<p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Why do liberals continue to struggle with political persuasion—even when the facts and policies are on their side?</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty sits down with author, strategist, and political thinker Spencer Critchley to explore why liberals often fail to connect emotionally with voters, and how they can turn that around.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Drawing on his new Substack project, The Liberal Backbone, soon to become a published book, and his book Patriots of Two Nations, Spencer discusses:</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• The “Liberal Paradox” — how rational thinking blinds progressives to emotional reality</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• Why politics operates in the other 99% of human consciousness</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• How Trump and other populists use simple emotional cues to persuade</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• Why evidence-based arguments fail with many voters</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• The global crisis facing liberal democracy</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• How liberals can reclaim narrative, purpose, and connection</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">• The importance of rhetoric, storytelling, and identity in political communication</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Spencer also explains why understanding—not dismissing—different perspectives is crucial for bridging America’s political divide.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">🔹 About Spencer Critchley</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Spencer is the award-winning host of Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good, author of Patriots of Two Nations, and a respected political strategist who has worked with Barack Obama’s campaigns and numerous progressive organizations.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Read The Liberal Backbone on Substack:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">https://spencercritchley.substack.com</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Learn more about his work:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">https://dastardlycleverness.com</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Read Patriots of Two Nations: https://amzn.to/4nXbLVK</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">(Free audio book, Kindle and Paperback versions on sale)</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">🔹 About Lean to the Left</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Lean to the Left covers progressive politics, social justice, democracy, and the ongoing fight to hold Donald Trump and MAGA extremism accountable. Hosted by Bob Gatty.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">If you believe in democracy, dignity, and truth — this channel is for you.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">👉 Subscribe for more:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">YouTube.com/@LeantotheLeft</span></p>