Nobody has asked me. If for some reason you are curious about what I’m watching in YouTube to try and figure out what the US is up to today that could overlap into international spheres. Each grouping are listed with the ones I value most at the top. If I watch nothing else, I will catch the ones in bold. If you have recommendations for me, I’m open to them!
Podcasts that keep me up-to-date and are likely to leave me feeling frustrated, angry, or sad, but better-informed
MeidasTouch: “The fastest growing independent news network in the world. We cover breaking news, politics, law and more. We are unapologetically pro-democracy. Because TRUTH is golden.” This channel exploded as the counterpoint to Joe Rogan. I’ll be honest… I enjoy their content, but I sometimes with they’d dial the tone back a notch, because they were are their absolute best before our communal level of frustration overwhelmed us.
Brian Tyler Cohen: “The goal of this channel is to give a clear, concise, honest, and entertaining look at what’s happening in the US right now, because politics should be accessible to everyone.“ This young man looks like the positive future of politics to me. He seems to care deeply and earnestly.
Dollemore Daily: “Jesse tackles the headlines with seriousness and irreverence.” Jesse is an ex-Marine and a general all-round moral human.
Katie Phang: This sub-channel for MeidasTouch is hosted by attorney, legal analyst, and former MSNBC anchor Katie Phang. Katie seems freed now that she no longer works for network news, enjoying a chance to break down major court cases, expose corruption, or confront disinformation head-on.
The Damage Report: “Welcome to The Damage Report with John Iadarola. This is your daily breakdown of the true threats and challenges facing our country and world. It is an unflinching, no-holds-barred accounting of the damage done by the upcoming Trump administration.”
The Ring of Fire: “The Ring of Fire started as a weekly syndicated radio show in 2004 for the purpose of exposing Wall Street thugs, environmental criminality, corporate media failure, and political back stories that you will rarely find from any other source.“
Legal AF: This sub-channel for Meidas Touch presents US legal analysis by Michael Popok in terms I can mostly follow. The language is dryer and less bombastic than the main channel, which is to be expected for legal news.
Antidotes. These podcasts help me have hope or balance:
Claus Kellerman POV: Claus describes his channel’s purpose: “I will discuss Canadian related news with an effort to use facts and data. Let’s stay informed and remain positive and patriotic about our fantastic country. Canadians need a rational alternative source of information instead of the constant doom and gloom that fills the internet. #ICHOOSECANADA” This channel is exactly as billed. It is a must watch to keep you from plunging into an abyss of despair.
CBC News About That with Andrew Chang: These short segments are like mini-courses on a topic. None of them should be missed.
Sean Foo: His background is gold and silver trading, but right now, he’s doing the most incredible economic review of impacts coming out of the US sphere. He’s Singaporean, which gives me a good view of what’s going on here from the other side of the globe without any need to be precious about our feelings. At least once a week he presents some data that absolutely rocks my world.
Charlie Angus: Charlie is the voice of The Resistance in Canada.
PBS: Watch it while it still exists.
This is Gavin Newsom: “It’s time to have honest discussions with people that agree AND disagree with us. It’s time to answer the hard questions and be open to criticism, and debate without demeaning or dehumanizing one other. I will be doing just that on my new podcast – inviting people on who I deeply disagree with to talk about the most pressing issues of the day and inviting listeners from around the country to join the conversation. THIS is Gavin Newsom.” I am starting to hope that he might be the next leader of the US democratic party.
Assortment of Canadian (CPAC, CBC, CTV, Global, etc) and international news (AP, BNN, Hindustan Times, Al Jazeera) to hear how the same news sounds from different points of view and around the globe. Anything coming out of the EU, NATO, or UN.
Fox. Why? So I can hear the same content presented, only spun the complete other way. Small doses only, since the funniest bits are usually picked up in #1 through 5 on the list anyways.
The late night comedian bundle. After Last Week tonight, any two out of the list is enough.
Last Week Tonight: John Oliver is an endless delight. His research team that assemble the facts for his pieces are incredible. If all news was delivered in this format, we’d all be smarter, because after a well-reasoned analysis of something awful, they always leave you with clear actions to take to combat the issue of the day.
Late Night with Seth Meyers: Usually a few good laughs, will have 80% overlap with Stephen Colbert on any given night.
The Daily Show: Jon Stewart’s team are usually a hoot.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Usually a few good laughs, will have 80% overlap with Stephen Colbert on any given night.
Real Time with Bill Maher: Strong grumpy old man energy. Perfectly willing to criticize both sides.
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Allowing Diego Luna to be a guest host while he was on vacation was an inspired choice.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Sometimes I laugh, sometimes not.