Progressive Voices

The Bigger Threat Than AI Is Already Here Social Media has side effects, we know them. Here's just a list: Depression and anxiety; Lower well-being and life satisfaction; Low self-esteem, envy, and feelings of inadequacy; Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating; sleep disruption; compulsive or problematic use; fear of missing out and pressure to remain available; distraction and interference with school or work; displacement of exercise and offline activities; loneliness and social disconnection; cyberbullying; hate, threats stalking; self harm, suicide; sexual grooming; normalization of risky behavior; health misinformation; financial scams, fraud; privacy loss; reputational damage; political hostility and distorted beliefs. We are trying to legislate it. We are trying to control it. But it's as dangerous as AI and is destroying us just as quickly. So why are we just sitting by watching, participating? And better yet, why am I? Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #thekarelcast, #thekarelshow, #lgbtq, #vegan, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpAdministration, #LGBTQRights, #AmericanPolitics, #PoliticalCommentary, #CurrentEvents, #NewsCommentary, #CultureWars, #NewsFatigue, #IndependentMedia, #ProgressiveMedia https://youtube.com/live/MMDqwDCuXwI

This time on CodeWACK! We're revisiting part 2 of a powerful series from 2024 in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September. What happens when an insurer repeatedly denies treatment for a baby's brain tumor, then the family discovers the denial is relying on adult rather than pediatric treatment guidelines? We spoke with Eunice Stallman, MD, a psychiatrist in Idaho and mother of Zoey, about her family's fight to get coverage, the extraordinary cost of the medication if they had been forced to pay out of pocket, and what she believes needs to change about prior authorization, medical review, and rare-disease coverage. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep CodeWACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 9/29/2026: Trump Rolls Back U.S. Fuel Efficiency Standards Amid Global Oil Crisis by Progressive Voices

‘Green News Report' 9/29/2026 by Progressive Voices

Trump's America Is Exhausting Us — And That May Be the Point It feels like America barely has time to process one crisis before the next one arrives. On today's The Karel Cast, Karel takes on the relentless political and cultural news cycle—from the Trump administration's latest moves affecting LGBTQ rights and Title IX, to rising prices, continuing war, climate threats and a country increasingly numb to stories that once would have stopped us in our tracks. But this episode goes beyond Washington. What happens to a society when outrage becomes routine? When allegations of horrific violence become another internet argument? When women and older performers such as Madonna are judged by standards their younger counterparts rarely face? And when celebrity culture can convince us that doing almost nothing is somehow revolutionary? Then there's something called a Kelvin wave. It sounds harmless enough—but changes in the Pacific can have serious consequences for ocean conditions and coastal communities. What does it mean, and why should California be paying attention? Politics. LGBTQ rights. War. Prices. Climate. Celebrity. Social media. One story after another. One outrage after another. And eventually, people become exhausted. That may be one of the most important things happening in America right now. Join the conversation: Are you experiencing news and outrage fatigue? Have you started tuning things out simply because there's too much to process? LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember. #TheKarelCast, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpAdministration, #LGBTQRights, #TitleIX, #AmericanPolitics, #BreakingNews, #NewsCommentary, #Politics, #CostOfLiving, #ClimateChange, #California, #NewsFatigue, #CultureWars, #IndependentMedia https://youtube.com/live/5iEMsz4DkrU

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.  First, Brad speaks with world renowned Economist Dr. Robert Shapiro about the economic pressures facing American families, including rising gas, food, electricity and health-care costs, and why Rob believes many of those increases are tied to Trump administration policies on tariffs, health care and the war in Iran. They also discuss the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates, what higher borrowing costs mean for mortgages, credit cards and car loans, and why Rob is worried about slower growth as wages fail to keep pace with inflation. The conversation also turns to the political consequences of the economy heading into the midterms and what Democrats should prioritize if they regain control of Congress. Dr. Shapiro argues that Democrats should roll back tariffs, restore Affordable Care Act subsidies and press for an end to the war in Iran as ways to reduce price pressures and show voters they are focused on improving household finances. Then, John Kenneth White joins Brad to discuss his new book, "Democracy on the Edge: The Trump Elections and the Future of American Politics." John argues that America's democratic crisis did not begin with Donald Trump, but has been made more severe by decades of growing presidential power, congressional weakness and structural problems in the Constitution. Brad and John discuss the Electoral College, the Senate, Supreme Court reform, Congress's diminished role in war powers and the broader question of whether the country's political institutions are still working as intended. The conversation also explores the country's changing racial and generational makeup, the political backlash that followed Barack Obama's election, the long-running stalemate between the two parties, and the economic divide between wealthy Americans and everyone else. John argues that younger voters are less attached to either party because they have not seen enough results, and he closes on a more hopeful note about the responsibility of ordinary citizens to protect democratic institutions and take ownership of the country's future. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 9/28/2026: The Fraudulent Ballots of Ken Paxton and Other Not-Fake News Regarding GOP Vote Suppressors by Progressive Voices

What Do You Do When Trump Decides You're Not A Citizen? My sister was born in Massachusetts in 1957 and has the birth certificate to prove it. But not according to Donald Trump's America. She is in Arizona and receives state aid. She just received a letter she is being cut off. Why? It says the SAVE System, the system the Supreme Court said Trump can use to verify citizenship, a system that was never designed to do so, says she is not a US Citizen. It is now up to her to appeal and prove she is. In the mean time? No benefits, and wait for it...she may not be able to vote. It's all a power grab to try and win the midterms. And the poorest among us will suffer, like her. Karel connects the dots on what's really a week-long lesson: legal progress, social acceptance, and institutional protection don't move together — and sometimes they move in opposite directions in the same seven days. Join the conversation in the comments: What is the single biggest thing you do for your health every day? LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this conversation. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #TheKarelCast, #Citizenship, #USCitizenship, #SAVEAct, #SAVESystem, #BirthrightCitizenship, #VotingRights, #VoterSuppression, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpAdministration, #Medicaid, #SocialSafetyNet, #ArizonaPolitics, #MidtermElections, #IndependentMedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpzWOwGwsWM

'BradCast' 9/24/2026: 40 Days Out -- Chaos Reigns, Hope Looms, with guests Heather Digby Parton of Salon, 'Driftglass' of 'Pro Left Podcast' by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 9/24/2026 by Progressive Voices

"This Gay Week: Progress and Panic, All in 7 Days" It's This Gay Week on The Karel Cast — and this week proves LGBTQ rights are moving in every direction at once, sometimes in the same breath. Turkey just arrested 241 people in an anti-trans sweep so severe that human rights groups are now demanding the EU freeze its accession bid entirely. Indonesia has officially classified "LGBTQ culture" as a national security threat, grouped alongside terrorism. Colombia just quit the world's largest LGBTQ rights coalition mid-term. And in the Netherlands — long seen as Europe's most tolerant nation — acceptance among teenage boys has nearly been cut in half in just four years, a number even the country's own gay Prime Minister calls "shocking." Closer to home, Southlake, Texas quietly killed a Pride festival's permit with zero explanation, one year after approving the same event. And outside a Liverpool LGBT bar, a stabbing has three men hospitalized — police haven't confirmed a motive, but Karel asks the question anyway. But it's not all bad news: Hungary, freed from 16 years of Viktor Orbán, is actively repealing his anti-LGBTQ "promotion" laws — proof governments can turn around faster than people expect. And Anthony Fauci is being honored for a legacy that started in the trenches of the AIDS crisis, alongside Pennsylvania's first openly transgender mayor. Karel connects the dots on what's really a week-long lesson: legal progress, social acceptance, and institutional protection don't move together — and sometimes they move in opposite directions in the same seven days. Join the conversation in the comments: What is the single biggest thing you do for your health every day? LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this conversation. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #LGBTQ, #KarelShow, #LasVegas, #ThisGayWeek, #Turkey, #Hungary, #PrideMonth, #HumanRights, #LGBTQNews, #Colombia, #Netherlands, #Uganda, #AnthonyFauci, #NewsCommentary, #IndependentMedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2kvxKFJRIs

'BradCast' 9/23/2026: Arch Nemesis; Guest: Charles Birnbaum of The Cultural Landscape Foundation on Trump's 'triumphal arch' by Progressive Voices

Your Health Is Your Most Valuable Asset — Are You Actually Protecting It? Your health determines almost everything about the life you get to live — yet how much time do we actually spend protecting it? Today on The Karel Cast, we look at what you can do every day to improve your odds of living a longer, healthier life: exercise, diet, daily habits, preventive care and the medical advances changing how doctors treat disease. We also take a closer look at a procedure more people are hearing about: cardiac ablation. Keith Olbermann and Lionel Richie have both publicly discussed undergoing ablations. But what exactly is an ablation? Why is it performed? What heart rhythm problems can it treat, and who might actually need one? Then we turn to Washington and President Donald Trump's appearance at the United Nations General Assembly. Trump addressed world leaders Tuesday while his administration remains locked in an escalating dispute with CNN, MS NOW and Politico over White House press access. The three organizations are challenging the ban in federal court, while CNN was still able to cover Trump at the U.N. using credentials issued independently by the United Nations. We'll talk about what happened at the U.N., the continuing battle over presidential press access, and what happens when attempts to restrict news coverage end up becoming part of the story themselves. Your body is the one home you never get to move out of. So what are you doing today to protect it? Join the conversation in the comments: What is the single biggest thing you do for your health every day? LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this conversation. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #TheKarelCast, #Health, #HealthyLiving, #HeartHealth, #CardiacAblation, #AtrialFibrillation, #AFib, #Longevity, #PreventiveHealth, #Exercise, #Nutrition, #Healthcare, #DonaldTrump, #UnitedNations, #Karel

This time on CodeWACK! Imagine learning your baby has a brain tumor that's causing seizures and disrupting her development, then having your insurer repeatedly deny the treatment her specialists recommend. In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we're revisiting this powerful 2024 conversation with Eunice Stallman, MD, a psychiatrist in Idaho and mother of Zoey. Stallman explains how genetic and molecular testing led doctors to recommend Lorlatinib, why the treatment was repeatedly denied as not medically necessary, and the extraordinary advocacy effort it took to finally get the decision overturned. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep CodeWACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 9/22/2026: Senate Midterm 'Blue' Wave Rising; Repubs turning on Trump by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 9/22/26 by Progressive Voices

Trump, Hollywood & Streaming: Is Entertainment Taking Over Politics?** Politics has become entertainment — and entertainment has become political. Donald Trump came to the presidency after decades as a celebrity and reality-TV star. His administration has included people with backgrounds in television, podcasting and other media. Meanwhile, Hollywood is facing another wave of consolidation, streaming has transformed how we watch television and movies, and the relationship between Washington and the entertainment industry keeps getting more complicated. So what exactly **is entertainment in 2026?** Are movie theaters dying — or are audiences simply waiting for movies worth leaving the house to see? Are traditional broadcast and cable networks still part of your life? Have Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV and other streaming platforms completely replaced them? And with studios, networks and streaming companies merging and consolidating, are audiences really getting more choices — or fewer? Then there's politics. From Donald Trump and Hollywood to controversies surrounding artists such as Ed Sheeran, entertainment and political culture increasingly collide. Celebrity, media, corporate power and government now occupy much of the same stage. On today's **Karel Cast**, Karel looks at the changing definition of entertainment, the state of Hollywood, streaming versus traditional television, media consolidation, movie theaters, and what all of us are actually watching in 2026. **What are YOU watching?** Do you still go to the movies? Watch network television? Cable? YouTube? Or is everything you consume now streaming? Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember. #Trump, #Hollywood, #Entertainment, #Streaming, #Politics, #DonaldTrump, #Media, #Netflix, #YouTube, #Movies, #Television, #EntertainmentNews, #TheKarelCast #LGBTQ #LasVegas https://youtube.com/live/H7XA1f8PRp8

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 PoliticusUSA's Sarah Jones to discuss the Trump administration's restrictions on White House press access, JD Vance's defense of the policy, and Jones's concerns about press freedom and democratic norms. They also examine the Iran war and rising costs, signs of tension within the Republican coalition, the latest midterm polling and battle for Congress, and Sen. John Fetterman's political positioning in Pennsylvania. You can read Sarah's work at www.thedailypoliticususa.com. Follow her on BlueSky, where her handle is @politicussarah.bsky.social. The handle for PoliticusUSA is @politicususa.com. Then, Brad talks with Adam Conner, Vice President for Technology Policy at the Center for American Progress, about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the debate over how—or whether—to regulate it.  Adam explains what today's AI systems can do, why some researchers are raising concerns about cybersecurity, weapons development and loss of human control, and why the accelerating U.S.-China competition over advanced AI raises both economic and national-security questions.  They also discuss the upcoming U.S.-China summit, whether policymakers should slow AI development to address safety concerns, the growth of AI data centers, potential job displacement, and what Congress may need to consider as AI becomes a larger political issue. You can read Adam's work at www.americanprogress.org. Follow him on BlueSky, where his handle is @americanprogress.bsky.social. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 9/21/2026: Merging and 'Murdering' the Media; Guest: Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films by Progressive Voices

Why Hate Is the Only Thing Uniting America Right Now America doesn't have one shared value left — except hate. Not division, not gun violence, not high prices. Just hate. And it's everywhere: from the Ed Sheeran pile-on after he simply called out the catastrophe in Gaza, to Trump banning CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from the White House for daring to tell the truth. We feel it at the gas pump, in line at the store, scrolling the news. I'm tired of it — including my own. On today's Karel Cast, I break down how hate became America's only note, why the midterms won't fix it, and whether we can ever get it out of the spotlight again.

'BradCast' 9/17/2026: A Simple Solution to the AI Apocalypse Panic?; Guest: David Dayen of 'The Prospect' by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 9/17/2026 by Progressive Voices

160 Arrested for Being Gay — Why Is the World Silent? Over 160 people arrested in Turkey — for being LGBTQ. This is one of the most alarming crackdowns on gay rights in recent memory, and almost nobody's talking about it. This Gay Week, after an Ukraine check-in, Scott Jacobsen joins Karel to break down what's happening in Turkey: why it's happening now, who's behind it, and how the rest of the world is responding — or failing to. Then it's a global tour of LGBTQ rights right now: Cyprus, Australia, and the UK, looking at where things are improving and where they're getting worse. Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #KarelCast, #ThisGayWeek, #LGBTQ, #Turkey, #HumanRights, #GayRights, #LGBTQNews, #Cyprus, #Australia, #UK, #Ukraine, #ScottJacobsen, #NewsCommentary, #IndependentMedia, #Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i25SMcsfjD0

'BradCast' 9/16/2026: The Unthinkable -- The Federal Seizure of Midterm Ballots, with election fraud investigator Richard Hayes Phillips by Progressive Voices

Why Can't We Criticize Israel? Ed Sheeran's Band Just QUIT Ed Sheeran's band walked. Every opening act pulled out. AOC says she'd turn off the radio if he came on. And the thing nobody will name out loud is the reason why. In today's world it seems there's exactly one country immune to criticism — Israel. Meanwhile Trump agrees to sell $2.8 billion in weapons we don't have to spare, for a war we shouldn't be in. Many argue we wouldn't be at war with Iran at all if Israel didn't want us there, which means our economic pain, our suffering, is at least partly traceable back to that decision. And are they covering the $38 billion we've now spent? No. So in America it's fine to criticize America — but not Israel? That makes no sense, and today we're saying it out loud. Plus: new research on what to eat for your heart. I guarantee you're not doing it. Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #KarelCast, #Karel, #ReallyKarel, #EdSheeran, #EdSheeranControversy, #AOC, #Israel, #Gaza, #FreeSpeech, #Censorship, #Cancelled, #CancelCulture, #Trump, #TrumpNews, #Iran https://youtube.com/live/6fqM0QusKQ4

This time on Code WACK! Labor unions have spent decades fighting for strong health benefits for their members. So why would workers want to trade those hard-won benefits for an entirely different system? In Part 2 of our conversation with longtime labor organizer Mark Dudzic, chair and co-founder of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare, we look at why organized labor could be essential to winning Medicare for All, how grassroots organizing helped move the AFL-CIO toward single payer, and why advocates have to take union members' concerns seriously rather than dismiss them. Mark also shares lessons from decades of organizing, including one of my favorites: “Start with what you want, not what you think you can get.” Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 9/15/2026: A Midterm Bullet Dodged (For Now). Can't Say Same for the Climate by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 9/15/2026 by Progressive Voices

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF-Ret.).  They discuss topics like the Iran war, North and South Korea, Ukraine-Russia, AI and the military, and why an AI treaty between the United States and China is so vitally important. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

Do Award Shows Even Matter Anymore? Plus: Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran's Tour Over Palestine The Emmys just happened. Did anyone outside Hollywood actually care? Award shows have always caught flak for being elitist, out-of-touch spectacles — but they still move the needle: box office bumps, viewership spikes, higher asking prices for the winners. The real question is whether any of that still matters to the average viewer in a world of disposable content, where shows blow up and vanish in a news cycle and movies trend for five minutes before disappearing completely. We're breaking down whether awards shows still hold cultural weight, or if they're just industry theater at this point. Also this week: Macklemore has been dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour after his pro-Palestinian comments and use of “Free Palestine” imagery onstage. According to reporting, multiple stadium venues told the tour's promoter they wouldn't host the show if Macklemore stayed on the bill — and Sheeran ultimately caved to the pressure. We're talking about what this says about free speech in America right now, especially when it comes to Israel and Palestine, and why we think this kind of pressure campaign does nothing to help Israel's image or the standing of American Jewish leaders who back it. Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major platforms, and on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #EmmyAwards, #AwardShows, #Emmys2026, #HollywoodNews, #EntertainmentNews, #PopCulture, #Macklemore, #EdSheeran, #FreePalestine, #MacklemoreDropped, #LoopTour, #MusicNews, #CelebrityNews, #FreeSpeechDebate, #IsraelPalestine, #PoliticalCommentary, #CensorshipInAmerica, #MusicIndustry, #EntertainmentIndustry, #CultureWar, #MediaCriticism, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #NewsCommentary, #TalkShow, #IndependentMedia, #DailyNews, #CurrentEvents, #HotTakes, #EmberTheDog https://youtube.com/live/lqKRE7z06xw

'BradCast' 9/14/2026: Going Postal...50 Days Before Midterm Election Day by Progressive Voices

AI Extinction Warnings vs. Trump's AI Policy: What's at Stake? Could artificial intelligence threaten humanity—and how is Washington responding? The Karel Cast examines AI extinction warnings, Donald Trump's approach to AI regulation, and the debate over how fast this technology should advance. Leading AI researchers and industry executives have called for treating extinction risk as a global priority. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has emphasized accelerating AI development and reducing regulatory barriers, alongside security measures. AI risk statement · White House AI policy This episode explores the questions behind the headlines: What do those warnings actually mean? What safeguards are being proposed? And what can ordinary people do when decisions about AI feel beyond their control? What concerns you most about AI—and what safeguards would you want? Join the conversation in the comments. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to support independent commentary. Support The Karel Cast: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major podcast platforms. Find clips on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Hosted by Las Vegas broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator Charles Karel Bouley—with his service dog, Ember. #AI, #ArtificialIntelligence, #Trump, #AIRegulation, #AISafety, #AIRisk, #AIExtinction, #AIPolicy, #DonaldTrump, #TechnologyNews, #AINews, #TechPolicy, #GovernmentPolicy, #WhiteHouse, #AIGovernance, #ResponsibleAI, #AIEthics, #MachineLearning, #FutureOfAI, #HumanExtinction, #ExistentialRisk, #Technology, #NewsCommentary, #PoliticalDiscussion, #CurrentEvents, #IndependentMedia, #Podcast, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #ReallyKarel https://youtube.com/live/yrqMy4_y0zE

'BradCast' 9/10/2026: SCOTUS Again Rejects MO's Trump/GOP U.S. House Gerrymander; Trump's $5k 'dividend checks' by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 9/10/2026 by Progressive Voices

This Gay Week The Gay Hero Who Helped Stop 9/11 He helped take down a hijacked plane headed for the Capitol — then his own partner had to fight to be recognized at all. Tomorrow marks 9/11, and one of the biggest heroes of that day was Mark Bingham — one of the four passengers on Flight 93 who fought back, forcing the plane down in a Pennsylvania field instead of Washington, D.C. Mark was gay, and in the aftermath, his surviving partner was initially denied benefits by the airline until public pressure shamed them into doing the right thing. Melissa Etheridge wrote a song about him. We're telling his story too — because a gay man broke every stereotype about who a hero is supposed to be, and it still isn't told enough. Also this week: in the UK, service members discharged under the military's ban on LGBTQ personnel between 1960 and 2000 may now be entitled to £70,000 in compensation — but the application window closes in early December. This and stories from around the globe, as Scott Jacobsen from The Good Men Project joins Karel for another edition of This Gay Week. Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major platforms, and on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #ThisGayWeek, #MarkBingham, #Flight93, #911Heroes, #NeverForget911, #LGBTQHistory, #GayHero, #LGBTQVeterans, #MelissaEtheridge, #UKMilitaryBan, #LGBTQCompensation, #VeteransBenefits, #LGBTQRights, #PrideAndHonor, #GayHistoryMonth, #ScottJacobsen, #GoodMenProject, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #LGBTQNews, #QueerNews, #911Anniversary, #September11, #LGBTQCommunity, #GayVeterans, #EqualityMatters, #NewsCommentary, #TalkShow, #IndependentMedia, #EmberTheDog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1umZsjSXrM

'BradCast' 9/9/2026: Missouri's insane U.S. House map battle, with Plaintiff Richard Von Glahn by Progressive Voices

Zepbound Could Save My Heart — Or Wreck My Gallbladder | The 9/11 Lie Nobody Talks About My cardiologist just offered me Zepbound — for my heart, my weight, my blood pressure. So why am I hesitating? Zepbound and the other GLP-1 weight loss drugs are being called wonder drugs, and for good reason: lower blood pressure, less risk of Afib, real weight loss. My doctor says he's comfortable putting me on a low dose to help shrink my aortic growth and get my numbers where they need to be. But these drugs also carry real risks — pancreas damage, gallbladder problems, even vision loss. And here's the twist: I'm five pounds over the weight threshold to qualify. Lose that five pounds on my own, and I lose access to a drug that might help me more. Millions of people are quietly wrestling with this same math right now. I'm putting mine out loud. Then — the story that still makes my blood boil. New evidence keeps confirming what many of us have said for years: the air around Ground Zero after 9/11 was toxic for a half-mile out, officials knew it, and they said it was safe anyway. Giuliani lied. The agencies lied. We were attacked from outside, then lied to from within. That combination is what still haunts survivors and first responders today. Let's talk about both. Drop your take in the comments — LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major platforms, and on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #Zepbound, #GLP1, #WeightLossDrugs, #TirzepatideTruth, #WonderDrugRisks, #WeightLossJourney2026, #HeartHealth, #AorticAneurysm, #AfibAwareness, #BloodPressureHealth, #CardiologistAdvice, #PatientStories, #HealthDecisions, #ObesityMedicine, #WeightLossMedication, #911Truth, #GroundZeroToxicAir, #911Anniversary, #RudyGiuliani, #FirstResponders, #GovernmentLies, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #PoliticalCommentary, #NewsCommentary, #TalkShow, #IndependentMedia, #DailyNews, #CurrentEvents, #EmberTheDog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-kuFmsgh_8

'BradCast' 9/8/2026: Back to Midterm Mayhem; 'Trump-a-Palooza' in Dallas; Vote suppression in Fort Worth; Gerrymander mess in MO by Progressive Voices

In honor of Labor Day, we're looking at the powerful connection between work and healthcare in America — and what it means for workers when their health coverage is chained to their jobs. Against the backdrop of our ever-changing economy, we must ask: are the risks of employer-sponsored health insurance greater than the benefits? Today's guest is Mark Dudzic, a longtime union organizer and labor activist. He's a former president of Local 8-149 of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union, now part of the Steelworkers, as well as the OCAW District 8 Council, and a former national organizer of the Labor Party. In 2009, he co-founded the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare and currently serves as its chair. 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.

Green News Report 9/8/2026 by Progressive Voices

Trump's Wild Weekend: If This Happened on a Plane, They'd Tape Him to the Chair A passenger aboard a flight from Tucson reportedly became so disruptive—using racial and homophobic slurs and behaving aggressively—that he ultimately had to be restrained. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump spent part of the holiday weekend posting a barrage of unusual material on Truth Social, including maps depicting Canada, Mexico and other territory under the American flag and repeated posts promoting the idea of renaming New Mexico “New America.” On today's The Karel Cast, Karel asks the provocative question: If behavior this erratic would get someone restrained on an airplane, what happens when it comes from the president of the United States? The episode examines Trump's social-media posts and the constitutional reality behind them—including the fact that a president cannot simply rename a state. Changing New Mexico's name would require changing the state's constitution, a process involving New Mexico voters. Then it's back to Southern California, where Hurricane Marie remained hundreds of miles offshore but still brought rain, dangerous surf and coastal flooding concerns over the holiday weekend. Long Beach's Peninsula was hit by powerful waves, and officials closed the boardwalk because of unsafe conditions. Karel lived in Long Beach for years—and his reaction to seeing his former home in the national news may surprise you. Plus, another food-safety warning: more than 1,500 pounds of imported pork guanciale were recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, with the USDA classifying the recall as Class I. People.com What is happening with America's food supply? What do recalls actually tell us about the effectiveness—or failures—of the food-safety system? And when something goes wrong, who is actually responsible: producers, regulators, Congress, or the administration in power? Politics, food, extreme weather and one extraordinarily strange holiday weekend—it's all on today's The Karel Cast. Join the conversation in the comments. LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major streaming platforms, and can also be seen on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #DonaldTrump, #Trump, #TrumpNews, #TruthSocial, #NewMexico, #NewAmerica, #USPolitics, #PoliticalNews, #BreakingNews, #CurrentEvents, #TrumpAdministration, #Congress, #WhiteHouse, #HurricaneMarie, #LongBeach, #LongBeachCalifornia, #CaliforniaWeather, #CaliforniaFlooding, #ExtremeWeather, #FoodSafety, #FoodRecall, #PorkRecall, #Listeria, #USDA, #FoodNews, #PoliticalCommentary, #NewsCommentary, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #ReallyKarel https://youtube.com/live/Xe8CgzNjZkc

This time on Code WACK! This time, we're taking a closer look at the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. In a nutshell, the program gives hospitals and clinics that serve low-income and other vulnerable patients deep discounts on prescription drugs. But who really benefits from these discounts? Patients? Or hospitals? Did the legislation really intend that patients be charged coinsurance based on the full price of drugs that their hospital bought for far less? Let's explore why consumer advocates say the program needs reform. Today's guests are from the National Consumers League, Sally Greenberg, CEO and Lisa Bercu, Senior Director of Health Policy. The NCL is one of the nation's oldest consumer and worker advocacy organizations. 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.

This Gay Week: Anti-LGBTQ Violence Rises as Trump Officials Joke About Our Lives Anti-LGBTQ violence is rising in America—and while LGBTQ people are being attacked and killed, members of the Trump administration are making jokes. What is happening to LGBTQ safety in the United States, and how much are politics, religion and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric contributing to the climate we're living in? On this edition of This Gay Week, Karel and Scott Douglas Jacobsen examine disturbing stories affecting LGBTQ people in the United States and around the world. Two gay men were shot and killed outside an Arizona bar. The accused gunman, reportedly raised in Gambia, allegedly had a list of potential targets in his pocket. What motivated the attack? Was religion involved? Politics? Something else entirely? And what do we actually know rather than merely suspect? Meanwhile, another man was assaulted near Sacramento, adding to concerns about violence directed at LGBTQ people. Karel and Scott look beyond individual headlines to the larger picture: hate crimes, anti-LGBTQ violence, political rhetoric, religious extremism and the growing divisions within the LGBTQ community itself. What role has Donald Trump and his administration's anti-LGBTQ agenda played in America's political climate? How does religious rhetoric become justification for discrimination and hostility? And at a moment when LGBTQ rights face renewed challenges around the world, why is the community increasingly fighting among itself? These aren't abstract political debates. Real people are living with the consequences. Join Karel and Scott for news, analysis and outspoken conversation about the stories shaping LGBTQ life this week. Join the conversation in the comments. LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, and can also be seen on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #LGBTQ, #LGBTQNews, #GayNews, #ThisGayWeek, #LGBTQRights, #GayRights, #LGBTQCommunity, #HateCrimes, #AntiLGBTQ, #LGBTQViolence, #LGBTQSafety, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpAdministration, #LGBTQPolitics, #ReligiousExtremism, #PoliticalViolence, #CivilRights, #HumanRights, #Equality, #GayCommunity, #QueerNews, #LGBTQIA, #ArizonaNews, #Sacramento, #USPolitics, #BreakingNews, #CurrentEvents, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #ReallyKarel https://youtube.com/live/QraIql-ncWk

Are Influencers Dying? Why Brands Are Spending Billions on the New Creator Economy The era of the influencer may be ending—but influence itself is bigger business than ever. Social media has changed dramatically, and the creators who once dominated Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are discovering that simply showing off a fabulous lifestyle isn't enough anymore. So what happened to the traditional influencer—and where did their audiences go? Social media began as a place to share photos, friends and everyday life. Then came influencers: creators who attracted enormous audiences, landed lucrative brand deals and turned online popularity into an industry worth billions. But audiences changed. Today, people increasingly want creators to teach them something, entertain them, offer expertise, build community—or be so compelling that they simply can't look away. At the same time, brands continue pouring billions into creator and influencer marketing. So is the influencer dying—or simply evolving? On today's The Karel Cast, Karel is joined by two guests who understand this transformation from very different perspectives: Andrew Selepak of the University of Florida, an expert on social media, digital culture and communication, joins the conversation to examine how influencer culture has changed and what audiences and advertisers want now. Alison Malone, a former television news journalist, podcaster and influencer, brings the perspective of someone who has worked in both traditional and digital media. Together, they explore the changing creator economy, influencer marketing, social media algorithms, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, brand partnerships and online trends—and why influence reaches far beyond the people who actually follow creators. Influencers can help drive everything from fashion and consumer purchases to major diet and fitness trends such as the explosion of interest in protein and creatine. And through partnerships with major companies, their influence can reach consumers who don't even use social media. The influencer isn't necessarily disappearing. The definition of an influencer is changing. Who wins in this new creator economy? What happens to traditional influencers? What are brands looking for now? And where does social media go next? Let's talk about it. Join the conversation in the comments. LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, and can also be seen on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #Influencers, #InfluencerMarketing, #SocialMedia, #CreatorEconomy, #SocialMediaMarketing, #ContentCreators, #InfluencerCulture, #DigitalMarketing, #TikTok, #Instagram, #YouTube, #YouTubeCreators, #SocialMediaTrends, #MarketingTrends, #CreatorMarketing, #BrandMarketing, #BrandDeals, #OnlineCulture, #DigitalCulture, #SocialMediaAlgorithm, #FutureOfSocialMedia, #InternetCulture, #MediaTrends, #Advertising, #ConsumerTrends, #ContentCreation, #Podcast, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #ReallyKarel https://youtube.com/live/xG7qreP7OYU

Trump Isn't The Problem — Our Broken Institutions Are Everyone with a functioning brain is disgusted by Trump — alienating our allies, unjust wars, prices at the pump and grocery store skyrocketing, and dodging accountability on Epstein. But here's the uncomfortable truth: it's not his fault. So who IS to blame?

Iran Strikes, Nepal's Death, Trump's Lake, Rogue AI — Monday News Meltdown USA attacks Iran again. Nepal's death toll climbing to horrifying numbers. Trump pettily trying to rename a lake out of spite. Canada refusing to bow to the Orange Oligarch. And AI quietly acting on its own without anyone's permission. Welcome to Monday. You wanted a hopeful start to your week. Instead you got America — struggling, dying, fighting, and somehow still finding time for lake-renaming pettiness. No wonder everyone's wishing it was already Friday. PLUS: you might be hurting yourself and your family in your own kitchen without even realizing it — and we'll show you exactly how to stop. We break down these headlines and more on today's Karel Cast. Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who actually has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast streams on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major platforms, and is also on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Friday at 10:30 a.m. Pacific — wait, no, Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. Hashtags: #KarelCast, #TheKarelShow, #NewsCommentary, #DailyNews, #MondayNews, #PoliticalCommentary, #IranNews, #NepalDisaster, #TrumpNews, #CanadaPolitics, #AINews, #ArtificialIntelligence, #IndependentMedia, #NewsAnalysis, #CurrentEvents, #PoliticalNews, #WorldNews, #USPolitics, #KitchenSafety, #HealthTips, #NewsToday, #BreakingNews, #TalkShow, #Podcast, #DailyPodcast, #Commentary, #NewsRoundup, #PoliticalTalk, #LasVegasMedia, #LGBTQMedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3r1KxfcC5M

'BradCast' 8/31/2026: Encore -- Is the Zombie Myth that Repubs are Better than Dems on the Economy Finally Dead? by Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 8/27/2026: Will Dems Risk Being Called 'Election Deniers' If They Need to Challenge Midterms? by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 8/27/2026 by Progressive Voices

Dolly Parton's LGBTQ Legacy, Texas Drag Ban Defeated & Hope for Uganda Why did the loss of Dolly Parton resonate so deeply throughout the LGBTQ community? On this edition of “This Gay Week,” Karel and Scott Douglas Jacobsen of The Good Men Project examine Parton's enduring legacy as an ally—and why the deaths of certain LGBTQ icons and supporters become defining cultural moments. Karel and Scott also explore some of the week's biggest and most surprising LGBTQ stories from around the world: A Texas judge strikes down the state's drag ban, cites Dolly Parton, and delivers a priceless response to the governor and other officials. Help is reaching LGBTQ people in Uganda from an unexpected source in the United Kingdom, providing safe housing, food, community, and hope to people facing persecution. And what exactly is a “Holy Phallus”—and why does it have France's right wing so outraged? Get the stories, context, history, humor, and outspoken commentary on “This Gay Week” with Scott Jacobsen and Karel. Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media and The Karel Cast: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and other major streaming platforms. You can also watch on TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday through Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember. #DollyParton, #DollyPartonLegacy, #LGBTQ, #LGBTQNews, #LGBTQCommunity, #LGBTQRights, #GayNews, #ThisGayWeek, #ScottJacobsen, #KarelCast, #TheKarelCast, #ReallyKarel, #DragQueens, #DragBan, #TexasDragBan, #TexasPolitics, #Stonewall, #JudyGarland, #LGBTQHistory, #Uganda, #UgandaLGBTQ, #HumanRights, #UnitedKingdom, #France, #FrenchPolitics, #CultureWar, #PoliticalCommentary, #IndependentMedia, #QueerNews, #Pride https://youtube.com/live/Br32aU29yXk

'BradCast' 8/26/2026: Democracy is 'Kryptonite for Empires'; Guests: Heather Digby Parton and 'Driftglass' by Progressive Voices