Left of Lansing

Left of Lansing
  • 5.0 (14)
  • News
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 6d ago

    Monday Musing: John James & Mike Rogers Always Backed Trump's War On Iran

    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 October 5, 2026! Thanks to some excellent reporting by Bridge Michigan, Michigan MAGA Republicans John James & "Florida" Mike Rogers are betting on working class Michiganders forgetting how much they supported The Trump Regime's War on Iran just a few short months ago. But we aren't forgetting, as LOL's Pat Johnston notes.  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: "Fact check: Mike Rogers, John James shift positions on Iran war." By Miles MacClure for Bridge Michigan #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Voting #WorkingClass #MikeRogers #AbdulElSayed #JocelynBenson #JohnJames #Israel #Gaza #Genocide #IranWar #GovernmentSpending #Economy #GasPrices #War #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #CorporateClass #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: John James & Mike Rogers Always Backed Trump's War On Iran

  2. Oct 1

    Media & Political & Data Center Coverage w/ Michigan Advance's Jon King

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #195 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-16:30: Latest MI Election Polls LOL's Pat Johnston opens the show highlighting some recent polls showing progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed leading MAGA Republican "Florida" Mike Rogers in the pivotal U.S. Senate race in Michigan. The trend in many polls are shifting towards Dr. Abdul, and perhaps that's why "Florida" Mike is sounding more like Dr. Abdul on the campaign trail! Suddenly, Rogers says Trump's & Israel's War on Iran must end, and that we also need a moratorium on new A.I. data centers! Polls are also showing Democrat Jocelyn Benson with a huge lead over MAGA Republican Congressman John James. 16:45-45:00: Jon King of Michigan Advance Interview Jon King is the Editor-in-Chief of Michigan Advance, our favorite source for Michigan news and politics, joins the show to talk about how corporate media is failing the country in these tumultuous times. They talk about The Trump Regime's effort to ban certain news organizations from covering The White House, but they wonder why it took so long for them to finally stand together and fight back. This is why "access journalism" sometimes does more damage than good. They also talk about how paywalls are preventing citizens from learning what's happening in their government, and Michigan Advance's weekly data center coverage as that issue will be a crucial issue in next month's election. Follow Jon King on Twitter: https://x.com/JonKingNews 45:01-53:30: MI Democrat Refuses To Back Dr. Abdul In this week's "Last Call," Pat covers how Michigan Democratic State Rep. Noah Arbit refuses to endorse and support progressive Democrat, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, for Michigan's Senate race. Why won't Arbit back Dr. Abdul? Because Dr. Abdul rightly criticized Israel's extreme and corrupt government. 53:31-56:08: 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: "As an American Jew, my first political loyalty is to American democracy." By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Three licks and a question: Who is Gretchen Whitmer governing for?" By Jon King of Michigan Advance "A Public Flat Earth." By Sarah Kendzior of Sarah Kendzior's Newsletter "Sanders, El-Sayed vow to improve healthcare work environments if Democrats take back U.S. Senate." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Report says Trump Medicaid work requirements won't lead to more employment." By Kevin Meerschaert of WEMU News "Mike Rogers wants a job in the US Senate. What’d he do in the House?" By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan"Abdul El-Sayed or Mike Rogers? Freep's pick in U.S. Senate race | Endorsement." By Detroit Free Press Editorial Board "Fox News Poll: Michigan voters split between El-Sayed and Rogers." By Dana Blanton of Fox News #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Voting #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters #AbdulElSayed #JocelynBenson #JohnJames #DanaNessel #JonKing #AccessJournalism #NoahArbit #Israel #Gaza #Genocide #IranWar #GovernmentSpending #Media #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #CorporateClass #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Media & Political & Data Center Coverage w/ Michigan Advance's Jon King

  3. Sep 21

    Monday Musing: Mike Rogers Was For Data Centers Before He Was Against Them

    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 September 21, 2026! It appears MAGA Michigan Republican U.S. Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers is suddenly against the Big Tech Bro data centers, which is strange considering how just a few short months ago, Florida Mike was full steam ahead when it came to building and forcing more data centers across Michigan communities.  LOL"s Pat Johnston explains why, unlike the progressive Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who actually has policy ideas to enact safefguards and regulations on data center development (as well as a moratorium on data centers), Florida Mike Rogers is simply trying to pull another fast one on working class Michiganders.  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: "Mike Rogers loved data centers until voters didn’t." By Steve Neavling of The Detroit Metro Times "After data center investments revealed, Rogers backs statewide moratorium." By Freddy Brewster of The Lever (via Michigan Advance) "In Senate race, Mallory McMorrow pitches plan to do data centers ‘right’" By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election  #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters #BigTech #AI #AbdulElSayed #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism  #CorporateClass  #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: Mike Rogers Was For Data Centers Before He Was Against Them

  4. Sep 14

    Monday Musing: "Florida" Mike Rogers' Football Attacks On Abdul El-Sayed Are An Incomplete Pass

    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 September 14, 2026. In a last-ditch "Hail Mary Pass" to help save his fledgling campaign, MAGA Republican Michigan U.S. Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers, is attacking the Democratic frontrunner in the race, progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, for not being a real man, or a real American, because Dr. Abdul had the temerity to criticize American football's history of toxic masculinity.  No, you read that right. "Florida" Mike Rogers wants you to ignore his record of catering to the Billionaire Big Tech Bros, the Surveillance State, Big Pharma, Defense contractors, Israel's corrupt government, and the entire Epstein Class, and instead focus on... football.  LOL's Pat Johnston tackles this issue of football, and why "Florida" Mike Rogers is hoping you'll talk about it rather than his own record.  And by the way, Dr. Abdul was the Captain of his high school football team. Just saying. 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! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?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/join#podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #VotingRights #Voting #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism  #CorporateClass  #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: "Florida" Mike Rogers' Football Attacks On Abdul El-Sayed Are An Incomplete Pass

  5. Sep 11

    Kelli Van Ginhoven For U.P. State Senate; Joanna Whaley For Downriver State House

    Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join Here's Episode #194 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-12:07: Mike Rogers & 9/11 LOL's Pat Johnston starts the show by talking about the MAGA Republican hypocrisy around 9/11, and he highlights how Michigan MAGA Republican, and Trump boot-licker, U.S. Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers voted against helping the heroes on that tragic day. 12:08-40:00: KVG For State Senate! Kelli Van Ginhoven, progressive and anti-establishment state Senate candidate for the 38th District in the Upper Peninsula, stops-by to share her thoughts on her campaign, how the political establishment has damaged the working class in the U.P., and why her MAGA Republican opponent, which includes his corporate backers, fear having someone like KVG representing the working class in Lansing. KVG also explains why she's fighting against the Copperwood Mine project in The Porkies.  Visit KVG's Campaign: https://www.kvgforsenate2026.com/Visit KVG's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/kelli.vanginhoven 40:20-62:30: Joanna Whaley For State House Joanna Whaley, progressive candidate for Michigan's second State House seat in Downriver Detroit, talks with Pat about her historic campaign. Joanna's vying to become the first transgender woman in Michigan's House, and she plans on taking the fight on behalf of the working class in her district against the corporate interests, such as DTE. Joanna also shares opinions on why Christian Nationalism is an existential threat to the future of this state and the country. Visit Joanna Whaley's campaign: https://www.joannawhaley.com/Visit Joanna Whaley's FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficial 62:01- 64:40: 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: "Before Mike Rogers invoked 9/11 against Abdul El-Sayed, he voted against care for sick responders." By Steve Neavling of Detroit Metro Times "Telecom industry gave Mike Rogers nearly $100K while he pushed to deepen government data sharing." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Pro-Rogers Super PAC funded by ardent Christian Nationalist." By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Former Michigan Strategic Fund board member blasts decision to fund UP’s Copperwood Mine." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Election #JoannaWhaley #LGBTQ #DTE #MopUpMichigan #KelliVanGinhoven #UpperPeninsula #CopperwoodMine #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers #JaredKushner#DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #911 #Israel #Line5 #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism ChristianNationalism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Kelli Van Ginhoven For U.P. State Senate; Joanna Whaley For Downriver State House

  6. Sep 4

    Friday Short: MAGA Michigan Voter Suppression "Show Your Papers" Drive Blocked By MAGA SCOTUS

    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 September 4, 2026. The MAGA Supreme Court blocked an effort to hear an appeal to get a strict citizens-only "show your papers" voting suppression law on Michigan's ballot.  The Court dealt a major defeat to the MAGA Republican effort to make voting more difficult for the working class in this country. The so-called "Americans For Citizens Voting-Michigan" tried to get the initiative on the ballot this November. However, the group failed to gather enough VALID signatures to qualify for the ballot, which is funny considering how the group claims to fight against voter fraud.  As Pat Johnston explains, this was another effort to institute a modern-day poll tax on voters, and thankfully, it lost.  But don't be fooled. MAGA Republicans and The Epstein Class will return with a renewed effort to block as many American citizens voting as possible.  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! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?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: "Citizenship voting proposal denied ballot access by US, Michigan Supreme Courts." By Bridge Michigan Staff in Bridge Michigan "US Supreme Court declines to hear application on Michigan citizens-only voting ballot measure." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Michigan election fraud cited in Trump speech had no impact on votes." By Jacob Knutson of Democracy Docket #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #VotingRights #Voting #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism  #CorporateClass  #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: MAGA Michigan Voter Suppression "Show Your Papers" Drive Blocked By MAGA SCOTUS

  7. Aug 31

    Monday Musing: CBS "News" Posts ANOTHER Anti-Abdul El-Sayed "Story"

    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 August 31, 2026. Bari Weiss's "CBS News" posted a story today declaring that some of Michigan's progressive Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's social media postings regarding 9/11 "invites scrutiny." It's nothing but a hit-job by the pro-Big Tech Bro, pro-Epstein Class, and pro-Trump CBS "news division," and it's essentially saying that Michiganders must beware of the Muslim Man! Yet, when one actually reads the so-called controversial tweets, one will realize they aren't controversial at all. Not only that, but they make it appear that once again, Dr. Abdul is with the mainstream of Americans on a host of issues, while MAGA Republicans are on the fringe extreme.  LOL's Pat Johnston explains.  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! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?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: "For Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, Sept. 11 commemoration invites scrutiny of past remarks." By Zak Hudak of CBS News #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #WorkingFamiliesParty  #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #911 #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Monday Musing: CBS "News" Posts ANOTHER Anti-Abdul El-Sayed "Story"

  8. Aug 28

    Friday Short: J.D. Vance To Visit Michigan And Tell Voters To Ignore Reality

    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" on August 28, 2026. The Trump Regime's Vice President J.D. Vance will visit Michigan this coming Monday to campaign on behalf of beta MAGA Michigan Republicans. Those betas are U.S. Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers, Congressman and gubernatorial candidate John James, and congressional candidate Mike Bouchard.  LOL's Pat Johnston wonders what exactly is J.D. going to say in his efforts to help these three guys while Michigan suffers from the disastrous Trump Economy.  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! Click here to vote on this week's LOL Poll who should Democrats condemn: AIPAC or Hasan Piker?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: "You won’t believe what John James said about submitting penises to the Lord." By Steve Neavling of The Detroit Metro Times "Michigan farmer says Trump beef import plan hurts producers." By James Felton of WNEM-TV5 News "Trump’s MAGA Inc. to host first public event in battleground Michigan." By Jessica Piper of Politico#podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Trump #JDVance #MAGA #Republicans #Election #Primary  #WorkingFamiliesParty  #DemocraticSocialism #Senate #AbdulElSayed #WorkingClass #unions #WorkersRights  #MikeRogers  #DataCenters  #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Populism #AIPAC #IranWar #Israel #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateClass #DemocraticSocialism #Fascism #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Friday Short: J.D. Vance To Visit Michigan And Tell Voters To Ignore Reality
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 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
    448
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Left of Lansing

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