Richard Nixon came within a gnats eyelash of being impeached over the

Watergate scandal, but ended up resigning instead. Despite some of his positive achievements, he is generally considered a bad president. But what about Trump? Is he worse?

In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty is joined by novelist and podcaster Laura VanWormer, creator of the serialized audio fiction podcast Class of ’74.

The conversation explores the dynamics of political power through a compelling comparison of Donald Trump and Richard Nixon, with VanWormer offering a provocative take on why Nixon—despite his flaws—represented a more functional form of leadership.

Laura also shares her deeply personal journey following a devastating car accident that forced her to step away from writing novels—and how that loss unexpectedly gave rise to Class of ’74, a podcast that blends 1970s nostalgia, political backdrop, and soap-opera storytelling into a modern audio experience enjoyed by listeners around the world.

This episode is a reflection on:

• Political leadership and historical perspective

• Resilience after personal tragedy

• Podcasting as a new literary frontier

• Humor as a survival tool in dark political times

Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human, this conversation is a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling—and the importance of laughter when confronting history and the present moment.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Lean To the Left

00:29 Comparing Trump and Nixon

01:00 Introducing Laura VanWormer

01:13 Laura's High School Reunion and Podcast

01:55 Weather and Small Talk

03:13 Details About the Class of 74 Podcast

09:00 Laura's Personal Story and Accident

11:45 The Impact of Laura's Podcast

13:20 Writing and Voices

13:38 Trump vs. Nixon

14:12 Nixon's Environmental and Media Policies

15:21 Nixon's Downfall and Resignation

16:33 Personal Reflections on Nixon Era

17:09 Nixon's Draft and Popularity

20:32 Comparing Nixon and Trump

21:25 High School Memories and Politics

23:34 Teenagers and Social Media

25:26 Books and Writing Career

26:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts