Best WSLR Podcasts (2024)

1
JUNE 26TH 2024: FORMER MAYOR OF AUGUSTA, GA DEKE COPENHAVER/FOOD NOT BOMBS CO-FOUNDER KIETH MCHENRY 2011 INTERVIEW REBROADCAST 56:28

1d ago56:28

56:28

We will be talking with Deke Copenhaver, Mayor of Augusta, Ga from 2005 through 2014. Deke is a Changemaker, helping others realize the potential they have to be leaders in their community and their lives. Also, Bob will be replaying an interview he had with Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry from 2011.…

1
JUNE 19TH 2024: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AT THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION JON THAXTON 55:54

9d ago55:54

55:54

This week we’ll spend the hour with co-hosts WSLR News Director Johannes Werner & Linda Harradine & Larry Eger of the Justice Matters program discussing affordable housing with their guest Jon Thaxton, Senior Vice President for Community Leadership at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

1
JUNE 12TH 2024: AUTHOR'S MARTIN JOHNSON & JOE SIMONETTA 56:49

16d ago56:49

56:49

This week we’ll talk to Martin Johnson, author of The Atheist’s Survival Guide – 35 Ways to Combat Religious Intolerance. Then we’ll talk to Joe Simonetta, author of the new book Be Healthy. Be Kind. Respect the Environment.

1
JUNE 5TH 2024: "THE JAZZMEN" AUTHOR LARRY TYE/THEN NEW SARASOTA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CHIEF SANDRA TAPFUMANEYI 47:38

23d ago47:38

47:38

This week we’ll talk to Larry Tye, author of “The Jazzmen – How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America”. Then we’ll hear from Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Sarasota County’s emergency management chief, about hurricane preparedness. ***Due to technical difficulties the Larry Tye interview is presented in the second half***…

1
MAY 29 2024: AUTHOR DAVID SWANSON ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF NATO 57:11

30d ago57:11

57:11

This week we’ll talk to David Swanson, author of the new book with Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin - Nato: What You Need to Know. It’s “an indispensable primer on an organization that not only confronts expanding military conflict but, the authors contend, plays an active part in its escalation.”

1
MAY 22 2024: AUTHOR, PROFESSOR AND DEAN EMERITUS AT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY RUTH BRANDWEIN/THEN, WSLR CO-FOUNDER DAVE BEATON TALKS ABOUT FUTURE PLANS IN MICHIGAN 56:55

1M ago56:55

56:55

This week we’ll talk to local author Ruth Brandwein and then WSLR co-founder Dave Beaton about his plans for Michigan! Local author, Professor and Dean Emeritus at Stony Brook University Ruth Brandwein. She has received the National Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sarasota Nat…

1
MAY 15TH 2024: EDITOR OF "A MINISTRY OF RISK: WRITINGS ON PEACE & NONVIOLENCE BY PHILIP BERRIGAN" BRAD WOLF/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AT GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, JON THAXTON, DISCUSSES BILL ... 56:46

1M ago56:46

56:46

This week we’ll talk to Brad Wolf, editor of the new book A Ministry of Risk: Writings on Peace and Nonviolence by Philip Berrigan, peace activist and Catholic priest. From the battlefields of World War II to the front lines of peace activism, Philip Berrigan evolved from soldier to scholar, priest to political prisoner. Confronting the fundamental…

1
MAY 8TH 2024: ARTISTS AND ORAGNIZERS CREATING A BETTER WORLD W/ORGANIZER KEN GROSSINGER & ARTIST ROBERT SHETTERLY 56:44

2M ago56:44

56:44

In this episode we’ll talk to Ken Grossinger, author of Art Works – How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together. Grossinger chronicles these efforts for the first time, distilling lessons and insights from grassroots leaders and luminaries such as Ai Weiwei, Courtland Cox, Jackson Browne, Shepard Fairey, Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Al…

1
MAY 1ST 2024: CANDIDATE FOR THE SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2, LIZ BARKER/NEW ORLEANS RESIDENT AND TAROT READER AUDREY 57:00

2M ago57:00

57:00

In this episode we’ll talk to Liz Barker, candidate for the Sarasota School Board, District Two. The election is August 20. Then Bob will talk to a person he met in New Orleans at the French Quarter Festival, Tarot Reader Audrey

1
APRIL 24th 2024: FLORIDA NATURE POTOGRAPHY W/E. SCOTT OSBORNE & POTOGRAPHER & AUTHOR FRAN PALMERI, THEN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE NORTHEAST W/EDUCATOR & EDITOR ADRIENNE SCOTT 56:18

2M ago56:18

56:18

In this episode E. Scott Osborne, writer, advocate, and President of Through Women’s Eyes Organization, will interview Florida nature photographer and author Fran Palmeri. Then we’ll talk to Adrienne Scott about the repatriation campaigns of the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust in the Northeast United States.…

1
APRIL 17th 2024: FIRST HALF: HOMELESSNESS W/PATRICIA BIRCH, JUDITH WELLMEN, & GAIL CHATFIELD. SECOND HALF: JUSTICE MATTERS 56:51

2M ago56:51

56:51

In this episode we’ll talk to Patrica Birch, who was homeless until a few days ago. Judith Wellmen, Point In Time survey volunteer and we’ll hear from Gail Chatfield of Freedom Gathering about the meals and other services they provide in Bradenton.

1
Gaza is Forcing America's Hand 30:01

2M ago30:01

30:01

Join us as Ruth discusses how the movement for Palestine is undermining US-Israeli relations! Also discussed is the brutal Israeli torture of Palestinian poltical prisoners.

1
USF Students' Hunger Strike for Gaza 25:06

3M ago25:06

25:06

In this episode, we focus on the hunger strike led by USF students, and are joined by organizers Will and Alina of the USF Divest Coalition.

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APRIL 10th 2024: HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS & WSLR NEWS! W/JARROD KOZEE & JOHNANNES WERNER 55:46

3M ago55:46

55:46

In this episode we’ll talk to Jarrod Kozee from On the Spot Aid. They provide street medicine and care for the area homeless. Then we’ll talk to Johannes Werner, head of our amazing WSLR news team!

1
APRIL 3RD 2024: STATE OF ISRAEL/PALESTINE & THE CURRENT STATE OF ABORTION IN FLORIDA W/MAZIN QUMSIYEH & SARAH PARKER 56:33

3M ago56:33

56:33

In this episode we’ll speak with Mazin Qumsiyeh Founder & Director Of The Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University in Palestine. In the second half we'll speak with Sarah Parker Founder & President Of The Voices Of Florida Fund & Co-Founder of The Women's Voices of S…

1
The Feminist Mythmaking of the Gaza Genocide 29:33

3M ago29:33

29:33

By deceptively portraying its female soldiers as liberators confronting a misogynistic enemy, Israel seeks to reframe its militaristic oppression as a righteous feminist cause.

1
Housework is Revolutionary Work 25:24

3M ago25:24

25:24

In honor of Women's History Month, Ruth examines the bold visions and concrete programs of revolutionary women leaders - past and present - to uplift gender equality and dismantle patriarchal oppression. She contrasts their work to collectively value women's labor with how capitalist nations like the US funnel resources into militarism rather than …

1
MARCH 27th 2024: UNITING PALESTINE AND ISRAEL W/RABBI HANAN SCHLESINGER & NOOR A'WAD OF THE ROOTS ORGANIZATION 56:53

3M ago56:53

56:53

In this episode we’ll interview two of the leaders of ROOTS, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Noor A’wad. Roots is fostering a grassroots movement of understanding, nonviolence, and transformation among Israelis and Palestinians.

1
MARCH 20th 2024: INSURANCE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING AFFORDABILITY! W/FORMER FLORIDA SENATOR JEFF BRANDES 56:43

3M ago56:43

56:43

In this episode we’ll talk to former FL Senator Jeff Brandes about his new Florida Policy Project working on housing affordability, insurance, transportation and criminal justice.

1
The Struggle for Women's Liberation 25:03

4M ago25:03

25:03

In honor of Women's History Month, this episode of takes a look at the burden and exploitation faced by women under capitalist society. Ruth dives deep into the political economy and root causes of why "mommy is so tired" all the time. She also uplifts the historical examples of brave women fighters, resistors and educators who refused to accept th…

1
The People Fight Back! The Local Struggle for Palestine 28:24

4M ago28:24

28:24

Tune in to listen to Ruth's compelling interview with Lama from Dream Defenders, who speaks on the needed disruption of a Kathy Castor event. Kathy Castor, a member and Co-Chair of the Children Healthcare Caucus, has continued to maintain silence on the genocide of children in Gaza, and has upheld US support for the Israeli state. Later on the epis…

1
The Whole System is Guilty! Breonte’s Death and Corrupt Policing 29:20

4M ago29:20

29:20

Host Ruth is joined by guest Bobby to expose the injustice behind the police killing of Breonte’ L. Johnson-Davis and the web of lies and corruption used to shield the killer cops. They analyze disturbing discrepancies in the Palmetto PD's press conference and bodycam footage meant to justify this senseless murder. From officers caught laughing to …

1
No Justice, No Peace: Holding Florida Law Enforcement Accountable 27:46

4M ago27:46

27:46

Ruth investigates alarming reports coming out of Florida jails and prisons. According to a report by the NAACP, in one Florida jail alone, 21 inmates have died under suspicious circumstances with little accountability. From prisoners succumbing to treatable medical issues to beatings at the hands of guards, a disturbing pattern emerges - incarcerat…

1
Permanent Ceasefire Now! 35:52

5M ago35:52

35:52

Join us for a special episode this week, as hosts Caleb and Audrey delve into the Paris Peace treaty and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, using clips from Breakthrough News. The Paris proposal faces challenges and apprehensions from both sides. We explore the domestic and international pressures influencing Israel's war cabinet's deliberations. Additi…

1
Disease, Bombing, and Corporate Lies: Breaking Down US-Israeli Strategy 28:53

5M ago28:53

28:53

In this episode, we delve into the disease and starvation rampant in Gaza due to the bombing of the region's life-sustaining infrastructure. We also dissect the narrative of Iranian proxies frequently portrayed in corporate media, separating truth from misinformation.

1
From the Belly of the Beast, Hands off the Middle East 27:56

5M ago27:56

27:56

In this episode, Ruth brings the sounds of nationwide protests to your ears, covering the spirit of resistance from Texas to Tampa. Despite the state's violent attempts to silence these voices, the people remain undeterred. We also cover the tenacious resistance of the Yemeni people, challenging the narrative spun by the American state. This episod…

1
400,000 March on Washington for Gaza! 28:50

5M ago28:50

28:50

The people have once again shown that they reject the US-Israeli invasion of Gaza! Massive crowds turned out in Washington D.C. for a march demanding justice for Palestine. Millions of others held similar actions elsewhere, including in South Africa, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Finland, as well a…

1
Police Brutality in the Suncoast - Justice for Breonte'! 27:18

6M ago27:18

27:18

Join Ruth in a deeply moving conversation with Tracey Washington, a resilient mother who shares how the Palmetto Police Department brutally murdered her son Breonte' Johnson-Davis Sr. Breonte’, a devoted father, co-founder of a family business, and a young man grappling with addiction, became a victim of police brutality on November 1st, 2023. Duri…

1
Shut it down for Palestine! Last Episode of 2023 24:58

6M ago24:58

24:58

This episode is dedicated to the true heroes of 2023: The Palestinian People

1
Free Free Palestine! 30:01

9M ago30:01

30:01

Last Saturday we saw a historic display of resistance from the Palestinian people. We saw Gazans break out of their open air prison and strike a blow against their oppressors. To discuss this, give context, and speak about the role of progressives and socialists here in the US, we have Ali Abdel-Qader from the Party for Socialism and Liberation to …

1
Historic UPS Strike Looms 30:01

11M ago30:01

30:01

UPS drivers and warehouse workers are prepared to go on strike at the end of this month if UPS does not accept their demands in their contract negotiation. This nationwide strike would be historic as UPS transports about 4% of US GDP daily and pulls in $300M every month. We are very excited to be joined by local UPS driver and Teamsters steward Ant…

1
Starbucks Workers in Sarasota Organizing to Form a Union 30:01

11M ago30:01

30:01

(Originally aired June 22 2023) Starbucks workers at the Honore and University location in Sarasota have announced their intention to have a union vote early next month! We interviewed two partners at the location who have been playing leading roles in the unionization effort. They spoke on the issues that the workers there have been facing, the re…

1
New College Students Fight Back Against DeSantis' Fascist Takeover of NCF Board 30:01

1+ y ago30:01

30:01

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed 6 right-wing members to the New College Board of Trustees, paving the way to majority control of the board. Among the appointees is reactionary homophobe and racist Chris Rufo, who is well known for leading the attack on “CRT” and will attack any program at NCF that sheds light on the injustices of the US and the patriar…

1
Episode 41 - The Struggle for Rent Control 30:01

2y ago30:01

30:01

[This episode originally aired on August 17th.] Tampa and St. Petersburg have both recently struck down attempts to get rent control on the ballot after declaring states of emergency on housing. Over the last two years, and especially here in Florida, the working class has been suffering through a housing crisis, with incomes unstable and housing p…

1
Episode 40 - Tampa's Racist Program that Evicted 1000 Black Renters 30:01

2y ago30:01

30:01

We are excited to be joined by the Legal Chair of the Tampa Chapter of the ACLU, James Shaw. James helped to uncover the racist "Crime Free Multi Housing"program run by the Tampa Police Department that encouraged and may have coerced landlords into evicting families where one of the residents committed a crime, even one as minor as pan-handling or …

1
Episode 39 - Fascism in the Suncoast 30:01

2y ago30:01

30:01

[This episode was originally released on the radio on July 20th.] We're joined once again by community activist Jack Wallace to speak on the recent pulled opinion piece from the Herald Tribune written by the wife of a Proud Boy in defense of the Proud Boys, a fascist and white supremacist organization. We also discuss the recent Moms For Liberty ev…

1
Episode 38 - The People Fight Back! The Democrats Fail to Defend Roe v Wade. 30:01

2y ago30:01

30:01

[This episode was released on July 6th on the radio and was not uploaded as a podcast. We are now releasing it and remind our listeners that this took place in the throes of the massive protests across the country in reaction to the overturning of Roe v Wade.] Karla Correa and Jack Wallace, both community organizers of large reproductive protests, …

1
Episode 37 - How City Government Can Help Solve the Housing Crisis 30:01

2y ago30:01

30:01

We begin this episode with an important discussion about the origins of Juneteenth and local events celebrating this important holiday. The show continues with important discussion about the ongoing housing struggles and local solutions being adapted by Tampa and Pinellas County which can be duplicated in the Sarasota/Manatee area.…

1
Bonus: Inflation and Corporate Greed 27:25

2y ago27:25

27:25

We have been hearing a lot about inflation, and we are certainly feeling it when we go to the grocery store, when we pay our rent, and definitely when we get gas. The price of everything is going up. The mainstream media, which is controlled by corporations, likes to frame inflation as something that just happens. But the truth is that it doesn’t “…

1
Episode 36 - United States of Violence 29:05

2y ago29:05

29:05

As we all know, there has been a wave of mass shootings recently across the country, with the Uvalde elementary school shooting being the largest one in recent news. What is so uniquely alienating about our country that makes incidents like these happen do often? Our government has completely failed the people, and more money for police has proven …

1
Episode 35 - The System is Broken, Fight for Abortion 25:15

2y ago25:15

25:15

It's official. The Supreme Court is planning on repealing Roe v Wade and opening the door for states to ban abortion entirely. This is set to impact millions of working class women and people across the country, and calls into question the safety of other rights that have been fought for like gay marriage. We're joined by local community activists …

1
Episode 34 - Anti-Semitism and Evictions Kill in Sarasota 29:15

2y ago29:15

29:15

We're very happy to be joined by national ANSWER coalition member Juliana Musheyev to take on local issues here in Sarasota. On this episode, we discuss the string of anti semitic flyers found in Sarasota and the struggle against antisemitism, while also clarifying that antizionism and antisemitism are not equivalent. We also discuss the recent pol…

1
Episode 33 - War in Ukraine Part 2 27:48

2y ago27:48

27:48

By The Ruthless Truth

1
Episode 32 - Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay: Ron DeSantis Go Away! 27:39

2+ y ago27:39

27:39

In previous episodes of the Ruthless Truth, we’ve talked about some of the reactionary bills that the Republican Party here in Florida have been trying to pass into law. Now Ron Desantis and the Florida Republicans have been pushing another large group of reactionary bills, including the anti-abortion bill we covered last month, that we want to tal…

1
Episode 31 - War In Ukraine 26:52

2+ y ago26:52

26:52

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought the world to the brink of all out war, with devastating consequences if NATO were to intervene. How did we get here? Why did Russia invade Ukraine? What was the role of the American empire in the 2014 coup in Ukraine and the ensuing 8 year civil war? How could this war have been avoided? What should anti-…

1
Episode 30 - The Struggle for Reproductive Rights 29:03

2+ y ago29:03

29:03

Reproductive rights is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right. So reproductive rights are human rights! And right now, across the United States and right here in Florida, reproductive rights are under attack! In this episode, we go over the history of Roe v Wade and the Struggle for Reproductive rights, how reactionary forces are attacking tho…

1
Episode 29 - Free Christopher Tonsel! 26:40

2+ y ago26:40

26:40

Chris Tonsel, a 17 year old Chris Tonsel was shot in the stomach by SPPD officer Leighton Williams unjustly, is stuck in jail unable to pay bail while fighting off bogus charges! To support him as well as celebrate Black History month, we'll be giving away 10 black Liberation books to the first 10 listeners who donate to Chris's Bail Fund! For more…

1
Episode 28 - One Year of the Ruthless Truth! 29:27

2+ y ago29:27

29:27

It has been a year of the Ruthless Truth, and we're very excited to look back on the many topics that we have discussed with you on the show over the past year, and review the most important struggles and movements we've been a part of locally over the last year as well. If you haven't listened to our Socialism 101 series, do yourself a favor and g…

1
Episode 27 - U.S.A's COVID Response, Capitalism Kills! 29:23

2+ y ago29:23

29:23

The Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire across the world, with over a million new cases per day in the US, despite testing being hard to come by. Workers are being forced to go in sick as hospitals are overrun, all while Biden declares that there is "no federal solution" as profits are put over people once again. How did we get here? Why has…

1
Episode 26 - Socialism 101 Part 6: Reform vs Revolution: Revolution! 29:27

2+ y ago29:27

29:27

During our last episode, we started to talk about the ways that we can transform our society out of capitalism and into socialism, and we talked specifically about reformism and why reform alone cannot save us. During today’s episode we will define and discuss revolution, we will explore what revolutionaries mean when they say reform or revolution,…

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