This week on Branding Democrats, we sit down with Essy, better known online as @TheDarkLeft — a progressive creator and Substack writer who’s built a massive following by cutting through right-wing spin with clarity and conviction.

In this episode, we unpack how modern fascism doesn’t look like tanks in the streets. It looks like what we’re living through right now: a president weaponizing government shutdowns, silencing critics through intimidation, and flooding the media ecosystem with disinformation.

Essy shares how his platform became an outlet for millions who felt unseen on the left, and why the Democratic Party’s messaging often struggles to match the right’s emotional punch. The conversation dives into how the GOP reframes lies into viral talking points, why mainstream media still hesitates to call out authoritarian behavior directly, and what Democrats must do differently.

To hear more from Essy, find him on TikTok, Instagram, and Substack: @The Dark Left

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This week on Branding Democrats, we sit down with creator and comedian Bill Jubran to unpack a wild stretch in American politics.

We dive into the revival-style atmosphere at Charlie Kirk’s memorial and what it signals about MAGA’s future. We contrast Erika Kirk’s unity-and-forgiveness moment with Trump’s open calls for retribution on the same stage, and ask what happens when a movement mixes religion with raw power politics.

Then we zoom out: What do you do when the umpire’s biased? With a Supreme Court that keeps greenlighting executive overreach, Bill lays out why creators, validators, and everyday voters have to apply pressure in the culture as well as the courts. We talk why “deregulation” = removing protections, the real stakes on health care, and how to reach the 2–3% of persuadables who decide elections.

Check out more of Bill's content @Bill.jubran and @Bill.Jubran 2025

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This week on Branding Democrats, we are joined by political creator and podcaster Jon Cooper (@counterpointpolitics) for a raw conversation about America’s deepening crisis.

We begin the episode by addressing the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a Utah rally. Political violence is a symptom of a larger problem in our society, and we take some time to unpack what's going on.

Later, Jon gets into why false equivalence is so dangerous, why Republicans win on branding even when they lie, and what Democrats must do to fight back.

We also dive into Trump’s failing economic agenda, the danger of his tariff obsession, and whether figures like JD Vance could be even worse for our democracy.

It’s part therapy session, part strategy talk — and a call to action for Democrats to stop playing defense and start owning the narrative.

Check out more of Jon's content:

TikTok: @counterpointpolitics

Podcast: The Left Wing

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In our 101st episode of Branding Democrats, we sit down with progressive TikTok creator Nicole Whitted (@NicoleWhittedAuthor) to talk about politics, branding, and what it takes to cut through the GOP’s smoke and mirrors.

Nicole shares what motivated her to start making videos and how her content reaches people in deeply red communities.

Together, we unpack why voters don’t always know what Dems stands for, how to counter Republican narratives about money and power, and what it means to “match their energy” in the fight ahead.

This episode is equal parts candid, urgent, and hopeful—a look at how creators, organizers, and everyday Democrats can push back against authoritarianism and reclaim the brand of a party that fights for people.

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For our 100th episode of Branding Democrats, we’re bringing back a very special guest: Daryl Weber, Ken’s son and co-author of Branding Democrats.

In this conversation, we look back at the book’s predictions—what Democrats got wrong (and right) in the last election cycle—and how the party’s branding failures continue to hold it back.

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This week on Branding Democrats, we are joined by TikTok creator Felicia, best known as @Jeanine Pirreaux. Stay and listen for a wildly funny and fiercely smart conversation about the role of satire in politics, the unraveling of Trump’s second term, and why comedy might be the Democrats’ secret weapon.

Felicia shares how Judge Jeanine Pirro became her MAGA muse, how political sketch comedy became her coping mechanism after Trump’s reelection, and what advice she’d give to Democrats trying to win hearts and minds in a broken information landscape.

We talk about Trump’s deepening Epstein scandal, the missing files, and why this time—Teflon might not hold.

This episode gets to the heart of how Democrats can fight disinformation, reclaim the narrative, and—yes—finally get funny.

To hear more from Jeanine/Felicia -->

TikTok: @Jeanine Pirreaux

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This week, we're back for a conversation about what’s broken in Democratic branding and what it’ll take to fix it.

We start with Obama’s recent call for Democrats to “stop whining and toughen up". We talk about what it means for Democrats to fight back and stop being a punching bag.

Our conversation goes to the infamous Epstein files, which Trump is now calling a hoax (hmmm, we wonder why...). We get into how MAGA excuses Trump's behaviors and how there's some internal tension within the current GOP.

Along the way, we talk about the GOP’s branding advantage and the Democratic Party’s allergic reaction to its own power.

We'll be off next week, but tune into @brandingdems to keep in touch.

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In this episode of Branding Democrats, we welcome back Stacy Hughes, known as @Belle Valise on TikTok. Stacy shares her inspiring personal journey from progressive advocate and social media influencer to first-time candidate, running for city council in South Jordan, Utah.

Together, we tackle the week’s pressing topics: Trump’s chaotic ICE raids and sudden immigration backtrack; escalating tensions with Iran after Ted Cruz’s troubling admissions to Tucker Carlson; and the GOP’s dangerous approach to foreign policy.

Stacy emphasizes the Democrats' urgent need for clear, emotional, and concise messaging. We discuss how Trump's destructive presidency continues to damage America’s global reputation, economic stability, and democratic institutions. And then we brainstorm actionable ways Democrats can highlight Trump’s endless failures and dangerous incompetence in relatable, unforgettable terms.

To hear more from Stacy: @Belle Valise

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