In this episode of Left in the Attic, hosts Ana and Deep reflect on the major wins and losses of 2025 and share their predictions for 2026. Deep opens up about the recent loss of his mom, illustrating the significant impact she had on his life and community. They discuss his mom’s inspiring journey from India to the United States and her relentless community organizing efforts. The episode picks up pace as they dive into the political, cultural, and scientific wins and losses of the year. They highlight significant events such as the impact of Zohran's election in New York, the troubling consequences of the Big Beautiful Bill, and the setbacks in science due to the rise of misinformation. The hosts also share personal achievements, including Deep becoming a father and Ana's career pivot after losing her job at the CDC. They wrap up with a call to action for civic engagement, encouraging listeners to join community organizations and stay politically active.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Update

00:32 Tribute to Deep's Mom

02:11 Deep's Mom's Legacy and Community Impact

03:50 Reflections and Moving Forward

07:39 Biggest Wins and Losses of 2025

08:07 Personal Wins and Losses

11:06 Predictions for 2026

15:00 Political Wins and Losses

21:27 Political Predictions for 2026

25:41 Cultural Losses, Wins, and Predictions

30:06 Science and Technology: Losses, Wins, and Predictions

38:22 Mission and Call to Action

Meet Your Hosts

Ana Mitchell, Ph.D., is a former CDC scientist who was swept up in federal cuts and is now reinventing herself as a civic coach and creator. After a decade reducing disparities in health and education, she’s building Civically Fit to make civic engagement accessible, authentic, and sustainable. A proud Latina and Colorado native, Ana is focused on helping people build community and power through everyday civic action. According to Deep, Ana has a dating life that could probably be its own podcast segment.

Deep Singh Badhesha is an attorney, political strategist, and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience shaping political campaigns and policy in Colorado. A former public school math teacher, Colorado Supreme Court clerk, and senior policy analyst, he now works across campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislative fights. He’s South Asian, a new dad, and a longtime organizer who believes community—not saviors—will rebuild the Left. He also has way too many hot takes on everything stemming from food and sports to politics.

Links:

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