A leftist look at the local and state politics around Madison, Wisconsin. Looking for more complexity in your political coverage? Join host Noah Lieberman as he helps you understand why things are happening and what they mean. Each episode will include commentary on recent events and in-depth interviews with the people making things happen for our city, county, and state. The headlines only tell part of the story - Let's find out What's Left!
MGR Govindarajan on COVID, Compromise, and His Time as a Student Alder. Plus, Wild Developments in the Governor Primary
Former Madison Alder and Common Council Vice President MGR Govindarajan joins Noah to talk about his time representing the University District and how it changed his view of local politics, as well as his perspective on recent happenings at the state level as a staffer inside the Capitol.
Plus, I talk about my first few months as a newly elected alder, catch you up on everything happening in the primary for Governor, and try to figure out what Governor Evers was thinking with his surprise endorsement.
9 Mar 2026
Circuit Court Candidates Huma Ahsan and Judge Ben Jones on the Role of the Courts, Impartiality, and their Judicial Philosophies
A jam-packed episode with two new interviews for you! Host Noah Lieberman sits down with the two candidates for the Dane County Circuit Court Branch 1 seat: Madison Immigration Law founder Huma Ahsan and incumbent Judge Ben Jones. They each discuss their judicial philosophies, how they define the role of a judge, and how to bring fairness to an often uneven legal landscape.
Plus, an update on the State Supreme Court race, a not so fond farewell to Robin Vos, and a very nerdy deep dive into two recent polls in the Democratic primary for Governor.
Interview with Huma Ahsan starts at 19:20
Interview with Judge Ben Jones starts at 52:14
Huma Ahsan's website (https://www.humaforjudge.com/)
Judge Ben Jones' website (https://judgebenjones.com/)
Support Noah's Common Council Campaign (https://noahforcouncil.com)
26 Jan 2026
State Assembly Candidate Isaia Ben-Ami on Affordability, Standing Up to ICE, and his View of Freedom
State Assembly candidate and legislative staffer Isaia Ben-Ami sits down to discuss his "Freedom From Want. Freedom From Fear" campaign for District 76, how the legislature can stand up to ICE when they come to Wisconsin, and his plans for housing, education, and more. Plus, thoughts on the events in Minneapolis, a look at the Governor race through fundraising, and a special announcement of my own.
Interview Starts at 13:32
Noah Lieberman For Council Site (https://www.noahforcouncil.com)
Donate to Noah Lieberman For Council (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/noahforcouncil)
30 Dec 2025
State Assembly Candidate Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford On Trans Rights, Affordability, and Politics Rooted in Compassion
State Assembly Candidate and current Madison Alder Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford joins the show to talk about why representation matters in the fight for trans rights, how she plans on tackling the affordability crisis, and how her politics are driven by compassion and collaboration.
23 Dec 2025
State Assembly Candidate Juliana Bennett on Black Lives Matter, Socialism, and Systemic Change
Happy Holidays! We start our 2026 Primary interviews with 76th Assembly District candidate and former Madison Alder Juliana Bennett. Juliana talks about her run for the assembly, how time inside the political system has shaped her methods for achieving change, how struggles with our healthcare and housing systems led her to socialism, and how the Democratic Party can actually deliver for the Black Lives Matter movement.
3 Dec 2025
The Fight for Housing in Madison with Alder Will Ochowicz
District 2 Alder and founder of Madison Is For People Will Ochowicz joins the show to talk about the NIMBY movement, how he's fighting for renters, and the benefits of new housing development. Plus, Mandela Barnes enters the race for Governor and Scott Walker is still mad about trains.
Interview starts at 13:28
Links:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/community-development/housing/housing-tracker (https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/community-development/housing/housing-tracker)
https://plans.cityofmadison.com/downtown-area-plan (https://plans.cityofmadison.com/downtown-area-plan)
https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district2/blog (https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district2/blog)
12 Nov 2025
Cannabis Legislation and Racism in State Politics with Alan Robinson
Cannabis retail business owner and harm reduction advocate Alan Robinson drops by the show to talk about WI Republicans' trio of bills on THC, as well as to give his perspective on his experiences as a black socialist advocating for change in our state. Plus, commentary on recent missteps by Madison's local media and whole lot of anger for Robin Vos.
Interview segment starts at 13:47. Interview contains strong language.
27 Oct 2025
Dane County Supervisor Yogesh Chawla Talks Budget Amendments and Sheriff's "Defund The Police" Claims
On a special Monday episode of What's Left Wisconsin, host Noah Lieberman sits down with Dane County Supervisor Yogesh Chawla to talk about the proposed budget amendments to eliminate 28 vacant deputy positions from the sheriff department's budget, what he intends to fund with those resources, and his reaction to Sheriff Kalvin Barrett's letter to the editor in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Remember to attend the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday October 28th at 5:30 PM - https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1237367&GUID=EAFC9E83-981A-4E18-AC08-3ABA96254209 (https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1237367&GUID=EAFC9E83-981A-4E18-AC08-3ABA96254209)
22 Oct 2025
Criminal Justice Reform and Running as an Outsider with Dana Pellebon
Former Dane County Supervisor Dana Pellebon joins the show to look back at the work done by the Dane County Black Caucus in criminal justice reform, talk about her experience running for Dane County Executive, and share her thoughts on the importance of local arts. Plus, why we should all be as mad as Charlie Berens about the new Port Washington AI Data Center.
Interview starts at 14:14
8 Oct 2025
City Budgets and Public Health Under the Trump Administration With Madison Common Council President Regina Vidaver
Madison Common Council President Regina Vidaver joins the show to talk about the process of creating the city budget, how Trump's spending cuts are impacting the city, and what it means to fight for public health in the age of anti-vaxxers. Plus, an introduction to the show and the ever-expanding Democratic primary for Governor.
Interview begins at 24:29
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