Left of Midlife

What if the beliefs you 'thought' were yours are really just echoes of someone else's agenda? In this episode of Left of Midlife, we pull back the curtain on propaganda - not as something that only happens in history books, but as a force that quietly shapes emotions, identities, and beliefs every day.
 
We'll break down: 
- What propaganda actually is (and what it isn't)
- How it sneaks in through repetition, emotion, and 'everyone knows' narratives
- Why smart, well-intentioned people fall for it
- How the modern media ecosystem fuels it
- And, most importantly, how you can build defenses that don't require you to check your humanity at the door.
 
Along the way we'll explore tools that help you see beyond your feed, including GroundNews - compare bias, reliability and perspective across news sources - a platform that shows multiple angles on the same story and highlights media blind spots by revealing how outlets across the spectrum are covering (or ignoring) an issue. 
 
By the end, you'll be equipped to question what feels comfortable, discern what's real, and stay grounded without shutting down or shutting out the world. 
 
Tune in - because the first step toward freedom is knowing what you're up against.

* This is an explicit episode and may not be suitable to all listeners*
 
In this episode of Left of Midlife, we go beyond headlines to explain what's happening in Minnesota - federal enforcement actions, community response, and why this moment resonates nationwide. This episode tackles tough subjects with facts, context, and what accountability really looks like.
 
 
Resources:
 
standwithminnesota.com
migrawhistlepdx.org
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) aclu.org
National Lawyers Guild (NLG) nlg.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) ilrc.org
National Immigration Law Center (NILC) nilc.org
Electric Frontier Foundation (EFF) eff.org

Every January, we hear the same Martin Luther King Jr. quotes - polished, familiar, and carefully removed from their context. In this episode, we step beyond the sound bites to talk about the MLK they don't teach in school: the government surveillance and backlash, the fight for labor and economic justice, and why his message was considered dangerous in his own time. We honor Dr. King not by sanitizing his legacy, but by telling the story, asking what it demands of use today - and leaving you with his own words.

National politics get all the attention - but local elections quietly shape our everyday lives. 
 
In this episode of Left of Midlife, we break down why state and local elections matter more than most people realize, what all those down-ballot offices actually do, and how power often concentrates in low-turnout races most voters skip or don't understand. 
 
We talk primaries vs. general elections, why people tune out local politics, the real impact of straight-ticket voting, and how state legislatures influence everything from schools to courts to voting access. Most importantly, we talk about how normal people can get involved - without burning out or becoming a full-time political operative. 
 
Because democracy isn't a vibe.
It's a verb.
And right now, participation matters more than ever.

Feeling burned out, low, or just....off? 
 
In this episode of Left of Midlife, we're talking honestly about mental health - the kind that lives at the intersection of political burnout, winter blues, and the quiet emotional shifts of midlife. 
 
We unpack what political burnout and activism fatigue really look like (hint: it's not apathy), why winter can mess with our mood and energy more than we expect, and how midlife depression often shows up as anger, numbness, or exhaustion instead of sadness. We talk about the stacked stress so many of us are carrying, why 'just push through' doesn't work, and what coping actually looks like in real life - not the Instagram version. 
 
This is a respectful, caring conversation with room for humor, honesty, and relief. No fixing. No toxic positivity. Just naming what's happening and reminding you that you're not broken - you're human.
 
If you've felt tired in your bones lately, emotionally overwhelmed, or quietly wondering, "Is this it?" - you're not alone. Pull up a chair. We've got you.
 
For Immediate Crisis Help (24/7/365):
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org for confidential support.
Emergency Services: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for life-threatening situations. 
Finding Support & Information:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers support groups and information; their HelpLine is available M-F (10 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET). 800-950-6264
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Offers information on mental illnesses and finding help.  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Has locators for treatment and support. Findtreatment.gov
Betterhelp.com - online resource for therapy
Anxiety and Depression Association of America ADAA ADAA.ORG
Specialized Support & Groups:
Mental Health America: Provides links to numerous support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Anxiety & Depression Association, etc.). https://mhanational.org/
Veterans Crisis Line: A dedicated resource for veterans.  Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
The Trevor Project for Trans and LGBTQ + youth (866) 488-7386

In the final 2025 episode we're wrapping up a year that somehow managed to be exhausting, infuriating, and meaningful all at once. We talk honestly about burnout (political, personal, existential), the chaos of juggling real life with activism and microphones, and what it took to keep showing up when the world felt deeply unserious. 
 
But it's not all struggle bus. We celebrate the real wins - growth that didn't go viral, conversations that mattered, a community that showed up, and the radical act of staying human through it all. 
 
We check in on what midlife taught us in 2025, and what we're finally done apologizing for. Then we look ahead to 2026 with resolutions that ditch hustle culture in favor of rest, sanity, sustainable activism, and joy that doesn't need to be productive.
 
No toxic positivity. No vision boards that lie. Just snark, honesty, and reminder that you don't have to do everything - but you can do something. 
 
We'll rest. We'll rage. We'll record.
See you in 2026 - new year, same loveable assholes.

Sourdough, soft lighting, and submission...what could possibly go wrong?
 
This week on Left of Midlife, we're unpacking the rise of tradwife influencers like Nara Smith and Ballerina Farm - and the cozy, curated "soft life" they're selling online, and they hypocrisy of telling women to stay home while building massive influencer careers. We talk about why this content feels comforting in chaotic times - and why it's not just a trend, but a political push with real consequences.
 
From financial dependence to unsafe relationships, we unpack why women's education, income, and autonomy are never optional. This episode is about choice, power, and protecting your options.
 
Resources Mentioned
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE thehotline.org
- Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: icadvinc.org
- RAINN: 1-800-656-HOPE rainn.org
- If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline: 844-868-2812
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

In this special episode, we sit down with Secretary of State candidate Blythe Potter for a conversation that's equal parts insightful, energizing, and delightfully chaotic in true Left of Midlife fashion.
 
Blythe breaks down what the Secretary of State actually does (spoiler alert: it's a lot more than paperwork), what it means to run a truly grassroots campaign, and how she navigates the wild world of social-media trolls with grace, grit, and humor. We also dive into why everyday Hoosiers should care about this office - and what authentic leadership looks like outside the political machine.
 
Left Of Midlife is brought to you by Home and Harvest Properties and Fair Shake w/ Brian Emmons

In Part 2 of "Red, White, and Roe," we dive into the world we now live in: the post-Roe landscape shaped by the Dobbs decision. We break down what has changed for everyday people, how bans are playing out in real time, and why reproductive freedom is now a state-by-state battleground with life-altering consequences. 
 
We talk criminalization, chaos, medical fear, political fallout - and the communities stepping up to protect one another when institutions fail. This episode is equal parts truth-telling, quiet rage, and a reminder that none of us are alone in this fight.
 
Resources mentioned:
- Free Reproductive Legal Helpline: 844-868-2812
- Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline (clinicians on call): 833-246-2632
- Jessica Valenti: https://abortioneveryday.com
 
Organizations Fighting for Reproductive Freedom:
- ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/issues/reproductive-freedom/abortion
- Center for Reproductive Rights: https://reproductiverights.org/
- Reproductive Freedom for All: https://reproductivefreedomforall.org/
 
Cultural Impact:
- Tupac "Keep Ya Head Up"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyE_23H4rTg
 
This podcast is brought to you by Home and Harvest Properties and Shake Broadcastings "FAIR SHAKE w/ Brian Emmopns. If your business would like to advertise, drop us an email at LeftOfMidlife@gmail.com and we'll provide very affordable rates. 

This Thanksgiving, we're carving into more than turkey. The Left of Midlife trio digs into the messy, myth-busted truth behind America's favorite feel-good holiday. From the sanitized Pilgrim pageants, we grew up with to the real history of colonization, survival, and resistance, we're pulling back the construction-paper curtain.
 
We unpack how Thanksgiving got rebranded into the national story we tell today, why that narrative matters, and what it means to celebrate the holiday with eyes open and hearts grounded in truth. Expect humor, history, side-eye, and a whole bunch of "wait....school didn't teach us that!"
 
Come for the gravy. Stay for the accountability.
 
Left of Midlife is brought to you by Home and Harvest Properties and Shake Broadcastings "Fair Shake with Brian Emmons."  
 
If your business would like to advertise, drop us an  email  at. LeftOfMidlife@gmail.com and we'll provide you with the very affordable rates.