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    News & Politics

    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!

    Advertise
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    Latest Episodes:
    #1770 Getting in the Fight Against ICE and Authoritarianism Feb 10, 2026
    Show notes

    Air Date 2/10/2026

    Today we explore what effective resistance actually looks like. We'll hear why Jamelle Bouie says the panic of those in power signals that opposition is working, what abolitionists teach us about fighting without knowing the ending, and how Minneapolis proved that democratic force can overwhelm physical force.

    Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

    Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

    Join our Discord community!

    TOP TAKES

    KP 1: What I've Learned From Reading History - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 1-28-26

    KP 2: Five Ways to Fight Trumps Fascism - Robert Reich - Air Date 8-19-25

    KP 3: Abolish ICE! No Brainer. Then What? Also, How? - Matthew Cooke - Air Date 1-27-26

    KP 4: "They Have Agency In This Moment. They Can Walk Away" - Maria J. Stephan's Message To ICE Officers - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Air Date 1-23-26

    KP 5: Democrats Need To Change How We Talk About ICE | Kat Abughazaleh For Illinois - Kat Abughazaleh - Air Date 1-26-26

    KP 6: Gadgets For People Who Don't Trust The Government - Benn Jordan - Air Date 1-4-26

    KP 7: What Does Minnesota Today Tell Us About What Resistance Requires? - Tad Stoermer - Air Date 1-24-26

    KP 8: What Is a General Strike (and Why Did the U.S. Outlaw Them) - More Perfect Union - Air Date 5-1-25

    KP 9: Elites Shit Themselves as Serious Momentum Builds for a Nationwide General Strike - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-28-26

    KP 10: We Don't Need Irony. Just Make It Good - Jessie Gender - Air Date 1-26-26

    (00:49:16) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

    On the war on empathy

    A Time to Be Cringe: Why Gen Z Needs Some Millenial Humor (SOLVED! #29 - 12-12-25)

    DEEPER DIVES

    (00:59:25) SECTION A: WHAT DO WE WANT

    A1: Force the Fight: A Resistance History Lesson From the Anti-Federalists - Tad Stoermer - Air Date 1-26-26

    A2: Trump's Vacant Stare Is Sending Shockwaves Around the World - Heather Delaney Reese - Air Date 1-24-26

    A3: The Kids Aren't Alright - The Majority Report W/ Sam Seder - Air Date 1-25-26

    (01:21:40) SECTION B: WHAT DID WE WANT

    B1: Beyond the Ballot Box: Pacification and Intergenerational Memory in Social Movements Part 1 - Radicals in Conversation - Air Date 11-28-24

    B2: The Black Labor Movement Part 1 - Against the Grain - Air Date 1-20-26

    B3: Policing the Civil Rights Movement - Against the Grain - Air Date 1-26-26

    (01:50:25) SECTION C: HOW DO WE DO IT

    C1: Beyond the Ballot Box: Pacification and Intergenerational Memory in Social Movements Part 2 - Radicals in Conversation - Air Date 11-28-24

    C2: The 3.5 Percent Rule - Erica Chenoweth - You Are Not So Smart - Air Date 5-11-25

    C3: ICE Protesters GO OFF After Alex Pretti Murder: "Trump's Troops SLAYING US in the Street!" - Status Coup News - Air Date 1-25-26

    C4: "We Stand with Minneapolis": Baltimore Marches Against ICE - The Real News Network - Air Date 1-24-26

    C5: Americans Flex Democratic Muscles to Show That, Together, They're Stronger Than Trump - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 1-27-26

    (02:24:10) SECTION D: WHAT WORKS

    D1: ICE Out of Minnesota: Unions & Churches Lead Economic Blackout in "Day of Truth and Freedom" - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-23-26

    D2: "ICE Out": Tens of Thousands March in Minnesota in General Strike Against Immigration Raids - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-26-26

    D3: The Black Labor Movement Part 2 - Against the Grain - Air Date 1-20-26

    D4: 1946 Oakland General Strike - Stuff You Missed in History Class - Air Date 3-24-25

    D5: Confronting Capitalism: Why the US Never Got a Labor Party - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 1-21-26

    SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

    Description: Photo of a protest in Minneapolis showing people holding signs that say "ICE is not welcome!" And "FUCK ICE" and "ICE OUT OF MN", etc.

    Credit: "Protest against ICE in Minneapolis" by Fibonacci Blue via Flickr | CC BY 4.0 | Cropped

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

    Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

    Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


    #1128 Confronting Fascism in the Land of Free Speech (Throwback) Feb 06, 2026
    Show notes

    Original Air Date: 8-25-2017

    Today we look at the constant struggle between the freedom to speak and the necessary limits placed on that freedom due to the rights of others to not be substantially harmed by that speech

    Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

    Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

    Join our Discord community!

    Show Notes

    Ch. 1: WSJ Reports: ACLU Rethinks Defending Hate Groups Protesting with Guns - Wochit News - Air Date 8-17-17

    Ch. 2: ACLU Will No Longer Defend Hate Groups Protesting With Firearms - MSNBC

    Ch. 3: Understanding the line between free speech and hate speech - BackStory - Air Date 8-23-17

    Ch. 4: I was a prominent neo-Nazi. Ignoring white extremists is a mistake. - Vox - Air Date 4-14-17

    Ch. 5: Nazis Don't Get Free Speech! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 08-22-17

    Ch. 6: Understanding who joins Antifa - Trumpcast from @Slate - Air Date 8-18-17

    Ch. 7: How Do We Define Hate Speech? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 8-21-17

    Ch. 8: Antifa: A Look at the Antifascist Movement Confronting White Supremacists in the Streets - @DemocracyNow - Air Date: 08-16-17

    Ch. 9: How not to fall for fascist rhetoric - 1943 US War Department

    Voicemails

    Ch. 19: Free speech absolutism - Ryan in Minneapolis, MN

    Ch. 20: Free speech absolutism is bullshit - Zach from Atlanta, GA

    Ch. 21: Railing against free speech would be a gift to the right - Todd from Delaware, OH

    Ch. 22: Recommending Chomsky video - Elizabeth from North Carolina

    Ch. 23: The Constitution is not a suicide pact - Will from Mississippi

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

    Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

    Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


    SOLVED! #32 - How the Left is Always Right Too Soon (With Receipts) Feb 05, 2026
    Show notes

    Air Date: 01-28-26

    Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss:

    • Ch 1 - Why it's not actually "fun" to be right too early (despite being called 'insufferable')
    • Ch 2 - The political elites and neoliberals who are frantically changing their tune now that a left-wing populist movement is here
    • Ch 3 - The Cassandras of the Left who knew and tried to warn that Trump would be a fascist
    • Ch 4 - The Anti-Alarmists who stifled the Cassandras warnings
    • Ch 5 - What if we actually listened to the Left next time?
    • SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!): That one time progressives were very wrong

    FOLLOW US ON:

    YouTube (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please subscribe and share!)

    Bluesky

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Mastadon

    Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e

    REFERENCES

    The Left is Always Right Too Early - Current Affairs

    Well, It's Time for Populism, They Guess - Slate

    The Trump Backers Who Have Buyer's Remorse - The Atlantic

    The Vibe Shifts Against the Right - NY Times

    The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned - The New Republic

    The Resistance Libs Were Right - NY Times

    BACKSTAGE

    Eugenics: the skeleton that rattles loudest in the left's closet - The Guardian

    EXTRAS:

    Hot Dog Car Sketch - I Think You Should Leave

    CLIP: Leigh McGowan (Politics Girl) responds to Scott Jennings on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip

    "One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This" by Omar El Akkad (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 Bookshop shelf)

    "A Time to Be Cringe: Why Gen Z Needs Millennial Humor" (SOLVED! #29)

    TAKE ACTION:

    How to Support Minneapolis Communities

    In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach

    Free DC Project: FOR ALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

    No Kings Next Steps

    One Million Rising Trainings

    5calls.org

    Find your Indivisible group - or start one

    Join our Discord Server

    Reach us via Signal:

    Bestoftheleft.01

    Leave a message at 202-999-3991

    Produced by:

    Jay! Tomlinson

    Thanks for listening!

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Review the show on Apple Podcasts!


    #1769 Politics Beyond the Ballot Box: Elections and the Movements that Power Them Feb 01, 2026
    Show notes

    Air Date 2/1/2026

    Today we examine what's actually working against the Trump regime and the role of this year's elections. Unsurprisingly, his own voter fraud investigation just proved him a liar, Democrats are overperforming expectations in House special elections, and Zohran Mamdani's campaign based on having fun in community needs to be a model for every movement against authoritarianism.

    Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

    Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

    Join our Discord community!

    TOP TAKES

    KP 1: Trump Admin's Endless Waste, Fraud, Abuse in Elections Part 1 - The BradCast - Air Date 1-20-26

    KP 2: Donald Trump Wants to Cancel the Midterm Elections Part 1 - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 1-16-26

    KP 3: Get Out the Vote with Tom Lopach Part 1 - The Practivist Pod - Air Date 12-4-25

    KP 4: Mobilizing the Mamdani Volunteer Army Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-12-26

    KP 5: Daily Take Is the Post Office About to Decide the 2026 Midterms - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 1-2-26

    KP 6: THAT Is A Mandate (feat. Kat Abughazaleh) Part 1 - The Daily Beans - Air Date 11-5-25

    KP 7: The Next Socialist In Congress with Claire Valdez Part 1 - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-22-26

    (00:55:41) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

    On the role of community and friendship in fighting fascism

    DEEPER DIVES

    (01:03:26) SECTION A: IMMIGRATION POLICING

    A1: THAT Is A Mandate (feat. Kat Abughazaleh) Part 2 - The Daily Beans - Air Date 11-5-25

    A2: Mobilizing the Mamdani Volunteer Army Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-12-26

    A3: Karen Hunter To Counter Trump We Protest, Fight Back, and Double Down on Building a Community Part 1 - The Dean Obeidallah Show - Air Date 1-17-26

    (01:24:17) SECTION B: POWER AND ORGANIZING

    B1: The Democratic Party's McClellan Problem - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 12-30-25

    B2: Mobilizing the Mamdani Volunteer Army Part 3 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-12-26

    B3: The Next Socialist In Congress with Claire Valdez Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-22-26

    B4: Working Families Party on Mamdani's Win; 2026 Midterms - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 11-17-25

    B5: Karen Hunter To Counter Trump We Protest, Fight Back, and Double Down on Building a Community Part 2 - The Dean Obeidallah Show - Air Date 1-17-26

    (02:04:54) SECTION C: VOTING RIGHTS

    C1: Donald Trump Wants to Cancel the Midterm Elections Part 2 - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 1-16-26

    C2: Trump Admin's Endless Waste, Fraud, Abuse in Elections Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 1-20-26

    C3: Justice for Victims, Housing Hope, and the Rise of Progressive Leadership - Good News for Lefties | Daily News for Democracy - Air Date 1-12-26

    C4: Get Out the Vote with Tom Lopach Part 2 - The Practivist Pod - Air Date 12-4-25

    (02:32:50) SECTION D: CANDIDANCY

    D1: Hardcore Competence with Kat Abughazaleh - Hysteria - Air Date 1-22-26

    D2: Good News Deep Dive with Candidate for the U.S. Senate in Alabama Dakarai Larriett - Good News for Lefties Daily News for Democracy - Air Date 1-24-26

    D3: Mamdani's Momentous Win with Sarah Jaffe - The Curve - Air Date 11-5-25

    SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

    Description: Photo of one half of a huge crowd of Zohran Mamdani campaign volunteers in a park holding campaign signs and smiling.

    Credit: "Zohran Mamdani volunteer canvassers" via Zohran for NYC

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

    Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

    Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


    #1768 The End of an Era: The International Rules-Based Order Gives Way to Trump's Might-Makes-Right Plutocracy Jan 30, 2026
    Show notes

    Air Date 1/29/2026

    Today we examine the collapse of the American-led, rules-based world order (such as it was) in real time. Canada's Prime Minister pointed out that the emperor has no clothes and declared US hegemony over while Europe called Trump's bluff on Greenland... all the more reason why he would prefer a fake "Board of Peace" that he can rule over as a worldwide plutocracy.

    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 Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

    Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

    Join our Discord community!

    KEY POINTS

    KP 1: TACO Returns: Trump 'isolated and Humiliated' by Greenland Saga Says Hayes - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 1-21-26

    KP 2: Why Trump Just Threatened Canada in Davos | About That - CBC News - Air Date 1-21-26

    KP 3: Trump's War on Iran / Davos / Canada-China Relations with Prof. Jiang Xueqin of Predictive History - Reason2Resist with Dimitri Lascaris - Air Date 1-22-26

    KP 4: MAGA Empire with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin Part 1 - The Dig - Air Date 1-16-26

    KP 5: Iran's Protest Movement with Yassamine Mather and Kevan Harris - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 1-20-26

    KP 6: Mehdi Reacts to the Intense Debate Over Iran's Protests - Zeteo - Air Date 1-17-26

    (00:44:46) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

    On why an might-makes-right is evil

    DEEPER DIVES

    (00:56:10) SECTION A: GREENLAND (OR IS IT ICELAND?)

    A1: Chris Hayes' Map-based Theory Behind Trumps Greenland Obsession - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 1-14-26

    A2: Why Donald Trump Really Wants Greenland - Full Story - Air Date 1-19-26

    A3: 'What Starts World Wars': Trump Ramps up Greenland Obsession, Floats Military Action - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 1-6-26

    A4: Trump Threatens Greenland: The Start of World War 3? with Richard Wolff - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 1-21-26

    A5: Greenland Tariffs Have European Leaders Ready To Give Up On Trump - Mallen Baker - Air Date 1-18-26

    (01:33:49) SECTION B: IRAN IN CHAOS AND STILL A TARGET

    B1: Iran's Khamenei Says US, Israel Links Behind "thousands Killed" in Protests - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 1-18-26

    B2: MAGA Empire with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin Part 2 - The Dig - Air Date 1-16-26

    B3: News Brief: For Media Reporting on Iran, Trump Suddenly Morphs Into Pro-Democracy Humanitarian - Citations Needed - Air Date 1-17-26

    B4: What Will Happen in Iran Now That Protests Have Died Down? - DW News - Air Date 1-17-26

    (02:02:12) SECTION C: CANADA MADE AN ADVERSARY

    C1: Canada Prepares For US INVASION - And Mark Carney Declares US Hegemony OVER - Owen Jone - Air Date 1-21-26

    C2: Mark Carney and the New World Order - Front Burner - Air Date 1-20-26

    C3: Canada-China Form New Partnership: This Is Huge - The Rational National - Air Date 1-16-26

    (02:25:22) SECTION D: THE WORLD MOVES AWAY FROM THE DOLLAR

    D1: The New Trump World Order - Why, America? with Leeja Miller - Air Date 1-19-26

    D2: Oxfam Warns of Rising Authoritarianism & Billionaire Boom - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-21-26

    D3: Foreign Central Banks Are Dumping US Debt At Alarming Rates - UNFTR Media - Air Date 12-19-25

    (02:50:02) SECTION E: DYING COLONIALIST EMPIRE

    E1: "Empire in Decline": Historian Alfred McCoy on U.S. Aggression in Venezuela, Iran & Beyond - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-13-26

    E2: Will Trump's Board of Peace Replace the UN? - Today in Focus - Air Date 1-21-26

    E3: MAGA Empire with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin Part 3 - The Dig - Air Date 1-16-26

    E4: Gaza, Venezuela, and Greenland Mark End of World Legal Order Set up in 1945 - Redeye - Air Date 1-19-26

    E5: America Is Now The Enemy - Large Man Abroad - Air Date 1-20-26

    SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

    Description: Photo of Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland standing alone, half in shadow, and off to the right against a wall with logos of the summit.

    Credit: "President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland" by the U.S. Government via Wikimedia Commons| Public Domain

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

    Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

    Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


    SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - "Of Horse Races and Men: The Result of Decades of Media Atrophy (aka: Uncertain and Powerless" Jan 26, 2026
    Show notes

    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:

    YouTube (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!)

    Bluesky

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Mastadon

    REFERENCES:

    Why Americans Hate the Media - The Atlantic (1996)

    The Media Still Doesn't Grasp the Danger of Trump - The Intercept

    Don't Believe What They're Telling You About Misinformation - The New Yorker

    TAKE ACTION:

    How to Support Minneapolis Communities

    In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach

    No Kings Next Steps

    Free DC Project: FOR ALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY - Tell Congress to stand down the federal escalation

    One Million Rising Trainings

    Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials

    Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

    Find your Indivisible group - or start one

    Join our Discord Server

    Reach us via Signal:

    Bestoftheleft.01

    Leave a message at 202-999-3991

    Produced by:

    Jay! Tomlinson

    Thanks for listening!

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Review the show on Apple Podcasts!


    #1767 Wars Are Won By Teachers and Trump is Attacking Them Like a Foreign Adversary Jan 25, 2026
    Show notes

    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 Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

    Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

    Join our Discord community!

    KEY POINTS

    KP 1: Rewriting Reality How the Battle for History Shapes the Future - WhoWhatWhy's Podcasts - Air Date 9-26-24

    KP 2: Fighting Fascism with Education - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-26-25

    KP 3: 'Abandoning' Kids' Futures AFT Pres. Slams Trump Dept. of Education Changes - MS NOW - Air Date 11-19-25

    KP 4: 50 Years After the Birth of Special Education, Some Fear for Its Future Under Trump - All Things Considered - Air Date 12-3-25

    KP 5: How Trumps Agenda Hurts College Students - Right Now With Perry Bacon - Air Date 11-19-25

    KP 6: Trump Set to Garnish Wages for Student Loan Defaults - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-30-25

    (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: Rewriting Reality How the Battle for History Shapes the Future Part 2 - WhoWhatWhy's Podcasts - Air Date 9-26-24

    A2: Fighting Fascism with Education Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-26-25

    A3: Because Democracy Depends On It - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 11-29-25

    A4: The Great US Brain Drain - Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - Air Date 1-9-25

    (01:31:21) SECTION B: EDUCATION AND MONEY

    B1: Republicans Plan to Overhaul the Federal Student Loan System. Here's What to Know - Trump's Terms - Air Date 4-30-25

    B2: How Trumps Agenda Hurts College Students Part 2 - Right Now With Perry Bacon - Air Date 11-19-25

    B3: Federal Student Loans Are Changing. Here's What to Expect in 2026 - Morning Edition - Air Date 12-23-25

    B4: Community Colleges Face New Challenges as Trump Battles with Higher Education - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-18-25

    B5: Trump Officials Loosen Strings on Federal Education Money for Iowa. More States Could Follow - Latest Stories From The Associated Press - Air Date 1-7-26

    (01:56:44) SECTION C: EDUCATION AND FREE SPEECH

    C1: 'If You Can Keep It' Trump Takes Aim At Academic Freedom Part 1 - 1A - Air Date 10-20-25

    C2: Student Detained for Foreign Policy Views Speaks - Brian Lehrer A Daily Podcast - Air Date 12-22-25

    C3: 'If You Can Keep It' Trump Takes Aim At Academic Freedom Part 2 - 1A - Air Date 10-20-25

    C4: Student Detained for Foreign Policy Views Speaks Part 2 - Brian Lehrer A Daily Podcast - Air Date 12-22-25

    (02:27:06) SECTION D: EDUCATION AND THE DOE

    D1: Inside the Trump Administrations Plan to Change Public Education - ProPublica - Air Date 1-6-25

    D2: Trump Hurts His Base Again Education Cuts Hit Red States More, Ending Help for Most Vulnerable - The Briefing - Air Date 7-16-25

    D3: Inside the Trump Administrations Plan to Change Public Education Part 2 - ProPublica - Air Date 1-6-25

    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 | Pixabay License

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

    Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

    Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


    #1766 The Fragility of State Violence: The ICE Occupation, Renee Good, and the Minneapolis Uprising Jan 21, 2026
    Show notes

    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 Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

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    KEY POINTS

    KP 1: 'We Want This Terror to Stop': Ilhan Omar Calls for ICE to Leave Minnesota - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 1-13-26

    KP 2: Peaceful Vs. Violent Resistance — What's the Answer? - The Chris Hedges YouTube Channel - Air Date 1-9-26

    KP 3: ICE Is a Way to Deal With Surplus Males - Therese - Air Date 1-9-25

    KP 4: How Do You Share a Country With People Who Reject Reality? - Cy Canterel - Air Date 1-12-26

    KP 5: Abolish ICE - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 1-7-26

    (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: Trump Wants To 'Ethnically CLEANSE' America: Rep. Frost to Mehdi - Zeteo - Air Date 12-19-26

    A2: Making Sense of This Moment | Explainer - Heather Cox Richardson - Air Date 1-8-26

    A3: "Stolen From Us": Family Demands Justice for Keith Porter, Black Father Killed by Off-Duty ICE Agent - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-13-26

    A4: Black Folks Have Been Warning Us - Elliot Sang Again - Air Date 1-13-26

    (01:22:43) SECTION B: ICE ABUSES PEOPLE

    B1: How Trump's Deportation Campaign Is Reshaping Small Town America - Bloomberg Originals - Air Date 12-1-25

    B2: Where ICE Has Taken The Most People | On The Grid - WIRED - Air Date 10-8-25

    B3: Why the US Is Deporting so Many People - Johnny Harris - Air Date 10-31-25

    (01:50:19) SECTION C: POLICE ARE A DOMESTIC MILITARY

    C1: ICE Is Evolving Into an Extrajudicial Army. Dr Richard Wolff Explains How - The Real News Network - Air 1-12-26

    C2: How America Turned Its Police Into an Army - New Economic Thinking - Air Date 2-28-18

    C3: Secretive Border Patrol Program Is Detaining US Citizens for 'suspicious' Travel - Associated Press - Air Date 11-19-25

    C4: Why Americas Police Look Like Soldiers - Vox - Air Date 6-25-20

    (02:09:52) SECTION D: REVOLUTION

    D1: Immigration, ICE, and Working Class Rebellion w/ Cecilia Guerrero Part 1 - Upstream - Air Date 1-7-26

    D2: More Americans Are Saying the Quiet Part Loud: They Want a Revolution - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-14-26

    D3: Can Anyone Stop ICE? - Today, Explained - Air Date 1-14-26

    (02:38:44) SECTION E: ICE IS ABOUT PROJECTING POWER

    E1: Will ICE Get Away With This? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 1-15-26

    E2: ICE Can Hack Your Phone Without You Knowing - Taylor Lorenz - Air Date 9-5-25

    E3: 'STUNNING': Trump's DOJ Won't Investigate ICE Shooting, Prompting Outrage and Resignations - The Briefing with Jen Psaki - Air Date 1-13-26

    E4: "ICE Is OK with Renee Good's Killing": Journalist Ken Klippenstein on ICE Tactics & Recruitment - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-14-25

    (03:10:48) SECTION F: WHAT COMES NEXT?

    F1: Immigration, ICE, and Working Class Rebellion w/ Cecilia Guerrero Part 2 - Upstream - Air Date 1-7-26

    F2: Governor Walz Addresses Ongoing Federal Presence in Minnesota - Office of the Governor of Minnesota - Air Date 1-14-26

    F3: Minnesota Is A Training Ground For Whats To Come - Leeja Miller - Air Date 1-12-26

    SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

    Description: Photo of ICE in Minneapolis neighborhood facing a group of residents.

    Credit: "ICE agents in Minneapolis after shooting" by Chad Davis, Flickr | CC by 4.0

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

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    Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


    SOLVED! SAMPLE! #31 - There is no "Male Loneliness Crisis(TM)": Why Patriarchy & Capitalism Are Hurting Us ALL Jan 20, 2026
    Show notes

    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:

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    Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e

    REFERENCES

    Does Anyone Care That Young Women Are Just as Lonely as Men Are? - Cosmopolitan

    What Did Men Do to Deserve This? - The New Yorker

    The male loneliness epidemic is a myth - The Quinnapiac Chronicle

    Don't blame women for men's loneliness. Blame capitalism - Salon

    America glorifies what makes it lonely, and women silently pay the price | Opinion - USA Today

    Unlocking Economic Mobility Through Social Connectedness - Purpose Building Communities

    America has a loneliness epidemic. Here are 6 steps to address it (2023) - NPR (2023)

    Why America Needs More Public Pools - The Atlantic

    EXTRAS:

    Best of the Left #1433 "The legacy of White Supremacy in schools, health care and public pools" (Aired: Aug. 10, 2021)

    "Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World" 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 Bookshop shelf)

    "A Time to Be Cringe: Why Gen Z Needs Millennial Humor" (SOLVED! #29)

    TAKE ACTION:

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    #1765 AI Capitalism Will Not Deliver an AI Utopia Jan 17, 2026
    Show notes

    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 Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

    Full Show Notes

    Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

    In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

    Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

    Join our Discord community!

    KEY POINTS

    KP 1: What Sam Altman Doesn't Want You To Know - More Perfect Union - Air Date 12-19-25

    KP 2: The AI Bubble Part 1 - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-28-25

    KP 3: The Hidden Forces Driving the AI Bubble Part 1 - Instant Genius - Air Date 11-13-25

    KP 4: Desperate OpenAI Turns To Erotica - Novara Media - Air Date 10-16-25

    KP 5: Avoiding Fake News in the AI Era Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-8-25

    KP 6: Trump Considers Order to Override State Regulations on Artificial Intelligence - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-20-25

    (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: So Are We in an AI Bubble? Here Are Clues to Look for Part 1 - Planet Money - Air Date 1-9-25

    A2: The Hidden Forces Driving the AI Bubble Part 2 - Instant Genius - Air Date 11-13-25

    A3: The AI Bubble Part 2 - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-28-25

    A4: AI Robot Slaves and Other CES Miracles Part 1 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 1-12-26

    A5: So Are We in an AI Bubble? Here Are Clues to Look for Part 2 - Planet Money - Air Date 1-9-25

    (01:39:59) SECTION B: PORN AND SLOP

    B1: Avoiding Fake News in the AI Era Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-8-25

    B2: Deep Fakes, Data Centers, and AI Slop — Are We Cooked Part 1 - On the Media - Air Date 12-19-25

    B3: Meet The Women Being Deepfaked Into Porn by AI - BBC - Air Date 9-4-24

    B4: Digital Stimulation AI and Porn - The Economist - Air Date 12-10-25

    B5: How AI Porn Isolates Us with Noelle Perdue Part 1 - The 404 Media Podcast - Air Date 12-9-25

    B6: AI Robot Slaves and Other CES Miracles Part 2 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 1-12-26

    B7: How AI Porn Isolates Us with Noelle Perdue Part 2 - The 404 Media Podcast - Air Date 12-9-25

    (02:30:14) SECTION C: REGULATION

    C1: Two Proposed Bills Cover AI and Deep Fake Pornography in Indiana - WTHR - Air Date 1-2-26

    C2: Deep Fakes, Data Centers, and AI Slop — Are We Cooked Part 2 - On the Media - Air Date 12-19-25

    C3: AI 1 — Humanity 0 - Today, Explained - Air Date 12-17-25

    C4: Trump Family Businesses Rake in $4 Billion After His Reelection with Focus on AI, Crypto, & Nuclear - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-6-26

    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 | Pixabay license

    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

    Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

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