The Lean to the Left Podcast

Bob Gatty
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The Lean to the Left Podcast

Welcome Thoughtful Americans If you're a progressive concerned about political & social issues? You belong HERE at Lean to the Left, where you'll find no-holds-barred commentary, current political news, interviews with fascinating people, top experts, and others with incredibly interesting stories to tell. In fact, you'll never know who'll show up at Lean to the Left. It's unique and compelling journalism with a splash of humor and a dash of sarcasm. I'm your host, Bob Gatty, presenting my take on what's happening today from a liberal, progressive perspective. You'll find info and commentary about issues like the environment, human rights, health, racism, education and other issues of concern today. I co-authored "Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness", two volumes of essays about Trump's dangerous policies. Links: Vol. 1: https://amzn.to/3WNrfjH; Vol. 2: https://amzn.to/3SSsGMM. Meanwhile, my co-author, CJ Waldron and I, are hard at work on a follow-up volume, bringing readers up to date on developments since those editions were published. So, watch for that on Amazon. The Lean to the Left podcast, now completing its fourth year, was launched as part of our blog site, LeantotheLeft.net, which had its beginnings in 2017 in response to Donald Trump’s bullying and name-calling tactics and his attacks on the mainstream news media. Our goal was to set the record straight on Trump’s claims and divisive rhetoric, which has continued through his defeat by President Joe Biden, unfounded claims of election fraud, the January 6, 2021 insurrection, and his efforts to regain the Presidency. I bring to this effort a wealth of experience as political journalist and editorial services company president, previously having served two members of Congress, one Republican and the other a Democrat, as chief of staff and press secretary. , If you share these concerns and want to stay abreast of key political developments with insight from experts and pointed commentary tinged with humor, please subscribe to this channel . For more info, please visit my website. Website leantotheleft.net Lean to the Left Podcast podcast.leantotheleft.net Twitter x.com/leantotheleft1 Facebook facebook.com/notfakenews.2 Instagram instagram.com/leantotheleft1 Tik Tok tiktok.com/@leantotheleft

  1. Racism, Sexism & Targeted Marketing Key Trump's Win

    NOV 29

    Racism, Sexism & Targeted Marketing Key Trump's Win

    The Lean to the Left Podcast

    45 min
  2. Ranking the Presidents: What About Trump?

    NOV 24

    Ranking the Presidents: What About Trump?

    Ranking the Presidents In this episode, the host discusses the concerns and expectations surrounding the new Donald Trump administration.  The guest, Talmadge Boston, a renowned presidential leadership historian and author of 'How the Best Did It,' delves into the timeless lessons of leadership from America's top eight presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan.  Boston shares his rationale behind his selection of these presidents, influenced by the C-SPAN presidential ranking poll and historical precedents. He also provides insights into how Presidents Obama, Biden, and Trump are being assessed in terms of their historical significance and leadership qualities.  The conversation wraps up with Boston’s experiences with his book tour and additional resources available on his website. You can obtain Boston's book here: https://amzn.to/3Z2WdFM CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to the New Trump Administration 00:38 Guest Introduction: Talmadge Boston 01:28 Overview of 'How the Best Did It' 02:19 Discussion on Presidential Rankings 04:49 Evaluating Obama and Biden 07:39 Trump's First Term and Future Prospects 10:10 Cabinet Choices and Controversies 17:15 Deep Dive into Top Presidents 28:10 Where to Find the Book 30:00 Closing Remarks About Bob Gatty  A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.  Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version also available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

    32 min
  3. Courage in Tragedy: Confronting Alex Jones

    NOV 22

    Courage in Tragedy: Confronting Alex Jones

    Courage in Tragedy: Confronting Alex Jones On December 14, 2012, Robbie Parker's six-year-old daughter, Emilie, was tragically killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. In this episode of Lean to the Left podcast, Courage in Tragedy, Robbie shares his deeply emotional journey of coping with the immense grief of losing his daughter, the harassment his family faced from Alex Jones and his InfoWars followers, their subsequent decision to relocate, and the legal battle they waged confronting Alex Jones. Robbie also discusses his book, 'A Father's Fight: Taking on Alex Jones and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook,' and his process of healing and preserving his daughter's memory. The episode ends on a high note with news about The Onion winning the InfoWars platform in a bankruptcy auction, marking a milestone in Robbie's fight for justice. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to the Sandy Hook Tragedy 00:33 Robbie Parker's Heartbreaking Story 04:16 The Immediate Aftermath and Alex Jones' Conspiracy Theories 04:59 Relocating and Facing Harassment 07:55 Standing Up to Alex Jones 10:08 Writing a Book and Healing 16:06 Reflections on Grief and Family Impact 19:24 The Verdict and Its Implications 23:32 The Onion Wins InfoWars Auction 29:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital versionalso available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

    31 min
  4. Maximizing Your Veterans Benefits

    NOV 22

    Maximizing Your Veterans Benefits

    In honor of Veterans Day and all of those who have served our country, we are presenting today Paul R. Lawrence, who’s written a new book, Veterans Benefits for You. It’s a terrific resource to help veterans who want help maximizing the veterans benefits that they deserve. In his book, Paul R. Lawrence, former Under Secretary for Benefits in the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides an up-to-date, comprehensive and accessible guide to all the benefits and services available to veterans of the US armed services and how to make the most of them. We’re proud to present Dr. Lawrence today and hope the information he provides will help veterans take advantage of the benefits and services to which they are entitled. Please note that this episode was recorded last year for Veterans Day and we are presenting it once again here. Meanwhile, as we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences with us by commenting. Your voice matters!" About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, co-authored with CJ Waldron, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version is also available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ  DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Veterans guide explained 01:10 Paul Lawrence background 01:55 Host's personal experience 04:03 Jumping out of airplanes 07:26 Calling your Congressman 08:43 Helping veterans at work as a civilian 09:28 Insider advice for vets 10:13 Key components of book 11:44 Modernizing the VA 12:04 Need to improve mental health services 12:24 Step by step advice 14:24 Can Congressional intervention really help? 17:00 VA Improvements Needed 1 8:02 Needed Congressional action 19:48 Family benefits 20:19 Conclusion

    22 min
  5. Sabotaged!

    NOV 22

    Sabotaged!

    Sabotaged! Donald Trump is wasting no time sabotaging the U.S. government that he’s supposed to lead. With the nominations of Robert F. Kenney Jr. as secretary of Health, and Matt Gaetz as attorney general, he’s shown absolute disdain for the American people by unqualified loyalists in the most sensitive and important positions. Kennedy, who once had a brain worm and battled drug addiction, has spent years fighting against vaccines.  He backs a national abortion ban and has never seen a conspiracy theory he didn’t like. He has zero health expertise, and was picked because of his last name and his endorsement of Trump.  Gaetz is just plain slimy. He was investigated by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee for allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl and violating sex trafficking laws, while accepting improper gifts.  He resigned from Congress immediately after being picked by Trump to be his attorney general. One crook hired to protect another. That’s all that is. Trump wants to consolidate power and that’s what he’s doing with these low-life Cabinet selections. All designed to help consolidate his position as dictator. We’re in for a rough ride, folks.Connecting You to Issues that Matter   About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version coming soon. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ .   DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

    1 min
  6. Unveiling the Mind of a Master Storyteller: An Interview with David Baldacci

    NOV 17

    Unveiling the Mind of a Master Storyteller: An Interview with David Baldacci

    Unveiling the Mind of a Master Storyteller: An Interview with David Baldacci Join us on the Lean to the Left podcast as we welcome David Baldacci, renowned author of over 40 bestselling suspense novels. In this episode, we delve into Baldacci's latest book 'To Die For' featuring the character Travis Devine. Baldacci discusses his process of character development, the rigorous research that goes into his thrillers, and his commitment to literacy through the Wish You Well Foundation. What's it like creating those characters that are so important, especially the bad guys (Baldacci's favorites)? Do they stay with the author over time? Where do his story ideas come from? What's in his mind? How does he work? What's the process followed by this master storyteller to create all those novels? From his journey as a trial lawyer to becoming a celebrated novelist, Baldacci shares insights into the craft of storytelling and what keeps him motivated to continue writing captivating stories. A must-watch for fans and aspiring writers! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to David Baldacci 01:26 Discussing 'Absolute Power' 02:01 Exploring 'To Die For' 04:28 The Writing Process 07:42 Research and Realism 17:09 Character Development 18:59 The Wish You Well Foundation 23:55 Advice for Aspiring Authors 26:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links for Baldacci books discussed in the interview: To Die For: https://amzn.to/4etVOlv Absolute Power: https://amzn.to/3Z9z7P3 Memory Man: https://amzn.to/4exd9Kk The Edge: https://amzn.to/48S4Ebm The 6:20 Man: https://amzn.to/4hOK1B3 _____________________________________________________________________ About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital versionalso available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

    28 min
  7. A GOP Insider's Election Analysis 2024

    NOV 14

    A GOP Insider's Election Analysis 2024

    A GOP Insider's Election Analysis 2024 In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews Jamie Miller, former Executive Director of the Florida Republican Party and veteran of the 2000 George Bush campaign, for an analysis of Donald Trump's 2024 defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. They discuss a variety of topics including demographic voting patterns, Miller's perceived overreach of the Democratic Party on key issues, the impact of immigration policies, and questions surrounding electric vehicles and the economy. For his part in this election analysis 2024, Host Bob Gatty points out the overreach of the Republican Party, including Donald Trump's threat to go after his perceived enemies, including many in the Democratic Party. They also touch on controversial subjects such as the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol attack, immigration policies including Trump's mass deportation plans and the situation of the Dreamers, and the debate over whether the 2020 election was legitimately won by Biden. Miller provides insights from his right-of-center perspective, while Bob offers counterpoints from the left, aiming to foster a balanced and reasonable discussion in this fascinating election analysis. Miller's bottom line was that Democrats lost the support of many voters by focusing on such issues as abortion, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and allowing transgender individuals to compete in school sports, when their primary concern was the economy and inflation. Remember, I believe in the power of dialogue to drive change. What topics would you like us to address? Your input is invaluable! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:32 Election Analysis: Why Trump Beat Kamala Harris 02:26 Democrats' Strategy and Media's Role 05:34 Impact of Abortion Issue on Election 07:30 Young Voters and Economic Concerns 13:43 Immigration and Latino Voters 16:27 Dreamers and Immigration Policy 26:13 Election Integrity and 2020 Election 32:50 January 6th Attack and Pardons 35:39 Economic Policies and Tariffs 39:32 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital versionalso available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

    44 min
  8. The Price of Bacon

    NOV 9

    The Price of Bacon

    The Price of Bacon Trump's supporters, who unfairly blamed Joe Biden for the increase in grocery prices and other products following the pandemic, put the price of bacon and other foods ahead of potentially losing many important freedoms under the presidency of Donald Trump. Aside from the trepidation that many feel because of Trump's election, perhaps the saddest aspect is that more than 71 million Americans fell for his message of hate, his lies, his exaggerations, and his pie in the sky promises. They forget that Trump thoroughly mismanaged the pandemic, resulting in millions of deaths. And apparently they don't care that he harbors hopes of installing himself as some sort of dictator. Harris did her best, but her messaging fell flat with many women, particularly whom she counted on to lead her to victory. Trump stacked the Supreme court to get rid of abortions, but the price of bacon apparently trumped concerns about losing reproductive freedom. If Trump follows through on his pledge to impose massive tariffs on imported goods, do they not realize that the price of goods will skyrocket? Perhaps they like Trump's plan to give another huge tax cut to millionaires and big business at their own expense. Trump promised to deport millions living in the country illegally, and from his continued rhetoric, it sounds like he's entirely serious, regardless of the cost as his braintrust is already making implementation plans. What would be the impact on the economy if he did that? Who will pick the produce or build our houses, do our landscaping, yes, even pick our hardshell crabs? Trump said he would protect American women whether they like it or not,. That's from the man convicted of sex crimes. He's threatened his political opponents as "the enemy within," and said he military should take care of them. Apparently 71. 5 million voters who chose Trump paid no attention to that. Or they actually liked the message, such as his deportation plans. Enough. We must continue to resist this fanatic who, indeed, has hijacked our nation simply to satisfy his on insatiable greed. I intend to continue to do that through this podcast, my LeantotheLeft.net blog, and my books. A new one has just been released, Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. You can find it here: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7, and another one, a political thriller, is now in the works. "The government you elect is the government you deserve," wrote Thomas Jefferson. Those 71. 5 million Trump voters will discover over these next years that those words are absolutely true. After all, what's more important, the price of bacon or your own freedom?

    9 min
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4
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome Thoughtful Americans If you're a progressive concerned about political & social issues? You belong HERE at Lean to the Left, where you'll find no-holds-barred commentary, current political news, interviews with fascinating people, top experts, and others with incredibly interesting stories to tell. In fact, you'll never know who'll show up at Lean to the Left. It's unique and compelling journalism with a splash of humor and a dash of sarcasm. I'm your host, Bob Gatty, presenting my take on what's happening today from a liberal, progressive perspective. You'll find info and commentary about issues like the environment, human rights, health, racism, education and other issues of concern today. I co-authored "Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness", two volumes of essays about Trump's dangerous policies. Links: Vol. 1: https://amzn.to/3WNrfjH; Vol. 2: https://amzn.to/3SSsGMM. Meanwhile, my co-author, CJ Waldron and I, are hard at work on a follow-up volume, bringing readers up to date on developments since those editions were published. So, watch for that on Amazon. The Lean to the Left podcast, now completing its fourth year, was launched as part of our blog site, LeantotheLeft.net, which had its beginnings in 2017 in response to Donald Trump’s bullying and name-calling tactics and his attacks on the mainstream news media. Our goal was to set the record straight on Trump’s claims and divisive rhetoric, which has continued through his defeat by President Joe Biden, unfounded claims of election fraud, the January 6, 2021 insurrection, and his efforts to regain the Presidency. I bring to this effort a wealth of experience as political journalist and editorial services company president, previously having served two members of Congress, one Republican and the other a Democrat, as chief of staff and press secretary. , If you share these concerns and want to stay abreast of key political developments with insight from experts and pointed commentary tinged with humor, please subscribe to this channel . For more info, please visit my website. Website leantotheleft.net Lean to the Left Podcast podcast.leantotheleft.net Twitter x.com/leantotheleft1 Facebook facebook.com/notfakenews.2 Instagram instagram.com/leantotheleft1 Tik Tok tiktok.com/@leantotheleft

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