Progressive Voices

Evil Triumphs When Good Stay Silent | America's Crisis of Cowardice

What happens when millions are stripped of Medicaid coverage? Who shoulders the costs when hospitals are forced to care for more uninsured patients? And how will unions and the workers they represent bear the brunt of skyrocketing premiums, job losses, and a growing healthcare crisis? Today we're joined by Cindy Young, a veteran labor negotiator and health policy advisor, and now vice president of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and of Healthy California Now. Cindy has spent decades fighting for healthcare justice and protecting workers' rights. She breaks down Trump's so-called One Big, Beautiful Bill, explains why unions are sounding the alarm and reveals what's really at stake for working families, seniors, and communities across America. This is the first episode in a two-part series in honor of Labor Day. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Are Fat People Really To Blame? | Southwest Airlines, Incivility & America's Compassion Crisis ✈️ Southwest Airlines is requiring plus-sized passengers to buy two seats so they “don't spill over.” But here's the real question: why not just design a few rows of larger seats? Instead, society blames fat people for being fat, ignoring the bigger issue — an industry and culture that lack compassion. This episode of the Karel Cast digs into more than just airline seating. From body shaming to public incivility, America is in a compassion crisis. Insults fly daily, strangers fight over parking spots, and violence erupts over the smallest things. Is Trump to blame for fueling division, or is there something deeper and darker behind our collective lack of civility?

I Want More Than Rainbow Sidewalks | Equal Rights, Not Empty Gestures

Start Living or Get to Dying: The Fight for America's Future | Karel Cast 25-113 America feels stuck in a downward spiral—dictatorship knocking at the door, a Congress and Supreme Court unwilling to stop it, and citizens paralyzed by the nonstop barrage of criminality and chaos. But survival isn't enough—we must actually live. So what do we do when it feels like every action ends in futility? What can liberal Americans do when democracy feels broken? The answer is clear: start living, or get to dying. And I'm not ready to go—are you? Today on The Karel Cast, we'll confront this reality head-on, talk about how to move forward despite the madness, and find ways to reclaim life in the middle of America's political storm.

Spain battles its worst wildfire season --- yes, intensified by climate change; The world is drying out, threatening humanity's supply of fresh water; PLUS: Acting NASA Administrator wants the agency to give up climate science --- despite NASA's statutory mandate... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

AI Proves Social Media Is Destroying Us | Karel Cast 25-112 AI just confirmed what we already feared: social media is toxic by design. Platforms aren't about connection — they're echo chambers of rage, built to make us hate-scroll, click ads, and consume endless misinformation. Even more shocking? Scientists tested a social media network made entirely of bots. They tried fixes like chronological feeds, flagging, and more. The results were horrifying — rage, division, and chaos spread no matter what. Add to that Russia's ongoing disinformation war (with MAGA as their prime audience), and the dangers of these platforms become crystal clear. Meanwhile, many liberals feel trapped in a USA they don't recognize, but remain docile instead of revolting. Why? Have people given up hope for change? Plus, it's Pet Peeve Day — let's talk about the little things that drive us crazy.

This time on Code WACK! What if California, Oregon, and Washington joined forces to win federal approval for universal, single-payer healthcare? Could a united West Coast shift the balance of power in America's healthcare debate? To find out, we recently spoke with Michael Lighty, president of the single payer advocacy coalition Healthy California Now. Michael 's a founding fellow of the Sanders Institute, and he was healthcare constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. Most recently, he co-wrote and was a leader in the successful campaign to enact California's Senate Bill 770, a critical step toward negotiating the federal waivers the Golden State needs to build a universal, publicly financed healthcare system. Join us as we explore how these three states are moving to collaborate toward a common goal — and why this could be a game-changer for patients, politics, and policy nationwide. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Hurricane Erin already setting records; Climate change drove record levels of global humidity in 2024, with 2025 breathing down its neck; Deadly rains in Pakistan, deadly Nordic heatwave, both supercharged by human-caused global warming; PLUS: U.N. talks to curb plastic production collapse, with oil-producing nations (like the U.S.) refusing to limit plastic production... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

Entertainment Is Broken: Why TV, Movies, and Radio Have Lost Their Soul | Karel Cast 25-112 The entertainment industry is collapsing under its own weight. • MSNBC is rebranding to MS NOW (My Source: News, Opinion, World) — but who asked for this? Certainly not viewers. This is another corporate boardroom decision with zero connection to the audience. • Streaming services keep raising prices while serving us endless hours of junk. Quality TV has become so rare we treat it like a miracle when it actually happens. • Movie studios are stuck on repeat — recycling old franchises, rebooting classics, and chasing box office dollars while abandoning originality and star-making magic. • Radio? Dying even faster, as corporations fight to control more stations in each market, suffocating creativity and local voices. We spend billions of dollars and millions of hours consuming “content,” but what happened to entertainment? Why has it lost its way? And what needs to change?

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 Robert Benson, D.Phil., Associate Director for National Security and International Policy at American Progress. The two breakdown Trump's summit with Putin, where he failed to secure a peace deal to end Russia's war with Ukraine. Then, Brad is joined by Tara Devlin, host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The pair exposes Trump and the GOP's hypocrisy as they deploy the National Guard to Washington D.C. with the excuse of stopping violent crime, yet they are the same people who pardoned those who violently assaulted Capitol Police Officers right in Washington D.C. on January 6th. They also discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's efforts to nullify Trump led efforts to gerrymander Texas congressional districts, with the goal of gaining GOP house seats, by doing the same in California, in order to gain Democratic House seats to balance things out. The website for American Progress is http://www.AmericanProgress.org and their handle on BlueSky is @americanprogress.bsky.social.  Robert's handle is @robertbenson92.bsky.social. Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and host of the unapologetically-liberal podcast "TARABUSTER.” Tarabuster is 5-star viewer-reviewed and 100% viewer-supported. Help keep the REAL liberal media going – and growing – by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin. You can follow Tara on BlueSky at @tarabuster.bsky.social and on Instagram at @Taradackty. 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.

Being human means being conflicted — and today I'm tackling two issues that have me torn. First: SNAP benefits may soon exclude snack foods, sodas, and chips. On one hand, we face an obesity crisis and need healthier choices. On the other, should poor people be policed on what they can eat while the wealthy buy whatever they want? Second: Algorithms are shaping how we see race. Why do viral videos often show Black people “acting out,” while similar (or worse) white content isn't pushed as widely? Is the algorithm racist — and reinforcing dangerous stereotypes? Being a liberal, being human, means wrestling with contradictions. I'll share my thoughts, where I'm conflicted, and what I'm absolutely clear on. ✨ Support The Karel Cast at patreon.com/reallykarel

Leslie welcomes back Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, for an in-depth look at four timely topics shaping the global economy and American industry.   They break down China's worsening economic crisis and what it means for global markets, and unpack the latest developments in U.S. tariff negotiations with key trading partners. The pair also highlights practical Made-in-America products perfect for outfitting a dorm room or first apartment, and finally, explores how programs like Manufacturing USA and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are fueling innovation, strengthening supply chains, and creating good-paying jobs here at home. AAM's website is AmericanManufacturing.org and their YouTube channel is youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report") If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast. Their handles on X and BlueSky are @KeepItMadeInUSA, and @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social, respectively. Scott's handle on X is @ScottPaulAAM. (Image Credit: Hill Street Studios via Getty Images)

Should Trump Represent Earth to Aliens? First Contact in 2025? | Karel Cast What if humanity's first meeting with extraterrestrial life happened next year — and Donald Trump was the one to represent us? With the interstellar object 3I Atlas heading our way in November, passing close to Jupiter, Mars, and even Earth, some scientists speculate it could be more than just space debris. Could it be a probe from another civilization? And if so… are we ready for first contact? Should Trump be humanity's ambassador, or would that be a cosmic catastrophe waiting to happen? Could his actions trigger an intergalactic disaster — or is that exactly why “they” sent it in the first place? Plus, your weekend entertainment wrap-up: from Dexter to Weapons, we've got the must-watch picks.

This time on Code WACK! Why are some Americans choosing to go off the health insurance grid? For Lani Gonzales, entrepreneur and hypnotherapist, it was the mounting frustration with denials, delays … and ultimately being dropped by her health insurer through no fault of her own. So instead of reapplying she walked away—and pieced together a system for herself. Combining medical tourism, concierge medicine, a health share and even reclaiming her Philippine citizenship, Lani took an unconventional route to take control of her health care. What drove her to make these radical changes—and what can we learn from her journey? This is the second episode in a two-part series.

Are You Time Traveling In Your Sleep? The Science of Precognitive Dreams | Karel Cast 25-110 What if your dreams aren't just random stories — what if they're messages from your future? There's mounting scientific evidence that precognition is real. From gut feelings that come true to vivid dreams that predict events, researchers are exploring whether our consciousness might be “time traveling” — entangling on a quantum level with our future selves. Could your brain be receiving information from the future while you sleep? What if your dreams aren't just random stories — what if they're messages from your future? There's mounting scientific evidence that precognition is real. From gut feelings that come true to vivid dreams that predict events, researchers are exploring whether our consciousness might be “time traveling” — entangling on a quantum level with our future selves. Could your brain be receiving information from the future while you sleep? Meanwhile, Donald Trump now has his own “brown shirts” — the National Guard — being deployed in ways they were never meant to be used. Why is Congress letting it happen? And is this all just part of a bigger distraction from what really matters?

The Real Enemy of the People? Congress Exposed | Karel Cast 25-109 From Roe v. Wade to Gay Marriage, our rights are hanging by a thread — and the real culprit isn't just the Supreme Court or Donald Trump… it's Congress. In this fiery episode of The Karel Cast, we break down how decades of Congressional inaction have allowed our rights to be stripped, our climate to collapse, and our democracy to erode. Why didn't Congress codify Roe v. Wade? Why didn't they protect marriage equality? Why are budgets unbalanced, and why is the climate crisis ignored? Presidents come and go — but Congress' dysfunction is the constant enemy of progress.

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 Tim Karr, Senior of Director of Strategy and Communications at 'Free Press,' a nonpartisan organization fighting for your rights to connect and communicate. The pair examines the increasingly disturbing trend of the mainstream media's capitulation to Trump and his administration.  This includes a discussion on Free Press's newly created 'Media Capitulation Index,' and a report that Tim authored on the way forward.  It's titled, "A More Perfect Media: Saving America's Fourth Estate from Billionaires, Broligarchy and Trump." Then, Brad is joined by Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of 'The New Jewish Narrative."  The organization's mission statement identifies their members as "American Jews, deeply rooted in the story of our people and the history of our struggle for peace and justice. In our narrative, peace and justice are the birthright of Israelis, of Palestinians, and of all people." The two discuss the increasingly dire situation in Gaza, where the United Nation's Humanitarian Affairs Office says that food consumption has "declined to its lowest level since the onset of the war." They report that "nearly 90% of households have resorted to extremely severe coping mechanisms to feed themselves, including taking significant risks to obtain food and scavenging from garbage."   Gaza health authorities also report that over 200 people have died of starvation since the war began 22 months ago, and that nearly half of them were children. 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.    (Image Credit: Free Press)

After Over 2000 Years Restaurants Are Dying | Karel Cast 25-109 For over 2,000 years, restaurants have been places to connect, celebrate, and explore new flavors — from ancient Greek taverns to Parisian cafés. But today, America's dining scene is in crisis. In the first half of 2025, restaurants and bars saw one of the weakest six-month sales periods in a decade. Food costs are up over 20% since 2021, and some of my favorite spots have lost more than 30% of their business. What's causing the collapse? Inflation, shifting habits… or Donald Trump's economy? If restaurants vanish, it's not just about losing convenience — it's about losing a core piece of our culture, history, and daily life. Join me as I break down the history of restaurants, why they matter, and what it means if they disappear. Are we watching our way of life erode right in front of us?

Nations gather in Geneva to again confront the global crisis of plastic pollution; Trump EPA moves to claw back billions in community grants for rooftop solar; PLUS: As energy costs rise, Trump Administration escalates its war on cheap renewable energy... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

What would you do if your health insurer suddenly dropped you—and the care you needed cost thousands out of pocket? That's what happened to Lani Gonzales, a former attorney from Florida who thought she understood contracts—until she came face-to-face with America's broken healthcare system. After experiencing medical debt and being denied coverage for vital health treatments, Lani asked herself: Why keep playing a game that's rigged against me? Her search for affordable, compassionate care led her across the border to Mexico – and to some surprising lessons about what health care in America could look like. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Lani.

AI Is Coming for Your Job: Top 10 at Risk + What To Do After 50 | Karel Cast 25-108 AI isn't “coming”—it's here, and a lot of jobs are on the line. We break down the Top 10 roles at risk (interpreters/translators, historians, passenger attendants, sales reps, writers/authors, customer service reps, CNC programmers, telephone operators, ticket/travel agents, broadcast announcers & radio DJs) and ask: What do you do—especially if you're 50+? We talk real strategies: reskilling, AI-proof skill stacks, union/pro policy, UBI/transition supports, and how to push back on corporate AI rollouts that treat workers as disposable. Plus: Trump's talk of “strict tests” for transgender athletes in the Olympics—why it's a political stunt that harms real people. And yes, I stepped in it over a family-only line at the airport—is “special convenience” policy fair if it doesn't serve everyone?

IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: Fire at Grand Canyon North Rim is now the largest mega-fire in the U.S.; New research shows the cascading health impacts of wildfire smoke; PLUS: Trump Administration rolls out climate science deniers to justify overturning climate change regulations... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

The Death of the True Star: From Streisand to Sydney Sweeney | Karel Cast Ep. 107 Hollywood used to make stars—real stars. The kind that could sing, act, and command a room like Streisand, Streep, or Prince. But now? The era of the true entertainer is over. Sydney Sweeney does a jeans ad and suddenly we know her political party. JLo headlines a tour and is torn to shreds. Fame today doesn't require talent—just a phone and an algorithm. And when everything became “content,” the art… started to die. Are real stars a thing of the past? Have we traded brilliance for virality? Let's talk about it—uncensored, unfiltered, and unhinged.

Las Vegas Isn't the Problem—America Is Too Expensive | Karel Cast Ep. 107 Everyone's saying Las Vegas is dying. But the real story? America is becoming unaffordable—coast to coast. Tourism in Vegas is down 15%, international travel is down 14%, and yes, price gouging in casinos plays a role. But the bigger picture? The entire U.S. economy is crumbling under the weight of inflation, rising tariffs, and policies that push people out instead of welcoming them in. And Trump? His legacy still haunts international tourism. Visitors don't want to deal with ICE, insane costs, or political chaos. Vegas is the canary in the economic coal mine, and the signs are flashing red. Americans can't afford America anymore.

Trump EPA moves to kill its own authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions; 2025 on track to be one of the hottest years ever recorded; PLUS: The economic toll of climate-intensified wildfires and severe storms is soaring... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

When Progressives Push Too Far | Karel Cast Ep. 106 When Tolerance Goes Too Far Is the left losing the middle? A viral debate over actress Sydney Sweeney's “great genes” (and jeans) shows just how extreme internet outrage culture has become — and it may be pushing everyday people away from progressive causes. Plus, I want you to go to the movies — and I'll tell you what to see and why it matters.

THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! Most of us know that our profit-driven healthcare system results in moral injury. How is moral harming physicians? And how is it harming patients? Dr. Diljeet Singh is an integrative gynecologic oncologist and the president of Physicians for a National Health Program. She's leading a powerful new project with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to find out. By gathering stories from doctors and patients across the country, her team is uncovering how corporate control and financial pressures are fueling moral injury in medicine—and what it will take to make things right. From physicians losing autonomy to entire communities losing access to care, the stakes are real—and deeply personal. This is the second episode in 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.

IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: Massive algae bloom and marine heat wave are decimating South Australia's coast and fisheries; Iran grapples with water crisis and extreme heat; Wind-driven wildfires force evacuations in Greece, Turkey; PLUS: Donald Trump's irrational hatred of wind energy is killing jobs across the U.S.... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

Is the Media Making Us Sick? | Karel Cast 25-104 Is the media destroying your mental health? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode, Karel shares a personal message from a friend who's had enough of the emotional rollercoaster brought on by news and social media. From the heartbreaking images in Gaza to the chaos of Trump and MAGA, it seems like everything is a crisis. And the curated “perfect lives” on social media? Just salt in the wound. We dive into how the news cycle, endless bad headlines, and performative social posts are becoming a silent health crisis for millions. But how do we stay informed without losing our sanity? Can we break free from the manipulation? Plus, Karel gives his take on how to reclaim your peace without disconnecting completely.

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 joined by the White House Correspondent for CQ Roll Call, John Bennett. The pair discusses President Trump's struggles to distance himself from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal that has overtaken the political world, and the put the GOP on defense. They also discuss the humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza, as well as the Trump's attacks on the indepence of the Federal Reserve and its Chairman, Jerome Powell (who Trump appointed during his first administration). Then, Brad is joined by Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, an Immigration Attorney and Advocate. The two discuss the Trump administration's family separation policies and the militarization of ICE. Kate also tells the powerful story that led her to want to help vulnerable immigrants and their families. The website for CQ Roll Call is www.RollCall.com and John's handle on X is @BennettJohnT.  Kate is also the Owner and CEO of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law and their website is www.LincolnGoldfinch.com. Kate's handle is @AttorneyKLG on X, @attorneykatelg on Instagram, and @abogadakate on TikTok. 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.   

ChatGPT Calls Out Trump's Hypocrisy on AI—Plus Laverne Cox Backlash Explained | Karel Cast 25-104 Trump just signed an executive order demanding AI developers pledge not to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, or LGBTQ+ rights. So I asked ChatGPT what it thinks—and the response was eye-opening, and ironically damning. Plus, Emmy-nominated trans actress Laverne Cox is under fire from her own fanbase after revealing she dated a younger, blonde MAGA-supporting cop. Is the backlash fair? Or does it reveal deeper divides in the LGBTQ+ community?

IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: A healthy environment is a human right, U.N. world court says in landmark climate ruling; Trump Administration working overtime to Make America Polluted Again; Climate-intensified extreme weather is driving up food prices around the world; PLUS: New U.N. analyses find booming clean, renewable energy has hit a global tipping point... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

What happens when doctors feel forced to act against their own moral compass? When financial barriers—not clinical judgment—determine the care a patient receives? We're talking about moral injury in medicine—how it's affecting physicians, harming patients, and why it's getting worse under our profit-driven healthcare system. Joining us is Dr. Diljeet Singh, an integrative gynecologic oncologist and president of Physicians for a National Health Program. She shares powerful stories from her own practice—and from the front lines of American healthcare—that reveal a deeper crisis than just burnout. This is the first episode in 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.

The depths to which our country's leadership has sunk is astounding. Now, we come to find the Secretary of Defense has pulled a Trump-appointed, Senate-approved Admiral who was about to take command of the 7th Fleet. He is a beloved leader, roundly thought to be best leader in the navy today, but he couldn't pass the ideology test imposed by the SECDEF. I hope you'll listen as we briefly explore elevation of ideology over merit and competence.

The Truth Is Simple. The Problems Aren't. | Karel Cast 25-103 We keep acting like these crises are too complicated to solve—but they're not. People in Gaza are starving? Feed them. Trump hiding in Epstein's files? Assume it, act on it. Climate change? Cut meat, ditch fossil fuels, now. ICE doing illegal raids? Law enforcement, shut it down. It's not complex—it's corruption, politics, and profits that get in the way. Karel lays it out: straight talk, no spin. Because sometimes the clearest path is the one we keep refusing to take.

Leslie is joined by Jim Savage, Legislative Representative for the United Steelworkers (USW). The two discuss how the U.S. Dept. of Veterans' Affairs has been understaffed and underfunded for decades, often proving to be a barrier to those who served getting the care they need. However, rather than bolstering this vital lifeline, early on in the Trump administration, amid brutal cuts to a number of federal agencies, it announced that it would eliminate approximately 83,000 positions at the VA. While this was part of a larger effort to gut the federal government in the name of efficiency, as in other areas, there was nothing targeted or strategic about these cuts. Jim explains how the USW and their "Veterans of Steel" group is not only fighting these cuts, but working across the political aisle to promote common sense legislation to further help U.S. military veterans. Follow the USW on Facebook, Instagram and X, using the handle @steelworkers, and visit their website at USW.org. Also, check them out on Blue Sky where their handle is @steelworkers.bsky.social. Jim's handle on Blue Sky is @savageusw.bsky.social.

America: When Did We Stop Having Standards? | Karel Cast 25-101 Has America lost its standards? From disposable products and low-quality fashion to the normalization of rude online behavior and trash politicians, it seems like we're spiraling into mediocrity. Stephen Colbert fires back at Trump—was it warranted or crossing a line? Is the decline of decorum now the norm? And what about Mexico blaming U.S. expats for housing prices—who's really at fault? We dive into all this and more on today's episode of The Karel Cast.

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, the Editor-in-Chief of PoliticusUSA. The two discuss the Wall Street Journal Report that, in 2003, Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein, his then close friend, a graphic birthday card with a self-drawn picture of a naked woman, with the message, "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret." 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 the new economic data showing that both inflation, and the consumer price index (CPI) rose in June. This shows that the Trump tariffs are raising both inflation, and prices for goods that the American people purchase regularly. Brad also talks with Dr. Shapiro about his new piece for Washington Monthly, titled, "Trump's Budget Could Break the Economy." (Link: https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/07/20/trumps-deficits-could-break-the-economy/) Sarah Jones' handle on BlueSky is @politicussarah.bsky.social and the website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com. Dr. Shapiro's website is www.sonecon.com, where you can find his latest blog posts as well. 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.  

Caught on Camera: Should Infidelity Cost You Your Job? | Karel Cast 25-100 A viral Kiss Cam moment at a Coldplay concert exposes an affair between a CEO and his head of HR—and now, their careers are over. But should private relationships dictate professional fate? When did corporate America become the morality police? Plus, Colbert's sudden firing is nothing short of political theater, a calculated move to please Trump and grease the wheels of the CBS/Skydance merger. Is this the media bowing to authoritarian pressure? And what if you were President? Karel lays out what he'd do first—including confronting ICE's abuses of power. Uncensored, Unfiltered, Unhinged—It's The Karel Cast.

Trump, Epstein & the Biggest Cover-Up of Our Time? | Karel Cast Ep 25-99 An SF Chronicle opinion piece says Trump and Epstein may be at the center of the biggest scandal of our time — filled with lies, cover-ups, and underage sex trafficking. But is that really the biggest? What about ICE abducting Americans off the streets without warrants? Why isn't that front-page outrage? Is our moral compass broken? PLUS — it's time for some Pet Peeves Therapy:

THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! As Trump Administration attacks on public health care ramp up, what's California doing to fight back? Can the state break free from a system that puts profits over patients — and build a truly universal, single-payer healthcare system? Or will political roadblocks and federal inaction keep us stuck in a broken status quo? Bottom line, how close can California - the 4th largest economy in the world - get to single payer on its own? To find out, we spoke with Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, who has organized, advocated and developed policy for single-payer Medicare for All nationally and in California for over three decades. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Why MAGA Really Hates Superman | The Karel Cast 25-96 ⸻ Superman just had the biggest solo box office opening in franchise history — so why is MAGA calling it a flop? Because Superman actually represents truth, justice, and the real American way — something MAGA no longer believes in. In this episode of The Karel Cast, we dive deep into why the right is melting down over a movie that challenges their distorted vision of patriotism. PLUS: MAGA influencers are literally burning their red hats as key figures break with Trump over his refusal to release the Epstein files. He promised transparency, so why is he backing out? Could it be that he's protecting himself — and what might those files reveal about his ties to Epstein's island? It's hypocrisy on full display, and we're unpacking all of it.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. The pair first discusses a new piece that Scott wrote for 'Industry Week' that finally puts to rest one of U.S. manufacturing naysayers' favorite lines: “Who wants to work in a factory anyway?” Next, they explore what progress has the Trump administration made on all of their attempted trade deals after the White House extended its reciprocal tariff pause to August 1st, with the hope of securing more deals. Third, Scott and Leslie explain why Americans should be pleased about a new 10-year end to 'the de minimis exemption,' a Customs loophole that Chinese e-commerce behemoths like Temu and DHGate had been exploiting. Fourth, Leslie asks Scott about an FTC letter sent on the same day Amazon launched its Prime Day sale this week, which called on the e-commerce giant (and Walmart) to put a stop to false “Made in USA” claims on its website. This comes after Amazon's marketplace has increasingly become a Wild West of products from third-party vendors as it seeks to emulate SHEIN and Temu.  Finally, both Leslie and Scott applauded Senator Elissa Slotkin for a recent speech she gave outlining her “Economic War Plan."  They also found this particular line from the speech very timely: "As a CIA officer and Pentagon official by training, I believe that the single, greatest security threat to the United States is *not* coming from abroad. It's the shrinking middle class here at home." Here is where you can find more of Scott and the AAM's work: WEBSITE: AmericanManufacturing.org YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report") X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social

Is America Making Us Mentally Ill? The Emotional Toll of Life in the USA Are you emotionally exhausted just living in America right now? You're not alone. From climate disasters and political chaos to daily horrors in the headlines, the U.S. feels like a never-ending rollercoaster — and it's crushing our mental health. In this episode of The Karel Cast, I open up about my own struggles: the fear of leaving, the hope that maybe midterms will help, and the exhaustion of trying to find joy in a country constantly in crisis. Is it possible to stay sane in a place that feels increasingly unhinged? Let's talk about the toll it's taking — and what we can do about it.

This week on Code WACK!, we're revisiting a powerful conversation with Ian Lewis, labor leader and health policy expert, about what true freedom looks like in America—especially when the average family pays over $31,000 a year for health care in 2025.