The Lonely Liberal Podcast

The Lonely Liberal Podcast

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The Lonely Liberal Podcast episodes

  • The Top 10 States Hurt by the Big Beautiful Bill

    Millions are losing health coverage. Rural hospitals are closing. Clean energy jobs are disappearing. Higher utility bills for families already struggling.

    In this episode, we break down the real impact of the Senate’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” — state by state. Who pays the price? Where do the cuts hit hardest? And how did your senators vote?

    From Texas to West Virginia, we’ll count down the Top 10 states hurt most, with real numbers, shocking stats, and the truth behind the spin.

    Key takeaways:

    • Which states lose the most Medicaid and ACA coverage
    • Where tens of thousands of renewable energy jobs are at risk
    • How rural hospitals could close overnight
    • Which senators voted YES or NO, and what that means for you
    • Email us at [email protected]

      Follow us on Instagram or Tiktok at @thelonelyliberal

      9 min
    • Week of June 22: Iran-Israel Ceasfire, Zohran Wins, and Bernie vs. Rogan

      On this week's episode, Rick and I break down all the crazy news stories of the week, including: 

      • Iran and Israel agree to a fragile ceasefire — did the nuclear sites get damaged, and will it hold?
      • Zohran Mamdani wins the New York primary, but Andrew Cuomo stays in the race as an Independent.
      • Bernie Sanders goes on Joe Rogan’s podcast and argues over climate change and corporate responsibility.
      • Trump ends all new trade talks with Canada, sparking tension with America’s #2 trading partner.
      • Senate votes to block a resolution limiting the President’s war powers on Iran.
      • Biden and Kamala Harris attend Rep. Melissa Hortman’s funeral — Trump and top GOP leaders do not.
      • The “Big Beautiful Bill” advances in the Senate with border funding and tax cuts but no major climate measures.
      • Utah Governor Spencer Cox declares Sunday, June 29, a “Day of Prayer and Fasting for Rain” amid severe drought.
      • Rep. Rich McCormick says low-income kids should “pick berries” instead of relying on free lunch programs.
      • Rep. Lauren Boebert goes on Glenn Beck’s show and casts doubt on nukes, the moon landing, and 9/11.
      • A Norwegian tourist claims he was denied entry to the U.S. because of a JD Vance meme on his phone.
      • RFK Jr. proposes that every American wear a health-tracking device by 2029.
      • The Liver King has an apparent meltdown and flies to Austin to confront Joe Rogan.
      • Follow us on Instagram @thelonelyliberal

        Email us at [email protected]

         

        1 hr 9 min
      • How Fake Is The News, Really?

        Everyone loves to yell “fake news,” but what does that even mean anymore? In this episode, we unpack the difference between bias and misinformation, why fake news went viral first, and how social media turned disinformation into a business model.

        We break down:

        • Where fake news actually comes from (spoiler: it’s not CNN)
        • How legacy outlets compare to viral social media posts
        • Who spreads the most misinformation — and who profits from it
        • The top 5 websites with the most fake news reports in the U.S.
        • Tips for telling what’s real, what’s spin, and what’s total garbage
        • Plus, the stats don’t lie: fake news spreads 6x faster than the truth — and most of it isn’t coming from the “mainstream media” people love to hate.

          Tune in to find out why the real threat isn’t journalism — it’s the algorithm.

          Email us at [email protected]

          Follow us on Instagram @thelonelyliberal

           

           

          11 min
        • Week of June 15th: The U.S. Bombs Iran, Tucker Fight Cruz, and Clinton Endorses Cuomo

          This week, everything changed. President Trump ordered a surprise strike on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities in what’s already being called one of the most aggressive foreign policy moves in decades. We break down what happened, why now, and what could come next, including the real risks of escalation, constitutional overreach, and the global fallout.

          Meanwhile, the Trump administration briefed only top Republican leaders before the strike, sparking a fierce debate over executive war powers. Homeland Security issued a "heightened threat environment" warning inside the U.S., as fears over potential cyberattacks and retaliation grow.

          This week:

          • Tucker Carlson roasted Ted Cruz on Iran
          • The administration is considering expanding the travel ban to 36 new countries.
          • Student visas are back—but only if you hand over your social media accounts.
          • Trump’s FAA pick allegedly lied about being a commercial pilot.
          • GOP lawmakers want the EPA to investigate whether abortion pills are tainting drinking water.
          • Texas mandates the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.
          • Bill Clinton endorsed Andrew Cuomo as mayor of NYC.
          • Pakistan condemned Trump’s Iran strike… just days after nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
          • Netflix has also dropped a new documentary about Rob Ford.
          • Email us at [email protected]

            Follow us on Instagram at @thelonelyliberal

            1 hr 15 min
          • The U.S. Should Absolutely NOT Go to War with Iran

            As tensions with Iran escalate and President Trump claims “total control of the skies” over Iranian territory, the U.S. appears to be inching closer to direct military conflict. In this bonus episode, I make the case for why that would be a catastrophic mistake, strategically and economically.

            We break down the recent timeline of Israeli airstrikes, Iranian retaliation, and Trump’s veiled threats toward Iran’s Supreme Leader. Then we ask the fundamental question no one seems to be answering: What’s the plan? Because without one, we’re risking a war with no clear objective, no exit strategy, and devastating global consequences.

            Topics covered:

            • The cost of war — in lives and trillions of dollars
            • Why Iran isn’t Iraq: the scale, complexity, and consequences
            • Economic blowback: oil prices, inflation, and global instability
            • Why diplomacy and restraint are smarter than firepower
            • This is a moment that demands clarity, not bravado. The U.S. shouldn’t go to war with Iran — and in this episode, I explain exactly why.

              12 min
            • Is Illegal Immigration Really Out of Control?

              You’ve heard the headlines: record border crossings, talk of an “invasion,” and political promises of mass deportation. But what do the numbers actually say?

              In this episode, we cut through the chaos to look at what’s really happening at the border. Spoiler: while border encounters are at historic highs, the undocumented population in the U.S. has barely changed in over a decade. We dive into why that matters, what Title 42 did, how the U.S. is spending billions on enforcement while underfunding immigration courts, and whether undocumented immigrants are truly fueling crime, or just filling jobs no one else will.

              Topics covered:

              • Why “border encounters” don’t mean more people are staying
              • How Title 42 created a revolving-door effect
              • Where the immigration budget really goes
              • The truth about undocumented labor and crime
              • Why the system is broken — not open
              • Email the show at [email protected]

                Follow us @thelonleyliberal

                12 min
              • Week of June 8: No Kings Protests, Tensions in the Middle East, and Cuomo is Back

                This week was packed with fireworks — and not just the kind Trump wanted at his birthday parade. From dramatic legal battles in California to global tensions in the Middle East, here’s what went down:

                • Trump says he’d support arresting Gov. Gavin Newsom
                • More Marines deployed to California as protests intensify
                • Newsom and California’s AG sue Trump over National Guard takeover
                • Trump’s military birthday parade faces high costs and low attendance
                • “No Kings” protests erupt in all 50 states
                • Two Democratic state lawmakers shot in Minnesota — one fatally
                  • We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Rep. Melissa Hortman, whose life was tragically taken in this political attack. Her service and leadership will not be forgotten.

                  • Israel bombs Iran; U.S.–Iran nuclear talks are paused
                  • RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of CDC vaccine advisory committee
                  • 75 Democrats face backlash for voting to thank ICE in a GOP-sponsored resolution
                  • Andrew Cuomo is running for NYC mayor
                  • Trump issues an executive order for flying cars
                  • Marco Rubio congratulates Russia on “Russia Day”
                  • Craigslist ad recruits fake crowd for Trump’s military parade — White House calls it fake
                  • Michelle Obama says Bruce Springsteen is her and Barack’s personal mentor
                  • Email us at [email protected]

                    Follow us @thelonelyliberal

                    1 hr 22 min
                  • The Death of the Republican Party: What Happened to Conservatism?

                    Is the Republican Party still the party of small government, personal responsibility, and traditional values? In this episode, we look at how far the GOP has drifted from its conservative roots—and how much of that shift is intentional.

                    We compare Reagan and Bush-era policies with Trump’s modern-day agenda, break down the authoritarian pivot of the party, and expose just how deeply Trump’s second term aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint. From mass purges of federal workers to the military enforcement of immigration policy, this isn’t the party of your parents—it’s something entirely new.

                    We ask: Is Trump the cause of the GOP’s transformation, or is he just the vessel for a deeper ideological takeover? And what does that mean for the future of American democracy?

                    Email us at [email protected]

                    Follow us @thelonelyliberal

                     

                    13 min
                  • Is Donald Trump Really a Fascist?

                    The word fascist gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we break down the true definition of fascism, explore how it differs from authoritarianism and populism, and examine whether Donald Trump's leadership, especially in his second term, is really crossing that line.

                    We examine the rhetoric, policies, and power grabs shaping Trump’s current administration and compare them with historical patterns from leaders like Mussolini, Orbán, and Duterte. From the politicization of the Justice Department to attacks on the press and voting rights, we unpack where the signs are real and where they might be exaggerated.

                    Is this just strongman politics? Or is it something more dangerous?

                    This episode is all about clarity, context, and calling it like it is—with facts, not fear-mongering.

                    16 min
                  • Week of June 1: Elon and Trump Breakup, ICE Protests, and Loyalty Pledges

                    This week on The Lonely Liberal, Rick and I cover a whirlwind of headlines that span the outrageous, the authoritarian, and the just plain bizarre.

                    In the news:

                    • Elon Musk finally turns on Trump—so naturally, Steve Bannon wants to deport him.
                    • Trump signs a proclamation to restrict student visas and ban entry from 12 countries.
                    • A new investigation into Biden’s cognitive health is underway,
                    • The administration says federal jobs will now go to “Patriotic Americans” first
                    • The National Guard is deployed to LA to crack down on ICE protestors.
                    • The Trump administration moves to remove Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship.
                    • Louisiana passes a bill banning chemtrails (yes, those chemtrails).
                    • A 22-year-old named Thomas Fugate is now apparently leading terror prevention efforts.
                    • Chuck Schumer starts calling the GOP bill the “we are all going to die” bill.
                    • Democrats launch the SAM Project to study young men 
                    • And Hong Kong’s health chief wants people to stare at smokers until they stop.
                    • It’s a week that perfectly encapsulates our new political era—equal parts dystopia and parody. Let’s break it all down.

                       

                      Email us at [email protected]

                      Follow us @thelonelyliberal

                      1 hr 14 min

                    About The Lonely Liberal Podcast

                    From the publisher's feed

                    The Lonely Liberal Podcast is a comedy and politics podcast hosted by Nick Zenkin. Every Sunday, Nick and co-host Rick break down the week's biggest stories in American politics — Congress, elections, the Trump administration, and whatever chaos the news cycle brings — with humor and a healthy dose of absurdity. Every Wednesday, Nick goes solo with a deep-dive episode, taking a sharp, funny, anti-establishment look at both Republican governance and Democratic Party timidity. Politics is depressing; this show makes it bearable.