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!
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#1376 Tell Stories, Not Myths- America is a Force But Not Always For Good (Throwback)
07/04/2025
#1376 Tell Stories, Not Myths- America is a Force But Not Always For Good (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 10-21-20 Today we take a look at some of the many zany foreign misadventures the United States has had over the past 100 years. And by "zany misadventures" I mean the naked pursuit of capitalism at any cost, the support of military coups and other undemocratic overthrows of foreign governments and wars for oil and resources in an unabashed attempt to keep America wealthy and the rest of the world less so - all while maintaining an anti-imperial, pro-democracy, pro-freedom, live-and-let-live poker face Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 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. 7: Ch. 9: Ch. 10: Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Contact me directly at [email protected]
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#1720 Building an Organized Left, the Eternal Oxymoron
07/02/2025
#1720 Building an Organized Left, the Eternal Oxymoron
Air Date 7/2/2025 The militarization of Trump's deportation regime and response to protesters is the clearest example of his desire to implement a fully authoritarian government. Pure and simple. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous 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: (00:45:01) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how to fund the politics we need DEEPER DIVES (00:56:26) SECTION A: PROTESTS (01:25:24) SECTION B: HISTORY & INFIGHTING (02:01:22) SECTION C: SUBVERSION & THE RIGHT (02:38:02) SECTION D: ORGANIZING (03:24:46) SECTION E: THEORY SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a grid of multi-colored Zohran Mamdani political posters that say “Zohran For Mayor” and a photo of Zohran. Credit: “” by Eden, Janine and Jim, Flickr | License: Changes: Cropped and expanded background Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Contact me directly at
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#13 - How to Make Enemies and Influence People
07/01/2025
#13 - How to Make Enemies and Influence People
Air Date: 6–30-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Shifting the way we think and talk about the benefits of peaceful nonviolence at anti-fascist protests The unlimited patience for capitalism vs. the knee-jerk “Impossible!” for left-wing ideas The centrists Democrats (and their consultants) missing the forest for the trees An antidote to decades of neoliberal approaches to policy (and we reject Ezra Klein’s “Abundance”) FOLLOW US ON: Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - In These Times - The Bulwark - Current Affairs - In These Times - The Atlantic SOLVED! SONG! Concepts: Human Intelligence * Song: Artificial Intelligence: “Make Some Enemies” inspired directly by SOLVED! #13: “How to Make Enemies and Influence People” (June 30, 2025) TAKE ACTION: Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials about stopping the Big Stupid Cruel Bill 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 Contact me directly at [email protected] Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1719 The Fascist Playbook: Immigrants, Brown Shirts, and the Backlash
06/28/2025
#1719 The Fascist Playbook: Immigrants, Brown Shirts, and the Backlash
Air Date 6/28/2025 The militarization of Trump's deportation regime and response to protesters is the clearest example of his desire to implement a fully authoritarian government. Pure and simple. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Full Show Notes 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: (01:00:15) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On protesting with a theory of change DEEPER DIVES (01:07:52) SECTION A: LA PROTESTS AND CIVIL UNREST A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: A6: A7: (02:01:45) SECTION B: FASCIST PLAYBOOK B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: B6: B7: B8: (03:05:41) SECTION C: IMMIGRATION CONTEXT C1: C2: C3: C4: (03:34:17) SECTION D: SURVEILLANCE D1: D2: D3: D4: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a protest sign held in the air depicting a colorful drawing of a happy brown-skinned family surrounded by flowers. The text “No more detention” is at the top and “No more deportations. Abolish I.C.E.” is at the bottom. Credit: “Abolish ICE protest” by Master Stever Rapport, Flickr | License: Changes: Cropped and expanded background Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at [email protected]
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#1718 On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops
06/25/2025
#1718 On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops
Air Date: 6-25-2025 We thought we were going to have an episode about the war Israel is conducting ready for you last week but then they started another war. So, it would have felt odd to release an Israel episode without the latest major updates including Iran. I can only imagine what will happen between the time I speak these words and when you hear them that will make this episode feel out of date. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous 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: (00:40:25.) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the Parents Circle efforts for reconcilliation DEEPER DIVES (00:49:45) SECTION A: STARVATION A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: A6: (01:42:13) SECTION B: GAZA B1: B2: B3: (02:08:26) SECTION C: NETANYAHU C1: C2: C3: (02:30:42) SECTION D: Historical & Media Context D1: D2: (02:48:16) SECTION E: WAR WITH IRAN E1: E2: E3: (03:13:15) SECTION F: PROTESTS F1: F2: F3: F4: F5: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description:Photo of a person holding a protest sign out their car window that says “Never again to anyone” with barbed wire across the text. Credit: “” by Daniel Arauz, Flickr | License: | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at [email protected]
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SOLVED! #12 - Back to the…1980s? The Power of Nostalgia and Trump’s Reaganitis
06/24/2025
SOLVED! #12 - Back to the…1980s? The Power of Nostalgia and Trump’s Reaganitis
Air Date: 6–23-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The long history of nostalgia in politics as we find ourselves reliving the 1980s How MAGA Youth have a lot in common with Reagan Youth (a la Alex P. Keaton) without the context Trump’s Reaganitis: All the ways Trump is just straight up copying Reagan and how he could fail like him too The “Landlord in Chief” and how to fight back against the new feudalism FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - Jacobin - The New York Times - Mother Jones - Current Affairs EXTRAS: “Wrestling is Drag” - Smartypants TAKE ACTION: Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials about stopping the Big Stupid Cruel Bill 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 Contact me directly at [email protected] Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1717 Monthly-Ish Mix: Wealth Concentration, Knowledge Suppression, and Identity Exploitation: The Systems of Control of the Authoritarian Playbook
06/21/2025
#1717 Monthly-Ish Mix: Wealth Concentration, Knowledge Suppression, and Identity Exploitation: The Systems of Control of the Authoritarian Playbook
Air Date 6/21/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month, we're focusing on the way authoritarian movements operate across multiple fronts simultaneously to reshape society. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! PART 1: ECONOMIC CONTROL (00:01:20) (00:26:46) (00:49:50) PART 2: INFORMATION CONTROL (01:12:17) (01:34:36) PART 3: SOCIAL CONTROL (01:57:51) (02:12:57) (02:30:51) (02:53:26) Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at [email protected]
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#1716 The Fight for Workers: Oligarchy and its Bipartisan Enablers
06/18/2025
#1716 The Fight for Workers: Oligarchy and its Bipartisan Enablers
Air Date 6/18/2025 Critics of capitalism like us often advocate for the system to come to an end and be replaced with another that aligns better with human needs and continued existence. Well, it's possible that the system is close to having run its course and will be making way for something different. Unfortunately, the natural course of capitalism is to concentrate wealth and, by extension, power so that's what's happened and we're now getting close to basically reinventing feudalism. So, wrong direction. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, 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: KP 8: (01:00:31) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how to snowball progressive policies DEEPER DIVES (01:10:12) SECTION A: NEO-LIBERALISM A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: A6: A7: (02:06:40) SECTION B: CORPORATE DEMOCRATS B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: B6: (02:57:58) SECTION C: LABOR AND RESISTANCE C1: C2: C3: C4: C5: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a handmade protest sign held in the air that says “CAPITALISM IS KILLING US” Credit: “” by Mark Dixon, Flickr | License: | Changes: Cropped | | |
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#1612 New Tech and the New Luddite Movement; Inequitable Distribution of Benefits from New Technology Always Sparks Demands from Labor and AI is Rekindling the Old Arguments (Throwback)
06/13/2025
#1612 New Tech and the New Luddite Movement; Inequitable Distribution of Benefits from New Technology Always Sparks Demands from Labor and AI is Rekindling the Old Arguments (Throwback)
Original 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, message us on the infamous 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! ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: Ch. 8: Ch. 9: MUSIC () 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: “”, Messrs | Working Class Movement Library catalog | Public Domain Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at
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#1715 The Weaponization of Antisemitism and Counterproductive Violence
06/11/2025
#1715 The Weaponization of Antisemitism and Counterproductive Violence
Air Date: 6-11-2025 Following the 2023 attack and counterattack between Israel and Hamas which brought the simmering conflict into the mainstream of American politics, we're now living with the opportunistic weaponization of antisemitism being used as a pretext to crack down on anti-Israel protests and universities that just aren't teaching a Trump-aligned curriculum. Meanwhile, genuinely inexcusable antisemitism is being either condemned or excused by Israel supporters based more on political affiliation than the danger posed to Jews. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 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: (00:50:04) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why violence makes for a terrible theory of change DEEPER DIVES (00:59:36) SECTION A: FREE SPEECH A1: A2: A3: (01:28:03) SECTION B: WEAPONIZATION B1: B2: B3: B4: (01:59:28) SECTION C: INDEFENSIBLE C1: C2: (02:11:29) SECTION D: BACKFIRE D1: D2: D3: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A metal placeholder with the Star of David on it resting between two pages of the Torah. Credit: “” via Ri_Ya, Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at
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SOLVED! #11 - Culture War Distractions While the Oligarchs Rob You Blind
06/10/2025
SOLVED! #11 - Culture War Distractions While the Oligarchs Rob You Blind
Air Date: 6-8-25 (Hear the Full Show, Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The right’s attack on free speech and academic freedom Trumponomics, men, and tradwives The lessons to learn about culture wars from the fight for gay marriage How the internet and Trump force us to live in and re-litigate the past How the left can avoid Trump’s culture war traps FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - New York Magazine - New York Magazine - Jacobin - The New York Times - Jacobin SOLVED! SONG! “Rob You Blind” - Concepts: Human Intelligence. Song: Artificial Intelligence. Based on SOLVED! Ep. #11: “Culture War Distractions While the Oligarchs Rob You Blind” (June 8, 2025) TAKE ACTION: Find your - or start one Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at Contact me directly at [email protected] Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1714 Trump's Anti-Knowledge Agenda is Inviting the Next Authoritarian Dark Age
06/06/2025
#1714 Trump's Anti-Knowledge Agenda is Inviting the Next Authoritarian Dark Age
Air Date 6/6/2025 Today, Trump's administration is doing everything in its power to end the era of educational dominance the US has enjoyed for decades. The simple fact that explains the change is that democracy used to be valued across the political spectrum while todays Republican Party is authoritarian and understands that an educated public is a public that demands democracy while an uneducated public is much easier to manipulate and oppress. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 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: (01:00:04) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On what will fill the gap left by anti-intellectualism DEEPER DIVES (01:07:27) SECTION A: ANTI-SCIENCE (02:27:53) SECTION B: ANTI-HIGHER EDUCATION (02:56:38) SECTION C: ANTI-PUBLIC GOODS SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: An illustrated image of an arm and hand holding up a protest sign with an image of a brain on it. Credit: “” via Mohamed_hasan, Pixabay |
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#1597 The rise of fascism around the world driven by economic insecurity (Throwback)
06/03/2025
#1597 The rise of fascism around the world driven by economic insecurity (Throwback)
Original 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. Check out our new show, SOLVED! on ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: Ch. 8: Ch. 9:
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SOLVED! #10 - The Old Guard is Dying
06/02/2025
SOLVED! #10 - The Old Guard is Dying
Air Date: 6–2-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The role of art in political movements and moments under capitalism The problems with the Democratic Party that go far beyond Biden The Democrats’ gerontocracy that is literally dying and allowing Trump legislation to pass Our response to the latest DNC Executive Committee Meeting (held May 29th in Little Rock, AR) FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - Current Affairs - Slate (from 2023) - Current Affairs - The Nation - Time SOLVED! SONG! “Push” - Concepts: Human Intelligence. Song: Artificial Intelligence. Based on SOLVED! Ep. #10: “The Old Guard is Dying” (June 2nd) TAKE ACTION: Find your - or start one Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at Contact me directly at [email protected] Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1713 Yes, GOP Policies Really Are That Bad: Trump's Corruption and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
05/30/2025
#1713 Yes, GOP Policies Really Are That Bad: Trump's Corruption and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Air Date 5/30/2025 Given the overwhelming weirdness of Trump and his malfeasant style of governance, it would be perfectly understandable for casual observers to believe that his signature piece of legislation, weirdly named in reality the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," was itself also likely to be pretty weird; a potential departure from usual Republican Party policy priorities. In reality, what's weird is how deeply normal it is: take from the poor and give to the rich while letting corporations get away with murder. 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: (00:55:49) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why seeing is not believing and how that helps Republicans DEEPER DIVES (01:02:25) SECTION A: CORRUPTION (01:45:05) SECTION B: BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL (02:19:13) SECTION C: IMPACT SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image depicting Trump giving a speech at a podium with his hands out and an image of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s face in a circle over his shoulder. Text over the image reads “THE BIG CRUEL STUPID BILL” Credits: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Photo credit: “” by Michael Vadon, Flickr | | Changes: Darkened overlay and text and image overlays | “” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | | Changes: Cropped into circle with darker overlay
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#1712 Eugenics Redux: A Gilded Age Ideology Brought Back for the Second Gilded Age
05/27/2025
#1712 Eugenics Redux: A Gilded Age Ideology Brought Back for the Second Gilded Age
Air Date 5/27/2025 Slippery slope arguments persist because good ideas taken to extremes become bad ones. Eugenics exemplifies this—often starting with good intentions. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: (00:49:40) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the likely future of gene editing ethics DEEPER DIVES (01:02:09) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT (01:44:19) SECTION B: RFK JR. ON AUTISM (01:59:39) SECTION C: TECH BROS (02:46:44) SECTION D: PRONATALISM (03:05:05) SECTION E: MAGA SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image depicting HHS Secretary RFK Jr. at a microphone in the center of an overlay of repeating, identical “people” icons. A handful of icons are different, bright neon colors and have a red X in a box over them. Credits: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Elements from Pixabay. Photo credit: “” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | | Changes: Cropped, background color change, and added overlay Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Contact me directly at [email protected]
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SPECIAL MEMBERS EDITION! Myths, Vampires, and Sinners (the movie!) - SPOILERS!
05/26/2025
SPECIAL MEMBERS EDITION! Myths, Vampires, and Sinners (the movie!) - SPOILERS!
Air Date: 5-26-25 *CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE “SINNERS”* You thought you were going to listen to SOLVED! today, and you're not alone. We also thought we were going to make an episode of SOLVED!, but this turned into something a little bit different. So, we're calling it a “special” in which Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss storytelling and mythology in general, and the extremely relevant and fascinating themes of the new Ryan Coogler film “Sinners,” in particular. Because storytelling is the process by which humans attempt to understand ourselves, it is, by its nature, never ending. FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - Earth.com - Connolly Cove - Mythology Worldwide “” - A film by Ryan Coogler starring Michael B. Jordan TAKE ACTION: Find your - or start one Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at Contact me directly at [email protected] Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1355 I Can't Breathe, The Three Words That Define an Era (Throwback)
05/24/2025
#1355 I Can't Breathe, The Three Words That Define an Era (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 6/29/2020 From 2020: Today we take a look deeper at the concept of "I can't breathe," going beyond the literal utterances by victims of police brutality and COVID-19 sufferers to the metaphorical epidemic of exhaustion, burnout, depression and disaffection in the US and around the world. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: Ch. 8: Ch. 9: Ch. 10: Produced by Jay! Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
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#1711 How It Started, How It's Going- Assessing the Flooded Zone Full of Shit
05/21/2025
#1711 How It Started, How It's Going- Assessing the Flooded Zone Full of Shit
Air Date: 5-21-2025 A popular MAGA refrain is, "promises made, promises kept." The key is having known which promises to take seriously. Weaponizing the government against his enemies and attempting to wield dictatorial power, sure. Benefit his supporters or the working class more broadly, or rid the government of waste, fraud, or corruption... not so much. (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: (52:39) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the upcoming No Kings protest on June 14 DEEPER DIVES (57:36) SECTION A: EXECUTIVE POWER (1:35:05) SECTION B: IMMIGRATION & FORCE (1:58:20) SECTION C: INCOMPETENCY AND SELF ENRICHMENT (2:40:49) SECTION D: RESISTANCE SHOW IMAGE CREDITS for #1711 - Trump 100 days Description: Black and white photo of Trump at a podium at the White House looking stern, with a policeman standing behind him. Credit: “” by The White House, Flickr | Government work, Public Domain Produced by Jay! Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
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SOLVED! #9 - A Pale Blue Dot of Anxiety
05/19/2025
SOLVED! #9 - A Pale Blue Dot of Anxiety
Air Date: 5-19-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin was on vacation) discuss: The origins of and problems with “the one way” Christian mindset Why Finland’s happiest country title and happiness itself are terribly misunderstood by Americans How our globalized world is messing with perceptions of our cultural similarities and differences The link between genocides, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories Naomi Klein’s analysis on the problems with how we talk about the Holocaust How we get back to humanization and recognizing our core similarities as beings floating on a rock in space Some Finnish wisdom that encapsulates life, the universe, and everything FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - The New York Times (If you buy via this link, you can support indie bookstores and SOLVED! at the same time!) (If you buy via this link, you can support indie bookstores and SOLVED! at the same time!) (If you buy via this link, you can support indie bookstores and SOLVED! at the same time!) - An excerpt from (If you buy via this link, you can support indie bookstores and SOLVED! at the same time!) SOLVED! SONG! “Pale Blue Dot” - Concepts: Human Intelligence. Song: Artificial Intelligence. TAKE ACTION: Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at
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#1710 The past is never dead. It’s not even past. Race, Religion, Culture and the Stories we Tell
05/18/2025
#1710 The past is never dead. It’s not even past. Race, Religion, Culture and the Stories we Tell
Air Date 5/18/2025 The full quote from today's title is from one of the most celebrated writers of Southern American literature, William Faulkner, who said, "The past is never dead. It’s not even past. All of us labor in webs spun long before we were born, webs of heredity and environment, of desire and consequence, of history and eternity.” The new film, Sinners, set in the Jim Crow South, attempts to take on some of the subjects that make up that web of history and consequence. The theme of today's episode is an attempt to dig into many of the subjects of the film. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email (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: (48:29) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how to talk about the interplay between economics and identity politics DEEPER DIVES (57:48) SECTION A: CHRISTIANITY (1:33:29) SECTION B: RACE (2:18:56) SECTION C: CULTURE SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Portion of the 1830s painting “Slave Market” (Brazil) depicting two white men discussing the sale of enslaved, black Brazilian men with a church with steeple and cross in the background and the iconography of the Virgin Mary on the wall above. Credit: “” by Johann Moritz Rugendas, New York Public Library Digital Collections | Copyright status by NYPL | Changes: Cropped with increased contrast and brightness Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere!
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#1493 Marketing, Messaging and Mass Shootings (Throwback)
05/14/2025
#1493 Marketing, Messaging and Mass Shootings (Throwback)
Original Air Date 6/4/2022 Today we take a look at some of the obvious steps we need to take to reduce gun violence in the United States, debunk some of the favored propaganda supporting unfettered gun ownership and explore the origins of how Gun Culture™ was invented by corporations as the frontier era need for guns began to vanish pushing them to convert guns from tools that were needed but not loved into items that were loved though no longer needed. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email | (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Ch. 2: Ch. 3: Ch. 4: Ch. 5: Ch. 6: Ch. 7: SHOW IMAGE: Description: A pencil sketch of a larger-than-life hand gun on the shoulders of a weary man, in the image of Jesus carrying the cross. He stands in a pool of red blood. Credit: “” by Christopher Dombres, Flickr | Public Domain | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere!
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#1275 So, Marxism. What is that all about? (Throwback)
05/09/2025
#1275 So, Marxism. What is that all about? (Throwback)
Original Air Date 5/24/2019 As the neoliberal order collapses from the pressure of its failures to provide for working people, we take a look at the much-maligned, rarely-understood field of economic and social study known as Marxism. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Professor Wolff takes a deeper look at the life and work of Karl Marx in celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth. Ch. 2: Robin who was a BBC reporter for 25 years thinks Marx was always in the background discourse of politics, an influence he partly feared and didn't fully understand. He takes a walk through central London in the footsteps of the great revolutionary. Ch. 3: David Harvey is arguably the most influential living geographer, as well as one of the world’s leading Marxist scholars. He is among the most cited intellectuals of all time across the humanities and social sciences. Ch. 4: J. Moufawad-Paul, a Marxist philosopher and author of "Continuity and Rupture", "The Communist Necessity", and "Austerity Apparatus", joins Breht to discuss his most recent essay "This Ruthless Criticism of All That Exists: Marxism as Science". Ch. 5: Prof. Harvey discusses Marx's theory of Capital and its relevance today. Consumers have less and less autonomy. Their choices, even how they will spend their leisure time, are increasingly influenced by capitalists. Ch. 6: Professor Wolff takes a deeper look at the life and work of Karl Marx in celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth. Produced by Jay! Visit us at
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#1709 Monthly-ish Mix: Government Power, Vulnerable Communities, Transformations, Opposition & Resistance
05/06/2025
#1709 Monthly-ish Mix: Government Power, Vulnerable Communities, Transformations, Opposition & Resistance
Air Date 5/6/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we look at government surveillance overreach, challenges facing immigrant and refugee communities, the shifting landscape of American culture brought on by Christian Nationalism and the emerging broligarchy, and grassroots movements challenging institutional power. Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email | (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) PART 1: GOVERNMENT POWER & ITS MISUSE (00:27:13) (00:41:10) (01:05:30) PART 2: VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES & CIVIL RIGHTS (01:29:29) (01:49:55) PART 3: CULTURAL & SOCIETAL TRANSFORMATION (02:03:47) (02:24:21) PART 4: OPPOSITION & RESISTANCE (02:39:54) (02:53:32) Visit us at
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SOLVED! #8 - PART 2: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world
05/05/2025
SOLVED! #8 - PART 2: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world
Air Date: 5-5-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin continue our discussion on masculinity and dive into: - The dangers of the online obsession with Patrick Bateman from American Psycho - John Adams’ famous quote that could give some insight into today’s incels - The Matt Walsh/Megan Kelly skirmish that exposes Walsh’s siloed world-view - A small but interesting group of former Trumpers who seem to have woken up to the bullshit of traditional gender roles - The studies that show women have better sex under socialism - SOLVED! SONG! “Love’s Not a Game” (Directly inspired by this episode!) FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - GQ Magazine - Mediaite - Media Matters - The New York Times - The New York Times (August 2017) SOLVED! SONG! “Love’s Not a Game” - Concepts: Human Intelligence. Song: Artificial Intelligence. Based on SOLVED! Ep. #8: Part 2 EXTRAS (If you buy via this link, you can support indie bookstores and SOLVED! at the same time!) Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991
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#1708 Rent Asunder: From the Moderation of Pope Francis to Extremism of JD Vance, the Catholic Church is Deeply Divided
05/02/2025
#1708 Rent Asunder: From the Moderation of Pope Francis to Extremism of JD Vance, the Catholic Church is Deeply Divided
Air Date 5/2/2025 We're taking the passing of Pope Francis as an opportunity to explore the deeper political implications of the extremist, rightward turn for some in the Catholic Church, including many recent converts. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email | (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: (53:23) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the benefits of democracy DEEPER DIVES (1:04:00) SECTION A: THE POPE (1:22:49) SECTION B: IN POLICY (1:43:34) SECTION C: POST-LIBERAL CATHOLICS (2:17:50) SECTION D: MEN SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image. Showing a disgruntled looking JD Vance looking toward an image of Pope Francis smiling while blessing a child in a crowd. A quote in a box says “What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly, and will end badly.” Credit: Design by A. Hoffman | Components: “” Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: | Changes: Cropped, used in composite | “” by ansehen, Pixabay | License: Produced by Jay! Follow BotL: | | |
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#1707 Tariffied: Exposing Trump's Artless Deal
04/29/2025
#1707 Tariffied: Exposing Trump's Artless Deal
Air Date 4/29/2025 The economic and political fallout of Trump’s misguided tariffs, exposing his self-proclaimed deal-making prowess as a fraud and his grasp of the relevant issues to be childlike at best. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email | (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: (00:48:40) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the related topics of masculinity and labor DEEPER DIVES (00:53:39) SECTION A: MOTIVATION (01:17:08) SECTION B: DOMESTIC EFFECT (01:57:28) SECTION C: INTERNATIONAL EFFECT (02:43:36) SECTION D: HISTORY Tariffied: Exposing Trump's Artless Deal Description: Composite image. An illustrated outline of Trump’s bust, including hair and suit and tie, with overlapping tariff stamps where the eyes and nose should be, and a wide open mouth with a globe between his teeth. Credit: Design by A. Hoffman | Components License: Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at [email protected]
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SOLVED! #8 - PART 1: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world
04/28/2025
SOLVED! #8 - PART 1: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world
Air Date: 4-28-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - Why the “manly” manufacturing jobs Trump and MAGA want are never coming back - Why incels love Trump’s tariffs - The sad flails of the “Make America Manly Again” movement - The “Sigma grindset” guys’ obsession with - and complete misunderstanding of - disturbing fictional movie characters - Cliffhanger! Jay explains our upcoming schedule - SOLVED! SONG! “Blinded” (Directly inspired by this episode!) FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: - Vox - Vox - The Nation - GQ SOLVED! SONG! “Blinded” - Concepts: Human Intelligence. Song: Artificial Intelligence. Based on SOLVED! Ep. #8: “Part 1: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world” (April 26th) TAKE ACTION: - May 1st Find your - or start one Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Use the for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at Contact me directly at [email protected] Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1706 Trump's Kafkaesque Deportation Nightmare is the Shame of the Nation
04/26/2025
#1706 Trump's Kafkaesque Deportation Nightmare is the Shame of the Nation
Air Date 4/26/2025 For those of us who knew that Trump was lawless and deeply racist in his desire for mass deportations of brown people, we're getting exactly what we expected. For others, at least the lawlessness is coming as a bit of a surprise, and yet, here we are. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email | (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: NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On finding glimmers of hope for the future DEEPER DIVES SECTION A: DEPORTATION PRACTICES SECTION B: VICTIMS OF REGIME SECTION C: VENEZUELA AND EL SALVADOR SECTION D: RESISTANCE SHOW IMAGE Description: Composite image. An illustration of ghost-like man, woman, and child walking into a dark, complex maze with the I.C.E. logo and Trump’s mug shot at the entrance. Credit: Design by A. Hoffman | Components License: Produced by Jay! Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
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#1705 Threatened Social Safety Nets Are Foundational to Healthy Societies
04/22/2025
#1705 Threatened Social Safety Nets Are Foundational to Healthy Societies
Air Date 4/22/2025 George W. Bush proposed privatizing Social Security and didn't succeed. But, as with appointing Justices that would eventually overturn Roe V. Wade, groundwork was being laid as part of a multi-decade effort that would, they hoped, pay off in the future. So don't be surprised when they come for your earned benefits programs just as they came for the fundamental right to bodily autonomy. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email | (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) ! KEY POINTS KP 1: KP 2: KP 3: KP 4: KP 5: KP 6: KP 7: KP 8: (00:51:58) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the false moral arguments for cutting social safety nets DEEPER DIVES (01:02:18) SECTION A: SOCIAL SECURITY (01:51:24) SECTION B: GENERAL CUTS (02:34:52) SECTION C: MEDICAID & HHS SHOW IMAGE Description: Photo of a homemade protest sign that says “Hands Off My Social Security” from the Hands Off nationwide rallies. Credit: Private permission photo Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere!
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