Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 9/1/2025 The way people consume almost every variety of media, entertainment, and art is different now than it was only 10-15 years ago. That means that the way protest music, revolutionary art, and even mass market productions and performances are going to be different, feel different, and likely find you in different ways than in the past. But the drive to create never dies and art will always be part of the resistance to oppression. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email 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! KEY POINTS (00:49:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the strength of diversity that comes through in art DEEPER DIVES (00:56:08) SECTION A: CULTURE (01:29:28) SECTION B: ART (02:20:20) SECTION C: MUSIC (02:46:54) SECTION D: ANDOR SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of street art depicting a stenciled version of Putin and Trump kissing a la the art on the Berlin Wall satirically depicting the “fraternal kiss” between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic. Credit: “Hamburg 2020” by Ittmust | CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Slightly cropped

Air Date: 8–28-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - How scientific empires fall Ch. 2 - How fascists of the past have destroyed their country’s scientific progress in fear of inconvenient truths Ch. 3 - How other countries are taking the opportunity to poach American scientists Ch. 4 - Living in a society that is shifting away from believing in evidence based science Ch. 5 - The 1938 pro-science manifesto that defended democracy against fascism BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm - Trump’s eugenicist mindset and what we didn’t have time for from our main articles   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: AOL Dial-Up Ending Reminds Us That All Empires Collapse Eventually - Kotaku Every Scientific Empire Comes to an End - The Atlantic What’s Behind the Rejection of Science? - American Laboratory Attacks on the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Are an Attack on a Wellspring of American Prosperity - American Progress The World Is Wooing U.S. Researchers Shunned by Trump - NY Times Science Caught in a Rip Tide: How Authoritarianism Sweeps Away Evidence-Based Policy - USC.org This 1938 pro-science manifesto defended democracy against fascism - Big Think   MEMBERS ONLY Attacks on the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Are an Attack on a Wellspring of American Prosperity - American Progress   TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach 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 Write to the DNC   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

Air Date 8/27/2025 RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again movement aren't completely wrong about everything, they often identify the larger structural problems with the US health industrial complex even if their proposed solutions are wildly off the mark. But the problem they failed to see coming when partnering with Trump and the Republicans is that they're only going to be allowed to misguidedly defund and dismantle parts of the government that support health which is in line with the broader burn-it-all-down vibes of the MAGA movement, but under no circumstances will they be allowed to implement new regulations that might actually do the public some good at the expense of corporate interests because that would go against the pro-corporate/deregulation obsession of the Republican Party. So, MAHA might be a mixed bag but what the country is getting is a lose/lose. 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! 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! KEY POINTS KP 1: RFK Jr. Is Putting American Lives At Risk Part 1 - What A Day - Air Date 8-8-25 KP 2: What the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Part 1 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 8-4-25 KP 3: Aryn Melton Backus of 'Fired But Fighting' on RFK's War on Public Health Part 1 - The BradCast - Air Date 8-11-25 KP 4: Despite 'MAHA' Fuss, Truth of Trump Admin's Health Priorities Seen in Drastic Cuts - The Briefing - Air Date 5-23-25 KP 5: The Nutrition Lies We All Fell For Part 1 - Rich Roll - Air Date 8-11-25 KP 6: Dr. Mikes Fight to Save Medicine From RFK Jr. Part 1 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 8-4-24 KP 7: You're on Your Own MAHA Dismantles Public Health Rob Wallace & Rita Valenti Part 1 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 8-7-25 (00:53:06) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why regulations are written in blood DEEPER DIVES (01:01:33) SECTION A: MAHA AGENDA A1: Kennedy's MAHA Report Targets Vaccines, Food Supply and Prescription Drugs - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 5-22-25 A2: Raul Ruiz Absolutely Hammers RFK Jr. Over MAHA Report 'That's Lying And Dishonest' - Forbes Breaking News - Air Date 6-24-25 A3: 270 Kennedy's Bloodbath Part 1 - Conspirituality - Air Date 8-14-25 A4: RFK Jr.'s New Vaccine Advisors Signal Big Changes to Come - Short Wave - Air Date 6-30-25 A5: RFK Jr. Is Putting American Lives At Risk Part 2 - What A Day - Air Date 8-8-25 A6: 270 Kennedy's Bloodbath Part 2 - Conspirituality - Air Date 8-14-25 A7: You're on Your Own MAHA Dismantles Public Health Rob Wallace & Rita Valenti Part 2 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 8-7-25 (01:53:49) SECTION B: THE GRIFTERS B1: What the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Part 2 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 8-4-25 B2: Make America Healthy Again Part 1 - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 8-18-25 B3: The Nutrition Lies We All Fell For Part 2 - Rich Roll - Air Date 8-11-25 B4: Dr. Mikes Fight to Save Medicine From RFK Jr. Part 2 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 8-4-24 B5: Make America Healthy Again Part 2 - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 8-18-25 (02:36:28) SECTION C: CON-TRADICTORY POLICIES C1: The Nutrition Lies We All Fell For Part 3 - Rich Roll - Air Date 8-11-25 C2: 4 Ways SNAP Benefits Will Change After Trump's Big Policy Act - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 8-9-25 C3: Aryn Melton Backus of 'Fired But Fighting' on RFK's War on Public Health Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 8-11-25 C4: Ending Corporate Harm Undue Influence Within Corporate Product Health and Safety with Dr. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH - Cult Conversations The Influence Continuum - Air Date 7-28-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite image showing a circular screen grab showing from HHS Secretary RFK Jr. wearing the MAHA hat and pulling down the brim to show the “Make America Healthy Again” text, on a green background. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Image Source: HHS “Netzpolitik Demonstration for press freedom in Berlin” by Sebaso, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: 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

Air Date 8/24/2025 The nature of politics and public policy is that there's always a need to balance opposing interests. Almost nowhere is there a more intractable set of opposing interests than in the attempt to protect children from harmful content on the internet while maintaining free access to adults, particularly because people wildly disagree about what qualifies as harmful and what degree of privacy invasion is an acceptable tradeoff. 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! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Age Verification Will Kill Free Speech Online - Taylor Lorenz - Air Date 6-6-25 KP 2: Can the UK Child-proof the Internet? - Front Burner - Air Date 7-31-25 KP 3: Social Media Is Making Us Self-Censor - The Bitchuation Room (with Francesca Fiorentini) - Air Date 8-14-25 KP 4: Republicans Want to Redefine 'Obscenity' - Here's Why That Should TERRIFY You - What A Day - Air Day 5-17-25 KP 5: Meet the Creepy Pro-Trump Billionaire Profiting Off of Internet Censorship - The Humanist Report - Air Date 8-7-25 KP 6: Freedom to Connect: Aaron Swartz (1986-2013) on Victory To Save Open Internet, Fight Online Censors - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-14-13 (00:46:37) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the need to demand serious arguments about serious issues DEEPER DIVES (00:52:04) SECTION A: AGE VERIFICATION (01:19:18) SECTION B: SAVE THE CHILDREN (01:45:50) SECTION C: CENSORSHIP (02:20:34) SECTION D: ANTI-PORN AGENDA   SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a stack of protest signs that say “Fight for your digital rights!” Credit: “Netzpolitik Demonstration for press freedom in Berlin” by Sebaso, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date 8/20/2025 There's been a faction of conservatives who have been trying to instill king-like powers into the presidency for a long time, so it shouldn't be surprising that Trump is getting so much help from the packed court and the apparatchiks in the states who are more than happy to turn their precious federalism on its head as long as their king is in charge. 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! 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! KEY POINTS KP 1: Justifying Democracy w/ Osita Nwanevu - The Majority Report - Air Date 8-11-25 KP 2: Texas Hold Dems - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-7-25 KP 3: Fighting Fire with Fire with Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez - The Practivist Pod - Air Date 8-7-25 KP 4: Bruce Bueno De Mesquita The Five Rules of Power Politics - Big Think - Air Date 5-13-12 KP 5: When Unaccountable People Come for Your Vote - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 7-26-25 KP 6: Executive Lawlessness w/ Leah Litman on the Supreme Court Enabling Presidential Overreach Part 1 - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 7-18-25 KP 7: Leah Litman on the Grievance and Conspiracy Theories That Run SCOTUS Part 1 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-11-25 (00:50:56) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how fascists run interference DEEPER DIVES (01:03:07) SECTION A: GRIFT AND FORCE A1: Trump's Presidential Library Grift. Plus, the Hacker Behind the NYTs Mamdani Story. - On the Media - Air Date 7-25-25 A2: Trump Threatens National Guard Deployment to DC - DSR Daily - Air Date 8-11-25 A3: Loyalty Over Competence At Trump's Justice Department - What A Day - Air Date 7-31-25 A4: Trump Deploys National Guard - HasanAbi - Air Date 8-14-25 A5: Trump Press Secs Weird Fawning Rant Goes Awry as Poll Slide Worsens - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 8-1-25 A6: U.S. Profoundly Changed by Authoritarian Leader; 'We're Beyond Waiting and Seeing Now' - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 8-4-25 A7: How Today's Tensions Mirror Pre-Civil War America - Why, America? with Leeja Miller - Air Date 8-8-25 (02:00:53) SECTION B: GERRYMANDERING B1: Republicans Ramp Redistricting Fight up to a 10 - No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen - Air Date 8-10-25 B2: Fighting Fire with Fire with Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez Part 2 - The Practivist Pod - Air Date 8-7-25 B3: TEXAS HOLD DEMS Part 2 - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-7-25 B4: Republicans Ramp Redistricting Fight up to a 10 Part 2 - No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen - Air Date 8-10-25 B5: U.S. Profoundly Changed by Authoritarian Leader; 'We're Beyond Waiting and Seeing Now' Part 2 - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 8-4-25 B6: Justifying Democracy w/ Osita Nwanevu Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 8-11-25 B7: How Today's Tensions Mirror Pre-Civil War America Part 2 - Why, America? with Leeja Miller - Air Date 8-8-25 (02:52:39) SECTION C: COURTS C1: Stacking the Bench with Creeps and Kooks - Strict Scrutiny - Air Date 8-4-25 C2: Leah Litman on the Grievance and Conspiracy Theories That Run SCOTUS Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-11-25 C3: When Unaccountable People Come for Your Vote Part 2 - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 7-26-25 C4: Stacking the Bench with Creeps and Kooks Part 2 - Strict Scrutiny - Air Date 8-4-25 C5: Executive Lawlessness w/ Leah Litman on the Supreme Court Enabling Presidential Overreach Part 2 - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 7-18-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Image of a king of diamonds playing card with a king with orange skin and blonde hair, and a nervous expression on his face, against a dark American flag. Credit: “king-card-casino-diamond” via 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

Air Date: 8–19-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch.1 - The Trump administration’s unprecedented attempts to get your data from the states Ch. 2 - Why Trump’s new private health tracking system is a wolf in sheep’s clothing Ch. 3 - How HIV patients suffering in the 80s, 90s and early 00s from constant health data breaches is a hint of what could come Ch. 4 - Why a new UK law trying to protect children from seeing terrible things online is doing more harm than good Ch. 5 - Tips on keeping your digital privacy intact as best as you can in this data hungry world BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only): How an activist organization used debanking to make video game companies censor their content, where that tactic might lead, and more. A funny thing happened on the way to recording… (blooper)   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: States Have More Data About You Than the Feds Do. Trump Wants to See It. - NY Times Trump Announces Plan to Launch Private Health Tracking System With Big Tech Firms - Time HIV & Civil Rights: A Report from the Frontlines of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic - ACLU Blocking Access to Harmful Content Will Not Protect Children Online, No Matter How Many Times UK Politicians Say So - EFF 'A disaster waiting to happen' — Cybersecurity experts react to UK age verification law - Toms Guide UK Age Verification Laws: How to Comply & Stay Safe in 2025 - WizCase MEMBERS ONLY Steam and Itch.io Are Pulling ‘Porn’ Games. Critics Say It’s a Slippery Slope to More Censorship - Wired     EXTRAS SOLVED! #7 - The Deficiency of Efficiency: Why govt is inefficient BY DESIGN, & more - SOLVED! (Recorded April 2025) All 2025 Health Information Data Breaches (Source: HHS.gov) 2025 Data Breach (Account info for Apple, Facebook, Google, GitHub, Telegram, and government platforms)     TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Air Date 8/16/2025 There's the old Douglas Adams quote stating that, "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job" which is a good general rule to live by. But then there are the real baddies, those would-be leaders who possess one or more of the dark triad of traits that spells real doom for the societies that elevate them to power: narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism. Today we compare and contrast Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu. Xi Jinping also fits nicely on this list as an honorable mention but happens to not be part of the focus today. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! 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! KEY POINTS KP 1: The World War II Lessons Trump, Putin, & Netanyahu Actually Learned - Tad Stoermer - Air Date 8-8-25 KP 2: 'Not About Crime': Maddow CRACKS OPEN Trump's Real Motives in Deploying the National Guard to D.C. - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 8-11-25 KP 3: Totally Unexpected - HasanAbi - Air Date 8-7-25 KP 4: 'No International Community Is Capable of Stopping Netanyahu' - James O'Brien on LBC - Air Date 7-22-25 KP 5: Kyiv-based Analyst: 'Ukraine Is Being Sidelined From Talks' - LBC - Air Date 8-10-25 KP 6: How Putin's Lies Are Driving the War in Ukraine The Foreign Affairs Interview - The Foreign Affairs Interview - Air Date 1-12-23 KP 7: Donald Trump Wants to Seize Your Reality - Mother Jones - Air Date 8-8-25 (00:49:39) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why humanity is better than we seem and how we can save ourselves ‘Self-termination is most likely’: the history and future of societal collapse DEEPER DIVES (00:57:15) SECTION A: TRUMP THE LIAR A1: Trump Rejects Reality - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 8-5-25 A2: Trump Pushes Forward with Revenge Presidency - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 8-8-25 A3: Ed Elson Slams Trump Firing Labor Statistics Boss: 'This Is What Cartoon Dictators Do' - Katy Tur - Air Date 8-1-25 A4: Trump Vs. the Bureau of Labor Statistics - The Journal. - Air Date 8-4-25 A5: Trump Thinks You're Very Stupid - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-9-25 (01:32:17) SECTION B: NETANYAHU THE MANIPULATOR B1: Gaza Takeover: Israel Launches New Stage of 'Indefinite, Genocidal Military Campaign' -Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-8-25 B2: Why Bibi Netanyahu Is on Trial - ABC News In-depth - Air Date 4-26-24 B3: DEBUNKED: 14 Israeli LIES About Gaza Famine - Owen Jones - Air Date 8-8-25 B4: Mehdi Hasan Explains Why the War in Gaza Wont End Soon - LBC -Air Date 8-5-25 B5: Trump's Intervention in Netanyahu's Corruption Trial 'Unprecedented': Gideon Levy - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 6-30-25 (02:09:13) SECTION C: PUTIN THE STRATEGIST C1: Does Putin Have Dark Triad Traits? | Vladimir Putin Case Analysis - Dr. Todd Grande - Air Date 2-23-22 C2: What Happens When You Confront Putin in Public - Penguin History - Air Date 8-7-25 C3: Why Putin Is so Hard to Overthrow - Search Party - Air Date 8-18-23 (02:27:11) SECTION D: MYTHS COLLAPSE D1: Shocking Study Proves Trumps Biggest Supporters Are Psychopaths - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-11-25 D2: America's Authoritarian Turn - Harvard Radcliffe Institute - Air Date 3-3-25 D3: Huge Economic Problems Coming for Republicans and the U.S. - Heather Cox Richardson - Air Date 8-7-25 D4: How Gaza Exposes The Myths Of The System - Andrewism - Air Date 8-5-25 (03:07:29) SECTION E: THE MEN BEHIND THE THRONE E1: Who's the Man Who Has Putin's Ear? - NewsNation - Air Date 4-8-22 E2: From Terrorist Backer to Kingmaker: Itamar Ben-Gvir Israeli Far Right Help Netanyahu Regain Power - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-4-22 E3: Bezalel Smotrich: Far-right Israeli Minister Calls for Resettlement of Gaza After War - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 12-31-23 E4: Aleksandr Dugin: The Far-right Theorist Behind Putins Plan - 60 Minutes - Air Date 4-12-22 E5: Why Did Israel Restart the War? One Answer: Bezalel Smotrich. - Consider This From NPR - Air Date 3-28-25 E6: Project 2025 Co-Author Lays Out 'Radical Agenda' for Next Trump Term in Undercover Video - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-16-24 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A composite image of a pleased-looking Trump holding up a triangle that says “The Dark Triad” in the center, and “Narcissism”, “Machiavellianism”, and “Psychopathy” along each side. Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Benjamin Netanyahu are pictured underneath. Credit: “The Dark Triad” by Manitee71, Wikimedia Commons, License: CC-By-SA 4.0 | “Putin-politics-kremlin-russia” by DimitroSevastopol, Pixabay, License: Pixabay | “Xi Jinping 2019” by Palácio do Planalto, Wikimedia Commons, License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 | “31/03/2019 Jantar na Residência do Primeiro-Ministro de Israel” by Palácio do Planalto, Flickr, License: CC-BY-2.0   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

Air Date 8/12/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month, we're covering the full spectrum of authoritarian threats—military in the streets, surveillance in our phones, conspiracies in our feeds, and corruption at the top—before turning to the grassroots organizers and Democratic Socialists who are building the resistance and winning. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email 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! PART 1: DIRECT STATE VIOLENCE (00:01:34) #1719 - The Fascist Playbook: Immigrants, Brown Shirts, and the Backlash 1: Tanks on DC's Streets and a Us Senator in Handcuffs - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 6-14-25 2: Papers, Please Hayes Flags New Police Tactic Trend in Trumps America - All in w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 6-19-25 3: Palantir Peter Thiel's Data-mining Firm Helps Doge Build Master Database to Surveil Immigrants - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-3-25 (00:22:14) #1722 - Imbalance of Powers: The Supreme Court and Executive Branch Collude for Unchecked Power Grab 4: SCOTUS May End Birth Right Citizenship Soon - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-30-25 5: The Injunction Ban, Explained - Leeja Miller - Air Date 6-30-25 6: ‘Lawlessness Will Flourish’: Scotus Justice Issues Chilling Warning After Major Ruling - The Beat - Air Date 6-27-25 PART 2: SYSTEMIC DESTRUCTION (00:39:30) #1723 - Scam Nation: Trumpism is the Art of Screwing You Over in Every Way Possible 7:  Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 8:  Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger Mcnamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk, & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 8: The Real Reason Investors Are Going All in on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 (01:02:26) #1721 - The Evolution of the Military Industrial Complex: Now with AI! 10: Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 11: Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 12: The REAL Reason Investors Are Going All In on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 PART 3: REALITY MANIPULATION (01:23:14) #1725 - A Flood of Disinformation: A World of Climate Change and Conspiracies 13:  Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different - Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 14: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 15: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25 (01:42:48) #1726 - Epstein Forever: Trump flails as criticism finally comes from inside the MAGA house 16: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25 17: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25 18: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich, & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25 19: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24 Part 4: Global Chaos (02:12:24) #1718 - On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops 20: Jon Stewart on Israel’s "Urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & Maga’s Blame Game - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-16-25 21:  “A Show of Human Solidarity”: Ex-U.S. Diplomat to Join Global March to Gaza to Break Israel’s Siege - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-10-25 (02:32:30) #1727 - Super-Powered Men For Good and Ill: Fascism, Media, and the Manoshpere 22: Tired of Putin's 'Bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 23: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 24:  Brief Mehdi Hasan vs Jordan Peterson - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 PART 5: BUILDING RESISTANCE (02:54:25) #1720 - Building an Organized Left, the Eternal Oxymoron 25: Ralph Nader’s Message to Doomers: "Stop Making Excuses!" - Current Affairs - Air Date 6-22-25 26: “We Fight for Working People with No Apology”: Zohran Mamdani Beats Cuomo in Nyc Mayoral Primary - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-25-25 27: Is Protesting Ineffective? | Penny for Your Thoughts - Dasia Sade - Air Date 6-23-25 (03:21:46) #1724 - How to Socialism: Einstein liked socialism, you think you know better? 28:  Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory w/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25 29: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25 30: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump Never Will - UNFTR Media - Air Date 7-15-25     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

Air Date: 8–10-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin was on vacation!) discuss: How modern fascism does not look like the jarring and brutal images people think of, and the “rituals of conformity” in Nazi Germany that remind us of another era we’ve lived through How despotism affects the citizen psyche and how to counter those effects The importance of countering Orwellian language under fascism Advice on living under authoritarianism, with a big focus on community for sanity and resistance BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only): A look at the way societies have collapsed throughout history and where the U.S. falls in the pattern   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: Life in authoritarian states is mostly boring and tolerable - Vox Rituals of Conformity in Nazi Germany - The Montreal Review The Psychological Impact of Despotism on Citizens: Development Implications - GaradeSud The Language of Surrender - Notes from the Circus How to Live Under Authoritarianism (And Protect the People You Love) - Dispatch Revolution   BACKSTAGE: History shows that societies collapse when leaders undermine social contracts - Phys.org   TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach 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 Write to the DNC   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!

Air Date 8/10/2025 Trump has been condemning the media for all of his professional life and is pretty open about doing it so that people won't believe the negative press he so richly deserves. Now, with the power of the presidency, he's turned his battle with the press into a protection racket complete with payoffs and side deals in an attempt to turn the media into pro-Trump propaganda. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email 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! PART 1: DIRECT STATE VIOLENCE (00:01:34) #1719 - The Fascist Playbook: Immigrants, Brown Shirts, and the Backlash 1: Tanks on Dc's Streets and a Us Senator in Handcuffs - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 6-14-25 2: Papers, Please Hayes Flags New Police Tactic Trend in Trumps America - All in W/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 6-19-25 3: Palantir Peter Thiel's Data-mining Firm Helps Doge Build Master Database to Surveil Immigrants - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-3-25 (00:22:14) #1722 - Imbalance of Powers: The Supreme Court and Executive Branch Collude for Unchecked Power Grab 4: SCOTUS May End Birth Right Citizenship Soon - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-30-25 5: The Injunction Ban, Explained - Leeja Miller - Air Date 6-30-25 6: ‘Lawlessness Will Flourish’: Scotus Justice Issues Chilling Warning After Major Ruling - The Beat - Air Date 6-27-25 PART 2: SYSTEMIC DESTRUCTION (00:39:30) #1723 - Scam Nation: Trumpism is the Art of Screwing You Over in Every Way Possible 7: Is Ai Productivity Worth Our Humanity W/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 8: Empire of Ai: Karen Hao & Roger Mcnamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 8: The Real Reason Investors Are Going All in on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 (01:02:26) #1721 - The Evolution of the Military Industrial Complex: Now with AI! 10: Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 11: Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 12: The REAL Reason Investors Are Going All In on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 PART 3: REALITY MANIPULATION (01:23:14) #1725 - A Flood of Disinformation: A World of Climate Change and Conspiracies 13: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different Part 2- Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 14: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 15: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25 (01:42:48) #1726 - Epstein Forever: Trump flails as criticism finally comes from inside the MAGA house 16: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25 17: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25 18: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25 19: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24 Part 4: Global Chaos (02:12:24) #1718 - On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops 20: Jon Stewart on Israel’s "urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & Maga’s Blame Game - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-16-25 21: “A Show of Human Solidarity”: Ex-u.s. Diplomat to Join Global March to Gaza to Break Israel’s Siege - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-10-25 (02:32:30) #1727 - Super-Powered Men For Good and Ill: Fascism, Media, and the Manoshpere 22: Tired of Putin's 'bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 23: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 24: Brief Mehdi Hasan Vs Jordan Peterson - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 PART 5: BUILDING RESISTANCE (02:54:25) #1720 - Building an Organized Left, the Eternal Oxymoron 25: Ralph Nader’s Message to Doomers: "stop Making Excuses!" - Current Affairs - Air Date 6-22-25 26: “We Fight for Working People with No Apology”: Zohran Mamdani Beats Cuomo in Nyc Mayoral Primary - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-25-25 27: Is Protesting Ineffective? | Penny for Your Thoughts - Dasia Sade - Air Date 6-23-25 (03:21:46) #1724 - How to Socialism: Einstein liked socialism, you think you know better? 28: Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory W/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25 29: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25 30: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump Never Will - Unftr Media - Air Date 7-15-25   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

Air Date 8/6/2025 Today's slate of topics may feel disjointed at first until you realize that they're not. We set out to produce an episode in which we explored powerful men and those who look up to them from various angles and so that ended up including both real and fictional men from supervillains to superheroes. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Tired of Putin's 'Bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 KP 2: What Does Trump See in Putin? Part 1 - The Foreign Affairs Interview - Air Date 3-14-25 KP 3: Russia's Indoctrination Machine Ft. Ian Garner Part 1 - The New Liberal Podcast - Air Date 5-31-25 KP 4: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers Part 1 - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 KP 5: Why the Right Hates James Gunn's Superman and Loves the Snyderverse Part 1 - Cinema Survivors - Air Date 7-16-25 KP 6: Super Mad About Superman Part 1 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-18-25 KP 7: Brief Mehdi Hasan Vs Jordan Peterson Part 1 - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 KP 8: Mehdi Hasan Jubilee Debate Left Me Speechless Part 1 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-22-25 (01:02:25) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why supporting the rich and powerful is pathetic DEEPER DIVES (01:10:31) SECTION A: RUSSIA (01:46:10) SECTION B: MANOSPHERE (02:21:33) SECTION C: DEBATE CULTURE (03:39:51) SECTION D: SUPERMAN/MEDIA

Original Air Date: 7–22-2023 Today, we take a look at the action needed to curb and adapt to the extreme weather that climate change is already delivering Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Climate and Energy Journalist Andrew Freedman on the Spate of Record-Shattering Extreme Weather - The BradCast - Air Date 7-10-23 Ch. 2: Bill McKibben Climate Crisis Needs Urgent Action as Earth Records Hottest Temps Ever - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-7-23 Ch. 3: Climate and Energy Journalist Andrew Freedman on the Spate of Record-Shattering Extreme Weather Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 7-10-23 Ch. 4: Emily Sanders on How Not to Interview an Oil CEO, Kaufman & Bozuwa on Fighting Climate Disrupters - CounterSpin - Air date 7-7-23 Ch. 5: Climate Precipice & Israel’s Palestinian Expulsion w Bill McKibben, Basel Adra - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-12-23 Ch. 6: To Be Forewarned The Historical Record on Climate Change - WhoWhatWhy - Air date 7-14-23 Ch. 7: Disaster Unpreparedness - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-13-23 Ch. 8: How Will the Next Generation of Cities Address the Challenges of Climate Change? - VOX - Air Date 6-15-23 Ch. 9: Emily Sanders on How Not to Interview an Oil CEO, Kaufman & Bozuwa on Fighting Climate Disrupters Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air date 7-7-23 Ch. 10: Rep. AOC Reintroduces the Green New Deal on its 4th Anniversary - RepAOC - Air Date 4-20-23 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

Air Date: 8-1-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The impact of A.I. LLM “friend” bots on childhood development How using A.I. LLMs negatively impacts critical thinking and information retention The importance of understanding how A.I. LLM tools work before using them The ways in which A.I. LLM tools could and shouldn’t help movements on the Left, and evaluating the risks BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!) - The Gen Z Stare, and the incidents of A.I. LLM-induced psychosis   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: AI Will Never Be Your Kid’s Friend - The Atlantic ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study - Time MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated - The Conversation What Happens When People Don’t Understand How AI Works - The Atlantic Steve Jobs on Why Computers Are Like a Bicycle for the Mind (1990) - The Marginalian Progressive grassroots activist groups must adopt AI or risk irrelevance - Sacramento Bee Final Thoughts & A Warning: AI as a Tool, Not a Substitute for Thinking - Harvard Kennedy School - Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation Can AI Chatbots Worsen Psychosis and Cause Delusions? - Psychology Today     TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach 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 Write to the DNC     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!

Air Date: 7/31/2025 Who would have thought that a political movement built almost exclusively on conspiracy theories and a cult of personality would end up being threatened by the cult leader being implicated in the biggest and worst conspiracy coverup… even though it’s been well documented for decades? Content warning for detailed accusations leveled against Trump and Epstein by their alleged victims. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! 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: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25 KP 2: Trump Launches Wild Conspiracy Theory Smokescreen After Being Named in Epstein Files - What a Day - Air Date 7-24-25 KP 3: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25 KP 4: Lame Duck Trump Can't Deny Epstein Shockers: Wolff - The Daily Beast Podcast - Air Date 7-18-25 KP 5: Why They're Protecting Jeffrey Epstein's Secrets (w/ Julie K. Brown) - Lever Time - Air Date 7-6-25 KP 6: Epstein Exposed: Trump, Mossad & the Elites Dark Secrets - Double Down News - Air Date 7-21-25 (00:51:26) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the role of human psychology in conspiracies and authoritarianism DEEPER DIVES (00:58:55) SECTION A: THE VICTIMS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS A1: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25 A2: As State Department Office Combating Human Trafficking Faces Cuts, Former Leader Weighs in - Pbs Newshour - Air Date 7-8-25 A3: How Miami Herald's Investigation & Jeffrey Epstein Survivors Helped Blow up a Sweetheart Deal - Miami Herald - Air Date 12-19-19 A4: Documentary: Who Is Jeffrey Epstein, Accused of Sexually Abusing Teen Girls? - Miami Herald - Air Date 11-29-18 (01:34:23) SECTION B: BROKEN NEWS: WE'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE B1: William Barr Pretends to Care About Jeffrey Epstein's Demise - The Majority Report W/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-2-25 B2: The 'completely Unprecedented' Plea Deal Jeffrey Epstein Made with Alex Acosta - Pbs Newshour - Air Date 7-18-19 (01:49:11) SECTION C: IS THERE A DEEPSTATE? C1: Chris Hedges: Trump, Epstein and the Deep State - The Chris Hedges Youtube Channel - Air Date 7-2-25 C2: ‘Big Revelation’: Fbi Was Ordered to Flag Epstein Records Mentioning Trump, Says Senator - All in with Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-18-25 C3: What's Really Going on Between Ghislaine Maxwell and Trump's Justice Department #1680 - David Feldman Show - Air Date 7-22-25 (02:14:19) SECTION D: ENIGMAS NEVER DIE D1: Who Is Leslie Wexner? Narrated by Margaret Cho - Nowthis - Air Date - 12-13-21 D2: Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Sexual Blackmail Networks (w/ Nick Bryant) - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 7-16-25 D3: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24 (02:39:05) SECTION E: THE MEDIA IS BAD THIS E1: Desperate Distractions Have Trump Caught in a Time Warp?! - Internet Today - 7-22-25 E2: BREAKING: Trump Is Confirmed in the Epstein Files | Hasanabi Reacts - Hasanabi Productions - Air Date 7-23-25 E3: The Trumpepstein Story Is Not a Conspiracy Theory - Rebecca Watson (skepchick) - Air Date 7-16-25 (03:02:29) SECTION F: TRUMP & HIS BASE F1: The Epstein Files Are Not Going Away | Explainer - Heather Cox Richardson - Air Date 7-22-25 F2: Mehdi Hasan: Why the Dems Are 'failing' on Trump's Epstein Scandal - Lbc - Air Date 7-23-25 F3: Flirting with Civil War: Trumps Dangerous New Rhetoric - Mallen Baker - Air Date 7-24-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a bus stop in the UK with a large photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump. An unidentifiable person in a hoodie and yellow vest is closing the bus stop frame. Credit: “Put this photo everywhere for Trump's UK visit” via Crowdfunder by user Everyone Hates Elon | Changes: 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

Air Date: 7-27-2025 Back when I worked in the climate movement, just after the turn of the century, we knew that the extreme weather we were warning about would become ever-more clear to see in people's lived experiences and assumed that any doubts people had about the science of climate change would be wiped away with the evidence they could see with their own eyes as weather became more intense and less predictable. Of course, we didn't foreseen that we were headed straight into the eye of a storm of partisan conspiracism that would fully take over a third of the political spectrum. But here we are, head for high ground. The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell Ebook Audiobook Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email 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! KEY POINTS KP 1: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different - Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 KP 2: Trump Press Secs Fury at Media Over Texas Flood Exposes Worst of Maga - The Daily Blast - Air Date 7-9-25 KP 3: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters Part 1- Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 KP 4: Republicans Get Exposed on Fox Live - The Adam Mockler Show - Air Date 7-10-25 KP 5: Weekly Roundup: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-11-25 KP 6: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25 KP 7: Disasters, Natural and Man-made Part 1 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-8-25 (00:51:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why we need to fight ignorance with research The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell Ebook Audiobook DEEPER DIVES (00:57:45) SECTION A: FLOOD DETAILS A1: Texas Flooding Tragedy Was Both Predictable and Predicted Part 1 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-7-25 A2: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different Part 2- Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 A3: Texas Flooding Tragedy Was Both Predictable and Predicted Part 2 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-7-25 A4: This Is Not a Good Time to Cut Funding for Weather Forecasting - Even More News - Air Date 7-8-25 (01:33:24) SECTION B: FASCIST REGIME B1: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-11-25 B2: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters Part 2 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 B3: Devastating Texas Floods Highlight Stakes of Vital Weather Services Amid Reckless Trump Cuts - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 7-8-25 B4: Trump Press Secs Fury at Media Over Texas Flood Exposes Worst of Maga Part 2 - The Daily Blast - Air Date 7-9-25 B5: Disasters, Natural and Man-made Part 2 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-8-25 B6: GOP's Conspiracy Theorist Problem Worsens as Flood Disasters Trigger Misinformation Frenzy - The Briefing - Air Date 7-11-25 (02:13:59) SECTION C: CLIMATE POLICY CAPTURE C1: A Brighter Climate Future Really Part 1 - The Insurgents - Air Date 7-12-25 C2: The War on Climate Change Policy W/ Lauren Windsor Part 1- The Majority Report - Air Date 7-18-25 C3: Idea: Let Big Oil Dump Its Fracking Into Our Lakes, Rivers, Etc. - Jim Hightower's Radio Lowdown - Air Date 7-10-25 C4: The War on Climate Change Policy W/ Lauren Windsor Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-18-25 C5: How the 'big Beautiful Bill' Is Bad for the Climate Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-8-25 C6: A Brighter Climate Future Really Part 2 - The Insurgents - Air Date 7-12-25 C7: How the 'big Beautiful Bill' Is Bad for the Climate Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-8-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photograph of a damaged bridge in Kerr County, TX over the high river running under it in the wake of the deadly July flood. Credit: “Texas Floods Devastate Local Communities” by World Central Kitchen, Flickr | License: CC BY 4.0 | Changes: 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

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! KEY POINTS KP 1: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump NEVER Will - UNFTR Media - Air Date 7-15-25 KP 2: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, The Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25 KP 3: Why We Don't Revolt - Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber - Air Date 6-18-25 KP 4: Socialism for Absolute Beginners - Second Thought - Air Date 5-6-22 KP 5: Why We Should Fight For Paid Family Leave ft Natasha Hakimi Zapata - THIS IS REVOLUTION podcast - Air Date 2-20-25 KP 6: What If We Ran The Economy? - Andrewism - Air Date 2-3-25 (00:47:58) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the US being inwardly focused to our own detriment DEEPER DIVES (00:57:10) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT A1: Socialism Is Better Than Capitalism...Right? - Hakim - Air Date 1-31-21 A2: SOCIALISM: An In-Depth Explanation Part 1 - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 8-27-22 A3: Einstein's Socialism - Against the Grain - Air Date 11-25-24 A4: Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism - Balkan Odyssey - Air Date 11-22-24 A5: SOCIALISM: An In-Depth Explanation Part 2 - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 8-27-22 (01:45:23) SECTION B: FAILURE TO LAUNCH B1: Envisioning Socialist Futures: Planning the Economy Part 1 – 1Dime Radio Podcast - Air Date 8-30-24 B2: Why Are People Scared of Socialism? - Make Your Damn Bed - Air Date 6-27-25 B3: "Socialism Always Fails": A Dishonest Claim (3 Times It Worked) - overzealots - Air Date 9-4-24 B4: Zohran Mamdani on NPR: Democratic Socialism, Bernie Sanders, MLK, Making NYC Better for Billionaires - Socialism For All ☭ Intensify Class Struggle - Air Date 7-4-25 (02:16:09) SECTION C: CAPITALISM SUCKS C1: American Healthcare is a Nightmare - Second Thought - Air Date 3-17-25 C2: "Socialism Leads to Dictatorship": Debunked (3 Times Capitalism Did) - overzealots - Air Date 3-1-25 C3: Historic Medicaid & SNAP Cuts Could Tank Already Faltering U.S. Economy, w/ Prof. Richard Wolff - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 6-4-25 (02:42:05) SECTION D: MAMDANI D1: Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory w/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25 D2: Zohran Mamdani on Affordability, Billionaires, and Fighting Hate | Morning Edition | NPR - NPR - Air Date 7-1-25 (02:55:29) SECTION E: VISION OF THE FUTURE E1: Envisioning Socialist Futures: Planning the Economy Part 2 – 1Dime Radio Podcast - Air Date 8-30-24 E2: Could Socialism Fix American Healthcare? - The Real News Network - Air Date 12-19-24 E3: It's Time To Abolish Debt - Andrewism - Air Date 7-1-25 E4: Another World is Possible (w/ Natasha Hakimi Zapata) | Scheer Intelligence - ScheerPost - Air Date 3-31-25 E5: How To Prevent Collapse - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 3-14-25 E6: What Can We Do When The System Fails Us? - Andrewism - Air Date 4-23-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Image of a fist bursting out of the desolate, rocky ground. Credit: “Fist-struggle-revolution” by olenchic, 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

Air Date: 7–22-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The need for universal childcare and the pressure release valve of fighting your employer over working from home The need for universal benefits and the pressure release valve of gig workers fighting for a patchwork of crumbs from giant corporations The need to get rid of the business model of tipped jobs and the pressure release valve of fighting over tipping culture and taxing The need for expanded social welfare programs and better wages and the pressure release valve of expanding food banks The need for effective federal disaster support and universal healthcare and the press release valve of GoFundMe culture   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES:   Exploring portable benefits for gig workers - Brookings Institute Ride-Hailing Apps Make Traffic Worse - And Now They’re Admitting It - Futurism Tipping Is Racist and Harms Us All — It’s Past Time to Eliminate It - Inequality.org Expanding food banks is no substitute for tackling poverty, charities warn - The Guardian GoFundMe Is The New FEMA - Wessiler via Substack GoFundMe Is a Boon for Disaster Survivors. Especially the Wealthy Ones. - The New York Times How GoFundMe Perpetuates Myths of Merit and Deservingness - MIT’s The Reader GoFundMe CEO - Dropout.tv For Trump’s ‘no taxes on tips,’ the devil is in the details - The Conversation   EXTRAS: Snopes: Investigating claims Kerr County rejected Biden admin's $10M offer to improve flood warning systems - Snopes via Yahoo News Study Erin mentions at 00:28:38 showing those in lower economic class think they are higher than they are. - Marketplace Did politics delay approval of Kerr County life-saving infrastructure? - Chrom.com (Former Houston Chronicle digital))   TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach 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 Write to the DNC     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!

Original Air Date: 10–16-2020 Transcript Today we take a look at the history and origins of the American militia movement right up to the recent plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, the likelihood of more violence and the high probability that they will show up at polling places on Election Day. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads! Join our Discord community! 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: FBI Foils Right-Wing Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Months After Trump Urged "Liberation" of State - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-9-20 Just months after President Trump tweeted for his supporters to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" the FBI has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap and take hostage Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer. Ch. 2: Ohio has long history with militias; 2020 saw a surge in activity - WBNS 10TV - Air Date 10-9-20 A group of men plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan met in Dublin. Ch. 3: Rise of Violent Militias Prompts National Fears After Foiled Kidnapping Plot - The Takeaway - Air Date 10-12-20 Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, and Daryl Johnson, owner of DT Analytics and former senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, discuss the implications for the upcoming election. Ch. 4: Mary McCord on Unlawful Militias - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-9-20 Mary McCord, a law professor at Georgetown University & legal director at the school's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and an expert on unlawful militias that manage to be part of the political landscape while somehow escaping media. Ch. 5: Great Replacement Theory - RE-EDUCATION - Air Date 8-16-19 This theory has become mainstream. Ch. 6: Protests Put Spotlight on the Relationship Between Armed White Vigilantes, Militia Groups, and Law Enforcement - The Takeaway - Air Date 8-31-20 Armed vigilantes and militia groups are showing up to Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Ch. 7: Robert Evans Are We In a Second Civil War? - The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow - Air Date 10-13-20 Robert Evans explains what we need to do to avoid a second Civil War Ch. 8: Kathleen Belew Explains the Long History of the White Power Movement and its Global Plans for "Race War" - The Truth Report w. Chauncey DeVega - Air Date 5-26-19 Belew explains white supremacy is a cultural, social and political problem not just the pathology of a small number of people, what "white power" means, and how white supremacist and other right-wing foot soldiers preparing for various forms of "race war" Ch. 9: Did Trump's "Liberate Michigan" Result in Kidnapped Governor? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-8-20 Donald Trump told his followers to "liberate Michigan". They answered by attempting to kidnap Governor Whitmer. SHOW IMAGE: "aIMG_0841" & "cIMG_1169b" & "01IMG_7336" by Becker1999 (Paul and Cathy), Flickr | License | Changes: Composite of 3 different images, cropped, added black background and red design    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

Air Date 7/16/2025 It increasingly feels like we are completely past the era of legitimate differences in political philosophy and policy preferences. Now that the Republican governing style has been completely consumed by Trumpism, we've entered the era of scam politics which fits nicely with Trump's traditional retail scams, capitalism's continual reinvention of financial scams, and the new age of crypto scams. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email 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! KEY POINTS KP 1: Weekly Roundup Mamdani and the Rebirth of Birtherism + Christofascism in the Big Bill - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-4-25 KP 2: Make America Uninsured Again Part 1- Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-25 KP 3: Michael Galant on Sanctions & Immigration, LaToya Parker on Budgets Racial Impacts - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-20-25 KP 4: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25 KP 5: The Big Beautiful Bill, Explained Part 1- Leeja Miller - Air Date 7-2-25 KP 6: Why Private Equity Is Buying Hospitals & Shutting Them Down - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-26-25 KP 7: Mind-Boggling Trump Voters Suddenly Learn Hes Screwing Them Badly - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 6-30-25 KP 8: Trump Supporters SEETHE After Getting SCAMMED by His Meme Coin He Fed Us Part 1 - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-20-25 (00:56:27) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how desperation drives scams and how progressive populism can turn the tide A Pale Blue Dot of Anxiety: Why humans commit despicable acts (SOLVED #9 — 5-23-25) DEEPER DIVES (01:03:55) SECTION A: BIG BEAUTIFUL SCAM A1: Make America Uninsured Again Part 2 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-25 A2: The Big Beautiful Bill, Explained Part 2 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 7-2-25 A3: Most Massive Transfer of Wealth Upward in American History John Nichols on Trump's Budget Law - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-7-25 A4: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25 A5: Trump Accounts A Drop in the Leaky Bucket Part 1 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-19-25 A6: GOP Budget Bill Would Make ICE Largest Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the History of the Nation - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-2-25 A7: Mind-Boggling Trump Voters Suddenly Learn Hes Screwing Them Badly Part 2 - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 6-30-25 A8: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) Part 3 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25 A9: Trump Accounts A Drop in the Leaky Bucket Part 2 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-19-25 A10: GOP Budget Bill Would Make ICE Largest Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the History of the Nation Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-2-25 A11: Weekly Roundup Mamdani and the Rebirth of Birtherism + Christofascism in the Big Bill Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-4-25 (02:39:46) SECTION B: TRUMPS PERSONAL SCAMS B1: STUNNING NEW DETAIL about Trumps Corruption $100K Watches, MAGA Bibles, Billion Dollar Crypto Scam Part 2 - Pod Save America - Air Date 7-5-25 B2: Vietnam Sidesteps Their Own Laws To Give Trump A MAJOR Bribe - Ring of Fire - Air Date 5-27-25 B3: Trump LOSES IT as ABC host Calls OUT MAJOR Scam - MeidasTouch - Air Date 6-2-25 B4: STUNNING NEW DETAIL about Trumps Corruption $100K Watches, MAGA Bibles, Billion Dollar Crypto Scam - Pod Save America - Air Date 7-5-25 B5: Trump Supporters SEETHE After Getting SCAMMED by His Meme Coin He Fed Us Part 2 - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-20-25 (03:19:19) SECTION C: OTHER SCAMS C1: Economist's Scary Warning Trump's Tariff Are a SCAM to Make Billionaires Richer w/ Greg Palast - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-5-25 C2: EXPOSED 90 Deals In 90 Days Trump Scam IMPLODES Spectacularly - Secular Talk - Air Date 7-7-25 C3: Why the United States Is Really Losing to China (w/ Kishore Mahbubani) - Current Affairs - Air Date 7-2-25 C4: Hudson's Bay How Private Equity Destroyed North America's Oldest Brand - Spoke Media - Air Date 6-27-25 C5: Rule by Private Equity w Megan Greenwell Part 1 - Behind the News - Air Date 7-7-25 C6: Private Equitys Ruthless Takeover Of The Last Affordable Housing In America Part 1 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-18-25 C7: Rule by Private Equity w Megan Greenwell Part 2 - Behind the News - Air Date 7-7-25 C8: Private Equitys Ruthless Takeover Of The Last Affordable Housing In America Part 2 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-18-25 C9: Who Wins in Trumps Deregulation Spree - Robert Reich - Air Date 7-8-25 C10: Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) Man Goes to the U.S. South and Tells the Brutal Truth - Kanie Laing - Air Date 7-8-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite of a high contrast image of Trump smirking and giving a thumbs up, over the outline of the US filled in with the flag, and the word SCAM over his chest. Credit: Composite design A. Hoffman. Elements from Pixabay. Trump, Scam, US | 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

Air Date: 7–13-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: ⁃ The calculated, propaganda motives behind “Mar-a-Lago face” and bizarre MAGA hyper-femininity ⁃ How MAGA uses Kristi Noem’s “Border Barbie” vibes to attempt to soften its vicious immigration policy, and project victimization ⁃ How bad AI imagery is now the look of modern fascism ⁃ The cruelty of the White House X account - a propaganda machine of memes (run by Groypers) ⁃ The Right’s psychopathic treatment of immigrants, and bracing ourselves for what’s coming next ⁃ …and more in BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (MEMBERS ONLY!) FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: MAGA glam isn’t about beauty — it’s about politics - Vox The “Delicate, Beautiful, Tiny” Fascism of Kristi Noem - Mother Jones AI: The New Aesthetics of Fascism - New Socialist The Gleeful Cruelty of the White House X Account - The Atlantic The Right’s Cruelty to Immigrants Is Psychopathic - Current Affairs EXTRAS: @Novaramedia and @blindboyboatclub (The video on Trump and wrestling that Erin couldn’t recall during the show!) MEMBERS ONLY Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real - The Guardian TAKE ACTION: July 17th - National Day of Action - Good Trouble Lives On One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach 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 Write to the DNC Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01 Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening!