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Lever Time

David Sirota
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Climate Change
Elon Musk
Joe Biden
Artificial Intelligence
Corruption
Kamala Harris
Private Equity
Economy
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Economic Inequality
Citizens United
Anti-Tax Movement
Amazon
Cryptocurrency
Bernie Sanders
Trump Administration
Supreme Court
California Tax Revolt

From LeverNews.com — Lever Time is the flagship podcast from the investigative news outlet The Lever. Hosted by the award-winning journalist, Oscar-nominated writer, and Bernie Sanders' 2020 speechwriter David Sirota, Lever Time features exclusive reporting from The Lever’s newsroom, high-profile guest interviews, expert analysis, ideas and opinions from the sharpest minds in media and politics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes251Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Artwork for Lever Time

Latest Episodes

Last week, California Democrats killed CalCare, a proposed single-payer health care bill. Will the state ever achieve its dream of universal health care?

Tom Steyer — a gubernatorial candidate who ran ads against single-payer health care in 2020 — s... more

Tax Day sucks — confusing forms, piles of receipts, and expensive tax prep software. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A simple fix called return-free filing, proposed by Ronald Reagan decades ago, could save Americans millions of hours and billion... more

YouTube

Right now, Big Tech is mobilizing a network of super PACs with more than $100 million in the bank to influence the 2026 midterm elections. Their number-one target? One of their own: a former Palantir engineer who's running for Congress in New York’s ... more

Hours-long TSA lines, air traffic controller shortages, and skyrocketing flight prices. Deadly crashes, failing safety regulations, and international threats. There’s no doubt about it: U.S. air travel has been a hot mess in 2026. How did we hit such... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew Ross Sorkin
Journalist asking questions and guiding discussion
CNBC / The New York Times (as referenced in transcript)
Episode: Tax Day Could Be Easy. They’re Fighting To Make It Hard.
Alex Bores
New York Assemblyman, running for Congress in NY-12
New York Assembly, District 12
Episode: Why Is The AI Industry Afraid Of Alex Bores?
Bill McGee
Senior Fellow for Aviation and Travel at the American Economic Liberties Project
American Economic Liberties Project
Episode: Why Congress Won't Stop Hijacking Air Travel
Ron Wyden
United States Senator from Oregon
U.S. Senate
Episode: Why Is The FBI Buying Your Location Data? (With Sen. Ron Wyden And Sean Vitka)
Sean Vitka
Executive Director, Demand Progress
Demand Progress
Episode: Why Is The FBI Buying Your Location Data? (With Sen. Ron Wyden And Sean Vitka)
Corey Bretschneider
Constitutional scholar
Professor, Constitutional Law
Episode: How Did The President Gain The Powers Of A King?
John Fuglesein
Comedian
Comedian
Episode: How Did The President Gain The Powers Of A King?
Shane Harris
The Atlantic staff writer covering intelligence and national security
The Atlantic
Episode: Did Iran Just Launch A Shadow War On American Soil? (With Shane Harris)
Hooman Majd
Iranian-American author and journalist
Author, journalist; NBC contributor
Episode: Who Sold America On The Iran War? (With Hooman Majd & Ryan Grim)

Host

David Sirota
Award-winning journalist and Oscar-nominated writer, known for his incisive commentary and expertise in political reporting.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Sirota Soars!

    Brilliant analysis of historical and current political malfeasance.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LunaCoffey
    United Statesa month ago
  • Liberal imperialist

    “Regime” “Regime” “Regime” while STILL peddling the lies about Iranian government killing tens of thousands during the riot (not protest). They published the names of those died in the riot, where is the evidence of yours?

    Also, not a single word on the horrendous war crimes committed by USrael but endless speculation on this already demonized nation.

    Canceling my paid membership.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crystalash
    United Statesa month ago
  • Essential

    Outrages against democracy and the people who know how to fight back

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jdjdms
    United States2 months ago
  • Moral Ambition

    I just listened to this episode. Excellent and thought provoking. We need to make doing the right thing fashionable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andmorri
    United States4 months ago
  • Great

    Trump is a comic book villain who would have never been taken seriously by an educated electorate. Lever Time does the best it can to keep listeners engaged, and is an antidote to the Trump plague. David Sirota is very serious and deserves to be heard. He supports Bernie Sanders, our only trustworthy politician of this century? Great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Iguhp80
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the podcast for its in-depth political analysis and investigative journalism, highlighting its relevance in covering crucial social issues.
Many appreciate the high-quality guests and serious treatment of complex subjects, making it a trusted source of information.
Overall, the show is seen as a vital platform for leftist perspectives, adding to the discourse around democracy and accountability.
Critiques have emerged regarding the relative lack of diversity among guests, suggesting a need for broader representation in topics covered.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tax Day Could Be Easy. They’re Fighting To Make It Hard.
Q: What is the central idea behind return-free filing and why has it faced opposition?
Return-free filing would allow the government to prepare your tax return using employer data and pre-filled forms, with taxpayers choosing to sign off or modify; it faced opposition from private tax-prep companies and some lawmakers who argued it would undermine market competition and raise policy questions about government reach.
Why Is The AI Industry Afraid Of Alex Bores?
Q: How did you manage to get your AI regulation bill passed in New York, given the enormous pushback from industry and allies?
I built broad coalitions—unions, advocacy groups, parents, and fellow lawmakers—while leveraging my technical background to explain the issues credibly. Early and ongoing engagement with critics, transparent drafting, and a clear national framework goal helped convert opposition into support.
Why Is The AI Industry Afraid Of Alex Bores?
Q: But to get to Congress, Bores will have to defeat a big smear campaign funded by the AI industry. What was it like to be the target of a $1 million attack ad campaign?
The attack materialized through constant mailers, text messages, and local ads that portrayed me as hostile to innovation, but the broader impact was to expose the industry's willingness to weaponize messaging; my focus stayed on communicating the real safeguards and how they would protect constituents, not just politics.
The Crime Crackdown Cop Out (With Alec Karakatsanis)
Q: What explains the disconnect between perceived crime and actual crime trends?
Alec explains it as the result of Copaganda: the media's volume of crime reporting and selective anecdotes create a perception of rising crime even when data show declines, compounded by a propaganda ecosystem that benefits those with power.
Did Iran Just Launch A Shadow War On American Soil? (With Shane Harris)
Q: What is shortwave radio and numbers stations, and why is a Farsi broadcast significant?
Shortwave radio transmits across vast distances, and numbers stations historically served as covert channels for spies; a Farsi broadcast signals that Iranian language activity is happening on the airwaves, prompting theories about who is transmitting and why.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lever Time

What is Lever Time about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A prominent platform for discussing contemporary political and social issues, this podcast covers a wide array of topics including civil liberties, government policy, corporate influence, and environmental justice. Noteworthy discussions involve the impact of technological advancements on society, particularly the interplay between big tech and politics, as well as in-depth investigations into pressing national concerns like systemic corruption and the intricate dynamics of the democratic process. The show features interviews with experts, journalists, and political figures, providing listeners with a multifaceted understanding of critical events, making it especially relevant for those interested in leftist commentary and investigative rep... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Lever Time:

1. Master Plan
2. The Intercept Briefing
3. Bad Faith
4. Drop Site News
5. The Chris Hedges Report

How many episodes of Lever Time are there?

Lever Time launched 4 years ago and published 251 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 Lever Time?

Recent guests on Lever Time include:

1. Andrew Ross Sorkin
2. Alex Bores
3. Bill McGee
4. Ron Wyden
5. Sean Vitka
6. Corey Bretschneider
7. John Fuglesein
8. Shane Harris

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