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!
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's Episode #174 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!
00:00-19:17: Joke John James/Trump Tax Cuts/Bridget Brink
MAGA Republican Michigan Congressman John James not only refuses to campaign in his run for Governor, or show-up to do his job in Congress, but he couldn't even be bothered to co-sponsor a resolution celebrating UofM's basketball team's national championship? We're in the Trump Regime's second year, and the economy is cratering for working class Americans. And, Pat highlights how the Democratic Party establishment is putting its might behind another supposed "moderate" over a progressive, working class candidate in the primary race for Michigan's 7th Congressional District.
19:18-46:59: William Lawrence Interview
Pat Johnston talks with William Lawrence, progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th congressional district. The district is currently held by MAGA Republican Tom Barrett, who continues to support The Trump Regime's anti-America First agenda in what is viewed as a toss-up district. Mr. Lawrence talks about his support for popular progressive policies, such as Medicare For All, opposing billionaire tech bro data centers, taxing the Epstein Class while ending Trump's War On Iran, and refusing to spend millions on Israel over the working class in America.
Visit William Lawrence's Campaign
Visit William Lawrence on Instagram
Visit William Lawrence on Facebook
47:00-54:17: Last Call MI Dem Senate Race
In the "Last Call," Pat shares a new poll showing a three-way statistical tie in the Democratic Senate Primary race between Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, and "Ms. AIPAC" Haley Stevens.
54:18-56:24: Ending
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Photo of William Lawrence speaking at Michigan Capitol courtesy William Lawrence For Congress
#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Election2026 #WilliamLawrence #Michigan #TomBarrett #BridgetBrink #WorkingClass #Republicans #MAGA #EpsteinClass #JohnJames #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DonorClass #Oligarchy #BigTech #DataCenters #Economy #BigBeautifulBill #MAGAMurderBudget #MedicareForAll #Israel #AIPAC #Gaza #Genocide #IranWar #Congress #SenateRace #AbdulElSayed #MalloryMcMorrow #HaleyStevens #AmericaFirst #Authoritarianism #Fascism #AbolishICE #Democracy #LeftofLansing
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 13, 2026.
The Centers For Disease Control reports that birth rates in the United States continued to drop for another year.
There's a few reasons why this is the case, including women wanting to focus on careers and have kids later on, and that less teenagers are getting pregnant (thankfully!).
But one MAIN reason why adults are choosing to have fewer kids, or no kids at all, is because we live in a country that's rigged the game for the billionaire Epstein Class against the working class.
LOL's Pat Johnston explains.
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 10, 2026.
The Consumer Price Index rose by almost a full percentage point, making the annual inflation rise to 3.3%, the largest in a few years.
Most of it is due to surging gas prices, thanks to The Trump Regime's and the Israeli right wing government's illegal war on Iran.
Combine this with the harm and damage The Regime, and its MAGA Republican Congress, have perpetrated on the working class with the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," and Trump's insane tariffs, it's no wonder working class voters are irate and demanding drastic changes to shift the scale away from The Epstein Class, and back towards the working class.
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's Episode #173 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast.
00:00-16:45: Trump-Israel Iran War Disaster/Where's John James?
LOL's Pat Johnston shares his theory as to why The Trump Regime created its dangerous Iran War "deadline" on Tuesday night instead of Monday Night. Pat shares how Israel's right-wing government has quite the influence inside The Trump Regime. He wonders where is MAGA Michigan Congressman John James, who's also running for Michigan's open Governor's seat? Seems like most MAGA Michigan Republicans, John James is avoiding the voters.
16:46-38:50: Kasey Helton on Dr. Abdul & Hasan Piker Rally
Livingston County progressive fighter, and union fighter, Kasey Helton shares her viewpoints of Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's campaign rally with progressive podcaster Hasan Piker at the University of Michigan this week. Kasey describes the excitement at the rally, and why corporate-establishment Democrats, like Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow, are sounding more like MAGA Republicans in their attacks against Dr. Abdul and Hasan Piker.
Visit Kasey on X
Visit Kasey on Instagram
38:51-44:40: Last Call On Dr. Abdul-McMorrow Primary Fight
In this week's "Last Call," Pat says the harsh civil war between the Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow campaigns and supporters was always inevitable. But, it's good to have this fight, and everyone should embrace it for various reasons.
44:41-47:52: Ending
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Vote on this week's "LOL Weekly Poll." Would you ever support a Democratic candidate if they accept AIPAC donations?
Photo of Kasey Helton with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed courtesy Kasey Helton
Photo of Dr. Abdul El-Sayed campaign sign courtesy Kasey Helton
#podcast #progressives #politics #Michigan #HasanPiker #AbdulElSayed #Election2026 #MalloryMcMorrow #HaleyStevens #Democrats #Primary #Republicans #MAGA #JohnJames #MikeDuggan #IranWar #Israel #Gaza #AIPAC #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #workingclass #EpsteinClass #PACMoney #MedicareForAll #Unions #GenZ #economy #Fascism #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 6, 2026.
Dear Leader Trump's heartwarming "Easter Message," in which he promised bloodshed if Iran didn't open the "F-n Strait," reveals MAGA's true values, and how that family values B.S. was always just for show.
But what are those true MAGA values?
Pat Johnston explains.
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
#podcast #politics #Progressives #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Easter #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #IranWar #EpsteinClass #WorkingClass #WealthInequality #ChristianNationalism #Authoritarianism #FamilyValues #AmericaFirst #Fascism #Israel #Democracy #LeftofLansing
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 3, 2026!
While establishment-corporate Democrats capitulated to MAGA Republicans in election-after-election, they can't be surprised why the nation kept creeping further and further to the right.
By refusing to take bold stances for the working class, and for marginalized citizens, Democrats ceded ground and allowed Republicans to control The Overton Window.
And rather than argue to working class voters what they stood for, establishment Democrats only argued why Trump and MAGA Republicans sucked.
How'd that strategy work-out for everyone?
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's Episode #172 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!
00:00-19:15: John James, Elissa Slotkin, & No Kings Recap
Pat Johnston opens this week talking about Trump's and the right-wing Israeli government's War on Iran, and how it's costing working class Americans while thousands of Michiganders are losing their health care and paying higher gas and energy prices. He covers how MAGA Michigan Republican Congressman John James, who's running for governor, has missed many votes while in Congress. He briefly covers why Progressive Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is brilliantly bringing progressive Hasan Piker aboard for a college campaign tour. And Pat recaps a couple of mid-Michigan "No Kings" protests.
19:15-49:00: Kyle Blomquist For Congress Interview
Progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan's 1st Congressional District Kyle Blomquist talks with Pat about his campaign for the northern Michigan seat held by MAGA Republican "Louisiana" Jack Bergman. Mr. Blomquist is running on a Medicare For All, affordable housing, abolishing ICE, and ending aid to Israel agenda. He explains how his progressive "America First" and working class agenda will help Democrats not only win in northern Michigan, but in other red areas in the state and country.
Visit Kyle's campaign on Instagram
Visit Kyle's campaign on Facebook
Visit Kyle's campaign on X
49:12-55:38: Last Call-MAGA Attacks Rx Kids
In the "Last Call," another MAGA Michigan state legislator makes-up stories about the successful Rx Kids program.
55:39-57:55: Ending
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Kyle Blomquist For Congress
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 30, 2026.
LOL's Pat Johnston reviews his stops at a couple of mid-Michigan "No Kings" rallies on March 28, 2026. Not only was attendance impressive, not to mention the numerous car-honking from supporters who drove-by the protests, but Pat noticed how protesters voiced their specific demands for change.
Those demands ranged from abolishing ICE and investigating The Epstein Class, to ending Trump's and the right-wing Israeli government's War on Iran while fighting against the Trump Regime's corruption.
Protesters argued for a new direction where the working class is finally represented and seen.
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 27, 2026.
It appears MAGA Michigan Congressman Tom Barrett is using the MAGA Grifting Game to help make both he and his wife some extra cash.
Politico and Michigan Advance report how Barrett's campaign arm paid for services to a local law firm, and an international political software company in 2023-2024, just AFTER his wife started working at both places! I'm sure that was just by sheer coinicidence and dumb luck, right?
Tom Barrett's scheme is part of the overall Michigan MAGA Grifting Game playbook that Pat describes in the "Friday Short."
And please, donate and help progressive Democrat William Lawrence's campaign to unseat Tom Barrett this fall!
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's Episode #171 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!
00:00-19:52
The current state of the Democratic Primary for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat will show the country where Democratic voters want to go in 2026. Pat Johnston talks about how progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed not only refused to accept corporate PAC money, but they also never took money from ICE contractors. The same can't be said for Ms. AIPAC, a.k.a. Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Also, the Trump Regime sends ICE into the nation's airports to perpetuate more chaos and fear on the working class. And working class Americans remain opposed to Trump's & Israel's War on Iran.
19:53-41:00: Leif Colt of Traverse Indivisible
Interview with Leif Colt, Communications Leader for Traverse Indivisible. Leif shares information about the "No Kings 3" march taking place in Traverse City at 1pm on March 28th. Leif explains what to expect at the march, and why it's important to show up either at the Traverse City march, but also to show-up at a "No Kings" rally or march near you. He also explains what Traverse Indivisible is about, and how it's part of the Indivisible movement's overall goal to give a voice for the working class in Michigan and the nation.
Click here for info on a "No Kings 3" rally in your area in Michigan.
Click here for Indivisible chapters in Michigan.
Visit Traverse Indivisible on Facebook
41:01-48:28: Last Call: Hall & Joe Tate Lansing Corruption
In the "Last Call," current MAGA Michigan Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall said some kind words for outgoing former House Speaker, Democrat Joe Tate. Pat explains why that makes sense since both worked to perpetuate constant corporate and government corruption in Lansing.
48:29: 51:20: Tigers/Ending
Pat gives his win total prediction for the 2026 Detroit Tigers!
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES:
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing for March 23, 2026.
Last week, we talked about how the Trump Regime's anti-clean energy agenda will lead to more deadly storms that Michigan's experienced in recent history.
This week, Pat Johnston explains how that anti-clean energy agenda is hurting working class Michiganders' economically. By gutting clean energy jobs and initiatives, the Trump Regime is gutting Michigan's economic security and future.
Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!
Left 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/@SpaceLeopard
Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
NOTES: