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After nearly 850 episodes, I’ve made the difficult decision to bring the Lean to the Left podcast to a close, at least for the foreseeable future. My wife, Jackie, passed away on August 15 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, I’ve found it difficult to give the podcast the focus and energy needed to produce the kind of program my guests and audience deserve. At 83, and after producing just short of 850 episodes, I’ve decided it is time to step away and consider what comes next. Please view this short video for more information about what might come next. But, to everyone who has watched, listened, subscribed, shared our programs, appeared as a guest, or supported Lean to the Left over the years: thank you. For now, this is Bob Gatty, signing off for Lean to the Left. #LeanToTheLeft #BobGatty #PodcastFarewell

Largely due to Donald Trump's energy policies, electricity bills are climbing across the country. But according to conservative energy advocate David Jenkins, much of what Americans are being told about renewable energy in order to protect the fossil fuel industry simply doesn’t hold up. In this episode of Lean to the Left, Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, challenges some of the most common myths surrounding solar, wind, fossil fuels, and the reliability of America’s power grid. He argues that renewable energy is no longer the expensive, unreliable alternative critics often portray—and that in many cases, it is now cheaper than coal and natural gas. Jenkins also sharply criticizes Trump administration energy policies, including the cancellation of offshore wind projects and efforts to keep aging coal plants operating. He says those decisions can force utilities to rely on electricity that costs far more to produce, with the added expense ultimately landing on customers. The discussion also explores: Why wind and solar helped stabilize the Texas grid during extreme weather; How battery storage has changed the renewable-energy equation; Why some utility commissions may be protecting corporate profits instead of consumers; How fossil-fuel interests help fuel misinformation about renewables and electric vehicles; Why Jenkins believes conservation and responsible energy policy are fundamentally conservative values; What consumers can do when utility rates keep rising. Jenkins argues that the energy debate should not be about ideology. “There is no red or blue or right or left energy. Energy’s just energy.” And right now, he says, renewables often make the most economic sense. Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship works on energy, conservation, public lands, and wildlife issues. Learn more at ConservativeStewards.org. Chapters 00:00 Energy Bills and Renewables 01:28 Meet David Jenkins 01:36 Conservative Stewardship Roots 02:48 Myths About Reliability 05:07 Climate Change Reality Check 07:35 Trump Cancels Wind Projects 10:03 Coal Orders Raise Costs 13:31 Utility Commissions and Rate Hikes 15:27 Renewables Now Cheaper 17:32 Fossil Fuel Misinformation Machine 18:33 How Conservatives Fight Back 21:32 Get Involved and Closing Thoughts Subscribe to Lean to the Left for conversations that challenge political spin and dig into the issues affecting our lives, our democracy, and our wallets.

America is deeply divided politically and economically, and the debate increasingly seems to come down to two choices: capitalism or socialism. Chuck Marvin believes that’s the wrong choice. Marvin, a longtime construction-industry consultant and author of America 5.0: The Principled Revolution Ending Division, joins Bob Gatty on Lean to the Left to explain his Prosperity Through Equality proposal—a plan he believes could appeal to both progressives and principled conservatives. At the heart of Marvin’s contention is the belief that America’s economic system has been distorted by a complicated tax code filled with deductions, privileges and special treatment. His proposal would replace that with a single rate, eliminate deductions and special tax status, provide an income floor, establish universal healthcare, and require a balanced federal budget. Marvin describes himself as a committed capitalist, but argues that the United States no longer operates under genuine free-market capitalism because government tax policies create economic winners and losers. He says the goal should not be equality of outcomes, but equality of opportunity and equal treatment under the law. In this episode, Bob and Chuck discuss Marvin’s case for overhauling the tax system, his proposal for universal healthcare with no premiums, an $18,000 income floor, the impact of healthcare costs on entrepreneurs and small businesses, and why he believes both socialists and capitalists could find common ground in his approach. Marvin also explains how his experiences in the military, living in South Korea, working with immigrant construction crews and building a successful national business shaped his thinking about inequality, opportunity and the sources of America’s divisions. And while Marvin would like to see his ideas reach Washington, he acknowledges that entrenched political and special interests make that difficult. He believes meaningful change may ultimately depend on activists willing to push the issue from outside the political establishment. 📘 America 5.0: The Principled Revolution Ending Division is available on Amazon. Link: https://amzn.to/46beiFG 🌐 Learn more about Chuck Marvin’s work at ThePrincipledCapitalist.org. What do you think? Is America’s problem capitalism itself—or the way the system has been structured? Let us know in the comments. CHAPTERS: 00:54 Meet Chuck Marvin 02:36 Prosperity Through Equality 04:14 Tax Code Roots 06:22 Selling Both Sides 08:50 Healthcare And Income Floor 13:28 Nonprofit Distortions 16:59 Balanced Budget Revolution 21:24 Personal Journey To Tax Code 26:09 Book Profits And Where To Buy 27:52 Activists And Closing Thoughts #ChuckMarvin #Capitalism #Socialism #TaxReform #LeanToTheLeft

Child abuse doesn't end when childhood does. A child abuse survivor, Sheryl Hauk knows that firsthand. A retired educator, survivor of childhood sexual abuse and author of Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl spent decades keeping her own trauma private. Today, she is using her experience to fight for stronger protections, greater accountability and better support for abused children. In this powerful Lean to the Left conversation, Sheryl explains how childhood trauma can affect learning, relationships, physical and mental health, homelessness and a survivor's ability to function decades later. She also argues that America is failing abused children by underfunding prevention, early intervention and Child Advocacy Centers—and by maintaining statutes of limitations that can prevent survivors from ever holding their abusers accountable. Sheryl discusses her own extraordinary story, including the abuse she endured until age 18, how she finally stopped it, and why she eventually decided to speak publicly after years of silence. We also discuss: • Why many survivors do not disclose abuse until years or even decades later • The fight to reform statutes of limitations • How trauma can interfere with a child's ability to learn • Why perpetrators are often people children already know and trust • The critical role of Child Advocacy Centers • The shortage of resources for abused children • Why Sheryl believes prevention and early intervention make fiscal as well as moral sense • How creativity and music helped her survive • Her memoir, Piece by Piece, and the resources she now provides for other survivors Sheryl's message is ultimately one of both urgency and hope: childhood trauma can have lifelong consequences, but timely intervention, support and accountability can change lives. Learn more about Sheryl Hauk and her work at SherylHauk.com. Here's a link to her book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qCNck0 CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Sheryl Hauk 00:37 Survivor to Advocate 02:23 Hidden Trauma Costs 03:02 Prevention and Accountability 05:46 Statute Limits Fight 08:09 Trauma and Learning 09:47 Who Abuses Children 12:23 CAC Funding Crisis 15:03 Policy Priorities Debate 17:47 CACs and Recovery Support 20:18 How She Stopped It 23:33 Book and Resources 25:31 Closing Call to Action Subscribe to Lean to the Left for conversations about politics, public policy, social justice and the issues shaping American life. #ChildAbuse #ChildhoodTrauma #SherylHauk #ChildAdvocacy #SexualAbuseSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #LeanToTheLeft

Veterans are filing claims for benefits they earned — but some of those claims may be disappearing into what veteran advocate Steve Miller describes as a VA “black hole.” Miller, a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division and president of Wellness for Veterans, says claims submitted through veterans service organizations are being transmitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs but are not always being entered into the VA system. He says the result is that veterans are left waiting, sometimes for months, without knowing what happened to their claims. Miller says he learned about the problem from a VA representative and was told the system issue had been going on for at least four months. He also says veterans affected by the problem have not been notified. That matters because these claims can determine access to disability compensation, medical care, and other benefits for veterans injured or made ill during their military service. Miller has helped more than 800 veterans pursue service-connected benefits and says his work has helped secure more than $1.5 million annually for veterans — all without charging them for his assistance. In this Lean to the Left interview, Miller explains what he believes is happening, why he says veterans are being left in limbo, and why he wants Congress and the VA to act. Watch the full conversation and tell us what you think. Have you or someone you know experienced unexplained delays or missing VA claims? Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent interviews, political commentary, and conversations about the issues affecting Americans. #Veterans #VeteransAffairs #VAClaims #VeteransBenefits #MilitaryVeterans #VA #LeanToTheLeft CHAPTERS: 00:00 VA Claims Scandal Intro 00:45 Claims Lost in Limbo 01:53 Who Knows and Who Was Told 02:55 Why These Benefits Matter 03:58 Taking It to the Media 05:22 Politics and Accountability 06:12 Congressional Staff Should Help 07:12 Hotlines and No Resolution 07:37 Wellness for Veterans Mission 08:21 800 Vets Helped for Free 10:35 Beyond Claims Gear and Housing 11:16 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Mathew Toro is 32 years old—and says he is already preparing to run for president of the United States in 2036. Toro says this is not a sudden ambition, but a 16-year effort he began planning in 2020, when he was just 26 years old. He is building that effort around what he calls an “Economic Justice Revolution,” a proposal designed to return more corporate profits to the workers who helped create them. But will Toro develop the experience, organization, and credibility required to become a serious presidential contender? And by 2036, will an America battered by economic inequality, corporate power, political division, and distrust be ready for the kind of revolution he proposes? In this Lean to the Left interview, host Bob Gatty presses Toro about his background, qualifications, political philosophy, economic proposals, campaign strategy, education, foreign policy views, and the enormous challenge of building a credible national campaign. Toro explains his proposal to require highly profitable corporations to return 36 percent of their net income above $1 billion to their employees. Using Apple as an example, he argues that workers could receive substantial annual payments representing what he calls the true value of their labor. The discussion includes: • Why Toro began planning his presidential run in 2020 • His experiences with homelessness and economic hardship • Why he believes corporate greed and political corruption are connected • His plan to build a grassroots campaign through social media • Whether he would seek another elected office before running for president • His support for universal preventive healthcare • His views on labor unions and working-class power • The current Democratic Party and political polarization • How he would confront opposition from Congress and corporate interests • What he still must accomplish before voters should consider him qualified Toro acknowledges that he currently lacks the staff, funding, national organization, and political infrastructure required for a presidential campaign. But he insists the years ahead give him time to build a movement and establish credibility. “I’m barely half the man I’ll be in 2036,” he says, describing that election year as “a date with American history.” Will Mathew Toro be ready by then? And after another decade of economic and political upheaval, will America be ready for him? Watch the interview and decide for yourself. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for interviews, political commentary, and independent reporting focused on democracy, economic fairness, government accountability, and the issues affecting working Americans. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:28 Meet Matthew Toro 01:46 Origins of His Mission 03:59 Homelessness and Solutions 05:55 Why Aim for 2036 08:37 Corruption and Bipartisanship 09:40 Economic Justice Plan Explained 13:18 Is It Socialism 14:59 Unions Healthcare Housing 16:31 Building a Real Campaign 18:10 Books and Fundraising Online 20:09 Democrats and Misinformation 23:13 Getting Congress Onboard 27:10 Foreign Policy and Trump 28:24 Background and Weaknesses 30:05 How Voters Should Judge 31:32 Closing Thoughts and Farewell #MathewToro #Election2036 #EconomicJustice #WorkingClass #PresidentialElection #ProgressivePolitics #CorporateGreed #LaborRights #PoliticalInterview #LeanToTheLeft

Democrats must get tough to win Congress and defeat Donald Trump and his MAGA allies in the House and Senate, says longtime activist Patrick Reynolds. Watch four killer ads he produced to hammer Trump and his MAGA allies in the key House and Senate races that could determine control of Congress. The grandson of tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds, Patrick became nationally known when he turned against the industry that made his family wealthy and spent decades fighting Big Tobacco -- largely because RJR's products caused his father's death. Now, he's taken on a new political battle: helping Democrats regain control of Congress. As leader of the Congress Majority PAC, Reynolds argues that Democrats must fight harder, sharpen their message, and directly confront Trump and the Republican Party as a whole—not simply rely on traditional candidate-versus-candidate advertising. In this Lean to the Left interview, Reynolds explains what Democrats must do to win the critical House and Senate races that will determine control of Congress. You will also see four killer political ads Reynolds produced for use in key races across the country. The ads target: Donald Trump and his MAGA allies Republican policies on climate change The economy and cost of living Disaffected voters who no longer feel loyal to the Democratic Party Reynolds intends to place these hard-hitting, nationally relevant messages in the battleground races where they could make the greatest difference. Can Democrats finally stop playing defense, get tough, and win back Congress? Watch the interview, see the four ads, and share your reaction in the comments. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent political commentary, interviews, and analysis. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Trump Party Cold Open 00:11 Meet Patrick Reynolds 01:39 Why Start a Super PAC 03:30 Vote Democrat Ad Strategy 05:23 Privilege and Family Fallout 07:28 Tobacco Legacy and Disinheritance 09:58 Introducing the Ad Lineup 10:43 Ad 1 Anti Trump Message 11:50 Ad 2 Climate Change and Big Oil 14:07 Ad 3 Economy and Cost of Living 16:02 Ad 4 Disaffected Democrats 17:27 Whats at Stake and Call to Action 21:11 Closing Thanks and Support

The political aftermath of Lindsey Graham’s death sees South Carolina politics suddenly thrown wide open—but the political consequences could extend far beyond one Senate seat. In this special summer edition of Dixie Dems, Bob Gatty of South Carolina, Arthur Hill of North Carolina, and Robert Thompson of Georgia examine the fight to replace Graham, Donald Trump’s endorsement of Graham’s sister, and the Democrats hoping to capitalize on a rapidly changing political landscape. The discussion also covers: • Whether Democrats can pull off major upsets in South Carolina • Republican efforts to restrict early and Sunday voting in North Carolina • Growing election controversy and FBI involvement in Georgia • The campaigns of Roy Cooper, Jon Ossoff, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Jermaine Johnson, John Vincent, and Dr. Annie Andrews • Allegations involving voter-roll manipulation and so-called “ghost voters” • Why voters throughout the South should check their registration before the midterms Could Lindsey Graham’s death help trigger a political transformation in the South—or will Republicans tighten their grip on elections to protect their power? Join the conversation in the comments. Dixie Dems: The South has a voice—and it’s blue. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for progressive news, interviews, and political commentary from across the South. #DixieDems #LindseyGraham #SouthCarolinaPolitics #SouthernPolitics #Democrats #ElectionIntegrity #VoterSuppression #LeanToTheLeft CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome to Dixie Dems 00:35 Graham Death Fallout 01:11 Trump Endorsement Talk 04:09 GOP Field Opens Up 05:18 North Carolina Race Update 07:56 Election Board Power Grab 10:17 Turnout and Registration Surge 11:09 Georgia Election Fiasco Claims 15:00 Ossoff Humor and Debate Talk 17:13 Georgia Senate Stakes 18:36 Downballot Races Spotlight 19:19 Voter Roll Purges Warning 20:49 Martha Zoller Backstory 22:29 South Carolina Fry vs Vincent 24:03 Haley Talk and Upset Scenarios 26:01 Ghost Voters Investigation 28:50 How to Volunteer and Wrap-Up

Since Donald Trump constantly claims U.S. elections are rigged, can South Carolina trust its voter rolls? Following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina is preparing for a special election that could have major consequences for the state—and for control of the U.S. Senate. But before voters choose Graham’s successor, investigative journalist Alison Greene says South Carolina’s voter-registration records need close scrutiny. In this interview with Lean to the Left host Bob Gatty, Greene explains why she has begun filing public-records requests for county voter rolls across South Carolina and why she is recruiting volunteers to help compare those records before the election. In several other states, including Texas and Florida, Greene has found that indeed elections have been rigged, due to voter roll tampering that largely benefited Republican candidates, not Democratic candidates. Will she find the same in South Carolina? The discussion covers: • How legally registered voters can disappear from voter rolls • Why voters should verify their registration before Election Day • Concerns about inaccurate, fraudulent, or “ghost” voter records • How county-by-county comparisons can reveal suspicious changes • Why the final 90 days before an election may be especially important • What South Carolinians can do to help examine the records • Why election transparency matters regardless of which candidate wins Greene stresses that unusual voter-roll changes should be investigated, not automatically assumed to be illegal. Her goal is to identify potential problems early enough for election officials, campaigns, and affected voters to address them before ballots are cast. Whether Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews wins or loses, South Carolinians deserve confidence that every eligible voter can participate and that the result reflects the will of the people. To volunteer with Greene’s voter-roll research project, visit: itsuptous.grassrootsspeak.com This episode is part of the Lean to the Left Truth Under Attack series examining election integrity, investigative journalism, whistleblowers, and threats to democratic accountability. Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent political reporting, interviews, and progressive commentary. #SouthCarolina #LindseyGraham #ElectionIntegrity #VoterRolls #AlisonGreene #AnnieAndrews #GhostVoters #VotingRights #TruthUnderAttack #LeanToTheLeft CHAPTERS: 00:00 Special Election Stakes 01:09 Why Graham 2020 Looked Off 02:53 ES&S Machine Pattern 05:23 Shift to Voter Rolls 06:01 FOIA Plan for Counties 07:51 Voters Vanishing Example 10:42 How Roll Hacking Works 14:33 Ninety Day Danger Window 18:40 Volunteer Roles Needed 20:43 Ghost Voters and IDs 26:36 ERIC and Cross State Checks 28:33 Russian Fake ID Case 32:56 How to Help and Wrap Up 35:27 Truth Under Attack Outro

Why do Democrats so often lose the message war and allow Republicans to dominate the political conversation—even when Democrats and progressives have popular policies? Legendary progressive strategist and activist David Fenton says Democrats are practicing what amounts to “unilateral disarmament” in today’s information war. After more than 50 years helping movements win public support, he believes progressives must simplify their language, repeat compelling messages, reconnect with working people and build mass movements capable of defeating concentrated wealth and political corruption. In this wide-ranging Lean to the Left interview, Fenton explains why good policies do not sell themselves—and why Democrats must stop relying on academic language, insider terminology and messages that ordinary voters do not understand. Fenton discusses: • Why Republicans have become better at framing political issues • How simple language and repetition influence voters • Why Democrats must speak to affordability and working-class concerns • The danger of allowing specialized identity language to divide potential allies • Why the central struggle is not simply left versus right—but top versus bottom • How Democrats should connect climate change to higher costs and political corruption • Why effective metaphors such as “Make Polluters Pay” can move public opinion • How mass movements have changed America—and can do so again • What today’s activists can learn from Abbie Hoffman, the antiwar movement and decades of progressive organizing Fenton also shares hilarious stories from an extraordinary career that included the No Nukes concerts, the campaign to free Nelson Mandela, efforts to reform marijuana laws, environmental campaigns and work with activists, political leaders and cultural figures including his mentor, Abbie Hoffman, and Jane Fonda, Jesse Jackson, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen. His message is blunt: Democrats and progressives cannot win merely by being correct. They must learn how to communicate, reach a mass audience and give people a reason to join something bigger than themselves. David Fenton is the author of The Activist’s Media Handbook, available here https://amzn.to/4gDYmSH, and host of The Fenton Forecast podcast. Watch the full conversation, then tell us in the comments: What is the single biggest change Democrats should make in the way they communicate with voters? Subscribe to Lean to the Left for independent progressive commentary, political analysis and conversations with the people documenting—and shaping—America at a crossroads. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet David Fenton 02:00 Dropping Out Into Activism 02:46 Underground Press Days 04:13 Abbie Hoffman Lessons 07:37 John Sinclair Freedom Concert 08:49 Ann Arbor Human Rights Party 10:53 High Times To Rolling Stone 11:52 No Nukes And Starting Fenton 13:05 Why Progressives Lose Media Wars 14:24 Framing And Simple Messages 17:20 Climate Language That Works 19:40 Woke Sectarianism Debate 20:40 Stop Divisive Messaging 22:00 Socialism Label Problem 22:30 Woke Pitfalls and Attacks 23:16 Plainspoken Progressives 25:58 Climate as Cost and Corruption 27:32 Senate Map and Party Future 29:04 AOC Versus Old Guard 30:37 Fixing Disinformation Platforms 33:58 Trump Costs and Vance Threat 37:24 Podcast Book and Farewell

What if you arrived at your polling place on Election Day and discovered your name was no longer on the voter rolls? Investigative journalist Alison Greene returns to Lean to the Left to explain why that scenario may be more common than many Americans realize—and, more importantly, what voters can do now to protect themselves before the 2026 midterm elections. In this follow-up conversation, Greene discusses her ongoing investigation into voter roll irregularities, explains how voters can verify their registration, why provisional ballots matter, and how volunteers across the country are working to identify voters who may have been removed from registration lists. Whether you agree with Greene's conclusions or simply want to better understand how voter registration systems work, this conversation offers practical steps every voter should consider before heading to the polls. In this episode: ✅ What to do if your name is missing from the voter rolls ✅ Why checking your voter registration now matters ✅ How provisional ballots work—and their limitations ✅ Greene's nationwide volunteer effort to monitor voter rolls ✅ How citizens can help protect election integrity before the midterms If you believe every eligible American deserves the opportunity to vote, please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode. Previous episodes in our Democracy & Election Integrity Series: • Marcel Reid: They Want Us Silent — Why protecting journalists, whistleblowers, and truth-tellers is essential to defending democracy. • Lilli McGregor: Can We Trust the Vote? — The Election Truth Alliance examines alleged election irregularities and why they deserve closer scrutiny. • Alison Greene (Part 1): Ghost Voters? What Florida Investigators Found — Greene discusses her investigation into alleged voter-roll irregularities and explains why she believes they warrant further investigation. 🎙️ Lean to the Left with Bob Gatty features in-depth interviews and commentary on politics, democracy, healthcare, social justice, and the issues shaping America's future. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: What You Can Do Before the Midterms 02:01 Why "Cleaning the Voter Rolls" Can Mean Different Things 05:28 Ghost Voters vs. "Ghosted" Voters Explained 07:09 What Happens If Your Name Is Missing on Election Day? 10:03 Why Registered Voters Couldn't Be Found in Florida 13:02 Should You Bring Proof of Registration? 15:34 Building a National Voter Registration Database 16:39 How Citizens Can Volunteer to Help 18:17 Reviewing the "Ghost Voter" Investigation 19:12 Michigan Case and Other Election Investigations 23:21 Election Fraud Claims and Public Confidence 25:19 Funding the Technology to Protect Voters 27:14 The Plan to Restore Eligible Voters to the Rolls 30:19 Final Thoughts

Two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions may have far greater consequences than most Americans realize. One gives presidents significantly more authority over independent federal agencies. The other removes limits on coordinated campaign spending, allowing political parties and candidates to work together with far fewer restrictions. Individually, each ruling is important. Taken together, they may create new opportunities for wealthy donors to influence government policy and for presidents to reward political allies after taking office. In this commentary, Bob Gatty explains why these two cases should be viewed together—and why they could reshape American democracy for years to come. Do you agree? Or am I connecting dots that don't belong together? Let me know in the comments. 👍 Please Like 📺 Subscribe 🔔 Click the notification bell For more independent political analysis, visit: https://LeanToTheLeft.net CHAPTERS 00:00 Why these two Supreme Court decisions matter 00:53 Decision #1: Expanding presidential power 02:05 Decision #2: More money in politics 02:57 Why the two rulings belong together 03:01 The FTC example 03:57 What this could mean for American democracy 04:29 Final thoughts

What does South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Jermaine Johnson want to do if elected governor? In this 4-minute highlight reel, Johnson outlines his plans to improve roads, strengthen public schools, expand healthcare access, reform taxes, address affordable housing, regulate AI data centers, and tackle other key issues facing South Carolina. 🎥 Hear the full exclusive interview on the Lean to the Left channel. Do you think Jermaine Johnson's plan would move South Carolina in the right direction? Let us know in the comments. #SouthCarolina #JermaineJohnson #GovernorRace #Politics #Election2026 #LeanToTheLeft

South Carolina Democratic nominee for governor Dr. Jermaine Johnson discusses his plans for addressing key issues, including roads, schools, healthcare, taxes and more, in an exclusive interview with Lean to the Left. To bring voters into the discussion, this conversation is driven by questions submitted through social media, giving South Carolina citizens a chance to ask Johnson about the issues they care about most. Johnson says decades of one-party Republican control have left South Carolina with some of the nation's worst roads, struggling schools, limited healthcare access, and too many working families falling behind. His goal? To help bring South Carolina out of the political dark ages—and into a future with better roads, stronger schools, affordable healthcare, and greater opportunity. In this interview, Johnson discusses: ✅ Repairing South Carolina's crumbling roads and bridges ✅ Improving public education and supporting teachers ✅ Expanding Medicaid and increasing access to healthcare ✅ Reforming state taxes without hurting working families ✅ Increasing affordable housing and helping veterans ✅ Reducing gun violence through responsible firearm policies ✅ Protecting women's reproductive freedom ✅ Regulating AI data centers while protecting South Carolina's natural resources ✅ Increasing voter participation and restoring confidence in state government Johnson stresses the need for political candidates to tell the truth about what's realistically possible to solve problems, and not make unrealistic promises rather than make promises that can't be kept -- like eliminating the state income tax, which provides 50% of funding for the state's budget. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or simply concerned about South Carolina's future, this conversation offers an in-depth look at one of the state's most important elections. What do you think? Can a Democrat win South Carolina? Let us know in the comments below. 👍 Like this video if you enjoyed it. 🔔 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for thoughtful conversations with political leaders, investigative journalists, authors, and policy experts. 📤 Share this interview with friends and family across South Carolina. About Lean to the Left Hosted by veteran journalist Bob Gatty, Lean to the Left features independent journalism, insightful interviews, and progressive commentary on the issues shaping America today. Substance. Not Sensationalism. Visit LeanToTheLeft.net for more podcasts, articles, and commentary. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: Can a Democrat Win South Carolina? 01:02 Why Jermaine Johnson Is Running for Governor 03:00 Can a Democrat Win in a Red State? 03:45 Winning Independent Voters 05:05 Is Trump's Grip on South Carolina Slipping? 06:15 Tax Reform & The Income Tax Debate 09:25 Fixing South Carolina's Roads & Bridges 11:45 Education, Schools & Infant Mortality 14:05 AI Data Centers & "Bring Your Own Energy" 15:55 Abortion & Reproductive Rights 17:55 Gun Violence & Responsible Gun Ownership 19:45 Increasing Voter Participation 21:30 Helping Veterans & Affordable Housing 22:55 His Choice for Lieutenant Governor? 23:45 How to Support the Campaign 25:05 Final Thoughts #SouthCarolina #JermaineJohnson #SouthCarolinaGovernor #SouthCarolinaPolitics #Election2026 #Healthcare #Education #Infrastructure #MedicaidExpansion #LeanToTheLeft #BobGatty This interview was recorded in South Carolina as part of Lean to the Left's continuing coverage of the 2026 South Carolina governor's race.Jereymy Johnson Inter

In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty talks with podcasting expert Michelle Glogovac, founder of MLG Collective, author of How to Get on Podcasts, and host of multiple successful podcasts including Read the Damn Book, Kitchen Briefs, and Beyond the Campaign. Michelle explains why podcasting continues to grow despite intense competition, how independent podcasters can compete with major media personalities, and why trust is the secret ingredient that makes podcasts such a powerful marketing and communications tool. She also shares her remarkable journey from selling jet fuel to becoming one of the industry's leading podcast publicists. Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, author, activist, or aspiring podcaster, Michelle offers practical advice on launching a show, finding your audience, creating compelling content, and using storytelling to build meaningful connections. She also discusses the success of her fast-growing Kitchen Briefs news series and reveals how she manages multiple podcasts while helping clients secure guest appearances on shows around the world. In this episode: ✅ Why podcast listeners trust podcast hosts ✅ How podcasting can help grow a business ✅ The real costs of starting a podcast ✅ Competing against celebrity and corporate podcasts ✅ How Michelle built a successful podcast PR business ✅ Why storytelling is the key to audience growth ✅ Tips for entrepreneurs and authors seeking podcast exposure ✅ How short-form content is helping Michelle reach new audiences If you've ever thought about starting a podcast—or using podcasts to grow your brand—this conversation is packed with valuable insights. New to Lean to the Left? Subscribe for conversations with authors, journalists, activists, thought leaders, and newsmakers discussing politics, democracy, media, culture, and the issues shaping America.Can a successful podcast create a loyal audience, help grow your business, build trust with customers, and establish you as a thought leader? 👍 Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to support independent journalism and thoughtful conversations. And, to check out the three episodes in our Truth Under Attack series, here are the links: ✅ Lilli McGregor -- Can We Trust Our Elections? https://leantotheleft.net/podcast/election-watchdog-republicans-benefited-voting-irregularities/ ✅ Alison Greene -- Uncovering Ghost Voters -- https://leantotheleft.net/podcast/ghost-voters-florida-investigation-raises-alarm-even-beyond-the-sunshine-state/ ✅ Marcel Reid -- Whistleblowers, the Free Press & Democracy Under Attack -- https://leantotheleft.net/podcast/they-want-us-silent-marcel-reid-on-why-democracy-needs-whistleblowers-and-a-free-pressmarcel-reid-whistleblowers-free-press-democracy-under-attack/ CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction & Meet Michelle Glogovac 02:42 Why Podcasting Exploded During COVID 04:10 Why Podcast Listeners Trust Their Hosts 06:22 Competing Against Celebrity & Network Podcasts 08:15 Why Independent Podcasters Have an Advantage 09:25 From Selling Jet Fuel to Podcast Matchmaker 11:15 Building a Podcast PR Business 12:05 Beyond the Campaign & Kitchen Briefs Success 13:35 Michelle's Take on Politics, Trump & UFC 15:20 How Podcasts Help Small Businesses Gain Customers 17:10 Turning a Podcast into a Marketing Tool 18:00 The Pizza Shop Podcast Example 20:25 What You Need to Start a Podcast 21:15 Starting a Podcast for Less Than $100 a Month 22:20 How Michelle Produces Four Podcasts 24:15 Michelle's Book: How to Get on Podcasts 25:30 Repurposing Podcast Content for Growth 26:20 Why Every Creator Should Own Their Domain Name 27:45 Using Substack and Websites Together 28:45 Do You Need Guests on Your Podcast? 29:45 Bob's Famous UFO Reporting Story 32:20 Audio vs. Video Podcasts: Which Is Better? 33:30 Do You Need B-Roll, Graphics & Fancy Effects? 34:40 Music, Copyright & Podcast Production Tips 35:25 Can You Actually Make Money Podcasting? 36:25 SEO Tips for Podcasters 37:15 Michelle's Pod