Progressive Voices

This time on Code WACK!

We talk a lot about how our healthcare system fails us when we get sick, but what about when regulators fail to PREVENT ILLNESS? Case in point: lead poisoning. It’s not just a danger from the past. Thousands of children are sickened from lead poisoning each year across the country.

This week we’re looking at New York State which has older, poorly maintained housing stock in several areas, and where we’ve seen some of the highest incidences of lead poisoning in the country. So why hasn’t the state legislature passed the Lead Paint Right to Know Act, a bill that could help protect families from this entirely preventable harm?

To learn more, we recently spoke with Shannon Burkett, a New York mother whose son Cooper was diagnosed with lead poisoning as an infant in 2008. Shannon is also the writer, producer, and editor of the podcast LEAD: How This Story Ends Is Up to Us. Both Shannon, a registered nurse, and Cooper, now 18, have been powerful voices in the fight to end lead poisoning.

This is the second episode in a two-part series.

Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!

And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 9/16/2025: Our Crumbling Courts and Withering Rule of Law by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 9-16-2025 by Progressive Voices

⏩ How MAGA Is Stealing Your Most Valuable Asset: TIME | Karel Cast 25-114

America has been trapped in a cycle of outrage since Donald Trump’s rise and the MAGA movement. Every headline, every conversation, every policy fight is dominated by their agenda — and it’s costing you more than you realize. They’re not just robbing your peace of mind, they’re stealing your most valuable asset: your time.

From endless work hours to constant stress and nonstop political chaos, life in the USA feels hijacked. Is it even possible to take our time back — and live fully — under this system? Or has MAGA created a country where working, worrying, and watching are the only options left?

In today’s Karel Cast, we break down how your life is being drained by politics, power, and distraction — and what it will take to reclaim your future.

🎙️ The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel

📺 Watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel

📱 Live Mon–Thu at 10:30am PST | Available on Spotify, iHeart, Apple Podcasts, TikTok & Instagram.

#KarelCast, #MAGA, #DonaldTrump, #PoliticsToday, #AmericanLife, #TimeIsMoney, #FightForTime, #OutrageCulture, #TrumpEra, #LifeUnderMAGA, #PoliticalChaos, #AmericanFuture, #WorkLifeBalance, #USApolitics, #ResistMAGA, #NewsAnalysis, #CurrentEvents, #LiberalVoices, #PoliticalPodcast, #KarelAndEmber

https://youtube.com/live/jFOu4MrZT2w

'BradCast' 9/15/2025: After Kirk Murder, First Amendment, But Not Second, Under Attack. Prove Me Wrong by 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 Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). They discuss her brand new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers. Public Education and the Future of Democracy." 

The book's Publisher, Penguin House, describes it as "A rousing defense of public education as the cornerstone of American democracy, by the woman attacked by the far right as “the most dangerous person in the world”

Attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist regimes: Throughout history, as many dictators rose to power they began banning books and controlling curriculum. Fascists fear teachers because teachers foster an educated and empowered population that can see past propaganda and scare tactics. Fascists fear teachers because they teach young people how to think for themselves.

Drawing on history, stories from teachers on the front lines, and decades of experience with America’s public schools, Weingarten argues that teaching students to think critically is the key to defeating would-be dictators.

She encourages teachers to continue focusing on their vital mission to help young people thrive."

The book is available for purchase here: https://sites.prh.com/whyfascistsfearteachers

During the second half of the show, Brad is joined by Sara Haghdoosti and she is the Executive Director of Win Without War, a diverse network of activists and organizations working towards a progressive U.S. foreign policy.

She details the dangers of militarizing local law enforcement, and what it means for everyday people that the President is willing to position troops in American cities to enforce his own agenda (with Memphis, TN just the latest).

Based just outside of Chicago, Sara also speaks to what the local community is experiencing right now as Trump targets the city.

Sara also talks about her organization’s ‘Know Your Rights Campaign’ for military service members that do not want to follow unlawful orders from the Trump administration:

https://winwithoutwar.org/win-without-war-launches-notwhatyousignedupfor-org-for-members-of-the-military-during-trumps-authoritarian-crackdown/ 

Finally, Brad and Sara talk foreign policy, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the Trump administration's controversial airstrike on a Venezuelan boat that Trump claims contained drug smugglers transporting fentanyl.

Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators.

Their website is www.AFT.org and their handle on BlueSky is @aftunion.bsky.social.  Randi's handle is @rweingarten.bsky.social.

'Win Without War' is a national grassroots organization that works with elected officials, policymakers, media, advocacy organizations, and movement leaders to promote and advance a values-based progressive national security strategy that prioritizes human security and diplomacy over war.

Their website is WinWithoutWar.org.  Their handle on BlueSky is @winwithoutwar.bsky.social.  Sara's handle is @shaghdoosti.bsky.social.

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'

He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

Christian Nationalism: Patriotism or Threat to America? | Karel Cast 25-113

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the government and right-wing media call him a “true patriot.” But what if he wasn’t? What if Christian Nationalism—the ideology he championed—is actually un-American, contradicting the very principles of the Founding Fathers?

Karel takes a hard look at how Christian Nationalism has been weaponized to discriminate against LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, Muslims, and anyone outside their narrow worldview. Is this really patriotism—or the perversion of freedom and democracy?

Meanwhile, Kirk’s followers claim to support free speech, yet silence critics with doxxing, firings, and violent threats. The hypocrisy couldn’t be clearer.

Does Charlie Kirk’s death prove it’s time for America to divide into separate alliances—the free states vs. the hateful ones? The Founders left us the tools. The question is: do we have the courage?

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel. The show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram.

#ChristianNationalism, #CharlieKirk, #PoliticalViolence, #AmericanDemocracy, #SeparationOfChurchAndState, #LGBTQRights, #ReligiousExtremism, #FreedomOfSpeech, #PoliticalDivision, #USPolitics, #BreakingNews, #DemocracyInCrisis, #HumanRights, #EqualityForAll, #ConstitutionalRights, #TheKarelCast, #PoliticalAnalysis, #FaithAndPolitics, #CurrentEvents, #AmericanHistory

https://youtube.com/live/vYro9Cci0p8

Green News Report 9-11-2025 by Progressive Voices

BradCast' 9/11/2025: 'A Dark Moment for America' by Progressive Voices

Charlie Kirk Assassination: False Flag or Political Martyr? | Karel Cast 25-122

Charlie Kirk was assassinated in public in Utah, and the fallout is tearing the nation apart. MAGA immediately weaponized the killing, labeling the shooter a radical left activist without evidence, fueling division and anger. The President quickly blamed the left—something he did not do when lawmakers were murdered in their homes just a month ago.

So, was this an attack by an extremist, or could it be a false flag designed to spark unrest, radicalize young people, push for martial law, and even suspend upcoming elections? Either way, the consequences are devastating for America’s democracy.

Join Karel as he breaks down the assassination, the dangerous political spin, and what it means for the future of the USA.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel. The show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram.

#CharlieKirk, #Assassination, #PoliticalViolence, #FalseFlag, #MAGA, #AmericanPolitics, #BreakingNews, #USPolitics, #DemocracyInCrisis, #PoliticalDivision, #Election2025, #MartialLaw, #LeftVsRight, #Radicalization, #HistoryInTheMaking, #PoliticalAnalysis, #TheKarelCast, #UtahNews, #PoliticalMartyr, #CurrentEvents