The Lean to the Left Podcast

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in American society, and many experts say it will be as life-changing as the internet, revolutionizing our economy and everyday lives. But there are huge concerns, and our guest today will address some of them. Stay with us. Coming to us today from Highland Park, IL is Michael Pickard, a prolific author who’s had a successful career in information technology and we’re going to lean on that expertise for today’s discussion.Michael is inspired by ideas. What is, what isn’t, and what could be. Back in 1993, he started writing fiction when his daughter Samantha asked him to write daily letters to her at overnight camp. So, he mailed her chapters of a story she could relate to: an alien who came to Earth and attended overnight camp. Specifically, her camp.Those letters continued every summer at her request. After 5 years’, he’d accumulated enough material for his first novel. And then, he couldn’t stop writing.You can visit his catalog at http://www.gerfnit.com. You’ll find nine novels (paperback and ebook), a collection of short stories, and a children’s book. We’ll get him to fill us in on all of that later, but first our focus is AI, which Michael calls “Machine Learning Systems.”A new Stanford University report makes this observation:“As the technical barrier to entry for creating and deploying generative A.I. systems has lowered dramatically, the ethical issues around A.I. have become more apparent ….”And, noted Goldman Sachs last month, if generative A.I. lives up to its potential, up to 300 million jobs could be at risk in the U.S. and Europe, with legal and administrative professions the most exposed. So, clearly, there are many concerns – as there should be.Michael, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.Q. Before we get to your books, let’s dive right into your concerns about AI. But first, what expertise do you have in this field?Q. Why do you refuse to use the term “artificial intelligence?”Q. What are your concerns about how it might be used, and what dangers do you forsee?Q. In a note to me, you said “People who build language models for these systems ignore aspects of ethics. Garbage in, hatred out.” You said there is a “fatal flaw in the current techniques underlying machine learning and no one in the industry is stepping up to solve it…or even talk about.” Please explain.Q. What should be done to guard against these types of abuses?Q. Many companies already are racing to use “machine learning” and the Stanford survey said this:“At its current developmental speed, research is moving on from generative A.I. to creating artificial general intelligence, according to 57% of researchers surveyed by Stanford. Artificial general intelligence, or AGI, is an A.I. system that can accurately mimic or even outperform the capabilities of a human brain.”That is no small statement, which begs this question:Should there be government regulations developed to protect against abusive, perhaps even criminal, behavior with this technology?Q. Please tell us about your books, maybe focusing on your latest since you have so many!Q. Planning on a book focused on the use of “Machine Learning?”Q. How can people find your books and how can they reach out to you?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Joshua Shea is a former pornography addict now on a mission to get the world talking about pornography addiction, and the potential ramifications of being addicted to porn.He's written four books on the subject. Joshua’s most recent book, I'm Reading This Book About Porn Addiction For a Friend, introduces readers who are struggling in early recovery, or looking for more information about a suspected addiction. It includes symptoms, stories of addicts with whom Shea has worked, and a series of activities to personalize the process. His third book, Porn and the Pandemic: How Three Months in 2020 Changed Everything was released in July 2020. It looks at how the world of online pornography changed overnight during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, with analysis and interviews from current and former pornography addicts, "cam models" who use sites like Chaturbate and OnlyFans, and a bevy of mental health and addiction professionals.Online pornography exploded during the pandemic. Joshua also is the author of The Addiction Nobody Will Talk About: How I Let My Pornography Addiction Hurt People and Destroy Relationships (2018), a memoir about his descent during the final days of his addiction.He also wrote He’s a Porn Addict…Now What? (2019) written for female partners of male porn addicts who are grappling with the revelation their loved one is an addict. It was co-written with Tony Overbay. Since 2018, Shea has appeared on over 350 podcasts, television and radio shows using his personal story to promote the ideas that porn addiction spans all demographics and those with a problem should seek help before it’s too late.Prior to admitting his addiction, Joshua was a prominent magazine publisher, award-winning journalist, film festival founder and politician in central Maine. Sober since early 2014, Joshua comes to us from Central Maine, where he lives with his wife and two children, 4 dogs and 8 cats.Here are questions we discussed with Joshua:Q. Can you give us the cliff notes version of your journey? How did your addiction begin and what happened that made you realize you had a serious problem?Q. In 2017, you launched pAddictRecovery.com. Tell us about that. You’re doing some coaching, right?Q. Your notes that you provided me indicate that your favorite presentations are to college-age students. Why is that?Q. Online porn exploded during the pandemic. What is the state of online pornography and pornography addiction today. Q. What are some of the signs of pornography addictionQ. Is this a solitary act with few consequences or does it affect others, like partners, for example? Q. What can partners do when they learn that this is going on?Q. How do we prevent the next generation of kids from also becoming addicted to porn?Q. So what's wrong with looking at pornography? Q. Why should any of us non-addicts really care about porn addiction?Q. Is Porn Addiction ever the partner's fault?Q. What do you say to partners who discover their loved one is a porn addict?Q. How is porn addiction like other addictions?Q. Where can viewers get more resources about pornography addiction? Q. Where can people find your books?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

This is the first in a series of episodes analyzing climate change progress in various regions around the country with energy consultant Jack Kerfoot. Which states are making real and timely progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what are the factors that are contributing to their success? Which states are really just paper tigers…all talk and little action?That’s what we explore in a new series of episodes with scientist and energy expert Jack Kerfoot that begins today as we analyze climate change progress in four states in the Northeast: Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey. Kerfoot began his career in the energy industry in 1976, when America was paralyzed by an oil embargo. He spent over 45 years traveling the world, working with scientists, bureaucrats, ministers, tycoons, sheiks, and heads of state on a diverse range of energy issues. He is the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum, at www.jackkerfoot.com.During the episode, Kerfoot explains the basics of climate change, including the necessity of reducing greenhouse gases generated by fossil fuels. He details why New Jersey and New York states deserve A+ marks for their efforts, while Massachusetts and Rhode Island are "paper tigers", having enacted written goals and objectives but not doing the detailed work needed to make them a reality.The clock is ticking on climate change. Legislation without active and committed support from our elected officials ismeaningless.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Just over three years ago George Perry Floyd Jr. was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis during an arrest after a store clerk suspected that Floyd had used a counterfeit $20 bill.Derek Chauvin, one of four police officers who arrived on the scene, knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for more than nine minutes. “I can’t breathe,” Floyd wheezed to no avail.The incident renewed calls for police reform. However, with Republicans in charge of the House of Representatives, nothing has happened. We’ll talk about police reform with our guest, conflict resolution expert Dwayne Bryant. So stay with us.Best-selling author, Dwayne Bryant founded Inner Vision International, Inc. (IVI) which provides results-oriented social emotional curricula and professional development workshops for students, parents, teachers, law enforcement, academic institutions, and corporate America.Dwayne provides leadership, life management, and social emotional training. As a result of Dwayne’s work improving police and community relations and educating parents about the potential dangers of social media, he was awarded The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.In the wake of the public outcry against police brutality, Dwayne created THE STOP™ series which includes an online 17-part series, The NEW Conversation – Improving Police and Community Relations™, explaining the tensions between police and Black and Brown communities.Dwayne…welcome to our podcast. Please tell us what your work is all about.Q. I read today that a new Justice Department report says the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in the systemic use of excessive force and discriminated against minorities for years before the Floyd killing in 2020. What needs to be done to resolve conflicts between the police and residents, particularly those in Black and Brown communities?Q. You made the comment that electing Brandon Johnson as Chicago’s mayor “shows a turn for the better” when it comes to improving the relationships between cops and the community. Is that because he supports having more mental health workers employed within law enforcement?Q. Last year Congress passed the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022, requiring the Department of Justice to develop training curriculums on topics including alternatives to the use of force, de-escalation, and responding to a person in crisis. Was that a positive step and what else is needed?Q. What is your view of the political situation in the US these days? Did actions by the Trump administration affect relationships between the community and the police?Q. In 2021, the then Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on a mostly party-line vote passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, but it died in the evenly divided, but Democratic controlled, Senate amid opposition from Republicans. Negotiations between Republican and Democratic senators collapsed, and the bill died. The intent of the bill was to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct, improve transparency, and reform police training and policies. It was opposed by the police unions. What are your thoughts about that?Q. One of the provisions would restrict the application of the qualified immunity doctrine for local and state officers. Can you explain what that’s all about? Should that doctrine be scrubbed?Q. Another provision would require state and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal funding to adopt anti-discrimination policies and training programs, including those targeted at fighting racial profiling. Does that need to happen?Q. What about the bill’s mandate that federal law enforcement officers use deadly force only as a last resort and that de-escalation be attempted. Federal funding would be contingent on the adoption of such a policy. Is that needed?Q. Tell us about The New Conversation, which you developed to reduce tensions between police and communities of color.Q. What is the STOP program all about? How does that work? You have a book based on that, right?Q. Your company, Vision International, Inc., has been developing results-oriented curricula and workshops for over 26 years. Tell us about that work and those workshops. What do they cover?Q. As a graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy, you are community advisor to the Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Tell us about that.Q. What strategies can cities like Chicago and Minneapolis employ to reduce excessive use of force and misconduct by police when it comes to communities of color?Q. How can people find your book and reach out to you for engagements?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide. We’ll talk about candidates, Trump’s legal troubles, Trump pardon talk, the big Supreme Court gerrymandering decision, and much more. --- Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast and the June 2023 episode of the Dixie Dems with my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.Arthur is first vice chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, the state where two Republican candidates are taking on Donald Trump in the Republican presidential sweepstakes.They, of course, are former SC governor Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador for Trump, and Sen. Tim Scott, the only African American GOP US Senator. Oh, it’s also the state where Sen. Lindsey Graham, still sucking up to Trump despite his indictment for violating the espionage act in that classified records case, said of Trump: At least he isn’t a spy. Good grief.So, welcome guys… Arthur…tell us about what’s going on in North Carolina? Big state supreme court decision on gerrymandering, right?How about you, Robert. Looks like Trump’s next legal challenge could come from Georgia, right?What’s happening in South Carolina?With two GOP presidential candidates running against Trump, a big question is what would they do if elected about pardoning Donald Trump for his crimes? Well, Nikki Haley says she’d be “inclined” to pardon him even though his actions inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol put first responders in danger. She dragged in the plea deal between the Justice Department and Hunter Biden, saying there’s a double standard…one for Republicans like Trump and another for Democrats like Biden.Also, on Twitter, Haley accused Barack Obama of dividing America “by race and gender” because he took issue with her claim that America is not racist. Excuse me…but it was her old boss, Trump, who set out to divide America that way and was spectacularly successful. Haley should just shut up.By the way, while some support Haley for taking down the Confederate flag at the State House when she was governor, the Washington Post reported that she did so only after the massacre at a church in Charleston, where worshipers were murdered by a gunman, forced her hand. She previously had said the flag was “about heritage.”Meanwhile, when asked what he would do about a Trump pardon, Sen. Tim Scott avoided the question, but said he would “clean out” the Department of Justice. Where was he when Trump was using DOJ as his own personal police force? Please. What do you guys think about how the GOP candidates are twisting themselves into knots over a potential Trump pardon?Scott visited Myrtle Beach the other day trying to drum up support. He had a pretty good crowd, according to reports, but the problem was that while attendees said they liked him well enough, they still support Trump but would like to see Scott as his vice president. That’s probably not what Scott wanted to hear, unless that’s his angle, anyway. Could be Haley’s angle, too, for that matter.As for Trump, he’s scheduled to make his first visit to South Carolina since being indicted twice – on Saturday, July 1, at the city of Pickens, ahead of their Independence Day celebration. Can’t wait for that one.Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court, which earlier this month unexpectedly upheld a prohibition against racial gerrymandering in an Alabama case, has agreed to consider a lower court decision that struck down a congressional district as an illegal racial gerrymander. The lower court held that the congressional district – which includes Charleston – “constituted an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because race was the predominant factor in the adoption of the” plan. South Carolina Republicans asked the Supreme Court to take up the case and arguing that the Republican-led legislature took politics into consideration when drawing the map, not race.Given the Alabama decision, it will be especially interesting to see what the conservative-dominated Supreme Court will do. The results likely will have broad ramifications nationally. There was another development here in South Carolina…the city of Conway, not far from Myrtle Beach, passed a resolution declaring June to be Pride Month only to be met with a bunch of protesters, including pastors and evangelical Christians. But to their credit, Conway’s mayor and city council stuck by their resolution, which said LGBTQ residents “deserve to feel safe and respected in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.” Please tell me why that would be objectionable?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-po

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), one in ten older adults in the US suffers from elder abuse, so since June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, we’re speaking with bestselling investigative journalist and true-crime biographer Stephen G. Michaud, who has written a riveting book about a tragic case involving a wealthy Texas rancher who was victimized by those who were charged with caring for him.Stephen Michaud is the author of “Robert’s Story: A Texas Cowboy’s Troubled Life and Horrifying Death.” It’s the story of rancher Robert East, which until now was buried deep in old legal records that were discovered by Michaud.The elderly owner of a vast Texas cattle ranch, Robert East was no match for the greedy lawyers, doctors, and household staff who took over his life and isolated him on his remote ranch – all to gain access to his wealth and the natural gas on his family’s land. In the end, he was an old, rich cowboy who was victimized by elder abuse.On the podcast, Michaud reveals East's sad story and discusses some of the abuses he suffered before his death -- abuses that are often typical in cases involving elderly people.According to the CDC, there are a number of factors that may increase or decrease the risk of perpetrating and/or experiencing elder abuse. To prevent elder abuse, the agency says, we must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. Here are recommendations provided by the agency:Listen to older adults and their caregivers to understand their challenges and provide support.Report abuse or suspected abuse to local adult protective services, long-term care ombudsman, or the police.Use the National Center on Elder Abuse Listing of State Elder Abuse Hotlines external icon to find your state’s reporting numbers, government agencies, state laws, and other resources.Educate oneself and others about how to recognize and report elder abuse.Learn how the signs of elder abuse differ from the normal aging process.Check-in on older adults who may have few friends and family members.Provide over-burdened caregivers with support such as help from friends, family, or local relief care groups; adult day care programs; counseling; outlets intended to promote emotional well-being.Encourage and assist persons (either caregivers or older adults) having problems with drug or alcohol abuse in getting help.The older adult population is growing faster in the U.S. than are younger populations. Many older adults require care and are vulnerable to violence perpetrated by a caregiver or someone they trust. More research is needed to uncover the causes for, and solutions to, violence against older adults, CDC says.On the Podcast Michaud is an internationally recognized author, co-author, investigative reporter, and editor whose decades-long career includes 20 books and multiple contributions to periodicals including Newsweek, Businessweek, The New York Times, Maxim, Reader’s Digest, Salon, Boys’ Life, and Playboy.His published works―in an impressive variety of genres ranging from World War II, the Cuban revolution, true crime, and mountain-climbing to Texas history and serial murder―have sold over 2 million copies, translated into 15 languages.The New York Daily News named The Only Living Witness (a biography of serial killer Ted Bundy co-authored with Hugh Aynesworth) one of the 10 best true-crime books ever written. Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer, a compilation of Michaud and Aynesworth’s death-row interviews with Bundy, was a New York Times bestseller, and a Netflix four-part series.Here are questions we discussed with Michaud:Q. Before we get into your book, I’d like to discuss the issue of elder abuse overall. To what extent is this a problem in America?Q. What are some of the forms that this abuse takes? Q. What are some of the tactics used by abusers to take advantage of their victims?Q. Were those tactics evident in the case of Robert East? In fact, why don’t you tell us the story about what happened with East and how he was victimized?Q. In your experience, have you found that law enforcement and social services personnel are properly equipped and trained to support elder abuse victims and their loved ones?Q. What about medical professionals and caretakers? In Robert’s case, they were perpetrators of the abuse, isn’t that true?Q. Was anyone charged in the case of Robert East?Q. What do you think should be done to better protect our elderly citizens from become victims of elder abuse?Q. What should someone do if they suspect elder abuse is taking place? Q. You’ve written about outlaws and criminals from Ted Bundy to a rogue Trappist monk named Brother Leo. How does Robert’s Story fit into your true crime book shelf?Q. What attracted you to the story?Q. What’s the major challenge in writing such a complex family saga?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/suppor

In a new poll, nearly 40% of respondents said the thought of a Biden-Trump match-up in 2024 made them feel exhausted, and according to politics and satire expert Dr. Sophia A. McClennen, the only way to cure this overwhelming political fatigue is through comedy, specifically satire.We have a former president who’s under indictment for obstruction and mishandling classified documents after his defeat, a violation of the Espionage Act.That certainly isn’t funny.That same former president also is under indictment for hush money paid to former adult film star Stormy Daniels, and is the subject of investigations relating to the Jan. 6, 2020 attack on the Capitol and efforts to rig the Georgia election results.None of that is funny either.But Dr. McClennen believes that comedy, especially satire, can provide the antidote for the depression, anxiety, and frustration that we feel in having to pay attention to the politicians and issues that exhaust us.A Harvard and Duke University alum and founding director of Penn State's Center for Global Studies, she is the author of a new book, “Trump Was a Joke: How Satire Made Sense of a President Who Didn’t”.Here are some questions we discussed with her:For many Americans, the Trump presidency and its aftermath have been exhausting and for many, emotionally draining. How does political fatigue like that endanger our democracy?What are some ways satire helps to improve civic engagement and political knowledge, and creates better, more informed citizens?Examples?Why are people more likely to remember and share information that is delivered to them with humor?How are social movements that use satire in their tactics more likely to succeed?Common misconceptions about satire: that it’s bad for democracy, that it undermines important institutions, that it’s only aim is to distract and entertain?Tell us about your book. Can it help keep us sane?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz was nearly beaten to death while being pregnant. She became addicted to pain killer drugs and eventually was sent to prison where she was regularly humiliated and treated as a slave.Elizabeth served more than four years in Maine jails and then the federal prison in Danbury on a variety of drug charges. On the podcast, Elizabeth reveals how she was mistreated by guards, both male and female, forced to stand naked for the guard's cameras, and how female inmates were unable to obtain even basic sanitary products, resulting in many experiencing infections from the tampons they tried to make themselves.She says that after Donald Trump became president many women, both immigrants and American citizens, underwent forced sterilizations and other inhumane treatment.Now, she's working to expose corruption and cruelty that she experienced in America’s prison system, even as she’s launched an environmentlly friendly clothing brand using art that she created while being incarcerated. In fact, Elizabeth went from painting murals as a federal inmate to having her own environmentally friendly clothing brand based onthat art.More importantly, Elizabeth is working with state representatives to get better laws to protect people in vulnerable positions. She describes two laws sthat she initiated and helped get passed in Maine and that she hopes can be enacted nationwide.Towards the end of the episode, Elizabeth offers advice to women who are experience domestic violence, experiences that contributed to her drug abuse and the criminal acts that landed her in prison.Here are some questions we discussed with Elizabeth:Q. What landed you in prison?Q. You ended up having two kids with this man…why?Q. What was it like having to go to prison when you were a mom?Q. What was it like in prison? Why did you turn to art?Q. Were there restrictions on your art in prison?Q. When you got out, what did you do? Were you afraid?Q. How did your clothing line begin? Where did you get the confidence to do that?Q. What’s it called? Your brand?Q. Who makes your products? What makes them environmentally friendly?Q. Where can people find your stuff?Q. You’re working with state lawmakers in Maine, right? What laws are you working to change?Q. What needs to change nationally?Q. What would you like to tell women who are in abusive domestic situations or are otherwise struggling?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

America continues to deal with a tide of unprecedented violence and divisiveness that is tearing at the soul of our country.It is an epidemic of abuse and neglect, according g to psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt, who believes America needs a good therapy session or two.Leavitt is the author of a new book, “America in Therapy,” and believes some of the basic principles of good therapy can help heal the divisiveness that is besetting our country today.She graduated from Antioch University with a Masters’ Degree in Psychology and Counseling in 1989. Initially, she co-directed a sexual abuse treatment program and then she launched a full-time private practice, treating children, families, couples, and individual adults.After 30 years, Phyllis has mostly retired, if you can call writing books retiring! In addition to "America in Therapy," her most recent are "A Light in the Darkness," and "Into the Fire". You can learn more by checking her website, www.phyllisleavitt.com.Some questions we discussed with Phyllis:Q. You say this is “a national and global mental health crisis that is not being addressed,” that “we are on a collision course with our own extinction.” Please explain.Q. Do you believe there is a direct correlation between destructive family dynamics and many of the actions of some of our most powerful institutions and leaders. Anybody in particular come to mind?Q. We continue to experience mass shootings—instances where aggrieved individuals wade into a school, a shopping center, a high school prom, and begin shooting leaving blood and tears and tragic loss in their wake. Why? What needs to be done about this? What should our political leaders do?Q. What is the solution, in your view?Q.How can we interrupt the cycle of violence and restore peace and safety in our country?Q. When will your book be ready and where can people find it? Q. Tell us briefly about your other two books.Q. What can we, as individuals, do about all this?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Are you planning for retirement? Already there? Are you working with a financial adviser but wonder if you could be doing better? That's an important question to consider.Greg Aler, founder and CEO of the financial planning firm Golden Reserve, is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast. Greg believes that many people planning for retirement are being hoodwinked by financial advisors to whom they have given too much power over their investments and who are ripping off customers with percent-based fees.Greg was born and raised in small-town Ohio, and after attending law school, he worked at one of the largest law firms in the world. Greg went on to build three multimillion-dollar companies before the age of forty: an elder care law firm, a financial services firm, and a real estate company. He re-thinks and re-builds industries to help service the other 99 percent of America. Greg has his own TV, radio, and podcast show: Expedition Retirement.The only thing Greg loves more than cooking, scuba, boating, and laughing with friends on his back porch is being with his wife, Fernanda, and three kiddos (Lilly, Lola, and Louie).We’re happy to welcome Greg to Lean to the Left today to talk about financial planning for retirement…a really important topic. Time to fire your financial advisor?Questions we discussed with Greg:Q. On your website in which you promote your book, “Fire Your Financial Advisor: 40 years of greed and exploitation of the American Retiree,” you say this: “there are wolves everywhere. Shockingly, most retirees have no idea what is going on with their money - or worse, what they’re being charged.” Can you please explain?Q. Your book makes the case that financial advisors have massively failed retirees. How is that?Q. Many retirees have seen their IRAs and other retirement plans grow significantly. So, why should they care about the fees their financial advisor charges them to manage their retirement accounts?Q. Does working with a fiduciary advisor guarantee that a retiree can avoid these problems?Q. Not feeling confident in my ability to manage my own portfolio, some people default to their financial advisor, telling them to do what’s best. Is it a mistake for people to do that?Q. How can retirees increase their own financial literacy?Q. What is a fixed index annuity, and how can it help retirees?Q. What is a “Retirement Planner” and why should retirees work with them instead of financial advisors?Q. What advice do you have for someone who wants to fire their financial advisor, but isn’t sure how to do that?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Extreme weather events across the country and around the world make it clear that we are facing a climate crisis, and that we all are in it together. But what can we as individuals do to combat this? That’s our topic today with an expert who will share with us existing solutions and technologies that can have a significant impact on climate change, and what the average person can do to help reduce our carbon footprint. So stay with us.Beth McDaniel is co-founder and President of the paint and coatings company, Reactive Surfaces, where she also serves as legal counsel. Beth also is a partner in McDaniel and Associates, a law firm specializing in patent and trade secret law.As a serial entrepreneur, she has guided this bleeding-edge innovation company, operating in the paint and coatings and specialty chemicals industries, for the past 15 years. She has served in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including as a Pathways to Peace Fellow, a premier social justice organization.Beth is also the co-founder of the leading XPRIZE team for carbon reduction. Their technology can remove massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into hydrogen, biochar, and other environmentally friendly solutions that have already begun to transform the carbon reduction and energy security space.Here are some questions we cover with Beth:Q. What’s your take on the climate crisis facing the world today? What happens if we continue on our current track?Q. You’re involved with the Embassy Row Project, a philanthropic initiative that offers various services to organizations to promote environmental sustainability. Please tell us about that.Q. As a female c-suite executive in the science and technology arena, a successful entrepreneur, an accomplished attorney, and an advisor on climate technology, what is your perspective on women’s leadership in the entrepreneurial, technology, and science space?Q. What's being done right now in the international government space that's truly having an impact on climate change?Q. You recently addressed UN, World Bank, and European embassy officials on new technology your firm has developed. Can you please share with us that experience and talk about the technology that’s involved?Q. What's it like to brief senior diplomats and government officials who are seeking solutions in climate and environmental technology? Any special challenges simply because of your sex?Q. What are carbon capture coatings and how is this scientific breakthrough transforming the environmental science space?Q. How can the average person have a real impact on climate change and carbon reduction?Q. As a female entrepreneur, what prompted you to get into the paint and coatings industry and start your own company?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

For a fascinating, inside look at the criminal justice system and the work of one of America's most prominent trial attorneys, check out this interview with ames J. Brosnahan, a veteran of more than 50 years of experience in both civil and criminal trial work.During his notable career, Brosnahan regularly undertook complex cases that were about to go to trial. He has tried, to conclusion, 150 cases that have ranged from anti-trust to wire fraud and from patent litigation to white collar crime and murder. Some of those cases made national headlines, including those that helped provide important First Amendment free speech protections.Brosnahan is named among the top 30 trial lawyers in the United States, according to the Legal 500 US. A lion of the trial bar, Brosnahan is one of the most respected and recognized trial lawyers in the United States. Recently, he completed a book on notable trials from his career, "Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases," now available at Amazon and other booksellers.The interview was conducted by Bob Gatty, host of Lean to the Left and co-host of the Justice Counts podcast, and Justice Counts host, legal thriller author Mark M. Bello. The episode also will stream on Justice Counts June 5.Here are some questions we discussed with Brosnahan:MARK: Welcome Jim—it’s an honor to have you on the podcast. Before we talk about your writing, I’d like to talk about Professor Chemerinsky’s forward. High praise for your memoir from the famous law professor. There is a lot packed into those two pages, but I was struck by two comments he makes. I’d like your reaction to them: 1. Practicing law requires hard work and attention to detail-many lawyers work hard. But it also requires creativity-Chemerinsky considers you and your team very “clever,” the term he uses. How much of your success is related to hard work and how much to creativity? For young lawyers out there, after learning what they need to know to pass the bar, how do they develop these creative skills the professor talks about? 2. Professor Chemerinsky talks about a topic near and dear to my heart. At that is, essentially, the bad rap lawyers get. He points to you as an example of how an ethical lawyer and decent guy, (you) can also be highly successful. That being a successful lawyer requires “bad behavior” which is patently false. We can chew gum and walk—can you please talk about being successful and ethical at the same time? BOB: The book reveals that you were diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a possible heart problem at age 3, confined to bed until you were six. Your connection to the outside world was a radio with Jack Benny and a window that looked out onto a driveway where you could see kids playing. Do you remember those days, and do you think they played a role in shaping the adult you became? MARK: Like Chemerinsky, my favorite legal quote is “Justice, Justice, Shalt Thou Pursue.” Having read your book, alongside might be: “Sometimes, doing your best is your only reward.” I love that lesson for young lawyers.BOB: Tell our listeners about the Secody Murder Trial-you had only been a lawyer for 18 months and you have this major murder trial involving the native American community. Tough case for a young guy. MARK: As a side note, I was struck by your voir dire in that case and want to hear more. How does a trial lawyer get a potential juror to admit bias on voir dire?BOB: In the book, you indicate that you were influenced by Cecil Poole, Melvin Beli, and other prominent trial lawyers. You worked under Poole, who was the first African American US Attorney in the United States. Obviously, mentoring was important in your career. Is it still? BOB: In 1966, you switch sides after how long as a prosecutor? Tell us about the transition from prosecutor to criminal defense and civil plaintiff attorney?MARK: One of those cases involved representing two young black activists in the Oakland California poverty movement. Tell us about the case. What were they accused of? Why were they prosecuted? And what was the outcome?BOB: I’m an old newspaper guy. In 1968, at the age of 34, you handled a 1st Amendment case that literally would decide the fate of daily papers in America. Or, was it really an anti-trust case? There was a similar issue in Detroit when the News and the Free Press entered into a joint operating agreement. Tell us about your case and the outcome.MARK: In 1978, you take another 1st Amendment case, this one centering around the movie Born Innocent, starring Linda Blair of “The Exorcist” fame. Interesting issue in that case. The plaintiff attorney argued “People who see movies are inspired to act out what they see,” and argued for censorship. Lots of publicity in this one. Tell the story of an attempt to prove what you refer to in the book as “negligent imitation.” BOB: You were a prosecutor—prosecutors have a lot of power in making decision about whether to prosecute or not prosecute, what you call in

Having trouble with money and building wealth? Is there something more going on than simply not having enough cash to start with? Could it be something psychological? Really? Take a listen to this interview. Richard Friesen is the founder of the Mind Muscles Academy, and creator and developer of the innovative and exclusive “Mind Muscles™” training process that turns the psychology of money and wealth on its head. Richard works with financial professionals, independent traders, business leaders and entrepreneurs of all types who want to expand their mental game to make more consistent profits. With experience as a broker, floor trader, financial software developer and entrepreneur, he brings concrete real-world experience to his clients.Richard is offering a free course exclusively for our listeners that will help improve financial results. You can check it out at https://conversations.money/left.During the years dedicated to building Mind Muscles™, Rich was an independent consultant to the financial industry specializing in intellectual property development and management. He also founded and built ePIT Systems, a software company which produced internet exchange software solutions. And, before that, Rich founded, built and sold Trade Management LLC, one of the most consistently profitable options and equity trading firms on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange. Friesen is a popular speaker on the psychology of money management, politics and personal transformation. His latest book entitled: “A Private Conversation with Money” is available on Amazon.Here are some questions we discussed:Q. So are you saying that one reason why a lot of us haven’t been able to build as much wealth as we’d like has its roots psychologically? In other words, money makes us crazy?Q. You say that your training as a therapist opens the door to money behaviors that no longer serve us, yet we repeat them constantly. Please explain.Q. Tell us about the Mind Muscles Academy and the training process that you’ve developed. Q. What is the SET Awareness Workout?Q. Tell us about your book, A Private Conversation with Money. What’s that about?Q. You say that “Everyone can build new “Mind Muscles” designed to expand their personal awareness.” Please explain.Q. You wrote a blog, “Uncover Your Creative Victim in 15 minutes.” What’s that about?Q. You wrote another blog, “The Value of Information and Belonging.” It talks about filling our emotional need for “belonging” and our critical thinking need for surprises, reframes and challenges. Can you elaborate?Q. After all of this, what would you say are the keys to financial freedom?Q. What is the difference between financial success and failure?Q. You have an online course in which you present 10 money-liberating exercises. What are they? Q. You have an offer for my listeners. How can we take advantage of that.Q. How can people connect with you and find your book?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

What’s it like to be a liberal in a conservative state or a fantasy writer who’s also an English teacher at a time when books are being banned in some states?Terry Bartley is a journalism, literature, and English teacher at Scott High School in Madison, West Virginia, and writer of the upcoming collection of short stories, Tyranny of the Fey. Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersection between writing and fandom. He has professionally written for the Coal Valley News and Screenrant. He’s won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and MarCom. Terry has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. in English Education from Western Governor’s University.Living in West Virginia, Terry is an unabashed liberal who worked for the Obama Campaign in 2012. He’s done a lot of community and economic development work in Southern West Virginia, as well.Here are some questions we discussed with Terry: Q. Well, Terry, what’s it like being a liberal in conservative, Trump loving West Virginia?Q. What did you do for the Obama campaign? What was that like?Q. You’re a fantasy writer. Is it a fantasy to think that Joe Manchin will ever vote like a Democrat? Is he vulnerable in WVA?Q. Tell us about your community and economic development work in Southern WVA.Q. Let’s talk about your podcast. What’s it all about?Q. Now let’s talk about Tyranny of the Fey. Tell us about it.Q. What is there about colonization and institutional oppression that prompted you to write this book?Q. When will it come out and where will people be able to find it?Q. What are your thoughts about the effort by Ron DeSantis and others to restrict what books can be carried in school libraries and courses that can be taught in school?Q. Is it Trump or DeSantis in West Virginia? Or somebody else?Q. If Trump is convicted and sent to prison, would he still carry West Virginia?Q. West Virginia is a pretty religious state, right? How do those fundamentalists justify in supporting this man?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Check out the latest episode of The Dixie Dems, the Lean to the Left podcast episode that takes an irreverent look at politics in the South, as well as across the U.S, featuring Arthur Hill of North Carolina, Robert Thompson of Georgia, and myself in South Carolina.In this episode we take a look at the horrible abortion laws that are being passed in many red states, a right-wing effort in SC to restrict drag shows, developments in NC and GA involving the entertainment industry, and offer our thoughts regarding the GOP presidential sweepstakes.Will Trump succeed in garnering the Republican nomination despite his legal challenges or will someone else emerge as the GOP standard bearer. What if something happens to Biden? Who would the Democrats turn to?There was a CBS News/YouGov poll just published that showed Trump with a 30- point margin over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with some additional revealing findings:Even though election deniers cost the GOP dearly in the 2022 election, this poll shows that a large majority of Republican-leaning voters continue to believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump and they want candidates who agree.While DeSantis is trying to claim Trump has electability problems, this poll shows that 75 percent of Republican-leaners say Trump’s supposed 2020 victory is sufficient reason to vote for him again, and 84 percent said Trump would beat Joe Biden. Only 38 percent said Trump could lose to Biden and that’s a reason to vote against him.Sixty percent said they prefer a candidate who does not comment about the January 6 insurrection, but 24 percent they support a candidate who supports those who entered the Capitol.Trump’s message of retribution against his enemies is supported by 32 percent of Republican-leaners, even if it’s at the expense of getting things done.Only 7 percent of Republican-leaners want a candidate who criticizes Trump.All of this and more is on tap in this episode. Check it out:Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

The way things are today with so many divisions among us, sometimes it seems like we can’t even have a discussion about what’s going on in the world without being at each others’ throat. Today, we’re going to talk about that on the Lean to the Left podcast.Our guest is Corey Nathan, host of the popular podcast ""Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other," who's work is focused on collaborating with people across religious, political and social divides to help understand and repair some of our culture’s rancor.Corey started out as a stockbroker by day while studying at a theatre conservatory at night. Since then, he’s been an entrepreneur with one foot in creative pursuits having built such endeavors as a niche executive search firm; a theatre and film ensemble; a residential and commercial service company; a 501c3 to help folks during the pandemic; and most recently a new media/content company.Corey’s growing audience has been enjoying the engaging, provocative and fun conversations about these subjects on his podcast.During our interview, we talk some politics with Corey saying he thinks Ron DeSantis will flame out in his quest for the GOP presidential nomination, that Donald Trump will emerge as the nominee, but that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former Rep. Liz Chaney are interesting alternatives.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

What would you do if your child was bullied to the point where they decided life wasn't worth living…and so they committed suicide? In an instant, all of your hopes and dreams for your child would be gone. Could you have done something? What would you do now?That's what happened to Kirk and Laura Smalley, who lost their son, Richard Ty Field-Smalley, in 2010 following a bullying episode. After that, Kirk and Laura worked tirelessly to prevent other families from suffering the same pain and loss.They traveled all across the United States and visited several other countries spreading the message of love and support to children who need it, even meeting with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to talk about what can be done to ensure our children grow up safe and whole.In 2020,after suffering a brain aneurysm, Laura was reunited with her beloved son. Kirk knows they are still with him, giving him the strength he needs to continue his mission: to give our children a safe future where each one can grow into the amazing individuals they are meant to be.Kirk is our guest on both the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts, co-hosted by Bob Gatty and legal thriller author Mark M. Bello, who has just published a new children's book, "Happy Jack, Sad Jack--a Bullying Story."Smalley explains that while most reported bullying happens in the school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like on the playground or the bus. It can also happen travelling to or from school, in the youth’s neighborhood, or on the Internet.Bullying prevention in schools is a full-time exercise, he says, adding that for true change to take place, the culture of a school must be transformed. With a year-round bullying prevention program, clear expectations of faculty and staff and established guidelines for how to treat incidents, students and adults can be a part of a culture of caring.Ten strategies to prevent bullying in schools: Establish school-wide policies and classroom procedures pertaining to bullying that are distributed to students, parents, and teachers.Depict on bulletin boards and in hallways that school and classrooms are bully-free zones, and that students treat each other with respect.Develop strategies to recognize and reward positive social behavior.Speak with ALL involved in a bullying situation separately and in private.Develop separate intervention plans for children who are bullied, children who participate as bystanders, and children who bully others.Be mindful of class seating arrangements to promote positive role models and limit access.Hold periodic class meetings and assemblies to remind children of bullying prevention.Contact parents of all students involved in a bullying incident; meet separately with parents of each student to provide information about bullying; explain school’s bullying protocol; and address the specifics of the situation. Do not identify names of other students.Establish procedures for documenting episodes of bullying and intervention.Assign all students classroom allies/buddies and periodically re-arrange the assignments.Keeping kids safe online It’s important for parents to be informed about their kids’ digital lives, especially when it comes to issues that involve their safety. These simple tips can help make sure their online experience is a positive one.Use your router or internet service provider’s security app to configure child-safe internet filtering. This works just like the filtering system on library and public school computers and lets you control which websites your child can access.Blocking websites and keywords is the easiest way to ensure your child only has access to trusted internet content. You can block websites and keywords through your router or internet service provider’s security app. Another way to configure internet filtering is by only allowing your child access to certain websites and keywords. Rather than blocking specific content, you grant access to approved website URLs and keywords. This means all other content is blocked.Setting an internet schedule, or a window of time when your child has internet access, is another great option for keeping him or her safe online. Similar to blocking websites and keywords, you can set up access times through your router or internet service provider’s security app.Add your “trusted devices” to bypass parental control settings. Some internet service providers let you set your personal devices as “trusted devices.” These devices will be able to access websites blocked by parental control settings. This way, you can keep parental controls in place on your child’s devices while bypassing them on your own. Know the child safety laws in your state.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Mother’s Day is coming up soon and today we’re delighted to have as our guest Lynne Bowman, a mom, grandmother, and author of a healthy eating cookbook, “Brownies for Breakfast.”It’s Lynne’s second appearance on the Lean to the Left podcast. In the first episode, we talked a lot about how people with issues like diabetes can improve their health by improving their diet, cutting out sugar and bad fat. Lynne has been dealing with type 2 diabetes more than 30 years ago.Her mom died when she was in her mid-40s, so when she became a single mom and the sole support of three young kids, she knew she had to take aggressive steps so she would be around to take care of them. So, by modifying her diet, she’s been able to get by with a minimal daily dose of just one prescription.In her wonderful new cookbook, she shares tons of recipes that she’s created to help those with diabetes, and those who care for them, live a healthy life. It’s truly a beautiful book.Here are some of the questions we discuss in the show:Q. Mother’s Day is such an important occasion when we honor our moms and all they’ve done to care for their families. How did your diabetes affect you as a mom and what you knew you had to do for your kids?Q. What challenges are out there because of changes in the food industry that affect our diets today?Q. You say there is a “culture of crappy food,” where it becomes politically incorrect to eat the “wrong” things. What are you talking about?Q. Why is our life span now shortening, and what can we do about it? Do we really want longer lives?Q. On page 7 of your book, you say this: “You can improve your health, lift your spirits, help stop plastic pollution, save the earth, give your kids a better start in life…and save a boatload of money…all by fixing your food yourself. That’s a lot! What’s the secret to making all that happen?Q. But what about if you’re not a diabetic. Do you need to be concerned about all this stuff?Q. How can you still make tasty foods while losing the sugar? Q. What’s the big deal about plant-based foods? Seems boring and tedious.Q. I drink a glass of orange juice every day for breakfast. Is that a bad idea?Q. What should moms do when their schedule is crazy, they’ve got kids to manage, and yet they want to prepare healthy meals for their family? And dads…they need to pitch in, too, right?Q. What about family meals? Are they still important?Q. When I was growing up, my mom tried to have dinner ready for us at 5 pm. Is that still a good idea?Q. Tell us more about your book, “Brownies for Breakfast,” and where people can get hold of it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Would you think women are treated differently than men by doctors and other workers in the healthcare system? If that’s true, how would that affect patients? Our Lean to the Left podcast guest today, Lynn Forney, has first-hand experience with that, and it almost cost her life.On the podcast, Lynn says such bias is more common than you might think. In her case, after being stabbed in bed seven times by a stranger and losing 21 pints of blood, she says she suffered even more trauma after going to the hospital in critical condition.There, some of the people who were supposed to help her recover, both mentally and physically, betrayed her – including a male nurse who we’ll talk about in a minute. "They didn't believe me because I'm a woman," she says in our interview.Lynn is the author of a new book, “Choosing Survival,” which describes her attack, the PTSD she suffered, and the mistreatment she endured in the hospital. Unfortunately, we find that the gender bias she experienced – simply because she is a woman – is all too common.The book is candid and emotional as Lynn reveals how the City of Boca Raton, Florida’s, police covered up violent crimes like what occurred to her… just to protect the city’s glitzy reputation.But, even worse was how Lynn was treated by those who were supposed to protect and serve vulnerable victims like her. Unfortunately, this story is all too relatable for women who have experienced sexual assault and rape.Some questions we asked Lynn:Q. Start at the beginning. You were what, 19? What happened?Q. You’re from Texas. Why were you in Boca Raton?Q. So you were stabbed in bed by a stranger in your mother’s house?Q. How were you treated by the police?Q. How did healthcare workers and other systems fail you before and after your attack?Q. What happened in the hospital? The male nurse who wanted to show you about sex?Q. Why do you think they blamed you, or did not trust you? Q. How do you confront victim blaming and shaming?Q. How common is gender bias and shaming in healthcare? Studies have shown that doctors view men and women with chronic pain differently, right?Q. What can be the end result of healthcare gender bias when it comes to diagnosing and treating patients? Can appropriate treatment be delayed…or even denied…for example?Q. You graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor of fine arts degree. You’ve been a dancer and actor, right?Q. How did the attack and your subsequent treatment affect your life and your career?Q. What are your plans going forward?Q. Where can people buy your book?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

We have something a little different for you today…no politics for a change…instead a conversation about the influence our mom on our lives in honor of Mother’s Day. Our guest is Jackie Tantillo, host of the “Should have Listened To My Mother Podcast,” which examines who we are because of – or in spite of – our mother.Jackie has worked in broadcasting as on-air talent (radio), on camera talent (commercials and industrials), a national and international voice over talent, voice over acting instructor and producer and production coordinator for over four decades. She worked as a stringer for the ABC Rock Network and interviewed many charismatic music icons.Currently Jackie is enjoying her conversations with her guests from around the world on her podcast. Everyone has stories to tell of their mother and it's important to reflect on that personal relationship whether good or bad.The youngest of seven children, six girls and one boy, Italian American family, Jackie was born overseas in Rota, Spain as her father, a Civil Engineer, managed a large project for the US Navy.Jackie studied at McGill University, Montreal, Canada and State University of New York at Plattsburgh where she graduated with a Mass Media degree.Jackie Tantillo, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.How did you get started in radio?Your career has been a virtual highlight reel with your voice over work, talk show host, spokesperson, production coordinator, and more. Now you’re doing this “Mothers’” podcast. Why?Tell us about your background, some of the highlights, including what you’re doing now at WABC Radio in New York.How did your mom influence your priorities and what you’ve done in your own life? Should you have listened to her even more than you did?You’re a mom, right?What did you learn from your mom that translates into how you treat your own kids? After all, you were one of seven kids, right? She certainly had her hands full.You like to give back, and you’ve mentored high school students who want to become voice over talents. You enjoy working with young people, right?There are a lot of divisions in this country, which seemly have worsened over the past few years. As you work with these kids, do you have a sense of hope for the future?Tell us about your podcast. Who are some of the most interesting guests that you’ve interviewed?What can people learn from your podcast?What’s your message for all the mom’s out there and for those who plan to honor their moms?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

It is a remarkable story, and despite obvious political ramifications for lawmakers representing coal states, the U.S. has cut the use of coal for electricity generation from 50% in 2005 to 19.8% in 2021, and it's still falling.In fact, according to our podcast guest, scientist and energy expert Jack Kerfoot, renewables like solar and wind power are expected to overtake coal as the world's top energy source by 2025, just two years from now.In this extremely informative episode, Kerfoot walks us through those developments and explains what they mean for the future, including impact on the world's environment as we deal with climate change.Kerfoot begins the episode with an explanation of the various types of coal, how they are used, and their cost. He says that as we move away from coal to renewables, energy prices will dramatically decrease even as we reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.Here are the costs associated with various types of energy generation, according to Kerfoot: 1) Onshore Wind – 2.6¢ to 5.0¢ per kWh 2) Onshore Solar PV – 2.8¢ to 4.1¢ per kWh 3) Natural Gas ($3.45 MMBTU) – 4.5¢ to 7.4¢ per kWh 4) Geothermal – 5.6¢ to 9.3¢ per kWh 5) Coal – 6.5¢ to 15.2¢ per kWh 6) Natural Gas Peaker Plants – 15.1¢ to 19.6¢ per kWh 7) Nuclear – 13.1¢ to 20.4¢ per kWh."Clearly, onshore wind and solar are significantly cheaper sources of electricity on a levelized cost basis than coal-fueled power plants. I anticipate that new technologies will allow the cost of electricity from wind and solar to continue to decrease over the next decade," Kerfoot says. Here's the breakdown of energy sources in the U.S.in 2021 compared to 2005: In 2005, utilities used Coal (49.6%), Nuclear (19.3%), Petroleum Gas (19.1%), Hydropower (6.7%), Oil (3.0%), and Renewable Energy (2.3%) (geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass) to generate electricity in America. In 2021, utilities used Petroleum Gas (38.8%), Coal (21.9%), Nuclear (18.9 %), Renewables (13.7%), Hydropower (6.2%), and Oil (0.5%).In 2021, all forms of renewable energy (hydropower, wind, solar, etc.) generated 19.9% of the nation’s electricity.What caused this big shift to renewables?In 2005, there was growing concern across our nation over the impact of global warming, which results in climate change, Kerfoot says, adding that there was also concern over our nation’s energy security. Moreover, the price of crude oil (WTI) was over US $56/Barrel and was forecast to go over $100/Barrel by 2008, which is what happened, he explains.Because of these developments, Congress passed the bipartisan “Energy Policy Act of 2005,” providing tax incentives to encourage domestic energy production including renewable energy like wind and solar, nuclear power, “clean coal”, and oil/gas technology."The legislation did Not have any significant impact on rejuvenating nuclear power development or the coal industry. The legislation Did have significant impact on the development of wind and solar technology and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technology in the oil/gas industry," Kerfoot says."The tax incentives encouraged entrepreneurs, like the late T. Boone Pickens to develop wind farms in Texas. In 2006, a wind farm boom commenced in many of the Great Plains states, which have strong consistent winds, an abundance of entrepreneurs, innovative power companies, and low population densities," he explains."Current data indicates that renewable energy (including hydropower) will greater than 50% of the nation’s electricity before 2050. The times they are a changing."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

We are living in a time when many of our fellow citizens are facing injustices, even threats to their lives, that nobody should have to deal with.If you’re a Black kid and you knock on the wrong door to meet a friend, you could be shot. That’s just a fact. It just happened, and our guest today, Dr. Pamela Gurley, has something to say about that.Dr. Gurley is a Content Strategy Expert, International Speaker, World-Renowned Best-Selling Author, and Journalist who understands the power of words (both verbal and written). As the Founder/CEO of Clark and Hill Enterprise and IAMDRPGURLEY and Founder/President of the Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation, she is on a mission to empower, grow, transform, and motivate others, as well as lead and challenge social norms and false narratives.In 2021, she was awarded the RadioOne EmpowerHER “Empowering Motivation” award for her commitment to uplifting others. We are delighted to have Dr. Gurley as a contributing writer to our Lean to the Left blog site, something that evolved after she appeared as a guest on this podcast last year. Her most recent blog explains new legislation being considered in Florida that would make it a crime, with possible five years in prison, for filming police action, such as a traffic stop or suspect arrest.That legislation, she says, threatens individual freedom of speech and the public's right to hold law enforcement accountable. In effect, it continues Florida's march to becoming a police state under Gov. Ron DeSantis.Dr. Gurley is a retired U.S. Army veteran, holds a BA in Psychology, a Master’s in Health Service Administration, and a Doctorate in Management.In November 2019, she released her first book, “I Am Not A Stereotype: I Am H.E.R.,” and in March 2021, she released her second book, Black Girl Activist, instantly becoming an Amazon Best Seller. On June 3, 2021, she released the first books in her multilingual Brown Girl and Brown Boy children’s books series. She has since published five additional titles totaling 21 books with 3 more on the way this spring. She has also been a part of three anthologies – one with Dr. Gurley as a Visionary Author.Some questions we ask Dr. Gurley during the interview:Q. I understand there is new legislation in Florida and some other states that is particularly troubling. Can you tell us about it?Q. That sounds like a blatant violation of the First Amendment. Do you agree?Q. What about witness intimidation? Doesn’t that legislation cross the line?Q. Does such legislation, in effect, sanction police brutality by hiding their actions from the public and other authorities?Q. When a bystander films a police stop and subsequent arrest, does that not actually serve to protect the police officers assuming they have done nothing wrong?Q. Do you feel that such proposals are prompted simply by racism and the racist attitudes of certain lawmakers?Q. These bills come at a time when Democrats in Congress are pushing for police reform. They fly in the face of that effort. Your thoughts?Q. We’ve had incidents recently where individuals, including people of color, have been victims of the so-called “Stand Your Ground” attitudes prompted by the gun lobby. Your thoughts about that?Q. Tell us about your work and your books, especially your new children’s book series.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Lance Hillsinger worked in social services for 34 years and has written two books based on those experiences. He has a master's degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor's degree in psychology and political science from UCLA.Hilsinger’s first, “In Place of the Parent: Inside Child Protective Services,’ examines the child welfare/juvenile court system. His second book, “Build a Better Bridge: Social Policy for the 21st Century,” the author goes beyond child welfare and examines social welfare programs (cash aid, food stamps, etc.) in general.However, he points out that social welfare programs do not generate welfare. Intergenerational wealth is created, for most families, by homeownership. Thus, in “Build A Better Bridge”, He offers various low-cost/no-cost ideas to increase homeownership as well as reduce truancy, crime, and other social ills that so often accompany poverty.While both books are written in an easy-to-read style. They seek to inform and persuade for common-sense change.Listen to the episode...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

A "witch's brew" of GOP-sponsored political activity in Texas, Florida, Tennessee and other states across the nation tops the discussion in the April edition of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left podcast, now streaming.Arthur Hill, first vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC Democratic Party and Robert Thompson, host of the Got Damn Liberal podcast based in Atlanta, GA, join Lean to the Left host Bob Gatty to discuss these key developments and more.In their crosshairs are efforts by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to restrict abortions, what books can be read and topics that can be taught in the state's school, new legislation infringing on the rights of LGBTQ+ and transgender individuals, Donald Trump's legal problems, and the defection of a Democratic state lawmaker to the Republican Party in North Carolina, among others.In one section, Thompson points out that because of GOP efforts to restrict abortions that vasectomies are on dramatically increasing as many men are concerned about the consequences of impregnating someone and then having to live with the consequences.The conversation also turns to unbridled development in Florida, North Carolina and other states that's in response to large numbers of people, especially retirees, who are seeking low taxes and warmer weather. However, in Florida, Thompson notes, property and casualty insurance rates are skyrocketing even as the state has enacted tort reform that makes it more difficult for plaintiffs to win settlements in courtTrump's legal challenges and his pledge to run for the presidency even if convicted of a crime are also covered, along with his challenge by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and former SC Gov. and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Thompson observes that country icon Dolly Parton "wants to see more boobs in the White House."Gatty pointed out that Dr. Pamela Gurley, in a new blog for Lean to the Left, discusses DeSantis-initiated legislation that would make it a crime to record videos of police officers as they arrest individuals. If passed, that legislation would impose a five year prison sentence on those who record such videos, a clear First Amendment free speech violation. That blog and a podcast interview with Dr. Gurley will post and stream on April 26.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

There’s a horrible, deadly cancer that not many people know about. It’s called Cholangiocarcinoma. We’ll learn a lot about that today from Jan Meyer, who lost her mother to this disease, and has been fighting Cholangio herself. Jan is a retired registered nurse and was diagnosed with Stage 2B intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in February 2018. She underwent a liver resection and then received chemotherapy for six months. She is doing well now, and is spending her life helping to raise money and awareness for cholangiocarcinoma research -- despite being confined to a wheelchair as a result of a bad automobile accident.On May 20, Jan and her husband, Dean, will hold their 4th annual 5k, called the Quack Out Cholangio 5k Run/Walk to Crush Bile Duct Cancer, with all proceeds earmarked for research. Here are some questions we asked Janice:Q. First, let’s talk about Cholangio…what are the symptoms of this disease?Q. What are some of the risk factors? Is it genetic?Q. I know that Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively rare disease. Just how rare? Do you know how many people have it?Q. If someone is diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, what’s your advice? Q. To what do you attribute your apparent success in dealing with this disease?Q. Let’s talk about the 5K. How can people get involved?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Welcome to Lean to the Left. I’m your host, Bob Gatty.David E. Feldman has confronted so many serious health problems in his life that it’s a wonder he’s still standing. He’s faced drug addiction, depression, spinal problems that nearly led to paralysis, two hip replacements, intestinal resection with colostomy and cancer.But instead letting all of that beat him, what’s Feldman done? He’s written a bunch of books in which his characters overcome life’s greatest hurdles. In fact, Feldman is the author of eight books, including his 6-book Dora Ellison Mystery Series and a standalone “literary” novel, The Neighborhood, which focuses on racism.And oh, by the way, Feldman is an accomplished working musician and artist. He’s an award-winning filmmaker, too, and His play, Love Lives On, was a winner of the Artists in Partnership Inaugural Playwriting Contest. He’s been the owner of e-Face Media – eface.com – since 1989, which provides web design, videography, brand development, and digital services, among others.This is an episode that is uplifting and encouraging, demonstrating the power of determination and the human spirit, and how writing, music and the arts can be cathartic for people who have had difficult obstacles to overcome.Here are some questions we asked David:Tell us about your story. How is it that you’ve faced all of these serious health concerns and yet have been able to produce all of this creative work and even run a company?How is it that these experiences found their way into your novels? Tell us about them.Your books touch on issues of the day, much like this podcast, focusing on issues such as bigotry, to gender issues, to the lives of people with special needs. What do you see in society today that makes these topics important and relevant?One of your books deals with bullying. Tell us about that and why you wrote it.You recently completed a ghostwriting project about the history of people of a particular heritage in U.S. military. You also ghosted a romance novel and a how-to book about fishing. Is there anything you don’t write about?What’s your view of society today, the divisions, the increase in hateful rhetoric on social media and even in interpersonal relationships?What’s your view of the political situation today, with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives and targeting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as they complain about a budget deficit that they, themselves, made much worse during the Trump presidency?Thoughts about the 2024 Presidential election?What is the goal of your writing?You have a new book in the works. Tell us about it and where can people find your books?What’s ahead for you?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Many states are now restricting, even banning, books that discuss important social issues that can be used in our schools. It’s a misguided attempt to somehow protect children.Our guests today will explore those developments and their implications.Robert Kesten has worked globally promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and furthering democracy. His work has taken many forms, including writing and producing an award winning documentary on the Holocaust and Concentration Camps in Poland. He worked on the Ghanaian Constitution, produced events leading to Ukrainian independence, and events for AIDS day and decriminalization of homosexuality in Ukraine, which was the first Soviet Republic to do so.He is currently the Executive Director of Stonewall National Museum and Archives and is actively engaged in the LGBTQ+ community, committed to using history as a tool to make sense of the present and form a community response for today, tomorrow, and beyond.Born and raised in New York, Lesley Abravanel covered the amusingly vapid celeb scene in South Florida for the Miami Herald and several supermarket mags. She also wrote about restaurants, nightlife and travel for such outlets as the Miami.com and the Daily Mail.After 2016, she took a major left turn and started using her platform to speak up about politics, especially after being blocked on Twitter by a certain one-term, twice-impeached former "president" who has recently been indicted. She parlayed that into her current position as Managing Editor for Occupy Democrats and Washington Press, two of the internet's most followed left-leaning websites.She sometimes covers antisemitism in Palm Beach County for The Forward.When she's not fighting fascism, she collects hot sauces, raises twins, and attempts to learn Swedish from her Stockholm-born husband. I strongly recommend that you follow her twitter page. @lesleyabravanelFor the first time in its history- only one teacher from the state of Florida is registered to attend the 10th annual Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Educators' Symposium next week (April 13-16) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. One teacher. No administrators, no government employees. I’m joined on this program by co-host Mark M. Bello, who also hosts the Justice Counts podcast, which also is streaming this episode.Mark: Robert, only one Florida teacher registered for the Educators’ Symposium. But this event is in Florida and SNEP was started ten years ago in partnership with Florida's Broward County Public Schools. Please tell our audience what SNEP is and why only one teacher is registered to attend the event?Bob: That’s outrageous. Worse, I understand that Florida-type attacks on literature, arts, and music are spreading to other states. Tell us about that.Mark: If the goal is to protect kids, why do the same groups who seek to ban books, also seek to permit assault rifles? Why is the 2nd Amendment sacrosanct, but the 1st not so much?Bob: Lesley, I’d like to turn to you for a second. Hearing Mark read your bio, I think it’s a badge of honor to be banned from Twitter by a certain former president, but I also heard that you were the Managing Editor for Occupy Democrats and Washington Press, two of the internet's most followed left-leaning websites. What caused your twitter ban, and please tell us about your websites and left-leaning advocacy?There is much, much more...take a listen...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

On a Monday morning in late March three nine year-olds and three adults were gunned down by a shooter who opened fire at the Covenant Presbyterian church school in Nashville, Tennessee. The children were students; the adults were staff members. One little girl, Hallie, was the daughter of the lead pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which is connected to the school. The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, used two AR-15 type weapons and a handgun. Hale had been receiving treatment for “an emotional disorder” and had legally purchased seven weapons from five local gun stores. Hale’s motive was not immediately clear.The massacre was just the latest in a chain of shootings that just over the last year have left dozens dead and injured in attacks in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California; Chesapeake, Virginia, Colorado Springs, Highland Park, Illinois, Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York among other places.As in Nashville, researchers found that shooters tended to alarm people around them, often signaling their plan in advance. Generally, they purchased their weapons legally. After the Nashville tragedy, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate urged lawmakers to “move beyond thoughts and prayers.” President Biden said he had exhausted his executive powers to deal with guns and said Congress should pass an assault weapons ban, saying “there’s a moral price to pay for inaction.”But Capitol Hill lawmakers indicated there was little support for that legislation. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, reiterated their opposition to actions that would restrict access to guns, saying that mental health issues are the root cause of the gun violence problem in America.That’s why Mark Bello and I present clinical psychologist Emily Bashah and political expert Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. They are co-authors of Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You. Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in court and has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. Johnson was the youngest mayor of Phoenix when he was elected at age 30. He was sued by the NRA for implementing common sense gun laws, and in this episode, Johnson lays out a three-part approach that he believes is politically feasible and could dramatically reduce mass shootings and enhance school safety for children.Here are questioons we asked Dr. Bashah and Johnson: Q. What will it take for this country to take meaningful action to protect the lives of innocent people from mass shootings such as this tragic event in Nashville?Q. Military-style weapons like the AR-15 often are used in these shootings and about one in 10 Americans own such a gun. What is the attraction to these weapons? Should they be banned? Note: A Washington Post survey found that AR-15 owners come from red, blue and purple states, are significantly more likely to be White, male and between the ages 40 and 65. They’re also more likely to have higher incomes, to have served in the military and to be Republican. AR-15 owners are more likely to live in states former president Donald Trump won in 2020 than adults overall. Q. What are red flag gun laws and why are they important in curbing gun violence? Tennessee two years ago failed to pass such a law that could have stopped the Nashville shooter who was known to be suicidal. Shouldn’t there be a national red flag law?Q. What are risk assessments and how can they be implemented?Q. What can communities do to help people who are at risk of committing such violent acts? Bob – Dr. Bashah, why is treating ideological extremism as an addiction important in stopping mass murders?Q. Paul, when you were mayor of Phoenix, you ran into political trouble because of your efforts regarding guns. What happened? Why is it that so many politicians are afraid to act even in the face of these tragic events, which never seem to stop? Q. What are some ways people can deal with friends or loved ones who have fallen into to the trap of addictive ideologies?Q. How can Americans be optimistic when surrounded by all of the negative bias that exists today, and why is this optimism important?Q. How about the role of social media and the news media with respect to political divisions that exist today? What needs to be done? Are further restrictions on social media needed?Q. As a former mayor and politician, Paul, what is your advice to those lawmakers who are beholden to the NRA and seemingly are afraid to act?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be really, really short? Do you think you’d feel discriminated against, or at a competitive disadvantage in life? If you’re a woman, do you believe you face unfair situations because of inequities that favor men? Today we welcome Dr. Deborah J. Burris-Kitchen, a professor of criminology and department chair at Tennessee State University in Nashville, who has just published “Exposed,” a critique of American society, of love and social injustice, through the eyes of a sociologist.It’s a memoir of short stories and poetry that takes the reader on an expedition highlighting her struggle to find love and earn respect as she crashes against wave after wave of toxic masculinity.Dr. Burris-Kitchen lays bare women’s victimization as they continue to fight for empowerment and equality and exposes what she says are the inequities of the American Caste system with a desire to provoke social change. Her previous publications include a book titled Short Rage: an autobiographical look at heightism in America.She also has written extensively about racism and prisons, including “From Slavery to Prisons: A Historical Delineation of the Criminalization of African Americans”.Q. Tell us a bit about your background and what you’ve been up to.Q. What are some of the topics covered in Exposed?Q. How can we transcend stereotypes based on height, race, poverty, transgender, etc.? Q. How can women reclaim their life after being victims of sexual assault? Q. What do you hope the reader will take away from reading Exposed?Q. Your bio says you’re an activist who fights against violence, racism, exploitation, greed, and capitalism. Explain.Q. What are your thoughts about the direction the Republicans are trying to take this country?Q. What goes through your head when you see female politicians, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, suck up to Donald Trump and support the GOP’s right-wing social initiatives that are harmful to women and minorities?Q. Where can people find your book?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

DW Duke is a California attorney and an author of six published books with three more books currently in production. His work has focused on human rights and empathy as a tool to overcome confrontation and conflict in the world.DW currently is creating a series of biographical novels and screenplays about social justice issues. One of his books, Racism Awareness, scheduled to be released in March of 2023, addresses root causes of racism and presents effective ways to identify and eradicate it.Another, ”Not Without a Fight,” is a biographical novel based on the true story of a Jewish boy who becomes a Resistance Fighter in World War II in Poland. The book’s message is we shouldn’t be erasing history, we should be learning from it. That’s timely.It’s a pleasure for me and Mark Bello, co-host of the Justice Counts podcast, to welcome you, DW, to our podcast.Mark– Welcome to the podcast. “Not Without A Fight” is your first book based upon a true story set during the Holocaust era. As most of our listeners know, I’m a Jewish Boy and I’ve also written a Holocaust novella, based on a true story. But, talk to us about your book, why you wrote it, and what message you would like readers to walk away with.Bob – Your next book, The Duke Legacy, also is based on a true story, takes place during the civil war era, and tells the story of a young man growing up in the south, and is deeply troubled by slavery. It isn’t lost on me that the kid’s last name is Duke—Is this book about your own family and why did you write it?Bob – Our country is struggling with the problems of discrimination and racism. Is that why you wrote “Racism Awareness?” Talk to us about that.Mark: There is a rise in anti-Semitic activities and attitudes in America today. Jew hatred is on the rise. Do you see many parallels between what’s going on in America today and the rise of Nazism in Germany in the 1930s?Bob – You have said that empathy is a tool in overcoming stereotypes and discrimination. I would agree with that, but it sounds rather simplistic. Can you elaborate for us? What can the average citizen do to improve our interreligious or interracial discourse?Mark – I want to go back to “Not Without a Fight” for a moment. The boy who is the focus of the book survives the war. Did he continue his activism? What was his life like after the war?Bob – Aside from our racial and religious differences, we have a serious political divide in America today. What can be we do to resolve, or at least ease, political polarization in the U.S.?Mark – Bob tells me that there may be a movie in the works based on “Not Without a Fight.” That’s exciting. What is the status of this project and when might we be able to see the movie in theatres or on television?Bob -- You have another biographical novel currently in production called “Because I’m Black.” What is that book about?Mark: Your books are based on rather terrible periods in history. In the first two books, your two protagonists, Thomas Biebers and Washington Duke, hate what’s going on in their respective countries during their lifetimes. What would they think of modern day Germany and America? Would they be pleased or disappointed with our progress?Bob – Your work on discrimination and religious hatred is note-worthy and your books take a fascinating look at troubling times. Where can people find these important books?Mark: In the introduction, Bob mentioned that “Not Without a Fight” core message is that we shouldn’t be erasing history, we should be learning from it. What do you think of the current discussion in America about sugar-coating history books and book-banning? Mark: Wow. DW? You are a man after my own heart. We are better than this. We do not need to be an “us” vs. “them” society. As Rodney King said all those years ago: “Can’t we all get along?” Continued success with your career and lots of luck with “Because I’m Black.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v Wade, many states are now acting to virtually eliminate the ability of a woman to obtain an abortion, and some states would even prosecute healthcare providers who perform the procedure.We’ll talk about all of that with our guest today, a women’s health coach, Cath Perez.Cathy always had a passion for health and fitness, being organized and sharing her curiosity for life to anyone who would listen. After many years in the corporate arena, supporting others with administrative and HR tasks, Cathy became a “Health” Coach. She’s a Certified Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Coach, a Certified Yoga Instructor (200YTT) and the 159th Worldwide Certified Konmari Organizing Consultant.Cathy now helps women create a healthy relationship with anxiety and stress with healthy habits that she took over 20 years to learn and hone to cope with her own anxiety disorder. Cathy is a strong advocate for women’s rights, and today we’re going to focus on reproductive justice.Welcome, Cathy, to Lean to the Left.--Q. What do women (others who don't identify as binary) require right now & why should the country care? Q. What is Reproductive Justice all about? Q. Why does Reproductive Justice matter? Q. What can be done to support reproductive justice? Q. As a health coach, I presume that you help your clients deal with anxiety and stress, right?Q. Don’t questions around having an abortion cause a good deal of anxiety and stress? What’s your advice to your clients.Q. What advice do you give women who need an abortion but live in states that prohibit the procedure.Q, What’s your view of states that even try to ban the so-called “abortion pill?”Q. Tell us more about your work as a health coach for women. Reproductive Justice or the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), I"m happy to be connected. Or, the people can learn more at the following websites: keepabortionsafe.org or https://www.eracoalition.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast and the March 2023 episode of the Dixie Dems with my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen.Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of GOP Trump acolytes, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, one of whom got wiped out in his bid for the 2016 GOP Presidential nomination and the other for whom a similar fate awaits in 2024.Today, we take a look at what’s happening politically in our three states as well as nationwide…One of the highlights of this episode is a discussion about the presidential candidacy of Nikki Haley, former SC governor and UN ambassador in the Trump administration. Arthur Hill says Haley "scares" him and predicts she will rise in the polls to become a serious contender for the Republican nomination, even though she's currently in the low single digits in the national polls."I think she's only four or 5% in the polls, but that's because most people don't know who she is," Hill says, "but I think she, has the ability to rise in the polls. I don't know. And, I think Trump's in free fall. I don't see him being as big a factor in the primaries as he has been in the past."About Haley, Hill adds, "To be perfectly honest, she scares me. She's, intelligent. She's she's attractive. She represents a clear alternative to Trump and DeSantis. And I think Pence isn't going anywhere. So I, think that if Republicans who are looking for somebody to ally with that are repelled by Trump and DeSantis, you've got Nikki Haley standing out there waiting in the wings to to increase her popularity."And, it's really early that not too many people outside of South Carolina know about Nikki Haley and even though she's got a track record. She's a governor, she's a former ambassador to the UN. So she's got chief executive chops and she's got international relations chops."I think once the word starts getting out around her I, let me be clear. I'm not supporting Nikki Haley for President , but but I am saying that I think she could be a formidable candidate in a general election." There's much more in this episode, with discussions about "anti-woke" initiatives in numerous states, prospects for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and much more.Take a listen.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

At the age of 3, Ed Hajim was kidnapped by his father, driven cross-country, and was told his mother was dead. And then, not too much later, he was virtually abandoned by his dad. Many years later, business entrepreneur Ed Hajim received the Horatio Alger award for exemplifying the values of initiative, leadership, and commitment to excellence -- despite personal adversity.Hajim is the author of “On the Road Less Traveled, An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom.” It’s a memoir that describes the improbable story of how he bounced from foster homes to orphanages.It was a daily struggle to survive, but Hajim flourished, ultimately becoming an accomplished Wall Street executive and model family man. And now, he is giving back to a world that seemed intent on rejecting him.“On the Road Less Traveled” is packed with stories of how Hajim used his ingenuity to achieve his goals – like wangling a free plane trip to the west coast purportedly for an interview for a job he didn’t want – just so he could be the best man at a friend’s wedding.Hajim is the son of a Syrian immigrant and now has more than 50 years’ experience in the financial industry. His bio reads like a who’s who of major investment companies in which he’s held senior management or ownership positions. Ed Hajim, thanks for being with us today on Lean to the Left. It’s a pleasure speaking with you.Q. Your life story is filled with many twists and turns. How were you kidnapped by your dad? What led to that?Q. Did you ever find your mom? Tell us about that. What was it like to first meet her after 57 years?Q. What was your relationship like with your dad? How did it evolve over the years? How did this affect your life choices?Q. What did you learn from this adversity, and how did that influence your business career?Q. In your book, you describe in many places the sadness and loneliness that you felt because of the lack of immediate family. Did that affect your decisions later in life, especially when it came to business and leading people?Q. You fought poverty, but your memoir describes your ingenuity in finding ways to cover costs – money for college tuition, for example, including for tuition to Harvard Business School when you were, pretty much, flat broke. Talk to me about your determination to be financially independent and what ultimately happened.Q. You write that “Sometimes you need to know when a partnership has run its course. And sometimes, it’s better to sever ties and leave on your own, even if the next step I unknown. That’s often the road less traveled, but it’s so worth the journey.” What were you referring to and why do you say it was “worth the journey?”Q. You write in your memoir about the importance of obtaining a solid educational foundation, which you credit with making your life success possible. Can you elaborate on that? What advice do you give young people who want a higher education but for financial or other reasons are stuck and feel that’s an impossible dream?Q. What have you done personally to support higher education?Q. At the University of Rochester, you started a new magazine, from scratch. You wrote: “I loved putting projects and people together to solve a problem.” That’s pretty much your ultimate business story, right?Q. You received a Navy scholarship, which meant you had to serve three years in the Navy. What did that do for you?Q. You write: “The only constant in life is change. People change and businesses change. If you don’t adapt, you will not survive.” Can you please elaborate?Q. We haven’t talked about the various companies that you worked for or owned. Can you take us on a quickie tour? I know, it’s a lifetime…Q. What would you say were your most significant achievements in business? Q. What were your biggest failures?Q. You’ve just published a new book, “The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable About Preparing for Your Future.” What’s the point of this book? What does it cover?Q. What are the “four Ps?” Q. You’ve been married for nearly 60 years, with three grown children and eight grandchildren. You write in “On the Road Less Traveled” that your wife, Barbara, fell in love with you when she was only a young girl and that you’re seven years older than her. How did she land you and what’s been the result of that marriage?Q. So you were the “hunter, gatherer” and she oversaw home and family. How did that work out?Q. OK, Ed Hajim, what’s next? Do you plan to just sit on the porch and drink iced tea?Q. Where can people find your books?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Welcome. I’m Bob Gatty with Mark M. Bello, social justice lawyer and author of riveting ripped-from-the-headline novels covering some of the major issues of our times. Look up “justice” in the dictionary and you’ll find something like: “Just or fair behavior or treatment.”In addition to hosting the Lean to the Left podcast, I co-host Mark’s “Justice Counts” podcast, where the conversation goes beyond the law to issues that are important – like equal access and fair treatment for everyone.But today we’re going to talk about Mark’s latest books. He’s been busy over the last few months, has won some new awards, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award from an organization of mothers in recognition of his new children's book about bullying, Happy Jack Sad Jack. During the episode Mark talks about this project as well as other new novels that he has in the works, including a new murder mystery and a "legal romance" novel.Take a listen.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Would you like a way to help everyone in your personal and professional networks vote faster, easier, and smarter – and help Democrats win – even in traditionally Republican areas? Today we’re with Wayne Liebman, director of operations and “hairball detangler” at BlueVoterGuide.org, a new, unique get-out-the-vote tool built by grassroots organizers for everyone.It’s progressive, simple, and shareable—bringing along all voters, including hesitant first-timers, to make voting easier and fun. Prior to the 2022 election, Wayne oversaw the creation of Blue Voter Guide. It’s a volunteer-led platform that makes voting easier by showing the endorsements of a wide range of progressive organizations. Blue Voter Guide had over 50,000 users in nine states in 2022, and will expand to all 50 states in 2024.A physician, playwright, and political organizer, Wayne worked to unite Southern California’s grass roots activists and Democratic party infrastructure into a winning alliance in 2018. He helped build SoCal Blue (initially Swing SoCal Left) to co-ordinate efforts to flip SoCal’s five Republican-held swing districts. SoCal Blue fueled the growth of local coalitions (Action Councils) and served as public event hub for thousands of district flipping activities. Following the November, 2018 sweep, Wayne took on the role of Director of Operations for Field Team 6, (Register Democrats, Save the World) partnering as a volunteer with Jason Berlin and C.O.O. Dale Roy Robinson to grow the organization into a national voter registration powerhouse, helping to register nearly 2 million Democrats and contributing to winning a Democratic trifecta in 2020. Wayne continued his work with SoCal Blue and Field Team 6 in 2022. So Wayne, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast. We’re anxious to hear about the Blue Voter Guide.Q. Can you fill us in on the Guide got started and how it works?Q. Is this only for the battleground target states?Q. You’re going to expand to other states, right? It would certainly be valuable in states, like South Carolina, where Republicans dominate but there is a huge influx of new voters from the northeast who need to be encouraged to vote.Q. Does the Guide include all Dem candidates, including local? How about Independent candidates?Q. How about ballot initiatives? Are they included?Q. Can you get a completed ballot to take with you when you vote?Q. What’s been the response?Q. Where can people learn more about the Blue Voter Guide?Q. Are you looking for volunteers to help spread the word? In what areas do you need help?Q. Are there events planned, like phone banking, etc.?Q. How can people sign up to volunteer?Q. I see on your website something called Current Storm. What’s that all about?Q. Are you working directly with Democratic organizations to expand use of the Blue Voter Guide?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Using a gun and handcuffs, Robert Nordlander chased tax evaders and money launderers around the world for the Internal Revenue Service. So considering that it’s tax time now, he’s our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast, where we talk about taxes, audits, avoiding trouble with the IRS, and a lot more.As an IRS-Criminal Investigation special agent, Nordlander was a highly trained federal agent who spent over 20 years chasing tax evaders and money launderers across the globe. His investigations ranged from simple embezzlement to cryptocurrency to using foreign trusts to hide income. He has traveled to various countries on behalf of the United States training other countries' federal investigators.Nordlander’s specialty is following the money, whether in a divorce, partnership dispute, stealing inheritances, or in criminal court. He also helps defense attorneys in criminal tax investigations, and is an expert in how to deal with the IRS with unpaid taxes.He is an Amazon best-selling author, having written two books, "Criminal Tax Secrets: What Every Defense Attorney Should Know" and "Unpaid Payroll Taxes: A Time Bomb You Can Defuse."Nordlander is a licensed CPA and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He also hosts two podcasts -- Fraud Fighter Podcast (which is about the forensic accounting and anti-fraud/anti-money laundering industry) and Criminal Tax Files (which is about criminal tax investigations)."We have a system where individuals or corporations self-assess their tax liability and then, report that information to the IRS," he points out. "The best way to get outta stay out of civil trouble is just by filing whatever's truth and honest and file it on time and accurately."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide.As always, I'm joined by my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of Sens. Lindsey Graham and Uncle Tom Republican Tim Scott.In this episode, we take a look at political developments in our states and we fire a few shots at the Republicans, especially Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who catcalled President Biden during the State of the Union address, pain in the behind Rep. Jim Jordan, the newly minted GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, and many others.The episode includes our observations about the U.S. taking down those unidentified flying objects in February, including the so-called Chinese spy balloon, that was knocked out of the sky by a U.S. fighter jet on Biden's orders, as well as a double murder trial in South Carolina in which a longtime big shot lawyer is charged with killing his wife and son, and another trial featuring so-called Tiger King "Doc" Antle.So, there's lots to take in on this episode. Here's a bit of what we covered:Arthur, what’s happening in North Carolina?How about you, Robert. You’ve got a lot of action there in Georgia, what with wacko Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene continuing to grab attention.What’s happening in South Carolina?Take a listen...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Robin Bartlett takes us back 50 years to a "boots on the ground" account of his extraordinary combat experiences as a 22-year-old 1st Lieutenant with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. As a combat infantry platoon leader, he deployed a 32-man platoon on search and destroy missions and helicopter assaults into hot landing zones at the height of the Vietnam War.Today we’ll hear about the horror, fear, anguish, and sometimes illogical humor of that war. Robin talks about the long-term impact, both positive and negative, on his home life and business career...with insights about leadership, courage, PTSD, and life lessons learned.Promoted to 1st Lieutenant after only one year, Bartlett at 22 assumed the leadership of the 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Over the next seven months, he led a platoon on more than 60 helicopter combat assaults and search and destroy missions.Bartlett grew up in a military family. His grandfather, father and brother all attended West Point, and in college, as the Vietnam War escalated and eighteen-year-olds were drafted daily, Bartlett joined his college’s ROTC program. As a Distinguished Military Graduate, he volunteered for Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger training, and assignment to the 82d Airborne Division. He got everything he asked for…and more.Bartlett holds a BA degree in Comparative Literature from Claremont McKenna College in California and a master’s degree in Media from Pace University in NYC. He has written numerous business publications and a professional book published by Dun & Bradstreet.He is the President of the NY/NJ Chapter of the 1st Cavalry Division Association, and a proud member of the 82d Airborne Division Association. He and his wife live in Norwood, New Jersey, and have three sons, none of whom have pursued military careers.Some questions we asked Robin:Q. We’re now celebrating the 50th anniversary of the treaty ending the Vietnam War. Tell us about your experience as a young lieutenant who was given life-and-death responsibility over young men, some barely old enough to buy a beer.Q. Give us your perspective of the war from a “boots on the ground” point of view.Q. How did you manage having misgivings about the mission while being required to follow orders and meet your responsibilities as a platoon leader?Q. What did you learn about leadership, decision making, courage and fear?Q. How did your experience in Vietnam as a 22-year-old platoon leader affect your post-war professional life? What have you been doing since then?Q. Describe what it was like to participate in a helicopter combat assault.Q. When did you come face-to-face with the enemy?Q. You just completed a new video, “Firefights and Courage,” in which you describe an assault and its aftermath. Fill us in on that.Q. Why are the words “Welcome Home” such an important greeting for Vietnam vets?Q. Tell us about your book, “Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History.” What did you learn from writing it?Q. Where can people find it?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

It was 50 years ago that the U.S. signed a peace treaty to end its long war in Indochina, after losing over 58,000 troops and spending billions of dollars in a failed effort to prevent the nationalist-communist forces of North Vietnam from unifying the country.The U.S. killed 2-3 million Vietnamese, dropped 4.6 million tons of bombs, and created 15 million refugees--but still failed.Award-winning historian of the Vietnam War Robert Buzzanco has written and lectured widely about the war, including its final stages, the peace treaty, and the legacy of Vietnam.Buzzanco is a history professor at the University of Houston and co-host of the Green & Red Podcast and is the author of Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life, Masters of War: Military Dissent and Politics in the Vietnam Era and many other publications about the Vietnam War.Last March Bob appeared on the Lean to the Left podcast to discuss the war in Ukraine. We’re delighted to have him back to talk about Vietnam and its aftermath 50 years later.Here are questions we discuss in the episode:Q. Can you put into context what led to the 1973 peace treaty and its aftermath?Q. Let’s talk about the Christmas Bombings launched by President Nixon in December 1972. What led to this offensive and what was the eventual result?Q. Today, Vietnam, our former enemy is a trading partner with the US and last year Americans invested nearly $3 billion there. Was it worth it?Q. What lessons did we lesrn from the Vietnam War?Q. How does that relate to American foreign policy today when it comes to Russia, Ukraine, China and North Korea?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

The mass shootings keep coming and innocent people keep getting gunned down. In fact, every day 110 people are killed by guns. On Feb. 14 it will be the five-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, when 17 people were murdered and 17 others injured.Yet, the politicians do nothing. Today’s Lean to the Left podcast episode looks at that through the eyes of Gabrielle Zwi, a young woman who wrote a song she created from her own experiences. It's called "Guns to a Playground Fight."Late last year Gabrielle, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter, educator, and community organizer based in Rockville, MD, graduated from Columbia University, having safely made it through elementary and secondary school without being gunned down in her classroom.The day after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 people, including 19 third and fourth grade children and two teachers were killed and another 17 wounded, Zwi was moved to write her folk-pop protest tune which examines what it means to grow up as a member of the “school shooting generation.”Gabrielle's song was released December 9, just before the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting – you know, the one that Infowars founder Alex Jones claimed never really happened and since has been ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to the families of victims there.Her song was released in partnership with Lives Robbed, an organization founded by the parents and grandparents of children whose lives were lost to the shooting at Robb Elementary. All of the profits from streaming/downloads and associated performances are being donated to them.The shootings never seem to stop. Less than a week into 2023, a six-year-old student allegedly shot his teacher with a handgun at a Virginia elementary in what police described as an “intentional” shooting. He reportedly used his mother’s legally purchased handgun to shoot his 25-year-old teacher, who led her students out of the classroom after being shot.Take a listen...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Today we’re with Lynne Parmiter Bowman, author of the Amazon best selling cookbook, Brownies for Breakfast. You probably won’t believe it, but Lynne is 76. You would most certainly never know it and we’re going to spend some time finding out how she maintains her youth.But there’s a lot more to Lynne Bowman than a pretty face. Lynne has been featured at women's expos throughout the country, speaking on kitchen table culture, community planning and the gift of diabetes. She teamed up with actress Deidre Hall to write and publish Deidre Hall's Kitchen Closeup (2010) and Deidre Hall's How Does She Do It? (2012). In a previous life, she worked with Silicon Valley companies as a creative director, winning national awards. She was Creative Director at E&J Gallo Winery, Advertising Manager at RedKen Laboratories, and held various other positions with agencies and clients in San Jose, Los Angeles, and on the East Coast. Lynne has also worked as an actress, makeup artist, screenwriter, illustrator, legal journalist and television Weather Person. She is the mother of three grown children, and has two grandchildren. So we have a lot to talk about today.What does she mean about “the GIFT” of diabetes? We need to find out about that. We’ll talk about her cookbook, Brownies for Breakfast, and see what that’s all about. And, we’ll talk about healthy eating, things we can do to stay healthy, and a lot more.So, Lynne, thanks for joining us today on Lean to the Left.Q. First off, when we first chatted about you coming on my show, you said you wanted to do it because you “lean to the left, with good reason.” How about explaining that?Q. You’re 76 and still going! You could be doing anything you want, or nothing! Why this?Q. How is Brownies for Breakfast different from other cookbooks for diabetics?Q. The title includes the line “A Cookbook for Diabetics and The People Who Love them.” Why did you include “...and the people who love them” in your title?Q. Does this book have any meat or dairy in it?Q. You’ve done a lot of things in your career, but what makes you an authority on healthy eating and diabetes?Q. What surprised you most during your research and writing?Q. What’s the one new habit that would make a big difference in someone’s health?Q. Do you think there should be more cooperation and coordination between the food and healthcare industries?Q. How do you get kids to eat healthy?Q. Climate change is affecting all of us, and you guys are really experiencing the impact there in California. How does our food culture affect the environment?Q. What are your thoughts about what needs to be done to combat climate change?Q. What are your thoughts about fast food and the constant battle between fast food companies for market share?Q. You and your husband have a small farm on the coast there in Northern California. What do you do there?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

This is a story of absolute determination; the story of a rock jock who had the world by the tail -- until he didn't -- and then what he did to live life at its fullest despite having been dealt a bad hand regarding his health.Kim Curry was a radio broadcaster for 33 years in some of America’s finest cities, a DJ in different time slots, and the Program Director of two of America’s legendary stations; KTSA-AM San Antonio and Power 96, Miami.Curry was a broadcaster in the days when ownership was limited to seven AM and seven FM radio stations, before radio's corporate takeover.Creative freedom and owner trust led to huge ratings as a DJ, consistently scoring the highest ratings in his timeslot. As Program Director, “Kid” Curry led Power 96 to ratings never before seen in the station’s history and achieved the most significant cumulative audience in the Southeast United States.In 2005, Kim Curry was forced into retirement from the radio business after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Now, he’s the author of the book, "Come Get Me Mother, I'm Through!"You can follow the story of Curry’s career and battle with a chronic disease at KRCurry.com.Take a listen...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide. TToday, we’ll offer up some prognostications for 2023 as well as take a look at some of the key political developments in our three states, and if our comments turn nationally, don’t be surprised. With me are my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of Sens. Lindsey Graham and Uncle Tom Republican Tim Scott.So, welcome guys… First, let’s get to the news. Arthur, what’s happening in the Tar Heel State? (Where did that name come from, anyway?)How about you, Robert. You’ve got a lot of action there in Georgia, what with rabble rouser Marjorie Taylor Greene, the crazy one, apparently gaining influence and all.She had a “meeting in the ladies room” with Boebert to tell her she needed to join the swamp monsters – ironic That guy in Florida calling congress to get mccarthy elected Notice how nothing is being said about Nancy Pelosi? Because Republicans have to come up with a whole new narrative on hakeem jeffries GA embracing electric vehicles.And, hey, how about those reports that “John Doe,” a former staffer for the Hershel Walker campaign, has sued conservative leader Matt Schlapp for allegedly sexually assaulting him last October. The unnamed aide is seeking almost $9.4 million in damages. Schlapp is chairman of the Conservative Political Action Coalition and denies “any improper behavior.” See what happens when you get in bed with monsters?And who's heard from Herschel lately anyway?Exactly. What’s happening in South Carolina? Well, the Democrats have had a defection – Sen. Mia McLeod, who unsuccessfully sought the party’s nomination to run against Gov. Henry McMaster – has left the Democrats and is now identifying as an Independent. McLeod claimed her decision is because the state’s Democratic party “no longer espouses the values my constituents and I hold dear.”“By not engaging, enlightening or expanding the electorate…refusing to publicize the June Primary and getting a historical top of the ticket ‘shellacking’ on November 8, the party ensured a Republican super-majority and the losses of eight Black legislators in the S.C. House, five of whom were black women,” McLeod said.Her announcement sent shock waves through the party’s establishment, many of whom derided McLeod for being a lackluster candidate and simply driven by political ambition. Tough for Democrats to win statewide in SC…really tough.The other big news in SC is in the state legislature, which now has a Republican super majority. And they show no signs of moderation. Already, more than a dozen bills have been introduced to attack LGBTQ+ people, and they’re trying to get around the state Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s extremely restrictive abortion law is unconstitutional. That law banned abortion after six weeks. The court said the law violates a state constitutional right to privacy. Gonna be interesting to see what happens, but my money’s on McMaster and the Republicans to come up with some other draconian approach to deny women the right to control their own bodies.OK, Now for predictions: Robert…how about you first?The House will be even worse of a shit show Benghazi was nothing – if I hear one more thing about Hunter Biden and his laptop! The swamp will get choppy on a qwest to get to the craziest first – 23% national sales tax will fail I thought we were battling inflation? Extreme Mentally ill conservatives will continue to have access to too many guns and there will be more bloodshed. Medicare will be destructed more, $1k/mo to private insurers will be cut and/or traditional medicare will be gone. Social Security age will go up, benefits are already not keeping up with demands.Arthur?OK, I’ll close it up with these predictions:If Republicans play their hard-line game regarding expanding the debt limit and America defaults on its obligations, we’ll face a massive financial crisis and a 2007-like stock market crash.2. Attorney General Merrick Garland will seek to indict Trump on charges stemming from the January 6 insurrection and other nefarious actions. But Trump will somehow escape serious punishment.3. Biden and his Congressional supporters will be targeted by the Republicans who may even seek to impeach Biden, especially now that it’s been discovered that Biden also took classified documents home when he was VP. It’s going to be a tough year for House Democrats.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

The high cost of prescription drugs affects us all. But what’s behind them? Is it just pharmaceutical company greed?Welcome to Lean to the Left, the podcast that explores important developments that shape our society and our world. Our guest today is Hank Laskey, PhD, a longtime adviser and consultant in the pharmaceutical industry.Hank brings a ton of knowledge and perspective about this industry and the companies that provide the life-saving drugs so important to us all. We’ll tackle some of the factors that affect the prices we all pay for our prescriptions and hear his thoughts about what can, and should, be done about that.Dr. Laskey also will share with us insight that will help those who want to enter that industry, or advance within in it. That’s part of the reason why he authored a book called “The Global Pharmaceutical Industry: Economic Structure, Government Regulation, and History.”The book combines the study of business and economics with medicine, science, and technology-all within a regulatory framework-and helps the reader understand the multifaceted global pharmaceutical industry.Dr. Laskey, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.Q. One of the major concerns that most of us have today is the high cost of prescription drugs. With insulin, for example, it got to the point where Congress capped the price at $35 per month—but only for Medicare patients. Can you walk us through what’s involved here?Q. What did you think of Martin Shkreli, the Turing Pharmaceuticals owner who jacked up the price of insulin to crazy levels and who raised the cost of a decades-old drug used to treat infections in babies and people with AIDS by more than 5,000 percent?Q. Every time we turn on the TV we’re bombarded with ads for pharmaceutical products for everything from HIV to cancer to skin rashes. These products are targeted to narrow segments of the population who suffer from these various diseases. Yet, those ads are within programming that is geared to a general audience. Does this make sense?Q. How does the marketing side of the industry interact with the medical side? Are these marketing costs reflected in the ultimate price consumers must pay for these drugs?Q. PhRMA, the lobbying organization representing the industry, has published a piece on the web that claims that “due to negotiations in the market,” prices health plans paid for brand medicines increased by just 1 percent on average in 2021. They blame insurers and other middlemen for forcing many of the sickest patients to pay high out-of-pocket costs. Really? Your comment?Q. Sometimes at the end of a commercial, after all of the possible side effects are revealed, the voice/over will say that “X company may be able to help” with the cost. What are these patient assistance programs offered by biopharmaceutical companies and how do they work?Q. What are the differences between generic drugs and brand medicines? Are the generics just as good and as effective?Q. The industry always claims that the cost for prescription drugs must reflect the high cost of research and development. To many, this seems like a cop-out. Your thoughts?Q. What’s your view of federal regulation of the industry? Does there need to be more? In what areas?Q. Let’s talk about those individuals who would like a career in this industry. You’ve worked as a consultant, published research articles, taught courses for several leading industry companies. What’s your advice to those who want a career in the pharmaceutical industry or move up within it? Does your book address this?Q. Where can people find your book?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

If you’ve been to the doctor recently, you probably know that America’s health care system, as good as it is, could really stand some improvements. That’s our topic on the Lean to the Left podcast with a top expert in healthcare, Firouz Daneshgari, M.D.Dr. Daneshgari is a surgeon-scientist, educator and entrepreneur who has worked at the University of Colorado, Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University. He has published more than 200 scientific articles, led numerous scientific and clinical panels, and trained hundreds of students, residents, fellows and junior faculty.Dr. Daneshgari, known as "FD", is author of “Health Guardianship, the Remedy to the Sick Care System,” a must read if you want to understand what’s gone wrong with American healthcare and would like to see a solution.Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act and approval of its mandates by the Supreme Court, Dr. Daneshgari founded Bow Tie Medical to create systematic innovations for bringing efficiency and value into the healthcare delivery system."We are the most expensive healthcare system in the world," he says on the show. "We are spending twice, three to 500% more than our European or Japanese counterpart.. The reason we are the most expensive is because the healthcare is delivered through 5,000 hospitals that they have become financial institutions, that they use delivery of the clinical services as a revenue generating activities and with that they generate about 50% of waste."That waste, he says, includes clinical services and activities that do not lead to beneficial health outcomes, although they generate revenue for the hospitals, explaining that "There are systematic misalignments between the roles of hospitals as the main providers, consumers, you and I and the third party payer."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Artificial intelligence (AI), is increasing across our economy and in our world. Exactly what is it? What are some of the implications? Why would Elon Musk say “With artificial intelligence, we are summoning the devil?”That’s our topic on the Lean to the Left podcast with our guest is Guy Morris, a proven thought leader in adapting advanced technologies, implementing complex IT applications, and advocate for internet and cyber-security."AI has become one of the most dangerous vehicles for misinformation that we've got," Morris says on the podcast, during which he discusses efforts to create a worldwide digital currency to replace the dollar and other currencies, that various forms of AI threaten individual privacy and financial security, and are being used in weapons systems, including "swarms" of drones that can be dispatched to attack an enemy.He tells how he was contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation because of some of his work in artificial intelligence, and the threat of both Russia and China in the development and deployment of AI.With multiple degrees, and 36 years of Fortune 100 leadership within companies like IBM, Oracle and Microsoft, Guy has a lot of success stories. They range from designing a macro-economic model that out-performed the Federal Reserve and all major banks, building high-performance global teams, driving merger & acquisition deals in energy, innovating early AI Expert Systems technology, and pioneering internet tech and award-winning webisodes.Guy is also a Disney published composer, musician with multiple CDs, inventor, a licensed Coast Guard charter captain, entrepreneur, researcher of history and prophecy, and author of AI, espionage, religious, political and history thrillers, including his latest, "Swarm" and "The Last Ark."We’re delighted to have Guy Morris with us on the Lean to the Left podcast, where we love to explore important developments that shape our society and our world.Listen to the episode.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

When Doreen Padilla was 14 years old, she met Saul Falcon at a new school just west of Denver, and this young woman, half white and half Hispanic, eventually fell in love with this handsome boy with shiny black hair, and one day, years later, they were married.Like many young couples, they struggled to make ends meet. But they had an extra burden – how to gain permanent residency status for Saul, who had been brought to America from Mexico by his parents at age 2.Saul was a dreamer, an immigrant given protection by President Obama’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allowed him to live and work in the U.S. But then, Donald Trump attempted to kill that program, and the pressure for Saul to obtain documentation and his green card intensified.That journey has been revealed in a new book, “Outsiders, a Journey to Belonging,” by Doreen, our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast today.Doreen grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, where she lives today with her husband, Saul, and two children. She was the first in her family to graduate from college and go on to earn a graduate degree.In her current role in local government, she wears many hats to support employees in her organization. As a public servant she is dedicated to the communities around her and is consistently advocating for positive change."Outsiders: A Journey to Belonging" , which tells the true story of a dreamer growing up in America, is an important part of that effort. Doreen, welcome to Lean to the Left.Q. Tell us about your book and why you wrote it.Some questions we asked Doreen:Q. What was it like battling to keep Saul from being deported to Mexico, especially after Trump tried to kill DACA?Q. Where do things stand now with Saul and his quest to become a citizen?Q. What advice do you give others who face this same situation?Q. Congress continues to be unable to reform our dysfunctional immigration system. What are your thoughts about that?Q. Immigrants, especially those from across our southern border, continue to be targeted by many politicians, mostly Republicans, and used as political pawns to whip up support from their right-wing base. What are your thoughts about that?Q. How did you and your husband feel when Trump was in office pushing his wall along the southern border to keep immigrants from entering the U.S.?Q. What about now, with the current crisis as thousands try to enter the U.S. seeking asylum from violence in their home countries? What should happen?Q. Your husband was a DACA “dreamer.” What contributions has he made to the U.S. and American society?Q. There are about 2 million “dreamers” in the U.S. today, with about 600,000 being beneficiaries of DACA. What should happen to them?Q. Tell us about Barking Beagle Books. Why did you launch your own publishing company, and what’s the plan going forward?Q. Where can people find your book?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

"In America you're free to do anything, you want to do, but you can't choose the consequences of your behavior."So says John Yearwood, author of Jar of Pennies, a novel about a murderer who was failed by America's educational system that focuses on teaching to the test, not on critical thinking. Yearwood is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast."Consequences are going to be determined by what you do," Yearwood says. "And a lot of, kids don't get that idea coming through school and, or for that matter, a lot of other necessary life skills. All of them all of them going along with the, with the principle of critical thinking."So part of what what I'm doing in Jar of Pennies is telling the story of a guy who just didn't have the the, education and to acquire the skill to think through what happens when you do certain sorts of things."And the result of that is he, can only live a, life of reaction. He can't plan for anything in the future, he can't plan his actions so that he ends up in a place where he wants to end up. And the ultimate result of living a life of reaction is he lives just long enough for the state to execute him."A former stringer for the New York Times, Yearwood taught in high schools and universities for 30 years and was an award-winning journalist for 15 years. He has published hundreds of editorials and columns and thousands of news stories, as well as academic works on the First Amendment and the extra-Constitutional powers of the Presidency during times of crisis.John now volunteers helping elementary students improve their reading skills and assisting refugee immigrants when he is not writing.Some of our questions for Yearwood:Q. Tell us about Jar of Pennies and how it relates to our topic today.Q. Is corruption more or less widespread in small town America?Q. Do differences in diversity within the population of small town America vs. larger American cities play a role here?Q. We still are seeing manifestations of racial unrest and bigotry, especially in former slave states in America, but really elsewhere, too. Right?Q. How is “fear” a rural pastime in East Texas, practiced by locals on one another, sometimes in jest, and on most strangers as a way of preventing social change? You like to use a rattlesnake as an example, right?Q. Does the increased use of artificial intelligence, which allows people to use special software to automatically write documents pose a threat to students learning how to write effectively?Q. I noticed a Facebook post in which you say that over the last five years you’ve mentored local elementary and middle school kids as a volunteer reading teacher, and that this year you had two pregnant 12-year-olds in school, both victims of incest. You write that “if you support overturning Roe, then you murdered those girls.” Comment further?Q. What are your thoughts about the supreme court? Should it be expanded?Q. How can people reach out to you and buy your book?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

At a basic level, are humans chasing wants but neglecting essential needs like health, a sense of belonging, a feeling that we are respected, trust, purpose, meaning? As our current era comes to a close, will we return instinctively to what really matters?Those are some core issues tackled on the Lean to the Left podcast by David Wann, an author, filmmaker, and speaker who is passionate about sustainable lifestyles and designs.He was a founder of the cooperative ("Cohousing") neighborhood where he's lived and gardened for 26 years. He's a proud husband and father who has recently adopted the title of "apocaloptimist." He knows how deep we're in but thinks we might make another evolutionary leap.In his first novel, "Tickling the Bear: How to Stay Safe in the Universe," David draws upon his experience as an organic gardener, founder of a co-housing community, and amateur musician to create credible characters who navigate a threatened world and find acceptance and clarity on how to live with gratitude.Altogether, David has written 10 books, including “Affluenza,” now in nine languages, which was followed by “Simple Prosperity”. A third book in the trilogy about creating a more sensible way of life is “The New Normal,” which presents 33 high-leverage actions that can shift our culture in a more sustainable direction.”David also has produced 20 videos and TV programs, including the award-winning TV documentary “Designing a Great Neighborhood,” about the Holiday neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado. He worked for more than a decade as a policy analyst for the U.S. EPA and co-designed the cohousing neighborhood where he lives, in Golden, CO.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

The International Energy Agency has reported that the world will add as much renewable energy over the next five years as it did in the past two decades, with renewables such as wind and solar overtaking coal as the largest source of energy generation worldwide by early 2025.That’s a significant development, so to bring it into context we have with us on the Lean to the Left podcast Jack Kerfoot, a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States.Jack has been interviewed on over 100 radio and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy related topics. This is his fourth appearance on the Lean to the Left podcast.Discussion questions:Why is the demand for coal, declining around the world?2. Which countries are the primary consumers of coal around the world?3. Is the United States reducing its consumption of coal? I4. Is the reduction in coal consumption impacting the United States greenhouse gas emission?5. Where and why are renewable energy projects, like solar and wind being developed?6. Are the volatile fossil fuel prices, the reason for inflation in the United States?7. What exactly are greenhouse gases and what generates greenhouse gas emissions?8. How do greenhouse gases cause global warming?9. What is the impact of climate change?10. What is the future of electric vehicles in the U.S.?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.