Progressive Voices

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. 

Brad is first joined by Ken Vogel, a reporter based in the Washington bureau of The New York Times, investigating the intersection of money, politics and influence.

The two discuss Ken's new explosive investigative piece revealing how big tobacco gave a Trump Super PAC $5 million dollars, and just five days later, the FDA cleared flavored vapes. (article link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/donation-big-tobacco-vaping.html?unlocked_article_code=1.kFA.hbVQ.Tezpj9lnIlR2&smid=url-share)

Then, Brad is joined by Ethan Rome, National Director of the Emergency Campaign to Support Higher Education.

The pair discusses the campaign's work to defend the autonomy of colleges  and universities, protect vital life-saving research that is an engine of our local economies, and make higher education a public good that is accessible, affordable, and relevant to all people,  including working families. They also discuss the Trump administration's attacks against diversity in college, as well as the threats from ICE on campuses across the country.

The website for Ethan's organization is www.emergencycampaign.org.

Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'

You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.

His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

(Image Credit: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

'BradCast' 6/8/2026: Trump Rails Against CA Elections, Presents No Evidence of Fraud by Progressive Voices

The Great Disconnect: Record Wealth, Record Hardship

The economy is supposedly thriving. The stock market is breaking records. Corporate profits are soaring. Yet millions of Americans are struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, fill up their gas tanks, and save for the future.

How can oil companies post enormous profits while gas prices remain painfully high? Why are food giants reporting strong earnings while grocery bills continue to climb? Why are hotels charging resort fees and parking fees on top of already expensive rooms? And how did a modest California home that once sold for $27,000 end up costing nearly $900,000?

Meanwhile, political rhetoric grows more disconnected from reality. Claims of election fraud, accusations of rigged systems, and endless partisan battles leave many wondering whether common sense has completely disappeared from public life.

In this episode, Karel takes a hard look at the contradictions defining modern America: record corporate profits, record asset values, and record financial anxiety for everyday people.

Has the world stopped making sense, or are we finally paying attention to how the system really works?

Join the conversation and tell us what you think in the comments below.

Support independent media:

Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel

Watch and subscribe:

YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel

Listen everywhere:

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The Karel Show streams LIVE Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, journalist, and commentator broadcasting from Las Vegas alongside his faithful service dog, Ember.

#Economy,#Inflation,#CostOfLiving,#GasPrices,#HousingCrisis,#CorporateGreed,#CorporateProfits,#StockMarket,#Rent,#FoodPrices,#MiddleClass,#WorkingClass,#AmericanEconomy,#EconomicReality,#FinancialStress,#WealthGap,#IncomeInequality,#Politics,#CurrentEvents,#NewsCommentary,#KarelShow,#ReallyKarel,#IndependentMedia,#Commentary,#PoliticalDiscussion,#EconomicCrisis,#America,#LifeInAmerica,#YouTubePolitics,#Podcast

https://youtube.com/live/x7px5_nIyo0

'BradCast' 6/4/2026: J6er Says No to Trump's 'Weaponization' Slush Fund Money by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 6/4/2026 by Progressive Voices

400+ Anti-LGBTQ Bills: Why Pride Matters More Than Ever | This Gay Week

As Pride Month begins, LGBTQ people around the world are asking the same question:

Are things getting better—or getting worse?

This week on This Gay Week, Karel welcomes Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project for a wide-ranging conversation on the most important LGBTQ stories making headlines across the globe.

Topics include:

🏳️‍🌈 The current state of LGBTQ rights in the United States

🏳️‍⚧️ The ongoing battle over transgender military service

🌍 Ghana’s escalating anti-LGBTQ policies and what they mean for human rights worldwide

🎉 Pride Month celebrations across America amid a growing wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation

📜 More than 400 anti-LGBTQ bills that have been introduced, passed, or remain active in legislatures across the United States

The LGBTQ experience in 2026 depends heavily on where you live. In some places, equality continues to advance. In others, rights are being challenged, restricted, or rolled back.

So where do we stand today?

And why is Pride still necessary?

Join Karel and Scott Jacobsen as they break down the week’s biggest LGBTQ news stories and discuss what they mean for the future of equality around the world.

Support independent media:

Patreon.com/ReallyKarel

Subscribe and join the conversation:

YouTube.com/ReallyKarel

The Karel Show streams Monday through Thursday and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and all major podcast platforms.

#LGBTQ, #PrideMonth, #GayNews, #LGBTQNews, #ThisGayWeek, #GayRights, #TransRights, #LGBTQCommunity, #Equality, #HumanRights, #Pride, #Pride2026, #LGBTQPolitics, #AntiLGBTQBills, #LGBTQLaws, #CivilRights, #GayCulture, #Lesbian, #Bisexual, #Transgender, #Queer, #LGBTQIssues, #PoliticalNews, #CurrentEvents, #ScottJacobsen, #TheGoodMenProject, #LGBTQWorldwide, #GayPodcast, #TheKarelShow, #LGBTQAd

https://youtu.be/eNPLzgsov4c

'BradCast' 6/3/2026: Corrupt, Partisan SCOTUS Ends All Claim to Legitimacy with Mid-Election Alabama Ruling; Primary election results by Progressive Voices

This is the story of a dedicated advocate, organizer, and powerful voice in the fight for healthcare justice - Mariana Pineda.

Mariana was a teacher in the Roosevelt School District, Nassau County, Long Island, until she caught a serious case of COVID complicated by pre-existing conditions, including asthma and heart problems.

No longer able to work, she lost her employer-sponsored health insurance. Desperate to have some kind of coverage, she spent down her savings on COBRA. Despite financial help from friends, Mariana eventually ended up in a homeless shelter with her young son, Max, where they suffered from cockroaches and bedbugs.

Yet through it all, Mariana never stopped advocating for people's rights. A social justice activist and tireless organizer, she could command a rally one minute and spend the next making sure everyone had something to eat.

And before she died earlier this year at age 46… she spent years fighting for healthcare as a human right.

This is part one of a two-part series about Mariana Pineda, single mom, teacher, and healthcare justice fighter.

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.

My Biggest Fear for the Rest of 2026 Isn’t Politics

The political world was focused on Tuesday’s major primary elections, and for good reason. The results could offer an early glimpse into what may become the most important midterm election cycle in decades.

But while everyone was watching politics, another story may have been far more important—and far more frightening.

Climate scientists are warning that conditions are lining up for what could become an exceptionally powerful El Niño pattern, bringing hotter temperatures, more extreme weather, and potentially another record-breaking year for global heat.

And that’s what has me worried.

I live in Las Vegas, a city that already feels like it’s sitting on the edge of an oven every summer. If temperatures continue to rise, what happens to cities like mine? What happens to millions of people living in places already struggling with extreme heat, drought, and rising energy costs?

Is this simply our future now?

A hotter planet. More dangerous summers. More climate refugees. More communities pushed to the breaking point.

Today, we’ll discuss the primary election results you need to know, but we’ll also tackle the story that may matter far more in the long run: climate change, extreme heat, and whether America—and the world—are prepared for what’s coming next.

And yes, we’ll talk about fear. Because change can be frightening. I feel it too.

Support independent media at Patreon.com/ReallyKarel

Subscribe and join the conversation at YouTube.com/ReallyKarel

The Karel Show streams Monday through Thursday and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and all major podcast platforms.

#ClimateChange, #GlobalWarming, #ElNino, #ExtremeHeat, #LasVegas, #Weather, #ClimateCrisis, #HeatWave, #Environment, #ClimateNews, #Politics, #Election2026, #Midterms, #PrimaryElection, #CurrentEvents, #BreakingNews, #NewsAnalysis, #PoliticalCommentary, #TheKarelShow, #Karel, #Earth, #ClimateEmergency, #Sustainability, #ScienceNews, #WeatherNews, #EnvironmentalNews, #HeatDome, #FutureOfAmerica, #Podcast, #IndependentMedia

https://youtube.com/live/s0rhwIdJoqM

'BradCast' 6/2/2026: Trump's Favorite Election Fraud Criminal Now Runs Free by Progressive Voices