By Bob Gatty

You may have noticed some changes in the appearance of the Lean to the Left website, and it’s no accident. In addition to improving the look and feel of the site with help from the Experts at Podetize, we’re adding new features that I hope you enjoy. I’ll tell you about them in a minute.

My goal was to improve my subscribers’ experience on this website. I hope that has been achieved, and I’d Love your comments and reaction. Generally, both the site’s functionality and appearance have been improved with updated graphics and better organization.

On the home page you now find a Latest News “ticker” with late news announcements regarding our activities that scrolls across the top of the page just under the masthead. That’s where I’ll post notices of upcoming features and podcasts and about new developments as we continue to publish to-the-point commentary about important issues affecting us all. The Lean to the Left team of writers join me in that effort, which is especially important given the disastrous actions by Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters in Congress.

Leading the way in this regard have been CJ Waldron, co-author of our series of books entitled “Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness, and attorney-thriller writer Mark M. Bello, both of whom contribute insightful and entertaining blogs regarding ongoing political developments. We continue to add new contributing writers as well, and the complete list can be found on Our Writer’s page. Unfortunately, since Trump’s election some of our writers have taken a break from contributing, but I’m hopeful that will change as time goes on. Their insight is really needed.

In addition, I promote the Lean to the Left podcast on this site, informing readers of new episodes that include interviews with subject matter experts as well as my own commentary. Those episodes can be found by clicking on the Podcast tab above. Tthere is an “Upcoming Attractions” listing of scheduled episodes on that page with links to audio and video versions, and thumbnails, descriptions and links for hundreds of episodes.

Meanwhile, the Video tab at the top of the home page presents our latest YouTube short videos (2 minutes or less), which often are clips taken from our long-form podcasts, as well as commentary pieces that focus on the latest issues of the day.

New Features

The Bob & Jackie Show — Hover over the Video tab above and you’ll find this crazy series of six episodes featuring my wife, Jackie, and me as we talk about everyday stuff that we find funny. Episodes include “November At the Beach,” “Dinner with Trump,” “Jackie Goes Bowling,” “Standing on the Corner,” “Did Ya Ever Wonder?,” and “Thanksgiving Funnies.” Unfortunately, some Health issues now preclude us from continuing this series, but if you want to take a break for some silly, funny stuff, check them out.

It’s been a while since we produced them, but they are entertaining and, humor never gets old.

The Book Club — This is a work in progress, but ultimately you’ll find summaries with links to books written by authors who have appeared on the Lean to the Left podcast. This is a work in progress as there are hundreds of authors who have appeared on our podcast, so it will take some time to complete this. But, I want you to know about their books and to support them for appearing on our show. These will be added as time permits, so check back frequently if that interests you.

In addition, in The Book Club is info about our Hijacked Nation series, which includes blogs we’ve published over the years that track Trump’s actions and that of Congress and the courts. It’s a virtual play-by-play of those developments. Not everything is political though, and The Book Club also features a book for those who like to bake,  Baking Bread for the Genius, which I published with Chef Brandon Cristiano. It includes hundreds of bread baking recipes and stories about Brandon’s worldwide adventures.

Finally, I want to thank the folks at Podetize for the great work they did on this site. I originally retained them to help with the audio version of my podcast, and then asked them to improve this site. What you see is the result of their work, and it is very much appreciated.

The Response

So far the response to our new site has been overwhelming, as our blogs are now reaching a much wider audience and our blogs commonly receive comments from readers around the world. We are grateful and plan to continue Lean to the Left into the foreseeable future.

Finally, if you are not a subscriber, please consider signing up. Subscriptions are free and you’ll be sure to receive every new post in your website. Plus, we promise not to spam you!

Thanks for your support.

Bob Gatty Author, Podcaster, Blogger

For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.

Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).

After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.

His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.

Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.

Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .

In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.

The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.

The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.