Progressive Voices

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.

Leslie Marshall Show - How Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Affects Student Loans Now and In the Future by Progressive Voices

When Friends Flip Out: How Much Is Too Much? | Aging, Diet Myths & Climate Chaos

Leslie is joined by Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus on Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization working to make children the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Bruce explains how the newly passed 'Big Beautiful Bill' "chooses billionaires over babies, and puts the nation's children in unprecedented peril." Here are just a few ways that the new law will hurt the nation's children:  Cuts $1 trillion from Medicaid and CHIP: Medicaid and CHIP provide health insurance to over 37 million children in the United States and Medicaid covers nearly 40% of births. H.R.1 includes the largest funding cuts to these programs in their history and creates administrative burdens, such as lock-out periods and work requirements.  Defunds the largest child anti-hunger program: One-in-five children experience food insecurity. This bill cuts food assistance by cutting more than $200 billion from SNAP and places a larger cost share burden on states. This cost shift could cause states to end their programs or limit enrollment. Advocates argue that losing SNAP benefits could also impact free school meals, further risking a rise in child hunger. Leaves children behind in tax policy: This legislation offers an inadequate Child Tax Credit. While some will see an increased credit amount, the increase still fails to keep pace with inflation. Even worse, the new structure keeps more than 20 million children from receiving the full credit and blocks 2.6 million kids from receiving any credit at all. Undermines public schools: H.R.1 creates a new tax benefit for wealthy donors that jeopardizes the future of our public schools. This education voucher tax credit will offer 2-3x the benefit of other non-profit donations, incentivizing donations over other organizations. It is important to note research shows vouchers do not improve academic outcomes and disproportionately benefit families who already send their children to private schools. Threatens the child care workforce: There is already a child care shortage in the country. H.R.1 will make it harder to recruit and train new child care professionals by prohibiting the use of federal student loans for sectors that do not earn over the median high school graduate salary. We must further invest in this profession and work to increase pay for providers, not create additional barriers to building a strong child care workforce. Increases funding for family separation: H.R. 1 dramatically raises funding for immigration enforcement. This funding will lead to increased family separation and detention. These immigration practices disrupt entire communities and are known to create childhood trauma, adversely affecting child health and development. Cancels efforts to address the climate crisis: H.R. 1 eliminates investments in solar and renewable energy leaving our children to deal with greater effects of climate change in the future. This measure comes as kids are experiencing adverse environmental health effects and natural disasters. Forces kids to shoulder our ballooned national debt: H.R. 1 drives up the national debt by $3 trillion in order to give tax breaks to billionaires and industries like gun manufacturers. This bill expects our children to shoulder the cost of these tax breaks when they become adults while stripping them of essential services today.  The website for First Focus on Children is FirstFocus.org and their handle on BlueSky is @FirstFocus.bsky.social.  Bruce's handle there is @BruceLesley.bsky.social.  (Image Credit: J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

Leslie is joined by Victor Mineros, Proud Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396, Western Region International Vice President, and Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division, which represents tens of thousands of sanitation workers across the country. The two discuss what's happening in the U.S. sanitation industry, the ongoing strikes at Republic Services, and why this moment matters for working families across the country. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X and Instagram, where their handle is @Teamsters, and “like” them on Facebook at Facebook.com/Teamsters.

American Hypocrisy: Why Do We Tolerate These Contradictions? The contradictions in American life are everywhere — and today, we break them down. Why is sex work still taboo when porn is the internet's #1 use? Why are gay adult performers still punished while straight ones get mainstream careers? Why do we spend billions on incarceration but won't invest in housing? Why do we mourn 100 deaths in Texas but ignore daily massacres in Gaza or Ukraine? And why, in a nation of excess, do so many still go hungry? From reality shows like Love Island booting cast members over adult content, to America's obsession with punishment over prevention, today's Karel Cast dives deep into the twisted double standards that define U.S. culture. If you've ever wondered why America seems so upside down — I've got thoughts. Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. It's 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 Mabinty Quarshie, White House Reporter for 'the Washington Examiner.' The pair examines what's in the Republicans' newly passed 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' how Trump managed to convince wayward GOP congressional members to support such an unpopular bill, the implications the bill has on next year's congressional midterms, Virginia's statewide elections this year, and an update on Trump's tariffs.   Then, Bob Deans, Senior Advisor for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), talks about Trump and DOGE's cuts to the U.S. National Weather Service, and whether they contributed to the poor forecast and deaths in the Texas floods. Then, they discuss how the cuts to clean energy manufacturing incentives will hurt the planet, as well as the United States' economy and manufacturing base. Finally, they talk about Trump's executive orders, which have been devastating for our environment. You can follow Mabinty Quarshie on X at @MabintyQ. The website for NRDC is www.NRDC.org and their handle on BlueSky is @NRDC.org. 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: Adam Zyglis/Buffalo News)

Why Democrats Keep Losing in the 21st Century | Karel Cast Ep. 25-92 Democrats are stuck in the past. MAGA is driving the future. The Democratic Party keeps trying to connect with voters and values from decades ago — but that world is gone. Meanwhile, MAGA is pushing a dangerous, authoritarian nostalgia that's reshaping politics as we know it.

The Middle East is a riddle. Religious and political factions have made it a tinderbox for as long as any of us has been alive. Now, between the Israeli decapitation of the its military and science corps, and the United States' Bunker Busters, Iran, which has enjoyed indirect control of the region through its proxies, is facing the unknown. That's where we start today in a short essay regarding the contradictory nature of the Middle East. I hope you'll listen.

THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! As millions of Americans face losing their health coverage, what can single-payer advocates do right now to protect our care and push for something better? What's truly at stake for our country—and especially for its most vulnerable residents? To find out, we spoke to Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now coalition and former constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Tourists & Students: U.S. Border Agents Are Watching Your Social Media | Karel Cast Ep. 25-89

On the radio show this week, we highlight a buzzing bee activation at the US Capitol where parents and kids protested the "Big Bad Betrayal Bill," a Republican budget proposal which could kick 16 million people off healthcare and lead to an estimated tens of thousands more deaths per year. We celebrate Pride Month with "Parenting with Pride," a new resource offering support against hostile school environments and book bans for LGBTQ+ families. The show also details the disastrous impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on people with disabilities. Finally, we hear from the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) about how data provides a crucial reality check against misinformation, as well as about the $64 billion annual economic cost of abortion restrictions and persistent wage gaps, underscoring the vital role of storytelling and data in these ongoing fights. SPECIAL GUESTS: Felicia Burnett, MomsRising and MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Nadine Smith, Equality Florida, @equalityfl, @equalityfl.bsky.social‬; Maria Town, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), @AAPD, @aapd-disability.bsky.social‬; Dr. Jamila Taylor, Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR), @IWPResearch.

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.) gives the latest updates on Iran's nuclear program following missile strikes on their nuclear enrichment facilities by the Trump administration. He and Brad also discuss the U.N. nuclear agency disagreeing with the administration that the strikes have fully disabled Iran from enriching uranium for a nuclear weapon in the near future.   Then, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, joins Brad to break down Congressional Republicans' 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' and why it's so intensely unpopular with Americans. 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.  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.   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.  

Billionaires Gained $2 Trillion—And We Still Don't Get It | Karel Cast Ep. 25-88 ⸻

How are young people pushing back against a potential rollback that could once again block DACA recipients, or Dreamers, and thousands of others from enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage? And why do advocates call this potential move by the Trump administration extremely dangerous? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization. Kristin leads efforts to elevate the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their access to economic opportunity. This is the second episode in our 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.

Is America Beating the Empathy Out of Us? | Karel Cast Ep. 25-25 Description: Trump announces a ceasefire that lasts just 12 minutes and then unleashes a profanity-laced rant—why don't I care? Another promise broken by Trump and his loyalists—why doesn't it faze me? LGBTQ suicide prevention services are defunded—this should devastate me… but it doesn't stick. And when record-breaking heat slams the U.S., I don't even blink. From absurd headlines to real tragedies, I'm asking the big question: Is America beating the empathy out of us? In today's Karel Cast, I dig into why emotional burnout is becoming the norm and whether it's okay to prioritize your dog, your friends, and your survival over everything else. Is it apathy? Or is it self-preservation in a country gone mad? ⚡ Watch, like, subscribe and support at patreon.com/reallykarel

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 two discuss: 1. The Wall Street Journal recently documented the stark disparity between China and America's military-industrial strength in a series of graphs. The results are downright alarming, especially as geopolitical tensions flare. The data illustrate the urgent need for the United States to take action to revitalize our domestic shipbuilding industry.  2. With tariffs coming into force,  Made in the USA marketing is surging. U.S. consumers are rejiggering their purchasing habits, as evidenced by a boom in “Made in USA” searches on e-commerce sites, and companies are more than happy to tout their “Made in USA” commitments. (From Modern Retail: “Amazon searches for the phrase shot up to 126,000 from 26,000 in the past 30 days — nearly five times the previous period.”)   3. The state of our infrastructure and energy grid is dire. It's a crisis that creates another obstacle to U.S. manufacturing's renaissance and America's competitiveness. 4. This time, the China Shock is global in nature. Beijing is flooding the world's markets with its industrial overcapacity across all categories, and job losses and bankruptcies are trailing the imports.   WEBSITE: AmericanManufacturing.org YouTube Channel: 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) X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social