This time on Code WACK! Today, we’re talking about rising healthcare costs and the renewed momentum behind Medicare for All. Recent polling shows majority support for the idea across Democrats, independents, and even a notable share of Republicans, even when voters are told it would replace most private insurance and require higher taxes. As premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs continue to climb, healthcare affordability is once again at the forefront of the political debate. To help us unpack what’s driving this support and whether it represents a real political opportunity, we’re joined by longtime healthcare advocate and policy strategist Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now and former healthcare constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. This is the first of two episodes with Michael Lighty. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

Happy New Year! Cooking Healthy, LGBTQ Headlines, and Hope for 2026 Happy New Year! On the first show of the year, we’re starting exactly where so many of us want to be: healthier, grounded, and informed. I’ll show you how to make an easy, delicious lentil pasta dish that’s packed with protein, full of flavor, and simple enough for anyone to cook—perfect for easing into better habits without guilt or extremes. Then Scott Jacobson joins me for This Gay Week, breaking down the LGBTQ stories that are already shaping the start of the new year—from politics to culture to what our community should be watching closely right now. And of course, we’ll take a moment to reflect on what we hope this new year can bring: more health, more honesty, more joy, and more room to just breathe. 📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel 👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more. 📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember. #HappyNewYear, #NewYearShow, #HealthyCooking, #LentilPasta, #PlantBasedEating, #EasyRecipes, #HealthyHabits, #LGBTQNews, #ThisGayWeek, #QueerVoices, #ProgressiveMedia, #NewsPodcast, #KarelCast, #PodcastClips, #LasVegas, #NewYearReflection, #WellnessJourney, #FoodAndTalk, #LGBTQCommunity, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/Q1JtTF6GUh4

Goodbye 2025: The Year That Changed Everything As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to pause—and take one last, honest look at a year that often felt overwhelming. The first year of Trump’s return to power reshaped politics almost daily, while breakthroughs and breakdowns across science, health, entertainment, and pop culture competed for our attention nonstop. Some stories inspired hope. Others shocked, exhausted, or divided us. And many lived somewhere in the uncomfortable middle. This episode of The Karel Cast puts 2025 into a time capsule—connecting the dots between the moments that defined the year and asking what they mean as we step into the future. If you felt like 2025 was a lot… you weren’t wrong. Let’s talk about the year that was. 📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel 👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more. 📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember. #Goodbye2025, #YearInReview, #2025Recap, #Politics2025, #TrumpEra, #PopCulture2025, #ScienceNews, #EntertainmentNews, #CurrentEvents, #MediaAnalysis, #ProgressiveMedia, #NewsPodcast, #KarelCast, #LGBTQVoices, #EndOfYearReflection, #LookingAhead, #LasVegas, #PodcastClips, #CulturalMoment, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/76i0vSN39JY

Erik Dane on ALS, Disability Visibility, and Refusing to Give Up Erik Dane—forever remembered by many as “McSteamy” from Grey’s Anatomy—has lived much of his career in the spotlight. From blockbuster films to hit television shows, and more recently capturing a new generation on Euphoria, his career has continued to evolve. But in April 2025, at the height of renewed success, Dane was diagnosed with ALS—a devastating disease with no cure. Now using a wheelchair, Erik Dane is still acting, still creating, and still showing up. He recently appeared on Brilliant Minds and participated in a powerful media panel discussing the role, disability visibility, and what it means to continue working in an industry that rarely makes space for visible illness. We bring you that panel—and the conversation it sparked. As we look ahead to the new year, Erik Dane’s story is a profound reminder of two essential truths: nothing matters more than your health, and even when your body isn’t cooperating, your dreams don’t have to end. 📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel 👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more. 📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember. #ErikDane, #ALS, #DisabilityVisibility, #GreysAnatomy, #McSteamy, #Euphoria, #HollywoodNews, #HealthAwareness, #ChronicIllness, #DisabilityRights, #Inspiration, #NeverGiveUp, #EntertainmentNews, #KarelCast, #LGBTQVoices, #PodcastClips, #LasVegas, #CurrentEvents, #MentalHealth, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/RNxrJZohY8E

Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail, SF Takes on Junk Food, and This Gay Week It’s New Year’s resolution season—but what if making resolutions is actually setting yourself up to fail? As millions promise dramatic life changes, we take a hard look at why New Year’s resolutions often backfire, fuel shame, and create unrealistic expectations instead of real growth. Plus, San Francisco is taking an aggressive stand against junk food, filing lawsuits aimed at companies that profit from unhealthy products. Is this smart public health policy—or government overreach into what we eat? And Scott Jacobson joins me for This Gay Week, breaking down the latest LGBTQ news, culture, and political developments you need to know as we head into the new year. 📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel 👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more. 📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember. #NewYearsResolutions, #MentalHealth, #HealthyLiving, #NewYearMindset, #SelfImprovement, #WellnessCulture, #FoodPolitics, #JunkFood, #SanFrancisco, #PublicHealth, #LGBTQNews, #ThisGayWeek, #ProgressiveMedia, #KarelCast, #NewsPodcast, #EndOfYearReflection, #LasVegas, #CurrentEvents, #LGBTQVoices, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/UlwnHzE2WL8

It’s Christmas — Let’s Dance! 🎄💃 | Karel Cast No politics. No heavy headlines. No big debates. It’s Christmas Day — a day for joy, memories, music, and movement. And today on The Karel Cast, we’re doing exactly that: dancing through decades of stories, songs, and survival. I’ve been making music professionally since the late 1980s, and on this special Christmas episode, I’m sharing the stories behind the songs — and playing some of the music videos I’ve created over the years, including: 🎶 “Everybody Get On Up” — big hair, fake music, real dancing, and one unforgettable outfit straight from the hood. 🎶 My first “big” record with Jellybean Benitez — how we met, where it was recorded, and why we ended up in the desert… in a trailer… with 200 pieces of fried chicken. 🎶 “Don’t Stop” — my first Sylvester cover, featuring Thea Austin and Jeanie Tracy (who sang on the original), plus incredible studio stories. 🎶 “Stronger Together” — written after Michelle Obama’s “when they go low…” moment, and how Daniel, Thea, Morgan, and I came together in my TuffStudio. 🎶 “Married Men” — why that song had to be written. 🎶 “We’re Not Going Back” — an anthem that hit Top 4 in the UK. 🎶 “Do You Wanna Funk” — another Sylvester classic with a very unique backstory. This episode is about music as memory, movement as survival, and dancing because we’re still here. It’s Christmas. Let’s dance. 🕺✨ The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. The Karel Cast is heard on all major platforms from Apple Music to iHeart, Spotify to Spreaker. Live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST, and also streaming on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, songwriter, and entertainer, currently in Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember. #ItsChristmasLetsDance, #ChristmasDayPodcast, #DanceMusicHistory, #KarelCast, #HolidayMusicSpecial, #ClassicDanceMusic, #SylvesterTribute, #LGBTQMusicHistory, #ChristmasVibes, #MusicStorytelling, #HouseMusicRoots, #QueerJoy, #HolidayJoy, #DanceBecause, #MusicMemories, #LasVegasCreator, #ChristmasPodcast, #EmberTheServiceDog, #UKDanceCharts, #MusicAsSurvival https://youtube.com/live/o2KdTIQHTlU

The True Meaning of Christmas (It’s Not What You Think) | Karel Cast Every year we decorate the tree, exchange gifts, sing the songs, and gather with loved ones — but do we ever stop to ask why we do any of it? On this Christmas Eve episode of The Karel Cast, we take a deeper look at the true meaning of Christmas: where the traditions came from, what they were meant to symbolize, and how the holiday has evolved into what it is today. We’ll also talk honestly about why Christmas can feel magical for some — and painfully lonely or depressing for others. From nostalgia and loss to hope and connection, this is a reflective, thoughtful conversation about what this night really represents in our modern world. Whether Christmas fills you with joy, sadness, or a mix of both, this episode is for you. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please watch, like, comment, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. The Karel Cast is heard on all major streaming platforms — from Apple Music to iHeartRadio, Spotify to Spreaker. Live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST, and streaming on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer broadcasting from Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember. #ChristmasEve, #TrueMeaningOfChristmas, #HolidayReflection, #ChristmasTraditions, #HolidayMentalHealth, #ChristmasSadness, #HolidayJoy, #ChristmasThoughts, #KarelCast, #HolidayDepression, #ChristmasSpirit, #HolidayEmotions, #SeasonOfHope, #ModernChristmas, #LGBTQVoices, #HolidayPodcast, #ChristmasPodcast, #EndOfYearReflection, #LasVegas, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/x8-698BCM9I

These Food & Climate Numbers Will Shock You | Karel Cast 25-167 What would it actually take for your state to be food-self-sufficient? How much food — and especially meat — would the United States have to produce just to feed itself? The answers are staggering, and they reveal why climate change, agriculture, and what we eat are deeply connected — whether we want to admit it or not. These numbers don’t just challenge our assumptions, they expose how fragile the food system really is. So yes, eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season — but understand this: you are not alone, and the choices we make collectively matter more than ever. Plus, let’s talk about the emotional side of the holidays. They can be joyful… but also stressful. What holiday pet peeves drive you crazy? Crowds? Family drama? Travel chaos? Odds are, we share more than a few. And to balance it out: what are the things worth loving this season? The moments, the people, the small joys that make it all worthwhile. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel. Catch The Karel Cast Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST on Apple Music, iHeart Media, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram. #KarelCast, #FoodSecurity, #ClimateChange, #SustainableFood, #MeatConsumption, #ClimateCrisis, #FoodSystem, #HolidaySeason, #HolidayStress, #HolidayPetPeeves, #FoodProduction, #EnvironmentalImpact, #DietAndClimate, #USFoodSupply, #PopCultureTalk, #ProgressiveVoices, #SocialIssues, #NewsCommentary, #LGBTQCreators, #LasVegasCreator https://youtube.com/live/gB4ZdO9dlkE

Airlines vs. Bigger Bodies: Should Fat Travelers Pay More? | Karel Cast Holiday travel is here — and Southwest Airlines is back in the spotlight for its “customer of size” policy. If you’re considered too large for a single seat, they require you to buy two. Sure, you might get a refund later… but will you? And is this policy fair? Let’s be honest: airplane seats are shrinking while Americans are getting larger. Should heavier passengers be financially penalized — or should airlines be held accountable for designing seats that barely fit anyone? And what does this say about how society treats bigger bodies? Plus: As we wrap up the year, Karel dives into the best movies, best music, and standout cultural moments of 2024 — the hits, the surprises, and what’s absolutely worth your time this holiday break. And finally: What would your perfect Christmas gift be this year? Let’s talk joy, wishes, and what really matters as we close out the year. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel. Stream The Karel Cast Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST on Apple Music, iHeart Media, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram. #KarelCast, #HolidayTravel, #AirlinePolicies, #SouthwestAirlines, #BodyPositivity, #FatShaming, #TravelNews, #AirlineSeats, #AviationIssues, #HolidaySeason2024, #MovieRecommendations, #BestMusic2024, #PopCultureNews, #Christmas2024, #GiftIdeas2024, #NewsCommentary, #ProgressiveTalk, #SocialIssues, #LGBTQVoices, #LasVegasCreator https://youtube.com/live/cJnWWycOc_I

'BradCast' 12/18/2025: Old Man Shouts At People, and Other End of Year Observations by Progressive Voices

GNR_121825_PV by Progressive Voices

Trump’s Oval Office Meltdown, Bongino Exits FBI, and UnitedHealth’s Deadly Denials Last night’s Oval Office address from Donald Trump was meant to reassure the nation—but instead became an awkward, rambling spectacle that many are calling an international embarrassment. Trump insisted the economy is “fine,” listed supposed accomplishments, and brushed off serious problems as minor issues he alone can fix. The result was painful to watch—and deeply revealing. Was it incompetence, denial, or something else entirely? And does it explain why Dan Bongino abruptly stepped down as FBI Deputy Director? Plus, a major reckoning for UnitedHealthcare. After years of denying and delaying critical care, the company now faces wrongful death lawsuits following the deaths of three nursing home residents who were blocked from emergency hospital treatment. Is accountability finally coming—and how many more cases are waiting in the shadows? 📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel 👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel 🎧 The Karel Cast is available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, and Spreaker. 📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember. #TrumpSpeech, #OvalOffice, #PoliticalCommentary, #TrumpNews, #BreakingPolitics, #Bongino, #FBI, #UnitedHealthcare, #HealthcareCrisis, #CorporateAccountability, #WrongfulDeath, #NewsPodcast, #ProgressiveMedia, #KarelCast, #LGBTQVoices, #LasVegas, #CurrentEvents, #USPolitics, #MediaCriticism, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/o7xxbwu-RIQ

'BradCast' 12/17/2025: SCOTUS road map for illegal gerrymandering by Progressive Voices

RFK Jr., Junk Science, and the Dangerous War on Public Health | Karel Cast A headline from The Hill claims “the war on saturated fat was never based on good science.” That claim is false — and dangerous. Decades of peer-reviewed research link high saturated fat intake to heart disease and serious health outcomes. Yet RFK Jr. is pushing this narrative anyway. Since entering office, RFK Jr. has systematically dismantled public-health safeguards — from vaccines to nutrition policy — gutting the CDC and undermining trust in science. So the real question becomes: why is he willing to gamble with Americans’ lives? On today’s episode of The Karel Cast, we break down how misinformation around food and health becomes policy — and who pays the price. Plus: how much does each state actually contribute to the U.S. GDP? The numbers are shocking, and they completely undercut MAGA talking points about “who carries the country.” And finally: Hollywood’s “woke” reputation vs. reality. Over 90% of what Americans watch is created by white people, with nearly 80% by white men. Is this just demographics — or a full-scale regression to old power structures? This episode connects health, economics, media, and power — and why all of it matters right now. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please watch, like, comment, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. The Karel Cast streams Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PST on Apple Music, iHeart, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, currently in Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember. #KarelCast, #RFKJr, #PublicHealthCrisis, #HealthMisinformation, #SaturatedFat, #HeartDisease, #ScienceMatters, #CDC, #HealthcarePolicy, #USPolitics, #MAGAMyths, #EconomicReality, #StateGDP, #HollywoodDiversity, #MediaRepresentation, #ProgressiveVoices, #PoliticalCommentary, #LGBTQVoices, #LasVegasCreator, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/7c6RThpAYpM

This time on Code WACK! Suddenly, with little notice, you may find yourself having to step into a caregiving role for a friend or family member. Maybe you already have. It could be an aging parent, an ailing partner or an injured child. What does it really cost—emotionally, physically, and financially—to care for someone you love? To find out, we recently spoke with Mary-Elizabeth Harmon, a scientist turned storyteller and caregiver whose life changed in an instant. What she thought would be a brief visit to her father ultimately became a years’ long caregiving journey that nearly pushed her to the brink—and ultimately inspired her vision for “vertical villages,” where neighbors foster caring communities and economies to support one another through life’s toughest moments. As the founder of Village Company 360 and the caregiver of her mother in Virgina, Mary-Elizabeth reveals just how unprepared our systems are for the caregiving crisis—and why all of us need to pay attention. This is the first episode in a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.

'BradCast' 12/16/2025 (Bricks in the Wall) by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 12/16/2025 by Progressive Voices

Is It Time to Invoke the 25th Amendment? | Karel Cast Donald Trump’s latest post targeting Rob Reiner has shocked even longtime Republicans — and for many, it feels like the moment where denial finally ends. This is no longer about political disagreement. It’s about fitness, stability, and responsibility. On today’s episode of The Karel Cast, we examine the growing concerns about Trump’s health, behavior, and ability to govern. This is a man with access to nuclear codes — someone most people wouldn’t trust to babysit a child — yet elected officials continue to look the other way. Why? The Constitution provides a mechanism for moments like this: the 25th Amendment. That responsibility falls to the Cabinet — but will they act? Or are fear, money, and loyalty to MAGA preventing them from doing their duty, even as polls show Trump’s own base beginning to turn? We’ll talk about political cowardice, constitutional accountability, and why so many leaders refuse to act even when the warning signs feel impossible to ignore. Plus: with Christmas Eve just days away, are you ready — emotionally, mentally, and practically — for the holidays? The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please watch, like, comment, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. The Karel Cast streams Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PST on Apple Music, iHeart, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok, and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, currently in Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember. #InvokeThe25th, #25thAmendment, #TrumpMentalFitness, #PresidentialFitness, #PoliticalAccountability, #ConstitutionalCrisis, #KarelCast, #TrumpNews, #MAGAPolitics, #RepublicansTurning, #USPolitics, #BreakingPolitics, #DemocracyAtRisk, #ProgressiveVoices, #PoliticalCommentary, #HolidayStress, #ChristmasEveCountdown, #LasVegasCreator, #LGBTQVoices, #EmberTheServiceDog https://youtube.com/live/B71mWE4_JrM

'BradCast' 12/15/2025: A Weekend of Horrific Violence by Progressive Voices

A Holiday Weekend of Tragedy, Violence, and How We Keep Going | Karel Cast 25-170 This was supposed to be a holiday weekend — and instead, it became a devastating reminder of how broken and violent the world feels right now. Two people were shot and killed at Brown University, with the suspect still at large. In Australia, 15 people were murdered in a hate-driven mass shooting, the country’s deadliest in 30 years. And in a shocking family tragedy, Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered in their home by their own son. It’s overwhelming. It’s heartbreaking. And it raises the question so many of us are asking right now: Is the world losing its mind — and how do we stay positive when tragedy feels constant? On today’s episode of The Karel Cast, we talk honestly about grief, fear, compassion fatigue, and what it takes to keep going when the news never lets up. Plus, a lighter — but revealing — moment: a major vegan fail this weekend that made me realize how even our diets are being impacted by Donald Trump-era economics and policy fallout. This is a conversation about reality, resilience, and finding humanity when the headlines feel unbearable. The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel. Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel. The Karel Cast is heard on all major platforms from Apple Music to iHeart, Spotify to Spreaker. Live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST, and also streaming on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, currently in Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember. #KarelCast, #HolidayTragedy, #GunViolenceCrisis, #MassShooting, #HateCrime, #WorldInCrisis, #BreakingNews, #MentalHealthMatters, #StayingPositive, #HolidayGrief, #NewsCommentary, #ProgressiveVoices, #LGBTQVoices, #VeganLife, #EconomicStress, #TrumpImpact, #LasVegasCreator, #CurrentEvents, #EmberTheServiceDog, #PodcastLife https://youtube.com/live/jXM71p5usZk