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Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics
Trump Administration
Donald Trump
Capitalism
Democracy
Elon Musk
Neoliberalism
Democratic Party
Fascism
Israel
ICE
Racism
Trump
Public Health
Authoritarianism
Education
Climate Change
Republican Party
United States
Immigration
Gaza

Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006. Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in eac... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1622Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Artwork for Best of the Left

Latest Episodes

Air Date: 6/12/2026

Today we examine how America caused a loneliness epidemic by tearing down the places where people used to find each other, how big tech is offering AI as a lackluster substitute for connection, and how people are building the op... more

Air Date: 6/10/2026

Today we explore how Taiwan's own people are stuck between the US and China. Fewer and fewer of them want to rejoin China but their faith in America is sinking just as fast as Trump treats them as a bargaining chip. Their own le... more

Air Date: 6–5-2026

Today we explore sportswashing past and present, from fascist dictators who first weaponized the World Cup to FIFA's modern extractivism model of corrupt capitalism, and why workers, unions, and fans are now organizing to reclaim... more

Air Date: 6–3-2026

Today we examine the AI industry's economic house of cards, the ideology Silicon Valley uses to sell a broken product, and the very real human costs being paid by workers, the lonely, and communities bulldozed for data centers no... more

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Recent Guests

Odette Kekossof
Reporter covering hate/extremism and related incidents
Correspondent (as discussed)
Episode: #1796 1.8 Billion for the Mob and a Kill List for Dissent: Trump's payout fund and counterterrorism strategy, decoded
Noah Horowitz
Federal law enforcement reporter
The Intercept
Episode: #1796 1.8 Billion for the Mob and a Kill List for Dissent: Trump's payout fund and counterterrorism strategy, decoded
Andrew Weissman
NYU law professor and author, discusses legal and constitutional perspectives
New York University
Episode: #1796 1.8 Billion for the Mob and a Kill List for Dissent: Trump's payout fund and counterterrorism strategy, decoded
Nick Terz
Senior reporter covering national security and foreign policy
The Intercept
Episode: #1796 1.8 Billion for the Mob and a Kill List for Dissent: Trump's payout fund and counterterrorism strategy, decoded
Dr. Fiona Havers
CDC physician-scientist focused on vaccine-preventable diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Episode: #1794 From MAHA to Measles: RFK's Public Health Purge Will Make America Sick Again
Delia Ramirez
Democrat from Illinois, advocate for DACA protections
U.S. Congress
Episode: #1793 Anti-Immigrant Brutality Costs Countries More Than Their Morals: ICE, Mass Deportation, and the Global Far-Right
Ayanna Pressley
U.S. Representative, advocate for TPS and immigrant rights
U.S. Congress
Episode: #1793 Anti-Immigrant Brutality Costs Countries More Than Their Morals: ICE, Mass Deportation, and the Global Far-Right
Rachel Gilmore
Independent journalist covering the Canadian far-right
Canadian media
Episode: #1793 Anti-Immigrant Brutality Costs Countries More Than Their Morals: ICE, Mass Deportation, and the Global Far-Right
Jensen Huang
CEO of Nvidia
Nvidia
Episode: #1792 Capitalist Class Warfare: AI, Billionaire Capture, and the How to Fight Back

Host

Jay
Host of Best of the Left

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • Episodes 1787-1790 only play advert before episode but do not play actual episode. Using Podcast Addict to play.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Deltapogee
    a month ago
  • 5.3.26

    Excellent podcast, love this podcast, thank you for all that you do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwestBlue
    United Statesa month ago
  • 9.14.25

    I love this this podcast of a compilation of great clips of good info/analysis as well as introducing us to what may be new outlets we didn’t know about and can add them to our listening/reading resources. Thank you! love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwestBlue
    United States9 months ago
  • 7.14.25

    Excellent guests, very informative. you dive deeper into subject matter than others bringing up new info and I appreciate that. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwestBlue
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellently Curated Program. I love getting all the different perspectives from all over the liberal and progressive media sphere.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Bauld G. Kobra
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Provides depth beyond typical clip-based shows.
Thoughtful, well-curated curation of diverse sources.
A must-subscribe for listeners who want a wide view of progressive perspectives.
Audience-friendly yet deeply analytical, with trustworthy sourcing.
Some listeners note pacing and critical style may feel dense to casual listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#245
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#180
Mexico/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#182
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#189
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#246
Colombia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#246
Spain/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#1796 1.8 Billion for the Mob and a Kill List for Dissent: Trump's payout fund and counterterrorism strategy, decoded
Q: What is the core concern about the anti-weaponization fund?
It could channel billions of taxpayer dollars to Trump allies or rioters with minimal public oversight, under a shadowy five-member board, and may bypass Congress and courts, risking civil liberties and accountability.
#1789 Boomcession: Why the Economy Looks Great on Paper and Hurts in Real Life
Q: How do focus groups reflect voters' economic concerns in the context of the Iran war and inflation?
Focus groups show broad anxiety about living costs and inflation, with voters feeling that Trump's policies have not delivered on promises to lower prices, and that the war is distracting attention from domestic economic needs.
#1770 Getting in the Fight Against ICE and Authoritarianism
Q: What can everyday people do to resist ICE and protect their communities?
People can form resistance groups, call their representatives, and take part in local actions to fight against ICE's practices.
#1770 Getting in the Fight Against ICE and Authoritarianism
Q: What role do faith communities play in the fight against authoritarianism?
Faith communities can use their moral authority to speak against power abuses, reminding people of the commandment to love.
#1128 Confronting Fascism in the Land of Free Speech (Throwback)
Q: Do you agree or disagree?
Lee Rowland expresses hesitation in fully agreeing with the critique of First Amendment prioritization, emphasizing historical perspectives on civil rights.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Best of the Left

What is Best of the Left about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show acts as a densely curated roundup of progressive perspectives on global politics, economics, and culture. Across episodes it threads together reporting on immigration policy, wealth and power, foreign interventions, and media ecosystems, often featuring journalists, lawmakers, and policy analysts who dissect policy impacts, media framing, and democratic accountability. The format tends to blend on-the-ground reporting with expert commentary and critical analysis of power structures, making it especially useful for listeners who want context-rich takes on current events from a left-leaning frame. Notable strengths include rigorous curation of diverse sources, a focus on systemic issues rather than single-issue takes, and a consiste... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Best of the Left?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Best of the Left:

1. Unf*cking The Republic
2. Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer
3. Ralph Nader Radio Hour
4. The Nation Podcasts
5. The Intercept Briefing

How many episodes of Best of the Left are there?

Best of the Left launched 20 years ago and published 1622 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Best of the Left?

Recent guests on Best of the Left include:

1. Odette Kekossof
2. Noah Horowitz
3. Andrew Weissman
4. Nick Terz
5. Dr. Fiona Havers
6. Delia Ramirez
7. Ayanna Pressley
8. Rachel Gilmore

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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