Bob Gatty from Lean To The Left discusses the true consequences of the Donald Trump government shutdown that derails the fight against cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Despite Trump's claims about preventing undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded healthcare, federal law already prohibits their eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or Affordable Care Act coverage.

Gatty reveals the actual human repercussions of the shutdown, including halted Alzheimer's and cancer research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The shutdown jeopardizes clinical trials, lab funding, and young scientists' careers. Gatty urges viewers to stand against the shutdown and highlights its detrimental effects on essential medical research. For more details, visit his article at LeanToTheLeft.net.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Trump's Shutdown Claim

00:12 The Reality of Immigrant Healthcare

00:24 Impact on Alzheimer's and Cancer Research

01:10 The Human Cost of the Shutdown

01:34 Call to Action and Conclusion

What happens when inanimate objects, like the Resolute Desk, and mythological monsters tell the story of Trump’s America? 🤯

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews author Barry Robbins, whose satirical books NO!, HELL NO!, and American Monsters offer a creative, humorous, yet deeply critical take on Donald Trump and the state of American politics.

📚 Robbins shares how his inspiration came from wanting to spark emotional reactions rather than intellectual debates—using satire to highlight the outrages of the Trump administration. From lamps and chairs to mythological beasts, his storytelling offers a unique lens on the chaos of recent years.

🌍 Having lived in Finland, Robbins also explains how experiencing social democracy firsthand shifted his perspective from corporate Republican to progressive, shaping his critique of America’s political divisions and the growing threat of authoritarianism.

🎙️ In this conversation, we explore:

• The origins of Robbins’ satirical books NO! and HELL NO!

• His mythological take in American Monsters

• How fear and manipulation drive politics in Trump’s America

• The impact of living abroad on his view of U.S. democracy

• Why America’s deepening divisions pose a dangerous future

If you’re interested in political satire, progressive perspectives, or simply want to understand today’s turbulent political climate in a new way, this episode is for you.

👉 Listen to the full conversation now and explore Barry Robbins’ books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Direct Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4gNhHyL

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Lean to the Left for more interviews, commentary, and progressive voices challenging today’s politics.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast

00:50 Introducing Barry Robbins and His Books

01:29 The Concept Behind Barry's Books

04:11 Political Violence and Barry's Perspective

04:35 Barry's Experience in Finland

05:38 The State of American Democracy

07:40 Trump's Influence and Responsibility

19:12 Barry's Latest Book: American Monsters

20:41 Where to Find Barry's Books

21:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Nearly 40% of Americans now identify as independents, reflecting deep frustration with partisan politics. In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, Bob Gatty speaks with Adam Brandon, senior advisor at the Independent Center and co-author of The Exhausted Majority.

Brandon shares his journey from leading FreedomWorks to shaping a new independent movement that seeks to disrupt the two-party duopoly. Topics include:

• Why independents are the “exhausted majority” of American politics

• The Independent Center’s strategy to influence Congress by 2026

• Opportunities for independents on state and national ballots

• The role of AI in transforming campaigns and civic engagement

• How millennials and Gen Z are driving a more policy-focused approach

👉 Don’t miss this conversation about independence, reform, and the future of American democracy.

🔗 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at LeanToTheLeft.net.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:01 Challenges and Strategies for Independent Voters

05:40 Gerrymandering and Independent Candidates

11:38 The Role of AI in Politics

13:24 Funding and Supporting Independent Candidates

17:30 Lessons from the Tea Party Movement

23:21 The Exhausted Majority: Upcoming Book

26:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts