Episodios

  • The Truth About Environmental Injustice
    Nov 3 2025

    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



    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Kaivan Shroff -- Countering Trump and Inspiring Change
    Oct 30 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    37 m
  • Elizabeth Jamison: How Trump's Government Shutdown Hurts Our Veterans
    Oct 26 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    21 m
  • Alzheimer's Research in the Crosshairs of Trump's Shutdown
    Oct 4 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    2 m
  • If the Resolute Desk Could Talk, What Trump Secrets Does it Hold? | Lean to the Left Podcast
    Sep 28 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    24 m
  • Embracing America’s Independent Spirit | Adam Brandon on the Rise of Independents
    Sep 21 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    28 m
  • When the President Shakes Down the Media
    Sep 12 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    32 m
  • Defending Transgender Identity | Amethysta Herrick, PhD | Lean to the Left Podcast
    Sep 6 2025

    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

    Más Menos
    31 m