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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
Elon Musk
Neoliberalism
Democracy
Democratic Party
ICE
Fascism
Israel
Racism
Trump
United States
Public Health
Authoritarianism
Climate Change
Gaza
Immigration
Christian Nationalism
Education

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1622Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Artwork for Best of the Left

Latest Episodes

Air Date: 7/4/2026

Today we examine what America has celebrated for 250 years and what it keeps refusing to look at. The Declaration promised government by the consent of the governed, but the Constitution protected slavery, concentrated power in e... more

Air Date: 7/1/2026

Today we examine how four months of American bombardment accomplished what decades of diplomacy never could, making Iran, still run by oppressive theocrats, a regional superpower. An Iranian woman told a reporter she endured the ... more

Air Date: 6/27/2026

Today we trace how one man went from receiving a $278 million government grant to becoming the world's first trillionaire who spent .025% of his wealth to get Trump elected, then used his position to slash programs that help peo... more

Air Date: 6/24/2026

The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! If you've been pulling back from the news for your own sanity, this one's built for you — a quick recap and reference guide to the past... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Atul Gawande
Former head of Global Health at USAID; Executive Producer of Rovina's Choice
New Yorker / USAID (former)
Episode: #1804 Elon Musk, the First Trillionaire, and the Broken System That Made Him
Norm Eisen
Founder and executive chair of the Democracy Defenders Fund, former Obama adviser
Democracy Defenders Fund
Episode: #1802 Department of Injustice: Revenge Prosecutions, Judges Threatened, and Incompetence All the Way Down
Joyce Vance
MSNOW legal analyst and former US attorney
MSNOW
Episode: #1802 Department of Injustice: Revenge Prosecutions, Judges Threatened, and Incompetence All the Way Down
Matt Plotkin
Former New Jersey Attorney General
Private practice / government service
Episode: #1802 Department of Injustice: Revenge Prosecutions, Judges Threatened, and Incompetence All the Way Down
Graham Platner
Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, insurgent outsider backed by Bernie Sanders
Maine Senate race
Episode: #1801 Counterfeit Populism: Trump, the 2026 Primaries, and the Era That's Ending (Transcript)
Sam Forrestag
Montana candidate backed by Bernie Sanders, smokejumper and union leader
Montana Congressional race
Episode: #1801 Counterfeit Populism: Trump, the 2026 Primaries, and the Era That's Ending (Transcript)
Abdul El-Sayed
Sanders-backed, Medicare-for-all advocate challenging the party establishment in Michigan
Michigan Senate race
Episode: #1801 Counterfeit Populism: Trump, the 2026 Primaries, and the Era That's Ending (Transcript)
James Talerico
Texas Senate candidate labeled by opponents as extreme; vegan campaign colorfully described
Texas Senate race
Episode: #1801 Counterfeit Populism: Trump, the 2026 Primaries, and the Era That's Ending (Transcript)
David Cobb
Political commentator referenced in discussion of Obama-era nostalgia and populist shifts
Commentary
Episode: #1801 Counterfeit Populism: Trump, the 2026 Primaries, and the Era That's Ending (Transcript)

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
    2 months ago
  • 5.3.26

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwestBlue
    United States2 months 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 States10 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
#157
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#194
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#215
Mexico/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#229
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#230
Denmark/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
South Africa/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.

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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. The Bitchuation Room
3. The Majority Report with Sam Seder
4. The Intercept Briefing
5. Ralph Nader Radio Hour

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. Dr. Atul Gawande
2. Norm Eisen
3. Joyce Vance
4. Matt Plotkin
5. Graham Platner
6. Sam Forrestag
7. Abdul El-Sayed
8. James Talerico

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