Left of Lansing

Left of Lansing
  • 5.0 (11)
  • 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. Friday Short: Progressivism Is Essential For Michigan & Country

    2d ago

    Friday Short: Progressivism Is Essential For Michigan & Country

    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 June 19, 2026! This week, Michigan Democratic State Senate candidate for most of the Upper Peninsula, Kelli Van Ginhoven, talked with me about her her campaign on Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast. I asked KVG if she thought of herself as a progressive Democrat, and KVG said in today's time, being progressive is "essential." In this week's "Friday Short," I piggyback off of KVG's statement, and explain why progressivism is essential in Michigan and around the country as the working class gets further behind the untouchable Epstein Class. There's a reason why many progressive candidates, and progressive-populist messages, are winning. Because, progressivism is essential to saving the working class. To hear the entire interview with Kell Van Ginhoven, and the entire episode: https://audioboom.com/posts/8918186-kelli-van-ginhoven-s-people-powered-campaign-for-the-upper-peninsula Click here to vote on this week's Web Poll on "Data" pronunciation. 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/@SpaceLeopardNOTES:Kelli Van Ginhoven State Senate District 38 campaign sitehttps://www.kvgforsenate2026.com/KVG's Facebook Campaign Page: https://www.instagram.com/kellifordistrict38/KVG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellifordistrict38/#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #WorkingClass #Economy #Immigrants #ICE #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DataCenters #EpsteinClass #Affordability #MedicareForAll #HealthCare #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    5 min
  2. Kelli Van Ginhoven's People-Powered Campaign For the Upper Peninsula

    3d ago

    Kelli Van Ginhoven's People-Powered Campaign For the Upper Peninsula

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #183 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-1:00: Jessica's Show Open1:01-4:04: New MI Dem Senate Poll4:05-4:50: McMorrow Upset w/Poll4:51-6:05: Polls Show Trends Toward Dr. Abdul6:06-7:20: Stevens Fights For Status Quo7:21-7:45: KVG Interview Preview7:46-9:09: MOU Iran War Deal?9:10-10:25: Trump Has No Choice10:26-11:00: $300Bil For Iran11:01-11:41: No Point To Iran War11:41-13:23: Can't say "war" in MI MAGA House13:25-14:27: MAGA Hates Free Speech14:28-15:00: MI House can't criticize DTE15:01-16:00: DTE No Fed Taxes Again16:01-16:25: Can't Say DTE or WAR16:26-16:56: KVG coming up.16:57-17:41: Jessica & MI Cities Liner17:42-18:12: Contact Pat18:13:-19:05: Kelli Van Ginhoven (a.k.a KVG) Interview Intro.Click here to learn more about KVG's campaign for Michigan's State Senate District 38https://www.kvgforsenate2026.com/19:06-20:00: Enjoying Campaigning20:01-20:24: Daily Campaign Travel In UP20:25-22:45: Balancing Campaign While Still on Delta Co. Board22:46-25:20: KVG's victories over MAGA Delta County Board 25:21-25:40: Decision to for State Senate25:41-26:06: KVG only Dem To Win Board Seat26:07-28:13: KVG on Progressive Label28:14-29:29: KVG Being Working Class Candidate29:30-29:49: Pat on MAGA Being Extreme Party29:50-31:54: Dems Writing-Off U.P.31:55-33:20: KVG on Bridging U.P. & Downstate MI33:21-34:30: U.P. Used To Be BLUE34:31-35:00: KVG on Making U.P. Blue Again35:01-36:17: KVG on Unions36:18-36:49: KVG's On Corrections Contract Victory 36:50-37:05: Union Endorsements37:06-37:33: High % Union Members in U.P. Back Republicans37:34-38:05: KVG Opposes RTW38:06-41:01: KVG On Housing Affordability41:02-44:32: KVG on Data Centers44:33-45:20: Working Class Feel Left Out on Data Centers45:21-46:45: KVG on Ending Status Quo46:46-47:56: Contact KVG47:57-48:38: Jessica Liner to Email Pat48:39-49:32: Thank You KVG!49:33-51:50: How the "UniParty" backs Data Centers51:51-52:18: Data pronunciation web poll52:19-54:42: Last Call-MI is safe for LGBTQ+54:43:-55:08: Jessica Liner on Wanderbeats55:09-56:02: Ending56:03-56:53: Jessica Outro Click here to vote on this week's Web Poll on "Data" pronunciation. 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/@SpaceLeopardNOTES:Kelli Van Ginhoven State Senate District 38 campaign sitehttps://www.kvgforsenate2026.com/KVG's Facebook Campaign Page: https://www.instagram.com/kellifordistrict38/KVG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellifordistrict38/ "Matt Hall’s House Office Is Now Policing the Word 'War.'" By Distill Social "Michigan pollster accuses McMorrow campaign of killing unfavorable Senate poll." By Adam Wren of Politico "DTE paid no federal income taxes for 12th straight year despite more than $1.5B profit." By Minnah Arshad of Michigan Advance "After House leaders again decline to hear Pride Month resolution; LGBTQ Caucus reads it outside." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Read the transcript of the US draft of the memorandum of understanding over Iran war." By The Associated Press #podcast #politics #progressive #Progressives #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Michigan #UpperPeninsula #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #CorporateAuthoritarianism #GovernmentCorruption #IranWar #Israel #Gaza #War #Genocide #MiddleEast #Election #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #MalloryMcMorrow #MichiganSenateRace #Senate #MikeRogers #EpsteinClass #WorkingClass #Unions #LGBTQ #Economy #Inflation #MedicareForAll #Affordability #WhiteChristianNationalism #FreeSpeech #Freedom #KelliVanGinhoven #Housing #DataCenters #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    57 min
  3. Monday Musing: MAGA & Establishment Dems Work To Stop Michigan Progressives

    6d ago

    Monday Musing: MAGA & Establishment Dems Work To Stop Michigan Progressives

    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 June 15, 2026. Over the weekend, many Establishment Democrats criticized Michigan's progressive and working class Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, for suggesting the Trump Regime practices is two-tiered justice system.  Dr. Abdul as speaking in response to The Regime's charging of 8 pro-Palestinian protesters on the University of Michigan campus. After denouncing the threatening and vandalism against university officials, businesses, and law enforcement by the protesters, Dr. Abdul mentioned how it's interesting that The Regime goes after one group (that's critical of Israel), yet allowed January 6th insurrectionists to go free.  That is a statement of fact.  However, and sadly, many establishment Democrats not only cheered on The Trump Regime's corrupt Department of Justice and FBI, but they criticized Dr. Abdul for making a sane and salient point.  Which proves yet again how MAGA and Establishment Democrats will join forces to stop progressives, like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, from winning.  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 "Feds wrapped U-M protest case in baseless terrorism rhetoric, attorneys say." By Steve Neavling of The Detroit Metro Times "On UM charges, Abdul El-Sayed says justice isn't applied equally." By Craig Mauger of The Detroit News "Judge grants bond for four pro-Palestinian U-M students charged with vandalism, transmitting threats." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #DemocraticSocialism #Michigan #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #Protesting #Gaza #UofM #PoliticalViolence #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Israel #workingclass #Law #EpsteinClass #FreeSpeech #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    7 min
  4. Friday Short: Trump Regime's Gutting of Michigan's Solar & Wind Energy

    Jun 12

    Friday Short: Trump Regime's Gutting of Michigan's Solar & Wind Energy

    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 June 12, 2026. Michigan continues to be one of the top states for solar installations even as The Trump Regime's been busy gutting solar and wind energy projects. At a time when the country needs as much energy as possible, and for cheaper prices, The Trump Regime is doing everything in its power to keep forcing fossil fuels on the working class.  It's just more evidence showing how The Regime works more on behalf of The Epstein Class (which includes oil and gas industries), than it does for working Americans.  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: "Solar energy remains in demand, particularly in Michigan, industry group reports." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Michigan lost billions in climate-related investments in Trump’s first year." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "The Trump admin paid a French company $1 billion to not build offshore wind farms. Blue states are suing." By Ella Nilsen of CNN "Michigan House votes to undo Michigan clean energy standards." By Colin Jackson of Michigan Public Radio News #podcast #politics #Progressive #Democrats #CleanEnergy #WindEnergy #Solar #FossilFuels #Trump #Michigan #Republicans #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Oil #IranWar #WorkingClass #Economy #Jobs #Inflation #Prices #Energy #Authoritarianism #Democracy #WorkingClass

    5 min
  5. The Establishment Machine's Fight To Stop The Progressive-Populist Uprising

    Jun 11

    The Establishment Machine's Fight To Stop The Progressive-Populist Uprising

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #182 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-16:10: The Establishment Machine Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston cites another insightful article by Danielle Moody & Jared Yates Sexton from The DAM Digest (we mistakenly gave credit to Sexton's "Dispatches From A Collapsing State," but please visit there, too!), on how the political establishment wants to keep the working class trapped in a cycle of comfort. While The Epstein Class keeps gaining more power and more wealth as it's never being held accountable for its crime and corruption, political and corporate media elites join forces to blunt a progressive-populist movement. But as we're seeing across the nation, and in Michigan, the working class is beginning to rise-up by backing progressive-populist campaigns.  16:11-32:00: Establishment Machine Part 2 Pat continues explaining the ways the elite corporate and political establishment machine keeps enriching their power and wealth while telling the working class there's not much they can do. Whether it's the Trump Regime's & Israel's War on Iran, or high inflation, or government working with data centers, or how Michigan political elites created cushy government pensions while working on decimating working class programs, The Establishment believes the working class will just accept the system as is. And it did for a long time, but not anymore. 33:00-42:31: Why Pat Waves Stars & Stripes In the "Last Call," Pat explains why he proudly waves the American Flag, especially while living in these authoritarian times.  42:32-44:26: 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:"The Comfort of the Cage: Why America Chooses Complicity Over Accountability." By Danielle Moody & Jared Yates Sexton of The DAM Digest "41 former Michigan lawmakers collecting six-figure 'Cadillac' pensions." By Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News "UAW Endorses Secretary Jocelyn Benson and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Critical Michigan Races for Governor and U.S. Senate." By The United Auto Workers "Michigan Civil War Gov. Austin Blair is only person honored with statue at Capitol." By Alyssa Burr of MLive.com "Trump has a new, surprising take on the higher cost of living: ‘I love the inflation.’" By Josh Boak of The AP "House votes down Tlaib measure to withdraw U.S. troops from Lebanon." By Melissa Nann Burke of The Detroit News #podcast #politics #Progressives #Democrats #Michigan #Trump #Republicans #MAGA #workingclass #Establishment #Populism #Economy #Inflation #Jobs #IranWar #Israel #AIPAC #IranWar #Lebanon #War #DefenseSpending #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #DataCenters #BigTech #EpsteinClass #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens Donors #RashidaTlaib #GovernmentCorruption #GrahamPlatner #Election #Authoritarianism #Fascism #WhiteChristianNationalism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    44 min
  6. Monday Musing: Establishment Dems Fail At Learning Lessons

    Jun 9

    Monday Musing: Establishment Dems Fail At Learning Lessons

    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 June 8, 2026. Some establishment Michigan Democratic officials, like former Attorney General nominee Karen McDonald, fail to learn why it is they aren't reaching Democratic Party base votes, as well as independent voters. McDonald suffered are stunning defeat against here progressive opponent, Eli Savit, at the party's nominating convention last month.  But instead of realizing her message didn't resonate with Democratic and independent working class Michiganders, McDonald is starting what she calls a "Common Sense Coalition PAC." That's McDonald's way, and many corporate-establishment Democrats' way, of saying they know what's right and that THEY are the ones who should always be in power, even if they're on the opposite and extreme side of the party.  So much for "VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO," right Karen?  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: "Spurned by Dem convention voters, former AG candidate Karen McDonald launches ‘common sense’ PAC." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

    6 min
  7. Line 5 Shutdown Battle Continues, But It's Already Caused Massive Harm

    Jun 4

    Line 5 Shutdown Battle Continues, But It's Already Caused Massive Harm

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #181 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-9:57: Mike Rogers' Beta Campaign Pat Johnston opens this week's show pointing-out how feeble MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers', really is as his campaign used Artificial Intelligence to give him a muscular body. These MAGA Republicans claim they're "manly men," but they're really just insecure little Beta men. Pat talks about how whenever he shares social media posts about Michigan progressive Democratic Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, he gets bombarded by a rush of racist and Islamophobic comments by MAGA voters. But they're following MAGA Republicans in Congress, who have no issue spewing their hatred and racism against Arab-Americans. And a Michigan Republican voted with Democrats to end the Trump Regime's, and Israel's, War on Iran. 9:58-31:00: Line 5 Jeffrey Insko Interview Dr. Jeffrey Insko of The Current returns to the show as he shares some of the latest news surrounding the fight to close the Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. They also discuss how Line 5 has negatively impacted Michigan's environment and public health. And they cover how the Trump Regime is working with the Canadian owner of Line 5 to keep it open for years to come.  31:03-46:01: Whitmer & Data Centers In this week's "Last Call," Pat gives his take on Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's decision to heartily embrace hyper-scale data centers in Michigan. Gov. Whitmer declares the huge data center in Saline Twp. will be a long-term victory for Michigan. However, many working class Michiganders, as well as many Lansing Democrats, believe lining-up with the billionaire tech bro authoritarians will hurt Michigan in a number of ways.  46:01-48:24: 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:Visit Oil & Water Don't Mix "Chemical Valley and the Line 5 Death Toll." By Jeffrey Insko of The Current "Supreme Court rules for Michigan in effort to shut down Line 5 but fight not over." By Associated Press (via Michigan Public Radio)"Michigan plans to reissue Line 5 permit amid federal review, court fight." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "Where’s a folder when you need one?" By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Gov. Whitmer addresses data centers day after Saline groundbreaking." By Arpan Lobo of The Detroit Free Press "Saline data center brings out bigwigs. Big day for Michigan or big betrayal?" By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan "Democrats Split on Saline Data Center Groundbreaking with OpenAI Founder." By Sam Robinson of Michigan Chronical "Iran vote caps Trump’s congressional losing streak." By Connor O'Brien & Leo Shane III of Politico #politics #podcast #progressives #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Michigan #Line5 #Environment #Jobs #WorkingClass #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #GreatLakes #ClimateChange #IranWar #Trump #Israel #Gaza #MikeRogers #AbdulElSayed #Economy #WilliamLawrence #TomBarrett #GretchenWhitmer #DataCenters #EpsteinClass #CorporateWelfare #TechBros #Authoritarianism #Democracy #Left of Lansing

    48 min
  8. Monday Musing: "Centrist" Dems Rather See MAGA Win Than Progressives

    Jun 1

    Monday Musing: "Centrist" Dems Rather See MAGA Win Than Progressives

    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 June 1, 2026. Pat Johnston explains why Democratic Party insiders are doing their best to block progressive-populists, like Michigan's Democratic Senate Primary frontrunner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and others across the country, from winning.  These corporate-Democratic elites would rather fight to keep their cushy jobs in Washington D.C. and Michigan than really fight to represent the working class.  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: Graham Platner’s wife ‘deeply hurt’ after extramarital sexting goes public--CNN Inside Politics  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-cmlCwlXtU

    7 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 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
    412
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Left of Lansing

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