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

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Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
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Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006. Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!

  1. The Non-Exclusive Impact of White Supremacy and Misogyny on the Election

    2 DAYS AGO

    The Non-Exclusive Impact of White Supremacy and Misogyny on the Election

    Air Date 11/20/2024 We're in the phase where prejudice still exists but it has become socially unacceptable to openly express it - but to deny the impact on our politics just because people don't admit to their prejudice would be to completely misunderstand the nature of the issue. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: The Racism of MAGA Is as American as Apple Pie Nina Turner on Trump & 2024 Election - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-31-24 KP 2: Some Americans Are Already Living in Trump’s Purge - The New Abnormal - Air Date 10-1-24 KP 3: Why You Shouldn't Buy the Election Narrative About Black Men - Reveal - Air Date 10-23-24 KP 4: Trumps Nazi Rally at MSG Perfectly Reflected Republican Values - The New Abnormal - Air Date 10-29-24 KP 5: “The Confederacy Won” Why Donald Trump’s Reelection Is a Win for White Supremacy, Xenophobia & Hate - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-6-24 KP 6: Trump campaign was built on 'hate' which has contributed to 'racial terror' NAACP exec - MSNBC - Air Date 11-8-24 KP 7: The Hard Truth About Why Harris Was the Wrong Choice for America Part 1 - The New Abnormal - Air Date 11-6-24 (51:52) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the shifting landscape of social media Follow BotL: Bluesky, Mastadon, Threads Our Bluesky Starter Pack Sky Follower Bridge: Find accounts that have migrated from Twitter to Bluesky The OpenVibe app for cross-network access to new social sites DEEPER DIVES (56:28) SECTION A - A MIRROR FOR AMERICA (1:25:17) SECTION B - WHITE SUPREMACY FOR THE WIN (1:49:19) SECTION C - REVERBERATION (2:09:22) SECTION D - WHAT NOW Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    2h 23m
  2. You Might Also Like: ZOE Science & Nutrition

    2 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: ZOE Science & Nutrition

    Introducing 8 foods that soothe anxiety | Dr. Uma Naidoo from ZOE Science & Nutrition. Follow the show: ZOE Science & Nutrition 1 in 3 people have anxiety. It’s the most common mental health disorder in the world. And many of us know what anxiety feels like: palms sweating before a job interview, losing your appetite before a looming deadline, a pit in your stomach when you get bad news. It’s not just in your head, it’s in your gut. Today, we’ll learn how food could help us cope. Our guest explains the rising global trend toward increased anxiety: its rise through the pandemic, and explosion among young people.  Dr. Uma Naidoo is on the forefront of nutritional psychiatry. She directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the US, at Massachusetts General Hospital and teaches at Harvard Medical School. Uma will help you understand the symptoms and biology of anxiety, painting a picture of the risks it poses for long-term health. And her diet tips will help you fuel your gut for a healthy mind. 🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST 🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+ *Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system Follow ZOE on Instagram. Timecodes: 00:00 Change your diet to beat anxiety 01:23 Quickfire questions 02:52 What is anxiety? 05:58 Are humans more anxious now than in the past? 08:50 This is where anxiety occurs in the brain 11:29 The gut-brain connection 12:45 Serotonin: the happiness hormone 20:05 How gut bacteria impact the brain 21:20 What happens 2 hours after stress? 23:10 Foods that disrupt dopamine pathways 24:50 Is food addiction real? 30:35 How chronic stress affects hunger 34:00 The importance of feeding good gut microbes 41:00 Eat more of these vegetables 45:02 How to overcome diet anxiety 49:20 How to use Uma’s ‘Calm’ approach 53:13 The anti-anxiety plate Find Uma's Cauliflower Tikka Massala recipe here Get Uma's latest book 'Calm Your Mind With Food' 📚Books by our ZOE Scientists The Food For Life Cookbook Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector Free resources from ZOE Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks  Mentioned in today's episode Eat to Beat Stress (2020), published in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine Effect of fecal microbiota transplant on symptoms of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review (2020), published in BMC Psychiatry A review of dietary and microbial connections to depression, anxiety, and stress (2018), published in Nutritional Neuroscience  Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here. Episode transcripts are available here. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. A Refresher on the Sham of Conservative Economic Populism and the Left Alternatives (Remix)

    NOV 15 · BONUS

    A Refresher on the Sham of Conservative Economic Populism and the Left Alternatives (Remix)

    Air Date 11/15/2024 Today’s episode is a remix of multiple past episodes but was inspired by one in particular from just back in July of this year, #1645, when we were making a point of demonstrating what a sham the idea of conservative economic populism is. Well, now that Trump has been reelected - seemingly because regular folks were hoping he’d fix the economy for them - we thought we’d take this moment to highlight the difference between right wing and left wing economic populism. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! CHAPTERS 1: How progressives need to frame their economic message - @theLFshow w: @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date 12-29-14 2: It’s time to stop relying on crisis legislation (with Lindsay Owens) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 8-4-20 3: “He’s a Fake” Robert Kuttner on How J.D. Vance Disguises His Anti-Worker Views as Economic Populism - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-16-24 4: JD Vance, Phony Populism on the Right, the Republican National Convention, and Democratic Party Messaging w Ben Burgis - Parallax Views - Air Date 7-22-24 5: Europe's Circular Economy Action Plan - euronews - Air Date 11-24-20 6: What is Economic Democracy? - The Next System Project - Air Date: 3-1-16 7: Responding to Tim Scott & J.D. Vance on Poverty - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-16-24 8: The Tragic Cost of American Child Poverty w: Jeff Madrick - The Majority Report w: Sam Seder - Air Date 10-7-20 9: Dispelling some myths about worker coops - Economic Update w: @profwolff - Air Date 6-12-16 10: Sean O'Brien faces criticism from Teamsters Vice President for RNC appearance - The Real News Network - Air Date 7-19-24 11: Amsterdam's "doughnut economy" puts climate ahead of GDP - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 4-24-21 MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    1h 19m
  4. Private Equity: The worst of capitalism, amplified

    NOV 12

    Private Equity: The worst of capitalism, amplified

    Air Date 11/12/2024 It's easy enough to look into one industry at a time to see what's going wrong, but today we're looking at what is so often lurking in the background of higher prices, lower quality goods and services, and, ultimately, many failing businesses: Private Equity. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Why Does Everyone Hate Private Equity? - The Plain Bagel - Air Date 9-20-24 KP 2: How Private Equity Consumed America - Wendover Productions - Air Date 5-7-24 KP 3: How private equity conquered America - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 3-1-24 KP 4: Warren Calls for Ownership Transparency for Private Equity in Health Care - Senator Elizabeth Warren - Air Date 7-12-24 KP 5: BlackRock: The Conspiracies You Don’t Know - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-15-24 (48:16) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On getting through this together DEEPER DIVES (53:11) SECTION A - HOW IT WORKS (1:30:42) SECTION B - POWER (2:03:28) SECTION C - SOLUTIONS SHOW IMAGE Description: The words “Private Equity” are typed out  on paper on a clipboard, surrounded by $20 and $100 bills and a pair of glasses. Credit: “Private Equity” by Nick Youngson, Pix4free.org | License: CC BY-SA 3.0  | Changes: Slightly cropped   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    2h 32m
  5. We Are Going Back: Team post-election analysis

    NOV 8

    We Are Going Back: Team post-election analysis

    Air Date 11/8/2024 The Best of the Left team holds a special post-election discussion available to all listeners to present the initial takes on the election as well as our own reactions and suggestions for how to move forward. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com To hear all of our team discussion episodes, become a member!   A few worthwhile reads that gave inspiration for some of our discussion: Democrats Blow Their Chance to Block Trump’s Resurgence - The Intercept (Discussing the Genocide in Gaza) Harris and the Democrats Committed to a Rightward Lurch — and Lost Big Time - Truthout (Courting moderate Republicans) Donald Trump’s Second Term Is Joe Biden’s Real Legacy - The New Yorker I’m a Gen Z man. Here’s why so many of my peers supported Donald Trump - Fast Company (Revenge of the Bros) This Time We Have to Hold the Democratic Party Elite Responsible for This Catastrophe - The Nation 10 Ways We Can Prepare for Another Trump Presidency - Truthout

    1h 25m
  6. #1667 Billionaires and Ballots: The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

    NOV 5

    #1667 Billionaires and Ballots: The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

    Air Date 11/5/2024 There's big money in politics, and then there's 2024. The role and influence of billionaires have taken on new shapes and patterns as the threat of fascism has made itself undeniably known. From the candidate and campaigners to those acquiescing to the mere threat of power, billionaires are everywhere you look at this election season. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Why Elon Musk Went Full MAGA - Reveal - Air Date 10-30-24 KP 2: Elon Musks War on Workers - 5-4 - Air Date 10-29-24 KP 3: Elon Musk Is SO Bad At This - The Majority Report - Air Date 11-3-24 KP 4: The Trump White Supremacy Festival and Hootenanny - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 10-29-24 KP 5: Ballots Burn in WA, OR; Billionaire WaPo, LATimes owners 'Obey in Advance - The BradCast - Air Date 10-28-24 KP 6: The Trump White Supremacy Festival and Hootenanny Part 2 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 10-29-24 KP 7: How Trump could steal the election - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-29-24 (00:54:26.000) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how to feel about the road ahead DEEPER DIVES (00:59:57.000) SECTION A - DEMOCRACY DYING IN DAYLIGHT A1: Ballots Burn in WA, OR; Billionaire WaPo, LATimes owners 'Obey in Advance Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 10-28-24 A2: TYT Explodes Over Calling Trump 'Fascist' - The Majority Report - Air Date 11-1-24 (01:17:32.000) SECTION B - ACTUAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE (01:39:40.000) SECTION C - ELON MUSK THE BILLIONAIRE (02:04:16.000) SECTION D - TRUMP THE FASCIST MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    2h 38m
  7. The Holy War Against America: The New Apostolic Reformation, Opus Dei, Evangelicals, Christian Nationalists, and the Worship of Donald Trump

    NOV 2

    The Holy War Against America: The New Apostolic Reformation, Opus Dei, Evangelicals, Christian Nationalists, and the Worship of Donald Trump

    Air Date 11/2/2024 The cult of Trump isn't just about Trump, it's religion and patriarchy reacting to a moment of global economic and climactic instability. But those organizing the religious right aren't just reacting to their environment, they've also been planning for a very long time. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Extremist White Christian Nationalists Prepping For War w Brad Onishi - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-16-24 KP 2: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation - Ideas - Air Date 10-18-24 KP 3: MAGA's 'Young Male Voter' Plan Hits Bottom Of The Barrel - The Majority Report - Air Date 10-22-24 KP 4: JD Vance Joins Lance Wallnau in Spiritual Warfare - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-14-24 KP 5: Ziklag Exposed Secretive Christian Nationalist Network Tries to Purge Voters in Battleground States - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-30-24 KP 6: Spirit & Power Episode 4 Take Back that Which Was Stolen from Us The Charismatic Rituals of the Religious Right - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-17-24 KP 7: Unfcking Flashback The American Propaganda Machine. - UNFTR - Air Date 10-12-24 (54:31) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On susceptibility to manipulation DEEPER DIVES (59:43) SECTION A - THE MOVEMENT (1:18:09) SECTION B - TRUMP AND ELECTION (1:36:04) SECTION C - PATRIARCHY AND RACE (1:55:36) SECTION D - AMERICAN CHRISTIAN SHOW IMAGE Description: A woman with blonde hair wears a Trump campaign flag as a cape while praying on her knees with both arms in the air. Credit: “Fascism Worship”, 2016, by Johnny Silvercloud, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Increased brightness and contrast   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    2h 14m
  8. Bonus Edition - Marketing: The Dirty Public Restroom of the Internet

    OCT 31 · BONUS

    Bonus Edition - Marketing: The Dirty Public Restroom of the Internet

    Air Date: 10-31-24 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - How neoliberalism is f*****g up renewable energy transitions - Marketing and why the viral Stanley Cup never should have gone viral - How big tech is heavily surveilling school kids without any oversight - How the fossil fuel industry has infiltrated higher education  BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Hear the Full Show, Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) REFERENCES: Germany’s Green Transition Is Faltering This $23 Stanley Cup Accessory Fixes Your Biggest Complaint About the Tumbler How the ex-marketing whiz behind Crocs helped turn Stanley into the "it" cup How the Stanley Cup Went Viral School Surveillance Earns Tech Companies Billions. Students Pay the Price. Here’s How the Fossil Fuel Industry Infiltrates and Influences Higher Education   Join our Discord Server Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft  Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

    20 min
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Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006. Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!

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