Left of Lansing
125 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsAn 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!
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Episodes
25: Guest: Julia Pulver, Democratic state house candidate for Michigan Legislature--1/20/2020
January 20, 2020 20:51 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBJulia Pulver talks with Pat Johnston about her quest for the state house seat in Michigan's 39th district. Ms. Pulver also covers health care, charter schools, and more. Pat describes why the 2020 state races are just as important as the Presidential election. And Pat talks about that green ooze on I-696 last month, and how it's the perfect metaphor for Republican environmental policies.
24: Guest: Christine Barry from Michigan Policast--11/2/19
November 02, 2019 23:08 - 54 minutes - 50.4 MBThe 24th episode of The LOL Podcast features Pat Johnston with an epic rant about how progressives can no longer afford to be "civil" anymore. They must Fight Back against 40-years of radical right-wing activism. Christine Barry from Michigan Policast joins Pat to discuss that topic, and other issues affecting Michigan. And then, Pat highlights how young people are shying away from the teaching profession in Michigan. [email protected]
23: Anna Clark--Author of "The Poisoned City: Flint Water & the American Urban Tragedy
September 27, 2019 23:39 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBHello fellow LOLers! Pat's back with a new podcast. This week, Pat hails Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for being one of the first voices to call for Trump's impeachment! Anna Clark is Pat's guest this week. She wrote: "The Poisoned City: Flint Water and the Urban Tragedy." And a district judge places a temporary injunction on Michigan AG Dana Nessel's rule that adoption agencies receiving state contracts can't discriminate against LGBTQ couples hoping to adopt.
22: Episode 22: Pat Explains How Koch-DeVos Policies FAILED for Everyone--Except the Rich
August 25, 2019 21:38 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBPat goes solo this week to share his thoughts on how the Koch-DeVos Libertarian Utopia has been an unmitigated disaster for everyone., He then explains Michigan's fights to fix our roads, schools, and environment is all about ending years of Republicans Running Michigan On The Cheap. And Pat highlights how the right wing is fighting to stop Michigan's new redistricting committee from ever forming.
21: Episode 21: Democratic State Rep. Jon Hoadley; And Pat says "cruelty" is the GOP Platform
August 17, 2019 15:40 - 40 minutes - 37 MBOn the 21st episode of the Left of Lansing Podcast, Pat highlights how "cruelty" is the top priority for the right wing. Democratic State Rep. Jon Hoadley talks with Pat about why he's running for U.S. Congress in 2020! And Pat praises Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib!
20: Emily Durbin: Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America--Michigan
August 10, 2019 21:32 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBPat Interviews Emily Durbin from the Michigan chapter for Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America. Pat also explains why the right wing points to "mental illness" whenever a right wing terrorist attacks America. Plus, Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow provides a rallying call to fight for real gun reform in Michigan.
19: Former Michigan DNC Chair Mark Brewer Interview; And Pat Talks Migrant Detention Centers
July 05, 2019 21:22 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBPat Johnston speaks with former Michigan DNC Chair Mark Brewer on Rick Snyder turning down Harvard appointment; voting rights; Whitmer & GOP budget fight; and the direction of Michigan's Democratic Party. Plus, Pat attacks anti-democratic Republicans. And, Pat criticizes national Democratic leaders for voting for Mitch McConnell's border bill.
18: Interview With Sharon Dolente from ACLU of Michigan On Voting Rights
June 22, 2019 23:56 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBPat Johnston talks with Sharon Dolente, who is the Voting Rights Strategist with the ACLU of Michigan. Sharon played a pivotal role in helping get the Promote The Vote initiative on the 2018 ballot, which won by overwhelming numbers. Pat talks about why Michigan Republicans are trying to stifle the vote rather than WIN votes. And Pat rants about how Medicaid Work Requirements are doing exactly what conservatives wanted by hurting working families.
17: Pat Rants About Flint Water Crisis Charges Dropped; GOP Voter Disenfranchisement Efforts; And More!
June 15, 2019 21:13 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBPat brings more progressive insight with an edge this week as he rails against Michigan GOP efforts to disenfranchise young voters, and Democratic voters, general. He delves into the reasons why charges have been dropped in the Flint Water Crisis. And he praises a couple of Michigan Congressional Democrats for finally joining the fight to impeach Trump!
16: Julia Pulver on Auto Insurance Reform & Running as a Progressive in a Red District
June 08, 2019 00:05 - 41 minutes - 38 MBJulia Pulver is this week's guest. Julia is an RN, political activist, and former Michigan State Senate candidate, barely losing in the 15th district. She shares her experience running a progressive campaign in a red district. And she doesn't hold back on her opposition to the recently signed auto insurance reform bill. I remind everyone about how Rick Snyder took part in the biggest political scandal--The Flint Water Crisis. And I praise Governor Whitmer for (so far) sticking to her promise...
15: Interview with Democratic state Senator Mallory McMorrow; And Pat criticizes Michigan's new auto insurance "reform bill
June 01, 2019 21:16 - 40 minutes - 37 MBPat interviews Michigan Democratic state Senator Mallory McMorrow from the 13th district in Oakland County. They talk about the generational divide between Millennials and older generations; Michigan GOP's fight to enact anti-women's health and anti-choice laws; her bill to ban gay conversion therapy; and why she voted against the auto insurance "reform" bill. Pat has a meltdown over that "reform" bill in his monologue. And Pat highlights good progressive stances by state AG Dana Nessel on L...
14: Justin Amash & Impeachment; Shady FCA-Detroit Deal; PFAS Fight; Measles; And Harriet Tubman
May 24, 2019 02:55 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBIt's Pat Johnston going solo this week. Pat talks about how Michigan Republican Congressman Justin Amash joined Michigan Democratic Congresswoman in calling for impeachment hearing on President Trump. Pat also share some Gen X cynicism over the new Fiat Chrysler jobs deal with Detroit. Democratic state Rep. Brian Elder proposes legislation to protect kids from measles outbreak. And Trump Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin delays the $20 Harriet Tubman bill until 2028. I wonder why...
13: Eclectablog's Chris Savage; And Michigan GOP's War On Women
May 17, 2019 01:44 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBPat goes on an epic rant against the Michigan GOP's decision to join in the national GOP effort to end the reproductive rights of women. Chris Savage from the progressive Michigan website, Eclectablog, joins Pat to further discuss the Michigan GOP's War On Women, and also why Michigan progressives must keep engaged in state politics, Of all weeks, this week illustrates that point. And Pat praises AG Dana Nessel for going after corporations that put PFAS in our water systems. leftoflansing@...
12: Susan Demas from Michigan Advance; Michigan GOP Proposing Insane Gun Bills
May 10, 2019 02:54 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBSusan Demas from Michigan Advance joins me to discuss state politics, and the progressive fight against Trump Republicans. Pat rails against the Lansing establishment press for failing to give progressives a voice. And Michigan GOP proposing insane gun bill! Visit leftoflansing.com
11: Dr. April Zeoli on Guns & Domestic Violence; State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky's "Bold" Progressive Speech; GOP Gerrymandering Ruled Illegal!
May 03, 2019 02:51 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBMSU researcher Dr. April Zeoli talks about her study on the relationship between guns and domestic violence. Pat celebrates how the Michigan GOP's gerrymandering game is deemed illegal by the courts. And he highlights the bold progressive leadership of State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky.
10: Episode 10: Lou Glazer from Michigan Future Inc. on Reinvesting in Michigan Economy.
April 26, 2019 03:57 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBLeft of Lansing Podcast--Episode 10: Lou Glazer from Michigan Future Inc. on preparing Michigan for the future economy. Plus, progressive policies are winning in Michigan!
9: In Defense of AG Dana Nessel; Interview with Erin Roberts from MCEDSV on Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April 18, 2019 22:50 - 35 minutes - 33 MBPat gives a strong defense for Michigan AG Dana Nessel, who's under attack by the Michigan right wing; Erin Roberts from the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence talks about how to reduce sexual assault in our society.
8: Chris Hackbarth from Michigan Municipal League on GOP Bill To Ban "Sanctuary Cities."
April 12, 2019 03:07 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBChris Hackbarth from the Michigan Municipal League talks GOP bills to ban so-called "sanctuary cities" in Michigan. Pat talks further about how attacking immigrants is the only priority in the GOP playbook. Plus, Pat covers how we must REINVEST in not only our infrastructure, but also schools, including teachers!
7: Sean McBrearty from Clean Water Action; Corporate Greed; Michigan GOP's Sexist Remarks
April 05, 2019 01:50 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBSean McBrearty from Clean Water Action joins the podcast. We talk about the controversial Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, and Gov. Whitmer's and AG Nessel's decision to shut down a tunnel project for the 65 year old pipeline. House Speaker Lee Chatfield's sexist remarks directed at both Whitmer and Nessel over their Line 5 decision. And how corporations gobble-up media companies and why.
6: Ingrid Jacques from The Detroit News; Campus Free Speech; Electoral College; GOP Lacking Ideas
March 29, 2019 01:40 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBPat Johnston talks with conservative columnist, Ingrid Jacques, from The Detroit News about college free-speech issues, changes to the electoral college system, and why Michigan women are voting more progressive. Pat highlights progressive changes happening in Michigan just this past week! And he highlights how both Michigan and national Republicans are lacking fresh ideas.
5: Rick Haglund from Michigan Advance; GOP Fear & Anger Playbook; Tigers Prediction
March 22, 2019 02:37 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBRick Haglund from Michigan Advance talks about Gov. Whitmer's proposals for Michigan's economic future, and the future of the auto industry. Pat talks about how conservatism relies on fear and anger. A pair of Michigan Democratic lawmakers introduce bills to help people. And, Pat gives his prediction for the 2019 Detroit Tigers!
4: David Hecker--American Federation For Teachers Michigan; Medical Pot Shops Are Booming; Don't Despair, Keep Fighting
March 15, 2019 02:33 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBPat Johnston talks Michigan education with David Hecker from the American Federation For Teachers Michigan; Medical pot shops are booming; Don't Despair & Keep Fighting!
3: Democratic State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky; Gov. Whitmer's Budget; Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's "controversy"
March 08, 2019 02:41 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBPat Johnston talks with Democratic state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky. She ran a progressive campaign and won. We talk about her journey, what she hopes to accomplish, and Governor Whitmer's budget proposal. Pat takes the Michigan GOP to task for its hypocritical stance against Whitmer's proposals to fix Michigan's roads, schools, and environment. Pat also shares a thought on the recent "controversy" surrounding Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
2: Jarrett Skorup from Mackinac Center; Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Fights For Michigan
February 28, 2019 23:30 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBInterview with Jarrett Skorup from conservative Mackinac Center For Public Policy. And Pat highlights how progressive Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is taking the battle to the special interests.
1: Left Of Lansing--Pilot Podcast! Progressive Voice For Michigan Politics
February 21, 2019 21:20 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBPat talks with Lonnie Scott from Progress Michigan in the pilot episode of the Left of Lansing podcast!