Progressive Voices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

American Hypocrisy: Why Do We Tolerate These Contradictions? The contradictions in American life are everywhere — and today, we break them down. Why is sex work still taboo when porn is the internet's #1 use? Why are gay adult performers still punished while straight ones get mainstream careers? Why do we spend billions on incarceration but won't invest in housing? Why do we mourn 100 deaths in Texas but ignore daily massacres in Gaza or Ukraine? And why, in a nation of excess, do so many still go hungry? From reality shows like Love Island booting cast members over adult content, to America's obsession with punishment over prevention, today's Karel Cast dives deep into the twisted double standards that define U.S. culture. If you've ever wondered why America seems so upside down — I've got thoughts. Uncensored. Unfiltered. Unhinged. It's The Karel Cast.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Mabinty Quarshie, White House Reporter for 'the Washington Examiner.' The pair examines what's in the Republicans' newly passed 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' how Trump managed to convince wayward GOP congressional members to support such an unpopular bill, the implications the bill has on next year's congressional midterms, Virginia's statewide elections this year, and an update on Trump's tariffs.   Then, Bob Deans, Senior Advisor for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), talks about Trump and DOGE's cuts to the U.S. National Weather Service, and whether they contributed to the poor forecast and deaths in the Texas floods. Then, they discuss how the cuts to clean energy manufacturing incentives will hurt the planet, as well as the United States' economy and manufacturing base. Finally, they talk about Trump's executive orders, which have been devastating for our environment. You can follow Mabinty Quarshie on X at @MabintyQ. The website for NRDC is www.NRDC.org and their handle on BlueSky is @NRDC.org. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.   (Image Credit: Adam Zyglis/Buffalo News)

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

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

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

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

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

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Cedric Leighton. Col. Leighton (USAF-Ret.) gives the latest updates on Iran's nuclear program following missile strikes on their nuclear enrichment facilities by the Trump administration. He and Brad also discuss the U.N. nuclear agency disagreeing with the administration that the strikes have fully disabled Iran from enriching uranium for a nuclear weapon in the near future.   Then, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, joins Brad to break down Congressional Republicans' 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' and why it's so intensely unpopular with Americans. Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton. bsky.social.  The 'Social Security Works' website is www.socialsecurityworks.org and their handle on BlueSky is @socialsecurityworks.org. Alex's handle there is @alaw202.bsky.social.   Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.  

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

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

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

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

HIS WEEK ON CODE WACK! As federal officials carry out large-scale, military-style raids and widespread arrests of undocumented immigrants, another fight is quietly brewing — one that could push thousands of people off their health insurance. More than half a million young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and grew up here could soon lose eligibility for affordable and subsidized health coverage. A new rule proposed by the Trump Administration would once again block DACA recipients from buying Marketplace insurance or receiving financial assistance. What would this mean for their health, their communities and the widening gap in health and economic equity? To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles — the nation's largest young adult policy and advocacy organization — where she leads the charge to amplify the voices of young adults in the political process. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

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 Charlie Cook, Founder of 'the Cook Political Report,' to talk about ten years of Trump in politics.  This includes how he completely changed the Republican party's identity, and what might happen to the GOP once Trump is no longer President. Then, Kim Scott, Publisher of 'Dem List,' previews the NYC Mayoral primary election. She also details the upcoming Governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey, which tend to be a bellwether for the following year's midterm elections in Congress. Kim Scott's 'Demlist' is a free national daily political column, calendar and resource site for Democrats and allies - a unique, central source that connects people to the who, what and where of Democratic events, issues and activism. You can find out more about them at DemList.com and follow them on BlueSky at the handle @demlist.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.

In a United States where the presidential administration is comfortable arresting sitting members of Congress and tackling sitting senators who dare ask a question at a press conference, and where they've called the military into the streets against American citizens, it's hard to believe anything more can happen, but you may rest assured it will. Today's commentary deals specifically with the ongoing ICE raids. This is important. We must all stand together, or we will surely hang separately. Until January, this was all unthinkable, but here we are. Give a listen and get ready to exercise your Constitutional right to speak and assemble.

How are big insurance companies dodging the very rules meant to protect patients — and turning our health care system into a profit machine for Wall Street? What can we the people do to stop it? Join us as we dive into the dark side of corporate loopholes, for-profit health care, and policy failure with Rachel Madley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. A former FDA staffer and health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Rachel played a key role in crafting and reintroducing the House Medicare for All bill in 2023. With a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University, she brings both scientific rigor and firsthand policy experience to this eye-opening conversation. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.

How are big insurance companies dodging the very rules meant to protect patients — and turning our health care system into a profit machine for Wall Street? What can we the people do to stop it? Join us as we dive into the dark side of corporate loopholes, for-profit health care, and policy failure with Rachel Madley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. A former FDA staffer and health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Rachel played a key role in crafting and reintroducing the House Medicare for All bill in 2023. With a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University, she brings both scientific rigor and firsthand policy experience to this eye-opening conversation.

Gavin vs Trump: Why Newsom Stands Alone Against MAGA Madness | Karel Cast 25-78 Description: Why is Gavin Newsom the only one standing up to Trump and the MAGA machine? Today, House Speaker Mike Johnson invoked a vile image—saying Newsom should be “tarred and feathered,” a punishment once used on runaway slaves. The attack is more than words—it's a dangerous escalation. As Trump's authoritarian grip tightens, where is the resistance? Why does it feel like Newsom is fighting alone while the rest of the country spirals into chaos under MAGA control? In this episode of the Karel Cast, we break down: • The disturbing language from GOP leaders • Why Newsom's defiance matters more than ever • How Trumpism continues to fail Americans: rising costs, broken systems, and growing division • And most importantly—why we must ask: Where is everyone else?

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst Cedric Leighton. Col. Leighton (USAF-Ret.) gives the latest updates on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.   He also discusses President Trump having tanks roll into Washington D.C. for the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army (but also for his own birthday, which is the same day as the parade). Finally, the two discuss the Trump administration siccing 2,000 National Guard troops on protesters who were demonstrating against the administration's deportation tactics.   Then, Brad is joined by Tara Devlin, the host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The two discuss the meltdown between President Trump and Elon Musk, as well as how the mainstream media now seems to cover Billionaires like the third branch of Government. They also discuss the Trump administration siccing 2,000 National Guard troops on protesters who were demonstrating against the administration's deportation tactics.  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.  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.  

Trump Wages War With California Uses Troops As Personal Army | Karel Cast 25-77 Donald Trump has activated the National Guard under a rarely-used Title X order—and he's sending them into California, targeting Governor Newsom in what many are calling a personal war disguised as immigration enforcement. This alarming move mirrors the darkest chapters of history, echoing tactics used in 1930s Germany. Is this the beginning of a constitutional crisis? Is Trump creating his own private army to cement power and secure a third term? Also in this episode: the influencer world turns deadly on the Las Vegas Strip—violence caught on camera, clout-chasing gone too far.

Why So Many Americans Feel Helpless — And How to Break Free | Karel Cast Ep. 25-74 ⸻ Description: Do you ever feel like nothing you do matters? Climate change, skyrocketing prices, broken politics — and yet the most common reaction is: “What can I even do?” You're not alone — helplessness is becoming America's national mood. In this bold episode of the Karel Cast, we dig into: • Why that feeling of helplessness is more than just personal — it's systemic. • How it creeps into your identity without you realizing. • The shockingly simple cure most people ignore. • What hypernormalization is — and how it keeps you stuck. • Plus: Why seniors are suddenly turning to cannabis in record numbers.

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 Kate Ackley, a Senior Reporter for Bloomberg Government. Kate shares a a general status update of the lobby industry under President Trump. Then, she and Brad talk about the lobby efforts on the House reconciliation budget bill, and the higher education executive orders. Then, Brad is joined by Sarah Jones, the Editor-in-Chief of Politicus USA. The two discuss President Trump's broken promises on inflation and Ukraine, he and the House Republicans' big bad budget bill, Musk getting out of DOGE, and RFK Jr. on vaccines (or lack thereof).  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. 

Is Trump Actually Good for Gay Pride? The Truth Behind Corporate Pullouts

Leslie is joined by Liz Shuler, President of the 63 unions and over 15 million members of the AFL-CIO, and the first woman leader of America's labor movement. The pair discusses the Supreme Court ruling upholding Trump's firings of the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board members, the draconian House budget bill, and the field hearings the Union conducted through the 'Department of People Who Work for a Living,' which they released a report on last week. The website for the AFL-CIO is www.AFLCIO.org and their BlueSky handle is @aflcio.org. Liz's handle is @lizshuler.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Lily Roberts, Managing Director for Inclusive Growth at the Center for American Progress. The two first react to Senator Joni Ernst, after an audience member yells, “People will die,” during her discussion on Medicaid cuts at a town hall this morning, replying, “Well, we all are going to die.” Leslie and Lily then discuss the disastrous approach to food stamps (SNAP) in the House Republican passed 'Big Beautiful Bill.' The House-passed version: A. Would cut off some or all food assistance for 11 million people (4 million of those are kids) due to subjecting new groups of people (parents of young kids, older people, people who live in parts of the country where jobs are scarce) to additional paperwork requirements. B. Eliminates the national guarantee that whether you live in New York or Mississippi, you won't go hungry. This has been the bottom line of food support and anti-poverty in the US for 60 years. Now, states will be required to foot part of the bill for SNAP, which many of them can't afford. C. Guts SNAP as one of our best anti-recession tools – it keeps recessions from becoming depressions. SNAP immediately gets small dollars to the people who need money most, and it's spent nearly instantly in local communities. Funding changes and cuts will doubly punish states during recessions. That's important now, as we deal with economic uncertainty and a food safety net (food pantries, free school lunch, farmer grant programs) that have already been gutted by DOGE so can't step in to help.  The website for the Center for American Progress is www.AmericanProgress.org and their handle on BlueSky is @americanprogress.bsky.social. Lily's BlueSky handle is @lilyroberts.bsky.social. (Image Credit: Getty Images)

The Real Evil in “Sinners” Has Nothing to Do with Vampires | Karel Cast 25-72 ⸻ Description: I watched Sinners, and yes—it's as good as the buzz. But the real horror? It's not the vampires. It's something deeper, more human, and far more terrifying. And the worst part? We let it survive. In this episode of the Karel Cast, I dig into the hidden themes of Sinners, the moral blindness we embrace, and how we reflect that same evil in real life.

Why Society Keeps Collapsing—And We Just Pretend It's Fine | Karel Cast 25-71 Description: Our world is unraveling, but we're too busy pretending everything's normal. In today's Karel Cast, I break down a powerful article on hypernormalization—how we normalize the absurd and destructive just to keep functioning. Sound familiar? It should. Also: The anti-LGBTQ+ agenda continues to escalate. Where does it end? What is the ultimate goal of those targeting queer lives and rights? Plus, Trump's latest move? Pardoning reality show felons. How much lower can it go?

This week on CodeWACK! Medicare for All is back in the spotlight! With two new bills recently introduced in Congress, what makes these proposals different from earlier versions— and why are some advocates feeling hopeful, even in the current political climate? What would a truly public, universal health care system look like, and how could it help curb the soaring costs, corporate greed, and bureaucracy plaguing our current system? To unpack this, we spoke with Rachel Madley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. A former health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal — lead sponsor of the House Medicare for All bill — Rachel helped shape and reintroduce the landmark legislation in 2023. She's also a former FDA staffer and holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University, where she was active in both Physicians for a National Health Program and Students for a National Health Program.

Why the “Big Beautiful Bill” Is a Big Fat Lie — And No One's Talking About It Description: In this episode of The Karel Cast, we dig into the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — praised in headlines but deeply flawed beneath the surface. While the Senate nitpicks over details, no one is asking the real question: why is this bill just bad for Americans, full stop? Karel breaks down the bigger picture lawmakers ignore and why this is a pattern that keeps hurting everyday people. Next, we tackle the $750,000 budget hole at NYC Pride and the growing financial crisis facing LGBTQ+ Pride events nationwide. A recent survey shows consumers are now twice as likely to avoid brands that support Pride. Is this Trump's fault? Not exactly. Karel has a sharper take. Finally, a little keyboard chaos: Karel got into it online with a journalist covering the Nevada Gay Rodeo. What sparked the drama? Let's just say it involves clout-chasing, rodeos, and a whole lotta ego.