When it comes to talk radio, it can be difficult for liberals, progressives and even moderates to find a radio host to listen to during the morning or afternoon. Where talk radio during the 90's was dominated by right wing radio hosts, during the years of President George W. Bush a variety of liberal radio hosts rose to prominence, most notably Senator Al Franken, who hosted a show on the now-defunct Air America Radio network. In its heyday, Air America broadcast from stations across the country, launching the careers of people like Thom Hartmann and Rachel Maddow, both of whom went on to bigger and better things after Air America shut down.
In the age of online media, many progressive talk radio hosts offer their shows online for free, and anyone with a computer can listen to them. Here are a few of the best:
The Thom Hartmann Program – "Talk Radio for the Rest of Us"
Hartmann has been consistently rated the top liberal radio host in the nation and is syndicated across the U.S. and in Europe. He's also the best-selling author of a variety of books including Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class – And What We Can Do About It. Hartmann is not a shouter. Every program features at least one person he disagrees with, and invites guests from the Ayn Rand Institute, the Free Enterprise Institute and other conservative organizations. The debates rarely, if ever, devolve into shouting matches, and Hartmann lets callers who diagree with him go to the front of the line. On Fridays, Hartmann invites callers to speak to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in a "town hall" format.
Hartmann is the best progressive radio host in the nation, and offers intelligent, mature debates with those who disagree with him.
When: Monday through Friday, 12pm to 3pm Eastern time.
Where: Click here to listen to the Thom Hartmann show.
The Stephanie Miller Show
Stephanie Miller is an up-and-coming liberal radio host whose syndication has recently grown by leaps and bounds. In addition to doing her own radio program, she also frequently makes guest appearances on CNN, MSNBC and occasionally Fox News. Stephanie Miller has a great sense of humor, and she makes a point of having entertaining guests on her program.
When: Monday through Friday, 9am to 12pm Eastern time.
Where: Click here to listen to The Stephanie Miller Show.
The Randi Rhodes Show
Randi Rhodes has had her share of troubles recently, including a falling out with Air America that was probably the best thing that could have happened, given Air America's eventual bankruptcy. Because of her high ratings, Rhodes was quickly picked up again and her show continues to air in more than two dozen markets. Her Web site offers podcasts of each show, in addition to information on how to listen to her live through a streaming player. Rhodes speaks her mind, snaps at guests who annoy her and doesn't let people lie on the air, even if it means shouting at them. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's hard not to feel sorry for her callers, some of whom may not deserve her wrath.
When: Monday through Friday, 3pm to 6pm Eastern time.
Where: Click here to listen to The Randi Rhodes Show.
Ken Brosky - Ken Brosky's first novel was published in fall 2007. He has more than a dozen short stories published in magazines including Skyline and ...
