Ralph Nader Radio Hour

Ralph spends the whole hour with the incomparable Noam Chomsky to discuss a whole raft of issues, including the climate crisis, the military budget, healthcare, challenging the corporate structure, reforming both the tax system and our elections, how the Democrats have abandoned the working class, and whether the U.S. will be able to fend off fascism. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Tom Morello, activist, and lead guitarist of “Rage Against the Machine,” joins us to discuss the uses of music in protest, his latest album “The Atlas Underground Fire,” and his new gig writing op-eds for The New York Times. Also, child advocate, Robert Fellmeth, stops by to shed light on a situation right out of a Charles Dickens novel: the state stealing social security checks from foster children. Plus, Ralph answers your questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Law professor Mihailis Diamantis joins us for a lively discussion about why corporations get away with murder – or at least manslaughter – and what systemic changes need to be made to bring corporate criminals to justice. Then, Christopher Shaw, author of “First Class: The U.S. Postal Service, Democracy, and the Corporate Threat” explains how important it is to revive the U.S. Postal Service. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Miranda Massie, director of the Climate Museum, an institution focused on the intersection of art, climate science, justice, and activism — that aims to make people feel that collective action is both possible and necessary, and the only hope we have of saving the planet. Plus! Ralph answers listener questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law professor and author of a collection of essays entitled “Say It Loud! On Race, Law, History, and Culture” joins us for the full hour to talk about his views on race, class, corporatism, Clarence Thomas, the “n-word,” racial optimism versus racial pessimism, and much more. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph interviews two recent military veterans. First, Erik Edstrom, author of “Un-American: A Soldier’s Reckoning of Our Longest War” tells us about his awakening from West Point Army Ranger to peace advocate. Then, Garett Reppenhagen, a former sniper and now director of Veterans for Peace, tells us how that organization helps veterans put down their weapons and work for peace. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Constitutional scholar Bruce Fein joins forces with Ralph as we devote the entire radio hour to discussing war powers in the United States with Yale historian, Samuel Moyn, author of “Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

On today’s program, we look at two ways that corporate lobbies and their political allies subvert democracy: “gerrymandering” and “preemption.” First, law professor Herman Schwartz breaks down the scourge of partisan gerrymandering. Then Mark Pertschuk, director of “Grassroots Change,” sheds light on how states and the federal government can “preempt” cities and local communities from for instance raising their own minimum wage, allowing paid sick leave, regulating firearms, banning plastics, or enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Plus, Ralph, David, and Steve discuss the infrastructure package and stock buy backs. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Professor Elizabeth Burch to talk about her work researching how a certain mechanism in the civil justice system called Multi-District Litigation (MDL) is undermining your constitutional right to have your day in court. Then, Professor Jane Hall stops by to discuss the state of the media in her new book, “Politics and the Media: Intersections and New Directions.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph spends the whole hour with Eyal Press, author of “Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and The Hidden Toll of Inequality in America,” where they discuss the large gap separating the people who perform the most thankless, ethically troubling jobs in America from the rest of us, who benefit from their work. Plus, Ralph answers listener questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Harvard history professor, Alex Keyssar, scholar of voting rights and author of “Why Do We Still Have The Electoral College?” to discuss the battle over the Electoral College and the role white supremacy played in conceiving and perpetuating it. Then, we welcome back Steve Silberstein, board member of “National Popular Vote,” to update us on the progress that movement is making on the interstate compact where states would promise to give their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powell’s former chief of staff, gives us his thoroughly unvarnished take on the history of our twenty-year debacle in Afghanistan. Then, we are joined by Jacob Wilson, cofounder of Congressional Progressive Staff Association an organization devoted to drawing congressional staff from the ranks of civic activists, organizers, faith leaders, and people from the labor movement in order to bring fresh, bold, progressive ideas directly into Congress members’ offices. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In a fascinating interview, where the historian gets questioned by one of the main subjects of his history, Ralph welcomes professor Paul Sabin to discuss his history of the public interest movement, “Public Citizens: The Attack on Big Government and the Remaking of American Liberalism.” Plus, intrepid investigative reporter, Allan Nairn joins us to give us his take on U.S. culpability in the violent history of Afghanistan. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance to talk about how enforcing anti-trust laws would lead to more decentralized and productive local economies. And Pro Publica’s Jesse Eisinger joins us to explain how Republican anti-tax groups have starved the IRS budget, which leads to billions of dollars of uncollected taxes from the wealthy. Plus, Ralph answers your questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Andrew Kimbrell, director of the International Center for Technology Assessment, joins us to talk about his documentary “A Dangerous Idea: Eugenics, Genetics and the American Dream,” and to give us an update on the Wuhan Lab leak theory. Plus, Ralph welcomes legendary civil rights attorney, Martin Garbus, to update us on new developments in the case of corporate prisoner, Steven Donzinger. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph has a lively back and forth about the state of talk radio with the publisher and editor of “Talkers” magazine, Michael Harrison. Plus, Ralph answers a listener question about his views on Julian Assange. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

We discuss the student debt crisis with Anthony Fiorentino, attorney and advocate featured along with Ralph in the documentary series “Scared to Debt: America’s Student Loan Scam.” And Consumer Federation of America’s Robert Hunter joins to remind you that your auto insurance companies probably still owe you money for not driving so much during the Covid quarantine. Plus, Ralph offers up another Congress Club letter, this one aimed at Medicare for All. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Michael Saks and Stephan Landsman, authors of “Closing Death’s Door: Legal Innovations to End the Epidemic of Healthcare Harm” about what can be done about the third leading cause of death in America, medical error. And America’s #1 Populist, Jim Hightower stops by to give us the breaking news on Exxon-Mobil’s attempt to break the union movement. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph spends a lively hour with David Vine, Professor of Anthropology at American University, discussing his book “The United States of War: A Global History of America’s Endless Conflicts from Columbus to the Islamic State.” Plus, Ralph announces that the Congress Club letter writing campaign is ready to kick off. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Bill Crosier of the Foreign Policy Alliance to discuss how to turn US foreign policy away from intervention and toward diplomacy, law, and cooperation. Then chemist, Paul Palmer, joins us to explain that we need to replace the “corporate scam” of recycling with the concept of “zero waste.” Plus, Ralph answers an important listener question about Medicare for All. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph discusses the healthcare crisis and what to do about it with medical expert, Dr. John Geyman, based on his latest book “America’s Mighty Medical-Industrial Complex: Negative Impacts and Positive Solutions.” And disability advocate, Ralf Hotchkiss, joins to update us on the latest work he is doing with the remarkable company he founded, Whirlwind Wheelchair. Plus, Ralph pays tribute to the late Mike Gravel, gives a progress report on the Congress Club, and responds to listener comments about why the Democratic Party has trouble turning its activist energy into electoral and policy victories. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Why do Democrats have so much trouble turning activist energy into electoral success? That’s the question Ralph asks sociology professor Dana Fisher, author of “Activism Inc” and “American Resistance: From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave.” Also truck safety advocate, Jennifer Tierney, tells us about the legislation she is working on to make us all safer on the highway. Plus, Ralph invites you to join his “Congress Club.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In a fast-paced hour, Ralph welcomes progressive champion Dennis Kucinich to talk about his adventures taking on the corporate establishment as the youngest mayor of Cleveland as described in his book “The Division of Light and Power.” Then heir to the Oscar Mayer fortune, Chuck Collins, explains how so many rich people spend millions to hide trillions in his new book, “The Wealth Hoarders.” Plus, member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and General Manager at SAGE Development Authority, Joseph McNeil Jr., joins us to promote the 235-megawatt Anpetu Wi wind farm designed to ensure energy independence, protect the environment, and promote economic growth in the region. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Allan C. Miller, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter and the founder and CEO of the non-partisan News Literacy Project to discuss his work teaching young people how to be more discerning and discriminating consumers of news. Plus, Ralph answers your listener questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes good corporate citizen, Gero Leson, to discuss his book “Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green and Ethical Supply Chain.” And progressive wunderkind, Calla Walsh, tells us about her own foray into organizing and influencing Massachusetts politics at the ripe old age of… sixteen. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes old friend, former running mate, and now hemp farmer, Winona LaDuke as well as filmmaker Michael Henning to talk about how industrial hemp can transform the U.S. from a polluting hydrocarbon economy to a healthier carbohydrate economy. And Maryland state senator, Paul Pinsky joins us to promote his bill that will close loopholes and make corporations pay their fair share in state taxes. Plus, Ralph answers your questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes the Washington Post’s Steven Mufson to point out how some corporations are finally making efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. And author, Pete Davis, joins us to talk about his new book, “Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing” where he argues that the modern mindset of “always keeping your options open” does not necessarily lead to happiness, progress, fulfillment, or justice. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes former IRS commissioner, John Koskinen, to tell us what must be done to create a fairer tax system. And Professor Rashid Khalidi joins us to break down the latest violent escalation in Gaza. Plus, Ralph has some choice words about Apple’s latest record earnings. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes journalist, Alec MacGillis, author of “Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America” about how Amazon continues to suck the life out of Main Street and what can be done about it. And the director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, Dr. Michael Carome, gives us the latest on our approach to the Covid pandemic. Plus, we answer a listener about how to avoid flying on Boeing’s 737 Max. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes back MIT professor, Nicholas Ashford, who to stem the tide of lies and misinformation amplified by broadcast media, pitches a new Fairness Doctrine for the 21st Century. And we are also joined by Professor Lonnie T. Brown and documentary filmmaker, Joseph Stillman, who pay tribute to the memory of the late Ramsey Clark. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

We are joined by journalist and president of Harper’s, John R. “Rick” MacArthur, for a lively and sometimes contentious discussion about the First Amendment and “cancel culture.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Author, Steven Markoff, joins us to discuss his book “The Case Against George W. Bush,” where he dispassionately lays out the three major war crimes the former president committed by invading Iraq. Plus, David, Ralph, and Steve discuss the Biden infrastructure plan. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes investigative journalist, Trudy Lieberman, who warns us to stay away from the synthetic mesh for hernia repair and statistician, Phillip Stark, who explains how we can restore trust in our voting systems. Plus, listener questions! Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Professor and MSNBC commentator, Michael Eric Dyson, joins Ralph to discuss racism, corporatism, cancel culture, and how best to take action against all three. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph speaks to human rights lawyer, Steven Donziger, who represented the indigenous people of Ecuador and won a multi-billion dollar judgement against Chevron for polluting the Ecuadorian rain forest in what is known as the “Amazon Chernobyl.” So why has he been held under house arrest in New York for nearly years? Tune in to find out. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In a fast-paced show, Ralph welcomes back former Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner, Peter Bradford to update us on the 10th anniversary of the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima. Then Public Citizen’s, Alan Zibel, joins us to tell us how we taxpayers amazingly are still subsidizing the fossil fuel industry. Ralph answers listener questions and debuts a feature on his website called “Reporter’s Alert.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph spends the entire Radio Hour with Simon Winchester, author of “Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World.” Find out that it’s better when Mother Nature makes the boundaries with mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys, and oceans. When humans draw the maps: not as good. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

This week, Ralph welcomes union activist and director of the Nurses Professional Organization, Kay Tillow, who tells us how those ads Joe Namath does shilling for Medicare (dis)Advantage are misleading you. And citizen activist, Evan Weissman, stops by to explain how he and his cohorts in the Denver area have found a way to make civics fun with an approach they call “Warm Cookies of the Revolution.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes the former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Richard Cordray, to talk about how this important agency - created in the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown and moribund in the Trump years - needs to start protecting consumers again. Plus, Ralph pays tribute to the late great muckraking journalist, James Ridgeway. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

We go radio gaga as Ralph welcomes iconic progressive radio host, Thom Hartmann, back to the program to discuss what it will take to hear more progressive voices on talk radio to counter the overwhelming influence of right-wing radio. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Erica Payne, founder of “Patriotic Millionaires” and co-author of the upcoming book “Tax the Rich” to talk about how wealthy people need to realize that the real price of their numerous tax cuts is more social unrest. Plus, Ralph answers more of your questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In a show jam-packed with great information and provocative discussion, Ralph welcomes constitutional scholar, Bruce Fein, to update us on impeachment, professor and author, Sinan Antoon, to decry the pardons given to American mercenaries convicted of murder in Iraq, and attorney John Dacey, who is campaigning to abolish the private prison industry. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Jerry Cox, author of “Killer Air Bags: The Deadly Secret Automakers Don’t Want You to Know,” his insider account of how the Takata company made airbags that were essentially equipped with pipe bombs of ammonium nitrate. And the former executive director of Greenpeace, Peter Bahouth, comes on to rail against that noisy, polluting scourge of the suburbs: the leaf blower. Plus, Ralph answers your questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes back Professor Adolph Reed to talk about whether Biden’s racially and gender diverse cabinet will actually translate into a real shift of power to the people or follow the same old corporatist playbook. And Constitutional scholar, Bruce Fein, returns to argue for a full impeachment and conviction of Donald Trump no matter how long it takes. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph talks true crime (the corporate variety) and how to stop it with Professor John C. Coffee, author of “Corporate Crime and Punishment: The Crisis of Underenforcement.” Then SF Supervisor, Matt Haney, joins us to talk about the groundbreaking initiative passed in the City by the Bay that will levy a tax on companies that pay their execs more than 100x the median pay of their workers. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

We caught up with Connecticut Congressman, John Larson, just moments before he walked to the Capitol for the Electoral College certification that turned into an insurrection. Moments before, Ralph spoke to him about what the Democrats should do about various issues now that they control Congress. Plus, Ralph answers listener questions. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes back former Nader’s Raider, David Bollier to update us on his latest work protecting and appreciating what we possess together as a community, the Commons. Then, we take a look back at highlights from some of our best 2020 interviews, featuring Dr. Bandy Lee, Dr, Michael Olsterholm, Professor Adolph Reed, broadcaster Glen Ford, socialist Nathan Robinson, environmentalist, David Freeman, journalist, David Dayen, and activist Katey Fahey. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes firebrand attorney, Jason Kafoury, who helped pass a referendum in Portland, Oregon to create a commission of civilian volunteers who would have the power to investigate deadly force and other allegations of misconduct by police. Plus, former head of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Dr. David Michaels, joins us to mark the 50th anniversary of the agency that has saved countless lives and prevented innumerable injuries to workers on the job. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

On the 55th anniversary of the publication of Ralph’s landmark auto safety book, we welcome fellow traveler, Joan Claybrook, who has authored a report not only to celebrate the 4.2 million lives that have been saved in that time, but also on what more needs to be done. And Public Banking expert, Ellen Brown, joins us to talk about how public banks would be better than private banks at rescuing Main Street during this depression. Plus, Ralph answers listener questions! Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

With the Senate run-off election in Georgia close at hand, Ralph speaks to political psychologist and author of “The Political Brain,” Drew Westen, about how in order to win, the Democratic candidates need to wrap their policy prescriptions in an effective emotional message. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe