Best Zero Cliff Media Podcasts (2025)

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Fifteen Is Not Consent: Megyn Kelly Is A Monster 43:24

Play Pause

3d ago43:24

43:24

Jess Piper joins to torch the week’s biggest outrages: the fresh dump of Epstein files implicating Trump and power brokers; Megyn Kelly’s jaw-dropping defense of “degrees” of child abuse; performative Democrats and predatory Republicans both hiding behind “protect the kids” slogans; and the everyday struggles faced by rural families lost in the nat…

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How to Lose a Win: Dem Defectors and So. Many. Sandwich Puns. (with George Conway) 34:36

6d ago34:36

34:36

Jo is joined by George Conway for a post-shutdown, post-midterm emotional autopsy: Democrats had the voter energy, the polling, and the moral high ground BUT then folded like a bad hand in Vegas, caving to the GOP less than a week after a stinging Trump/MAGA rejection at the ballot box. Together, Jo and George roast the “Gang of Eight,” eviscerate …

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MAGA Meltdowns, and the Next Round of Resistance 38:04

11d ago38:04

38:04

Fresh off the blue wave and before the MAGA tears had even dried, Tom Malinowski joins Jo and makes it official—he’s running for Congress in New Jersey. Jo’s got Tom in the studio (and the fire’s on full blast) for a brutally honest debrief on election chaos, why the right’s grift machine is collapsing, and what it’s going to take to defend democra…

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Trump’s War Games and the Battle for America’s Soul with Jack Hopkins 53:05

14d ago53:05

53:05

Jo sits down with Jack Hopkins—a former Republican, Navy vet, and host of The Jack Hopkins Show podcast—to rip off the polite tape and get right to what’s freaking everyone out: Trump playing toy soldier with the National Guard and threatening to turn the military against regular Americans, all for the sake of television optics and a bigger slice o…

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Let Them Eat Cake, Huh? With Joe Gallina 38:48

18d ago38:48

38:48

Jo connects with Siren host & Call to Activism founder Joe Gallina for a wide-ranging, no-bull conversation about the government shutdown, Trump’s billion-dollar White House ballroom project, and the human cost of GOP cuts to SNAP, healthcare, and rural hospitals. They discuss the consequences of Trump’s games —starving children, shuttering local c…

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Wrecking Balls and Reality Checks with Michael Cohen 51:43

14d ago51:43

51:43

Michael Cohen joins Jo to discuss Trump’s destruction of democratic guardrails, from bulldozing the White House to pardoning criminals and turning hunger into a partisan weapon. Together, they break down Trump’s latest medical misinformation and call out the shamefully performative weaponization of faith and law. Subscribe, rate, and share—we need …

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They Hate This Movement - Which Means It’s Working with Ezra Levin 25:42

26d ago25:42

25:42

When millions of Americans take to the streets and do it with joy, laughter, and inflatable unicorns you know something historic is happening. This episode, Jo sits down with Ezra Levin, co‑founder of Indivisible and co‑organizer of the “No Kings” protests, to unpack how the largest peaceful demonstrations in U.S. history came together and why joy …

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Tearing Down the House: Jo & Andy Ostroy on Trump Distractions, Epstein Fallout & Democracy on the Line 38:02

28d ago38:02

38:02

Jo and Andy Ostroy dissect the project in plain sight: a movement that isn’t just eroding norms — it is tearing apart the White House and refashioning it into a pagan palace of gold and power. They examine how Trump weaponizes distraction to keep the country overwhelmed, how the Epstein scandal could still explode into the center of politics, and w…

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Don Lemon: Action Cannot Wait 40:10

26d ago40:10

40:10

“The moment you start standing up to cowards, you realize how cowardly they really are.” - Don Lemon In one of the most powerful episodes yet, Don Lemon joins Jo for a call to action. They confront the Republican Party’s moral collapse, the erosion of democratic norms, and the rising tide of fascism masquerading as patriotism. Lemon opens up about …

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Speeding Toward the Authoritarian Cliff with Kim Wehle 47:36

1M ago47:36

47:36

Kim Wehle is a tenured law professor, constitutional law expert, author, and legal analyst who specializes in presidential power, civil procedure, and the separation of powers. Today, Jo and Kim dive into the “fear bubble” so many Americans are stuck in: insulated lives, rising authoritarian threats, and the chilling new reality of criminalizing di…

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See Ya, McConnell: Amy McGrath is Battle Tested & Ready to Fight for Kentucky 24:46

1M ago24:46

24:46

Jo welcomes Amy McGrath just days after announcing her run for the Kentucky Senate. With Mitch McConnell out, the seat is at a tipping point for the entire nation, and Amy explains why it’s more than just red vs. blue, it’s about restoring servant leadership and decency, protecting healthcare, and standing up for working families when the stakes co…

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The Price We’re Paying for Petty: Sen. Blumenthal on Trump’s Shutdown 23:04

1M ago23:04

23:04

By The Siren Network

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How to Defeat the GOP Fear Factory with Jess Craven 41:45

2M ago41:45

41:45

Activist, organizer, and “Chop Wood, Carry Water” founder Jess Craven joins Sane(ish) for a conversation about reclaiming hope and power in the face of political chaos. Jess shares real stories of living through—and organizing against—the latest Republican shutdown, exposing how government dysfunction, healthcare sabotage, and billionaire tax cuts …

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It’s A Very Republican Shutdown with Pete Dominick 30:57

1M ago30:57

30:57

As the 2025 government shutdown approaches, Sane(ish) gets real about who’s hurting, who’s winning, and why the chaos was baked in from the start. This week, Jo Carducci and political commentator Pete Dominick break down what makes this shutdown uniquely Republican: deliberate mass layoffs, Medicaid cuts that will literally endanger families, and a…

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Trump’s Revenge Politics: Miles Taylor Breaks His Silence 41:35

2M ago41:35

41:35

As news breaks of the expedited indictment of James Comey and the potential dominoes set to fall on Adam Schiff and Letitia James, Jo and Miles cut through the chaos to explore how the MAGA playbook weaponizes prosecution, shatters constitutional guardrails, and tries to silence both critics and communities. It’s an unfiltered, urgent conversation …

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Comedy Under Fire: Jimmy Kimmel, Free Speech, and the Jersey Girls Who Won’t Shut Up 45:49

2M ago45:49

45:49

Buckle up for a ride through the world of political comedy under siege. This week, Jo and Tara Setmayer break down Jimmy Kimmel’s wild return from suspension, Disney and ABC’s backstage power plays, and the chilling push from FCC threats and Trump-backer media moguls. It’s full balls-to-the-wall, South Park energy as they dissect how corporate inte…

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Harry Dunn on Facts vs. Fiction 39:56

2M ago39:56

39:56

Jo welcomes former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn—a frontline defender on January 6th and now a relentless advocate for democracy.Jojo and Harry dig into the personal cost of defending the Capitol, the ongoing fight against gaslighting and political revisionism, and why real accountability matters more than ever. From firsthand stories of courag…

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Mobilizing Influence: Reimagining Political Media with Sam Schwartz 41:34

2M ago41:34

41:34

Jo welcomes activist and Siren Network co-founder Sam Schwartz for a conversation about what real political influence looks like in the new media landscape. They dig into how creators are moving audiences from passive news consumption to active organizing, why legacy outlets have lost their edge, and what it takes to build an independent platform t…

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Upholding Decency: Senator Alex Padilla on SCOTUS, Immigration, and the Cost of Political Violence 21:25

2M ago21:25

21:25

On this candid episode of Sane(ish), Jo sits down with Senator Alex Padilla for a real-time reckoning with democracy’s fragile state. Recorded as breaking news unfolded about the death of Charlie Kirk, the conversation does not shy away from the day’s pain and makes clear: political violence has no place in America, no matter our differences. Jojo …

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F*ck Around, Find Out: Democracy Isn’t Waiting 24:10

2M ago24:10

24:10

This week Jo sits down with the sharp-tongued, chaos-loving hosts of the Find Out podcast—Tim, Chris, and Luke—for a rapid-fire breakdown of what happens when democracy’s on the line and the only rule is: “mess around, and you’re gonna find out.” From Nazi-hunting and meme warfare to the FAFO50 campaign (hello, California!), everyone’s airing their…

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Why We Don’t Shut Up with Olivia Julianna 35:18

3M ago35:18

35:18

Jo connects with Olivia Julianna to spill what the mainstream won’t: survivors coming for Trump, DC’s useless grandstanders, and the dirty tricks Texas keeps beta-testing for the rest of America. From Republican stunts that cost real lives to why “as goes Texas, so goes the nation” isn’t just a cliché, this episode calls out the powerful by name, l…

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Kicking Ass & Calling It: Michael Steele Isn’t Here for Your Bullshit 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

Every time the news cycle spins a little crazier, Michael Steele manages to cut through the crap. Today, Michael & Jo get real about why “off-ramps” are a joke, how the cult of Trump owns the GOP, and why politicians hiding behind closed-door complaints are wasting everyone’s time. They talk about MAGA distractions, media circus nonsense, gerrymand…

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No More Thoughts and Prayers: Real Action with Jess Piper 49:02

3M ago49:02

49:02

On the day another community was shattered by a school shooting in Minnesota, Jo and Jess Piper drop the niceties and get honest about America’s epidemic of gun violence laying bare the emotional toll of shooter drills, the rage and helplessness of waiting for news, and the absurdity of politicians hiding behind “thoughts and prayers” while refusin…

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Get Onboard or Get Outta the Way with Joe Walsh 41:17

3M ago41:17

41:17

Jo’s joined by former GOP Rep-turned-Dem Joe Walsh for a conversation about everything from the endless social media attention wars to Gavin Newsom’s headline-grabbing comms game and the sky-high stakes for democracy. Jo and Joe break down the difference between fighting and flailing and why unity beats purity testing every damn time.They tackle ex…

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Cold Truths & Hot Mess: Joel Rubin on Putin’s Alaska Visit and Jo's Chat with Gavin Newsom 47:26

3M ago47:26

47:26

Strap in—this episode of Sane(ish) with Joel Rubin is one hell of a ride. First, Jo shares a preview of her chat with Gavin Newsom. Then, we’re talking Putin’s shady-ass visit to Alaska, America’s democracy freezing its ass off, and all the bullshit power plays that make you wanna scream into a pillow. Joel’s got the no-BS rundown on what’s really …

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I’ve Had It Crossover with Jennifer Welch & Angie Sullivan 43:42

3M ago43:42

43:42

Three Blondes Walk Into a Podcast… Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan—the uncensored, hilarious hosts of the hit chart-topping I’ve Had It Podcast join Sane(ish)! In this outrageously honest episode, three sharp-witted hot blondes dive into everything from fighting political insanity and calling out MAGA hypocrisy to surviving life’s messiest, most …

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Malcolm Nance: Exposing Trump’s Racism & the Authoritarian Takeover in DC 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Former Navy intelligence officer and bestselling author Malcolm Nance joins Jo for an unflinching deep dive into America’s most urgent crisis: the rise of authoritarianism and Trump’s not-so-hidden racism. In this explosive conversation, Nance dissects the playbook threatening our democracy, exposes the dangerous alliances fueling extremism, and of…

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Roasting the Bullshit and Staying Sane with John Fugelsang 36:42

3M ago36:42

36:42

If you’re not losing your mind a little, you’re probably not paying attention. This week on Sane(ish), Jo sits down with John Fugelsang to roast hypocrisy, unpack the ridiculousness and share some much-needed truths about faith, rage, and grit. Jo’s been writing about everything from South Park mercilessly dunking on Kristi Noem to why sometimes yo…

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When Congress Breaks, Who Fixes It? With Rep. Jason Crow 27:43

3M ago27:43

27:43

Jo sits down with Colorado’s own Congressman Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger and national security hawk. With D.C. gridlocked, Texas politics unraveling, and new headlines piling up about democracy under siege, Jason brings the heat on what real leadership and service look like in 2025. They dig into why chaos in Congress isn’t just noise it’s a r…

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Texas Holdouts & Spin Doctors with Ron Filipkowski 54:56

4M ago54:56

54:56

Jo sits down with Ron Filipkowski, MeidasTouch’s editor-in-chief, ex-prosecutor, and the guy whose X feed you check before your first coffee. The two dive straight into the Texas caper: Democratic lawmakers making a midnight dash out of the state—more Springsteen than C-SPAN—to stop the GOP’s latest attempt to gerrymander themselves a permanent maj…

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Alternative Investigators-Can Remote Viewing, Hypnosis, and Intuition Crack a Case? 16:36

4M ago16:36

16:36

Michelle Freed is a renowned hypnotist and remote viewer who has assisted law enforcement investigators in solving complex cases. Beth Deering is an accomplished psychic medium, medical intuitive, and paranormal investigator. Both have previously joined the Crime Redefined Podcast, and in this episode, we revisit their incredible ability to complem…

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Senator Ruben Gallego on What Still Matters 19:34

3M ago19:34

19:34

This week, Jo gets raw and real with Senator Ruben Gallego for a deep dive into what happens when Congress ghosts the hard truths and survivors are left carrying the weight in silence. Against the backdrop of another performative escape to summer recess, Jo shares the most personal Substack yet: a letter to survivors who watch their abusers rise to…

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Cicadas and Cover-Ups: Vindman and Jo Take on the Summer of Denial 29:32

4M ago29:32

29:32

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman joins Jojo from Jerz in the July heat (cicadas and all) to break down a week when political theater has nothing on the real-world consequences of cowardice and cover-ups. From Trump’s “Ukraine Pivot” to the MAGA meltdown over the Epstein files, Vindman pulls zero punches. They unpack Tulsi Gabbard’s attempts to …

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Summer Recess: Johnson Closes Shop, Nothing to See Here with Rep. Jim Himes 22:38

4M ago22:38

22:38

While the Epstein files scandal explodes and unfinished business piles up, Speaker Mike Johnson just sprinted for the exits—slamming the gavel on an early summer recess before anyone could say “roll call.” Congress didn’t just adjourn; it staged a getaway, ducking the cameras and dodging the receipts. Jojo from Jerz grabs the megaphone and sits dow…

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Democracy on the Clearance Rack: Jamie Raskin on Congress Giving It Away 17:48

4M ago17:48

17:48

Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Jo in the middle of a week when American democracy feels like it’s on the clearance rack. From Congress giving away its power with the Recessions Act, to lawmakers cosplaying as fiscal hawks while slashing PBS and NPR before even considering a billionaire tax cut, Jo and Raskin unpack what’s happening beneath the circ…

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Let THEM Lie and Fight Each Other with Congressman Jared Moskowitz 40:27

4M ago40:27

40:27

Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins Jo for a no-holds-barred breakdown of a week so stupid you can’t make it up: Congress duck-walks away from the Epstein files, Republicans lock arms to shield the secrets their own base is demanding, and suddenly the MAGA mob is eating itself while Trump twirls behind the curtain. Moskowitz drags the whole charade f…

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Handing Over the Keys: Senator Angus King on Power Grabs, PBS Cuts, and Why Congress Needs a Spine 24:44

4M ago24:44

24:44

Jo sits down with Senator Angus King—Maine’s straight-shooting Independent and connoisseur of constitutional reality checks—for a conversation that blows the lid off Washington’s latest “power of the purse” giveaway. From Congress rolling over on the Rescissions Act (“one more building block in the edifice of authoritarianism”) to the boneheaded cr…

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Trump’s NATO Circus, Tariffs, and that really bad Billionaire Boner Bill with Tom Malinowski 48:46

4M ago48:46

48:46

Jo sits down with Tom Malinowski—former Congressman, Assistant Secretary of State, and expert on foreign policy and democracy. From Trump’s super awkward NATO deals and unpredictable tariff threats to the devastating impact of the big bad “Billionaire Boner Bill,” they unpack the real consequences for working families, small businesses, and America…

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Not Giving a Sh*t: Brian Karem on the Fight for Press Freedom 43:53

4M ago43:53

43:53

Journalist, author, and “Just Ask the Question” podcast host Brian Karem joins Jo for a raw, unfiltered conversation about journalism in the age of chaos. Brian shares what it’s like to be marginalized in the White House briefing room, the evolution of propaganda from the podium, and why the current administration’s contempt for truth is unlike any…

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We're NOT Powerless: David Pakman on Resisting the Rise of Fascism 33:31

4M ago33:31

33:31

David Pakman - host of The David Pakman Show- joins Jo for a raw, honest, and unexpectedly hopeful conversation about life in America after "The Billionaire Boner Bill." David and Jo revisit their first meeting at The White House- before "the shit show came in for season two" - and reflect on just how quickly things have unraveled. Together, they b…

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Exhausted by Hypocrisy: John Fugelsang on Faith, Politics, & a Healthy Dose of Swearing 48:54

5M ago48:54

48:54

Jo welcomes comedian, SiriusXM host, and author John Fugelsang for a brutally honest—and frequently hilarious—conversation about America’s relentless cruelty, the billionaire boner bill, and why the GOP’s Bible-thumping is pure performance. With his new book coming out August 19th (preorder it now), Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Gu…

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Don’t Come for Our Health Care: Senator Tina Smith’s Urgent Message 17:08

5M ago17:08

17:08

This rapid-response episode of Sane(ish) couldn’t be more urgent. Jo is joined by Senator Tina Smith just as the Senate moves to vote on the “billionaire boner bill” which would gut health care, slash benefits for working families, and hand out tax breaks to billionaires. Senator Smith lays out what’s really at stake, why this fight matters for mom…

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The Billionaire Boner Bill with Senator Chris Murphy 14:15

5M ago14:15

14:15

In this urgent episode of Sane(ish), Jo is joined by sits Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut following a powerful Capitol Hill hearing on the Republican “Big Beautiful Betrayal” bill—or as Jo calls it, the “Billionaire Boner Bill.” Together, they break down the real-world consequences of this catastrophic legislation, which threatens to kick milli…

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No Rulebook, No Adults: So What Happens Now (with George Conway & Heather Cox Richardson) 52:53

5M ago52:53

52:53

Jojo from Jerz brings together legal heavyweight George Conway and historian Heather Cox Richardson for a candid, unscripted conversation about the chaos of June 2025. With Trump launching strikes on Iran, Congress sidelined, and the world on edge, Jo, George, and Heather cut through the noise to ask: How did we get here—and what happens next? Geor…

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Trump, Iran, and the Brink: Joel Rubin Breaks Down What’s Really at Stake 38:20

5M ago38:20

38:20

With the world on edge over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, Jo sits down with national security expert and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin for a deeply human conversation about what’s really happening behind the headlines. As Trump’s stance on U.S. involvement in the region shifts by the hour, swinging from “no new wars” …

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Tanks, Tweets, & Truth Bombs: Rachel Vindman on Trump’s Parade and the Real Fight 59:17

5M ago59:17

59:17

Rachel and Jo discuss the disconnect between political theater and the lived realities of veterans, including the impact of recent VA policy changes on healthcare access. They explore the professionalism of service members, the importance of lawful orders—even when they’re “awful”—and why storytelling is essential for advocacy and driving change. T…

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It Takes a Village to Roast Stephen Miller—Community, Outrage and Fighting Back with Brooklyn Dad Defiant 44:30

5M ago44:30

44:30

Majid Padellan, better known as Brooklyn Dad Defiant joins for a spirited conversation about the state of America in 2025. They take aim at Stephen Miller’s legacy of cruelty, the ongoing ICE raids and National Guard deployments, and the propaganda fueling chaos in Los Angeles. Majid shares how he uses humor and activism to push back against despai…

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Trump’s Manufactured Chaos: ICE Raids, LA Protests with Jim Acosta 27:17

5M ago27:17

27:17

We welcome independent journalist and The Jim Acosta Show host, Jim Acosta, to break down the crisis in Los Angeles—one fueled directly by Donald Trump’s political gamesmanship. As ICE raids spark mass protests and Trump deploys the National Guard over the objections of Governor Newsom, LA has become the latest stage for Trump’s manufactured chaos.…

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Trump, Veterans, and the GOP’s “Billionaire Bailout Bill” with Allison Gill 45:25

6M ago45:25

45:25

Today we catch up with Allison Gill, Navy veteran, former VA executive, and host of The Daily Beans, to talk about how the Trump administration and the GOP’s latest “Billionaire Bailout Bill” are impacting America’s military, veterans, and working families. Allison breaks down the real-world consequences of proposed Republican cuts to Medicaid, Med…