Podcast
Left of Lansing
Hosted by Left of Lansing · EN
An insight into Michigan's progressive political and pop cultural scene. Pat Johnston highlights how the progressive movement is helping shape Michigan's political landscape with opinion and interviews. It's time to make Michigan's political machine work for the people!
48episodes
Episodes
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409: Friday Short: Trump Regime's Gutting of Michigan's Solar & Wind Energy
3d ago00:05:24Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for June 12, 2026.Michigan continues to be one of the top states for solar installations even as The Trump Regime's been busy gutting solar and wind energy projects.At a time when the country needs as much energy as possible, and for cheaper prices, The Trump Regime is doing everything in its power to keep forcing fossil fuels on the working class. It's just more evidence showing how The Regime works more on behalf of The Epstein Class (which includes oil and gas industries), than it does for working Americans. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"Solar energy remains in demand, particularly in Michigan, industry group reports." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Michigan lost billions in climate-related investments in Trump’s first year." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "The Trump admin paid a French company $1 billion to not build offshore wind farms. Blue states are suing." By Ella Nilsen of CNN "Michigan House votes to undo Michigan clean energy standards." By Colin Jackson of Michigan Public Radio News #podcast #politics #Progressive #Democrats #CleanEnergy #WindEnergy #Solar #FossilFuels #Trump #Michigan #Republicans #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Oil #IranWar #WorkingClass #Economy #Jobs #Inflation #Prices #Energy #Authoritarianism #Democracy #WorkingClass
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408: The Establishment Machine's Fight To Stop The Progressive-Populist Uprising
4d ago00:44:27Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #182 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-16:10: The Establishment MachineLeft of Lansing's Pat Johnston cites another insightful article by Danielle Moody & Jared Yates Sexton from The DAM Digest (we mistakenly gave credit to Sexton's "Dispatches From A Collapsing State," but please visit there, too!), on how the political establishment wants to keep the working class trapped in a cycle of comfort. While The Epstein Class keeps gaining more power and more wealth as it's never being held accountable for its crime and corruption, political and corporate media elites join forces to blunt a progressive-populist movement. But as we're seeing across the nation, and in Michigan, the working class is beginning to rise-up by backing progressive-populist campaigns. 16:11-32:00: Establishment Machine Part 2Pat continues explaining the ways the elite corporate and political establishment machine keeps enriching their power and wealth while telling the working class there's not much they can do. Whether it's the Trump Regime's & Israel's War on Iran, or high inflation, or government working with data centers, or how Michigan political elites created cushy government pensions while working on decimating working class programs, The Establishment believes the working class will just accept the system as is. And it did for a long time, but not anymore.33:00-42:31: Why Pat Waves Stars & StripesIn the "Last Call," Pat explains why he proudly waves the American Flag, especially while living in these authoritarian times. 42:32-44:26: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"The Comfort of the Cage: Why America Chooses Complicity Over Accountability." By Danielle Moody & Jared Yates Sexton of The DAM Digest"41 former Michigan lawmakers collecting six-figure 'Cadillac' pensions." By Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News "UAW Endorses Secretary Jocelyn Benson and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Critical Michigan Races for Governor and U.S. Senate." By The United Auto Workers "Michigan Civil War Gov. Austin Blair is only person honored with statue at Capitol." By Alyssa Burr of MLive.com "Trump has a new, surprising take on the higher cost of living: ‘I love the inflation.’" By Josh Boak of The AP "House votes down Tlaib measure to withdraw U.S. troops from Lebanon." By Melissa Nann Burke of The Detroit News #podcast #politics #Progressives #Democrats #Michigan #Trump #Republicans #MAGA #workingclass #Establishment #Populism #Economy #Inflation #Jobs #IranWar #Israel #AIPAC #IranWar #Lebanon #War #DefenseSpending #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #DataCenters #BigTech #EpsteinClass #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens Donors #RashidaTlaib #GovernmentCorruption #GrahamPlatner #Election #Authoritarianism #Fascism #WhiteChristianNationalism #Democracy #LeftofLansing
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407: Monday Musing: Establishment Dems Fail At Learning Lessons
1w ago00:05:57Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for June 8, 2026.Some establishment Michigan Democratic officials, like former Attorney General nominee Karen McDonald, fail to learn why it is they aren't reaching Democratic Party base votes, as well as independent voters.McDonald suffered are stunning defeat against here progressive opponent, Eli Savit, at the party's nominating convention last month. But instead of realizing her message didn't resonate with Democratic and independent working class Michiganders, McDonald is starting what she calls a "Common Sense Coalition PAC."That's McDonald's way, and many corporate-establishment Democrats' way, of saying they know what's right and that THEY are the ones who should always be in power, even if they're on the opposite and extreme side of the party. So much for "VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO," right Karen? Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"Spurned by Dem convention voters, former AG candidate Karen McDonald launches ‘common sense’ PAC." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance
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406: Line 5 Shutdown Battle Continues, But It's Already Caused Massive Harm
2w ago00:48:24Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #181 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-9:57: Mike Rogers' Beta CampaignPat Johnston opens this week's show pointing-out how feeble MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers', really is as his campaign used Artificial Intelligence to give him a muscular body. These MAGA Republicans claim they're "manly men," but they're really just insecure little Beta men. Pat talks about how whenever he shares social media posts about Michigan progressive Democratic Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, he gets bombarded by a rush of racist and Islamophobic comments by MAGA voters. But they're following MAGA Republicans in Congress, who have no issue spewing their hatred and racism against Arab-Americans. And a Michigan Republican voted with Democrats to end the Trump Regime's, and Israel's, War on Iran. 9:58-31:00: Line 5 Jeffrey Insko InterviewDr. Jeffrey Insko of The Current returns to the show as he shares some of the latest news surrounding the fight to close the Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. They also discuss how Line 5 has negatively impacted Michigan's environment and public health. And they cover how the Trump Regime is working with the Canadian owner of Line 5 to keep it open for years to come. 31:03-46:01: Whitmer & Data CentersIn this week's "Last Call," Pat gives his take on Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's decision to heartily embrace hyper-scale data centers in Michigan. Gov. Whitmer declares the huge data center in Saline Twp. will be a long-term victory for Michigan. However, many working class Michiganders, as well as many Lansing Democrats, believe lining-up with the billionaire tech bro authoritarians will hurt Michigan in a number of ways. 46:01-48:24: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:Visit Oil & Water Don't Mix"Chemical Valley and the Line 5 Death Toll." By Jeffrey Insko of The Current "Supreme Court rules for Michigan in effort to shut down Line 5 but fight not over." By Associated Press (via Michigan Public Radio)"Michigan plans to reissue Line 5 permit amid federal review, court fight." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "Where’s a folder when you need one?" By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Gov. Whitmer addresses data centers day after Saline groundbreaking." By Arpan Lobo of The Detroit Free Press "Saline data center brings out bigwigs. Big day for Michigan or big betrayal?" By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan "Democrats Split on Saline Data Center Groundbreaking with OpenAI Founder." By Sam Robinson of Michigan Chronical "Iran vote caps Trump’s congressional losing streak." By Connor O'Brien & Leo Shane III of Politico #politics #podcast #progressives #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Michigan #Line5 #Environment #Jobs #WorkingClass #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #GreatLakes #ClimateChange #IranWar #Trump #Israel #Gaza #MikeRogers #AbdulElSayed #Economy #WilliamLawrence #TomBarrett #GretchenWhitmer #DataCenters #EpsteinClass #CorporateWelfare #TechBros #Authoritarianism #Democracy #Left of Lansing
Transcribe →405: Monday Musing: "Centrist" Dems Rather See MAGA Win Than Progressives
2w ago00:06:38Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for June 1, 2026.Pat Johnston explains why Democratic Party insiders are doing their best to block progressive-populists, like Michigan's Democratic Senate Primary frontrunner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and others across the country, from winning. These corporate-Democratic elites would rather fight to keep their cushy jobs in Washington D.C. and Michigan than really fight to represent the working class. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: Graham Platner’s wife ‘deeply hurt’ after extramarital sexting goes public--CNN Inside Politics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-cmlCwlXtU
Transcribe →404: Friday Short: Time To Nix The Mackinac Policy Conference
2w ago00:06:31Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 29, 2026.The Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference is over, and this year proved to be another example of why this corporate-friendly event is useless to working class Michiganders.Pat Johnston explains how it's main goal is to ensure enough MAGA Republicans and Democrats work in "bipartisan" fashion to ensure corporate interests are highlighted.That's otherwise known as business as usual in Lansing. It's time to end this conference on Mackinac Island, and the Mop-Up Michigan campaign to block utilities from donating to politicians might be a major first step in making such an event useless.Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNotes: "U.S. Senate debate at Mackinac Policy Conference exposes deeper debate over who gets heard." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Rogers defends Trump policies while pitching affordability fixes at Mackinac Policy Conference." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance
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403: More AIPAC Ties To Haley Stevens; Mop-Up Michigan Closer To Ballot; Mackinac Corporate Conference
2w ago00:36:47Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #180 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-14:47: AIPAC & Haley StevensPat Johnston shares even more stories revealing how AIPAC is using loopholes to funnel campaign bribes, or "donations," towards the corporate-establishment Democratic Party's pick for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat: Haley Stevens. Pat also talks about how, when the working class is suffering in The Trump Economy and when this nation's national debt keeps rising, the United States keeps shoveling more money and arms to Israel's right-wing government. That might be a good question for Haley Stevens to answer.14:48-26:27: Mackinac Conference Sham; Mop-Up MIWhile corporations wine and dine Michigan's elite political class, working class Michiganders turned-in over 500k signatures to put the "Mop-Up Michigan" ballot initiative on the ballot. Mop-Up Michigan would end utilities, like DTE and Consumers Energy, from making campaign donations. Unlike the useless corporate Mackinac Policy Conference, working class Michiganders are taking power in their own hands by hoping to finally end DTE's and other corporations receiving preferential attention in Lansing. 26:28-34:38: Trump Hurts MI TourismIn the "Last Call, " Pat covers how the Trump Regime is hurting international tourism in the U.S., and especially for Michigan, which shares a border with Canada.34:39-36:47: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNotes: "AIPAC has become a dirty word in Michigan's U.S. Senate race." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Over 562K signatures filed for proposal to ban campaign spending by utilities, state contractors." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Opinion | Time to ban utilities’ political spending, lower costs for Michiganders." By Democratic State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky and Christy McGillivray of Voters Not Politicians in Bridge Michigan "Nessel, Michigan Dems push Whitmer to confront Lansing’s ‘quid pro quo’ political culture." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Ohio data center tax break cost $1.4 billion more than expected in 2025." By Jake Zuckerman of Signal Ohio "Black Michiganders need answers in Michigan U.S. Senate primary | Opinion." By Michael Griffie in The Detroit Free Press "Pro-Israel PAC uses 'loophole' to quietly fund Stevens in Dem primary." By Grant Schwab & Melissa Nann-Burke of The Detroit News Photo of Grand Hotel courtesy: "Grand Hotel 2008" by Drdpw is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #MAGA #Republicans #HaleyStevens #AbdulElSayed #MackinacPolicy Conference #MopUpMichigan #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #MichiganSenateRace #Israel #AIPAC #War #IranWar #marginalizedAmericans #WorkingClass #CorporateDonations #DataCenters #tourism #Election2026 #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing
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402: Monday Musing: Why This Sudden Call To End Michigan Nominating Conventions?
3w ago00:05:23Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for May 25, 2026.Some longtime Michigan Democratic Party insiders are suddenly calling for an end to party nominating conventions. They'd rather see all statewide office races be primary elections rather than being nominated at these conventions.It's interesting how many establishment and corporate forces inside the Michigan Democratic Party are calling for this switch in the nominating process after the shallacking their candidates received at last month's convention.Pat Johnston explains how it's always about gaming the system for the establishment-corporate types inside The Party. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES: "Ex-Michigan party leaders: Time to ditch nominating conventions." By Jordyn Hermani of Bridge Michigan #podcast #Politics #Michigan #Progressive #WorkingClass #Democrats #DemocraticSocialism #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovenrmentCorruption #Unions #Detroit #Lansing #DTE #CorporateDonors #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Election2026 #Democracy #LeftofLansing
Transcribe →401: Friday Short: Why Mike Duggan's "Centrist" Campaign Failed In Michigan
3w ago00:05:57Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 22, 2026.Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his "independent" run to become Michigan's next Governor this week. Duggan cited poor polling numbers, the struggle to raise money against the Democratic and MAGA Republican Parties, and strong momentum for the Democrats this year as to why his campaign couldn't catch fire. But Pat Johnston explains the real reason Mike Duggan's campaign fell flat.It might've had something to do with how he refused to show how he'd stick-up for working class Michiganders while ensuring business as usual in Lansing's toxic corporate culture. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinClick here to vote on this week's "LOL Web Poll!"Notes:"Duggan drops independent bid for governor, remapping 2026 Michigan gubernatorial landscape." By Ben Solis and Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "How Mike Duggan’s independent campaign for governor fell apart." By Steve Neavling of The Detroit Metro Times #podcast #Politics #Michigan #Progressive #WorkingClass #DemocraticSocialism #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovenrmentCorruption #Unions #Detroit #Lansing #DTE #DataCenters #TechBro #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Election2026 #Democracy #LeftofLansing
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400: Haley Stevens & AIPAC; Trump Hurting Republicans; Joe Spaulding on Michigan Senate Race
4w ago00:57:53Tap to summarizeClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #179 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-16:51: Campbell Plant/AIPAC & Haley StevensPat Johnston immediately wonders how MAGA Michigan Republicans believe they will win in the midterms as working class Michiganders are heavily disapproving of Dear Leader Trump and the Trump Regime. And, Pat talks about how Democratic Party establishment types keep backing Congresswoman Haley Stevens despite her hearty embrace of corporate donations and AIPAC donations. 16:52-47:40: Joe Spaulding InterviewOttawa County progressive activist Joe Spaulding returns to the show. They talk about how Michigan isn't part of this gerrymandering battle thanks to the anti-gerrymandering ballot proposal that passed in 2018. Pat and Joe also share their disagreements and concerns regarding the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Race. Pat's already announced his support for progressive-populist Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, but Joe shares his worries and reservations if El-Sayed wins the primary. 47:41-55:30: Last Call-Spaulding Interview ReaxIn the "Last Call," Pat shares his reaction to his interview with Joe Spaulding.55:31-57:53: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinClick here to vote on this week's "LOL Web Poll!"Notes:"Appeals court weighs legality of orders extending Michigan coal plant life." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Feds renew order to keep J.H. Campbell coal plant open." By Dustin Dweyer of Michigan Public Radio"AIPAC has become a dirty word in Michigan's U.S. Senate race." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Jennifer Granholm backs Haley Stevens in Michigan US Senate battle." By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan "Opinion | Keeping coal plant online isn’t just costly, it risks Michiganders’ health." By Teresa Hamsi & Alexander Rabin from Bridge Michigan "What EPA’s PFAS rollback means for contaminated Michigan drinking water." By Nina Misuraca Ignaczak of Planet Detroit "Hormuz traffic doubles; Israel lobby takes down Thomas Massie; Nigerian military claims joint U.S. strikes killed 175." By Drop Site News "Police officers who guarded Capitol sue to block Trump's $1.8 billion 'slush fund.'" By Jan Wolfe of Bridge Michigan #podcast #politics #Election #Election2026 #Michigan #Progressive #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Economy #WorkingClass #FossilFuels #Coal #Energy #Affordability #ClimateChange #CleanEnergy #GasPrices #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #MalloryMcMorrow #MikeRogers #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DataCenters #ArtificialIntelligence #SCOTUS #ExpandThe Court #AIPAC #Gaza #Palestinians #Israel #IranWar #CorporateDonors #Populism #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing
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