Left Reckoning

Fmr. The Michael Brooks Show crew Matt Lech & David Griscom work to cover & build a strong, popular, working-class rooted, no BS Socialist Left. With a special focus on the international struggle and Texas, the South, & the West. The weekly show is live on Youtube @ 2:30 ET/1:30 CT!

https://www.youtube.com/@LeftReckoning

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347 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes347

Newest first

March 24 · 1 hr 8 min
Iran War Still An Apocalyptic Farce + East Palestine, Poison & You
On today's show, Matt and David talk about the current state of the war on Iran and a horrible decision from a judge in Texas. Also, Maximillian Alvarez gives us an important update on the fallout from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.Follow Maximillian: @maximillian_alvShare his recent work on East Palestine:https://inthesetimes.com/article/east-palestine-ohio-residents-dont-want-to-be-studied-like-guinea-pigsSupport the show and get the Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoning
March 17 · 1 hr 17 min
Aid Convoy Goes to Cuba & Iran War Has Right Wing Media Bugging Out ft. Brandon Sutton, Nathan Robinson, & Alex Skopic
Keep Left Reckoning going and get our Sunday Shows by subscribing on Patreon. Hey folks! Big show today. First, Alex and Nathan from Current Affairs join us to talk about their taking part in the Nuesta America Convoy to get aid into Cuba as our country starves them of necessities. Then, Brandon Sutton of Th3Discourse joins us to react to Patrick Bet-David and Alex Jones supporting the Iran War despite severe headwinds.
March 10 · 1 hr 4 min
What do other countries think about our war on Iran? ft. Deep State Kuba
Kuba (@DrKuba2) joins us to discuss the geopolitics of our heinous war on Iran, particularly the view from Europe. Check out Kuba's What Fresh Hell series with This Is Revolution here: • WHAT FRESH HELL EP. 2 ft. DEEP STATE KUBA Support Left Reckoning at patreon.com/leftreckoning and get our Sunday Shows.
March 3 · 1 hr 9 min
The Catastrophic Iran War Is Here ft. Annelle Sheline & Djene Rhys Bajalan
David's book, The Myth of Red Texas, is out! Buy today: https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/ America's mob war foreign policy continues with the weekend's war launched on Iran. We welcome Annelle Sheline of Responsible Statecraft and TMBS regular guest Djene Bajalan on to discuss Follow Annelle at annelle.sheline on IG and @annellesheline on twitter https://quincyinst.org/author/annelle-sheline/ Follow Djene on IG at DjeneBajalan
February 24 · 47 min
The Free World's Last Days: Crockett & Talarico's Final Push ft. Daniel Bessner
On today's show, David and Matt reflect on the primary in Texas.Then, Daniel Bessner joins us to talk about the new essay collection he's edited with Michael Brenes, "Cold War Liberalism". CODE: BESSNER26https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cold-war-liberalism/4CE8BFF1CF908A8F481B55F2043A88F7Support Matt & Dave and gett access to all bonus episodes at patreon.com/leftreckoning David's on tour for his book! Pick up the Myth of Red Texas - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/NYC book talk Feb 25 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-myth-of-red-texas-tickets-1977510526217Houston book talk March 19th - https://brazosbookstore.com/event/2026-03-19/david-griscom-myth-red-texasBrownsville, Texas March 28th at Buho Books Dallas, April 1, Wild Detectives link to come San Antonio, Texas, April 9th, 120 Adams Street New Orleans, Friday April 17th Austin May 7th
February 17 · 1 hr 32 min
Hillary Clinton In A Hot-Dog Costume; DSA Florida Run ft Oliver Larkin
Hillary Clinton said this weekend at a security conference in Europe that "migration went too far." Matt examines her culpability in displacement in Central America, specifically Honduras. Then, Oliver Larkin joins David to discuss his run as a socialist in Florida's 23rd. https://www.oliverforcongress.com/ Next, we move up the Eastern seaboard to Maine where Nathan Bernard (@NathanTBernard) has been covering the Platner vs. Mills Senate primary including the ways Maine may as well be on a different planet compared to the DC press. https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/janet-mills-maine-senate-fec-million-dollars-small-donors Finally DSA organizer and comms specialist Arjun Janakan chats with David about messaging.
February 11 · 1 hr 17 min
Epstein & Class Power | Texas Left Takes On Congress ft. Greg Stoker & Etienne Rosas
More Epstein revelations continue to shake the country, despite the lack of political response. Etienne Rosas and Greg Stoker join us to tell us why the left should be excited about their runs for Congress in Texas. But first, Robert Skvarla joins the show once again to discuss the recently released Epstein docs and prospects for justice. Check out Etienne's campaign: https://www.rosasforcongress.com/ Check out Greg's campaign: https://www.stokerfortexas.com/ DAVID'S book on pre-order with 15% - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/
February 4 · 1 hr 31 min
Texas Democrats Embarrassing Turn after Labor's HUGE Win & Rustin's Challenge
Welcome Left Reckoners, David and Matt talk about the massive victory won by Taylor Rehmet in North Texas. It shows the solution for Texas is clear run labor candidates. We are then joined by Ben Fong and Paul Prescod of Damage Magazine to talk about their new collection of the work of the great labor leader and civil rights icon Bayard Rustin. And then after the serious work is over, Matt and David take a peek at what is becoming a total embarrassment, the Texas Senate primary.Check out Rustin's Challenge, compiled by Paul and Benjamin and Damage Magazine, https://damagemag.com/2025/07/24/rustins-challenge/DAVID'S book on pre-order with 15% - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/Support Left Reckoning and get the Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoning
January 28 · 1 hr 32 min
ICE’s terror spree continues, TX Senate Dems afraid to say “abolish ICE”?
Matt and David react to another horrible weekend, a new milestone in overt social media censorship, and Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico's debate performances.You can grab David's debut book right now https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/Also on today's program, Andrew Hairston on his run for Justice of the Peace in Travis County Precinct 1.Support Left Reckoning to get the weekly Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoningCheck out Andrew's campaign here: https://www.hairstonforpeace.com/
January 21 · 1 hr 10 min
What James Talarico won’t say about Israel
James Talarico has built a reputation as a progressive voice in Texas politics — but recent statements on Israel raise serious questions about his commitments.David Griscom and Matt Lech are joined by Judith Norman and Alex Birnel to break down what Talarico says, what he avoids saying, and why values-based language without concrete policy prescriptions falls short in a moment of mass violence and U.S. complicity. This is a discussion about the limits of progressive branding, the pressure Democratic politicians face on Israel, and why refusing to articulate policy is itself a political choice.You can read the full statement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTcB_XvjC...And the response from San Antonio Justice in Palestine: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTs0w7slX...PRE-ORDER David's Book "The Myth of Red Texas" about the Lone Star State's radical history and how we can win Texas again: https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-...Support Left Reckoning and help us keep doing independent, class-focused political analysis.🔴 Patreon: patreon.com/leftreckoningSUNDAY SHOW episodes and mail-bag content.Follow us across platforms for clips, live shows, and updates:@leftreckoning@davidgriscom@mattlech
January 14 · 1 hr 26 min
253 - Marco Rubio: Deep State Narco? & Dan Patrick's Worst Nightmare
Support the show and get the weekly Sunday Show at https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning On today's Left Reckoning, we talk about the deep history in which "Little Marco" is embedded, including the contras and the JFK assassination. Read Maureen's piece on Rubio here: https://prospect.org/2025/12/23/narco-terrorist-elite-rubio-south-america-iran-contra/ Check out Marco's campaign for Lt. Gov. in Texas: https://velezfortexas.com/ 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:45 ICE Attacks Our Constitution 00:17:11 Marco Rubio's Narco Connections 00:58:54 Marcos Velez Union Leader Running For TX LT GOV
January 7 · 1 hr 23 min
252 - Maduro kidnapped: Is the Venezuela invasion an Indian war?
David & Matt are back, for the safety of the nation, Chuck Schumer must resign. Then we are joined by Jose Luis Granados Ceja of @SoberaniaPodcast to talk about the US kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro, what it means for Venezuela, Mexico, and the US. Then Nick Estes, historian, author, and co-host of the @TheRedNation answers the question: Is the Venezuela invasion an Indian War? Read Nick's piece here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...Support Soberania's fundraising drive: https://www.gofundme.com/f/empower-so...Ensure Left Reckoning can continue to bring together anti-imperialist voices from across the hemisphere: Pateron.com/lefteckoning Support Left Reckoning:Live every Tuesday at 6 PM CentralSubscribe & support the show: patreon.com/leftreckoningLike, subscribe, and share to help us reach more peopleSupport the show at patreon.com/leftreckoning
Dec 24, 2025 · 45 min
251 - Bum Steer Awards 2025
David and Matt announce the nominees for the Left Reckoning Bum Steer Awards for 2025.
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
250 - Graham Platner joins Left Reckoning
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner joins us to talk about his run for Senate. Maine, far right hate, military contracting, healthcare and more.Also, Jasmine Crockett feels misrepresented by critics. Has she been?
Dec 10, 2025 · 59 min
249 - Who Are Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico? & Elon Robot Fails
David breaks down the Texas Senate primary for the democrats, as Colin Allred drops out and Jasmine Crockett jumps in. Can either Crockett or Talarico turn sizzle into substance? Also universities are under a generational reactionary attack and need to start acting like it. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/tO0TH3Beoyc?si=yl7W1KYT8OyYwgcR
Dec 2, 2025 · 50 min
248 - Hicks in Milwaukee: Thomas Pynchon's 'Shadow Ticket" ft. Devin Thomas O'Shea
Writer Devin Thomas O'Shea joins LR once again, this time to discuss Thomas Pynchon's new novel "Shadow Ticket."Reviews mentioned: “Reading the New Pynchon Novel in a Pynchonesque America” by Kathryn Schultz in The New Yorkerhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/09/29/shadow-ticket-thomas-pynchon-book-review“Thomas Pynchon is Angry” by Richard Beck in The Yale Reviewhttps://yalereview.org/article/richard-beck-thomas-pynchon“Thomas Pynchon’s world of shadows” by William T. Vollmann in UnHerdhttps://unherd.com/2025/10/thomas-pynchons-world-of-shadows/
Nov 18, 2025 · 36 min
247 - The Epstein Files & Andrew Schulz on Justice ft. Daniel Boguslaw
Check out and support Daniel's work on SubStack:https://danboguslaw.substack.com/Read Daniel's most recent on the Epstein disclosures: https://prospect.org/2025/11/14/epstein-confidant-larry-summers-guiding-democrats-project-2029/Get the member's only Sunday Show and support David and Matt at patreon.com/leftreckoning
Nov 11, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
246 - Twilight of the Virtue Hoarders & Oklahoma's Orphan Wells
Welcome to Left Reckoning on Tuesday afternoons! Nick Bowlin (@npbowlin) returns to discuss oil industry externalities and Catherine Liu joins us to talk about the fall of the PMC and rise of gangster capitalists.Read Nick in ProPublica here: https://www.propublica.org/article/oklahoma-oil-gas-wastewater-pollutionCheck out Catherine Liu's Vitrue Hoarders here: https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517912253/virtue-hoarders/And Catherine Liu's Substack here: https://cliuanon.substack.com/
Nov 5, 2025 · 26 min
245 - Trump Hates Workers; Landlords Love Algorithms (Because They Hate Working) ft Sandeep Vaheesan
Get the Sunday Shows and keep David and Matt growing at patreon.com/leftreckoning David is in the Big Apple to cover the mayoral election so a few quick interviews for you before you go and check him out over on the Jacobin youtube channel.First Sandeep Vaheesan, author of Democracy in Power, joins us to talk about Trump's failure to stand up for workers.Then, Brandon from North Texas DSA joins to talk about the new way landlords are colluding to take more from working people and how to fight back. Check out North Texas DSA's campaign https://www.instagram.com/p/DPMUiobkfke/?hl=en
Nov 2, 2025 · 7 min
Teaser - Sunday Show: KJP's Crashout and the Hollow Center
Get this full episode and all Sunday Shows at patreon.com/leftreckoning David and Matt discuss Karine Jean-Pierre's bizarre media tour, particularly an ill-advised talk with Isaac Chotiner. https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-bidens-white-house-press-secretary-is-leaving-the-democratic-party

Left Reckoning

Iran War Still An Apocalyptic Farce + East Palestine, Poison & You

Aid Convoy Goes to Cuba & Iran War Has Right Wing Media Bugging Out ft. Brandon Sutton, Nathan Robinson, & Alex Skopic

What do other countries think about our war on Iran? ft. Deep State Kuba

The Catastrophic Iran War Is Here ft. Annelle Sheline & Djene Rhys Bajalan

The Free World's Last Days: Crockett & Talarico's Final Push ft. Daniel Bessner

Hillary Clinton In A Hot-Dog Costume; DSA Florida Run ft Oliver Larkin

Epstein & Class Power | Texas Left Takes On Congress ft. Greg Stoker & Etienne Rosas

Texas Democrats Embarrassing Turn after Labor's HUGE Win & Rustin's Challenge

ICE’s terror spree continues, TX Senate Dems afraid to say “abolish ICE”?

What James Talarico won’t say about Israel

253 - Marco Rubio: Deep State Narco? & Dan Patrick's Worst Nightmare

252 - Maduro kidnapped: Is the Venezuela invasion an Indian war?

251 - Bum Steer Awards 2025

250 - Graham Platner joins Left Reckoning

249 - Who Are Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico? & Elon Robot Fails

248 - Hicks in Milwaukee: Thomas Pynchon's 'Shadow Ticket" ft. Devin Thomas O'Shea

247 - The Epstein Files & Andrew Schulz on Justice ft. Daniel Boguslaw

246 - Twilight of the Virtue Hoarders & Oklahoma's Orphan Wells

245 - Trump Hates Workers; Landlords Love Algorithms (Because They Hate Working) ft Sandeep Vaheesan

Teaser - Sunday Show: KJP's Crashout and the Hollow Center