America at 250: Is the American Dream Falling Apart?

America turns 250 this week—but is there really anything to celebrate?

As the United States reaches its 250th birthday, the nation finds itself more divided than many Americans can remember. Political battles dominate Washington, global conflicts continue to create economic uncertainty, homeownership remains out of reach for millions, and many people wonder whether democracy itself is under unprecedented strain.

While official celebrations take place in Washington, many Americans are asking a different question: Who is this celebration really for?

At the same time, Pride Month closes amid heightened political tension, growing cultural conflict, and renewed debates over LGBTQ rights across the country.

Meanwhile, extreme heat is becoming a deadly reality around the world, with Europe experiencing record-breaking temperatures and heat-related deaths, raising even more questions about the future we are building.

At 250 years old, America stands at a crossroads. Can the country find common purpose again, or is division becoming its defining feature?

Join Karel as he examines the biggest stories shaping America today and asks the difficult questions many politicians refuse to answer.

Support The Karel Cast: Patreon.com/ReallyKarel

📺 Watch live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific on YouTube.

🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Spreaker.

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https://youtube.com/live/WD0UlGGSDOk

Green News Report 6/25/2026 by Progressive Voices

THIS GAY WEEK: One-Third of the World’s Nations Still Target LGBTQ People

THIS GAY WEEK: One-Third of the World’s Nations Still Target LGBTQ People

How bad is it for LGBTQ people around the world? The latest reports paint a troubling picture: nearly one-third of the world’s countries continue to criminalize, persecute, or openly discriminate against LGBTQ people. Why is progress accelerating in some places while moving backward in others?

This week, Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project joins Karel from Ukraine to break down the biggest LGBTQ stories from around the globe.

🌈 This week:

• New research reveals the alarming global state of LGBTQ rights.

• Germany has everyone talking about… gay sheep and rainbow wool.

• Pride celebrations bring hope from North Macedonia and Bosnia.

• Scott reports directly from Ukraine with two inspiring stories of resilience and progress.

• Plus, the biggest LGBTQ headlines you need to know from around the world.

If you care about equality, human rights, and staying informed on the issues affecting LGBTQ communities worldwide, this is the show you don’t want to miss.

👍 Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help independent LGBTQ voices reach more people.

Support The Karel Cast:

Patreon: https://patreon.com/reallykarel

📺 Watch LIVE Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific:

https://youtube.com/reallykarel

🎧 Listen everywhere you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Spreaker.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and longtime LGBTQ advocate broadcasting from Las Vegas with his service dog, Ember.

'BradCast' 6/25/2026 ('So Stupid it Makes Your Head Explode'; Guests: Heather Digby Parton and 'Driftglass') by Progressive Voices

Trump’s Petty Politics? Why No One Stops Him | The Karel Cast

Is the presidency becoming more about personal grudges than public service?

Today, Karel examines a week of escalating political drama as Donald Trump reportedly lashes out at members of his own party, refuses to support housing legislation, and makes claims without publicly presented evidence. Is this simply politics as usual—or something more concerning?

Why would a president oppose a bill designed to help Americans buy homes? Why attack members of his own party for exercising congressional oversight? And why do so many elected officials continue to tolerate behavior that would end most political careers?

Karel explores the power, politics, and personality behind the headlines—and explains why he believes so many people continue to look the other way.

Plus:

• The latest health headlines

• Entertainment news to kick off your weekend

• Commentary you won’t hear anywhere else

👍 If you enjoy independent progressive commentary, please Like, Subscribe, and Share.

Support independent broadcasting:

Patreon: https://patreon.com/reallykarel

📺 Watch live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/reallykarel

🎧 Listen everywhere you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Spreaker.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and longtime LGBTQ+ voice broadcasting from Las Vegas alongside his service dog, Ember.

#Trump,#DonaldTrump,#Politics,#PoliticalNews,#BreakingNews,#NewsCommentary,#CurrentEvents,#Congress,#Housing,#HousingCrisis,#AffordableHousing,#Government,#WhiteHouse,#Democracy,#PoliticalAnalysis,#Liberal,#Progressive,#Opinion,#News,#YouTubeNews,#Karel,#TheKarelCast,#LiveNews,#Commentary,#HealthNews,#EntertainmentNews,#PoliticalCommentary,#IndependentMedia,#NewsPodcast,#Trending

https://youtube.com/live/-1hlwQF1H4I

'BradCast' 6/24/2026 (Stop Trump's Project 2025 Scheme to Kill US Science Research) by Progressive Voices

Toy Story 5 Accidentally Exposes Society’s Biggest Problem

THE GREAT DISCONNECT: ARE PHONES DESTROYING HUMAN CONNECTION?

Toy Story 5 may be breaking box office records, but beneath the animation is a message that hits much closer to home. The film explores a battle between analog toys and digital devices, raising a question that affects all of us: Have we traded real human connection for screens?

Today, we dive into what may be the biggest challenge facing modern society. Despite being more connected digitally than at any point in history, people are feeling more isolated, disconnected, and lonely than ever before.

From endless scrolling and short-form content to online relationships that only feel real, we’re losing something essential. We’re becoming disconnected from nature, from beauty, from community, and from one another. Even the colors and experiences of the real world seem to be fading behind glowing screens.

Can we get our humanity back? Can we reconnect with each other in a meaningful way? The answer may be yes—but many of us won’t like what it requires.

Also today:

• A fence goes up around Trump’s troubled reflecting pool project

• The Senate finally pushes back against an unjust and illegal war with Iran

• Why accountability still matters in American democracy

Join Karel for a thought-provoking conversation about technology, loneliness, politics, and what it means to be human in a digital age.

Support the show:

Patreon: ReallyKarel

Subscribe:

YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel

The Karel Cast streams live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and all major podcast platforms.

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https://youtube.com/live/wkCR7B2yW48

This time on Code WACK!

Imagine being cut off from Mom - a nursing home resident - for months. You can't bring her favorite foods, or help dress her, hug her, or even hold her hand.

For thousands of families during the COVID-19 pandemic, this became a heartbreaking reality. And without new laws, advocates say, it could very well happen again.

That's why they are fighting to ensure our loved ones are never again separated from those they depend on most in nursing homes and other long-term care settings

Today we're speaking with Tony Chicotel, senior staff attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, or CANHR. For decades, Tony has fought to protect the rights of nursing home residents. And he says the isolation and neglect that families experienced during COVID was one of the most painful chapters of his career.

This is part two of a two-part series on the Essential Caregiver’s Act.

Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!

And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.

'BradCast' 6/23/2026 (The Horses Races AND the Track Conditions; Why Trump endorsements matter; SCOTUS v. VRA Again) by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 6/23/2026 by Progressive Voices