Talking Left w/ Danielle & Shane-O

This is Talking Left's pre-debate special!  Although this show was only 2 hours, we tried to fill it with just as much great content as our usual full program.   We had great analysis and predictions from three great guests!   First, Matthew Emmer, of Messaging Matters and Turn Up The Night with Kenny Pick, joined us to talk messaging and more.  He helped us break down some of the "win-vs-lose" spin about the debates.  Be sure to check out his site and listen to his great commentary every Tuesday and Friday!   Next, we heard a brilliant prediction about the outcome of tonight's debate from democratic strategist and political director of Progressive Voices - David Bender.  Please support his valiant effort to connect the Left by downloading the Progressive Voices app and checking out all of their great programming online.   Editor-in-chief of The Contributor, Tina Dupuy, helped us round out our debate coverage with a little excitement, comedy, and analysis.  Don't forget - in addition to Tina's amazing writing, The Contributor is one of the few sites that actually pays you to contribute! Sign up now!   {play}archive/TalkingLeft10-3-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

This was the "47% Report" episode of Talking Left in honor of Mitt Romney essentially giving the election to Obama. Although we had a guest from The Chicago Teachers Union scheduled, they were a little busy voting on their new contract, and were unable to join us.  We still ask our listeners to support their on-going fight for better schools in Chicago! First, we heard great analysis from Daniel Marans, Policy Director of Social Security Works and Executive Producer of Take Action News with David Shuster.  He explained how Social Security Insurance works and why the benefits for most recipients aren't taxed.  Daniel will also be hosting Take Action News on We Act Radio this coming Saturday, September 22nd, and we ask all our friends to tune in from 12-3pm ET! After that, we spoke with one of our favorite people - Nicole Belle, of Crooks and Liars.  Nicole gave us her thoughts on Romney's statement that Palestinians "aren't interested in peace with Israel".  In addition to her brilliant commentary, Nicole always makes the show more enjoyable for listeners and hosts alike. In the last hour, Eric Burns, Strategic Communications Consultant at Bull Fight Strategies and former president of Media Matters for America, helped us understand the real effects Romney's recent gaffes will have on his Presidential campaign.  Of course, Eric also helped us get in a few laughs at the candidate and the Right's poor attempts at standing behind their candidate.   {play}archive/TalkingLeft9-19-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

Talking Left this week was filled with 4 great guests!  Their brilliant commentary helped us pull together our newest theory - The new three-legged Republican stool.  The GOP used to stand for strong defense, a strong economy, and strong social policies.  Today, they simply lie, cheat, and steal. **YouTube Video will be up soon!**  First we were joined by Stacy Davis-Gate, the political activities director for Chicago Teachers Union, to discuss the on-going strike in one of the nation's largest school districts.  We proudly stand with the teachers of Chicago in their fight!  Not only do they represent the teachers, parents, and students in their district, but their action will have national implications for union and non-union workers everywhere.  It's people like these teachers that are putting up the biggest fight against those that attempt to cheat us out of fair working conditions and decent pay.   Next, we spoke with author, comedian, and activist Lee Camp about one of his latest Moments of Clarity Podcast episodes.  Lee's theory that we're living in a world of zombies not only holds up to describe those people mindlessly watching their electronic devices, but also to the mindless statements of politicians we hear on a regular basis.   After that, Brad Friedman, defender of our democratic voting rights and editor-in-chief of The Brad Blog, helped us sort through many of the recent updates in voting laws.  Although Brad informed us of a few "wins" for democracy in Texas, Minnesota, and California, he also explained the need to carefully monitor the on-going attempt to steal the upcoming election.   To round out our three-legged stool theory, Eric Boehlert, Senior Fellow at Media Matters For America, helped us point out the latest and largest Republican lies.  Besides Paul Ryans "truth-challenged" acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, the recent whopper about Obama "sympathizing" with those that attacked the Libyan Embassy really highlights what the right does best - lie.   {play}archive/TalkingLeft9-12-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer.   Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

(Updated with audio podcast!) Although this episode of Talking Left was an hour short, we still managed to find time for three great guests.     First, Alex Lawson, owner and producer of We Act Radio in Washington AND Executive Director of Social Security Works, joined us to discuss the potential effects Paul Ryan's policies would have on Social Security and Medicare.   After that, we heard from Kathleen Schafer, founding principal of LeadershipConnection.net, on the what makes a great leader and why politicians typically get it wrong.   Last, but not least, we had the honor of speaking with Wanda Rohl, democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois' 16th district.  She has an incredible story, which we believe will certainly inspire many voters to support her.     {play}archive/TalkingLeft8-22-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer.     Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

We had an amazing range of guests on this week's episode of Talking Left!   First, we were honored to welcome Mike Papantonio, host of Ring of Fire Radio with Robert F Kennedy Jr and Sam Seder.  "Pap" is also the President of The National Trial Lawyer Association and a strong defender of victims of corporate misconduct.   Next, we spoke with Mikel Weisser about his on-going primary race.  As of tonight, he is 19 votes away from becoming the democratic candidate for Congress in Arizona's 4th district.  We'll update you with more information, as soon as the election results are finalized.   After that we got a live report from the Democratic National Convention from Tina Dupuy, editor-in-chief at The Contributor.   Last, but certainly not least, we were joined for most of the last hour by Kymone Freeman, founder, program director, and co-owner of We Act Radio and host of Speak Easy with co-host Ron Pinchback. We'll get the YouTube Video up soon!    {play}archive/TalkingLeft9-5-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer.   Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

With the Republican National Convention in full swing, this episode of Talking Left featured four great guests to help us sort through the lies and propaganda. First, we heard from Wyoming's democratic candidate for Congress, Chris Henrichsen, about his thoughts on the R.N.C. and the lack of Democratic Party support for grass-roots campaigns throughout the country.  Please visit Chris's ActBlue page, donate if you can, and share it with all your friends and family.   Next, Nancy L. Cohen, author of Delirium: The Politics of Sex in America, about the on-going war on women by the Republican Party and the fact that they have endorsed that attack in the recently announced Republican Party Platform. After that, we got a live update from the R.N.C. from Tina Dupuy, the editor-in-chief of The Contributor.  She reported that the over-all mood at the convention was far from exciting and that her multi-curltural team had experienced an extreme amount of racism since getting there. Last, but far from least, we spoke with Ray Mederios, of USA Progressive.  Ray is definitely Talking Left's favorite economic expert and he helped us break apart the Republican theory of tax-cutting their way into job creation. {play}archive/TalkingLeft8-29-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

In this episode of Talking Left, we tried out a new format!     In addition to two great guests, a few new funny stories were added in to help break up the show and to keep our spirits up as we sorted through the latest political news.   In hour one, we were joined by Mikel Weisser, a true progressive running for Congress in Arizona's 4th district.  Please be sure to help Mikel get the word out about his campaign, and perhaps even donate a few dollars to help ensure we elect great folks like him all over the country. We also had the honor of speaking with the brilliant Brad Friedman, of The Brad Blog and The Brad Cast on KPFK, in hour three.  Brad helped us sort through the real facts about Obama's early voting lawsuit in Ohio and other despicable challenges to our voting rights going on right under our noses. Hopefully, you enjoyed the new format as much as we did! We'd love to hear your feedback! Contact us at TalkingLeft@gmail.com or send us a note on Twitter or Facebook!   {play}archive/TalkingLeft8-8-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

On this episode of Talking Left, we celebrated the new changes in Obamacare.  As of August 1st, 2012, women in this country finally got access to free cancer screening and other important well-woman care. During the first hour, we spoke with special guest Susie Sampson, of The Tea Party Report.  She recently interviewed the great Cenk Uygur and did some great polling on the streets of Hollywood, California.  Be sure to check out all of Susie's great videos on YouTube and follow her on Twitter.  Next, we caught up with our brilliant friend, Nicole Belle, of Crooks and Liars.  She shared her opinion on the important changes in woman's healthcare and how the Democrats should utilize the success in their messaging for the 2012 elections. Last, but certainly not least, David Shuster of Take Action News joined us in studio.  David spoke with us about his exciting new show on We Act Radio and two of his great recent article.  Not only did David explain why the Left should be campaigning on the importance of the social safety net, but he showed his love of true journalism and transparency in politics with a story about the Newseum.  Please support his noble effort to return freedom of the press to the very museum designed to highlight is by signing and sharing his petition at Change.org.   {play}archive/TalkingLeft8-1-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft.   And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes and to our awesome new YouTube Channel! As always, thanks for listening!  

This episode of Talking Left is dedicated to all of the victims of the horrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. In hour one, we were joined by Cliff Schecter.  Not only does Cliff run the PR Firm, Libertas LLC write for Al Jazeera English and Alternet, and regularly appears on Take Action News with David Shuster and an outspoken activist on gun regulation.  He joined us to discuss his work with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and FixGunChecks.org. Next, we spoke with Tom "Shaf" Shafer, Debbha Kel, and Matthew Emmer of Turn Up The Night with Kenny Pick, about the show's recent start on terrestrial radio.  The show will now be aired Sundays from 5pm to 8pm Eastern on Columbus' WVKO 1580am.  We are thrilled for Kenny and his co-hosts and we know this is just the start of all the great things in store for them all. After that, we were excited to welcome our first in-studio guest.  Karl Frisch of Bull Fight Strategies joined us to talk about Michelle Bachmann's recent "McCarthy" moment and his take on gun regulation.   {play}archive/TalkingLeft7-25-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!  

We are finally back on air!!  Many thanks to all who stuck with us during our long hiatus and to those who helped us celebrate our return! In this episode of Talking Left, we welcomed several great friends to help us test out the new studio and share news and opinions of the day. First, we heard from Jacob Dean and Skeptical Scott of Filter Free Radio.  They helped us highlight Occupy's continued fight for the 99% and how they are still having an impact. Up next, John Fugelsang, star of THREE current comedy tours (The Stephanie Miller Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour, Guilt: A Love Story, and the ALL NEW P.S.R. Tour!), joined in to talk about Mitt Romney's "Worth Certificate" and how the right-wing media is defending his lack of transparency. Last, but certainly not least, we spoke with the lovely Desi Doyen, of The Brad Blog, The Brad Cast, and The Green News Report.  She shared some important, yet under-reported, environmental news in the brilliant way that only she can do. Again, thanks for welcoming us back to the airwaves.  We're sorry for the delay in posting this podcast, and we'll be much better about it now that we are settled in the nation's capital!   {play}archive/TalkingLeft7-18-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!  

This week's episode of Talking Left featured two legendary guests! In hour one, we went through our weekly "Media Matters Mash Up" segment, despite our usual guest, Danny Herrera, not being able to join us. Next up, we played a great, pre-recorded interview Shane-O did with founder and leader of the legendary band, Jethro Tull. During the last hour of the show, we spoke with our radio "land-lady" and founder of Radio or Not, Nicole Sandler.  She helped us dig into the lack of media attention on Occupy's May Day events and shared her thoughts on the movement as a while.  Remember, you can hear her awesome coverage of this and much more on The Nicole Sandler Show, every Monday through Thursday, on our flagship station RadioorNot.com! {play}archive/TalkingLeft5-2-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!  

This is definitely a "Not Safe For Work" episode of Talking Left.  Or safe for kids for that matter. We were delighted to have special co-host Allie, of The 99 Report, join us for the whole show! In hour one, we spoke about her blog and her great show and even managed to go through our Media Matters Mash Up segment, despite our usual guest, Danny Herrera, not being able to join us. After that, we were very impressed with our "Get to know your grass-roots candidate" of the week - Mikel Weisser, who is running for Congress in Arizona's 4th district.  His truly progressive platform is a refreshing change from many out there and we fully support him! Please add your support for Mikel over at Democracy For America and donate, if you can, on his Act Blue site! Next, we had our seriously-not-FCC segment with Rude Pundit, who covered Wisconsin's newest abortion law as only Dr. Rude can.  Remember, you may want to make sure the kids aren't in ear-shot before enjoying his delightfully-unique brand of intellect.  During the last hour of the show, Brad Friedman, of The Brad Blog and The Brad Cast on KPFK, joined us to discuss the most recent case of infringement on our voting rights and ALEC, one the main forces working to continue taking our rights away. And yes, this episode had a few technical issues, in case that isn't overly apparent, but we can always use another reason to laugh at ourselves and remind everyone that we ain't curin' cancer here.  Thanks to all who stuck with us during the live show!   Please remember that Netroots Nation scholarship competition from Democracy for America is still on-going!  Round three just started, and our great friends Kenny Pick and Ray Mederios need your vote! Please take a second and vote for them and share the link on all your social media sites!   {play}archive/TalkingLeft4-25-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!  

To start off the show, we were pleased to announce that Danny Herrera of Media Matters will be our regular, weekly guest for the Media Matter's Mashup! As he did this week, Danny will help us navigate through the mine-field of over-the-top commentary in the media. In hour two, we featured Chris Henrichsen in our "Get to know your grass-roots candidate" segment.  He is running for Congress in Wyoming and had some great points on some major issues! Please check out ChrisForCongress.us and donate if you can! We finished the show with a full hour of brilliant commentary from our wonderful friend Nicole Belle, of Crooks and Liars.  She provided us with some amazing perspective and opinions on a few of today's top news stories. Please remember that Netroots Nation scholarship competition from Democracy for America is still on-going!  Round three just started, and our great friends Kenny Pick and Ray Mederios need your vote! Please take a second and vote for them and share the link on all your social media sites!   {play}archive/TalkingLeft4-18-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!  

Santorum's out, Zimmerman's in, and Warren Buffet's still freakin' rich! For the first two hours of the show, we were joined by a special guest co-host - Tom "Shaf" Shafer! During hour one, we heard from John Fugelsang about his very busy schedule.  In addition to hosting The Young Turk's show, The Point, touring with The Stephanie Miller Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour, he's also taking his one-man show, Guilt: A Love Story, on the road! We were also thrilled to have our Radio or Not brother, Kenny Pick - host of Turn Up The Night on Tuesdays and Fridays, join us to talk to John.  He and Tom Shafer did an awesome new promo for The Sexy Liberal tour, and we wanted to celebrate their fantastic work! In hour two, Danny Herrera of Media Matters joined us for this week's Media Matter's Mashup! Danny and Tom helped us navigate through a few of the more absurd antics in the news. Hour three featured two great pre-recorded interviews.  First we played an interview with Lee Camp.  Shane-O and Allie, of The 99 Report, pre-recorded with Lee to use during their guest-hosting of The Nicole Sandler Show. Lee Camp joined them from the London stop of his world tour!  We also played one of Lee's "Moments of Clarity" - and we recommend you subscribe to it for free on iTunes! In the last half-hour, we played our interview with the one-and-only Emilio Castillo, the founder of Tower of Power.  Not only are they an amazingly influential band in so many ways, but they also happen to be Shane-O's favorite!   {play}archive/TalkingLeft4-11-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!  

What's better than two Emmy award winning journalists and a media accountability expert??  Having them all on one show, that's what! In hour one , the brilliant Catherine Crier joined us to talk about her incredible new book "Patriot Acts: What Americans Must do to Save The Republic."  It is definitely a great read and it was an honor speaking with her. Next, Danny Herrera, the voice of the Media Matters Minute, helped us digest some over-the-top comments by various Right-Wing media figures.  Thank goodness Danny and Media Matters are there to hold the media accountable! Last, but far from least, David Shuster, of Current TV and We Act Radio, shared his intelligent analysis of today's top new stories.  Don't miss David's great show Take Action News on We Act Radio in DC and WCPT in Chicago.   {play}archive/TalkingLeft4-4-12.mp3{/play}  Right click on this line, "save file as" to download the MP3 to your computer. Please support our syndicates - Talk Radio One, Progressive Blend Radio, and SoFlo Radio - for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!