Best Pale Blue Dot Podcasts (2025)

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Best of Blue Dot: Microplastics in the marine environment 51:36

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4h ago51:36

51:36

Host Dave Schlom is joined by Zeke Spooner, a Ph.D student at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, to discuss microplastics.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1718 On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops 3:56:42

3d ago3:56:42

3:56:42

Air Date: 6-25-2025 We thought we were going to have an episode about the war Israel is conducting ready for you last week but then they started another war. So, it would have felt odd to release an Israel episode without the latest major updates including Iran. I can only imagine what will happen between the time I speak these words and when you h…

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SOLVED! #12 - Back to the…1980s? The Power of Nostalgia and Trump’s Reaganitis 20:30

4d ago20:30

20:30

Air Date: 6–23-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The long history of nostalgia in politics as we find ourselves reliving the 1980s How MAGA Youth have a lot in common with Reagan Youth (a la Alex P. Keaton) without the context Trump’s Reaganitis: All the ways Trump is just straight up copying Reagan and how he could fail like him too …

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#1717 Monthly-Ish Mix: Wealth Concentration, Knowledge Suppression, and Identity Exploitation: The Systems of Control of the Authoritarian Playbook 3:11:29

7d ago3:11:29

3:11:29

Air Date 6/21/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month, we're focusing on the way authoritarian movements operate across multiple fronts simultaneously to reshape society. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the hand…

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Blue Dot: Celebrating Jaws at 50 with the "Lost Shark Guy" David Ebert 51:36

7d ago51:36

51:36

Host Dave Schlom is joined by David Ebert, Director of San Jose State University's Pacific Shark Research Center to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1716 The Fight for Workers: Oligarchy and its Bipartisan Enablers 3:26:08

10d ago3:26:08

3:26:08

Air Date 6/18/2025 Critics of capitalism like us often advocate for the system to come to an end and be replaced with another that aligns better with human needs and continued existence. Well, it's possible that the system is close to having run its course and will be making way for something different. Unfortunately, the natural course of capitali…

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Blue Dot: The golden state's volcanic legacy: The USGS California Volcano Observatory 51:37

14d ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom discusses one of his favorite topics, California's volcanoes, with two United States Geological Survey staff members from the USGS California Volcano Observatory based at Moffett Field in the San Francisco Bay Area.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1612 New Tech and the New Luddite Movement; Inequitable Distribution of Benefits from New Technology Always Sparks Demands from Labor and AI is Rekindling the Old Arguments (Throwback) 58:19

15d ago58:19

58:19

Original Air Date: 2-20-2024 "Luddite" should never have become the epithet that it is as the Luddites were never afraid of or opposed to technological advancement, they only opposed the exploitation of workers and the degradation to society that came with the unfair distribution of the benefits of the targeted technology. Be part of the show! Leav…

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Leftist Mafia | Trump & Musk Go NUCLEAR on Each Other and Zohran Mambani Debate 2:50:19

16d ago2:50:19

2:50:19

Ariana Jasmine-https://twitter.com/arianajasmine__ Rebecca Azor- https://twitter.com/RebeccaAzor David Doel- https://twitter.com/daviddoel Mike Figueredo- https://twitter.com/HumanistReport Matt Binder- https://twitter.com/MattBinder Lance of The Serfs- https://twitter.com/theserfstv Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt…

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#1715 The Weaponization of Antisemitism and Counterproductive Violence 2:36:28

17d ago2:36:28

2:36:28

Air Date: 6-11-2025 Following the 2023 attack and counterattack between Israel and Hamas which brought the simmering conflict into the mainstream of American politics, we're now living with the opportunistic weaponization of antisemitism being used as a pretext to crack down on anti-Israel protests and universities that just aren't teaching a Trump…

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SOLVED! #11 - Culture War Distractions While the Oligarchs Rob You Blind 24:25

18d ago24:25

24:25

Air Date: 6-8-25 BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Hear the Full Show, Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The right’s attack on free speech and academic freedom Trumponomics, men, and tradwives The lessons to learn about culture wars from the fight for gay marriage How the internet and Trump force us to live in…

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Blue Dot: Celebrating three years of astronomy with the James Webb Space Telescope 51:38

21d ago51:38

51:38

Blue Dot marks three years of operation of the magnificent James Webb Space Telescope. NASA Webb Project Manager Mike Davis joins host Dave Schlom for an overview of the telescope's operation and unique capabilities that have surpassed the expectations of the astronomical community.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1714 Trump's Anti-Knowledge Agenda is Inviting the Next Authoritarian Dark Age 3:50:49

22d ago3:50:49

3:50:49

Air Date 6/6/2025 Today, Trump's administration is doing everything in its power to end the era of educational dominance the US has enjoyed for decades. The simple fact that explains the change is that democracy used to be valued across the political spectrum while todays Republican Party is authoritarian and understands that an educated public is …

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#1597 The rise of fascism around the world driven by economic insecurity (Throwback) 1:03:12

25d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Original Air Date: 12-8-2023 Neoliberalism has created a lot of economic suffering and insecurity in addition to weakened social ties over the past few decades. And now, in what may be the most devastating result of the ideology yet, neoliberalism may be leading much of the world toward fascism bolstered by legitimate grievances about economic prec…

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SOLVED! #10 - The Old Guard is Dying 23:26

25d ago23:26

23:26

Air Date: 6–2-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The role of art in political movements and moments under capitalism The problems with the Democratic Party that go far beyond Biden The Democrats’ gerontocracy that is literally dying and allowing Trump legislation to pass Our response to the latest DNC Executive Committee Meeting (held …

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Blue Dot: Restoring an ancient and important salmon habitat: Big Chico Creek in Northern California 51:37

28d ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom and Producer Matt Fidler go out in the field and in the studio to learn about the story of a major restoration on Big Chico Creek in Chico, California's historic and precious Bidwell Park.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1713 Yes, GOP Policies Really Are That Bad: Trump's Corruption and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act 3:12:04

29d ago3:12:04

3:12:04

Air Date 5/30/2025 Given the overwhelming weirdness of Trump and his malfeasant style of governance, it would be perfectly understandable for casual observers to believe that his signature piece of legislation, weirdly named in reality the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," was itself also likely to be pretty weird; a potential departure from usual Repu…

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#1712 Eugenics Redux: A Gilded Age Ideology Brought Back for the Second Gilded Age 3:25:11

1M ago3:25:11

3:25:11

Air Date 5/27/2025 Slippery slope arguments persist because good ideas taken to extremes become bad ones. Eugenics exemplifies this—often starting with good intentions. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email [email protected] Full Show Notes BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our…

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Talking with Noah Samsen (How to get involved in politics, and raising money for Palestinians!) 1:25:51

1M ago1:25:51

1:25:51

Go support the fundraiser! https://getinvolved.unrwausa.org/fundraiser/6373577 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBy The Serfs

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SPECIAL MEMBERS EDITION! Myths, Vampires, and Sinners (the movie!) - SPOILERS! 17:13

1M ago17:13

17:13

Air Date: 5-26-25 *CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE “SINNERS”* You thought you were going to listen to SOLVED! today, and you're not alone. We also thought we were going to make an episode of SOLVED!, but this turned into something a little bit different. So, we're calling it a “special” in which Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss storytelling and …

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#1355 I Can't Breathe, The Three Words That Define an Era (Throwback) 1:11:28

1M ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Original Air Date: 6/29/2020 From 2020: Today we take a look deeper at the concept of "I can't breathe," going beyond the literal utterances by victims of police brutality and COVID-19 sufferers to the metaphorical epidemic of exhaustion, burnout, depression and disaffection in the US and around the world. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or…

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Blue Dot: The challenge of California's growing wolf population 51:31

1M ago51:31

51:31

Host Dave Schlom is joined by two University of California at Davis researchers and the state's gray wolf coordinator to learn more about how California's steadily growing wolf population is affecting cattle ranchers and communities in rural Northern California.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1711 How It Started, How It's Going- Assessing the Flooded Zone Full of Shit 3:05:15

1M ago3:05:15

3:05:15

Air Date: 5-21-2025 A popular MAGA refrain is, "promises made, promises kept." The key is having known which promises to take seriously. Weaponizing the government against his enemies and attempting to wield dictatorial power, sure. Benefit his supporters or the working class more broadly, or rid the government of waste, fraud, or corruption... not…

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Leftist Mafia | Elon Musks AI Goes Full Fascist, RFK Jr.'s S**t Water Scandal, and MORE! 2:49:58

1M ago2:49:58

2:49:58

Ariana Jasmine-https://twitter.com/arianajasmine__ Rebecca Azor- https://twitter.com/RebeccaAzor David Doel- https://twitter.com/daviddoel Mike Figueredo- https://twitter.com/HumanistReport Matt Binder- https://twitter.com/MattBinder Lance of The Serfs- https://twitter.com/theserfstv Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt…

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SOLVED! #9 - A Pale Blue Dot of Anxiety 19:00

1M ago19:00

19:00

Air Date: 5-19-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin was on vacation) discuss: The origins of and problems with “the one way” Christian mindset Why Finland’s happiest country title and happiness itself are terribly misunderstood by Americans How our globalized world is messing with perceptions of our cultural similarities and differences The link …

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#1710 The past is never dead. It’s not even past. Race, Religion, Culture and the Stories we Tell 2:54:03

1M ago2:54:03

2:54:03

Air Date 5/18/2025 The full quote from today's title is from one of the most celebrated writers of Southern American literature, William Faulkner, who said, "The past is never dead. It’s not even past. All of us labor in webs spun long before we were born, webs of heredity and environment, of desire and consequence, of history and eternity.” The ne…

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Best of Blue Dot: Fire and ice: a look at the Cascade volcanoes 51:38

1M ago51:38

51:38

Host Dave Schlom is joined by scientists from the United States Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington, for an overview of the iconic cones sheathed in snow and ice and the geologic hazards they represent.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1493 Marketing, Messaging and Mass Shootings (Throwback) 1:20:11

1M ago1:20:11

1:20:11

Original Air Date 6/4/2022 Today we take a look at some of the obvious steps we need to take to reduce gun violence in the United States, debunk some of the favored propaganda supporting unfettered gun ownership and explore the origins of how Gun Culture™ was invented by corporations as the frontier era need for guns began to vanish pushing them to…

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Blue Dot: Protecting invertebrate pollinators and endangered species with the Xerces Society 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

Executive Director Scott Black joins host Dave Schlom for a brief history and overview of the Xerces Society.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1275 So, Marxism. What is that all about? (Throwback) 54:37

2M ago54:37

54:37

Original Air Date 5/24/2019 As the neoliberal order collapses from the pressure of its failures to provide for working people, we take a look at the much-maligned, rarely-understood field of economic and social study known as Marxism. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email [email protected] BestOfTheLeft.com/Su…

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Ana Kasparian Co-Hosting KNOCKOFF Version of 'The View' for Conservatives 2:57:14

2M ago2:57:14

2:57:14

Ariana Jasmine-https://twitter.com/arianajasmine__ Rebecca Azor- https://twitter.com/RebeccaAzor David Doel- https://twitter.com/daviddoel Mike Figueredo- https://twitter.com/HumanistReport Matt Binder- https://twitter.com/MattBinder Lance of The Serfs- https://twitter.com/theserfstv Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt…

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#1709 Monthly-ish Mix: Government Power, Vulnerable Communities, Transformations, Opposition & Resistance 3:13:04

2M ago3:13:04

3:13:04

Air Date 5/6/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we look at government surveillance overreach, challenges facing immigrant and refugee communities, the shifting landscape of American culture brought on by Christian Nationalism and the emerging broligarchy, and grassroots movem…

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SOLVED! #8 - PART 2: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world 18:01

2M ago18:01

18:01

Air Date: 5-5-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin continue our discussion on masculinity and dive into: - The dangers of the online obsession with Patrick Bateman from American Psycho - John Adams’ famous quote that could give some insight into today’s incels - The Matt Walsh/Megan Kelly skirmish that exposes Walsh’s siloed world-view - A small b…

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Best of Blue Dot: Elephants In The Hourglass: a conversation with author Kim Frank 51:38

2M ago51:38

51:38

Host Dave Schlom visits with Kim Frank, author of the book, "Elephants in the Hourglass."By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler

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#1708 Rent Asunder: From the Moderation of Pope Francis to Extremism of JD Vance, the Catholic Church is Deeply Divided 2:50:47

2M ago2:50:47

2:50:47

Air Date 5/2/2025 We're taking the passing of Pope Francis as an opportunity to explore the deeper political implications of the extremist, rightward turn for some in the Catholic Church, including many recent converts. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email [email protected] Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOf…

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#1707 Tariffied: Exposing Trump's Artless Deal 3:18:59

2M ago3:18:59

3:18:59

Air Date 4/29/2025 The economic and political fallout of Trump’s misguided tariffs, exposing his self-proclaimed deal-making prowess as a fraud and his grasp of the relevant issues to be childlike at best. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email [email protected] Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Su…

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Leftist Mafia | Tesla is Down BAD (w/ Zaid Tabani & Swolesome) 3:51:19

2M ago3:51:19

3:51:19

Go check out our amazing guest, Zaid Tabani (https://twitter.com/zaidtmusic) and Swolesome (https://bsky.app/profile/swolesome.bsky.social) Ariana Jasmine-https://twitter.com/arianajasmine__ Rebecca Azor- https://twitter.com/RebeccaAzor David Doel- https://twitter.com/daviddoel Mike Figueredo- https://twitter.com/HumanistReport Matt Binder- https:/…

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SOLVED! #8 - PART 1: Drowning Men Will Clutch at Straws: Masculinity in a MAGA world 23:43

2M ago23:43

23:43

Air Date: 4-28-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - Why the “manly” manufacturing jobs Trump and MAGA want are never coming back - Why incels love Trump’s tariffs - The sad flails of the “Make America Manly Again” movement - The “Sigma grindset” guys’ obsession with - and complete misunderstanding of - disturbing fictional movie charact…

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#1706 Trump's Kafkaesque Deportation Nightmare is the Shame of the Nation 3:38:23

2M ago3:38:23

3:38:23

Air Date 4/26/2025 For those of us who knew that Trump was lawless and deeply racist in his desire for mass deportations of brown people, we're getting exactly what we expected. For others, at least the lawlessness is coming as a bit of a surprise, and yet, here we are. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@Be…

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Blue Dot: TV Meteorologist, surfer and all around chill guy Bill Martin 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

Host Dave Schlom visits with recently retired TV meteorologist Bill Martin. Bill grew up in Paradise, Calif., and went on to a legendary, Emmy winning career as a television meteorologist on KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland, Calif.By Dave Schlom, Matt Fidler