Air Date: 9–20-25

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss:

• Ch. 1 - The right-wing’s continued attempts at satire
• Ch. 2 - Manufactured outrage about male cheerleaders and sorority dances
• Ch. 3 - How political outsiders always adopt new tech, and how that ties to pushing back against misinformation
• Ch. 4 - Final thoughts on how when bad actors make gains, there is always a reaction
• SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: The doctor exposing insurance companies’ worst behavior

FOLLOW US ON:

Bluesky

Mastadon

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!)

Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e

REFERENCES:

America has turned dancing into a culture war - Vox

Why America Isn’t Rome (And Why That Matters) - The David Frum Show, The Atlantic

A public health expert keeps going viral on Instagram for delivering this very simple message - Vox

MEMBERS

She Exposed the Insurance Industry’s Worst Behavior. Now They’re Coming After Her. - The Current Affairs

EXTRAS

Some great public health campaigns 

Also, Dumb Ways to Die campaign for Melbourne, Australia Metro Trains, which went viral worldwide.

TAKE ACTION:

No Kings National Day of Action - Oct. 18th

Free DC Project: FOR ALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY - Tell Congress to stand down the federal escalation

One Million Rising Trainings

In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach

Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Find your Indivisible group - or start one

Write to the DNC

Join our Discord Server

Reach us via Signal:

Bestoftheleft.01

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Air Date 9/20/2025

The escalations are happening so fast now that even though this episode is about Russia increasing tensions by violating NATO airspace in Poland with drones and Israel intensifying their belligerence by bombing inside Qatar, those aren't even the most recent incidents now that Russian jets have entered NATO airspace in Estonia and Israel has launched a new attack on Gaza City while Netanyahu says he wants Israel to become like the doomed city-state of Sparta, which was weird.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

Join our Discord community!

KEY POINTS

KP 1: Israel Bombs Qatar, Nepal Protests, Russian Drones Enter Polish Airspace - American Prestige - Air Date 9-12-25

KP 2: Qatar Today, Turkey Tomorrow - HasanAbi - Air Date 9-11-25

KP 3: Israels West Bank Annex Underway Jasper Nathaniel - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 9-14-25

KP 4: UK Bans Palestine Action as 'Terror Group' - Mehdi & Owen on Censorship, Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Voices - Two Outspoken - Air Date 7-3-25

KP 5: Recognizing Palestine as a State Meaningful Farce Feat. Dana El Kurd - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 9-11-25

KP 6: Israel Bombs Hamas Leaders in Qatar - Pod Save the World - Air Date 9-9-25

KP 7: 'Putin Is Mocking' Trump, Polish Foreign Minister Says After Russian Drone Incursion - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 9-10-25

(00:58:31) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On Israel as the new Sparta

DEEPER DIVES

(01:03:11) SECTION A: RUSSIA

A1: Aftermath of Russian Drones Being Shot Down Over Poland - DW News - Air Date 9-10-25

A2: Putin Cozies Up To Modi And Xi - What A Day - Air Date 9-3-25

A3: AI and Drone Warfare in Ukraine, 'Trump Riviera' Gaza Plan, US Bombs Venezuelan Boat - American Prestige - Air Date 9-5-25

(01:27:06) SECTION B: QATAR BOMBING

B1: Israel Bombs Hamas Leaders in Qatar Part 2 - Pod Save the World - Air Date 9-9-25

B2: Qatar Today, Turkey Tomorrow Part 2 - HasanAbi - Air Date 9-11-25

B3: Israels Qatar Strike We Have to Be Careful When We Attack People - MSNBC Reports - Air Date 9-15-25

B4: Israel Bombs Hamas Leaders in Qatar Part 3 - Pod Save the World - Air Date 9-9-25

B5: After Bombing Qatar, Why Did Israel Strike Yemen - The Take - Air Date 9-15-25

(02:06:29) SECTION C: OTHER GAZA UPDATES

C1: Global Sumud Flotilla Vows to Keep Sailing to Gaza Israeli Drones Accused of Striking Two Boats - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-11-25

C2: Israels Genocide Is Pure Cowardice w/ Jon Elmer - BreakThrough News - Air Date 9-15-25

C3: Recognizing Palestine as a State Meaningful Farce Feat. Dana El Kurd Part 2 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 9-11-25

C4: AI and Drone Warfare in Ukraine, 'Trump Riviera' Gaza Plan, US Bombs Venezuelan Boat Part 2 - American Prestige - Air Date 9-5-25

C5: Israels Genocide Is Pure Cowardice W Jon Elmer Part 2 - BreakThrough News - Air Date 9-15-25

C6: Israels West Bank Annex Underway Jasper Nathaniel Part 2 - The Majority Report W Sam Seder - Air Date 9-14-25

(02:53:26) SECTION D: UK CRACKDOWN

D1: Is Direct Action for Palestine 'terrorism' The UK Says It Is - The Take - Air Date 7-10-25

D2: UK Bans Palestine Action as 'Terror Group' - Mehdi & Owen on Censorship, Silencing of Pro-Palestinian Voices Part 2 - Two Outspoken - Air Date 7-3-25

D3: Is Direct Action for Palestine 'terrorism' The UK Says It Is Part 2 - The Take - Air Date 7-10-25

D4: Protesters Defy Palestine Action Ban Theres No Way They Get Through Everyone - The Guardian - Air Date 9-7-25

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Photo of protestors holding signs that say “Ceasefire Now” and “Stop the Genocide”

Credit: “Free Palestine” by Can Pac Swire, Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [email protected]

Air Date 9/16/2025

Between recent Labor Day rallies and Republican Town Hall meetings, we're seeing that resistance to Trump's deeply unpopular policies is alive and well. Plus we're going to look at some historical legacies of resistance movements that can both inform and inspire us today.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

KEY POINTS

KP 1: While We Were Out An Eye-opening Roundup of Everything We Missed or Wished We Had Over the Past Week - The Bradcast - Air Date 9-2-25

KP 2: How Labor Unions Shape Society Margaret Levi (re-release) - TED Talks Daily - Air Date 9-1-25

KP 3: This Is An Invasion - Pritzker, Trump, and the Union Coming Apart + Venezuelan Boat Attack - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 9-5-25

KP 4: What A Raucous Nebraska Town Hall Says About The Country's Mood - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 8-6-25

KP 5: Microsoft Is an Active Partner in the Genocide! Inside the Tech Worker Revolt for Palestine - Working People - Air Date 9-4-25

KP 6: Rules for Surviving Authoritarian Times - How to Fix It - Air Date 6-22-25

KP 7: We Are All D.C. Massive Protests Rock US Capital in Defiance of Trump - The Real News Network - Air Date 9-7-25

(00:53:35) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On what our history can tell us about our present political conflict

A Senator Just Unapologetically Declared the U.S. a White Homeland

DEEPER DIVES

(01:03:18) SECTION A: LABOR DAY

A1: How Chicago Labor History Teaches Us To Fight Fascism Today - Kat Abughazaleh - Air Date 9-1-25

A2: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Other Union Leaders Speak in Los Angeles at Labor Day Event - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 9-1-25

A3: How Chicago Labor History Teaches Us To Fight Fascism Today Part 2 - Kat Abughazaleh - Air Date 9-1-25

A4: How Labor Unions Shape Society Margaret Levi (re-release) Part 2 - TED Talks Daily - Air Date 9-1-25

(01:36:45) SECTION B: PROTESTS

B1: Rules for Surviving Authoritarian Times Part 2 - How to Fix It - Air Date 6-22-25

B2: 50 Jewish Activists Arrested Protesting Schumer & Gillibrand for Arming Israel - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-1-25

B3: The Resistance Vs. Trump 2.0 - Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast - Air Date 7-31-25

B4: Microsoft Is an Active Partner in the Genocide! Inside the Tech Worker Revolt for Palestine Part 2 - Working People - Air Date 9-4-25

(02:08:57) SECTION C: STATE-LEVEL PUSHBACK

C1: 'Digital Resistance' Volunteers Push Back Against Deportations Without Due Process - Morning Joe - Air Date 7-31-25

C2: Red-State Farmer Rips Republican At Town Hall - The Majority Report W Sam Seder - Air Date 8-26-25

C3: What A Raucous Nebraska Town Hall Says About The Country's Mood Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 8-6-25

C4: Republican Rep Gets Crushed During Town Hall - The Majority Report W Sam Seder - Air Date 9-7-25

C5: Our Top Priority with Rep. Brendan Boyle - The Practivist Pod - Air Date 9-4-25

(02:39:21) SECTION D: LEGACIES OF RESISTANCE

D1: Is America Becoming an Autocracy - On the Media - Air Date 8-29-25

D2: Heather Cox Richardson on Donald Trump, MAGA and How We Fight Back - Pod Save America - Air Date 9-7-25

D3: The Resistance Vs. Trump 2.0 Part 2 - Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast - Air Date 7-31-25

D4: Social Problems Require Social Movement Solutions - Economic Update with Richard Wolff - Air Date 9-2-25

D5: Jane Fonda Is Not Backing Down - Fresh Air - Air Date 9-2-25

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Photo from the Labor Day rally in Boston depicting Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren holding a “Workers” banner with other participants. Tall, vertical rally flags are held behind them that say “Justice”, “Solidarity,” “Fairness,” “Security,” and “Freedom”

Credit: Internal photo. “Boston Labor Day Rally” | Copyright 2025, Best of the Left, All rights reserved.

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [email protected]

Air Date 9/11/2025

I've always learned the high-level understanding that the Nazis were partly able to come to power because the opposition at the time was too caught up with infighting to create a coherent resistance. With hindsight, it's easy to lament how badly they miscalculated the circumstances but living through the modern day and watching the Democratic Party struggle gives even more clarity to how that kind of inability to get organized in the face of existential threats to democracy can happen.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

KEY POINTS

KP 1: Where Is the Party?: Time for Democratic Leaders to ‘Fight with Both Hands’ or ‘Step Aside’ - Velshi - Air Date 8-30-25

KP 2: This Guy, This Line - The Rational National - Air Date 9-2-25

KP 3: How Elites Destroyed the Democratic Party in the US and Fuelled Populism | The Bottom Line - Al Jazeera English -Air Date 8-31-25

KP 4: Desperate Kyle Begs and Pleads With Democrats - The Kyle Kulinski Show - Air Date 8-28-25

KP 5: Ritchie Torres Talks Zionism, LGBT, The Bronx - The Adam Friedland Show - Air Date 8-27-25

KP 6: Journalist Exposes Dark Money on the Left - UNFTR Media - Air Date 8-30-25

(00:50:07) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the murder of Charlie Kirk

DEEPER DIVES

(01:04:12) SECTION A: DARK MONEY AND THE INFLUENCER WAR

(02:01:36) SECTION B: AIPAC, ISRAEL, AND COMPLICITY

(02:46:14) SECTION C: MOSTLY WEAK BUT SIGNS OF LIFE

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A graphic illustration depicting a donkey colored in red and blue, with stars, looking in shock at its shadow on the ground.

Credit: “Democratic Donkey Vector and Icon” by Vectorportal.com | CC BY 4.0

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [email protected]

Air Date 9/7/2025

Trump has been setting a new tone both at home and abroad which is shaking up everything from the war in Ukraine to threats of force against Mexico, Venezuela, and our own American cities with the militarization of domestic policing. And we made all of this before Trump posted an Apocalypse Now meme about using the Department of War against Chicago.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

KEY POINTS

KP 1: NATO Lost in Ukraine and the West Is In Denial, W Vijay Prashad Part 1 - BreakThrough News - Air Date 8-20-25

KP 2: What Ukraine Is Fighting For Denys Pilash - The Majority Report W Sam Seder - Air Date 8-24-25

KP 3: Putins Puppet Show Trump Tangled in the Strings Part 1 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 8-19-25

KP 4: Why Are US Warships Going to Venezuela Part 1 - The Take - Air Date 8-28-25

KP 5: The Dramatic Overhaul Of The Justice Dept. Part 1 - Fresh Air - Air Date 8-20-25

KP 6: Wall Streets Big Admission on Ukraine, Trump's DC Takeover, and How a General Strike Could Happen Part 1 - The Socialist Program W Brian Becker - Air Date 8-28-25

KP 7: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Tells Trump to Stay Out; Decries Authoritarianism, War on Poor People Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-15-25

KP 8: Trumps National Guard Strategy—Plus, the Secret Behind Huck Finn - Start Making Sense - Air Date 8-27-25

(00:56:33) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On encroaching fascism and the Boston Massacre

DEEPER DIVES

(01:07:01) SECTION A: UKRAINE

A1: Normalizing Militarization Part 1 - Main Justice - Air Date 8-27-25

A2: Putin's Puppet Show Trump Tangled in the Strings Part 2 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 8-19-25

A3: Russia Expert Katrina Vanden Heuvel on Trump Summits with Putin, Zelensky Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-18-25

A4: Wall Streets Big Admission on Ukraine, Trump's DC Takeover, and How a General Strike Could Happen Part 2 - The Socialist Program W Brian Becker - Air Date 8-28-25

A5: NATO Lost in Ukraine and the West Is In Denial, W Vijay Prashad Part 2 - BreakThrough News - Air Date 8-20-25

A6: Russia Expert Katrina Vanden Heuvel on Trump Summits with Putin, Zelensky Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-18-25

(01:47:03) SECTION B: MEXICO & VENEZUELA

B1: Trump Admin Prepares to Attack Mexico - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-22-25

B2: Is Trump Fading - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 8-22-25

B3: Mexico Rejects Trumps Call for US Military Intervention to Fight Drug Cartels - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 8-26-25

B4: Why Are US Warships Going to Venezuela Part 2 - The Take - Air Date 8-28-25

(02:11:53) SECTION C: THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

C1: The Dramatic Overhaul Of The Justice Dept. Part 2 - Fresh Air - Air Date 8-20-25

C2: Capehart and Ponnuru on the FBI's Raid on Trump Critic John Bolton - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 8-22-25

C3: Weekly Roundup God and the Military in DC + Nazi-Loving Economist Takes Over Jobs Data Part 1 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-15-25

(02:37:10) SECTION D: DC AND US CITIES

D1: National Guard Troops In Washington Begin Carrying Weapons Part 1 - HasanAbi - Air Date 8-25-25

D2: Normalizing Militarization Part 2 - Main Justice - Air Date 8-27-25

D3: Weekly Roundup God and the Military in DC + Nazi-Loving Economist Takes Over Jobs Data Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-15-25

D4: Bonus Episode Trump Is Dying. Military Occupation Is Happening. What's Next? Part 1 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-28-25

D5: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Tells Trump to Stay Out; Decries Authoritarianism, War on Poor People Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-15-25

D6: National Guard Troops In Washington Begin Carrying Weapons Part 2 - HasanAbi - Air Date 8-25-25

D7: Bonus Episode Trump Is Dying. Military Occupation Is Happening. What's Next? Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-28-25

D8: Joy Reid Trump Is Trying to Turn the US Into Apartheid South Africa - The Dean Obeidallah Show - Air Date 8-15-25

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A sticker depicting a drawing of a police person in full riot gear, gas mask and visor, holding a baton in their hands with a banner underneath that says “Do you feel safe?”

Credit: “06a.PeoplesPowerAssembly.BaltimoreMD.8March2017” by Elvert Barnes | CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [email protected]

Air Date: 9–3-25

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss:

• Ch. 1 - The surprising origins of Gerrymandering

• Ch. 2 - The options we have to improve congressional representation for everyone in the country

• Ch. 3 - Democratic states response to Republican gerrymandering threats

• Ch. 4 - The argument for DC statehood and the people to blame for why it hasn’t happened yet

• Ch. 5 - How to end homelessness and what you can do to help those being targeted in DC

• SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm: The only correct opinion about the Cracker Barrel rebrand

YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!)

Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e

REFERENCES:

Elbridge Gerry and the Original Gerrymander - The Gilder Lehrman Institute

Drawing the Line (“Ratf**cked”: The Innfluence of Redistricting) - The New Yorker (2016)

History of Single Member Districts for Congress: Seeking Fair Representation Before PR - FairVote

Gavin Newsom’s Retaliatory Redistricting Plan Is Good, Actually - The New Republic

How Democrats Should Actually Respond to Republicans’ Attempts to Rig Voting Maps - Slate

How Moderate Senate Democrats Enabled Trump’s D.C. Takeover - The American Prospect

Trump’s Homelessness Crackdown Has Been Tried Before. It Didn’t Work. - Mother Jones

MEMBERS

The New Cracker Barrel Logo Sucks And So Does The Mess Around It - Kotaku

EXTRAS

Congress literally doesn’t care what you think (aka: Corruption is Legal in America) (Represent.US, 2016)

Is illegal immigration really a democratic plot to sway congressional apportionment?

Americans worry democracy in danger amid gerrymandering fights, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

Air Date: 6–20-2023

Today, we take a look at the story of how neoliberalism was born, how corporations were organized to help push it into the mainstream, and how the courts were reshaped to permanently tilt the rules in favor of corporate power.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Chile, Neoliberalism and the CIA - AJ+ - Air Date 11-29-19

Ch. 2: The Powell Memo. Corporate America's Call to Arms. - Unf*cking The Republic - Air Date 2-9-23

Ch. 3: How the Corporate Takeover of American Politics Began - Robert Reich - Air Date 12-13-22

Ch. 4: Greed Is Rotting America From The Inside Out - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 7-29-22

Ch. 5: Economic False Prophets Part 1 - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 6-10-23

Ch. 6: What has Greed Cost America - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-28-14

Ch. 7: Economic False Prophets Part 2 - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 6-10-23

Ch. 8: Wall Street's ESG Scam EXPLAINED - Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar - Air Date 6-16-22

Ch. 9: Anti-Capitalist Investing Is... Absurd — Jen Pan - Jacobin - Air Date 6-11-22

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Air Date 9/1/2025

The way people consume almost every variety of media, entertainment, and art is different now than it was only 10-15 years ago. That means that the way protest music, revolutionary art, and even mass market productions and performances are going to be different, feel different, and likely find you in different ways than in the past. But the drive to create never dies and art will always be part of the resistance to oppression.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

Join our Discord community!

KEY POINTS

(00:49:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the strength of diversity that comes through in art

DEEPER DIVES

(00:56:08) SECTION A: CULTURE

(01:29:28) SECTION B: ART

(02:20:20) SECTION C: MUSIC

(02:46:54) SECTION D: ANDOR

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Photo of street art depicting a stenciled version of Putin and Trump kissing a la the art on the Berlin Wall satirically depicting the “fraternal kiss” between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic.

Credit: “Hamburg 2020” by Ittmust | CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Slightly cropped

Air Date: 8–28-25

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss:

• Ch. 1 - How scientific empires fall
• Ch. 2 - How fascists of the past have destroyed their country’s scientific progress in fear of inconvenient truths
• Ch. 3 - How other countries are taking the opportunity to poach American scientists
• Ch. 4 - Living in a society that is shifting away from believing in evidence based science
• Ch. 5 - The 1938 pro-science manifesto that defended democracy against fascism
• BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm - Trump’s eugenicist mindset and what we didn’t have time for from our main articles

FOLLOW US ON:

Bluesky

Mastadon

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!)

Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e

REFERENCES:

AOL Dial-Up Ending Reminds Us That All Empires Collapse Eventually - Kotaku

Every Scientific Empire Comes to an End - The Atlantic

What’s Behind the Rejection of Science? - American Laboratory

Attacks on the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Are an Attack on a Wellspring of American Prosperity - American Progress

The World Is Wooing U.S. Researchers Shunned by Trump - NY Times

Science Caught in a Rip Tide: How Authoritarianism Sweeps Away Evidence-Based Policy - USC.org

This 1938 pro-science manifesto defended democracy against fascism - Big Think

MEMBERS ONLY

Attacks on the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Are an Attack on a Wellspring of American Prosperity - American Progress

TAKE ACTION:

One Million Rising Trainings

In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach

Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Find your Indivisible group - or start one

Write to the DNC

Join our Discord Server

Reach us via Signal:

Bestoftheleft.01

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date 8/27/2025

RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again movement aren't completely wrong about everything, they often identify the larger structural problems with the US health industrial complex even if their proposed solutions are wildly off the mark. But the problem they failed to see coming when partnering with Trump and the Republicans is that they're only going to be allowed to misguidedly defund and dismantle parts of the government that support health which is in line with the broader burn-it-all-down vibes of the MAGA movement, but under no circumstances will they be allowed to implement new regulations that might actually do the public some good at the expense of corporate interests because that would go against the pro-corporate/deregulation obsession of the Republican Party. So, MAHA might be a mixed bag but what the country is getting is a lose/lose.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

Join our Discord community!

KEY POINTS

KP 1: RFK Jr. Is Putting American Lives At Risk Part 1 - What A Day - Air Date 8-8-25

KP 2: What the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Part 1 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 8-4-25

KP 3: Aryn Melton Backus of 'Fired But Fighting' on RFK's War on Public Health Part 1 - The BradCast - Air Date 8-11-25

KP 4: Despite 'MAHA' Fuss, Truth of Trump Admin's Health Priorities Seen in Drastic Cuts - The Briefing - Air Date 5-23-25

KP 5: The Nutrition Lies We All Fell For Part 1 - Rich Roll - Air Date 8-11-25

KP 6: Dr. Mikes Fight to Save Medicine From RFK Jr. Part 1 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 8-4-24

KP 7: You're on Your Own MAHA Dismantles Public Health Rob Wallace & Rita Valenti Part 1 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 8-7-25

(00:53:06) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On why regulations are written in blood

DEEPER DIVES

(01:01:33) SECTION A: MAHA AGENDA

A1: Kennedy's MAHA Report Targets Vaccines, Food Supply and Prescription Drugs - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 5-22-25

A2: Raul Ruiz Absolutely Hammers RFK Jr. Over MAHA Report 'That's Lying And Dishonest' - Forbes Breaking News - Air Date 6-24-25

A3: 270 Kennedy's Bloodbath Part 1 - Conspirituality - Air Date 8-14-25

A4: RFK Jr.'s New Vaccine Advisors Signal Big Changes to Come - Short Wave - Air Date 6-30-25

A5: RFK Jr. Is Putting American Lives At Risk Part 2 - What A Day - Air Date 8-8-25

A6: 270 Kennedy's Bloodbath Part 2 - Conspirituality - Air Date 8-14-25

A7: You're on Your Own MAHA Dismantles Public Health Rob Wallace & Rita Valenti Part 2 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 8-7-25

(01:53:49) SECTION B: THE GRIFTERS

B1: What the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Part 2 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 8-4-25

B2: Make America Healthy Again Part 1 - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 8-18-25

B3: The Nutrition Lies We All Fell For Part 2 - Rich Roll - Air Date 8-11-25

B4: Dr. Mikes Fight to Save Medicine From RFK Jr. Part 2 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 8-4-24

B5: Make America Healthy Again Part 2 - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 8-18-25

(02:36:28) SECTION C: CON-TRADICTORY POLICIES

C1: The Nutrition Lies We All Fell For Part 3 - Rich Roll - Air Date 8-11-25

C2: 4 Ways SNAP Benefits Will Change After Trump's Big Policy Act - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 8-9-25

C3: Aryn Melton Backus of 'Fired But Fighting' on RFK's War on Public Health Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 8-11-25

C4: Ending Corporate Harm Undue Influence Within Corporate Product Health and Safety with Dr. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH - Cult Conversations The Influence Continuum - Air Date 7-28-25

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Composite image showing a circular screen grab showing from HHS Secretary RFK Jr. wearing the MAHA hat and pulling down the brim to show the “Make America Healthy Again” text, on a green background.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Image Source: HHS “Netzpolitik Demonstration for press freedom in Berlin” by Sebaso, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [email protected]