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

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.

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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

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Introducing Trump's Halloween Costume from Pod Save America.

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Donald Trump dresses up like a sanitation worker as a message stunt and says he'll "protect" women "whether the women like it or not." Kamala Harris seizes on those remarks in events in the swing states, sharpening her argument against Trump on abortion and health care. In the final Friday episode before Election Day, Jon and Dan discuss all the latest and what they're watching for in each of the battleground states on Tuesday. Then, Nebraska's independent Senate candidate, Dan Osborn, talks with Dan about how he's pulled even with the Republican incumbent in one of the reddest states in the country, and how he plans to win.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

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 [email protected].

Air Date: 10-31-24 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - How neoliberalism is fucking 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 

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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

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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 [email protected]  Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Introducing Kamala’s Closing Argument (feat. AOC) from Pod Save America.

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Kamala Harris delivers a rousing closing speech, promising to be a president for all Americans and sharply contrasting her plans with Donald Trump's. Trump works to clean up that terrible Puerto Rico joke, getting assists from Sean Hannity and, unfortunately, President Biden, and Trump and surrogates like Elon Musk and Mike Johnson remind voters about their plans to take away health care and slash government budgets—and maybe crash the economy while they're at it. Jon Lovett and the Bulwark's Tim Miller sift through all of it, including the three remaining groups of undecided voters and the unending debate over invoking "fascism." Then, Lovett and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talk about how to persuade disaffected progressives and what she's been seeing on the ground in Pennsylvania.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

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 [email protected].

Air Date 10/29/2024

Trump has only come close to perfecting the grift of the American conservative, he certainly didn't invent the strategy. Today we look at some current and past grifts and explore why they work.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: GRIFT-GOBLIN Donald Trump is Selling HILARIOUSLY CRAPPY Gold Watches Now!!! - Jesse Dollemore - Air Date 9-27-24

KP 2: The "Dirtbag of the Internet" and Trump's Crypto Project - Bloomberg Technology - Air Date 9-13-24

KP 3: Controlling the Weather and Eating Pets: Expert Breaks Down Disinformation - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 10-18-24

KP 4: Down the Rabbit Hole w/ Naomi Klein - The Dig - Air Date 10-8-24

KP 5: Media Literacy Can't Save Us Part 1 - Dummy - Air Date 10-7-24

KP 6: How did grifters like Trump take over the GOP? - The Bunker - Air Date 9-25-24

(48:03) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the scam of political fundraising

DEEPER DIVES

(56:06) SECTION A - GRIFT

A1: Russell Brand Has A New Grift - Novara Media - Air Date 10-16-24

A2: GRIFTER-CON Morons Did Not Disappoint - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 10-1-24

A3: Russell Brand And The Conspiracy Grift - Media Matters - Air Date 1-2-24

A4: Some Grifters Who Finally Faced Consequences – SOME MORE NEWS -Air Date 9-25-24

(1:28:27) SECTION B - SCAMS

(1:50:18) SECTION C - CONSPIRACY

(2:19:48) SECTION D - MISINFORMATION

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Graphic showing a large pile of triangular warning signs with the word “SCAM” inside.

Credit: “traffic-signs-attention-notice” by Gerald, Pixabay | License: Pixabay

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Introducing What to eat to avoid osteoporosis from ZOE Science & Nutrition.

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🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST

Every 12 years, our skeletons undergo a complete transformation.

Prof. Tim Spector and Prof. Cyrus Cooper discuss how to avoid Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile, significantly increases the risk of fractures from minor incidents, often without any noticeable symptoms. Worldwide, it affects one in three women and one in five men over fifty, leading to pain, potential disability and loss of independence.

In today’s episode, Jonathan, Tim and Cyrus ask the question: How can understanding osteoporosis and implementing targeted lifestyle changes enhance bone health and reduce the risk of fractures?

Cyrus Cooper is a Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Southampton, where he is also the Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and Vice-Dean of Medicine. In addition, he’s a Professor of Musculoskeletal Science at the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford.

Tim Spector is one of the world’s top 100 most-cited scientists, a professor of epidemiology, and scientific Co-Founder at ZOE. Tim trained originally in rheumatology and epidemiology. 

🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+

*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 Introduction

01:21 Quickfire questions

03:08 What is osteoporosis?

06:10 Why might our bones become more fragile as we age?

08:10 Your skeleton renews itself all the time

10:30 Does menopause cause osteoporosis?

12:48 What's it like living with osteoporosis?

15:16 How common is osteoporosis in males?

16:04 What are the symptoms of osteoporosis and at what age should you get checked?

21:40 Some chilling statistics about osteoporosis

23:10 Common myths about the effects of calcium and vitamin D on osteoporosis

27:50 What is the latest science on vitamin D supplementation?

34:10 Can vitamin D and calcium ensure children’s bone density is healthy?

34:55 Osteoporosis treatment options, including new drugs    

37:20 The impacts of HRT on bone density

39:30 What are the downsides to some of these treatments?

43:00 Does physical activity help to prevent fractures?

44:30 Lifestyle impacts: diet and nutrition

49:40 Can exercise make your bones stronger?

55:20 Ideal exercises to prevent osteoporosis

57:10 Cyrus and Tim’s top 3 actions to improve bone health

59:10 Summary

Mentioned in today's episode:

Relevant studies:

Books:

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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 [email protected].

Original Air Date: 2/14/20223

Today, we take a look at some origins, alternatives and misunderstandings of capitalism from the Dutch East India Company, to Adam Smith and up through the planned obsolescence and marketing that have tricked us all into working far harder than necessary while failing to make us happy.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Indigenous Economics with Tyson Yunkaporta (In Conversation) - Upstream - Air Date 11-10-21

Ch. 2: Transcending Capitalism Insights from Buddhism and Marxism - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 1-3-23

Ch. 3: We don't understand Capitalism. Part One - UNFTR - Air Date 1-27-23

Ch. 4: Your Work Is Not Your Worth - OFF-KILTER with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 10-21-22

Ch. 5: We don't understand Capitalism. Part Two. - UNFTR - Air Date 1-27-23

Ch. 6: Economics for a New Year - Economic Update with Richard Wolff - Air Date 1-19-23

Ch. 7: Indigenous Economics with Tyson Yunkaporta (In Conversation) Part 2 - Upstream - Air Date 11-10-21

Ch. 8: Transcending Capitalism Insights from Buddhism and Marxism Part 2 - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 1-3-23

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Introducing Are We Being Ruled By A Shadow Government? | Shane Smith Has Questions from Shane Smith Has Questions.

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Shane Smith and author Peter Dale Scott, who popularized the term the Deep State four decades ago, on how it combines government agencies, the military, and organized crime. Scott discusses everything from recent Trump assassination attempts to historical deep events like the Bay of Pigs, the CIA and Mafia attempting to assassinate Fidel Castro, the Kennedy assassination, and Watergate. They get into the CIA’s involvement in the d**g trade, from Burma to Afghanistan, and its links to American cities during the Vietnam War. They get into how continuity of government plans, originally developed during the Cold War, were implemented on 9/11 and how that contributed to the creation of post-9/11 policies like the Patriot Act. They cover how Oligarchs in the Ukraine could be manipulating events to maintain financial control, especially regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia, and how economic interests are at play in both the war and U.S. political dynamics. And it’s funny!

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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 [email protected].

Air Date 10/22/2024

This is your one-stop reference guide to every issue that is being wrongly blamed on immigrants as the Trump campaign rhetoric turns evermore fascist and xenophobic.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Deportation First Trump and Harris Compete for Latinx Votes While Pushing Anti-Immigrant Policies - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-16-24

KP 2: Escaping Otherism Why Dr. Seuss Could Never Find a Rhyme for Genocide - Crazy Town - Air Date 6-12-24

KP 3: The Real Reason Trump Is Demonizing Immigrants - The Lever - Air Date 10-11-24

KP 4: 'Villains nor victims' Why immigration is good for our economy - Velshi - Air Date 6-2-24

KP 5: Escaping Otherism Why Dr. Seuss Could Never Find a Rhyme for Genocide Part 2 - Crazy Town - Air Date 6-12-24

KP 6: Prof Richard Wolff A FUTURE WITHOUT FEAR OF IMMIGRANTS - The Zero Hour - Air Date 10-12-24

(38:04) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Giving a quick list of immigration lies

DEEPER DIVES

(42:07) SECTION A - MIS/DISINFORMATION

A1: How is Trump winning the US immigration debate - Anywhere but Washington - Air Date 10-10-24

A2: FEMA is running low on disaster money, but not because funds went to housing undocumented migrants - Verify - Air Date 10-7-24

(50:26) SECTION B - REALITY CHECK

(1:08:30) SECTION C - OTHERING

(1:26:35) SECTION D - SOLUTIONS

SHOW IMAGE CREDIT

Description: Trump, with a serious expression, stands at a lectern and points out into the crowd.

Credit: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Introducing Scaling AI With Purpose from Smart Talks with IBM.

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In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Jacob Goldstein speaks with Rebecca Finlay, CEO of Partnership on AI, about the importance of advancing AI innovation with openness and ethics at the forefront. Rebecca discusses how guardrails — such as risk management — can advance efficiency in AI development. They explore the AI Alliance’s focus on open data and technology, and the importance of collaboration. Rebecca also underscores how diverse perspectives and open-mindedness can drive AI progress responsibly.

This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

Visit us at https://ibm.com/smarttalks

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected].