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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SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “Of Horse Races and Men: The Result of Decades of Media Atrophy (aka: Uncertain and Powerless”
01/26/2026
SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “Of Horse Races and Men: The Result of Decades of Media Atrophy (aka: Uncertain and Powerless”
Re-Air Date: 01–26-26 Original Air Date: 06-09-24 Unless you were a member in June of 2024, this episode of SOLVED! will be brand new to you! If you were a member back then, THANK YOU and this one is worth a re-listen. We’re slowing down production for a little bit to reorganize our production processes, so enjoy this episode from our archives (and before YouTube) where Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: - How the media focus on the "politics" of an event trivializes the impact that event has on real people - The detrimental effects combining the daily news grind and the prioritization of profits forces has on news coverage - How keeping news coverage light and ignoring the effects of neoliberalism leaves desperate people vulnerable to fascism - The way history is repeating itself when it comes to news media not treating a demagogue's rhetoric as the emergency it is - The difference between symbolic beliefs vs factual beliefs FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) REFERENCES: - The Atlantic (1996) - The Intercept - The New Yorker 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 Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1767 Wars Are Won By Teachers and Trump is Attacking Them Like a Foreign Adversary
01/25/2026
#1767 Wars Are Won By Teachers and Trump is Attacking Them Like a Foreign Adversary
Air Date: 1/25/2026 Today we examine education as the battleground for democracy itself. We'll hear how authoritarians erase history to maintain power, why liberal arts colleges don't exist in authoritarian societies, how the administration is punishing universities for their political views, and what the detention of student protesters reveals about the cost of dissent in Trump's America. 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: (00:46:40) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the American and Chinese Cassandras of authoritarianism DEEPER DIVES (00:54:44) SECTION A: EDUCATION AND DEMOCRACY A1: A2: A3: A4: (01:31:21) SECTION B: EDUCATION AND MONEY B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: (01:56:44) SECTION C: EDUCATION AND FREE SPEECH C1: C2: C3: C4: (02:27:06) SECTION D: EDUCATION AND THE DOE D1: D2: D3: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Close up photo of the seal of the US Department of Education with a sign over it that says “CLOSED” Credit: Internal composite design. Elements from Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1766 The Fragility of State Violence: The ICE Occupation, Renee Good, and the Minneapolis Uprising
01/21/2026
#1766 The Fragility of State Violence: The ICE Occupation, Renee Good, and the Minneapolis Uprising
Air Date: 1/21/2026 Today we look at ICE's reign of terror as a paramilitary occupation force and the communities pushing back. We'll hear about Renee Goode, an unarmed woman shot dead by federal agents, and Keith Porter, killed by an off-duty agent on New Year's Eve, in addition to historical parallels from Civil-Rights Era Selma, Alabama and the Boston Massacre. The signs of hope here are that the oppressed won those fights and the oppressors were forced to retreat - there's every reason to believe that the same pattern can repeat 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!) 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: (00:46:11) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR From the Boston Massacre to Renee Good: How the State Demonizes Its Victims DEEPER DIVES (00:46:37) SECTION A: IT'S ALWAYS BEEN RACISM A1: A2: A3: A4: (01:22:43) SECTION B: ICE ABUSES PEOPLE B1: B2: B3: (01:50:19) SECTION C: POLICE ARE A DOMESTIC MILITARY C1: C2: C3: C4: (02:09:52) SECTION D: REVOLUTION D1: D2: D3: (02:38:44) SECTION E: ICE IS ABOUT PROJECTING POWER E1: E2: E3: E4: (03:10:48) SECTION F: WHAT COMES NEXT? F1: F2: F3: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of ICE in Minneapolis neighborhood facing a group of residents. Credit: “” by Chad Davis, Flickr | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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SOLVED! SAMPLE! #31 - There is no “Male Loneliness Crisis(TM)”: Why Patriarchy & Capitalism Are Hurting Us ALL
01/20/2026
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #31 - There is no “Male Loneliness Crisis(TM)”: Why Patriarchy & Capitalism Are Hurting Us ALL
Air Date: 01-12-26 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - Why it’s actually NOT a “Male Loneliness Epidemic (TM)” and even the non-crazy male influencers aren’t helping Ch. 2 - Why loneliness is better understood by age, and how society has not emotionally equipped men for struggle Ch. 3 - Why American-style capitalism is the root cause of loneliness epidemic and is stranding women and mothers Ch. 4 - Why the solutions for societal loneliness don’t align with fascist governments, and calling out those who would rather you stay lonely and buy stuff SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!): “Looks Maxing” & our initial thoughts on the invasion of Venezuela” FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please subscribe and share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES - Cosmopolitan - The New Yorker - The Quinnapiac Chronicle - Salon - USA Today - Purpose Building Communities - NPR (2023) - The Atlantic EXTRAS: (Aired: Aug. 10, 2021) by Anand Giridharadas (If you buy this book, or another, through this link, you support indie book stores and we get a small commission! Check out other great books on our ) (SOLVED! #29) 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! Visit us at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1765 AI Capitalism Will Not Deliver an AI Utopia
01/17/2026
#1765 AI Capitalism Will Not Deliver an AI Utopia
Air Date: 1/17/2026 There's a lot to be concerned about with AI but the biggest concern is the economic system we have in place at the moment when AI is being introduced. Capitalism is not a good steward of new and potentially dangerous technology, as we've seen from Zuckerberg's move-fast-and-break-things era of social media that he later recognized as having triggered a genocide. When the profit drive necessitates light-speed growth, ethical and safety considerations are the first things to be jettisoned and things get broken. 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: (00:48:47) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why capitalism is the biggest problem of AI DEEPER DIVES (00:57:14) SECTION A: AL BUBBLE A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: (01:39:59) SECTION B: PORN AND SLOP B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: B6: B7: (02:30:14) SECTION C: REGULATION C1: C2: C3: C4: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image of a high-tech robot running on a road while money falls into flames behind it. Credit: Internal 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
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#1764 Wealth Inequality is Bad for Society and There's No Good Counterargument
01/15/2026
#1764 Wealth Inequality is Bad for Society and There's No Good Counterargument
Air Date: 1/14/2026 Being a bad person who doesn't care about others is helpful in one's pursuit of becoming wealthy. However, becoming wealthy is also helpful in becoming a bad person who doesn't care about others, not that anyone sets out with this as a goal but it is a natural byproduct of wealth and the normal functioning of our market economy. What this means is that the nature of money, market dynamics, and wealth to corrode morality is a systemic problem, not a collection of individual failings, and should be addressed as such. 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: (00:48:50) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On all the reasons we need to squash wealth inequality DEEPER DIVES (01:02:59) SECTION A: THE EFFECTS OF WEALTH INEQUALITY A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: (01:42:01) SECTION B: THE MINDSET OF THE RICH & POWERFUL B1: B2: B3: B4: (02:18:09) SECTION C: TAX THE RICH C1: C2: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A horizontally split image of two photos: on top, an extravagant yacht sailing at sunset. On bottom, an open wallet with some $1 bills inside and some coins spilling out. Credit: Internal composite design. Images: “” and “” via Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1763 It's Not a Health Care System, it's a Wealth Extraction System
01/10/2026
#1763 It's Not a Health Care System, it's a Wealth Extraction System
Air Date: 1/9/2026 The Republican Party has been angry about every government service and regulation designed to help average people for at least the past 90 years. And, given any opportunity to hobble or destroy any of those services or regulations in the past decades, they've done just that. Now, after 15 years of striving to destroy the Affordable Care Act - itself originally a conservative plan from the Heritage Foundation (not joking) - they're using the cult-like hold that Trump has on the party to move faster and more recklessly than they are usually able. And again, average people are going to pay the price in both dollars and deaths. 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: (00:56:07) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how our health system harms everyone except the owners DEEPER DIVES (01:05:14) SECTION A: ACA SUBSIDIES A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: A6: A7: (01:57:02) SECTION B: DRUG PRICING B1: B2: (02:16:13) SECTION C: HEALTHCARE REFORM C1: C2: C3: C4: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a doctor’s stethoscope laying on top of $5 and $20 bills. Credit: “Stethoscope On Money” by George Hodan | https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/ Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1248 There you go again. Venezuela and America's addiction to imperialism (Remix)
01/07/2026
#1248 There you go again. Venezuela and America's addiction to imperialism (Remix)
Original Air Date: 2/8/2019 Amid the ongoing fallout of a contested presidential election, we take a look back, briefly, at the last 100 years of Venezuelan history to understand how they went from oil riches and inequality to revolution and social progress only to run afoul of American imperialism. 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! ! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Sharmini Peries hosts a wide-ranging conversation about the US-backed attempted coup in Venezuela Ch. 2: Venezuela was split between the rich and poor. Politicians lead the way to oil reliance. Ch. 3: Topics Include: Hugo Chavez, the Constituent Assembly, the opposition, the Venezuelan Communes, the concept of dual power, Jacobin Magazine and the Bolivarian Revolution Ch. 4: You need to be paying attention to what's happening in Venezuela. Eva Golinger joins Michael Brooks and the Majority Report crew to discuss this. Ch. 5: Ivan Briscoe, Latin America and Caribbean program director for Crisis Group, joins Ring of Fire’s Sam Seder, to talk about Maduro's corruption and Venezuela's economic disaster. Ch. 6: Writer Jorge Martin examines the two futures of Venezuela and the Bolivarian revolution. Jorge wrote the article “Maduro Wins Presidential Election, Despite Imperialist Meddling – What Next?” Ch. 7: This push for regime change in Venezuela did not appear in a vacuum. The CIA has been plotting with so-called rebels in Venezuela from the early days of the Trump administration. Ch. 8: Investigative journalist Allan Nairn explains many aspects of the US attempts at a coup in Venezuela Ch. 9: Larry Wilkerson joins Paul Jay discuss why countries that claim to support the UN and international law are supportive of US imperialistic escapades Ch. 10. Jay shares a ton of additional content on Venezuela and muses on the developing pattern of the Trump administration using poem-based propaganda Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1762 Trump's Imperialistic Shakedown of Venezuela
01/03/2026
#1762 Trump's Imperialistic Shakedown of Venezuela
Air Date: 1/3/2026 Imperialism is best thought of as a "Wealth Pump," extracting wealth from one country and depositing it in another. Venezuela has wealth and wealth is the only thing Trump cares about, his willingness to break his promise of being the peace president and go along with traditional Republican hawks is not a complicated mystery. 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: (00:48:15) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the structure of imperialism DEEPER DIVES (01:02:10) SECTION A: DRUG WAR BS A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: (01:41:05) SECTION B: THE MONROE DOCTRINE 2.0 B1: B2: B3: B4: B5: (02:20:52) SECTION C: NIGERIA BOMBING C1: C2: (02:37:40) SECTION D: WAR WITH VENEZUELA D1: D2: D3: D4: D5: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite graphic showing Trump looking proudly at strikes on a small alleged “drug runner” boat while the corner of the image is flipped up revealing his arm grabbing barrels of Venezuelan oil. Credit: Internal composite design, Elements from Pixabay | | Unclassified boat image from U.S. D.O.D. . Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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SOLVED! SAMPLE! #30 - Everything is Ugly: How Convenience Killed Beauty—And How We Can Bring It Back
12/30/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #30 - Everything is Ugly: How Convenience Killed Beauty—And How We Can Bring It Back
Air Date: 12-23-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - Why everything is so ugly these days Ch. 2 - The story of “Millennial Gray” and how our personal spaces are impacted by beauty Ch. 3 - How government intervention and regulation does (and could) impact the beauty in our surroundings Ch. 4 - How beauty impacts sustainability as well as our very important feelings of belonging BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: Why people around the globe are unhappy despite increasing wealth and progress FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please subscribe and share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES - Delish (YouTube video) -Sheehan Quirke (Youtube video) - Answer in Progress - CNN - The Independent - Sustainability - Plusurbia - Lloyd Alter on Substack - The Public Discourse BACKSTAGE: - Very Well Mind - Vox EXTRAS: by Eric Klinenberg (If you make a purchase after clicking this link, we get a small commission!) 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! Visit us at Contact me directly at Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1761 Monthly-ish Mix: The Machine Cracks—Empire, Exploitation, and the Crumbling Facade
12/30/2025
#1761 Monthly-ish Mix: The Machine Cracks—Empire, Exploitation, and the Crumbling Facade
Air Date 12/30/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we start with the infrastructure of imperial violence—from Dick Cheney's legacy to the arms race to Sudan's genocide. Then we expose how power exploits ordinary people through predation and financialized desperation. But here's the thing: resistance is working and the facade is crumbling. From courtroom wins to Mamdani's victory to young Republicans fleeing and conspiracies consuming the right, we end on the insight that authoritarian control is far more fragile than it pretends. 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 WEIGHT OF EMPIRE (00:02:43) 1: 2: 3: (00:26:25) 4: 5: 6: (00:51:53) 7: 8: PART 2: EXTRACTION AND EXPLOITATION (01:02:44) 9: 10: 11: (01:24:21) 12: 13: 14: PART 3: RESISTANCE THAT'S WORKING (01:50:41) 15: 16: 17: (02:14:38) 18: 19: 20: PART 4: THE FACADE CRUMBLING (02:36:05) 21: 22: (02:54:31) 23: 24: Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1760 Hot Mess: Conservative Chaos Below the Surface of Trump's Authoritarian Regime
12/26/2025
#1760 Hot Mess: Conservative Chaos Below the Surface of Trump's Authoritarian Regime
Air Date 12/26/2025 Authoritarian governments are always very focused on making it look like they have everything on absolute lock down. Everyone in lockstep, everything proceeding according to plan. But they do this for propaganda purposes, not because it has anything to do with reality. In fact, the opposite is always true. All of which is to say that conservatives are not in chaos because Trump is particularly chaotic, though he is. They're in chaos because that is the natural result of attempting to enforce monolithic thinking and ideological conformity. 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: (00:56:36) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why chaos is endemic to authoritarian governments DEEPER DIVES (01:02:30) SECTION A: GOP LAWMAKERS A1: A2: A3: A4: A5: (01:45:12) SECTION B: STATE POLITICS B1: B2: (02:01:08) SECTION C: CLASHING IDEOLOGIES C1: C2: C3: C4: C5: C6: (02:57:28) SECTION D: CANDACE OWENS D1: D2: D3: SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Graphic depicting the Republican Party elephant icon on concrete with a giant crack running through it. Credit: Internal composite design, Elements from Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1500 America, A Beginner's Guide (Throwback)
12/24/2025
#1500 America, A Beginner's Guide (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 7/4/2022 Today, for this milestone episode, I attempted to squeeze in as many clever and interesting ideas as I could and ended up writing a starter guide to understand the United States. Plus, there are jingles! 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 ! Use our links to shop and for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ! SHOW NOTES (00:01:30) Ch. 1: Political Structures of Our Country Tracking the political eras that proceeded our current situation and looking at what may come next. Jingle 1: Strawman (00:13:09) Ch. 2: Progressives and Progress Looking at a progressive perspective of the last 20 years and the process of progress itself Jingle 2: Defer to Authority (00:24:25) Ch. 3: Understanding Race, Gender, Privilege and Power Understanding why our understanding of the world is often insufficiently complicated Jingle 3: Just Asking Questions (00:37:06) Ch. 4: Progressives in Politics Tracing the fissures on the political left from Bush to Biden Jingle 4: Manipulating Data (00:46:45) Ch. 5: Republican Transformation Tracing conservatism from mid-century Republicans to 21st-century insurrectionists Jingle 5: Appeal to Emotion (00:59:32) Ch. 6: Foreign/Power Looking at various forms of power and how they play out on the international stage Jingle 6: Passive Voice (01:08:52) Ch. 7: The Progress Trap The progress traps of new technology and why we're not defending against them Jingle 7: Clickbait (01:19:07) Ch. 8: Structural Thinking and the Alternative What happens when an individualist thinker is faced with problems that only structural thinking can handle? Jingle 8: Conspiracy Theories Jingles: Concept and Some Lyrics by Jay Tomlinson, Music and Most Lyrics by Jonathan Mann Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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#1759 Why Dictators Are Lunatics and Their Followers are Fools
12/22/2025
#1759 Why Dictators Are Lunatics and Their Followers are Fools
Air Date 12/22/2025 It's said that mockery is one of the most effective weapons against dictators. I guess it depends on your goal, but still, there's truth there. And the good thing in that regard is that they are so very mockable. No really nice, likable, non-clownish people make themselves dictators and so the people who do are, without exception, absolutely ridiculous lunatics who deserve all the mockery and disdain in the world. 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: (00:47:46) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On Trump's narcissism DEEPER DIVES (00:55:26) SECTION A: MADE UP AWARDS (01:18:24) SECTION B: MONUMENTS TO SELF (01:40:40) SECTION C: PROPAGANDA WORKS (02:08:56) SECTION D: DICTATORS ARE ALL THE SAME MAN (03:04:50) SECTION E: DICTATORSHIPS ALWAYS END HOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Cartoon image of Trump in the famous portrait of King Louis XIV, with a giant long curly wig, tights and robes. Credit: “” by heblo, Pixabay | Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “This is Really Happening” (Original Air Date: 12-12-24)
12/21/2025
SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “This is Really Happening” (Original Air Date: 12-12-24)
Re-Air Date: 12–18-25 Unless you were a member in December of 2024, this episode of SOLVED! will be brand new to you! If you were a member back then, THANK YOU and this one is worth a re-listen. We’re slowing down production for a little bit to reorganize our production processes, so enjoy this episode from our archives (and before YouTube) where Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - What the orcas are up to Ch. 2 - Confronting the truth about eating meat Ch. 3 - How to not let grief destroy leftist movements Ch. 4 - Living a better life by accepting our own mortality FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) REFERENCES: - The New Republic - TruthOut - The Atlantic EXTRAS: 00:50:04 - (11-26-24) TAKE ACTION: 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 Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1758 Why you think the Sudanese civil war doesn't involve you
12/17/2025
#1758 Why you think the Sudanese civil war doesn't involve you
Air Date 12/14/2025 The sad ease with which we manage to ignore some atrocities, even while paying much attention to others, has to do with how visible or invisible to us the systems are that are propping up those events. Nothing happens in a vacuum and in our world, if you're willing to dig deep enough, you'll always find how we're all connected - across both time and geography. 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: (00:45:33) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the past 20 years of politics DEEPER DIVES (00:50:08) SECTION A: VIOLENCE NOW (01:12:13) SECTION B: HISTORICAL ROOTS (01:51:58) SECTION C: OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE (02:12:01) SECTION D: RESOLUTION AND SOLIDARITY HOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of Sudanese refugee women, one with her baby, standing in line for food aid in Chad carrying bags, and boxes. Credit: by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), 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
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SOLVED! SAMPLE! #29 - “Don’t Be Cringe”: Is Gen Z’s Humor a Political Warning Sign?
12/15/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #29 - “Don’t Be Cringe”: Is Gen Z’s Humor a Political Warning Sign?
Air Date: 12-10-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin was out this week) discuss: Ch. 1 - Generational humor, and analysis of Gen Z’s absurdist humor and the impact it’s having Ch. 2 - The unexpected social side effects of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign on Gen Z volunteers Ch. 3 - The “App”stinence Movement helping people get off of social media Ch. 4 - How the peak Millennial humor mobile game “Sword and Sworcery” has evolved with the times SOLVED! Backstage: Behind the Algorithm: Elon Musk’s “Grokapedia” reminding us of the “Conservapedia” of 2010s punchlines, and the co-opting of Gen Z meme humor by right wing extremists to normalize hate. REFERENCES - Hayden Lim Khai Eun via Medium - Business Insider - Pion - Berkeley Political Review - The New York Times - Mashable - Fast Company - New York Magazine - Waltorious Writes About Games - New Scientist EXTRAS NOT SPONSORS/AFFILIATES
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#1757 Life is But a Game (that you can now bet on)
12/14/2025
#1757 Life is But a Game (that you can now bet on)
Air Date 12/14/2025 Albert Einstein said, "Life is just like a game, first you have to learn rules of the game, and then play it better then any one else." (Or just get some insider knowledge about which team is paid off to lose and bet on the game rather than playing it, am I right?) Now, while it's well known that sports gambling has great potential to corrupt the game, I'm sure being able to bet on literally anything in life all the time right from your phone with billionaires funding persuasion campaigns to convince you to do it will probably work out fine. 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: (00:46:01) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On Best of the Left turning 20! DEEPER DIVES (00:49:22) SECTION A: GAMBLING ON EVERYTHING (01:30:27) SECTION B: THE UBIQUITY OF SPORTS BETTING (01:56:28) SECTION C: SPORTS BETTING IS BAD FOR SPORTS 02:34:14) SECTION D: GAMIFYING LIFE SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a man staring up at multiple screens showing sports betting updates, along with a live football and hockey game, above the betting counter in a Las Vegas casino. Credit: “” by Baishampayan Ghose, 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
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#1756 War Criminal Dick Cheney's Guide to Ethical Governance and Saving Democracy
12/10/2025
#1756 War Criminal Dick Cheney's Guide to Ethical Governance and Saving Democracy
Air Date 12/10/2025 Dick Cheney used to be thought of as Darth Vader but did he have an end-of-life conversion back to the light side of the force? No, he was bad all along and only thought Trump was worse. 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: (00:48:24) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the legacies of Dick Cheney and Darth Vader DEEPER DIVES (01:00:59) SECTION A: LEGACY (01:54:23) SECTION B: IRAQ (02:11:15) SECTION C: USING 9/11 FOR POWER & PROFIT (02:31:51) SECTION D: NO ACCOUNTABILITY SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Sidewalk graffiti stencil of Dick Cheney’s face and the word “Terrorist” underneath Credit: “” by David Drexler, Flickr | | Changes: Slightly cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES! - “Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted” (Original Air Date: 5-26-24)
12/07/2025
SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES! - “Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted” (Original Air Date: 5-26-24)
Re-Air Date: 12–2-25 Unless you were a member in May of 2024, this episode of SOLVED! will be brand new to you! If you were a member back then, THANK YOU and this one is worth a re-listen. 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 - How supply and demand economics is not about “distribution of goods with the greatest efficiency” and is instead about nothing more than predatory greed Ch. 2 - How what we value as humans goes far beyond the price of commodities Ch. 3 - More examples of “enshitification” as companies reach inside our homes to control things we already bought Ch. 4 - How companies are restricting functionality to extract even more from us FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) REFERENCES: - The Atlantic - The Wall Street Journal - The Atlantic - The Atlantic - Yahoo! Finance - The Wall Street Journal EXTRAS: 00:12:53 00:42:41 00:48:44 Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening!
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#1605 Our Prison System is a Demonstrable Failure (Throwback)
12/06/2025
#1605 Our Prison System is a Demonstrable Failure (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 1-23-2024 The recent discovery of hundreds of bodies buried behind a jail in unmarked graves sparks a renewed discussion about the futility and counter-productiveness of our system of incarceration and the context of our history that has brought us to this point. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, 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: EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE SHOW IMAGE Description: Photograph of the outside of Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. Barbed wire lines the fences of the entrance in front of the dark gray cement building with tinted windows. Credit: "A sagebrush sea change from behind barbed wire" by U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Flickr | License: | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at
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#1755 Affordability: Actual Economic Populism is the Kryptonite to Fake Populism
12/02/2025
#1755 Affordability: Actual Economic Populism is the Kryptonite to Fake Populism
Air Date 12/2/2025 If you need more evidence for just how far from rationality our politics have slid in recent decades, Zorhan Mamdani is seen by many as a radical for mostly just saying that people should be able to afford to buy the things they need to live. 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: (00:49:49) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the path forward for the Left: Targeted Universalism DEEPER DIVES (01:07:50) SECTION A: AFFORDABILITY (01:43:42) SECTION C: DEMS CAVE (02:24:44) SECTION D: SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE TO CHANGE SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A vibrantly colorful artistic rendering of Zohran Mamdani at a podium speaking into a microphone with his hand up. The edges appear to vibrate outwards. Credit: “” by Taymaz Valley, Flickr | | Changes: Expanded background with layers and smudging Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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SOLVED! SAMPLE! #28 - Big White Lies: The Impossible Promises of Supremacy
12/01/2025
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #28 - Big White Lies: The Impossible Promises of Supremacy
Air Date: 11-25-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - The extremists trying to create race-based neighborhoods all over the U.S. Ch. 2 - What we can learn from Ireland’s history of sectarian violence Ch. 3 - How the Irish became white Ch. 4 - An inconvenient truth from Frederick Douglas (and some modern, mild misreadings) Ch. 5 - What you can do to fight back against white supremacists where you live BACKSTAGE! Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!): Why some marginalized people cozy up to power FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES - SPLC - Irish Post - Reuters - Medium - Elevate Society - Teaching American History - Kansas City Defender 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
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#1354 Police violence and racism are a product of our past (Uprising, Crackdown, Authoritarianism) (Throwback)
11/28/2025
#1354 Police violence and racism are a product of our past (Uprising, Crackdown, Authoritarianism) (Throwback)
Original Air Date: 6–22-2020 Today we take a look at the history of racist policing which flows seamlessly into our present racist policing which itself flows into Trump's authoritarian glee at the opportunity to consolidate violent, racist power in response to protests against violent, racist 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 Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
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#1754 The Epstein Files and Donald Trump, Our Predator-in-Chief
11/25/2025
#1754 The Epstein Files and Donald Trump, Our Predator-in-Chief
Air Date 11/25/2025 We live in a world awash with baseless conspiracy theories but that doesn't mean there are no true conspiracies, as exemplified by Jeffrey Epstein. But it bears repeating, that we didn't need the exposure of a massive conspiracy to know that Donald Trump was a sexual predator because he said as much on tape before he was elected the first time in 2016. 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: (00:50:50) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the conspiracy of wealth and power DEEPER DIVES (00:57:28) SECTION A: INBOX FALLOUT (01:45:02) SECTION B: EPSTEIN WORLDWIDE (02:18:32) SECTION C: PREDATOR-IN-CHIEF SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Screen shot of a recently released email from Jeffery Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwell with a line highlighted that says “I want you to realize that the dog that hasn’t barked is trump…[VICTIM] spent ours at my house with him,, he has never once been mentioned.” Credit: Internal composite design. Screen shot of email from files released by U.S. House Oversight Committee. Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | |
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SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “The Truth Shall Set Us Free” (Original Air Date: 12-6-24)
11/23/2025
SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - “The Truth Shall Set Us Free” (Original Air Date: 12-6-24)
Re-Air Date: 11–18-25 Unless you were a member in December of 2024, this episode of SOLVED! will be brand new to you! If you were a member back then, THANK YOU and this one is worth a re-listen. 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 - The political origins of SimCity and how capitalism warps our choices Ch. 2 - A new video game offering a very different vision of societal management Ch. 3 - Naomi Klein's insights on the Left's missteps responding to the Mirror World Ch. 4 - Applying cynicism and skepticism in moderation FOLLOW US ON: (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: - Wired - The Baffler - Vox - Counter Punch 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 Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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#1753 What the Shutdown and Weaponized Hunger Exposed About Our Asymmetric Morality
11/21/2025
#1753 What the Shutdown and Weaponized Hunger Exposed About Our Asymmetric Morality
Air Date 11/21/2025 In an ethical political system, being willing to break the law in order to starve people amid a political dispute wouldn't be a source of greater leverage and power but it is in ours and the shutdown put the wildly different senses of ethics between the parties on full display. 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: (00:55:53) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how to preserve democracy DEEPER DIVES (01:10:38) SECTION A: SHUTDOWN 02:01:39) SECTION B: FOOD INSECURITY (03:19:42) SECTION C: GOP AWFULNESS SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image of the SNAP program logo (food stamps) and a symbol of a stethoscope (healthcare) in a closed cage with a GOP elephant symbol standing on top against a faded American flag background. Credit: Internal composite design. Elements from Pixabay | | and UDSA Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at Listen Anywhere! Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: | | | Like at
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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!
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#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
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#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
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