Congressional Representation and End Homelessness
09/05/2025
SOLVED! #21 - GerryF**ked: How to Fix Congressional Representation and End Homelessness
Air Date: 9–3-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - The surprising origins of Gerrymandering Ch. 2 - The options we have to improve congressional representation for everyone in the country Ch. 3 - Democratic states response to Republican gerrymandering threats Ch. 4 - The argument for DC statehood and the people to blame for why it hasn’t happened yet Ch. 5 - How to end homelessness and what you can do to help those being targeted in DC SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: The only correct opinion about the Cracker Barrel rebrand (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - The Gilder Lehrman Institute - The New Yorker (2016) - FairVote - The New Republic - Slate - The American Prospect - Mother Jones MEMBERS - Kotaku EXTRAS (aka: Corruption is Legal in America) (Represent.US, 2016)
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38082750
info_outline
#1567 How to Sell an Immoral Economic System to the Masses (Throwback)
09/03/2025
#1567 How to Sell an Immoral Economic System to the Masses (Throwback)
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, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: Ch. 8: Ch. 9: Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38064530
info_outline
#1734 Where is the Revolutionary, Anti-Fascist Art?
09/01/2025
#1734 Where is the Revolutionary, Anti-Fascist Art?
Air Date 9/1/2025 The way people consume almost every variety of media, entertainment, and art is different now than it was only 10-15 years ago. That means that the way protest music, revolutionary art, and even mass market productions and performances are going to be different, feel different, and likely find you in different ways than in the past. But the drive to create never dies and art will always be part of the resistance to oppression. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! KEY POINTS (00:49:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the strength of diversity that comes through in art DEEPER DIVES (00:56:08) SECTION A: CULTURE (01:29:28) SECTION B: ART (02:20:20) SECTION C: MUSIC (02:46:54) SECTION D: ANDOR SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of street art depicting a stenciled version of Putin and Trump kissing a la the art on the Berlin Wall satirically depicting the “fraternal kiss” between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic. Credit: “” by Ittmust | | Changes: Slightly cropped
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38042060
info_outline
SOLVED! #20 - America’s Brain Drain: How Scientific Empires Fall
08/29/2025
SOLVED! #20 - America’s Brain Drain: How Scientific Empires Fall
Air Date: 8–28-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - How scientific empires fall Ch. 2 - How fascists of the past have destroyed their country’s scientific progress in fear of inconvenient truths Ch. 3 - How other countries are taking the opportunity to poach American scientists Ch. 4 - Living in a society that is shifting away from believing in evidence based science Ch. 5 - The 1938 pro-science manifesto that defended democracy against fascism BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm - Trump’s eugenicist mindset and what we didn’t have time for from our main articles FOLLOW US ON: (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - Kotaku - The Atlantic - American Laboratory - American Progress - NY Times - USC.org - Big Think MEMBERS ONLY - American Progress TAKE ACTION: Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Find your - or start one Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at
/episode/index/show/hippiesympathizer/id/38005105