Why do liberals continue to struggle with political persuasion—even when the facts and policies are on their side?

In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty sits down with author, strategist, and political thinker Spencer Critchley to explore why liberals often fail to connect emotionally with voters, and how they can turn that around.

Drawing on his new Substack project, The Liberal Backbone, soon to become a published book, and his book Patriots of Two Nations, Spencer discusses:

• The “Liberal Paradox” — how rational thinking blinds progressives to emotional reality

• Why politics operates in the other 99% of human consciousness

• How Trump and other populists use simple emotional cues to persuade

• Why evidence-based arguments fail with many voters

• The global crisis facing liberal democracy

• How liberals can reclaim narrative, purpose, and connection

• The importance of rhetoric, storytelling, and identity in political communication

Spencer also explains why understanding—not dismissing—different perspectives is crucial for bridging America’s political divide.

🔹 About Spencer Critchley

Spencer is the award-winning host of Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good, author of Patriots of Two Nations, and a respected political strategist who has worked with Barack Obama’s campaigns and numerous progressive organizations.

Read The Liberal Backbone on Substack:

https://spencercritchley.substack.com

Learn more about his work:

https://dastardlycleverness.com

Read Patriots of Two Nations: https://amzn.to/4nXbLVK

(Free audio book, Kindle and Paperback versions on sale)

🔹 About Lean to the Left

Lean to the Left covers progressive politics, social justice, democracy, and the ongoing fight to hold Donald Trump and MAGA extremism accountable. Hosted by Bob Gatty.

If you believe in democracy, dignity, and truth — this channel is for you.

👉 Subscribe for more:

YouTube.com/@LeantotheLeft

On this special Veteran’s Day edition of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty welcomes Steve Miller, President and CEO of Wellness for Veterans.org. A former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, Steve has dedicated his life to helping veterans access the benefits they’ve earned — from healthcare to housing and education.

In this inspiring conversation, Steve shares how his own battles with the VA system motivated him to create a nonprofit that’s helped more than 600 veterans secure millions in benefits. He discusses:

• The challenges veterans face navigating complex systems

• Hidden benefits that too many veterans overlook

• How government shutdowns and politics impact military families

• Why voting and advocacy are essential for change

This Veteran’s Day, we honor those who’ve served — and those, like Steve Miller, who continue fighting for them.

👉 Learn more at WellnessForVeterans.org

📞 Contact Steve Miller directly at 412-389-7588 for assistance.

🎧 Listen, share, and subscribe for more interviews that inform, inspire, and empower.

#VeteransDay #LeanToTheLeft #Veterans #Advocacy #WellnessForVeterans #82ndAirborne #SupportOurTroops #VAbenefits #VeteranSupport #Podcast #MilitaryFamilies #ProgressiveMedia

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Current Challenges for Veterans

00:35 Meet Steve Miller: Veteran Advocate

01:20 Steve's Mission to Help Veterans

02:52 Hidden Benefits for Veterans

04:51 Steve's Personal Journey and Advocacy

08:01 Challenges in Veteran Support Systems

13:48 Call to Action and Contact Information

14:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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 discuss how climate justice is social 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