Progressive Voices

The Student Debt Crisis Center takes over the airwaves of 'the Leslie Marshall Show,' where they cover the newest student loan updates, actions folks may need to take, potential changes to repayment plan options and forgiveness programs, and how you can make sure that you have the lowest monthly payment. This episode's SDCC hosts are President and Founder, Natalia Abrams, Executive Director, Sabrina Calazans, and Communications Associate Ángel Rentería. The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis. The SDCC website is www.StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on X, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg.  Their handle on BlueSky is @debtcrisisorg.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 11/19/2025: Is MAGA Splintering? by Progressive Voices

Are Boomers Hoarding Wealth? And Why the Epstein Bill Is a Scam | Karel Cast 25-151 Baby Boomers are holding onto their money—and most plan to spend it all before they die. So are Boomers being selfish and blocking the next generation from building generational wealth? Or is it their right to enjoy the money they worked for without owing a financial legacy to their kids? Today we dig into the debate: responsibility, entitlement, and why Americans are so obsessed with inheritance. Plus, the so-called “Epstein bill” is nothing but political theater. Speaker Mike Johnson is already pushing Senate amendments to block the release of names—framing it as “protecting new victims” from “unproven allegations.” Translation: we will never see the full list. It's a distraction, a grift, and another example of Washington pretending to act while protecting powerful men. And in a surprise twist, Bill Maher and I officially have something in common now… and you may be shocked to hear what it is. The Karel Cast is made possible by your support at patreon.com/reallykarel. Watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. Streaming on Apple Music, iHeart, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram — live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. #KarelCast, #BabyBoomers, #GenerationalWealth, #EpsteinFiles, #PoliticalScam, #MikeJohnson, #USPolitics, #NewsAnalysis, #ProgressiveMedia, #WealthDebate, #EconomyTalk, #FinancialInequality, #BillMaher, #VegasLife, #LGBTQVoices, #BreakingNews, #MediaCommentary, #MAGA, #TalkShow, #AmericanPolitics https://youtube.com/live/u0HXNYSlC1M

This time on Code WACK! Imagine watching your mom suffer a stroke and two seizures that left her unable to use her right side… and then having her Medicare Advantage health insurer deny coverage for the nursing home care she desperately needs. Now imagine learning that the decision to deny her coverage may have been based on artificial intelligence (AI) instead of clinical observation by a qualified medical professional! Here to share this shocking personal story is Jeremy White, author of InHumana: An American Healthcare Story, published by White Lines Press. Jeremy and his wife, Edie, founded the award-winning satirical publication Red Shtick Magazine — and its online version, The Red Shtick. They live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near Jeremy's mother. This is the first episode of a two-part series with Jeremy about his new book. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 11/18/2025: Congress votes to release 'Epstein Files' by Progressive Voices

Leslie welcomes back Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, for a preview of the newly released 2025 'Made in America Holiday Gift Guide.' (link: https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/the-2025-made-in-america-holiday-gift-guide/)   This year's guide makes it easier than ever for shoppers to find U.S.-made products and support American workers this holiday season. New polling released with the Gift Guide shows overwhelming demand for locally made goods, with 81% of Americans saying they're as likely or more likely to buy American-made products this year. The vast majority (83%) of shoppers say they would buy more Made in USA goods if these products were more widely available. The Gift Guide bridges that gap, connecting consumers with the craftsmanship, quality and well-paid jobs that come from buying Made in America. In its 12th year, the 2025 Guide features 148 manufacturers and makers from across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. There's an American-made gift for everyone, with finds ranging from model airplane kits and stocking stuffers to jewelry and grills. Shoppers can browse the guide by state or product category, and a new segment this year highlights brick-and-mortar stores specializing in state-made goods for in-person shopping. Additionally, AAM's Made in America Directory spotlights 873 companies and their products that are not featured in this year's Guide. Leslie and Scott highlight five of the companies and their gift offerings for just a taste of the guide.  Here they are: 1 - WicR 2 -  Alaska Glacial Essentials Skincare 3 - Made-Plus Footwear 4 - High Strung Studios 5 - Cycle Dog Lastly, Leslie and Scott talk about Project MFG. What's Project MFG?  Think Top Chef — but for welders, machinists and engineers. Ray Dick, founder of Project MFG and creator of the YouTube reality show 'Clash of Trades,' is inspiring the next generation of manufacturers through hands-on competition and community engagement.

Green News Report 11/18/2025 by Progressive Voices

Why the Epstein Files Won't Change Anything — And What Really Matters | Karel Cast 25-150 The Epstein files are out again, and everyone is acting like this will finally be the moment—THE document drop that destroys Trump, exposes celebrities, or rewrites political reality. But let's be honest: none of this will change a thing. We already know what we're going to learn. It won't be the bombshell MAGA fears, and it won't be the partisan hit Democrats dream of. There are no accusers naming Trump, no pending trials, and no new revelations that will suddenly flip public opinion. And meanwhile, Washington only reacts to sex scandals—despite Trump's actual, documented crimes. A treasonous insurrection. Circumventing Congress to levy taxes. Openly threatening journalists. Violations of the First Amendment. A convicted felon running for president. But America only wakes up when there's a salacious angle. So why does a sex scandal get more attention than an attack on democracy? Let's talk about what these files truly mean…and what they absolutely do not. The Karel Cast is supported by your generosity at patreon.com/reallykarel. Watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. Streaming everywhere: Apple Music, iHeart, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram — live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. #KarelCast, #EpsteinFiles, #TrumpNews, #PoliticalAnalysis, #ConvictedFelon, #MAGA, #USPolitics, #DemocracyAtRisk, #NewsCommentary, #BreakingNews, #ProgressiveMedia, #MediaTruth, #Corruption, #LGBTQVoices, #VegasLife, #Election2025, #NewsExplained, #TalkShow, #AmericanPolitics, #RealityCheck https://youtube.com/live/HbVsigHKsG0

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Sarah Jones, Editor in Chief for Politicus USA. The two discuss the newly released emails between disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, referencing Donald Trump spending hours with someone who Epstein calls a "victim" at Epstein's house.  Epstein also refers to Trump as, "the dog who never barked." Then, Brad is joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm, and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. The pair examines new data showing that monthly U.S. jobs cuts surged to a 22-year high in October, and new polling showing that 54% of voters blame Trump for the current economy vs. only 21% blaming Biden Sarah Jones' handle on BlueSky is @politicussarah.bsky.social and the website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com. Dr. Shapiro's website is Sonecon.com and his handle on X is @RobShapiro. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.  

'BradCast' 11/17/2025: A Kaleidoscope of Corruption by Progressive Voices

Why We Never Learn: Echoes of History, Epstein Files, and Atmospheric Chaos | Karel Cast 25-149 Screener season is here, and one film stopped me cold: Nuremberg from Sony Pictures Classics. The dialogue—much of it pulled directly from the original WWII trials—made my jaw drop. Not because of Russell Crowe or Rami Malek's performances, but because it proves something chilling: we've learned nothing. The normalization of horrors, the rationalization of the unthinkable… it's happening again right in front of us. So why can't we break the cycle? Meanwhile, Trump now says “release the Epstein files”—but only because his own base started turning on him. And you can bet whatever gets released will be heavily redacted. Plus: another atmospheric river slams California while FEMA's director resigns mid-disaster. And one more screener, Good Boy, raises a surprisingly deep question: can your dog see things you can't? The Karel Cast is made possible by your support at patreon.com/reallykarel. Watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. Streaming everywhere: Apple Music, iHeart, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram — live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. #KarelCast, #NurembergMovie, #EpsteinFiles, #TrumpNews, #HistoryRepeating, #AtmosphericRiver, #FEMA, #PoliticalCommentary, #ProgressiveMedia, #SonyPicturesClassics, #NewsAnalysis, #WorldEvents, #LGBTQVoices, #VegasLife, #DogLovers, #GoodBoyMovie, #MAGA, #DemocracyAtRisk, #BreakingNews, #TalkShow https://youtube.com/live/NMFWrYVuVVw

'BradCast' 11/13/2025: Trump DOJ Takes Stand for Voting Whites in CA by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 11/13/2025 by Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 11/12/2025: Mamdani's 'Surprisingly Affordable' Affordability Agenda for NYC by Progressive Voices

Congress Cashes In While You Struggle | Karel Cast 25-147 The new bill reopening the U.S. government is a massive payday for Congress—not for you. Buried deep in the legislation are perks for lawmakers, including a retroactive $500,000 payout for any member whose phone records were seized during the January 6th investigations. Billions more are being funneled into office upgrades, security, and staff expansions. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court keeps siding with Trump's cruelty—letting people go hungry and putting healthcare back in the hands of rich White men who play God with your life. Karel also opens up about his own skin cancer removal, using it to spotlight the major advances in cancer treatment and testing—and the question that matters most: Will these medical breakthroughs only help the rich? And Disney's Toy Story 5 sends a quiet message: screens are destroying kids. But maybe—just maybe—this is evolution. As technology becomes universal, should kids actually be learning to thrive in a screen-based world?

This time on Code WACK! How do health insurance hassles like denials and preauthorizations exacerbate inequities in our broken healthcare system? How do they rob physicians of precious time caring for patients and even jeopardize their practices? And why are some big insurance companies buying up physician practices? To find out, we recently spoke with Dr. Erica Rowe Urquhart, a private practice orthopedic surgeon in northern New Jersey. Harvard-trained in biomedical engineering with an MD and PhD from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Urquhart is the author of the forthcoming book The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel: Paying the Price in America's Fractured Healthcare System. This is the second episode of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 11/11/2025: It's the Elections, Stupid; Dem shutdown fallout; Trump pardons 2020 accomplices by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 11-11-2025 by Progressive Voices

Congress Has Failed America: 28 Years of Excuses, Corruption, and Chaos | Karel Cast 25-145 For nearly three decades, Congress has failed to do its most basic job — pass a full budget on time. The last time they did? 1997. The last time America actually balanced that budget? 2001. Since then, Congress has survived on stopgaps, continuing resolutions, and backroom deals that keep the lights on but leave the country broken. While Americans struggle with healthcare costs, gun violence, and rising inequality, Congress plays politics. Roe v. Wade? They could've made it law. Single-payer healthcare? They could've acted. Tax fairness, climate action, reining in tariffs, or even holding Trump accountable — all in their power, all ignored. This shutdown and every national crisis like it trace back to one truth: Congress doesn't work. It's time we demand accountability from the only branch that's supposed to represent us — and doesn't.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works.  The two discuss the eight Senate Democrats who caved to the GOP and gave up healthcare tax credits in order to re-open the government. They also hypothesize Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's role in the eight Senators' decision, and whether it's time to look for a new leader for Senate Democrats. Finally, Alex explains that it's ultimately the Republicans who have caused the health care catastrophe. On that front, there's a list of the 25 most vulnerable House Republicans that people should continue to focus on, and Social Security Works will continue to do protests on these matters. Then, Brad is joined by Eve Levenson, Senior Director of Political Partnerships and Strategy at Flytedesk, 'the technology that powers college media.' The pair analyzes last Tuesday's election results across the country, and how young voters played a huge part in determining the outcomes. Flytedesk's key takeaways showed that young voters remain a stronghold for Democrats: across the country from VA and NJ to CA and NYC, they favored Dems strongly in last Tuesday's elections. Young voters favored candidates who prioritized affordability. This tracks with Flytedesk's research that the economy and, in particular, costs were a top issue in both 2024 and 2025. The gender gap among young voters remains, but is shrinking: Abigail Spanberger, Mickie Sherrill, and Zohran Mamdani all won young men by double digits, while winning young women with even larger margins. The 'Social Security Works' website is www.socialsecurityworks.org and their handle on BlueSky is @socialsecurityworks.org. Alex's handle there is @alaw202.bsky.social.   Flytedesk's website is www.flytedesk.com. Eve Levenson's handle on BlueSky is @eve-levenson.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 11/10/2025: Election 2025 Victories for Democracy; 7 Senate Dems Vote to End Shutdown by Progressive Voices

Dems Cave to MAGA — Government Shutdown Ends in Total Surrender | Karel Cast 25-144 Democrats just handed Donald Trump and MAGA a massive win — again. Eight House Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans to end the government shutdown, with zero protections for health care or working Americans. Once more, the so-called “resistance” flinched when it mattered most, proving why the party keeps losing ground. MAGA would never have blinked — and now Trump gets to claim victory while the American people lose. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court refuses to revisit same-sex marriage, Kim Davis is back in the headlines looking like she's been hit by karma, and Trump's tossing out more pardons for his corrupt friends. Is this really what MAGA voters signed up for? And where are the Epstein files everyone's been waiting for? Plus — you can now order your own lab tests and scans without a doctor. Is that empowerment or danger waiting to happen?

'BradCast' 11/6/2025: Election 2025: 'Light at the end of the tunnel' by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 11-6-2025 by Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 11/5/2025: Dems Win Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2025 Election 2025 by Progressive Voices

This time on Code WACK! Why can working as a doctor in America feel like being on a battleground? What questionable tactics are insurance companies using? How are they affecting patients and physicians alike? And when coverage is denied, what can patients do? (See Helpful Links below for tips on appeals.) To find out, we recently spoke with Dr. Erica Rowe Urquhart, a private practice orthopedic surgeon in northern New Jersey. A Harvard-trained biomedical engineer with an MD and PhD from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Urquhart is the author of the forthcoming book The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel: Paying the Price in America's Fractured Healthcare System. This is the first episode of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.

'BradCast' 11/4/2025: Republican Thuggery While Americans Vote by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 11-4-2025 by Progressive Voices

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Cedric Leighton. Col. Leighton (USAF-Ret.) provides his expert analysis on President Trump restarting U.S. nuclear weapons testing for the first time in 33 years. They also discuss Trump and Pete Hegseth's missile attacks on fishing boats in foreign waters, the President's East Asia trip, a potential trade deal with China, and more. Brad is then joined by New York Times investigative reporter Kenneth P. Vogel. The two discuss Ken's new book, "DEVILS' ADVOCATES: The Hidden Story of Rudy Giuliani, Hunter Biden, and the Washington Insiders on the Payrolls of Corrupt Foreign Interest." The book shines a spotlight on one of the most shadowy and impactful industries in U.S. politics—the foreign influence business. Drawing on exclusive sources, thousands of documents, and on-the-ground reporting, Vogel pulls back the curtain on this billion-dollar business that spans the partisan spectrum and secretly shapes U.S. foreign policy, while often flouting American values like human rights and democracy. Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton. bsky.social.  You can purchase Ken's new book, "DEVILS' ADVOCATES," at https://bookshop.org/p/books/devils-advocates-the-hidden-story-of-rudy-giuliani-hunter-biden-and-the-washington-insiders-on-the-payrolls-of-corrupt-foreign-interests-kenneth-p/a0a75dbc3b3a6de0?ean=9780063341210&next=t. His handle on Blue Sky is @kenvogel.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 11/3/2025: Last Call(s) Before Election Day; Dispatches from the Gerrymandering Wars by Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 10/30/2025: The Weak 'Strongman'; Under-the-radar contests in Tuesday elections by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 10/30/2025 by Progressive Voices

This time on Code WACK! Millions of Americans are expected to forgo buying health insurance starting in 2026 as the cost of their coverage soars. Others who currently qualify for Medicaid may find the rules have changed and they are no longer eligible. What can people do when they need care but can't afford it? And why are young people especially at risk? To find out, we spoke with Rachel Madley, director of policy and advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. She previously served as health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Having struggled personally with a chronic medical condition, Rachel shares her firsthand experience staying alive despite America's cruel healthcare system. This is the second episode of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.

'BradCast' 10/29/2025: 'The first politically viable wealth tax' by Progressive Voices

Leslie is joined by Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy for the 63 unions and 15 million members of the AFL-CIO, where he serves as chief lobbyist and director of government affairs. They discuss the severe toll of the ongoing government shutdown on workers and families—from unpaid federal employees turning to food banks to the ripple effects hitting local economies. Calemine warns that Congress's failure to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits could sharply raise health costs for small-business owners and workers. He urges lawmakers to pass relief measures like the True Shutdown Fairness Act and Military and Federal Employee Protection Act, and to end political brinkmanship that's using American workers as pawns. The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO.org. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO. Jody's handle on Blue Sky is @guerino.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm, and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. The two discuss his latest blog, "The Government Shutdown Is the First Skirmish in the Battle Over Trump's 2026 Budget." (Link: https://www.sonecon.com/the-government-shutdown-is-the-first-skirmish-in-the-battle-over-trumps-2026-budget/) In it, Dr. Shapiro argues that the current federal government shutdown marks the opening move in a much larger struggle over the fiscal direction of the federal government under Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal. It contends that what appears to be a short-term fight over spending bills is in fact a strategic effort to reshape federal priorities—cutting large swaths of domestic programs while boosting defense, border security and deregulation. The shutdown is portrayed as both a bargaining tactic to force concessions from Congress and a signalling device to markets and stakeholders about how aggressively the administration intends to pursue its agenda. The blog warns that the deeper economic and institutional damage will come once the shutdown ends and the budget battle truly begins, with Congress and the administration locked in a clash over the size, scope and role of the federal government. Dr. Shapiro's website is Sonecon.com and his handle on X is @RobShapiro.

'BradCast' 10/28/2025: Monster Storm, Endless Wars, Gamed Elections -- It's all going great! by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 10/28/2025 by Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 10/27/2025 (Let's Play 'Who Wants to Be a U.S. Citizen?'!) by Progressive Voices

America's Breaking Point: Why Grief Is the New Normal Grief isn't just personal anymore — it's national. From the East Wing's destruction to soaring prices, collapsing communities, and the loss of what America once felt like, millions are mourning the country they thought they knew. If you're not MAGA, you're grieving. In this powerful episode, Karel opens up about personal loss and how it mirrors a nation in pain. What do we do when grief becomes the defining American emotion? How do we move forward when the dream feels gone? Plus: Karel dives into Ozark Law, exploring the mindset of small-town America — the very people Democrats must reach — and exposes the real force tearing communities apart (hint: it's not drugs). Join the conversation, feel the truth, and find a little hope amid the heartbreak.

'BradCast' 10/23/2025: Critical NOAA Climate Database resurrected by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 10/23/2025 by Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 10/22/2025: Republican Partisan Buys Dominion Voting Systems by Progressive Voices

With millions of Americans poised to lose their health coverage due to government cuts to Medicaid and other health programs, what can you do to protect your health and access to care? If you find yourself uninsured, are there ways to get free or low-cost prescription meds and health care? To find out, we spoke with Rachel Madley, director of policy and advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. She previously served as health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Having struggled personally with a chronic medical condition, Rachel shares her firsthand experience staying alive despite America's cruel healthcare system. This is the first episode of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.