United States of the Left

Joe, his partner, and their two cats ditched their expensive LA rent and converted a school bus into a home and office. Now, years into their journey, Joe shares what it's like to live rent free, sustainably, and with the freedom to call anywhere in the US home. Other topics discussed include climate change, anti-consumerism, and the BLM movement.

There are 614 people in the United States with wealth of at least $1 billion. In this episode Jeff and Robert discuss how billionaires are undemocratic, state like, and ways they avoid contributing their fair share to the republic. Systemic changes that eliminate billionaire levels of wealth are critical to saving the planet from climate change, labor exploitation, and global chaos.

Jeff and Rob continue their interview with Oba, co-founder of Vilsquare.org, a DIY tech company deep in open-source philisophy. Oba showcases an educational tool that, just in pilot format, has helped provide a secondary education to thousands throughout the continent. https://vilsquare.org/welcome/

Please reach Jeff & Robert at [email protected]

Jeff and Rob connect across the world to Nigeria with a friend, Oba, who is the dopest human. Oba grew up traveling across Nigeria with his artist mother and he recounts an extended community raising him. Now, Oba is founder and CEO of Vilsquare, an open-source, DIY tech company. Oba has led projects that are transforming access to science and education across the continent with an open-source philosophy. https://vilsquare.org/welcome/

Please reach Jeff & Robert at [email protected]

Your hosts interview their good friend and long time homeless services professional Alex. Alex has gone from living on the streets of Los Angeles himself to running countywide programs and services for the LA Homeless Services Agency (LAHSA) and elsewhere. He brings a service provider perspective to the homelessness crisis while centering the systemic issues surrounding housing, race, and class in southern California.

Robert and Jeff interview each other to kick off the podcast. Each host describes their journey from moderate political newbies to progressive activists and what sparked the change.

Jeff and Robert interview Andre, Jeff's next door neighbor, who shares his experiences growing up in Santa Monica and surviving the AIDS epidemic in the 80s as a member of the LGTBQ community.