The Leslie Marshall Show

Leslie is joined by Connie Livingston, Senior Lead Counselor at Empowerly, which empowers students to become the most successful version of themselves with personalized college and career guidance. Their tailored guidance helps students triumph over the college admissions process and spark the future of their dreams. Connie has worked in the field of college counseling since 2008. She began her career as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Brown University and has since moved on to Empowerly, where she has worked for the past three years. The pair examines the increasingly difficult college application process in the United States. More and more students are applying to college. More and more applications means a lower percentage of acceptance. So the bar has been raised. 4.0's are now 5.0's, competition is international, there are no more DEI policies or 'boxes' for affirmative action/diversity. So kids are taking SAT prep classes, doing a lot of outside work/volunteerism, etc. and additionally, parents are hiring college counselors. Here are the questions answered during the interview: 1. What does an outside college counselor do? 2. Is there a range of fees? (Some people think it's unattainable for them because of the price) 3. Do they help the students write their essays? (editing them, etc) 4. Is there any assistance with SAT's? 5. Does it increase a student's chances of admission if they utilize a college counselor that is separate from their high school's college counselor? 6. Why is Empowerly better than a student trying to solely use AI, like ChatGPT, to help them with the admissions process? The website for Empowerly is Empowerly.org. Their handle on Instagram is @empowerlyinc and you can find them on Facebook.com/empowerly as well.

Leslie is joined by Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus on Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization working to make children the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. With policy experts in the many areas that affect our nation’s more than 70 million children, First Focus on Children offers thorough, bipartisan, achievable solutions to ensure the well-being of children in the U.S. and around the world. The two discuss how the budget resolution recently passed by House Republicans would force hundreds of billions of dollars in funding cuts to Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), which would decimate their ability to deliver health care to the more than 37 million children they currently serve. Medicaid and CHIP currently cover: - 80% of children living in poverty - 42% of all children under 6 - Over 40% of births in the U.S. - Nearly half of the 13 million U.S. children with special health care needs - 99% of children in foster care - More than 40% of children in rural and underserved communities - One-third of all school-age children (5-18 years old) Taking support away from children’s health through Medicaid/CHIP cuts is a prescription for disaster that will: - Force states to cut services, eligibility, or provider payments that directly affect children - Create significant financial pressure on children’s hospitals and pediatric specialty providers that depend heavily on Medicaid/CHIP - Threaten school-based health services that rely on support from Medicaid/CHIP - Jeopardize mental health and developmental services for children - Hit hardest in rural and underserved areas, exacerbating existing health disparities You can read more about why the cuts would be so disastrous here: https://firstfocus.org/update/prescription-for-disaster-the-impact-of-proposed-medicaid-and-chip-cuts-on-childrens-health/ The website for First Focus on Children is FirstFocus.org and their handle on BlueSky is @FirstFocus.bsky.social. Bruce's handle there is @BruceLesley.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by John Bennett, Editor at Large at Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call. The pair discusses 'Tariff Tuesday,' scheduled for tomorrow by the Trump administration. In response to the tariffs, the cost of goods and services for Americans are expected to rise, while the stock market (and people's retirement accounts) are expected to decline. Then, Brad is joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, which fights to address the retirement income crisis by protecting and expanding America's Social Security system. Social Security Works is the convening organization of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition— a coalition made up of over 340 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans. Brad and Alex talk about the chaotic economic policies of the Trump administration, April 5th's planned protests, and the battles to save Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Stripping Medicaid funding could literally put Seniors in nursing homes on the streets, and deprive children with disabilities of funding for their education. On the Social Security front, Alex explains that the Trump administration is firing staff at Social Security offices to try to cause enough chaos so that they can create an excuse to demand emergency powers to take control of Social Security. The website for CQ Roll Call is www.RollCall.com and John's handle on X is @BennettJohnT. The 'Social Security Works' website is www.socialsecurityworks.org and their handle on BlueSky is @socialsecurityworks.org. Alex's handle there is @alaw202.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. The two discuss why labor and business groups are urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to fight back against China's decades-long global shipbuilding dominance. Next, Scott explains why anti-tariff absolutism is a mistake, and one the Democratic party would be foolish to make. Lastly, they explore AAM's spotlighting of three great U.S. products, including Steele Canvas, BLKSWN Footwear and the 'Crafted with Pride' Made in America directory. For over 18 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org. AAM's YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report"). If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit www.AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast. X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA 2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social

Leslie is joined by Dr. Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. The pair discusses Dr. Estreet's op-ed for Salon, titled, "Trump's Executive Orders Are Exacerbating the Country's Mental Health Crisis." (link here: https://www.salon.com/2025/03/12/executive-orders-are-exacerbating-the-countrys-mental-health/) Dr. Estreet earned a bachelor’s in science in psychology from Bowie State University, an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University, a doctorate in social work at Morgan State University, and an MBA at the University Maryland-College Park. He has been a professor and chair of the Master of Social Work Program at Morgan State University since 2013. Estreet is also founder and chief executive officer of Next Step Treatment Center in Baltimore, which provides substance use treatment and mental health services. The website for the NASW is SocialWorkers.org and you can follow them on BlueSky, where their handle is @naswsocialworkers.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Sean O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. They begin the interview by acknowledging the accomplishments that President O'Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman have helped their Union to achieve during their three years heading the organization. With 80,000 new members organized, great successes at the negotiating table including many of their best contracts ever like at UPS and Anheuser-Busch, an empowered rank-and-file membership that has waged over 250 strikes and led bargaining themselves against some of the world’s largest employers, the O’Brien-Zuckerman administration has charted one of the most defining and positive chapters in Teamsters history. Next, Sean shares with the audience the Union's contract campaign with their 10,000 Teamsters aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). They're fighting for a fair contract with United, who raked in over $4 billion dollars in profits last year, but is lowballing the Teamsters at the bargaining table. At the same time, the airline wants to outsource maintenance to communist China and South America. Sean explains how United Airlines Teamsters are ensuring safety in the skies, and that Teamster members will not accept anything less than a strong new contract with the industry-leading wages and job protections they have earned. Lastly, Leslie and Sean discuss how, following a credible strike threat, more than 1,000 newly organized drivers and warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) in Florida, Georgia, and Illinois have ratified their first Teamsters contracts. Represented by Teamsters Locals 26, 79, 728, and 769, UNFI workers have secured agreements that deliver significant wage increases, improved benefits, and a defined benefit pension plan. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.Teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X and Instagram, where their handle is @Teamsters, and “like” them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Teamsters. Sean's handle on X is @TeamsterSOB.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Mabinty Quarshie, National Political Reporter for the Washington Examiner. The pair begins their interview by discussing the bombshell report that the Secretary of Defense accidentally texted a reporter IMPENDING WAR PLANS on a non-government group chat that included the Vice President, Secretary of State, National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor!...who all also replied on the thread, with none of them realizing the Reporter was on the thread, in plain sight!!! They also examine Trump's plan to gut the Department of Education, whether his relationship with Elon Musk is becoming strained, and why the Republicans could deeply regret messing with Social Security checks. Then, Mica Soellner, Congressional Reporter for Punchbowl News, talks about the Congressional response to the bombshell Atlantic report about the Trump administration texting a reporter war plans. She and Brad also examine the divisions among Congressional Democrats following Senator Schumer's vote to advance the Republicans' continuing resolution. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. The pair examines the troubled and turbulent Trump tariff and tax policies, as well as their negative effect on the economy. Then, Mike Lux, Co-Founder of Democracy Partners, talks with Brad on how Democrats would be best served to counter Trump and his lock-step Republican party. Dr. Shapiro brings broad knowledge and experience in economics and politics based on his government service and decades of conducting analysis and providing advice to U.S. presidents, senators, representatives and governors, as well as foreign leaders and senior executives at numerous Fortune 100 companies. His website is www.Sonecon.com. Mike Lux is a co-founder of Democracy Partners, an innovative, full-service national consulting firm launched in 2011; and has been the CEO of his own consulting firm, Mike Lux Media, since 1999. Clients have included many of the most important institutions in the progressive community, including the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, Moveon.org, the NAACP Voter Fund, Center for Community Change, DailyKos, and Democracy Alliance. His website is www.democracypartners.com and his handle on BlueSky is @mikeluxmedia.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst, Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF Ret.). The pair analyzes U.S.-Ukraine relations following Trump-Vance's disastrous White House meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Col. Leighton also outlines the threats to Poland, and the rest of Europe, now that Putin has been emboldened by Trump's favoritism of Russia over Ukraine. They also talk about the latest fighting in Syria since the Assad regime was recently toppled. Then, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), discusses the Trump administration's expected Executive Order to close the Department of Education, whether that move would be legal, and the disastrous fallout that would occur if it were to happen. She also details what actions that she'd recommend to concerned Teachers, parents and citizens in the face of these threats from the Trump administration. Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton. bsky.social. Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy. Their website is www.AFT.org and their handle on BlueSky is @aftunion.bsky.social. Randi's handle is @rweingarten.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Tara Devlin, the host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The two talk about the presidential abuse of power by Donald Trump, along with his unelected sidekick, Elon Musk. They also discuss Trump's undemocratic portrayal of himself as a King on social media. Finally, they explore how Democrats can find their backbone and fight back against Trump's attacks on the country. Then, Brad is joined by award-winning journalist, author, and Podcast host, Brian J. Karem. The pair discusses Brian's experience as a White House correspondent during both the first and second Trump administrations, his observations on what has changed, and the Associated Press' battle with Trump over access to the White House. They also analyze how the press can effectively defend their first amendment rights against the Trump administration's attacks. Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and host of the unapologetically-liberal podcast "TARABUSTER.” Tarabuster is 5-star viewer-reviewed and 100% viewer-supported. Help keep the REAL liberal media going – and growing – by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin. You can follow Tara on BlueSky at @tarabuster.bsky.social and on Instagram at @Taradackty. Brian Karem is an award-winning journalist, author, speaker and recognized defender of the First Amendment. He is a veteran White House correspondent and former senior correspondent for Playboy Magazine. He currently writes a weekly column on the White House for Salon.com. Karem has received multiple awards for his work, including the prestigious Pieringer Award and the Freedom of the Press Award, and was recently nominated as “Journalist of the Year” by the Los Angeles Press Club. He also hosts a podcast called, "Just Ask the Question," which can be found at www.JustAskTheQuestion.com. His handle on BlueSky is @briankarem.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The Student Debt Crisis Center takes over the airwaves of 'the Leslie Marshall Show,' where they detail the latest threats to the Department of Education, what could happen to your student loans, and what's circulating on social media about student debt cancellation regarding data breaches. They're also joined by a special guest who helps to untangle all of the confusion. This episode's SDCC hosts are Executive Director, Sabrina Calazans, and Special Projects & 'Free the Degree' Director, Sabrina Ashley Cereceres. Today's special guest is Abby Shafroth, Co-Director of Advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the Director of NCLC’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. Abby is an expert on the federal student loan program, as well as on the intersection of criminal and consumer law. The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis. The SDCC website is www.StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on X, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg. Their handle on Blue Sky is @debtcrisisorg.bsky.social. NCLC uses the tools of advocacy, education, and litigation to fight for economic justice for low-income and other vulnerable people who have been abused, deceived, discriminated against, or left behind in our economy. The NCLC website is www.NCLC.org. Their handle on Blue Sky is @nclc4consumers.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, which fights to address the retirement income crisis by protecting and expanding America's Social Security system. Social Security Works is the convening organization of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition— a coalition made up of over 340 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans. Brad and Alex talk about Elon Musk's infiltration of the social security system, his massive role in the Trump administration, their collective threat to America's social safety net, and today's protests against DOGE, Musk and in favor of protecting Social Security and Medicare. Then, Brad is joined by Democratic Media Creator Will Robinson. The two discuss the Democratic response to Trump's excesses (including strategy, message and tactics), Democrats' use of new media, and more. The 'Social Security Works' website is www.socialsecurityworks.org and their handle on BlueSky is @socialsecurityworks.org. Alex's handle there is @alaw202.bsky.social. Will Robinson's handle on BlueSky is @willrobinson1776.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Bob Deans, Director of Strategic Engagement at the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The two discuss the effects of Trump pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, how the U.S. is trying to unravel a hacking plot that targeted climate activists, climate change and the L.A. fires, and more. Then, Brad is joined by Founder of the 'Cook Political Report.' The two analyze how unpopular Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico have been, whether Trump cares since he won't be on the ballot again, and more. The NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. They combine the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 700 scientists, lawyers, and other environmental specialists to confront the climate crisis, protect the planet's wildlife and wild places, and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. The website for the NRDC is www.NRDC.org and their handle on X is @NRDC. Charlie's handle is on X is @CharlieCookDC. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Tara Devlin, the host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The two review then opening week of the second Trump administration, what can be done to slow or stop him, and whether he's 'flying too close to the sun' with unpopular actions like mass padoning the January 6th rioters, including some who assaulted Capitol Police Officers. Then, Brad is joined by Policy and Advocacy Strategist Edwith Theogene. The pair analyzes Trump's damaging executive orders attacking DEI programs in the federal government and the military. Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and host of the unapologetically-liberal podcast "TARABUSTER.” Tarabuster is 5-star viewer-reviewed and 100% viewer-supported. Help keep the REAL liberal media going – and growing – by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin. You can follow Tara on X at @REALTaraDevlin and on Instagram at @Taradackty. Edwith's handle on X is @WhoIsEdwith and her website is www.ed-with.com. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie is joined by Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the 60 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO. The two discuss: - Why there is no source that Union workers trust more for information about politics than their fellow Union workers - How, despite the massive headwinds Democrats faced in this year's elections, Union voters turned out for Harris by a margin of 57%-41%, a slight advantage over 2020, after months of person-to-person contact focused heavily on pocketbook issues - How, the Union vote, almost single handedly, kept the presidential race close across the Blue Wall and other battlegrounds. It also propelled Democratic Senate candidates to victory in closely contested races - S.T. Redmond's take on the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary - His reaction to the selection of Gwynne Wilcox to succeed Lauren McFerran as the new chair of the NLRB - His concern and frustration at House Republicans, President-Elect Trump and Elon Musk forcing the federal government to the brink of a shutdown, and how it would leave so many hard working Americans without a paycheck right before the Holidays In 2022, S.T. Redmond he was unanimously elected to the position as the highest ranking African American officer in the history of America’s labor movement.His path to the federation’s second-highest office began in 1973, when he went to work at Reynolds Metals Company in Chicago and became a member of the United Steelworkers (USW). He was active in his local union almost immediately, serving as shop steward and eventually vice president. He served three terms as local president. In 2021, Redmond was elected president of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, a prestigious international post. The website for the AFL-CIO is www.AFLCIO.org and their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO. Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

Leslie is joined by Elizabeth Brotherton-Bunch, Beth oversees communications for the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), helping to spread the word about smart public policies that guide the creation of family-supporting factory jobs. The two discuss this year's AAM 'Made in American Holiday Gift Guide.' They cover a mix of some of this year's incredible companies and gifts. Here's more on it directly from AAM: "The Alliance for American Manufacturing is thrilled to unveil the 11th edition of the Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, our annual collection of American-made gift ideas from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. We worked especially hard this year to find Made in USA companies that have not been included in the guide before, so we can shine a spotlight on even more great American makers and manufacturers. We also purposely selected an eclectic mix of items at a variety of price points, so there’s something Made in America for everyone on your list! If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, scroll to the bottom of this page for previous editions of the guide, or check out the Made in America Directory. We’ve grouped gift ideas by category on this page, but you can also navigate it by state. Happy shopping!" Check out the gift guide at http://www.TinyURL.com/2024AAMGiftGuide. AAM's website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Beth's handle is @ebrotherton.

Leslie is joined by Kevin Mapp, the USW’s International Vice President of Human Affairs. Kevin coordinates bargaining in the union’s health care, containers, public sector and ship building sectors. The pair discuss the power of international solidarity in four parts. Part 1: Global Solidarity and Corporate Greed Multinational corporations operate globally, oftentimes attempting to pit workers in different countries against each other in a race to the bottom on wages and working conditions. Unionized workers, however, understand that the only answer to large-scale corporate greed is global solidarity. - The USW works with global labor federations like IndustriALL and UNI so that they can share information about operations in different countries. - The USW maintains formal strategic alliances with at least six other unions in Australia, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. - The USW also maintains relationships with unions in a number of other countries as they work to ensure that workers have a place to succeed in the global economy. All of these relationships are premised on the simple truth that workers the world over confront many of the same challenges, and their greatest strength is solidarity. Part 2: Urgency in Liberia and Bridgestone’s Operations Nowhere has this been more urgent than in Liberia, where workers on Bridgestone’s massive rubber plantation have been struggling for decades to improve their working conditions. Japanese-owned Bridgestone is one of the world’s largest tire and rubber manufacturers. It employs more than 125,000 workers worldwide, including approximately 4,000 members of the USW. Unions in Japan, South Africa, Europe, and Brazil also represent Bridgestone workers. In Harbel, Liberia, Bridgestone operates the world’s largest contiguous rubber plantation, covering some 185 square miles. It’s owned by Bridgestone subsidiary, Firestone Liberia, and approximately 7,000 workers reside there with their families. - These workers both live and work on the plantation, buying food from the company store and sending their children to schools run by the company. - The work is difficult, slashing bush, tapping trees, draining latex into metal buckets that weigh 65 pounds each when full, and carrying them long distances to weigh stations. - This latex then goes straight into the North American supply chain, serving as the starting point for American-made tires. Part 3: Unionization and Challenges at Firestone Liberia In 1990, Terry Renninger, then president of Bridgestone’s Liberia operations, said, “The best way to think of it is as an old Southern plantation.” Indeed, in the years leading up to the formation of their union, the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL), workers endured what a 2005 human rights lawsuit called “forced labor, the modern equivalent of slavery.” In 2007, workers successfully organized, and since then they’ve been making incremental progress in improving working conditions on the plantation, though serious problems remain regarding wages, health care, housing, workplace safety, and more. On top of this, in 2019, Bridgestone fired more than 2,000 workers, forcing them instead to work for contractors, doing the same work but earning significantly lower wages without benefits or other protections provided by FAWUL’s contract. According to the U.S.-based Solidarity Center: - One of the big benefits they lost was the education promised to their children, who now must walk long distances through difficult terrain to attend classes in open-air classrooms without desks or other supplies. - Workers struggle to afford protective glasses, boots, or gloves. - Living conditions are cramped, and payment for food comes out of workers’ paychecks, which can sometimes leave them with zero or negative balances on their pay slips. Part 4: Current Efforts and Hope for the Future Since then, these workers have pushed back, with the support of unions like the USW, as well as...

Leslie is joined by Brendan Duke, Senior Director for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. The pair discuss two of his most recent pieces for CAP. (both listed below) 1. "Donald Trump Is Lying About Immigrants and Social Security/Medicare" (https://www.americanprogressaction.org/article/donald-trump-is-lying-about-immigrants-and-social-security-medicare/) 2. "Harris’ Plan To Raise the Minimum Wage and Eliminate Tax on Tips Would Benefit Service and Hospitality Workers" (www.americanprogressaction.org/article/harris-plan-to-raise-the-minimum-wage-and-eliminate-tax-on-tips-would-benefit-service-and-hospitality-workers/) Previously, Brendan was a senior policy adviser at the White House National Economic Council for the Biden-Harris administration, and a member of their presidential transition team. Duke estimated the cost of various provisions of the 'American Rescue Plan' and of the administration’s 'Build Back Better' plan, as well as helped develop its overall budgetary frameworks. He also worked on the administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, where he served as the National Economic Council’s point person on supply chain data during the port congestion crisis of 2021, and the infant formula crisis of 2022. His handle on X is @Brendan_Duke.

Leslie is joined by Dr. Nicole Saphier, who has served as a FOX News Channel contributor since 2018, breaking down the latest medical news across all platforms. Dr. Saphier is a board-certified radiologist with advanced fellowship training in breast imaging. The two ladies discuss Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is right around the corner in October, and what folks can do to protect themselves and their families from the dangerous disease. Then, the pair comments on a new study linking social media to eating disorders in kids and young teens. Dr. Saphier is author of FOX News Books' best-seller "Love, Mom," which shines a light on maternal love with powerful first person stories from the FOX News family and beyond. In addition to her clinical, research and media responsibilities, Dr. Saphier holds leadership and advisory positions at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, New Jersey Department of Health, and Radiological Society of New Jersey. Her website is www.NicoleSaphierMD.com and her handle on X is @NBSaphierMD.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. The two discuss how high interest rates are crushing U.S. manufacturing's potential growth, NAFTA's lingering damage in the rust belt, and how the Biden administration's industrial policies are actually turning the tide on U.S. competitiveness. For over 17 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. The website for AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.