Shows
Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes PodcastThe Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption with David SirotaSenator Chuck Schumer posted this week in part, “Trump’s only principles are hypocrisy and corruption. Bombing unmarked boats in the Caribbean one day, pardoning notorious drug traffickers the next.” How can such high levels of corruption happen and what has led us to this point? Journalist and author David Sirota points out that the staggering levels of corruption that we’re seeing within U.S. politics right now is the result of a decades long agenda to essentially make anti-bribery laws unenforceable. Sirota is a co-author of “Master Plan: The Hidden Plot To Legalize Corruption In America” and the founder...
2025-12-0258 min
The Home FrontDissecting the Master Plan with David SirotaIn this discussion, Reed and David Sirota discuss his book 'Master Plan' and the systemic issues surrounding campaign finance in American politics. He delves into the historical context of the Powell memo, the evolution of campaign finance laws, and the role of the judiciary in shaping political engagement.
Sirota emphasizes the need for public financing as a solution to combat corruption and highlights the importance of grassroots movements in driving political change. The discussion also touches on the influence of the conservative movement on the Republican Party and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party in addressing...
2025-11-0457 min
Power At WorkPower At Work Blogcast #109: Corporations Undermining Democracy with David Sirota and Luc TriangleIn this blogcast, Burnes Center for Social Change Senior Fellow Seth Harris is joined by David Sirota of The Lever and Luc Triangle of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to discuss how some wealthy corporations are aggressively engaged in undermining democracy and how the labor movement is fighting back.In this episode, Seth, David, and Luc will discuss a new report issued by the International Trade Union Confederation — the ITUC — entitled “Corporate Underminers of Democracy 2025”, and new book titled "MASTER PLAN" by David Sirota. Seth, David, and Luc will discuss the report and book, al...
2025-10-201h 15
Master PlanThe Master Plan Book Is Here (With Trailer)
We’ve got big news — Master Plan is now a book!Master Plan: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America, co-authored by David Sirota and Jared Jacang Maher, is now available from all major booksellers. The 265-page book expands on the award-winning podcast with exclusive archival documents, new reporting, and never-before-seen photos. It tells the story of how corporate interests and political operatives spent decades reshaping American democracy — from Lewis Powell’s secret memo to Citizens United and the rise of dark money.In this short update, Jared shares w...
2025-10-1704 min
Lever TimeHow Ticketmaster Made It Impossible To Sue Them
Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment have drawn the ire of consumers — and the Federal Trade Commission — for exorbitant ticket prices, misleading hidden fees, and shady resale tactics. But losing your right to sue Ticketmaster or join a class action lawsuit is now just a click away. Hiding in the company’s new terms-of-use agreement, The Lever found a clause that forces ticket buyers into arbitration, a private judicial system rigged in favor of the company.Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with The Lever’s Luke Goldstein and anti-monopoly attorney David Sel...
2025-10-1345 min
Lever TimeHow Ticketmaster Made It Impossible To Sue ThemTicketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment have drawn the ire of consumers — and the Federal Trade Commission — for exorbitant ticket prices, misleading hidden fees, and shady resale tactics. But losing your right to sue Ticketmaster or join a class action lawsuit is now just a click away. Hiding in the company’s new terms-of-use agreement, The Lever found a clause that forces ticket buyers into arbitration, a private judicial system rigged in favor of the company.Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with The Lever’s Luke Goldstein and anti-monopoly attorney David Sel...
2025-10-1338 min
Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéSecret Meeting Files PROVE 50-Year Media Conspiracy w/ David SirotaThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.comSubscribe for the full episode at the bottom of the page. Watch a free preview here:Useful Idiots fan-favorite David Sirota returns this week with a new book that dives into the dark money plot for elites to take full and final control of mainstream media. Subscribe for the full interview with David on Bari Weiss’s takeover of CBS News, the rise of tech oligarchs in America, and David’s message for disgruntled leftists.Here’s a prev...
2025-10-1047 min
Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéFake Culture Wars, Billionaire Plots, & the Fall of Mainstream Media w/ David SirotaClick here for the full interview with David Sirota: https://www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/p/full-episode-secret-meeting-files?r=je5va&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=falseOrder David's new book Master Plan: http://levernews.com/bookYou can go to our sponsor https://aura.com/usefulidiots to try 14 days for free. That’s enough time for Aura to start scrubbing your personal info off these data broker sites, without you lifting a fingerSupport local jobs and get variety of high-quality clothing and activewear at https://www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first...
2025-10-1047 min
Dive Into A Full Audiobook That Is Simply Thought-Provoking.Scorched Earth by David SirotaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/245969to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Scorched Earth
Author: David Sirota
Narrator: David Sirota
Format: mp3
Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 10-02-25
Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars, 12 ratings
Genres: True Crime
Publisher's Summary:
In 2011, an Ecuadorian court issued a landmark $9.5 billion judgment against Chevron for decades of oil pollution in the Amazon rainforest. The ruling was celebrated as a historic win for Indigenous communities—and for the New York-based lawyer who helped lead the case, Steven Donziger. But Chevron never paid. Instead, the company fought back, accusing Donziger of fraud and waging an aggressive le...
2025-10-024h 29
Lever TimeTrump, Colbert, And The War On Truth (with David Enrich)Why did CBS cancel Stephen Colbert’s show mere days after the company settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump? Are Trump’s lawsuits part of a larger movement to crush dissent? And which other billionaires, corporations, and politicians are trying to bully critics into silence?Today on Lever Time, David Sirota speaks with New York Times journalist David Enrich, the author of the book Murder The Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful. Enrich brings listeners inside the legal movement to end Americans’ first-amendment right to express opposition to what’s happenin...
2025-07-2137 min
Lever TimeTrump, Colbert, And The War On Truth (with David Enrich)
Why did CBS cancel Stephen Colbert’s show mere days after the company settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump? Are Trump’s lawsuits part of a larger movement to crush dissent? And which other billionaires, corporations, and politicians are trying to bully critics into silence?Today on Lever Time, David Sirota speaks with New York Times journalist David Enrich, the author of the book Murder The Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful. Enrich brings listeners inside the legal movement to end Americans’ first-amendment right to express opposition to what’s happenin...
2025-07-2143 min
Lever Time8 Absurd Handouts Hiding In Trump’s Tax Bill (With David Dayen)You’ve likely heard about the slashed health care for millions of Americans. Hospitals defunded. Massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. But guess what? Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" is even more absurd (and devious) than you think. Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with David Dayen of The American Prospect and The Lever’s Luke Goldstein to dig into the hidden details: How did these crazy handouts make it into the Big Beautiful Bill? What’s the larger agenda? And how is this going to affect you?Read Luke Goldstein’s reporting...
2025-07-1440 min
Lever Time8 Absurd Handouts Hiding In Trump’s Tax Bill (With David Dayen)
You’ve likely heard about the slashed health care for millions of Americans. Hospitals defunded. Massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. But guess what? Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" is even more absurd (and devious) than you think. Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with David Dayen of The American Prospect and The Lever’s Luke Goldstein to dig into the hidden details: How did these crazy handouts make it into the Big Beautiful Bill? What’s the larger agenda? And how is this going to affect you?Read Luke Goldstein’s reporting...
2025-07-1447 min
Bad FaithEpisode 487 Promo - Elite Panic (w/ David Sirota)Subscribe to Bad Faith on Patreon to instantly unlock this episode and our entire premium episode library: http://patreon.com/badfaithpodcast Bernie 2020 speechwriter and founder of The Lever David Sirota returns to Bad Faith to confront a quickly emerging consensus among centrist politicos: "we were right all along." Now that the energy is behind a charming Socialist mayoral candidate, the Pod Save bros, Abundance Libs, & MSNBC "progressives" are all rushing to offer explanations for why Zohran Mamdani won that downplay his substantive politics and elide the fact that, for years, they have supported candidates who are the a...
2025-06-3006 min
Capitalisn'tHow The Democrats Lost Labor And Found Capital, with David SirotaThe Democratic Party has become too focused on appeasing its billionaire donors and has failed to communicate its commitment to the working class, argues long-time political journalist David Sirota. The question moving forward, he says, is if the party can ever refocus its brand orthodoxy from prioritizing social and cultural issues to economic populism.Sirota joins Bethany and Luigi to dissect the outsized role of money in American politics and how it has rendered Democratic messaging incoherent by prioritizing wealthy donors over the public. He describes the current moment of populist rage against the Democratic leadership, as...
2025-06-2649 min
The Katie Halper ShowWhat REALLY Caused LA Wild Fires w/David Sirota, Natali Segovia, Yasha Levine, Steven DonzigerFor bonus content, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-now-special-11972532
This special show on what REALLY caused the LA wildfires features David Sirota, Yasha Levine, Natali Segovia, Steven Donziger, Meagan Day & Josh Olson.
David Sirota is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author living in Denver, Colorado. He was nominated for an Academy Award for helping Adam McKay create the story for the film DON’T LOOK UP. Sirota is the founder and editor of The Lever, the creator of Audible’s MELTDOWN podcast and . the MASTER PLAN podcast.
Natali Segovia (Quechua) is an international huma...
2025-01-152h 21
Master PlanAn Announcement About Master PlanMaster Plan host David Sirota has a big announcement about a possible Master Plan Season 2. But we need your help. Go to masterplanpodcast.com
2024-12-2903 minMaster PlanFrom Lever Time: Sirota—The Health Care Crisis Is The Democracy CrisisIn this special episode from Lever Time, David Sirota reflects on the shocking murder of United Health CEO Brian Thompson and the surge of public anger it unleashed against America’s broken health insurance system. Tracing decades of broken promises and corporate influence—from the Clinton and Obama administrations to today—this audio essay explores the health care crisis as a symptom of a deeper democracy crisis and asks what it will take for Americans to finally demand change.Listen to the Lever Time episode Why America Is Mad As Hell About Health Care.
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2024-12-1716 min
Lever TimeSirota: The Health Care Crisis Is The Democracy CrisisDavid Sirota reflects on the shocking murder of United Health CEO Brian Thompson and the surge of public anger it unleashed against America’s broken health insurance system. Why hasn’t this longstanding outrage translated into universal health care — a system every other wealthy nation already has?Tracing decades of broken promises and corporate influence — from the Clinton and Obama administrations to today — Sirota looks at how political corruption has trapped Americans in a system that profits from their suffering. Drawing on JFK’s 1960s warnings about social stability and justice, this audio essay explores the health care crisis...
2024-12-1713 min
Lever TimeSirota: The Health Care Crisis Is The Democracy Crisis
David Sirota reflects on the shocking murder of United Health CEO Brian Thompson and the surge of public anger it unleashed against America’s broken health insurance system. Why hasn’t this longstanding outrage translated into universal health care — a system every other wealthy nation already has?Tracing decades of broken promises and corporate influence — from the Clinton and Obama administrations to today — Sirota looks at how political corruption has trapped Americans in a system that profits from their suffering. Drawing on JFK’s 1960s warnings about social stability and justice, this audio essay explores the health care crisis...
2024-12-1717 min
Economics & Beyond with Rob JohnsonDavid Sirota: Money Talks - The Erosion of Democracy in the Age of Billionaire InfluenceDavid Sirota joins Rob Johnson to examine the history and impact of money in U.S. politics, as explored in Sirota’s investigative podcast series, "Master Plan." Sirota discusses how a series of judicial rulings and policy changes since the 1970s enabled a system in which the voices of wealthy elites overshadow those of ordinary citizens.
2024-11-0753 min
Master PlanBONUS: The Master Planners’ Election (With Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse)
In a special Master Plan bonus episode, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins David Sirota to break down the impact of the Supreme Court’s’ 2010 Citizens United ruling on 2024's super PAC spending spree. The two dig into billionaires like Elon Musk openly backing candidates and the hidden power of dark money, and discuss current reforms efforts to bring transparency back to democracy. Plus, the Master Plan team answers audience questions.Binge the entire season of the award-winning Master Plan now. Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free episodes, score exclusive bonus content, and help support the show. Visit masterplanpodcast.com.
2024-11-0455 min
The Hustle Daily ShowDavid Sirota on the corporations that legalized corruptionLarge businesses and top CEOs in America spend huge sums of money on political campaigns every year. How do these contributions affect the business climate and can they harm smaller businesses? David Sirota, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Lever, investigated the origins of America's cozy relationship between major corporations and politicians for his new podcast Master Plan. He joins to discuss how corporate money and strategy paved the way for the American economy to be dominated by big businesses today.Join our host Mark Dent, for an in-depth conversation with David Sirota.
2024-09-1531 min
Lever TimeFear And Corporate Loathing At The DNC
The Lever’s David Sirota reports on his adventures at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, sharing his on-the-ground reporting on Democrats’ fear of another Trump presidency and their rhetoric loathing the corporate takeover of politics. Sirota spotlights the tension between the convention’s populist framing and its corporate sponsors footing the bill. Sirota also talked to Democratic senators about whether any of Vice President Kamala Harris’ policy promises can become reality without the Senate first ending the filibuster. In her convention address, Harris pledged that as president, she will center her agenda around workers — not the corporation...
2024-08-2447 min
Lever TimeFear And Corporate Loathing At The DNCThe Lever’s David Sirota reports on his adventures at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, sharing his on-the-ground reporting on Democrats’ fear of another Trump presidency and their rhetoric loathing the corporate takeover of politics. Sirota spotlights the tension between the convention’s populist framing and its corporate sponsors footing the bill. Sirota also talked to Democratic senators about whether any of Vice President Kamala Harris’ policy promises can become reality without the Senate first ending the filibuster. In her convention address, Harris pledged that as president, she will center her agenda around workers — not the corporation...
2024-08-2443 min
The InsurgentsUNLOCKED: Ep. 291: Will Biden Drop Out? ft. David SirotaNOTE: In lieu of a free episode this week, and given the holiday, we’re unlocking this conversation with David Sirota from earlier in the week. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing: https://www.insurgentspod.com/subscribe | A portion of the conversation is available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/t8ooAuFi98AAdditionally, Jordan put published an update on the push for Biden to step aside here: https://youtu.be/_zQAnjRgYZw | David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever, joins Jordan to talk about Biden’s poor debate performance which triggered calls from members of t...
2024-07-0548 minLever TimeThe World After Billionaire MediaToday on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with Semafor co-founder and editor-in-chief Ben Smith to grapple with journalism’s industry-wide reckoning — and explore why independent news might come out on top.There’s a crisis in journalism. Major media outlets like The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, NPR, and NBC News have laid off hundreds of staff this year, while other publications like Vice and Pitchfork have shut down their flagship websites. In January alone, one report estimated that more than 500 journalists lost their jobs — with local news outlets especially hard hit. One study found tha...
2024-06-2150 min
Lever TimeThe World After Billionaire Media
Today on Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with Semafor co-founder and editor-in-chief Ben Smith to grapple with journalism’s industry-wide reckoning — and explore why independent news might come out on top.There’s a crisis in journalism. Major media outlets like The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, NPR, and NBC News have laid off hundreds of staff this year, while other publications like Vice and Pitchfork have shut down their flagship websites. In January alone, one report estimated that more than 500 journalists lost their jobs — with local news outlets especially hard hit. One study found tha...
2024-06-2153 min
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar4/19/24: Israel Strikes Iran Risking WW3, David Sirota On Biden 2024, Saagar Interview w/ Arta MoeiniKrystal covers the breaking news on Israel striking Iran and the risks of WW3, then Krystal speaks with David Sirota about Biden 2024 economics and David's re-launch of The Lever Time podcast, and finally Saagar speaks with Arta Moeini about Gaza and International Moralism. To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: https://breakingpoints.supercast.com/ Check out David Sirota's Lever Time: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5JGVBTzwXHKlrbDhU54NqD?si=8b70b025dab746cfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...
2024-04-1939 minLever TimeDissent Will Not Be Tolerated in the Democratic PartyToday, we’re excited to announce the relaunch of The Lever’s flagship podcast Lever Time. In this week’s episode, David Sirota and Senior Podcast Producer Arjun Singh discuss the 2024 presidential election and the Democratic Party’s efforts to prevent a real primary challenge to President Joe Biden.Since 2008, the Democratic Party leadership has worked to suppress primary challengers and support incumbent politicians. That approach was on full display during the 2024 Democratic primaries, where the DNC worked with state affiliates to ensure that, in some cases, Biden’s two primary challengers didn’t even appear on the ballot.
2024-04-1932 min
Lever TimeDissent Will Not Be Tolerated in the Democratic Party
Today, we’re excited to announce the relaunch of The Lever’s flagship podcast Lever Time. In this week’s episode, David Sirota and Senior Podcast Producer Arjun Singh discuss the 2024 presidential election and the Democratic Party’s efforts to prevent a real primary challenge to President Joe Biden.Since 2008, the Democratic Party leadership has worked to suppress primary challengers and support incumbent politicians. That approach was on full display during the 2024 Democratic primaries, where the DNC worked with state affiliates to ensure that, in some cases, Biden’s two primary challengers didn’t even appear on the ballot.
2024-04-1936 min
Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast565. The Political Impact of 80s Pop Culture (with David Sirota)David Sirota, co-creator of the hit comedy Don’t Look Up, joins us to discuss his book Back to Our Future, about the political impact of ’80s pop culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-04-1255 minLever TimeThe Future Of Lever PodcastsOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota introduces the Lever’s brand new podcast, Master Plan, which tells the gripping inside story of how extremists and tycoons orchestrated a system of legalized corruption in America. Hosted by David Sirota, the first season of this investigative series traces the untold history of how a small group of operatives and oligarchs used vast wealth to manipulate key U.S. government policies for personal gain at the expense of everyone else. A transcript of this episode is available here. Master Plan will be released in the s...
2024-02-2207 min
Lever TimeThe Future Of Lever Podcasts
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota introduces the Lever’s brand new podcast, Master Plan, which tells the gripping inside story of how extremists and tycoons orchestrated a system of legalized corruption in America. Hosted by David Sirota, the first season of this investigative series traces the untold history of how a small group of operatives and oligarchs used vast wealth to manipulate key U.S. government policies for personal gain at the expense of everyone else. A transcript of this episode is available here. Master Plan will be released in the s...
2024-02-2210 minLever TimeThe Anxious Generation, Brought To You By SmartphonesOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by scientist Zach Rausch, lead researcher for social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the new book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.According to new research, children in the U.S. are producing lower test scores, becoming more easily distracted, growing less sociable, and are generally feeling more anxious than they were several years ago. Now, researchers are drawing a connection between these detrimental effects on childhood development and modern technology like smartphones. ...
2024-02-0848 min
Lever TimeThe Anxious Generation, Brought To You By Smartphones
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by scientist Zach Rausch, lead researcher for social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the new book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.According to new research, children in the U.S. are producing lower test scores, becoming more easily distracted, growing less sociable, and are generally feeling more anxious than they were several years ago. Now, researchers are drawing a connection between these detrimental effects on childhood development and modern technology like smartphones. ...
2024-02-0851 minLever TimeThe Wonk Attempting To Change Republican EconomicsOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Oren Cass, executive director of the conservative economics think tank American Compass, for a long-form discussion about Oren’s new brand of conservative economic policy — one that calls for empowering workers and labor unions, rather than crushing them into dust. According to American Compass’ website, their work focuses on “developing the conservative economic agenda to supplant blind faith in free markets with a focus on workers.”In today’s episode, David interviews Oren about his new vision for Republican economics, which includes the i...
2024-02-011h 02
Lever TimeThe Wonk Attempting To Change Republican Economics
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Oren Cass, executive director of the conservative economics think tank American Compass, for a long-form discussion about Oren’s new brand of conservative economic policy — one that calls for empowering workers and labor unions, rather than crushing them into dust. According to American Compass’ website, their work focuses on “developing the conservative economic agenda to supplant blind faith in free markets with a focus on workers.”In today’s episode, David interviews Oren about his new vision for Republican economics, which includes the i...
2024-02-011h 05
Lever TimeThe State That Could Cost Biden The Election
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with Hill Harper, a Democratic candidate for Michigan’s open senate seat, to discuss how the state could swing the 2024 presidential election.Michigan, which proved to be a key battleground in 2016 and 2020, is currently heavily leaning towards Donald Trump. That could spell trouble for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign — not to mention down-ballot races in a state that, until recently, appeared to be increasingly shifting blue. In today’s interview, David and Hill discuss the political stakes in Michigan, and how issues in the stat...
2024-01-2456 minLever TimeThe State That Could Cost Biden The ElectionOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota sits down with Hill Harper, a Democratic candidate for Michigan’s open senate seat, to discuss how the state could swing the 2024 presidential election.Michigan, which proved to be a key battleground in 2016 and 2020, is currently heavily leaning towards Donald Trump. That could spell trouble for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign — not to mention down-ballot races in a state that, until recently, appeared to be increasingly shifting blue. In today’s interview, David and Hill discuss the political stakes in Michigan, and how issues in the stat...
2024-01-2452 minLever TimeWe Need To Talk About ZionismOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Vox senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp, who recently authored a provocative article about how Israel’s mass violence against Palestinians in Gaza could prompt a backlash to right-wing Zionism and a resurgence of the “Liberal Zionist” political tradition. The modern debate surrounding Zionism tends to be fraught, accompanied by decades of historical baggage and confusion over the term’s many meanings. In a literal sense, Zionism is defined as, “the belief that there should be an independent Jewish state.” Today, the dominant concept of Zionism is embodied by...
2023-12-2159 min
Lever TimeWe Need To Talk About Zionism
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Vox senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp, who recently authored a provocative article about how Israel’s mass violence against Palestinians in Gaza could prompt a backlash to right-wing Zionism and a resurgence of the “Liberal Zionist” political tradition. The modern debate surrounding Zionism tends to be fraught, accompanied by decades of historical baggage and confusion over the term’s many meanings. In a literal sense, Zionism is defined as, “the belief that there should be an independent Jewish state.” Today, the dominant concept of Zionism is embodied by...
2023-12-211h 02
Lever TimeHow Big Oil Buys The News
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by award-winning climate journalist Amy Westervelt to discuss her recent bombshell report on how news outlets are raking in millions from the fossil fuel industry to produce greenwashed sponsored content. Amy’s report reveals how outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Reuters, and Politico work directly with the oil and gas industry to produce branded “advertorials,” which straddle the line between advertisements and editorial content. While this financial arrangement raises questions about journalistic biases and conflicts of interest, what’s more troubling i...
2023-12-1445 minLever TimeHow Big Oil Buys The NewsOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by award-winning climate journalist Amy Westervelt to discuss her recent bombshell report on how news outlets are raking in millions from the fossil fuel industry to produce greenwashed sponsored content. Amy’s report reveals how outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Reuters, and Politico work directly with the oil and gas industry to produce branded “advertorials,” which straddle the line between advertisements and editorial content. While this financial arrangement raises questions about journalistic biases and conflicts of interest, what’s more troubling i...
2023-12-1442 min
Lever TimePennsylvania Matters In 2024 (w/ Gov. Josh Shapiro)
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) to examine his first year in office as well as President Joe Biden’s poor poll numbers in the state. According to a recent poll, former president Donald Trump leads Biden in five of six swing states, including Pennsylvania. Yet even with Biden’s waning popularity, Josh Shapiro remains one of the most popular Democratic governors in the country right now. With the second most electoral votes among the swing states, what happens in Pennsylvania could end up spelling victory...
2023-11-0923 minLever TimePennsylvania Matters In 2024 (w/ Gov. Josh Shapiro)On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) to examine his first year in office as well as President Joe Biden’s poor poll numbers in the state. According to a recent poll, former president Donald Trump leads Biden in five of six swing states, including Pennsylvania. Yet even with Biden’s waning popularity, Josh Shapiro remains one of the most popular Democratic governors in the country right now. With the second most electoral votes among the swing states, what happens in Pennsylvania could end up spelling victory...
2023-11-0919 min
Lever TimeHow Conservatives Won The Courts
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by lawyer Caroline Fredrickson, who recently penned an op-ed for The Atlantic titled, “What I Most Regret About My Decades of Legal Activism.” As the former head of the American Constitution Society — the liberal counterweight to the conservative legal network The Federalist Society — Caroline speaks with David about the strengths and weaknesses of liberal legal activism over the last two decades.Caroline’s piece explores the past errors of the liberal legal movement, specifically how focusing on social issues like abortion rights ultimately s...
2023-11-0234 minLever TimeHow Conservatives Won The CourtsOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by lawyer Caroline Fredrickson, who recently penned an op-ed for The Atlantic titled, “What I Most Regret About My Decades of Legal Activism.” As the former head of the American Constitution Society — the liberal counterweight to the conservative legal network The Federalist Society — Caroline speaks with David about the strengths and weaknesses of liberal legal activism over the last two decades.Caroline’s piece explores the past errors of the liberal legal movement, specifically how focusing on social issues like abortion rights ultimately s...
2023-11-0231 minLever TimeThe King Of The ‘Self-Help’ GriftOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by journalist and Citations Needed podcast co-host Adam H. Johnson to discuss the contradictions and hypocrisies of the multibillion-dollar self-help industry — an industry that has long convinced people that unhappiness is an attitude problem, and not a societal issue that needs to be addressed at a systemic level.Adam’s recent story for The Lever exposed how one of the industry’s leading authors, Arthur Brooks, spent decades advocating for economic policies that have immiserated working Americans. As the former head of the American Enterprise Institut...
2023-10-1939 min
Lever TimeThe King Of The ‘Self-Help’ Grift
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by journalist and Citations Needed podcast co-host Adam H. Johnson to discuss the contradictions and hypocrisies of the multibillion-dollar self-help industry — an industry that has long convinced people that unhappiness is an attitude problem, and not a societal issue that needs to be addressed at a systemic level.Adam’s recent story for The Lever exposed how one of the industry’s leading authors, Arthur Brooks, spent decades advocating for economic policies that have immiserated working Americans. As the former head of the American Enterprise Institut...
2023-10-1942 minLever TimeThe Fog Of War In Israel And PalestineOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy think tank, and Daniel Bessner, an international studies professor at the University of Washington, both of whom served as foreign policy advisors to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, to discuss the deadly conflict unfolding in Israel-Palestine.In today’s media landscape, discourse surrounding war often falls along disparate ideological lines, polluted with instantaneous reactions and hot takes. More often than not, these practices often dehumanize the extraordinary destruction and loss of human life thes...
2023-10-121h 01
Lever TimeThe Fog Of War In Israel And Palestine
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy think tank, and Daniel Bessner, an international studies professor at the University of Washington, both of whom served as foreign policy advisors to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, to discuss the deadly conflict unfolding in Israel-Palestine.In today’s media landscape, discourse surrounding war often falls along disparate ideological lines, polluted with instantaneous reactions and hot takes. More often than not, these practices often dehumanize the extraordinary destruction and loss of human life thes...
2023-10-121h 05
Lever TimeHeat Is The Deadliest Type Of Weather
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Jeff Goodell, author of the new book The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet, to discuss recent deadly heat waves and how they’re a prelude to dangers to come.This past July was the hottest single month in recorded history. In the United States, temperatures rose above 120 degrees in several regions of the country, and ocean temperatures in parts of Florida reached 101 degrees, potentially shattering the world record for ocean heat.It’s not just the te...
2023-08-0354 minLever TimeHeat Is The Deadliest Type Of WeatherOn this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by Jeff Goodell, author of the new book The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet, to discuss recent deadly heat waves and how they’re a prelude to dangers to come.This past July was the hottest single month in recorded history. In the United States, temperatures rose above 120 degrees in several regions of the country, and ocean temperatures in parts of Florida reached 101 degrees, potentially shattering the world record for ocean heat.It’s not just the te...
2023-08-0350 min
DeconstructedLever Time with David Sirota Presents: The Stealth Supreme Court Rulings No One Is Talking AboutToday, we’re sharing an episode of the podcast Lever Time with David Sirota from our friends at the investigative news site The Lever. On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by law professor Stephen Vladeck, author of the new book, "The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic."The Supreme Court has received a lot of attention in the last several years for its extreme rulings on matters such as abortion rights, environmental regulations, and affirmative action. But there’s another very import...
2023-07-1845 min
Lever TimeThe Stealth Supreme Court Rulings No One Is Talking About
On this week’s episode of Lever Time, David Sirota is joined by law professor Stephen Vladeck, author of the new book, The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic. The Supreme Court has received a lot of attention in the last several years for its extreme rulings on matters such as abortion rights, environmental regulations, and affirmative action. But there’s another very important court procedure that doesn’t receive nearly as much attention: the aptly named “shadow docket.”These are the cases that...
2023-07-1348 minDeconstructedLever Time with David Sirota Presents: The Supreme Court Has A Billionaire ProblemToday, we’re sharing an episode of the podcast Lever Time with David Sirota from our friends at the investigative news site The Lever. David and The Lever’s Andrew Perez are joined by ProPublica journalist Justin Elliott, who recently co-authored an exposé detailing how Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito failed to disclose luxury gifts provided by billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer. This story follows ProPublica’s reporting from earlier this year about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who also failed to disclose gifts he received from his own billionaire benefactor, Harlan Crow. They discuss how these new revelations raise q...
2023-07-0340 minDeconstructedLever Time with David Sirota Presents: Pentagon Whistleblower, The Government Is Hiding “Non-Human” TechnologyToday, we’re sharing an episode of the podcast Lever Time with David Sirota from our friends at the investigative news site The Lever. David sits down with prominent investigative journalist Leslie Kean, who earlier this month published a blockbuster report about a potential secret government UFO effort. According to Kean and her co-author, a former U.S. intelligence official-turned-whistleblower recently gave Congress classified information about covert programs that he says possess intact and partially intact aircraft of non-human origin.Kean has become known for her diligent reporting on UFOs (they’re now officially called “unidentified anomalous phenomena,”...
2023-06-1951 min
The Katie Halper ShowAjamu Baraka & David SirotaTo here the rest of the discussion with David Sirota, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-david-84341781
Journalist David Sirota talks about why Biden's debt ceiling "victory" is actually a failure. But first Ajamu Baraka talks about war, imperialism and why the United States of America is a "gangster state."
Ajamu Baraka is human rights defender whose experience spans four decades of domestic and international education and activism, with roots are in the Black Liberation Movement and anti-apartheid and Central American solidarity struggles. He was the Founding Executive Director of the US Human Rights...
2023-06-0953 min
Lever TimeSocial Media Is Killing Our Kids — Sen. Chris Murphy Has a Plan
David Sirota sits down with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) for a wide-ranging interview. They discuss the proposed debt ceiling deal and whether Democrats could have done more to stop Republicans from holding the U.S. economy hostage. They also discuss Murphy’s key legislative focus: social media’s harmful effects on Americans, particularly children, and what can be done to stop it. According to a survey by Common Sense Media, teenagers report spending nearly nine hours every day in front of screens, 38 percent of kids ages eight to twelve say they use social media...
2023-05-3150 minLever TimeWhat Succession Taught Us About Corporate Media (w/ Frank Rich)On this week’s episode of Lever Time: David Sirota sits down with writer and executive producer Frank Rich to discuss the series finale of HBO’s Succession. As the award-winning series comes to an end this Sunday, David and Frank take a look at Succession’s role in popular culture over the last five years, particularly its satire of the media industrial-complex and the American political system. Frank explains how the show offers a larger commentary on power and influence but above all, tells a story about a broken family. David also asks whether it’s plausible...
2023-05-251h 01
Lever TimeWhat Succession Taught Us About Corporate Media (w/ Frank Rich)
On this week’s episode of Lever Time: David Sirota sits down with writer and executive producer Frank Rich to discuss the series finale of HBO’s Succession. As the award-winning series comes to an end this Sunday, David and Frank take a look at Succession’s role in popular culture over the last five years, particularly its satire of the media industrial-complex and the American political system. Frank explains how the show offers a larger commentary on power and influence but above all, tells a story about a broken family. David also asks whether it’s plausible...
2023-05-251h 05Lever TimeAOC Sounds the Alarm About Biden 2024On this week’s special episode of Lever Time, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) sits down for an extended interview with David Sirota. The two discuss the breaking news of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepting luxury trips from a billionaire Republican donor, which AOC says is grounds for impeachment (00:00), as well as the Biden administration’s "extremely risky and very perilous" swing to the right. They also tackle the railroad labor dispute, President Joe Biden’s support for a disastrous fossil fuel project in Alaska, how to pass Medicare for All, and the recent indictment of form...
2023-04-0750 min
Lever TimeAOC Sounds the Alarm About Biden 2024
On this week’s special episode of Lever Time, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) sits down for an extended interview with David Sirota. The two discuss the breaking news of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepting luxury trips from a billionaire Republican donor, which AOC says is grounds for impeachment (00:00), as well as the Biden administration’s "extremely risky and very perilous" swing to the right. They also tackle the railroad labor dispute, President Joe Biden’s support for a disastrous fossil fuel project in Alaska, how to pass Medicare for All, and the recent indictment of form...
2023-04-0754 min
Lever TimeThe Bank Regulator Who Was Blocked for Being Right
This week, David Sirota delves into the bank panic of 2023 with Saule Omarova, a Cornell Law School professor whose nomination to be one of the government's top bank regulators was blocked due to her opposition to deregulation. She was right about everything, as it turns out. Also, Matt Stoller joins David to explore alternative methods for securing deposits and advocate for policy-makers to rethink their relationship to the Federal Reserve. (09:12)Links:
Brian Stelter’s profile of David Sirota and The Lever in Airmail.
Last Friday’s live discussion with U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on the SV...
2023-03-2252 minLever TimeThe Bank Regulator Who Was Blocked for Being RightThis week, David Sirota delves into the bank panic of 2023 with Saule Omarova, a Cornell Law School professor whose nomination to be one of the government's top bank regulators was blocked due to her opposition to deregulation. She was right about everything, as it turns out. Also, Matt Stoller joins David to explore alternative methods for securing deposits and advocate for policy-makers to rethink their relationship to the Federal Reserve. (09:12)Links:
Brian Stelter’s profile of David Sirota and The Lever in Airmail.
Last Friday’s live discussion with U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on the SV...
2023-03-2248 min
RFK Jr PodcastOhio Train Disaster with David SirotaThe toxic train disaster in East Palestine, Ohio and government failure are discussed by RFK Jr and David Sirota in this episode.
David Sirota is editor in chief of The Lever; Oscar nominated for DON'T LOOK UP; Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign speechwriter in 2020.
More info: https://www.levernews.com/
2023-02-2541 min
Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéDavid Sirota vs Pete ButtigiegThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.comSubscribe for the full episode at the bottom of the page. Watch a free preview of our interview here:For all the Pete Buttigieg-defending Democrats who say that the chemical explosion in East Palestine, Ohio isn’t the chief regulator’s fault because Donald Trump repealed the Brake Rule, and for all the Trump-defending Republicans who argue that the Brake Rule wouldn’t have helped this crash because Obama sided with the chemical lobby to narrow safety requirements, David Sirota...
2023-02-2435 minUseful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéDavid Sirota vs Pete ButtigiegFor $5 a month, become a Useful Idiot! Get extended interviews, Thursday Throwdowns, and a chance to have your comment read on the show in the Absurd Arena at http://usefulidiots.substack.com
Or find us on Locals at http://usefulidiots.locals.com
Click here for the full interview with David Sirota: https://open.substack.com/pub/usefulidiots/p/david-sirota-vs-pete-buttigieg?r=je5va&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Join the Absurd Arena live chat with Katie and Aaron every Tuesday at 12pm est at https://usefulidiots.substack.com/chat
Watch this week's Thursday Throwdown: Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Biden...
2023-02-2435 min
Lever TimeWhat the Hell is Russell Brand Thinking?On this week’s episode of Lever Time: David Sirota breaks down The Lever’s recent reporting on the defamation lawsuit against Beto O’Rourke that could set a dangerous precedent when it comes to criticizing billionaires (4:45).Then, David is joined by comedian, actor, and author Russell Brand for a long-form conversation about Russell’s evolution from comedian to political content creator. In the last few years, Russell has built a significant online following, where his brand of anti-establishment, pro-spirituality intellectualism has garnered him more than six million subscribers on YouTube. David asks Russell about his ideological developm...
2023-02-0151 minLever TimeHow To Be Funny In 2022 (w/ David Cross)On this week’s episode of Lever Time: Andrew Perez sits down with Lindsay Owens, executive director of the progressive think tank Groundwork Collaborative, to talk about why the upcoming fight in Congress over the debt ceiling is so pivotal. Owens explains how inflation will play a role in the negotiations, and discusses whether or not President Joe Biden will allow the conflict to be used as an excuse to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits (7:32). Then, David Sirota is joined by comedy legend David Cross, known for his roles in Mr. Show and Arrested Development and one...
2022-11-301h 06
Lever TimeHow To Be Funny In 2022 (w/ David Cross)
On this week’s episode of Lever Time: Andrew Perez sits down with Lindsay Owens, executive director of the progressive think tank Groundwork Collaborative, to talk about why the upcoming fight in Congress over the debt ceiling is so pivotal. Owens explains how inflation will play a role in the negotiations, and discusses whether or not President Joe Biden will allow the conflict to be used as an excuse to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits (7:32). Then, David Sirota is joined by comedy legend David Cross, known for his roles in Mr. Show and Arrested Development and one...
2022-11-301h 10
Lever TimeTicketmaster’s Monopoly vs. Taylor Swift Fans
On this week’s episode of Lever Time: David Sirota discusses one of the country’s first-ever dark money disclosure laws passed during the recent midterms — Arizona Proposition 211 — and speaks with former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who has spent the better part of the last decade fighting to get the law passed (4:37). Then, David is joined by Jordan Uhl, who has been covering last week’s Ticketmaster debacle in which thousands of Taylor Swift fans learned the hard way what happens when antitrust law isn’t enforced. The two were also joined by Max Collins, frontman for the rock...
2022-11-231h 43
Lever TimeThe Midterm Shellacking That Never Was (w/ Krystal Ball)
On this week’s episode of Lever Time: It’s the day after the midterm elections! David Sirota and The Lever’s entire reporting staff break down all the key takeaways, including the big progressive wins, the stunning MAGA losses, the victories for abortion rights, the surprising exit poll data, and the important ballot measures that passed (4:57). Then, David is joined by Krystal Ball, co-host of Breaking Points, for a big-picture conversation about the election results. David and Krystal discuss shifting electoral trends, what the next two years of Biden’s presidency might look like, and what it all could me...
2022-11-101h 11
Lever TimeBONUS: Live From Pennsylvania — It’s The 2022 Midterms!
On this bonus episode of Lever Time: David Sirota is on the campaign trail tracking key Pennsylvania races in the lead-up to next week’s midterms. First, David interviews Summer Lee, the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district. David speaks with Summer about the flood of money that has been spent against her, first in the Democratic primary and now in the general election (:47).Then, David sits down with Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee for governor of Pennsylvania. David asks Josh about the future of fracking in the state, his running mate Austin Davis, his hist...
2022-11-0342 minLever TimeBONUS: Live From Pennsylvania — It’s The 2022 Midterms!On this bonus episode of Lever Time: David Sirota is on the campaign trail tracking key Pennsylvania races in the lead-up to next week’s midterms. First, David interviews Summer Lee, the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district. David speaks with Summer about the flood of money that has been spent against her, first in the Democratic primary and now in the general election (:47).Then, David sits down with Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee for governor of Pennsylvania. David asks Josh about the future of fracking in the state, his running mate Austin Davis, his hist...
2022-11-0338 min
Lever TimeThe Battle To End Dark Money (w/ Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse)
On this week’s episode of Lever Time: David Sirota is joined by Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who also serves as the chair of the Democratic Secretaries of State Association. David and Jena discuss the slate of election-denying Republican candidates who are running to oversee their state’s elections, and why the results of this year’s secretaries of state races are so vital (7:46). Then, David and Andrew Perez sit down with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) to talk about his new book, The Scheme: How the Right Wing Used Dark Money to Capture the Supreme Court, and wh...
2022-11-021h 05
Lever TimeExposing The Biggest Political Donation In U.S. History
On this week’s episode of Lever Time: David Sirota breaks down The Lever’s blockbuster story detailing the largest political donation in U.S. history — $1.6 billion — and how that money found its way into the hands of Leonard Leo, the man responsible for packing the Supreme Court with right-wing extremists. David is joined by The Lever’s Andrew Perez, who uncovered the donation, as well as ProPublica’s Andy Kroll and Justin Elliott, who co-wrote the resulting story with Andrew (3:34). Then, David interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert about how Republicans became the party of climate denial and obstruction...
2022-08-241h 11
New Books in Politics and PolemicsDon’t Look Left: A Discussion with David Sirota, writer of "Don't Look Up"Why does the democratic establishment always avoid turning left, even when it might mean a political win? Gordon asks David Sirota. Sirota is behind the smash-hit Netflix movie Don’t Look Up! Even if you weren’t a fan of that movie this is worth a listen, because David is more than just a screenwriter. He’s a journalist who doesn’t limit his journalism to one kind of storytelling.David has written for The Guardian and for Jacobin, but he is also host and co-writer of investigative podcast series Meltdown, which documented how Obama’s lacklustre response to...
2022-08-1546 min
New Books in JournalismDon’t Look Left: A Discussion with David Sirota, writer of "Don't Look Up"Why does the democratic establishment always avoid turning left, even when it might mean a political win? Gordon asks David Sirota. Sirota is behind the smash-hit Netflix movie Don’t Look Up! Even if you weren’t a fan of that movie this is worth a listen, because David is more than just a screenwriter. He’s a journalist who doesn’t limit his journalism to one kind of storytelling.David has written for The Guardian and for Jacobin, but he is also host and co-writer of investigative podcast series Meltdown, which documented how Obama’s lacklustre response to...
2022-08-1546 min
Darts & LettersDon’t Look Left: A Discussion with David Sirota, writer of "Don't Look Up"Why does the democratic establishment always avoid turning left, even when it might mean a political win? Gordon asks David Sirota. Sirota is behind the smash-hit Netflix movie Don’t Look Up! Even if you weren’t a fan of that movie this is worth a listen, because David is more than just a screenwriter. He’s a journalist who doesn’t limit his journalism to one kind of storytelling.David has written for The Guardian and for Jacobin, but he is also host and co-writer of investigative podcast series Meltdown, which documented how Obama’s lacklustre response to...
2022-08-1546 min
Lever TimeTrailer: Lever Time with David Sirota
Coming soon — it's Lever Time! Hosted by award-winning journalist David Sirota, Lever Time is the flagship podcast from the investigative news outlet The Lever. This is the trailer for that podcast. Just listen to it. It'll explain everything.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2022-05-1304 minLever TimeTrailer: Lever Time with David SirotaComing soon — it's Lever Time! Hosted by award-winning journalist David Sirota, Lever Time is the flagship podcast from the investigative news outlet The Lever. This is the trailer for that podcast. Just listen to it. It'll explain everything.
2022-05-1300 min
Darts and LettersDon’t Look Left (ft. David Sirota)
Why does the democratic establishment always avoid turning left, even when it might mean a political win? Gordon asks David Sirota. Sirota is behind the smash-hit Netflix movie Don’t Look Up! He is also host and co-writer of an excellent podcast series called Meltdown, which documented how Obama’s lacklustre response to the financial crisis set the stage for Trump. We cover a range of topics: from the limits of technocracy, the political co-option of science and expertise, the critical reaction to Don’t Look Up, and whether or not Ideocracy (2006) has bad politics.
——————FURTHER READING & LISTENING————————...
2022-05-0642 min
Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéDavid Sirota Goes to the OscarsClick here for the full episode, including the extended interview with David Sirota and a Biden Stoned Moment.David Sirota, whose site Daily Poster is now The Lever, returns to Useful Idiots as an Academy-Award nominee for his movie Don’t Look Up. And he’s got a message for the Oscars:We’ve got to do something today about climate change. It’s like a giant comet is headed towards earth and no one seems to care.“The movie’s giant audience proves that you don’t have to choose between focusing on important t...
2022-04-0856 minUseful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéDavid Sirota on "Don't Look Up"Click here for the full episode, including the extended interview with David Sirota and a Biden Stoned Moment.
David Sirota, whose site Daily Poster is now The Lever, returns to Useful Idiots as an Academy-Award nominee for his movie Don’t Look Up. And he’s got a message for the Oscars:
We’ve got to do something today about climate change. It’s like a giant comet is headed towards earth and no one seems to care.
“The movie’s giant audience proves that you don’t have to choose between focusing on important things and not having a big audience...
2022-04-0856 minDeconstructedDavid Sirota Goes to the OscarsDavid Sirota went from advising Sen. Bernie Sanders's 2020 presidential campaign to co-developing the story for Adam McKay’s film “Don’t Look Up,” which was nominated for — among other things — the Academy Award for best picture. It didn’t win, but Sirota was in Hollywood for the big night. He joins Ryan Grim to discuss why Hollywood is so averse to political films, the difficulty of generating interest in the climate crisis, and, yes, the slap.https://join.theintercept.com/donate/now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-04-0254 min
Champagne SharksCS 418: David Sirota: Meltdown
Today we have David Sirota on the show to talk to Trevor about his new podcast Meltdown soon to be available on Audible. The 2008 financial crisis – and the government’s botched, multibillion-dollar bailout – is the skeleton key that unlocks almost every big thing that’s gone wrong in America in the 21st Century, from climate change to the all-out assault on democracy, to the rise of white nationalism. In this thrilling, 8-part podcast, investigative journalist David Sirota explores why the financial crisis happened, how the bailout went so wrong, why politicians covered up Wall Street’s crimes, and what the lasting im...
2021-10-301h 16
Champagne SharksCS 418: David Sirota: Meltdown
Today we have David Sirota on the show to talk to Trevor about his new podcast Meltdown soon to be available on Audible. The 2008 financial crisis - and the government’s botched, multibillion-dollar bailout - is the skeleton key that unlocks almost every big thing that’s gone wrong in America in the 21st Century, from climate change to the all-out assault on democracy, to the rise of white nationalism. In this thrilling, 8-part podcast, investigative journalist David Sirota explores why the financial crisis happened, how the bailout went so wrong, why politicians covered up Wall Street’s crimes, and what t...
2021-10-301h 16
Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéBiden's Charade EXPOSED with David SirotaOn this week’s show, award-winning journalist David Sirota justly rips Democrats for not only selling out the American people but for enabling Right Wing authoritarianism: “Democrats get elected promising to help people, promising various programs to directly help people.And then you get into power and you shield your corporate donors who don't want that change. You choose your corporate donors and you betray your promises to voters. What you're saying to voters is that democracy doesn't matter.And if you do that, there's going to be a lot of voters who say...
2021-10-291h 25Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéBiden's Charade EXPOSED with David SirotaSubscribe at usefulidiots.substack.com for an ad-free listen and extended interview
On this week’s show, award-winning journalist David Sirota justly rips Democrats for not only selling out the American people but for enabling Right Wing authoritarianism:
“Democrats get elected promising to help people, promising various programs to directly help people.
And then you get into power and you shield your corporate donors who don't want that change. You choose your corporate donors and you betray your promises to voters. What you're saying to voters is that democracy doesn't matter.
And if you do that, there's going to be a lo...
2021-10-291h 24
Krystal Kyle & FriendsEpisode 41 Audio: David SirotaThis week, David Sirota joined us on Krystal Kyle & Friends to discuss everything from his latest foray into film to his perspective on current events, particularly the holdup of the budget. David explains the strategy corporate lobbyists are pushing to kill the reconciliation bill — breaking its link to the infrastructure bill, which they hope to pass. By joining the bills, however, progressives in the Senate have created a “take it or leave it” situation for Kyrsten Sinema, who will need to support the reconciliation bill in order to keep her corporate donors happy. Pulling a missed lesson from t...
2021-10-0300 min
Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron MatéDavid Sirota on the SALT Tax Cap, Plus: Is Biden Really the new FDR?Click here for the extended interview.The “Useful Idiots bump” strikes again. Over the weekend, the New York Times editorial board ran the following headline:Why Are Democrats Pushing a Tax Cut for the Wealthy?In the piece, the Times railed against the actions of congressional Democrats, particularly from the tri-state delegation, who have been pushing for a repeal of the $10,000 cap on State And Local Taxes, a.k.a. SALT. In a fit of pique, Donald Trump pushed through the cap in 2017 in an open effort to hurt blue states — one of...
2021-04-2636 min
Beginningsjournalist David SirotaOn today's episode I talk to journalist David Sirota. In David's long career, he has done a great deal of work both inside politics and outside, reporting on politics. In the early aughts, he worked as a political strategist and campaign advisor on a number of progressive campaigns, soon after transitioning to journalism, which included everything from a nationally syndicated newspaper column to investigative reporting. His work has garnered him a number of awards including the prestigious Izzy Award for Journalism, and he has written three books, two of which are New York Times Bestsellers. This last year has...
2020-11-131h 06
Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota68 - David Lewis-Peart: Healing Ourselves, Healing the WorldA mental health advocate and former ward of the Children's Aid Society, David is an adjunct college lecturer, community worker, consultant, and published writer and playwright.David completed graduate studies at York University and holds a diploma in Human Services Counseling (mental health and addictions). He is trained in Family Group Conferencing, Restorative Circles, and Life Skill Facilitation and has been a member of faculty in both Child and Youth Care and Social Service Work programs in Toronto, Oakville and Brampton. David regularly speaks on, and facilitates training around mental health, identity, working across difference, restorative practice and transformative chan...
2020-09-2436 min
Revolution or BustEp453 David Sirota - Biden Is Depressing the Vote | Caitlin Johnstone - Trump Is Less HawkishDavid Sirota - Biden Is Depressing the Vote | Caitlin Johnstone - Trump Is Less Hawkish
Howell Underground on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/HowellUnderground/videos
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You’re Not Being Loyal By Staying Silent As Biden Depresses Voters https://sirota.substack.com/p/youre-not-being-loyal-by-staying
Let’s Be Real: President Biden Would Probably Be More Hawkish Than Trump https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/lets-be-real-president-biden-would-probably-be-more-hawkish-than-trump-f943b84693de
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2020-09-1624 min
Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota64: David Hopkins - Getting Real about Life, Politics and Covid-19David Hopkins writes a little bit of everything. His work includes the novel, Wear Chainmail to the Apocalypse, and the burlesque memoir, The Wild and Wayward Tales of Tammi True. He has written op-eds for the Dallas Morning News and Chicago Tribune. His essay “How a TV Sitcom Triggered the Downfall of Western Civilization” was a Medium.com editor’s pick with over four million views. It has been translated into several languages and republished in other countries. David is working on his next ten books. For more information, visit https://thatdavidhopkins.com
You can find David online at...
2020-08-0647 min
The West Wing ThingAre you there God, it’s me, Jed? w/Very Special Guest David SirotaIt's the second season finale as we dive deep into Two Cathedrals with the one and only David Sirota! And don't worry - we'll be back next week.
2020-05-041h 33