Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics
Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006.
Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!
Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 7, 2026 • 3h 22min
#1775 Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition and the Remaking of American Politics
Brian, a political commentator who traces Democratic Party evolution, and Brian Lehrer, public radio host and analyst, discuss Jesse Jackson’s career. They explore his bridge between civil rights and modern progressives. They cover voter organizing, delegate-rule changes, Chicago roots, coalition-building, controversies, and how his campaigns reshaped party mechanics and grassroots infrastructure.
Mar 3, 2026 • 4h 30min
#1774 Monthly-ish Mix: Who's in Charge?—The Scramble for Control of Nations, Bodies, and Minds
A rapid tour of geopolitical power grabs, from U.S. moves on Venezuelan oil to the erosion of the postwar legal order. They unpack how economic coercion and corporate profit motives reshape institutions and daily life. The show covers state surveillance, ICE tactics, healthcare and student‑debt threats, platform control of attention, AI profit pressures, and examples of grassroots resistance.
6 snips
Feb 28, 2026 • 1h 2min
#1615 Envisioning a Leftist Economic Future of Postcapitalism, High-Tech Automation, Universal Basic Income and a World (Mostly) Without Work (Throwback)
Leigh Phillips, journalist and author known for probing large-scale planning, joins to imagine a postcapitalist future. He explores corporations as planned entities and how automation reshapes work. Conversations cover universal basic income, big-data coordination replacing price signals, and practical political demands like decommodifying essentials and nationalized pharma.
Feb 26, 2026 • 1h 10min
#1540 The Grift of Life (Scam Culture™ and the Economy it has built) (Throwback)
Featuring a neoliberal/bureaucracy critic (short sharp analysis of how bureaucracy was transformed, not abolished), a music-streaming analyst (data-driven critique of Spotify and artist pay), Bill Black (financial fraud and predatory lending explainer), a gig-economy commentator (rise and worker misclassification), an incel-research caller (social media radicalization), and an Amway/DeVos history piece.
Feb 25, 2026 • 23min
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #34 - Understanding The Dual State: Life Under Authoritarianism and Your Role in Fighting It
A lively dive into Fraenkel’s “dual state” idea and what living under hidden authoritarian power actually feels like. Listeners hear about emotional dissonance, media trauma, and strategies to stay grounded. The conversation explores building broad anti-authoritarian coalitions and practical prompts to move from shame to sustained civic action.
Feb 24, 2026 • 3h 26min
#1773 How Big Tech Captured Attention, Kids, and Democracy
They dig into how attention economies and push notifications monetize involuntary focus. The sale and new ownership of TikTok and its data rules raise political control worries. Court cases frame social media like Big Tobacco as families sue over youth addiction. Ring’s Super Bowl ad and camera rollouts spotlight AI surveillance and civil liberties threats.
14 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 3h 16min
#1772 From Fragile to Fascist: How Broken Masculinity Feeds Authoritarianism
Primary Commentator, an on-air analyst known for extended critiques of conservative movements, unpacks how fragile masculinity becomes a pathway to authoritarianism. Short segments trace incel forums turning into recruitment hubs. Conversations expose performative cruelty, economic drivers, influencer tactics, and how socialized violence funnels men into state and extremist roles.
Feb 15, 2026 • 3h 34min
#1771 They Need You in the Dark: Information, Journalism, and the Fight Against Fascism
They dig into escalating government actions against reporters, from unprecedented home searches to legal memos that widen surveillance. They examine misuse of laws to target Black journalists and attacks on military and local reporting. They trace global patterns of media repression and celebrate humor and absurdist protest as tactics that break fear and disrupt authoritarian narratives.
Feb 13, 2026 • 24min
SOLVED! SAMPLE! #33 - Be a Mosquito in a Swarm: How to Put Cracks in Authoritarian Power
A rapid tour of the institutions that prop up authoritarian power and where they are vulnerable. Stories of successful pressure campaigns against airlines and platforms. Practical talk about local organizing, mutual aid, and crowding small actions together to create political leverage. A focus on targeting brand-sensitive companies and chipping away at regime support.
Feb 10, 2026 • 3h 8min
#1770 Getting in the Fight Against ICE and Authoritarianism
Tad Stoermer, historian/commentator who draws lessons from anti-federalist resistance. Matthew Cooke, filmmaker/activist challenging corporate power and pushing bold reforms. Jamelle Bouie, opinion writer with a historian's eye on long-term agitation. They discuss forcing the fight against ICE and authoritarianism. They explore parallels to abolitionists, mass actions like general strikes, and building parallel institutions to meet community needs.
