The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

Latest Episodes:

Ep 897 | Driftglass for Pope and David Brooks Said What?! May 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast, we return from our break to tackle the media's misuse of political vocabulary and how a certain pundit twists language to avoid placing blame where it belongs. We break down a prominent columnist's appearance on PBS that perfectly illustrates this problem, while examining how his myth of the "Sensible Center" continues to poison our discourse. Our news roundup covers troubling developments from the Trump administration alongside a few rays of hope from recent local elections and court decisions. Join us for vocabulary lessons, media criticism, and proof that in America's partisan divide, one side is clearly the problem.

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Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

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Ep 896 | 'It's The Corruption, Stupid' Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

We discuss Chicago politics as 26-year-old progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh challenges veteran Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who may be announcing her retirement after 14 terms in Congress. Then we take a look at Trump's latest projection scheme as his DOJ targets ActBlue while conveniently ignoring WinRed's shady operations. Both sides don't! Only one for-profit fundraising platform skims millions off donations; we connect the dots on how money flows through our political system—and who's really pulling the strings. This episode might be shorter than usual as we prepare for a brief break, but we're packing in the analysis you won't hear anywhere else!

Driftglass will be on the Bob Cesca Show AND the Bradcast on Wednesday 4/30, and we'll be back on the air next week!

Stay in Touch!

Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

Not safe for work.

Support the show

Ep 895 | A Convo with Charlie Pierce Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode is going to be a little more unstructured than usual because we have a very special guest. He is a renowned political journalist and staff writer for Esquire, where he writes the popular blog "Politics with Charles P. Pierce." He's known for his sharp political commentary, incisive humor, and encyclopedic knowledge of American politics and history. He previously wrote for outlets including The Boston Globe, Grantland, and Sports Illustrated. He is also the author of "Idiot America," an indispensable book on American politics and culture.

You know him, you love him, and if you don't, we can’t be friends. Welcome to the Professional Left Podcast, Mr. Charlie Pierce!

Stay in Touch!

Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

Not safe for work.

Support the show

Ep 894 The Shipping News Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 894, "The Shipping News," we explore Pope Francis's passing, compare Easter messages from presidents past and present, and examine how "Mr. Fix The Economy On Day One" is actually doing with tariffs and trade wars. We reveal alarming economic indicators, presidential gaslighting about grocery prices, and share some outrageous local political news. Join us as we connect the dots between Trump's promises and the reality hitting American farmers, workers, and consumers.

Stay in Touch!

Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

Not safe for work.

Support the show

Ep 893: The Monster In The Mirror Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

This week, we're examining the disturbing parallels between past and present as we approach the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. We'll explore how the extremist rhetoric that drove Timothy McVeigh has found new life in today's political landscape.

We dive into the Republican propaganda machine's decades-long strategy of relentlessly blaming liberals for everything—from Newt Gingrich's exploitation of tragedies to the current rewriting of January 6th as patriotic heroism. We'll show how the right's villainization of Democrats created the conditions for both McVeigh's terrorism and today's embrace of similar extremism.

Plus, we'll cover the troubling developments of Trump's second term: government agencies dismantled, whistleblowers threatened, court orders ignored, and economic policies that threaten ordinary Americans. Join us as we connect the dots between the monsters of our past and the reflections we're seeing today.

Stay in Touch!

Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

Not safe for work.

Support the show

Ep 892: She Told Us So Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, we examine the disturbing realities of Trump's America in 2025, where Supreme Court rulings are ignored, critics face politically motivated investigations, and erratic tariff policies create economic chaos. We connect these developments to warnings we shared a year ago about the rise of fascism, reminding listeners that what's happening now was entirely predictable. (Kamala Harris said she wasn't gonna say "I told you so" as she DID.). As we document the administration's escalating attacks on democratic norms, we also highlight the growing resistance nationwide. Join us for a sobering assessment of our current crisis and a discussion about what victory must look like in the fight against American fascism. We told you so - and now we're asking what comes next.

Stay in Touch!

Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

Not safe for work.

Support the show

Ep 891: Stories Over Statistics Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, we dive into why Republicans keep winning the messaging war despite their policies hurting average Americans. We explore how stories consistently triumph over facts in political discourse and why Democrats' reliance on statistics isn't working. From "The Inspector General" to parables in the Bible, we examine how powerful narratives shape public perception more effectively than cold, hard facts. We also break down the absurdity of Trump's tariffs, the mainstream media's underwhelming coverage of protests, and why Medicaid is secretly a middle-class benefit that affects more Americans than you might think. Join us for an episode that might just change how you think about political communication in these chaotic times.

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Ep 890: Killing The Economy To Own The Libs Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Time to dive into Donald Trump's tantrum-driven manufacturing policy and catastrophic tariff regime. We follow the destructive path of his administration as it systematically dismantles Biden's successful manufacturing initiatives - from shutting down EV charging stations to threatening billions in loans for electric vehicle factories. We explain how manufacturing jobs create a powerful multiplier effect (each job creates nine other jobs), and how Trump's policies are now subtracting jobs from the economy.

Then it’s time to give Driftglass space to deliver a scathing analysis of David Brooks' latest Atlantic article, "I Should Have Seen This Coming" - exposing how Brooks has been writing essentially the same column about the GOP "stumbling but recovering" for over 20 years while ignoring the cancer growing within the party.

Plus, we share stories from our recent weekend trip to Chicago, discuss the ongoing manufacturing labor shortage, and highlight the absurdity of Trump administration officials like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins as they attempt to defend these disastrous economic policies.

Join us for another no-holds-barred examination of how conservatives are deliberately destroying economic progress simply to erase Democratic accomplishments.

Mentioned on this episode, "The Find Out Podcast": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-find-out-podcast/id1802722241

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The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, IL 62791

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Ep 889: Glib-eration Day Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, we break down Trump's chaotic new trade war and its immediate devastating impact on the markets. We draw parallels between this administration's trade "liberation" and the Bush-era Iraq War disaster, examining:

The fallout from Trump's sweeping tariff announcements that wiped $1.65 trillion from the US stock market in minutes
The mass layoffs hitting public health agencies, senior services, and cultural institutions
How Elon Musk's DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is driving record job cuts across the country
Surprising Democratic victories in local elections across Wisconsin and Illinois despite Musk spending millions
The ongoing SignalGate scandal expanding as more security lapses are revealed
Laura Loomer's alarming influence over national security personnel decisions

Join us in the Cornfield Resistance for our trademark blend of political analysis, righteous anger, and sardonic humor as we document the latest chapter in Republican mismanagement. As we remind our listeners: "Never forget, it was our Republican neighbors, colleagues and family members who did this. This is what they voted for."

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We are scheduled to be on The Bob Cesca show on 4/9/2025.

Support the show at Patreon.com/proleftpod, or send a letter/contribution to

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, IL 62791

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Ep 888 Suffering No Fools At The Cornfield Resistance! Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

AKA There Is No Trump without Newt.

In episode 888 of The Professional Left Podcast, hosts driftglass and Blue Gal dive into the political landscape of April 1st, 2025, where April Fools Day is effectively canceled at the Cornfield Resistance due to the real Fool occupying the Oval Office.

The hosts examine how Republicans have weaponized language over decades, tracing the destructive path from Newt Gingrich's slash-and-burn politics through Rush Limbaugh's hate radio to Trump's presidency. They contrast this with Democrats' constant pressure to be "civil" and "bipartisan," recalling Senator Durbin's tearful apology for his anti-Gitmo torture comments while Republicans never apologize for anything.

Also covered: Senator Cory Booker's filibuster against hate, the White House Correspondents' Association's capitulation by canceling comedian Amber Ruffin, Elon Musk's dangerous plan to replace the COBOL code running Social Security payments, and a news roundup featuring Trump's latest attacks on democracy—from Signal-gate to tariff impacts, DEI funding cuts, and threats to the Smithsonian.

Don't miss this sharp, unapologetic analysis of why "talking to the other side" isn't viable when the other side has abandoned democratic principles entirely.

More at proleftpod.com.

Driftglass will be on The BradCast with Digby on 4/2/2025. We are scheduled to be on The Bob Cesca show on 4/9/2025.

Support the show at Patreon.com/proleftpod, or send a letter/contribution to

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show