In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty speaks with Shilpi Chhotray, co-founder and president of Counter Stream Media, an independent production and communications platform that amplifies stories on climate justice, plastic pollution, and environmental health.

Together, they dive into the urgent need for climate justice, exploring how environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. From the tragic realities of Cancer Alley to the dismantling of environmental protections under the Trump administration, this conversation reveals how systemic injustices have shaped our environment — and what can be done to change it.

Shilpi discusses her work on “A People’s Climate”, a storytelling initiative giving voice to those fighting for their right to clean air, water, and soil. The discussion also highlights the power of independent media in shaping climate awareness and action.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Environmental racism and climate justice

• How storytelling drives advocacy and change

• Cancer Alley and its devastating impact

• Trump-era rollbacks on environmental protections

• The mission and vision behind Counter Stream Media

🌍 Learn more at counterstream.org and peoplesclimate.org

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left Podcast

00:09 Introducing Shilpi Chhotray and Counter Stream Media

01:06 Counter Stream Media's Mission and Projects

04:23 Environmental Justice Explained

06:28 Communities Impacted by Environmental Injustice

08:56 Trump Administration's Environmental Policies

12:37 Grassroots Activism and Media's Role

17:10 Challenges and Solutions in Clean Energy

27:30 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations that inspire change:

YouTube.com/@LeantotheLeft

#ClimateJustice #EnvironmentalJustice #LeanToTheLeftPodcast

In this powerful episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty sits down with Kaivan Shroff, political commentator, attorney, and Triple Ivy League alum, to discuss the challenges — and opportunities — facing the Democratic Party.

From mobilizing young voters to countering Trump’s rhetoric and redefining progressivism for a digital age, Shroff offers sharp insights and bold ideas, inspiring change for America’s political future.

Watch now to discover:

• Why youth engagement is key to revitalizing the left

• How Democrats can balance protest energy with pragmatic solutions

• What’s next for progressive politics in the age of AI and social media

🎧 Available on all podcast platforms & YouTube @LeanToTheLeft

👉 Subscribe today: LeanToTheLeft.net

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

00:48 Nationwide No Kings Rallies

04:36 Trump's Totalitarian Actions and Democratic Response

07:42 Young Voters and Modern Issues

10:31 New York City Mayor's Race and Democratic Strategies

13:53 MAGA Republicans and Democratic Challenges

18:29 Young Men and Trump

25:24 Higher Education and Trump's Influence

29:08 David Hogg and Young Democratic Leadership

32:33 Kaivan Shroff's Future Plans

35:37 Conclusion and Contact Information

How does Trump's government shutdown hurt our veterans? Will they get paid? When? How will they pay their rent and feed their families with no money coming in? Callously, they refuse to budge as Democrats continue to fight to protect the healthcare of those who rely on Medicaid and Obamacare.

But for military families, the shutdown is more than simply a political gambit. It's real. It hurts. And many of our service members and veterans suffer.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty welcomes Elizabeth Jamison, a tireless advocate for veterans and military families. From her early work as an attorney to her leadership role with Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces Initiative, Elizabeth has dedicated her career to improving lives and policies for those who serve.

In this insightful conversation, she discusses the real-world impact of government shutdowns on military families, challenges within the VA system, and the crucial need for bipartisan action.

💬 “Supporting veterans is not just about politics — it’s about humanity,” Jamison says.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring pre-Veterans Day episode that reminds us why advocacy matters.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:23 Impact of Government Shutdown on Military Families

05:58 Challenges in the VA System

07:55 Libby's Advocacy and Legal Work

11:28 Military Spouse Licensing and Employment

14:14 Encouraging Military Families to Run for Office

15:13 Work with Dr. Jill Biden and Policy Efforts

17:36 Optimism and Future for Veterans

20:36 Conclusion and Contact Information

Bob Gatty from Lean To The Left discusses the true consequences of the Donald Trump government shutdown that derails the fight against cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Despite Trump's claims about preventing undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded healthcare, federal law already prohibits their eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or Affordable Care Act coverage.

Gatty reveals the actual human repercussions of the shutdown, including halted Alzheimer's and cancer research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The shutdown jeopardizes clinical trials, lab funding, and young scientists' careers. Gatty urges viewers to stand against the shutdown and highlights its detrimental effects on essential medical research. For more details, visit his article at LeanToTheLeft.net.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Trump's Shutdown Claim

00:12 The Reality of Immigrant Healthcare

00:24 Impact on Alzheimer's and Cancer Research

01:10 The Human Cost of the Shutdown

01:34 Call to Action and Conclusion

What happens when inanimate objects, like the Resolute Desk, and mythological monsters tell the story of Trump’s America? 🤯

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews author Barry Robbins, whose satirical books NO!, HELL NO!, and American Monsters offer a creative, humorous, yet deeply critical take on Donald Trump and the state of American politics.

📚 Robbins shares how his inspiration came from wanting to spark emotional reactions rather than intellectual debates—using satire to highlight the outrages of the Trump administration. From lamps and chairs to mythological beasts, his storytelling offers a unique lens on the chaos of recent years.

🌍 Having lived in Finland, Robbins also explains how experiencing social democracy firsthand shifted his perspective from corporate Republican to progressive, shaping his critique of America’s political divisions and the growing threat of authoritarianism.

🎙️ In this conversation, we explore:

• The origins of Robbins’ satirical books NO! and HELL NO!

• His mythological take in American Monsters

• How fear and manipulation drive politics in Trump’s America

• The impact of living abroad on his view of U.S. democracy

• Why America’s deepening divisions pose a dangerous future

If you’re interested in political satire, progressive perspectives, or simply want to understand today’s turbulent political climate in a new way, this episode is for you.

👉 Listen to the full conversation now and explore Barry Robbins’ books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Direct Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4gNhHyL

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Lean to the Left for more interviews, commentary, and progressive voices challenging today’s politics.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast

00:50 Introducing Barry Robbins and His Books

01:29 The Concept Behind Barry's Books

04:11 Political Violence and Barry's Perspective

04:35 Barry's Experience in Finland

05:38 The State of American Democracy

07:40 Trump's Influence and Responsibility

19:12 Barry's Latest Book: American Monsters

20:41 Where to Find Barry's Books

21:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Nearly 40% of Americans now identify as independents, reflecting deep frustration with partisan politics. In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, Bob Gatty speaks with Adam Brandon, senior advisor at the Independent Center and co-author of The Exhausted Majority.

Brandon shares his journey from leading FreedomWorks to shaping a new independent movement that seeks to disrupt the two-party duopoly. Topics include:

• Why independents are the “exhausted majority” of American politics

• The Independent Center’s strategy to influence Congress by 2026

• Opportunities for independents on state and national ballots

• The role of AI in transforming campaigns and civic engagement

• How millennials and Gen Z are driving a more policy-focused approach

👉 Don’t miss this conversation about independence, reform, and the future of American democracy.

🔗 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at LeanToTheLeft.net.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:01 Challenges and Strategies for Independent Voters

05:40 Gerrymandering and Independent Candidates

11:38 The Role of AI in Politics

13:24 Funding and Supporting Independent Candidates

17:30 Lessons from the Tea Party Movement

23:21 The Exhausted Majority: Upcoming Book

26:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What are the implications for our divided country when a bullying president shakes down the news media to get his way?

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, John DeDakis, veteran journalist, former CNN editor, White House correspondent, novelist, and writing coach, explores the challenges of journalism in today’s fractured media landscape and the implications of Donald Trump's attempts to bully the media to his own ends.

👉 Topics include:

• The crisis of trust in mainstream media

• How Trump and bullying politicians have influenced journalism

• The rise of digital media and the internet’s double-edged sword

• Artificial Intelligence and its limits in creative storytelling

• DeDakis’ novel Enemies Domestic, inspired by today’s political climate

• Writing as a tool for healing grief and trauma

• Helping aspiring authors find their voice

DeDakis shares candid reflections on truth in reporting, holding power accountable, and why integrity and human touch still matter in an age of information overload.

📚 Learn more about John DeDakis and his books.

If you care about media integrity, politics, or the power of storytelling, this episode is a must-listen.

👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the like button, and share your thoughts in the comments!

#Media #Politics #JohnDeDakis #LeanToTheLeft #Journalism #truthmatters

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Lean To The Left Podcast

00:31 Introducing John DeDakis: Journalist and Author 01:47 Trump's Impact on America

03:33 The Role of Journalism Today

04:26 Challenges in Modern Media

07:38 Personal Experiences in Journalism

10:37 The Evolution of Journalism

15:23 The Influence of Social Media

16:15 The Impact of AI on Writing

16:54 Experimenting with AI in Creative Writing

18:26 The Ethical and Environmental Concerns of AI

20:03 Discussing 'Enemies Domestic'

22:18 Writing About Personal Grief

25:50 Helping Authors as a Manuscript Editor and Writing Coach

27:02 Current and Future Writing Projects

28:24 Where to Find John's Books

30:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In Defending Transgender Identity on the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty sits down with Amethysta Herrick, PhD, a transgender woman, scientist, and advocate, to discuss the growing wave of discriminatory legislation targeting transgender individuals.

Ami shares her remarkable story—from childhood struggles and suicide attempts to building a successful career as a scientist and executive, and ultimately transitioning to live authentically. She dives deep into the importance of identity, resilience, and the human experience, and discusses how Trump-era policies devastated the transgender community.

Ami also shares her mission with Purple Paw Clan, an organization dedicated to defending transgender rights and supporting those on their journey toward self-discovery and acceptance.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation to explore:

The personal and societal challenges of gender identity

The impact of anti-transgender legislation

The importance of advocacy and education

The story behind Purple Paw Clan and Team Water

💜 Support the cause: https://purplepawclan.com

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help amplify voices that need to be heard.

#TransRights #LeanToTheLeftPodcast #PurplePawClan

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

00:10 Discriminatory Legislation Against Transgender People

00:56 Introducing Amethysta Herrick, PhD

01:56 Amethysta's Early Life and Academic Journey

03:46 Transitioning and Professional Life

05:03 Family Life and Personal Struggles

05:54 Exploring Gender Identity and Transition

07:28 Writing and Advocacy

13:51 Impact of Trump's Policies on Transgender Community

18:22 Conservative Upbringing and Personal Struggles

19:06 Trump's Executive Orders and Gender Affirming Care

19:43 Corporate Responses to Anti-DEI Policies

20:07 First Amendment and Hate Speech

22:10 The Story Behind Purple Paw Clan

27:30 Team Water Initiative

28:47 Conclusion and Contact Information