In this powerful episode of the Dixie Dems Podcast, part of the Lean to the Left network, Carole Bellacera — Air Force veteran, author, and unapologetic Southern Democrat — shares her story of resilience, activism, and the fight for fair representation in a deep-red state.

Carole recounts the shocking moment she was escorted out of a Nancy Mace town hall, simply for being a Democrat, and the broader challenges progressives face in conservative regions. From her service during the Vietnam era to her lifelong dedication to social justice and writing, Carole embodies the indomitable spirit of grassroots activism.

🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:

The reality of being a Democrat in a Republican stronghold

How Carole turned political exclusion into fuel for activism

The ongoing battle for democracy and representation in the South

Her insights as an Air Force veteran and author of Incense and Peppermints

If you believe in democracy, equal representation, and the power of one voice to make a difference, this episode is for you.

#DixieDems #LeanToTheLeft #SouthernDemocrat #MAGA #GrassrootsActivism #CaroleBellacera

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:14 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction

01:26 Carole's Background and Achievements

01:54 Carole's Music Endeavors

03:11 Discussion on Nancy Mace

05:15 Trump and Epstein Controversy

06:20 Impact of Trump on Personal Relationships

08:35 Nancy Mace Town Hall Incident

14:53 Carolel's Activism and Political Views

21:13 Confrontation with a Doctor

21:50 Trump's COVID Treatment and Inequities

22:52 Veterans and Trump's Policies

24:14 Military and Public Opinion

26:41 Corporate America's Response to DEI

28:22 Desserts and Small Talk

32:40 Trump's Health Speculations

35:59 Vietnam War and Combat Nurses

38:04 Conclusion and Farewell

In a shocking move, Trump’s Health Secretary RFK Jr. has restricted COVID vaccine access for kids, seniors, and the vulnerable — ignoring scientific evidence and risking countless lives.

Hear Lean to the Left's Bob Gatty explain why this dangerous politics over science agenda could cost more lives than the pandemic’s first wave. It's the deadly cost of vaccine denial.

What are some wealth creation strategies in today's economy? Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast with our guest, Bronson Hill, managing member of Bronson Equity and and author of the bestselling book 'Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income in Three Years or Less.'

Hill is general partner in 2,500 multifamily units worth over $250 million and the host of the Mailbox Money show.

During the show, Hill explores the impact of Trump's tariffs and inflation, and possible investment strategies for those seeking to capitalize on opportunities and avoid the pitfalls resulting from today's economic environment. Hill discusses the importance of passive income, the effects of inflation on everyday expenses, and ways to capitalize on current economic conditions.

The conversation also touches on the growing influence of artificial intelligence and its implications on employment in the future. Bronson shares about the Wealth Forum, a platform for high net worth individuals to discuss investment opportunities and financial growth. Additionally, he provides practical advice for those looking to embark on their investment journeys.

Hill also is the author of a new investment guide, "How to Use Inflation to Your Advantage," which he is generously offering for free to Lean to the Left listeners and viewers. To receive your copy, text the word "Inflation" to 33777. To purchase his book, 'Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income in Three Years or Less.' visit https://amzn.to/4fGwquX.

Don't miss this insightful conversation aimed at helping you achieve financial freedom and build a prosperous future.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Lean to Left Podcast

00:20 Meet Bronson Hill: Wealth Generation Expert

01:01 The Importance of Passive Income

02:02 Impact of Tariffs and Inflation

03:45 Opportunities Amidst Economic Challenges

09:43 The Wealth Forum: A Network for High Net Worth Investors

12:42 Bronson Hill's Journey to Financial Freedom

17:50 Investment Strategies and Tax Benefits

20:11 The Future of AI in Investments

25:20 Final Thoughts and Free Resources

Thousands of trans troops are being banned and facing removal from the U.S. military under a Trump administration ban. The Pentagon’s message: self-identify and leave voluntarily with extended benefits — or face involuntary separation.

Could this be just the beginning? Could gay service members be next?

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, retired Army officer and author Darrell Berry shares his personal experiences with anti-gay attitudes in the military and his insights on the potential impact of these policies on the LGBTQ+ community.

Berry also discusses his gripping novel Early This Morning, a powerful blend of military life, espionage, and the fight for equality — including the creation of an all-gay Army unit sent on a near-suicidal mission. Is it fiction… or could something like this really happen?

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast

00:53 – Meet Darrell Berry

01:55 – Life in the Military & Anti-Gay Attitudes

03:51 – The Plot of Early This Morning

07:15 – Comparing Stories with Author Steve Berry

09:14 – Trump’s Impact on LGBTQ+ Rights

11:07 – Darrell’s Writing Journey & Future Projects

12:55 – Publishing and Book Availability

14:51 – Final Thoughts

🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation about fairness, equality, and resilience in America’s armed forces.

📚 Early This Morning by Darrell Berry – [Insert Amazon link]

#TransgenderTroops #MilitaryEquality #LGBTQRights #DarrellBerry #LeanToTheLeftPodcast #TrumpMilitaryBan #GaySoldiers #MilitaryLife #LGBTQMilitary #EarlyThisMorning

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, Amanda Lipman, founder and president of Run for Something discusses the future of the Democratic Party, the importance of inspiring young Democratic candidates, and Run for Something's mission to encourage and support young, diverse progressives running for local office.

Amanda discusses the rise of millennial and Gen Z candidates and their impact on local politics, as well as her new book, 'When We Are in Charge.'

They also touch on the challenges facing the Democratic Party and the need for embracing genuine values, the role of new communication tools in modern politics, and the importance of grassroots leadership.

It is clear that the Democratic Party stands at a crucial juncture. At a time when young individuals increasingly turn toward Republican ideals, despite Donald Trump, there's a pressing need to reinvigorate the Democrats.

Millennials and Gen Zs are tired of bullshit and inauthenticity, and the Democratic Party must recognize that to succeed, Litman says.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic

00:29 Meet Amanda Lipman: Founder of Run for Something

01:21 The Mission and Impact of Run for Something

03:05 Challenges and Strategies for Young Democratic Leaders

05:19 The Rise of Zohran Mamdani and Its Impact

08:25 The Future of the Democratic Party and Young Leaders

17:30 Amanda Lipman's Book and Final Thoughts

Welcome to Dixie Dems, part of the Lean to the Left Podcast, the premier progressive voice in the South. In this episode, we feature Catherine Fleming Bruce, a committed Democratic activist running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Lindsey Graham. Hosted by Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty, the discussion covers Catherine’s motivations, grassroots activism, and her plans to address critical issues such as healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality. Join us as we explore why Catherine believes she can effectively challenge Graham and bring a progressive change to South Carolina.

00:00 Introduction to Dixie Dems

00:44 Meet Catherine Fleming Bruce

01:57 Catherine's Political Journey and Vision

05:26 Grassroots Activism and Campaign Strategy

07:02 Challenges and Opportunities in the South

08:09 Economic and Social Issues

23:34 Healthcare and Community Impact

35:37 Climate Change and Federal Responsibility

41:24 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

The political atmosphere in this country with Donald Trump is hateful and getting worse. He is entrenching himself as a dictator and it's amazing that his MAGA supporters don't see this. Does he really think firing the person who reports his bad job numbers will change things? Come on, people. By the way, somebody, via email, threatened to throw acid in my face unless I paid him $4k. Was that because of my long effort to call out Trump, or was it just a stupid scam attempt?

Hey guys, are you looking for the Epstein list of bigshot pedo clients to be revealed? Well, that's not The List this episode is about. Sorry.

Nope, it's an interview with international bestselling author Steve Berry about his latest suspense thriller, 'The List.' You'll discover the chilling tale of a company in Georgia that eliminates their most expensive employees to control costs.

They simply knock them off. Why pay them? Just get rid of them, permanently.

Berry also discusses his dedication to historical preservation through his nonprofit, History Matters, and shares insights into his writing process and influences. Don't miss this episode filled with intriguing stories and writing wisdom!

00:00 Introduction to the Lean to Left Podcast

00:29 Meet Steve Berry: Bestselling Author

02:19 The List: A Deadly New Thriller

02:34 The Inspiration Behind The List

03:29 Rewriting The List During COVID

04:11 Autobiographical Elements in The List

04:41 The Dark Premise of The List

07:56 Comparisons to John Grisham's The Firm

12:14 Steve Berry's Writing Process

16:58 Upcoming Projects and Nonprofit Work

18:51 Where to Find Steve Berry's Books

19:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Lean to the Left Website Redesigned

We’ve refreshed the Lean to the Left website with a brand-new look and improved features, thanks to the team at Podetize. The site is now faster, better organized, and packed with enhancements designed to make your experience even better.

📰 What's New?

• A real-time Latest News ticker for updates and upcoming episodes

• A redesigned Podcast hub with hundreds of interviews and commentaries

• A growing Book Club featuring authors from our show (Still being built)

• Fun episodes from The Bob & Jackie Show for a quick laugh

Explore the new layout, leave your feedback, and don’t forget to subscribe for free to never miss a blog or podcast episode.

👉 Visit: https://leantotheleft.net

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcast.leantotheleft.net

Lean to the Left: Stay Informed. Speak Up. Join the Conversation. Subscribe today. It's free.

Beyond Left and Right: The Digital Politics Revolution

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, we explore the pressing issues with America's current political landscape, such as big money's influence and lack of genuine representation.

Our guest, Travis Misurell, founder of the Future is Now Coalition (FINC), discusses his groundbreaking initiative to build a citizen-owned political ecosystem that challenges establishment control and promotes democracy, going beyond left and right in a new digital politics revolution.

Travis shares insights on digital politics, the movement's progress, how people can get involved, and the importance of focusing on up vs. down politics rather than left vs. right.

Tune in to learn how this innovative framework aims to modernize activism and give every citizen a louder voice in the democratic process, countering the big money influence that today controls much of today's political decision-making.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast

00:37 Meet Travis Misurell and FINC

01:39 Understanding Digital Politics

04:11 Building the Future is Now Coalition

05:13 How to Get Involved

11:19 Challenges and Solutions in Democracy Reform

14:52 The Role of Independent Media

25:19 Travis Misurell's Background and Vision

28:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About Bob Gatty

Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.

Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump and his billionnaire pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.

If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!