The Left Mic - The Social Podcast

by Zak

Season 6

Want to see a failed democracy? It's all around us and we are also to blame!

A really large number of people have decided they don’t want a democracy anymore and that is why they are voluntarily choosing to withdraw and let the far-right bring back their latest brand of authoritarianism. This is the level of apathy our society has descended to. When people shout for the application of real democratic values the right-wing propagandists brand them left-wing extremists and the moderate liberals have started to believe it. When did we become so fragile and defensive? What has become of the world? We may get to find out. Does that sound dramatic? It’s not actually meant to be. Consider this being delivered in the voice of Blackadder the Third. Yeah, exactly. No pies on offer from Mrs Miggins. This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe Only the transcript was created using AI. Everything else was done by me, especially the mistakes. Episode art: svgsilh.com/svg/31135.svg

S6 · E296

Sep 1, 2026

26:51

Poetry – And So They Set the Stage, the Whole Damn Stage…is a Set Up by TwoandaMic

Explicit

This poem takes aim at a system that has allowed billionaires to thrive. They influence international politics, bend long established principles and legal systems to their will while allowing billions of people to starve. A system that can do that, celebrate itself, exult in the finesse of its democratic stability and still claim to be functioning properly is an insult. So yes, the world is a stage, and it’s a set up and the little people get screwed every time. We can see it happening, it’s right there in the open, and huge swathes of society still let the puppets of billionaires and their lackies point fingers at whoever they decide is temporarily ‘undesirable’ and the idiots soak it up and go on a rampage. Well done! This poem is for you all as well. This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe Cover Art is taken from Microsoft's stock images.

S6 · E295

Aug 18, 2026

16:03

When the Cockroaches of India come together, ministers topple – a sign of democracy in action and the power of Gen Z!

Exam papers leaked, 12 students took their lives as a result, a corrupt government official resigned, millions came out in protest, the cockroaches united. This episode talks about the movement forced into existence by the arrogance and entitlement of privilege, enduring injustice and corruption and the feeling among Gen Z that enough is simple enough. Saroj joins me to talk about the Cockroach Janta Party and offers her insights on the youthful movement that shook the establishment. On another note, this is the first episode in a few weeks. It was important to take a break and to gather my strength. Producing a podcast every week for over 5 years is not easy. More importantly however, in that time this show lost a very dear person. Karin Clarke with whom I had the privilege of doing a number of episodes about her remarkable life passed away. Karin was a fighter and an inspiration. She worked for many years for PEN to ensure the safety of writers and journalists to be able to express the truth without fear of reprisal or state censure. The world needs more people like Karin. May she rest in peace. This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe Cover Art link: Sonam Wangchuk To Join June 6 CJP Protest Demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation - The Logical Indian

S6 · E294

Aug 10, 2026

54:44

From helping displaced children in Syria learn to running a techno music festival in Germany – A humbling journey!

This episode has been a long time in the waiting. Time is ever a complication when people are driven to using time as effectively and completely as possible. Iyad is a walking real-life story book. He has any number of tales to tell and he has a passion for living new stories within each of the projects he undertakes. In this episode we talk about how under the umbrella of UNICEF he sought to help displaced children learn, a passion for teaching that he brought with him to Germany and then how he helped to create a Techno Music Festival called Blade that provided a safe space for women and LGBTQIA+ to enjoy music and to express themselves. Thank you Iyad for finding the time to speak with me. This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine.

S6 · E293

Jul 20, 2026

44:43

Racism to the north, xenophobia to the south, yet the dream of Pan-Africanism remains strong!

What is Afrophobia and why has it arisen on the continent of Africa? And in South Africa to be precise. In this podcast Ademola and Adeleke join me to talk about the phenomenon of Afrophobia and how it needs to be overcome for the dream of Pan-Africanism to bear fruit and unite the continent in the face of foreign onslaught. Thank you both for joining me. This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine.

S6 · E292

Jul 12, 2026

54:47

Poetry - Character of the Happy Warrior by William Wordsworth (including an intro by TwoandaMic)

Wordsworth, with all the meaning and depth that is so common in all of his poems, lays out for us a blueprint for the kind of character we should look for in the provision of political leadership. He may have written this poem as an ode to Lord Nelson, but we can take from it much more. Wordsworth’s happy warrior need not only be happy as a warrior, but also as a politician, a leader, a MP or a PM. When considering the challenges that lie ahead and how grossly recent leaders have failed us in the challenges their ineptitude has created, we would do well to start employing happy politicians with the character Wordsworth outlines here. This is TwoandaMic. Rise Up and be curious Episode art is taken from: Henry_William_Pickersgill_-_Portrait_of_William_Wordsworth_(1770-1850)_British_Poet_Painting_by_Henry_Willia_-_(MeisterDrucke-1011374).jpg (896×1260) This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine.

S6 · E291

Jul 2, 2026

13:10

The Enemy Within – How Anna approached her fight with Cancer and lived to tell the tale.

Anna is a power to behold on a basketball court. When she first joined the team a few weeks ago, she had never really played much basketball, just a bit of streetball here and there, she had had no structured basketball training and was essentially, as she called herself, a newbie. The huge steps she took in the first few weeks were amazing. Good footwork, a presence in the zone and aware of other people on the court. So when I found out that Anna had recently recovered from cancer I was amazed. Anna is in her mid-20s. She is strong, energetic, positive and determined. She always carries a smile and generously shares it with everyone. Anna joins me to talk about this episode in her life, and I thank her kindly for taking the time to do so. Stay well Anna and play ball of course. This is TwoandaMic! Rise up and be curious… There are on occasion software phantoms at play that try to throw us off track but we persevered. I hope you will do so too. Here is a link to Anna's Instagram account which charts her journey through fighting cancer: Instagram This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine.

S6 · E290

Jun 15, 2026

49:17

The TwoandaMic Book Club - Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism and other arguments for economic independence by Professor Kristen R. Ghodsee

This is a book that at its heart focuses on the relationship between political systems, gender equality and female liberty in a number of different ways and situations. The book is written by Professor Kristen R. Ghodsee who specialises in Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. It is in many ways eye-opening and in others it simply lays out the truth for all to see, injustice is rife and gender inequality is one of the main reasons for the continuation of that injustice. Let us recognise these truths and push for a direction change. Gender equality is the key to solving many of humanity’s problems. The question remains, do we really want to solve them or is politics simply a show that pretends it wants to get things done? Thank you Greg for your time and analysis. This is TwoandaMic. Rise up and be curious! PS. I deliberately left in the chaos at the beginning just so you know we are not always as organised as we may seem. Episode Art of the original book cover was taken from: https://www.safespacebookstore.com/why-women-have-better-sex-under-socialism-ghodsee/ This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine.

S6 · E289

Jun 7, 2026

40:15

Poetry - ‘til the Peacekeepers Came to Knife Freedom in the Back by TwoandaMic

Political persuasion is sometimes the result of chance. A single event, an opinion of someone we care for and think we respect, a man wearing a suit on TV looking all successful and powerful, can change a pathway of thought at a stroke. And with a system geared towards monopolising those strokes, can we be truly surprised at how democracy withdrew in the corner likened a frightened child hoping its evil parents would ignore her? In this poem, I write ‘peacekeepers’ for two reasons. Firstly, because I don’t want people to see police and consider them enemies of the people. Society needs a police force that protects the peace, that defends the innocent and which fights CRIME. What we do NOT need is a politicised force of thugs who feel they can beat innocent citizens and protestors because power is being challenged. Secondly because a functioning democracy should require peacekeepers rather than armed police running around behaving like cowboys. Police should not be involved in peaceful protests. Peaceful protests are a part of a functioning democracy and performing our democratic rights doesn’t need to be policed. We don’t need police at polling stations either. We need to remember where power lies. It isn’t in a baton, and it isn’t in an officer’s pistol. It is in our determination to protect our universal human rights and to see them protected for others too. As Michael Connolly wrote, “we all count or nobody counts.” This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe Episode art is taken from Microsoft Stock Images. The only AI content in this episode is in the transcript. Every word, audio editing mistake and miscellaneous error is mine.

S6 · E288

May 31, 2026

12:01

Greek Genocide Day of Remembrance - Remember and Never Forget...

On the sad day of remembrance of the Greek Genocide, I read an excerpt from a radio address made by Dr Lovejoy in 1923. Dr Lovejoy was an American physician and witnessed the events at Smyrna in September 1922 at first hand. Over a hundred years have passed since these horrific days, a number of genocides have taken place since then as well. Some continue to occur today. The term “neutrality” to which Dr Lovejoy refers here has different terms today. Those who were neutral then are complicit today. My condolences to the Greek people on this day of remembrance. NOTE: I have omitted some sentences from the final paragraph in which Dr Lovejoy profusely complimented Mustafa Kemal as a great general. I could not in all conscience repeat those lines. Nobody can be called great who brought so much pain and misery to so many people. Without knowing the background to those words I can only imagine they were spoken for very good reasons and none of those reasons were born of any admiration Dr Lovejoy had for the killer Mustafa Kemal. This podcast is maintained with the efforts of my guests' participation and as much free time as I can dedicate to it. I would appreciate it greatly if you could help spread the word and bring a few more people to the channel. Thanks in advance. I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at: Instagram: TwoandaMic Twitter: TwoandaMic1 TikTok: Twoandamic2 Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you. PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...! #RiseUp #BeCurious #StaySafe

S6 · E287

May 19, 2026

19:33

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