I would follow this man onto any field of battle! 

He put aside his dreams of a career in music to raise hell in politics, and we are all better because of it!

My favorite small town, 4-H kid ❤️

Brandon: The Visa of the Left (because he's everywhere you want to be 🥁) Part 1

We 👏🏾are 👏🏾naming 👏🏾names👏🏾hunty👏🏾

lol but seriously, this is a good primer on the next big match between David (us) and Goliath (the rich assholes) in California, specifically.

Also, let's hurry along and do a luxury communism so Brandon can get back to making terrible heavy metal, k? 😬

Brandon: The Visa of the Left (because he's everywhere you want to be 🥁) Part 2

In Part 2 we explore the transition pains he experienced with his entrée into the corporate world, his "love affair" with SURJ and what it was like canvassing in GA in 2020.

Oh, and I promise I don't beat up on him this much IRL 😏

Dan: The Jilted Jesuit (Part 2)

This is a bit of a wild ride, for my man has LIVED.

Also, my bad for messing up either the recording or file saving (not sure where I dropped the ball). The last (and now, lost) part of our interview was really intense with emotion🥺

Alex: The Chancing Chamorro (Part 2)

The title of this guest's episode comes from a Diana Ross song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIkPH_L1JfM

Do note that, because I don't have good sense, I really wanted to title this episode thusly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IHUl8CwCvI

But poor Laksh doesn't deserve that, especially not after how I opened his interview 🤣🤣🤣

Laksh is the Chair of the SF Berniecrats Housing Committee and helps us make sense of the history of housing in the nation, as well as the state of California. And just as importantly, he keeps us apprised of the ever evolving state of play on our housing efforts.

Laksh: 🎵It's My House And I Live Here 🎵 (Part 1)

It's critical, probably more so than ever, to seize this moment for service workers (because of all of the things that Mari gets into about the conditions of workers *before* COVID, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic and recovery).

If you're interested in connecting with this organization and joining its efforts, please get in touch with One Fair Wage! https://onefairwage.site/

Service Workers of the World, Unite!

Maricela: In Service of Food Service Workers 👩‍🍳🧑‍🍳 (Part 2)

(Did everyone see what I did there with this episode title?)

I shouldn't have given him such a hard time at the beginning of this interview haha

Fayzan is a no non-sense kind of guy when it comes to campaigns (which is probably why we did so well in The Bay). But outside of the hectic setting of a presidential primary, quite a bit of fun!

Fascinating story here of a young man who had to navigate the social difficulties of enduring the divorce of his parents in his tight knit Muslim, Pakistani-American, Atlanta community (in which divorce is a huge taboo!) and how that shaped him in a number of ways as an adolescent. He got his first taste of political praxis on the erudite campus of Emory University through the organizing spearheaded by a dearly departed friend. And eventually, he was able to reintegrate and reclaim his Muslim identity through his political work.

Fayzan: Once Outcast in ATL to M4A Organizer (Part 1)

A one time Time Magazine covergirl, and all around taker of no prisoners, Lydia politely ignores my request for a detailed chronology of her life in exchange for a dynamic narrative on how her past and lineage influenced her arrival at being a water defender from SoCal to Standing Rock.

The orgs Lydia mentioned which are fighting Newsom's disastrous desalination plant plans are:
-Azul.com
-SoCal 350
-Sierra Club
-Sunrise
-Sunrise Water Watch
-Extinction Rebellion

Lydia: Our Water Defender & Standing Rock (Part 1)

***Part 2 is up on the Patreon! If you enjoy this work and would like to support, you can go to patreon.com/whatslefttodo and for $5/month get early access to my Part 2 interviews. Don't worry, if you can't swing the Patreon, all episodes will be unlocked after 30 days***

I could have easily spoken with her for another 3 hours. Malaika is brilliant and precise, in a way that helps me level up my own analysis on a number issues. I'm so glad I met her all those years ago in Atlanta, as a young 20-something navigating the uncharted waters of the post-Great Recession era. Little did I know, we would reconnect about a decade later when 🎶I looked over to the left🎶 👈🏾(kudos if you know that song reference)

Hers is a fascinating story of how her life began steeped in Black Nationalism through the prism of Black Liberation Theology growing up attending The Shrine of The Black Madonna in Atlanta, which informed her future pursuits. Everything from her epiphanies on anti-capitalism in college, through her post-grad education, political writing, and work with Operation P.O.W.E.R.

You can find her on Twitter at @malaikajabali and her website malaikajabali.com

Malaika: Always Bet on Black (Pt 1)

***Part 2 is up on the Patreon! If you enjoy this work and would like to support, you can go to patreon.com/whatslefttodo and for $5/month get early access to my Part 2 interviews. Supporting the Patreon is especially important this week, as I'm pretty sure Jared's wife will demand many expensive gifts from me as penance for getting him to speak so publicly about some of the unsavory days of his youth 😬😆All good if you're not able or willing to support just yet, all episodes will be unlocked after 30 days***

Buckle up, friends! We're about to go on a wild ride with Parts 1 & 2 of Dr. Ball's story.

In Part 1 it should become clear that he was born into a family of radicals which, in a way, overdetermined who he would become and the work he would do later in life. In Part 1 it should also become clear that no matter how wild/aimless/mischievous one is in their youth, there's always time to turn it around 😅 Even if/when an "accidental crack rock" is involved (this really happened. just listen).

Dr. Jared Ball: Of Myths And Men (Part 1)

***Part 2 is up on the Patreon! If you enjoy this work and would like to support, you can go to patreon.com/whatslefttodo and for $5/month get early access to the Part 2 interviews. All good if you're not able or willing to support just yet, all episodes will be unlocked after 30 days***

You'd be hard pressed to find a more committed thinker, writer, composer, epicurean, college educator and Atlanta Braves fan than one Dr. Joshua Myers. But his sports obsessed youth in Orangeburg, SC and period of being "anti-academic" didn't make his arrival, as such, a given. It took coming to Howard and missing out on a fancy summer internship to set him on his future path.

By this point, we've all heard of critical race theory, but Dr. Myers introduces me to critical university studies in Part 2. And how critical university studies informs the urgent need to dismantle the university (and racism).

Dr. Joshua Myers: Dialectically Dismantling The University (Part 1)

***Part 2 is up on the Patreon! If you enjoy this work and would like to support, you can go to patreon.com/whatslefttodo and for $5/month get early access to the Part 2 interviews. All episodes will be unlocked after 14 days, stay up to date with unlocks by hopping on our email list at whatslefttodo.com***

Like a fool, I thought this would FINALLY be the interview I could let my grandmother listen to, on account of me being on my best behavior speaking to a preacher 😇

WRONG. (And you'll understand why in Pt. 2) Rev. Melech walks in the tradition of radical religious leaders who study and think deeply about faith, justice and liberation.

But the road to becoming a renowned preacher was beset with setbacks throughout his early childhood, and chasing validation as a young minister coming into his own.

Melech: 🎶All God's Children Have Shoes 🎶(Part 1)

Join us on Patreon for Part 2: www.patreon.com/whatslefttodo

If Patreon isn't your thing, please join us in supporting this work with a contribution over at: www.whatslefttodo.com/support

Such a pleasure to be able to sit down with one of the left's most vocal media critics. Interestingly enough, his early life was shaped by the burgeoning worldview(s) of conservative talk radio deep in the heart of Texas.

You can find Adam's podcast @citationsneeded

Adam: Defending The Defenseless (Part 1)

Join us on Patreon for Part 2: www.patreon.com/whatslefttodo

If Patreon isn't your thing, please join us in supporting this work with a contribution over at: www.whatslefttodo.com/support

Second in the lineup of the September of Sanders Staffers is none other than Phil 'With These Hands' Agnew. As you probably already have seen or heard, Phil is a force on the campaign trail. And if you know his history, you know he REALLY comes alive as an organizer, activist and artist. I was surprised that we almost missed out on the Phil who developed into an organizer at college. But thank God that almost doesn't count 😉

Phillip: With These Hands, We Will Build (Part 1)

Join us on Patreon for Part 2 & a patrons only bonus track: www.patreon.com/whatslefttodo

If Patreon isn't your thing, please join us in supporting this work with a contribution over at: www.whatslefttodo.com/support

There is absolutely no introduction needed for this episode's guest. Briahna is an attorney turned journalist, who became the National Press Secretary for Bernie's 2020 campaign. 

Both Parts 1 & 2 are pretty lengthy, because ya girl has a lot to say (that we should closely listen to).

Briahna: Simple Drink In A Fancy Glass (Part 1)

Join us on Patreon for Part 2: www.patreon.com/whatslefttodo

If Patreon isn't your thing, please join us in supporting this work with a contribution over at: www.whatslefttodo.com/support

Thomas Frank is one of the most preeminent writers on the left, and heavy is the head that wears that particular crown. We get in to how he rises above being bitter about being boxed out of American media in Part 2. 

But Part 1 starts off with a fascinating history of healthcare and populism, which he researched for the new afterword in the paperback run of his latest book, "The People, No!". Then, we take it back to his days growing up in Kansas where one of the ways he was able to explore life outside of his squeaky clean suburban life was through bbq!

Thomas: The People Know! (Part 1)

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I hope you're like me, in that Aaron Maté's fastidious debunking of the farcical Russiagate conspiracy kept you sane(ish) over the last 5 years. But who is the man behind all of the truth telling? Glad you asked, and that this interview gives some (of the best) answers 😉

Aaron Maté: 'The Truth Is There' (Part 1)

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David Duhalde: Inside Man. Who hasn't he worked for? DSA, Our Revolution, union organizer, etc. David, the self professed "process troll," is the guy in the background doing the dirty work: building the left's capacity and infrastructure.

David Duhalde: Building The Playbook (Part 1)

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We kick off our Season 2 opener with Jamie Peck, one of the left's favorite (Communist) party girls. See what I did there?

Suffice it to say that Jamie has come a long way from her alienated suburban upbringing, where she struggled socially.

Jamie: The Communist Comrade From Connecticut (Part 1)

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Jason Myles, co-host of This is Revolution podcast, is who we will hear from this week. Buckle up for an interesting ride from the Bay to the Bayou and back, as we trace the undulations of his life and his curiosity about the world and its peoples. Also, if part 2 we fight (a little).

Jason: Left In The Wake of 2008 (Part 1)

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Chased this man down for two years and I finally got ahold of him to tell his story. This couldn't have happened at a better time, as he is running for Mayor of Oakland. I present to thee, future Mayor Greg Hodge. You can learn more about his candidacy here: https://www.hodgeforoakland.com/

Greg: For Aziza N 'Em ❤️ (Part 1)

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Walter Riley decided to live life on his own terms quite some time ago. First, as a young teen organizing sit-ins and other actions that led to the desegregation of the south. And later as a radical Marxist-Leninist labor organizer and civil rights attorney. (No wonder Boots turned out the way he did!)

Walter: Challenging This World As He Passes Through It (Part 1)

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You are now listening to the future of the left! Joe Thompson is leading the charge in the struggle to unionize Starbucks workers throughout the state of California. At 19 years old. If you are interested in getting connected to learn more about the union effort at Starbucks you can email: sbwca@gmail.com. And you can read more about their campaign for AD-28 at https://joeforassembly.org/

Joe: Starbucks Workers Of The World, Unite! (Part1)

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Eric Blanc is an organizer, activist, scholar and now writer. You've probably seen his byline in Jacobin, read his book 'Red State Revolt: The Teachers' Strike Wave and Working-Class Politics,' or subscribe to his Substack (https://substack.com/profile/4706080-eric-blanc). He, of course, grew up in San Francisco :-)

Eric: Struck By Strike Power (Part 1)

Join us on Patreon for Part 2 and a Bonus segment: www.patreon.com/whatslefttodo

I had the honor of interviewing one of the labor organizing giants of this age. Please meet and listen to Angelika Maldonado, former Chairwoman and current Vice President of the Amazon Labor Union. She is a leader, alongside Chris Smalls, who successfully organized a union election at Amazon's JFK 8 Staten Island warehouse. The fight is far from over, as you'll hear in Part 2. But, oh what a journey it's been thus far!

Angelika: It's Us Who Did It (Part 1)

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Eugene Puryear is a native of Charlottesville, VA which he left and never returned to after city life came calling. First, DC for college at Howard. Then the bright lights of NYC where he co-founded Breakthrough News.

Eugene: "It Doesn't Have To Be This Way" (Part 1)

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Brace Belden is the co-host of the very popular @TrueAnon podcast. Brace is also a nut. And an artist at heart. And a fighter. But mostly a nut. Take a listen. You may be surprised what you hear.

Brace: The Guy Who Goes With His Gut (Part 1)

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Chigozie may have lost the battle - his race for a spot on Newark's city council - but something tells me he will definitely win the war.

Chigozie: Bringing The Fight To Brick City (Part 1)

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There's a high probability that you like and read Jacobin Magazine; And if you don't, you will. Well, Bhaskar Sunkara is the guy who started Jacobin. Everyone's favorite Trinidadian Socialist (second to Kwame Ture, of course :-)

Bhaskar: The Journey Toward Jacobin (Part 1)

Inaugural episode with Liz. This is part 1 of 2.

Liz: Neoliberal No More (Part 1)

Part 2 of my convo with Alvin. Apologies in advance for his confusing taste in politicians he finds attractive :-(

Disclaimer: He has done his homework and has agreed to be back on in the new year to talk about how he thinks about this current political moment, and possible next steps.

Alvin: East Meets West, Apolitical to Left! (part 2)

Part 2 of my sit down with Holly. Something here for everyone: a practical approach to organizing, holding elected officials accountable, the false binary of electoralism v. everything else. Still chewing on everything we discussed.

(And apologies for subjecting you to me yelling at my roommates)

Holly pt. 2: Dude, where's my wages?

My part 2 discussion with Kat, where I finally understand why some first generation immigrants supported Trump, among (many) other things. 

If you're interested in checking out the charitable giving project she mentioned starting with her husband, you can go to: givewithfig.org

Pt. 2 Coach Kat's Communal Care ❤️

I got to sit down with the world's MOST GRAND Socialist, Doreen. Don't try this woman! If you're gonna come, come correct!

This was recorded at the end of 2020, and we were in the holiday spirit, sipping spirits (all day).

Hers is a fascinating story of growing up mixed race in Fiji, becoming a political activist as a civil servant and union member. Oh, and uh, her activism is what led to her being exiled from her native Fiji.

Also, I'm sure I'm not the only one who could listen to her lovely voice all day 😊

Doreen: The OG 🥂Champagne 🥂Socialist, Who Had To Flee Her Native Fiji (Part 1)

Stories from people all across the left. And now that we're here, we explore a big question: what's left to do?

What's Left To Do?

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