Thom Hartmann is the #1 progressive talk radio show host in the country. Today, he joins Current Affairs editor in chief Nathan J. Robinson to discuss the world of talk radio, as well as his book "The Hidden History of Monopolies: How Big Business Destroyed The American Dream." Nathan asks why the right has been so dominant in talk radio, and how leftists can effectively counter them. We talk about:

- Why Rush Limbaugh was so good at what he did

- Whether there is anything about talk radio as a medium that is inherently favorable to conservatives

- How giant radio corporations limit the reach of progressive voices (including the billionaire station owner who once told Thom "I won't put anyone on the air who wants to raise my taxes")

- What it takes to hold people's attention for 3 hours straight on the air

- How to do a professional "radio voice"

- How the left can produce successful radio (and why we need to)

Thom's book on big business is here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49195416-the-hidden-history-of-monopolies

Thom's Nation article about why the left should enter the talk radio field is here: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/conservative-talk-radio/