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 Tim Karr, Senior of Director of Strategy and Communications at 'Free Press,' a nonpartisan organization fighting for your rights to connect and communicate.

The pair examines the increasingly disturbing trend of the mainstream media's capitulation to Trump and his administration.  This includes a discussion on Free Press's newly created 'Media Capitulation Index,' and a report that Tim authored on the way forward.  It's titled, "A More Perfect Media: Saving America’s Fourth Estate from Billionaires, Broligarchy and Trump."

Then, Brad is joined by Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of 'The New Jewish Narrative."  The organization's mission statement identifies their members as "American Jews, deeply rooted in the story of our people and the history of our struggle for peace and justice. In our narrative, peace and justice are the birthright of Israelis, of Palestinians, and of all people."

The two discuss the increasingly dire situation in Gaza, where the United Nation's Humanitarian Affairs Office says that food consumption has "declined to its lowest level since the onset of the war." They report that "nearly 90% of households have resorted to extremely severe coping mechanisms to feed themselves, including taking significant risks to obtain food and scavenging from garbage."  

Gaza health authorities also report that over 200 people have died of starvation since the war began 22 months ago, and that nearly half of them were children.

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.   

(Image Credit: Free Press)

After Over 2000 Years Restaurants Are Dying | Karel Cast 25-109

For over 2,000 years, restaurants have been places to connect, celebrate, and explore new flavors — from ancient Greek taverns to Parisian cafés. But today, America’s dining scene is in crisis. In the first half of 2025, restaurants and bars saw one of the weakest six-month sales periods in a decade. Food costs are up over 20% since 2021, and some of my favorite spots have lost more than 30% of their business.

What’s causing the collapse? Inflation, shifting habits… or Donald Trump’s economy? If restaurants vanish, it’s not just about losing convenience — it’s about losing a core piece of our culture, history, and daily life.

Join me as I break down the history of restaurants, why they matter, and what it means if they disappear. Are we watching our way of life erode right in front of us?

🔥 Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. This is The Karel Cast — streaming live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments.

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#KarelCast, #RestaurantCrisis, #FoodCulture, #EconomicCollapse, #DiningOut, #RestaurantHistory, #DonaldTrumpEconomy, #FoodCosts, #Inflation2025, #SupportLocalRestaurants, #EatLocal, #HospitalityIndustry, #RestaurantDecline, #CulturalLoss, #EconomicImpact, #Foodies, #LunchOut, #DiningCulture, #SaveRestaurants, #EconomicReality

https://youtube.com/live/RwhkS3tH7jQ

🐶 Why Are Americans So Anti-Dog in Public? | Karel Cast 25-108

Dogs at the grocery store? Farmer’s market? Restaurant? In other countries, it’s normal. In America, it’s a problem. But why? Today on the Karel Cast, we unpack a viral story out of San Francisco where people are outraged over well-behaved dogs being allowed in public spaces. Yet, research shows dogs lower stress, aid healing, and enhance well-being in hospitals and nursing homes. So why is the U.S. so obsessed with banning them from everyday places?

Is this about health and safety—or just good ol’ American overreaction?

Plus, we look at what’s hot in entertainment this weekend and get you ready to unwind (maybe with your dog by your side).

🎙️ Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Unleashed. It’s the Karel Cast.

💥 Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel

📺 Subscribe now at youtube.com/reallykarel

📱 Watch daily on TikTok, Instagram, and stream on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, and more!

#dogs, #dogfriendly, #dogsoftiktok, #publicspaces, #americansociety, #petparent, #dogsarefamily, #karelcast, #animalrights, #petpolicy, #serviceanimals, #doglover, #dogculture, #viralnews, #sanfrancisconews, #weekendvibes, #popculturetalk, #mentalhealth, #petsinpublic, #entertainmentnews

https://youtube.com/live/BcwfH37_06g

Nations gather in Geneva to again confront the global crisis of plastic pollution; Trump EPA moves to claw back billions in community grants for rooftop solar; PLUS: As energy costs rise, Trump Administration escalates its war on cheap renewable energy... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

What would you do if your health insurer suddenly dropped you—and the care you needed cost thousands out of pocket? That’s what happened to Lani Gonzales, a former attorney from Florida who thought she understood contracts—until she came face-to-face with America’s broken healthcare system.

After experiencing medical debt and being denied coverage for vital health treatments, Lani asked herself: Why keep playing a game that’s rigged against me? Her search for affordable, compassionate care led her across the border to Mexico – and to some surprising lessons about what health care in America could look like. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Lani.

AI Is Coming for Your Job: Top 10 at Risk + What To Do After 50 | Karel Cast 25-108

AI isn’t “coming”—it’s here, and a lot of jobs are on the line. We break down the Top 10 roles at risk (interpreters/translators, historians, passenger attendants, sales reps, writers/authors, customer service reps, CNC programmers, telephone operators, ticket/travel agents, broadcast announcers & radio DJs) and ask: What do you do—especially if you’re 50+?

We talk real strategies: reskilling, AI-proof skill stacks, union/pro policy, UBI/transition supports, and how to push back on corporate AI rollouts that treat workers as disposable.

Plus: Trump’s talk of “strict tests” for transgender athletes in the Olympics—why it’s a political stunt that harms real people. And yes, I stepped in it over a family-only line at the airport—is “special convenience” policy fair if it doesn’t serve everyone?

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for unfiltered analysis four days a week at 10:30 AM PT. Support at patreon.com/reallykarel and watch everywhere you stream.

IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: Fire at Grand Canyon North Rim is now the largest mega-fire in the U.S.; New research shows the cascading health impacts of wildfire smoke; PLUS: Trump Administration rolls out climate science deniers to justify overturning climate change regulations... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

The Death of the True Star: From Streisand to Sydney Sweeney | Karel Cast Ep. 107

Hollywood used to make stars—real stars. The kind that could sing, act, and command a room like Streisand, Streep, or Prince. But now? The era of the true entertainer is over.

Sydney Sweeney does a jeans ad and suddenly we know her political party. JLo headlines a tour and is torn to shreds. Fame today doesn’t require talent—just a phone and an algorithm.

And when everything became “content,” the art… started to die.

Are real stars a thing of the past? Have we traded brilliance for virality? Let’s talk about it—uncensored, unfiltered, and unhinged.

🎙️ The Karel Cast streams Mon–Thurs at 10:30AM PST across all platforms.

💥 Like, comment & subscribe right here on YouTube and support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel

Las Vegas Isn’t the Problem—America Is Too Expensive | Karel Cast Ep. 107

Everyone’s saying Las Vegas is dying. But the real story? America is becoming unaffordable—coast to coast.

Tourism in Vegas is down 15%, international travel is down 14%, and yes, price gouging in casinos plays a role. But the bigger picture? The entire U.S. economy is crumbling under the weight of inflation, rising tariffs, and policies that push people out instead of welcoming them in.

And Trump? His legacy still haunts international tourism. Visitors don’t want to deal with ICE, insane costs, or political chaos.

Vegas is the canary in the economic coal mine, and the signs are flashing red.

Americans can’t afford America anymore.

🎧 Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Unhinged. It’s The Karel Cast—live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST on all streaming platforms.

👉 Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel and be sure to like, comment, and subscribe right here on YouTube!

#LasVegas, #USAEconomy, #TourismCrisis, #Inflation2025, #PriceGouging, #VegasTourism, #EconomicCollapse, #TooExpensive, #Tariffs, #TrumpEffect, #InternationalTravel, #ICE, #MAGAChaos, #CostOfLivingCrisis, #TheKarelCast, #UnfilteredNews, #PoliticalCommentary, #VegasEconomy, #BrokeAmerica, #TruthBombs

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https://youtube.com/live/3tBmREOfWrY

Trump EPA moves to kill its own authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions; 2025 on track to be one of the hottest years ever recorded; PLUS: The economic toll of climate-intensified wildfires and severe storms is soaring... All that and more in today's Green News Report!