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WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast

WPKN

WPKN"s leading public affairs coverage concerning politics, policy, planet and so much more.

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All Episodes

6:19

‘Simplify Solar’ National Campaign Aims to Make...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Interview with Lynn Stoddard, a volunteer with Third Act, conducted by Melinda Tuhus.Third Act is a national organization of American activists over the age of 60, focusing on the issues of climate and democracy. The group was founded by author and climate activist Bill McKibben, whose 2025 book titled, “Here Comes the Sun,” extols the value of solar energy for providing affordable, carbon-free power, and the importance of making this renewable energy source accessible to everyone in the

17:56

As America’s Support for Trump Plummets, Resistance...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Interview with Kevin B. Anderson, distinguished professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, conducted by Scott Harris.Professor Anderson talks about his recent article, “The Worm Turns: Trumpist Fascism,” as well as issues related to effective resistance, the need to organize a popular front, “big tent” opposition to Trump’s authoritarian rule, while ensuring progressives don’t sacrifice minority constituencies or controversial positions on the climate crisis, the

16:35

Trump and RFK Jr. Continue Their Sabotage of U.S....

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Interview with Kayla Hancock, director of Public Health Watch at Protect Our Care, conducted by Scott Harris.Kayla Hancock talks about her group’s opposition to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to cut seven grants worth millions of dollars to The American Academy of Pediatrics—jeopardizing initiatives on reducing sudden infant deaths, improving adolescent health, preventing fetal alcohol syndrome and identifying autism early.

7:18

Trump’s Lawless Venezuela Offensive Was Never About...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Interview with Steve Ellner, an associate managing editor of Latin American Perspective, and journalist Andreína Chávez, conducted by Scott Harris.Steve Ellner, a retired professor at the Universidad de Oriente in Venezuela, where he lived for over 40 years and Andreína Chávez, based in Caracas, who wrote the recent DropSite News article, “War of the entire people: Venezuela’s Grassroots Rise to Resist Trump’s Naval Blockade,” examine the consequences of Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela

23:56

After Venezuela Attack, Trump Threatens to Strike...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Interview with Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran, and the Triumph of Diplomacy, conducted by Scott Harris.Trita Parsi talks about his recent article, “As Expected, Netanyahu Back Demanding More War with Iran,” recent Trump threats to intervene in Iran if the government kills anti-government protesters and the message to Iran’s leaders after the U.S. kidnapping of Venezuela’s President Nicolás

24:53

US Imperialism Roars Back To Life -- an interview...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/05

Stephen Zunes, a foreign policy scholar and professor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of San Francisco, analyzes and contextualizes the Jan. 3 US military strike on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Adela Flores.Interview by Richard Hill

14:35

Trump’s Deadly and Chaotic Year Back in the White House

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/02

Interview with Paul Street, independent radical-democratic policy researcher, journalist, historian and author, conducted by Scott Harris.Paul Street talks about his recent commentary, “Four Pieces in the Fascist & Exterminist Jigsaw Puzzle,” and his hopes for effective anti-fascist organizing in 2026. Street is the author of more than 10 books. His latest is titled, "This Happened Here: Amerikaners, Neoliberals, and the Trumping of America."

18:05

CBS Political Censorship of ’60 Minutes’: Another...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/02

Interview with Craig Aaron, co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action, conducted by Scott Harris.Craig Aaron talks about CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss’ decision to kill the 60 Minutes’ story on the Trump regime’s deportation of immigrants to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT Prison, and recent corporate mergers that are enabling political censorship.

19:22

Trump, RFK Jr. Impose Nationwide Ban on Trans Youth...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/02

Interview with Parker Molloy, a Chicago-based media critic, cultural commentator and publisher of "The Present Age" Substack newsletter, conducted by Scott Harris. Parker Molloy discusses her views on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s and Dr. Mehmet Oz’s, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, recent announcement essentially banning gender-affirming care for transgender young people, even in states where it’s still legal.

26:42

Trump Moves to Manipulate 2026 Midterm Election Outcome

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2026/01/02

Interview with Jim Saksa, a journalist with Slate, Politico, The Economist, NPR’s Morning Edition and Philadelphia City Paper, conducted by Scott Harris.Jim Saksa discusses his recent Democracy Docket article, “DOJ Sues Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., Expanding Campaign of Voter Data Lawsuits to 22,” and other warning signs about the Trump administration’s possible plans for disrupting and/or manipulating the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections.

14:57

Nurses on the Frontline of Trump-GOP-RFK Jr....

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/25

Interview with Mary Turner, president of National Nurses United, the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in the U.S., conducted by Scott Harris.Mary Turner discusses two issues the union is currently addressing: National Nurses United’s demand Congress take agent action to restore Affordable Health Act (ACA) subsidies to prevent a spike in monthly health insurance premiums for some 24 million ACA policy holders. Turner also talks about the union’s concerns over

17:32

Impeachment: Antidote to Authoritarian Presidents...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/25

Interview with John Bonifaz, constitutional attorney, and co-founder and president of Free Speech For People, conducted by Scott Harris.John Bonifaz discusses Rep. Al Green’s recent introduction of articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, which was tabled by a House vote of 237-140, and what accountability for Trump’s long list of unconstitutional and corrupt actions would and should look like if Democrats win back control of the House and/or Senate in the 2026 midterm election.

14:21

Trump Marching to War with Venezuela Unless Congress...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/25

Interview with Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink Women for Peace and author, conducted by Scott Harris.Medea Benjamin talks about President Trump’s unconstitutional march to war with Venezuela, some pushback now seeing in Congress, the work Code Pink is doing to raise awareness about the regime’s murderous interventionist policy and the current lack of an active and effective U.S. peace movement.

27:50

Mamdani Set to Begin NYC’s New Progressive Era, as...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/25

Interview with John Nichols, executive editor of The Nation magazine, author, conducted by Scott Harris.John Nichols talks about his recent Nation magazine article, “Zohran Mamdani on FDR, LaGuardia—and Trump,” on his hopeful interview with New York City mayor-elect and the current political environment where there are increasing signs Donald Trump’s MAGA world might be starting to fracture.Nichols is author, co-author and editor of over a dozen books. His latest book is co-written with

29:05

Monthly Labor Report: Starbucks Workers Are On...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/24

The Monthly Labor Report interviews Olivia "Liv" Ryan, a Starbucks shift supervisor and a lead organizer with Starbucks Workers United (SBWU). which has mounted a national strike against the Starbucks corporation. Economist Michael Zweig talks about his trip to Vietnam and Australia where he met with labor organizations and discussed working class agendas and strategies.Host: Richard Hill

50:15

Organic Farm Stand, Dec. 2025: Bees and Farms Settle...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/20

The Organic Farm Stand checks in with Vincent Kaye about his honey bees as the winter solstice approaches;and visits with Murray Gates, owner of Artza Mendi Farm in Sprague, CT, for a conversation about regenerative farming and organic poultry and egg production.Hosted by Richard Hill and Diane Lauricella

6:41

Mahmoud Khalil’s Lawsuits Seek Accountability for...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/20

Talk by Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student arrested by ICE in March 2025, produced by Melinda Tuhus.The event featured a conversation between Khalil and Stanley Heller, chairman of the Connecticut-based Middle East Crisis Committee and sponsor of Khalil’s appearance. He began by describing his court cases, both as a plaintiff and a defendant.

17:54

Trump’s Venezuela Regime Change Threat Echoes Long...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/20

Interview with Eric Ross, a Ph.D. candidate in the history department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, conducted by Scott Harris.Eric Ross discusses the rising tensions and violence directed by the Trump regime targeting Venezuela, and his recent article, “The Trump Corollary: U.S. Imperialism in Latin America from the Monroe Doctrine to Maduro,” with a view to better understanding the current crisis in the context of the long history of U.S. military intervention in Latin

18:11

RFK Jr. Imposes Reckless CDC Vaccine Protocol

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/20

Interview with Dr. Robert Steinbrook, director of Public Citizen's of Health Research Group, conducted by Scott Harris.Dr. Steinbrook discusses his views on the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice vote last week changing CDC’s recommendations for administering the hepatitis B vaccine to infants, major Trump administration and HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s cuts to research on cancer, Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases, as well as general administration threats to public

17:03

Expiring ACA Subsidies Accelerate America’s...

WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast ·

2025/12/20

Interview with Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, conducted by Scott Harris.Alex Lawson talks about the U.S. healthcare crisis, where Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress have refused to restore Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies and if not approved, will cause many of the 24 million ACA recipients to see their monthly insurance premiums double or triple, resulting in millions losing their coverage. He also discusses long term solutions to

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