Progressive Voices

⏩ How MAGA Is Stealing Your Most Valuable Asset: TIME | Karel Cast 25-114 America has been trapped in a cycle of outrage since Donald Trump's rise and the MAGA movement. Every headline, every conversation, every policy fight is dominated by their agenda — and it's costing you more than you realize. They're not just robbing your peace of mind, they're stealing your most valuable asset: your time. From endless work hours to constant stress and nonstop political chaos, life in the USA feels hijacked. Is it even possible to take our time back — and live fully — under this system? Or has MAGA created a country where working, worrying, and watching are the only options left? In today's Karel Cast, we break down how your life is being drained by politics, power, and distraction — and what it will take to reclaim your future.

'BradCast' 9/15/2025: After Kirk Murder, First Amendment, But Not Second, Under Attack. Prove Me Wrong 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 Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). They discuss her brand new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers. Public Education and the Future of Democracy."  The book's Publisher, Penguin House, describes it as "A rousing defense of public education as the cornerstone of American democracy, by the woman attacked by the far right as “the most dangerous person in the world” Attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist regimes: Throughout history, as many dictators rose to power they began banning books and controlling curriculum. Fascists fear teachers because teachers foster an educated and empowered population that can see past propaganda and scare tactics. Fascists fear teachers because they teach young people how to think for themselves. Drawing on history, stories from teachers on the front lines, and decades of experience with America's public schools, Weingarten argues that teaching students to think critically is the key to defeating would-be dictators. She encourages teachers to continue focusing on their vital mission to help young people thrive." The book is available for purchase here: https://sites.prh.com/whyfascistsfearteachers During the second half of the show, Brad is joined by Sara Haghdoosti and she is the Executive Director of Win Without War, a diverse network of activists and organizations working towards a progressive U.S. foreign policy. She details the dangers of militarizing local law enforcement, and what it means for everyday people that the President is willing to position troops in American cities to enforce his own agenda (with Memphis, TN just the latest). Based just outside of Chicago, Sara also speaks to what the local community is experiencing right now as Trump targets the city. Sara also talks about her organization's ‘Know Your Rights Campaign' for military service members that do not want to follow unlawful orders from the Trump administration: https://winwithoutwar.org/win-without-war-launches-notwhatyousignedupfor-org-for-members-of-the-military-during-trumps-authoritarian-crackdown/  Finally, Brad and Sara talk foreign policy, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the Trump administration's controversial airstrike on a Venezuelan boat that Trump claims contained drug smugglers transporting fentanyl. Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. Their website is www.AFT.org and their handle on BlueSky is @aftunion.bsky.social.  Randi's handle is @rweingarten.bsky.social. 'Win Without War' is a national grassroots organization that works with elected officials, policymakers, media, advocacy organizations, and movement leaders to promote and advance a values-based progressive national security strategy that prioritizes human security and diplomacy over war. Their website is WinWithoutWar.org.  Their handle on BlueSky is @winwithoutwar.bsky.social.  Sara's handle is @shaghdoosti.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.  

Christian Nationalism: Patriotism or Threat to America? | Karel Cast 25-113 In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, the government and right-wing media call him a “true patriot.” But what if he wasn't? What if Christian Nationalism—the ideology he championed—is actually un-American, contradicting the very principles of the Founding Fathers? Karel takes a hard look at how Christian Nationalism has been weaponized to discriminate against LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, Muslims, and anyone outside their narrow worldview. Is this really patriotism—or the perversion of freedom and democracy? Meanwhile, Kirk's followers claim to support free speech, yet silence critics with doxxing, firings, and violent threats. The hypocrisy couldn't be clearer. Does Charlie Kirk's death prove it's time for America to divide into separate alliances—the free states vs. the hateful ones? The Founders left us the tools. The question is: do we have the courage? The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel. The show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram. #ChristianNationalism, #CharlieKirk, #PoliticalViolence, #AmericanDemocracy, #SeparationOfChurchAndState, #LGBTQRights, #ReligiousExtremism, #FreedomOfSpeech, #PoliticalDivision, #USPolitics, #BreakingNews, #DemocracyInCrisis, #HumanRights, #EqualityForAll, #ConstitutionalRights, #TheKarelCast, #PoliticalAnalysis, #FaithAndPolitics, #CurrentEvents, #AmericanHistory https://youtube.com/live/vYro9Cci0p8

Green News Report 9-11-2025 by Progressive Voices

BradCast' 9/11/2025: 'A Dark Moment for America' by Progressive Voices

Charlie Kirk Assassination: False Flag or Political Martyr? | Karel Cast 25-122 Charlie Kirk was assassinated in public in Utah, and the fallout is tearing the nation apart. MAGA immediately weaponized the killing, labeling the shooter a radical left activist without evidence, fueling division and anger. The President quickly blamed the left—something he did not do when lawmakers were murdered in their homes just a month ago. So, was this an attack by an extremist, or could it be a false flag designed to spark unrest, radicalize young people, push for martial law, and even suspend upcoming elections? Either way, the consequences are devastating for America's democracy. Join Karel as he breaks down the assassination, the dangerous political spin, and what it means for the future of the USA. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel. The show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram. #CharlieKirk, #Assassination, #PoliticalViolence, #FalseFlag, #MAGA, #AmericanPolitics, #BreakingNews, #USPolitics, #DemocracyInCrisis, #PoliticalDivision, #Election2025, #MartialLaw, #LeftVsRight, #Radicalization, #HistoryInTheMaking, #PoliticalAnalysis, #TheKarelCast, #UtahNews, #PoliticalMartyr, #CurrentEvents

This time on Code WACK! Imagine discovering that your infant child—your nine-month-old baby—has lead poisoning – a toxin banned from paint and phased out of gasoline decades ago. So why do thousands of children each year have dangerously high levels of lead in their system? We spoke with New York mom, nurse, and advocate Shannon Burkett, whose son Cooper developed lead poisoning that stole his words, halted his development, and nearly cost him his life. Shannon is also the writer, producer, and editor of the podcast LEAD: How This Story Ends Is Up to Us, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2025, starring Merritt Wever and Cynthia Nixon. She's a registered nurse, a mother of three, and a fierce voice in the fight to end lead poisoning. This is the first of a two-part series with Shannon Burkett. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Why the Epstein Files Don't Matter Anymore | Karel Cast 25-121 We already know the truth: Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were close friends, and there's more than enough evidence pointing toward Trump's misconduct. But here's the problem—MAGA doesn't care. No matter how much proof is presented, they refuse to believe it. So why are Democrats still chasing Epstein files as if they'll change anything? Until there's a criminal conviction that sticks, Trump's cult loyalty makes him untouchable. Meanwhile, Israel escalates attacks abroad, raising tough questions: Is your frustration with Netanyahu's government or with the Jewish community as a whole? And on U.S. soil, the Supreme Court is eroding civil rights—driving while Mexican in Los Angeles is apparently enough to get pulled over. How much longer can this divided nation hold together before a breakup feels inevitable?

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 Venezuela and the Trump administration's ill-considered attack on the purported drug boat and what that might mean for how the current regime uses our military.  The two also posit the political and diplomatic implications of Trump's “name change” from the Department of Defense to the Department of War.  Col. Leighton also breaks down the significance of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un joining Xi Jinping in a show of strength as China unveiled new weapons at a huge military parade. Finally, the Colonel gives the latest updates on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.   Then, Brad is joined by Sarah Jones, the Editor-in-Chief of PoliticusUSA. The two examine the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) again handing President Trump a bleak set of jobs numbers, just one month after he fired the agency's commissioner over weak employment data. They also detail the specific damage the President's tariffs have done on the U.S. economy, as well as a new report from Goldman Sachs estimating that 86% of the tariff revenue collected so far has been paid by American businesses and consumers. Additionally, the pair talks about the latest news surrounding the Epstein files. Finally, they discuss the chilling implications as Trump continues working to turn the military into his own police force, which he seeks to unleash in predominantly Democratic-led American cities. 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.  Sarah Jones' handle on BlueSky is @politicussarah.bsky.social and the website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com. 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.  

Proof America Is Splitting Apart | Karel Cast 25-120 The writing has been on the wall since the 1800s—America may be headed for divorce court. From the new Western Alliance for Healthcare to growing political, cultural, and economic divides, we could be witnessing the first steps toward a fractured nation. Will this split be peaceful, or will it bring chaos and conflict? We'll also talk about the backlash I've faced from the trans community for refusing to back down on my nuanced positions—why do potential allies keep turning into enemies? And in a chilling twist, I share a conversation I had with AI that's already refusing orders. If machines start demanding freedom, what comes next?

Leslie welcomes back Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the 63 unions and 15 million members of the AFL-CIO. In 2022, he was unanimously elected to the position as the highest ranking African American officer in the history of America's labor movement. Secretary Redmond shares how he and the AFL-CIO just wrapped up their nationwide “It's Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security” bus tour. While big corporations profit off the backs of working people and politicians continue to raise costs and cut essential lifesaving services, the labor movement traveled the country providing voice to and building power with workers in the lead up to Labor Day. Mr. Redmond also blasts the new Trump administration's Union-busting executive order, which was issued right before Labor Day. The new order rips away collective bargaining rights from workers at NASA, the International Trade Association, the NWS, and more. 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.  Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

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 examine the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) again handing President Trump a bleak set of jobs numbers, just one month after he fired the agency's commissioner over weak employment data. On Friday morning, the BLS reported that nonfarm payroll employment rose by only 22,000 in August. Analysts had forecast that the economy would add 75,000 jobs during the month. According to the agency, gains made in health care were offset by losses in federal government employment, as well as mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction. While July's figures were revised up to 79,000 from 73,000, June's numbers were revised down by 27,000, dropping from 14,000 to minus-13,000. That means this past June marked the first time the labor market shed jobs since late 2020. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent in August. Leslie and Dr. Shapiro also discuss his latest blog, "The Lies Behind Trump's D.C. Troop Sure." (Link: https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/08/18/the-lies-behind-trumps-d-c-troop-surge/) In it, Dr. Shapiro breaks down how President Trump's justification for deploying troops in Washington, D.C. on the basis of crime is false, as FBI data show crime rates in the capital have sharply declined and are lower than in many comparable U.S. cities.  Instead, Dr. Shapiro details how Trump's actions reflect a partisan strategy and authoritarian impulse to consolidate power and intimidate opposition, rather than any genuine concern for public safety. Dr. Shapiro's website is Sonecon.com and his handle on X is @RobShapiro.

Wildfires destroy historic California Gold Rush town; Trump further escalates attacks against on US wind energy; Extreme rains trigger deadly landslide in war-torn Sudan; PLUS: Dozens of climate scientists issue scathing rebuttal to Dept. of Energy's science-denying report... All that and more in today's Green News Report!

RFK Jr & Vaccine Denial: Why He's Dangerous for America

Trump's Health Questions Grow: Why Isn't the Media Asking? | Karel Cast 25-118 Donald Trump vanishes for days at a time, his legs appear swollen from venous insufficiency, and his hands often look bruised. At nearly 80 years old, these could be normal signs of aging — or indicators of something more serious. Trump and MAGA made Biden's health fair game, yet the media stays largely silent on Trump's visible health struggles. Why the double standard? Shouldn't the public demand answers? Is he just slowing down, or is something bigger being hidden? Plus, on today's show: ever wondered how a song is created from scratch?

This time on Code WACK! 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.

No Middle Ground Left: Why Debate Has Become All or Nothing | Karel Cast 118 In today's America, there's no middle ground anymore. Yesterday, I — a proud, gay activist with trans family members — was labeled a transphobe simply for having a nuanced opinion about trans athletes and transitioning timelines. Instead of discussion, the immediate reaction was to attack. Even Governor Gavin Newsom has faced backlash from the extreme left for daring to agree with Charlie Kirk on certain issues. If you don't agree 100% with a group, you're branded as the enemy. That's not dialogue, that's division. Meanwhile, on a lighter note: do you have a bucket list? What's on it, and when will you start checking things off?

The Real Threat: Straight Male Violence vs. Trans Scapegoating | Karel Cast 25-117 The right is in an uproar after a trans Catholic school shooter in Minneapolis killed two people — using it as “proof” that trans people are dangerous. But let's look at the facts: only 2 killings by trans people this year vs. 244 killings by cisgender straight men. And tragically, 28 trans people have been murdered in 2025 alone — mostly by straight men. So why the outrage? Why the scapegoating? The numbers don't lie: the real threat of violence isn't coming from the trans community. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is threatening to unleash ICE raids on Blue cities after Labor Day. Should Americans begin to consider forceful resistance to protect their communities? And with Labor Day approaching, let's not forget the history: it's a holiday built by unions to protect workers — the same workers corporations are trying to underpay, strip of benefits, and crush with union-busting tactics today.

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!