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Artwork for Lever Time

Lever Time

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes266Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Lever Time

Latest Episodes

Last week, The Lever’s David Sirota traveled to Michigan to meet with Democratic Senate candidate and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed, who has become a political lightning rod as he campaigns in one of the country’s most consequential pr... more

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Candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani swept the state’s Democratic primaries this week, to the chagrin of corporate interests and party elite. Pundits are calling the political insurgency “Blue MAGA” or “the Democrats’ Tea Party,” b... more

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California voters are poised to vote on a one-time billionaire tax that would fund schools, food assistance, and Medicaid. Silicon Valley is spending big to keep the precedent-setting initiative off the November ballot, but the campaign's most powerf... more

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Perhaps the key to understanding modern American politics isn't an academic think tank report, but instead rambunctious cult classic films, like Caddyshack and Animal House, that pit low-status underdogs against high-status bluebloods, preps, and joc... more

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Recent Guests

Zephyr Teachout
Law professor described as the godmother of dissatisfaction with the status quo in NY politics
Fordham University School of Law
Episode: What New York’s Socialists Know That Democrats Don’t
Bhaskar Sunkara
Editor of Jacobin and publisher of The Nation
Jacobin, The Nation
Episode: What New York’s Socialists Know That Democrats Don’t
Dave Regan
President of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West (UHW West)
SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
Episode: Why Is Newsom Fighting California’s Billionaire Tax?
Dan Brooks
Writer; author of The Movie Trope that explains Trump's political dominance
Politico / The New York Times Magazine / The Atlantic / Harper's / Politico
Episode: The Movie Trope That Explains American Politics
Jarrett Keohokalole
Hawaii State Senator and constitutional attorney
Hawaii State Senate
Episode: Hawaii Is Overthrowing Citizens United
Murtaza Hussain
Drop Site News reporter, contributing to Lever Time
The Lever, Drop Site News
Episode: The Spy Planes That Helped Jeffrey Epstein Take Off
Dylan Gottlieb
Author of Yuppies book segment
Author, Yuppies
Episode: The Spy Planes That Helped Jeffrey Epstein Take Off
Derek Davison
Co-host of American Prestige, foreign policy analyst
American Prestige
Episode: Will The Strait Of Hormuz Sink The American Empire? (With Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison)
Danny Bessner
Co-host of American Prestige, political scientist
American Prestige
Episode: Will The Strait Of Hormuz Sink The American Empire? (With Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison)

Host

David Sirota
Host of Lever Time, investigative journalist; long-time political writer and commentator.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • I subscribed

    Love the content but still getting ads after subscribing.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    BreadHead1962
    United Statesa month ago
  • Slow monotone, look alive!

    This podcast, The Drop Site, The Intercept, are actually very interesting, BUT, ALL THE PEOPLE TALKING IN AAAAAAALL of them seem to be falling ASLEEP!!!! I don’t know! Drink a coffee or something, all in a monotone, very soft, slow and mellow…. PLEASE! I can’t make such an effort to survive the soothing mood that bore me to death in order to try to hear the information you have.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Almost-deaf
    United States3 months ago
  • Sirota Soars!

    Brilliant analysis of historical and current political malfeasance.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LunaCoffey
    United States4 months 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 States4 months ago
  • Essential

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jdjdms
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners crave more balance and varied perspectives.
High-caliber guests and rigorous questions.
Strong investigative journalism with clear advocacy for reform.
Thoughtful, data-driven coverage of power and policy.
Deep dives that reward careful listening but can be dense for casual listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Is Newsom Fighting California’s Billionaire Tax?
Q: What is the core rationale for making this a one-time 5% tax instead of a long-term change in rates?
The guests argue a temporary measure can fund essential services now, prevent health care collapse, and create space to develop a more durable, long-term tax framework, while avoiding political resistance to a permanent structural change.
The Movie Trope That Explains American Politics
Q: Do you agree with that?
Brooks affirms that the Democratic Party has positioned itself as the defender of institutions and that this has helped Republicans frame the fight as a struggle between ordinary people and elites; he also suggests the need for a shift toward populist, material-focused messaging that resonates with working people.
Hawaii Is Overthrowing Citizens United
Q: How could this impact Hawaii politically and financially if implemented?
If implemented, it could reduce dark money and shell-corporation activity in state races, increase transparency, and potentially shift influence toward unions and individual donors, while leaving room for wealthy individuals to contribute directly to political causes and PACs.
Hawaii Is Overthrowing Citizens United
Q: What are the major legal hurdles or challenges expected for this law?
There will likely be a legal challenge based on First Amendment arguments about money as speech and corporate personhood, and the Attorney General's office previously raised concerns about defending the law, but supporters believe the state can withstand scrutiny given the historical and philosophical distinctions between corporations and individuals.
Will The Strait Of Hormuz Sink The American Empire? (With Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison)
Q: What are you optimistic about?
They express optimism about a potential 2028 realignment away from asset-holding capitalism, potential drawdown of bases, and a shift toward less militarized governance, hoping for systemic reforms that improve people's lives.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lever Time

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

A hard-edged political interview show that combines investigative reporting with sharp analysis of power, money, and policy. Across episodes, listeners hear deep dives into how political money, lobbying, and institutional dynamics shape campaigns, legislation, and public policy, alongside high-profile conversations with journalists, scholars, and policymakers. Notable strengths include rigorous scrutiny of complex topics (from electoral dynamics and court rulings to surveillance and war powers) and a willingness to challenge conventional narratives with data-driven context. The show tends to attract listeners who value progressive perspectives, investigative journalism, and policy-oriented debate, and often invites guests who can illuminate... 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. Ralph Nader Radio Hour
5. Drop Site News

How many episodes of Lever Time are there?

Lever Time launched 4 years ago and published 266 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. Zephyr Teachout
2. Bhaskar Sunkara
3. Dave Regan
4. Dan Brooks
5. Jarrett Keohokalole
6. Murtaza Hussain
7. Dylan Gottlieb
8. Derek Davison

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