The Left Hook - Episodes

LH - The Fauci Diaries

8/7/2026

On The Left Hook, hosts Mark Bland and Jason Kull deliver an irreverent, left-leaning roundup of the week’s political news. They focus heavily on Dr. Anthony Fauci’s congressional appearance, arguing that Republican questioning was largely performative and politically motivated, while criticizing efforts to blame Fauci for COVID-era policies. The hosts also connect the hearing to broader concerns about the Epstein files, presidential pardons, and what they describe as Donald Trump’s pattern of self-promotion, legal maneuvering, and misinformation.
The discussion expands to Trump’s approval ratings, tariffs, immigration rhetoric, government surveillance technology, and the influence of companies such as Palantir. Bland and Kull warn about expanding license-plate tracking and data collection, criticize what they see as hypocrisy around “socialism” and government involvement in private business, and argue that the administration has failed to deliver on promises to reduce costs. The episode closes with lighter conversation about AI, quietly profitable businesses, books, and a true-crime documentary before the hosts again call for Trump to leave office.

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LH - Pinky Herman

7/30/2026

On this episode of *The Left Hook*, hosts Mark Bland and Jason Kulldeliver a punchy, unfiltered look at the political landscape on July 25, 2026. The duo tackles the mysterious silence surrounding Mitch McConnell’s health, urging Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to bypass the courts and appoint a replacement immediately. They pull no punches in their critique of Donald Trump’s administration—taking aim at Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Jim Jordan’s crusade against former Special Counsel Jack Smith, and what they describe as a relentless cycle of political distractions. Shifting focus to their home state, the hosts slam Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe for undermining the voter-approved Amendment 3 on abortion rights and urge listeners to vote "No" on upcoming tax amendments in the August primary. Rounding out the show, they debate the financial efficiency of the death penalty and laugh off YouTuber Jake Paul’s delusional claims of NFL interest, offering a jam-packed hour of bold commentary.

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LH - Carte Blanche

7/22/2026

On this week's Left Hook, Mark and Jason Kull bring their signature moderate-liberal perspective to you — and they've got plenty to say.
Todd Blanch's Senate Testimony: The hosts break down the awkward exchange between Senator Kennedy and Trump's former criminal defense attorney-turned-Deputy Attorney General, questioning whether the nation's top legal office has become the president's personal legal shield.
The Epstein Files Fallout: J.D. Vance admits on Joe Rogan that the administration "screwed up the comms" on the Epstein files release. Mark and Jason dig into why Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and others held a war room meeting to strategize their response — and why thousands of hours of video remain unreleased.
Election Fraud Claims: Featuring audio from Rep. Thomas Massie, who pointedly asks: if Republicans won the House, Senate, and White House, where exactly is the fraud? The hosts unpack Trump's continued fixation on 2020 — the only election year his own administration oversaw.
Truth Social's Wall Street Play: Trump's media company announces it will sell millisecond-level early access to his posts starting August 1st — giving institutional traders a head start on market-moving policy announcements. The hosts call it what they see: monetized corruption.
National Security Memo Concerns: Discussion of NSPM-7 and its implications for labeling political dissenters as domestic threats.
Plus: Wild conspiracy theories about UFOs as election cover, mall nostalgia (Aladdin's Castle arcade, Hickory Farms beef sticks, and the day Mortal Kombat changed everything), and two hilariously unhinged "Missed Connections" readings — including a chubby guy's 14,000-replay fantasy and a divorced bird enthusiast pursuing a firefighter.

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LH - Islamic Republic of Japan

7/15/2026

Mark Bland and Jason Kull dive headfirst into the political chaos dominating the news cycle. They kick things off dissecting Trump's latest gaffes—including his reference to the "Islamic State of Japan" and conversations with holograms—arguing the 25th Amendment can't come soon enough. The hosts tackle the Graham Platner scandal in Maine, where the Senate candidate suspended his campaign amid rape allegations, contrasting his accountability with Trump's flip-flopping response and ongoing E. Jean Carroll legal battles, where the Supreme Court declined to hear Trump's case. They also blast Trump for allegedly rigging the World Cup by calling FIFA's president, likening him to a parent bribing a referee at a kids' soccer game, and criticize his careless admission about not knowing Mitch McConnell's health status—unraveling the GOP's carefully crafted narrative.
The second half lightens up with a fun segment on quintessentially "white America" phrases like "You and what army?" and "Look what the cat dragged in," before pivoting to a debate over the New York Times crowning the Seattle dog (loaded with cream cheese) as America's best regional hot dog. The hosts round things out with sobering discussions on escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Iran conflicts, and the Charlie Kirk murder trial developments. Mark and Jason emphasize their unique position as a moderate-liberal voice broadcasting on Fox News affiliates, positioning themselves as "the other side inside the hornet's nest." They close with an open invitation to Missouri political candidates from both parties to come on the show as the 2026 midterms approach, promising equal opportunity coverage this election cycle.

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LH - 250 Years of America

7/3/2026

This Fourth of July marks America's 250th birthday, but on The Left Hook, Mark Bland and Jason Kull say it's a celebration that's fallen flat. Instead of the unifying, old-fashioned cookouts, fireworks, and camaraderie we saw at the Bicentennial, Donald Trump has turned this milestone into another self-serving grift. From his "Great American State Fair," to slapping his face on passports and hawking sneakers, Bibles, and crypto, he's raking in billions while everyday Americans are still paying more than they did under Biden. As Bland put it, while Trump is busy talking to Teddy Roosevelt holograms, the rest of us are just trying to afford hamburgers and fireworks for our families.
But it's not all doom and gloom. The guys took time to honor the generations who fought and died for this country, from the Revolution to Gettysburg, reminding listeners that real patriotism isn't about division, conspiracies, or cosplay. With the midterms kicking off tomorrow, they're calling on folks to reject the chaos, release the Epstein files, and remember we've survived far worse than Trump before. As Bland says, the tears will dry, things will get better, and if we lift our heads and embrace the diversity that makes America great, we can still live up to the promise etched on the Statue of Liberty.

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LH - Caucus Mountains

6/29/2026

On this episode of The Left Hook, host Mark Bland is joined by co-host Jason Kull and returning guest Marcus Boston for a wide-ranging and energetic discussion blending humor, politics, and cultural commentary. After some lighthearted banter about Marcus’s personal life and Father’s Day hypotheticals, the conversation shifts heavily into politics—particularly a new 14-point memorandum of understanding negotiated by Donald Trump regarding Iran. Mark strongly criticizes the deal, arguing it resembles a reset of the earlier JCPOA nuclear agreement but at greater financial and strategic cost to the United States. The hosts question Trump’s negotiation tactics, the lifting of sanctions, the return of frozen Iranian funds, and the shifting control of oil shipping lanes. They also express broader frustration with U.S. involvement in the Middle East and voice skepticism about whether the agreement will hold, especially given tensions involving Israel and Lebanon.
In the second half of the show, the discussion broadens to leadership, presidential rhetoric, and the contrast between Trump and former President Barack Obama, whose recent public remarks are praised as eloquent and unifying. The hosts, including Kull, reflect on political divisiveness, media influence, and speculate about future Republican strategy—particularly how J.D. Vance might position himself for 2028. The tone then lightens with commentary on a viral Reddit thread naming the worst U.S. cities, prompting jokes and comparisons involving Midwestern towns like Springfield and East St. Louis. The episode closes with casual pop culture trivia about Woody’s last name from Toy Story and reflections on friendship and social circles, before ending with a call for listeners to stay politically engaged ahead of upcoming elections.

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LH - The Challenges

6/17/2026

In this episode of The Left Hook, Mark Bland and Jason Kull focus on the politics surrounding Graham Platner and what his rise says about the Democratic Party’s direction. They talk about his Senate campaign in Maine, the criticism he’s facing, and the way his backers are trying to sell him as a working-class, health care-focused candidate. The hosts push back on the idea that he should be treated like the answer to everything, saying the bigger issue is how the party is trying to package candidates around messaging and regional appeal.

A big part of the conversation is about media narratives and political smears. They discuss the tattoo controversy, the New York Times piece about his personal life, and the way accusations or old baggage can be used to attack candidates before voters really get a chance to focus on policy. They also compare Platner’s situation to the way Trump and his allies operate, arguing that the same media ecosystem that builds people up can just as quickly tear them down.

The episode also branches into a broader discussion of Trump, inflation, and economic frustration. Mark and Jason criticize Trump’s handling of prices, tariffs, and government messaging, and they talk about how the public is being misled or manipulated on issues like inflation and debt. They connect that to larger concerns about war powers, foreign policy, and America’s political future, while keeping the show’s usual mix of sharp commentary, sarcasm, and a little bit of humor.

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LH - Skyscrapers and Pools

6/17/2026

In this episode, Mark Bland and Jason Kull spend a lot of time talking about how podcasting has changed the media world and made it easier for independent voices to compete with traditional radio. They compare the old system of affiliates, station control, and broadcast credentials with the newer world of podcasts and digital audiences, where reach and influence can come from anywhere. They also use that topic to talk about their own show, how it has grown, and why they think local radio often underestimates independent content.
The conversation then shifts hard into politics, especially Donald Trump’s behavior toward the press and the broader media environment around him. They discuss Trump attacking journalists, why other reporters do not publicly push back, and how fear of losing access shapes coverage. That leads into a larger conversation about Scott Pelley, media pressure inside CBS, and the way they see powerful institutions bending under Trump-era politics.
The episode also covers the economy, the cost of living, and the feeling that many Americans are being squeezed by rising prices, fuel costs, and stagnant wages. Mark and Jason connect that economic anxiety to Trump’s policies and then broaden the discussion to Iran, war powers, and Congress trying to rein in military action. They end by arguing that voters need to make a different choice in the next election, while still keeping the show’s usual mix of sarcasm, hot takes, and occasional sports chatter.

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The Great Distraction

6/3/2026

The Left Hook features Mark Bland and Jason Kull in a sharp, fast-moving political conversation centered on Donald Trump, corruption, and the chaos of the current news cycle. The episode opens with discussion of Trump’s escalating behavior, fears about authoritarian overreach, the proposed $250 bill with Trump’s face, and the federal law that would make that illegal.

Bland and Kull also talk about Trump’s public image-building, comparing it to dictator-style propaganda and warning that the country is slipping deeper into a culture of spectacle and intimidation. A big part of the show focuses on what they call a slush-fund-style maneuver, which they argue is designed to help Trump and January 6 defendants while sidestepping normal legal limits.

From there, the episode expands into a rundown of major corruption stories, including a DOJ investigation involving a woman Trump allegedly raped, a White House contract tied to Don Jr.’s firm, a Pentagon contract linked to Trump stock purchases, and foreign money moving through an account connected to Trump’s “Board of Peace”. The hosts also discuss the No Kings protests, immigration, right-wing media attacks on James Talarico, and the broader collapse of political norms in America.

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39 - Pivot

5/27/2026

The Left Hook with Mark Bland and Jason Kull leans into a wide-ranging, free-flowing conversation that blends sharp political takes with off-the-cuff humor. This episode circles around the DNC’s 2024 report card, but instead of treating it like a formal breakdown, the hosts poke at what it says—and what it avoids—while questioning whether anything will actually change moving forward.
Along the way, they drift through bigger-picture frustrations about Democratic leadership, from candidate development to messaging struggles and the ongoing tug-of-war between establishment voices and progressives. There’s a sense that timing, perception, and internal missteps all collided during the last election cycle, especially when it comes to how Kamala Harris stepped into the spotlight.
The conversation also wanders into Trump-era politics, foreign policy tensions, and how narratives evolve after the fact—often rewriting how people remember events as they were happening. It’s less about landing on neat conclusions and more about working through the contradictions, frustrations, and realities of the current political landscape in real time.

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