Left Face

The world watches with bated breath as the Middle East teeters on another precipice of conflict. American B-2 bombers have crossed into Iranian airspace, delivering specialized "bunker buster" bombs to underground nuclear facilities while submarines launched missiles from nearby waters. The operation lasted just 25 minutes but may have consequences that stretch far into our future.

Veterans Dick Wilkinson and Ada...

What happens when military service values collide with partisan politics? Adam Gillard and Dick Wilkinson bring their veteran perspectives to bear on today's most pressing political issues, proving that thoughtful analysis can transcend rigid partisan lines.

The hosts kick off discussing their self-identification as "partially progressive," noting how political labels often fail to capture the nuanced views ...

How does a democracy collapse? Not always with a bang, but sometimes through bureaucracy and paperwork.

When 86 Americans go missing after government raids and the official response is "fill out a form on our website," we've crossed dangerous lines. As veterans who swore oaths to defend the Constitution, we're deeply troubled by what we're witnessing. The suspension of Fifth Amendment rights create...

The constitutional crisis unfolding at the Supreme Court takes center stage in this thought-provoking episode as we examine the alarming arguments over presidential power and the 14th Amendment.

When the Supreme Court heard the administration's case challenging birthright citizenship, the justices cut straight to the heart of the matter: can a president simply override constitutional amendments with executive orders? ...

The constitutional crisis unfolding through mass deportations takes center stage as veteran hosts Dick Wilkinson and Adam Gillard deliver a powerful examination of government accountability in their latest Left Face podcast episode.

From the ongoing situation with Kilmar, now separated from his family for 57 days, to the disturbing immigration raid in Colorado Springs where over 100 people were taken with minimal transpare...

A massive nightclub raid in Colorado Springs has resulted in 105 people still separated from their families with minimal charges filed, raising serious questions about law enforcement tactics and due process. We examine the concerning case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who remains wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite court orders, and discuss active-duty military members caught in the nightclub raid.

• Kilmar Abrego Garci...

The military-civilian divide continues to erode as new policies threaten longstanding American principles. Adam Gillard and Dick Wilkinson dive deep into Secretary Pete Hegseth's alarming speech to the Army War College, exposing plans to establish "authoritarian zones" at U.S. borders where military personnel would be authorized to detain civilians and check documentation.

Beyond this unprecedented expansion...

A legal victory for cannabis sales in Colorado Springs sets the stage for a wide-ranging discussion about democracy, military welfare, and the erosion of constitutional norms. As Dick and Adam celebrate the implementation of voter-approved cannabis sales despite city council resistance, they unpack how this local triumph illustrates the importance of honoring democratic processes.

The conversation takes an unexpected but i...

The political chess game over Space Command's headquarters has far-reaching consequences beyond simple geography. Trump's push to relocate operations from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama represents a troubling intersection of political vendettas, military readiness, and the fundamental rights of service members and their families.

When military personnel receive orders to relocate, they often have little ...

Cory Booker just made history by speaking for 25 consecutive hours on the Senate floor, breaking segregationist Strom Thurmond's record—a powerful symbolic moment as a Black senator surpassed the man who once fought against Civil Rights legislation. While Thurmond had used bathroom breaks and read from phone books during his filibuster against equality, Booker fasted beforehand to avoid breaks and delivered substantive content...

Two military veterans with extensive security clearance experience take you inside the shocking reality of the recent classified information leak over Signal. What makes this breach particularly disturbing isn't just what was shared, but how fundamentally it violates core security principles that every cleared professional understands.

Adam and Dick break down the critical difference between commercial encryption apps...

The profound impact of policy decisions on veteran lives takes center stage in this urgent discussion about the challenges facing the military community. What began as an Empty Seat Town Hall event has revealed the depth and breadth of concerns affecting veterans across Colorado Springs and beyond.

When over 100 people stand up to share their stories, and each one brings a different concern to the table, it signals somethi...

Veterans in Colorado Springs are taking matters into their own hands as federal budget cuts threaten their community. With approximately 15% of the local population being veterans and 30% of the federal workforce comprised of former military personnel, proposed government cuts could devastate the region on multiple fronts – affecting both vital support services and livelihoods.

Progressive veterans groups have organized an...

Dramatic VA staffing cuts announced by the Trump administration will eliminate 88,000 jobs, returning to 2019 staffing levels before PACT Act implementation and primarily targeting "non-mission critical" positions.

• 15% workforce reduction at VA represents largest cuts to any federal agency in modern history
• Approximately 30% of affected VA employees are veterans themselves
• Republicans claim $90 mill...

Engaging with the importance of local politics, Maryah Lauer shares her journey and insights as a candidate for city council in Colorado Springs. She addresses the lack of representation and the need for meaningful democratic engagement within civic life. Through her firsthand experiences, we uncover how local decisions affect our daily lives.

• Introduction of Maryah Lauer and her background 
• Motivation for running ...

This episode addresses the far-reaching effects of budget cuts on veterans and military personnel, focusing on legal updates, community activism, and the implications for national security. Navigating misinformation while advocating for veterans’ rights, hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining robust support systems for those who have served. 
• Discussion on the impact of government budget cuts on veterans 
• Importa...

The episode explores the complexities of local politics, focusing on a cannabis court case that intertwines electoral rights and community protests. The discussion emphasizes how civic engagement can drive political change while addressing the challenges and effectiveness of protests as a means to influence public discourse. 
• Review of a cannabis court case in Colorado 
• Impact of legal rulings on military voters 
• ...