Left of Lansing

Left of Lansing
  • 5.0 (13)
  • News
  • Updated Semiweekly

An insight into Michigan's progressive political and pop cultural scene. Pat Johnston highlights how the progressive movement is helping shape Michigan's political landscape with opinion and interviews. It's time to make Michigan's political machine work for the people!

  1. 19h ago

    Michigan Primary Primer: Will Progressives Score Major Victories Across the State?

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #189 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-19:05: AIPAC, DTE, & Data Centers Pat Johnston discusses why working class Michiganders have turned more populist, and why accepting AIPAC, or DTE, or other corporate PAC money is hurting several candidates in different races. Also, working class Michiganders are irate over the rush to build hyper-scale A.I. data centers, and specific Democrats are being rewarded for opposing the Big Tech Bros' data centers.  19:05-31:40: Working Class-America First Populism Progressive candidates, like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Aisha Farooqi, Kyle Blomquist, Diop Harris II, Donovan McKinney, Ivan Diaz, or Kelli Van Ginhoven, are resonating with voters in different areas across Michigan because they present a strong, working class and America First agenda. It's an agenda that pushes to revitalize a forgotten working class by focusing on a people-centered over a profit-centered campaign. It's an agenda that aims to strengthen unions, expand opportunities, make housing affordable, advocating for our farmers, Abolishing ICE, taxing the rich, ending costly wars, making the Epstein Class face more accountability, and fighting back against The Trump Regime.  31:41-39:10: Electability If Abdul El-Sayed, and other Michigan progressive candidates, win the primary, and then goes on to win the general election, doesn't that end the corporate-establishment Democratic Party argument that progressives can only win in blue cities? 39:11-43:43: Quicksand Ending Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Vote on this week's LOL Poll!!! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Three licks and a question: Who is Gretchen Whitmer governing for?" By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Quicksand: How Gen X Was Right All Along." By Sarah Kendzior in Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter "Fact check: Ads take El-Sayed out of context to claim he ‘disrespects women.’" By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan "State canvassers finds Michigan’s ‘Money out of Politics’ effort has sufficient valid signatures." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "New report slams Michigan for slowest power restoration nationwide." By WDIV-Channel 4 News in Detroit #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #HaleyStevens #AishaFarooqi #KelliVanGinhoven #KyleBlomquist #DataCenters #TomBarrett #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #CitizensUnited #Line5 #FossilFuels #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Michigan Primary Primer: Will Progressives Score Major Victories Across the State?

  2. 3d ago

    Monday Musing: Whitmer Endorses Stevens, and Why

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 27, 2026. LOL's Pat Johnston's take on why Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is endorsing Congresswoman and Ms. AIPAC Haley Stevens over working class candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.  Establishment's gonna establishment! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Gretchen Whitmer endorses Haley Stevens in Michigan’s contentious Democratic U.S. Senate battle." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance #podcast #politics #progressive #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #HaleyStevens #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel  #Line5 #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: Whitmer Endorses Stevens, and Why

  3. 6d ago

    Friday Short: Vote Blue No Matter Who...Unless Progressives Win?

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 24, 2026. A couple of Michigan Democratic Party establishment members either announced they can't support a more progressive nominee, or that a progressive candidate is misogynist.  LOL's Pat Johnston illustrates how Democratic "centrist" Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, and former Democratic Attorney General candidate, Karen McDonald, are showing all of us that the entire "Vote Blue No Matter Who" mantra was completely one-sided.  To hear the complete episode featuring LOL's "Show Voice" Jessica Shepherd:https://audioboom.com/posts/8931343-pat-johnston-w-the-lol-show-voice-jessica-shepherd Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Michigan Democrat Refuses to Say She’ll Support El-Sayed If He Wins His Primary In Blistering Interview." By Alex Griffing of Mediaite "Karen McDonald sounds off state Democratic Party, needs clearer understanding of where party is heading." By Charlie Langton & Jack Nisson of Fox 2 Detroit News #podcast #politics #progressive #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #PeteHegseth #Election #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #JessicaShepherd #HaleyStevens #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #EliSavit#CitizensUnited #Line5  #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: Vote Blue No Matter Who...Unless Progressives Win?

  4. Jul 23

    Pat Johnston w/ The LOL "Show Voice" Jessica Shepherd!

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #188 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-9:48: Low "T" MAGA/MI Dem Won't Back Nominee Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston opens the show with Secretary of Defense...er... sorry... Secretary of WAR, Pete Hegseth, wants more testosterone in the military. But Pat thought we were against gender-affirming care? Also, Pat laments how a member of the Michigan Democratic Party Establishment refuses to endorse a Democrat! Karen McDonald lost against the more progressive Eli Savit in the Michigan Democratic Party's Attorney General nominee. But McDonald refuses to support Savit's campaign. What happened to Vote Blue No Matter Who? 9:49-47:00: Show Voice Jessica Shepherd Left of Lansing's "Show Voice," Jessica Shepherd, is in Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast's luxurious studio in Pat's mid-Michigan attic! Jessica and Pat talk about her decision to volunteer for Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's U.S. Senate campaign in Michigan's Democratic Primary race. They talk about what led to her decision to lend her hand in the campaign, why she believes Dr. Abdul could truly represent the working class in the Senate, and why he is the more electable choice to take on MAGA Republican "Florida" Mike Rogers in the general election. https://abdulforsenate.com/ 48:30-53:35: Last Call--Whitmer's Line 5 Betrayal Pat goes-off on Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's latest betrayal, which is allowing a tunnel to be constructed around the Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.  53:36-55:54: Ending Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Three licks and a question: Who is Gretchen Whitmer governing for?" By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Tribes, environmental advocates decry Michigan’s approval of Line 5 permits." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Canadian hockey sticks, wine and cement subject to new Trump tariffs." By Ashley Murray of Michigan Advance "Hegseth directs troops over 30 to have testosterone checked." By Steven Beynon & Sony Salzman of ABC News "Karen McDonald sounds off state Democratic Party, needs clearer understanding of where party is heading." By Charlie Langton & Jack Nisson of Fox 2 Detroit News #podcast #politics #progressive #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #PeteHegseth #Election #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #JessicaShepherd #HaleyStevens #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #EliSavit#CitizensUnited #Line5 #FossilFuels #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Pat Johnston w/ The LOL "Show Voice" Jessica Shepherd!

  5. Jul 20

    Monday Musing: Dem Leaders Endorse Crypto & AIPAC Congressman Shri Thanedar

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 20, 2026. Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. House endorsed cryptocurrency & AIPAC Congressman Shri Thanedar of Detroit over his working class progressive candidate, State Rep. Donovan McKinney. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries claims that Rep. Thanedar will fight for the affordability of all Michiganders, and take-on the Trump Regime. Yet, all evidence points to the contrary when it comes to Thanedar's record. Pat Johnston explains why this endorsement shows how Democratic Party leaders still are not getting the working class anger spreading across Michigan, and the country. Click here to help State Rep. Donovan McKinney's campaign!!! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Two-Thirds of Shri Thanedar’s Campaign Cash Came Through AIPAC as He Lost Over $600K." By Akela Lacy of The Intercept #podcast #politics #progressive #WorkingClass #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Michigan #ShriThanedar #DonovanMcKinney #Cypytocurrency #Trump #Israel #WarPowers #Detroit #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #HakeemJeffries #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing #MondayMusing

    Monday Musing: Dem Leaders Endorse Crypto & AIPAC Congressman Shri Thanedar

  6. Jul 17

    Friday Short: Trump Makes Diarrhea Great Again!

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 17, 2026! Michigan is the epicenter of the Cyclosporiasis outbreak, where over a thousand Michiganders are sick after ingesting a small parasite that causes explosive diarrhea. This outbreak has hit over 2,000 people in Michigan and 17 other states. State and federal health officials are investigating the source of this outbreak, but they're investigating with one hand tied behind their backs. That's thanks to The Trump Regime's CDC scaling back efforts to investigate and control foodborne outbreaks, like Cyclosporiasis. Pat Johnston explains how moves like this by The Regime is in line with what this Regime is all about: Protecting the corporate class, otherwise known as The Epstein Class. Click here to vote on LOL Weekly Poll: Will A Candidate's Stance on Israel Play A Key Role in How You'll Vote in the August Primary?Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "What experts say you should do during Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak." By Kristen Jordan Shamus of The Detroit Free Press "Trump’s CDC Stopped Monitoring Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Before Outbreak." By Marni Rose McFall of Newsweek #podcast #politics #Michigan #Progressives #Cyclosporiasis #Health #Government #GovernmentCorruption #CDC #RKFJr #MAHA #MAGA #Democrats #Trump #Republicans #EpsteinClass #DonorClass #CorporateCorruption #Musk #PFAS #Fascist #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: Trump Makes Diarrhea Great Again!

  7. Jul 16

    People Representing People--Ben Ambrose For Michigan Congress

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #187 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-16:18: Abdul & Prop Tax; Michigan Accent LOL's Pat Johnston is befuddled by Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed brought-up the idea of eliminating the property taxes for senior citizens. Pat's also befuddled by the accent of the other Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Haley Stevens. But then, people don't think Pat's got a real Michigan accent either, so... 16:19: 43:00: Ben Ambrose Interview Democratic candidate for Michigan's 2nd Congressional District, Ben Ambrose, talks with Pat about his campaign to defeat incumbent MAGA Republican Congressman John Moolenaar. They talk about his life story living in Oceana County, enlisting and serving in the Marine Corps, and then how he was personally affected by the Trump Regime's DOGE. They also cover Mr. Ambrose's economic and education ideas, as well as his thoughts on data centers, immigration, John Moolenaar's devotion to the donor class, and how he's running on a "people representing people" campaign. Visit Ben Ambrose's campaign: https://ambrose4congress.com/Donate to Ben Ambrose's Campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/benjamin-ambrose-2 43:01-52:32: Last Call-Stevens Disaster In the "Last Call," Pat covers some baffling attacks by the Haley Stevens campaign against Abdul El-Sayed while AIPAC continues to pour millions into the race on behalf of Stevens. 52:33-54:53: Ending Vote on this week's poll if you approve of Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Program aims to eliminate $700M in medical debt for Wayne County residents." By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Fact check: Abdul El-Sayed overstates claim he erased $700M in medical debt." By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan "Stevens or El-Sayed? Latest polls show who leads in US Senate primary." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Michigan House passes property tax cut bills, holds off on tax increases to fill budget hole." By Colin Jackson of Michigan Public Radio "US House votes to advance bill to sanction ICC over Israel arrest warrants." By Al Jezeerra  "Did Rx Kids lose $20M in Michigan budget deal? Depends who you ask." By Jordyn Harmani & Robin Erb of Bridge Michigan #podcast #progressive #politics #Michigan #Democrats #WorkingClass #EpsteinClass #BenAmbrose #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #JohnMoolenaar #WealthInequality #Israel #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #datacenters #Education #Economy #MidMichigan #ICE #DetentionCamp #GeoGroup #Affordability #Unions #Farmers #Election #MedicareForAll #AIPAC #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #BigTech #Fascism #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    People Representing People--Ben Ambrose For Michigan Congress

  8. Jul 13

    Monday Musing: Big Gretch Whitmer Turned Into a Big Sell-Out

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 13, 2026. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed nine bills that were passed when Democrats held the government trifecta back in 2024.  But Michigan MAGA Republican House Speaker Matt Hall blocked those bills from reaching Whitmer's desk once Republicans took control of the state House. However, Democrats took Republicans to court, and won, and those bills finally reached Whitmer's desk this past Friday... only to have Whitmer veto these working class bills.  Pat Johnston explains why Whitmer's veto shows not only how much she's sold-out her "Big Gretch" credentials, but how it shows exactly why Democratic base voters are hungry for new blood in the Democratic Party.  Click here to vote on LOL Weekly Poll: Will A Candidate's Stance on Israel Play A Key Role in How You'll Vote in the August Primary?Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Michigan Supreme Court sends bills to Whitmer, who stuns with surprise vetoes." By Rick Pluta and Rick Brewer of Michigan Public Radio #podcast #politics #Michigan #progressives #Democrats #Whitmer #MAGA #Republicans #MattHall #Trump #WorkingClass #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #BigTech #DataCenters #Corrections #Unions #UAW #Teachers #Fascism #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: Big Gretch Whitmer Turned Into a Big Sell-Out
See All (428)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

An insight into Michigan's progressive political and pop cultural scene. Pat Johnston highlights how the progressive movement is helping shape Michigan's political landscape with opinion and interviews. It's time to make Michigan's political machine work for the people!

Information

  • Creator
    Left of Lansing
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    428
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Left of Lansing