WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast

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."

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.

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.

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.

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 President Trump’s executive order banning state regulations on artificial technology medical applications.

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.

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.

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 Sen. Bernie Sanders is the New York Times bestseller, It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism.

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

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