Acts of Pod

If you check social media lately you'll see that businesses have been posting signs saying that no one has been showing up for their shifts at different restaurants and no one wants to work anymore. Republican governors have been cutting extra unemployment benefits because they want to incentivize people to get back to work who have been getting a little too comfortable with that extra $300 dollar payout during the pandemic. Is there more to the story? Are people hesitant to return to work sectors that left them high and dry the very minute they showed signs of trouble? Are people now demanding a little more from employers after they've shown what they're willing to do when times get tough? That's what we discuss on today's episode of Acts of Pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't heard, the radical left is coming for you and your way of life. They want to cancel your children's books, they want to take away your guns, and worst of all, limit your red meat intake to 4 pounds a year. Where is this threat coming from exactly? Great question! Can I see the data on that, is there an article or even something coming out of the White House stating their intentions? Nope. But sometimes you have to read in between the lines and intuit what's "really" going on and this has been going on in American politics from the beginning which is why we're covering some of the best historical conspiracy theories to see what they have in common with contemporary theories (quite a bit). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You would think as we are still fighting the pandemic and dealing with the fallout from quarantine, that state governments would be focusing on education, employment, or healthcare. There is so much need and healing in this country you would hardly know where to start but republican legislatures knew exactly where to start, voter suppression bills. There are literally hundreds of voter suppression bills making it more difficult for people to vote up in 47 states as we speak. We cover some of the common elements of these bills so you can know what to look for in your state. Good luck out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you were wondering why there are more mass shootings in the US than any other country, we'll let you in on a little secret, with only 4.4% of the world's population, we account for 46% of civilian held firearms. That's a lot of guns. And it's hard to talk about an issue with a lot of angry people that have a ton of guns, so you can see how this has become an intractable problem. Will this next generation that has lived under the shadow of school shooter drills and the threat of mass shootings be the one to mark a permanent change in the way we approach gun policy? All this and more, on this episode of Acts of Pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year into the pandemic, with over a half a million lives lost, economic stress, kids missing out on school, we all know that despite all this loss the most important issue facing us all is the threat of being cancelled, or at least you would believe that based on the amount of coverage it receives. Now if you feel cancel culture may not be as dangerous as let's say, unchecked systemic violence, you would be correct. But why is it when there are verifiably more pressing threats, that these issues from the culture wars are brought up more frequently than vaccines or education or any other of the dozens of issues that effect Americans quality of life? We cover that in today's episode of Acts of Pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The religious right, has several names and is comprised of several groups but didn't really coalesce and show their real influence until the mid to late 70s. Surprisingly, it was not the election of the first Southern Evangelical, Jimmy Carter, that offered a cause for Southern Evangelicals and other Christian religious groups to rally around, it wasn't reproductive rights or their reintroduction of Christian prayer in schools either. This week we take a look at the religious right and it's many splinter groups and how it has impacted the American political narrative as we freeze in our Texas homes, yee haw! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There has been talk recently of finally raising the minimum wage to 15.00 dollars an hour. The last time it was raised was in 2007 to 7..25 and it has remained there despite a raise in prices, rents, and other costs of living. It wasn't until 1938 that any legislation was passed mandating a minimum of wage and even then it only covered a small percentage of American workers and it took America being in the depth of a financial crisis to get it passed. What will it take to get a similar raise passed now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 6th 2021 was not the first time in American History that a group of people, unhappy with the outcome of an election resorted to violence. In fact, on November 10, 1898, in what became known as the Wilmington massacre, a group of white supremacists murdered up to an estimated 300 people and threw black officials out of their elected offices. This is why it's become more important than ever to protect not only the vote but the sanctity of the outcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent polling, Socialism is very unpopular in America and yet programs like social security and Medicare are extremely popular. How did it happen that socialist programs remain popular for decades and the mention of socialism or democratic socialist candidates consistently polls anywhere between 25 to 50%? If you can believe it, it's the result of a long and sustained campaigns starting in the late 1800s that link capitalism to patriotism and benefits the same group of people who seem to also be benefitting through this pandemic, corporations and the 1%. Here's hoping that stimulus goes a long way! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For as long as we've had infectious disease, we've had attempts at inoculations. And from the very first instances of inoculations, there have been people who have been resistant. Considering that these usually consisted of smearing the contents of pustules over newly torn skin, it's understandable how people might hesitate. Now on the brink of our most recent vaccine in the middle of this generation's pandemic, how will we react compared to generations past? We cover a brief history of vaccinations and take a look at the current climate surrounding the newest vaccine on today's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When two dreamers met, a megalomaniacal media mogul, and a behind the scenes conservative wizard behind Nixon, Reagan and George W. Bush's campaign, who could have imagined what would have blossomed? Now in every airport, hospital lobby, military base, and probably your meemaw's house, you can see the fruits of their labor. We cover the origin story of Fox News in this episode and ways the progressive left may be able to balance the scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes our democracy unique? Is it because we're the best? It's because we employ electors to vote on our behalf, rather than have a one vote one voice policy or a direct democracy which most of the world with democracies have embraced. Again, we are the only country in the world who uses this method. In this episode we explore the dark origins of the electoral college and why we have been unable to rid ourselves of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How are women holding up during the pandemic? With women dominated professions being deemed essential work, and the demands of domestic labor increasing, women are facing burn out. Increasingly, women are taking on both childcare and schooling responsibilities while also feeling increased economic pressure. In this episode we talk about how the pandemic has further clarified the systemic hardships facing women and how even a little support could go a long way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to easily one of the least fun cults available, you may never even know you've joined and the perks are lackluster at best. After the age of God Kings, how can you impress your friends and really let the world know that you're in it for the long haul, and you're something special? You build your brand. You take over media, you smack your face and name over every available surface, you have your name on everyone's lips, and you take control of the narrative. On today's Acts of Pod we cover Cults of Personality and how when it's important to actually know the truth in times of war, pandemic or famine, these governmental constructions and forced narratives end up costing lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have the tax of life. On this very special episode of Tax of Pod, we tackle the revelations of President Trump's Tax returns and link it back to the first time Presidential Tax returns made news (hint: Nixon). But beyond why it's important to know the financial entanglements of a person in a position of power and trust, this episode has highlighted how inequality impacts tax collection, how the burden of tax falls on those who can least afford it, and those asked to oversee tax collection are in an ever imperiled and vulnerable position as their budget is continuously cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although we seem to be at the let's throw everything at the wall and see what sticks part of the Trump presidential reelection campaign, one strategy that has been utilized is the classic republican golden oldie the Law and Order platform. In this episode, we cover both the superficial and the dog whistle meaning of this tactic that seems to appear in American campaigns at the same time major civil rights movements develop and build momentum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What began as a post on 4chan has become one of the fastest growing movements in politics. It's an all encompassing conspiracy theory that builds on past classic fears such as Satan worship, secret cabals, harvesting the young for their life prolonging vitality, and of course they've added their own new heroes like Donald Trump and John Kennedy Jr. who has been in hiding after faking his own death. Is there a reason these movements appear when they do and what do they indicate about the state of our nation? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between the years the 1956 and 1971 the FBI ran a covert intelligence operation headed by Hoover himself that infiltrated everything from the Socialist Workers Party to the Black Panthers under the auspices of gathering information at first and dismantling civil rights organizations later on. While these operations were well known within government, they were also completely illegal and only came to light after a break in to a small FBI satellite office during an Ali vs Frazier fight when hundreds of documents about this clandestine operation came to light. The damage to done the civil rights movement is incalculable but there are lessons to be learned and applied still. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Acts of Pod we cover several conspiracy theories that have been spreading around the social media platforms. Everything from "Plandemic" to 5g technology's dark side, Bill Gates and his years' long crusade to introduce a virus only to cure it - at a price! Of course, these conspiracies, misinformation campaigns and disinformation from other countries is not consequence free, it puts already vulnerable people at unnecessary risk. We can only hope that this reaches all of you and yours in safety and you are coping as best you can. 

This week finds us deep in our isolation pods here at Acts of Pod. While it is true that we cover the term Astroturfing, we also dive into the psychological depths of the quarantine, examine both positive and negative coping mechanisms, and share some of our personal triumphs and horrors in hopes we connect with the greater struggle. So join us on this journey if only to escape the confines of your own quarantine prison for a few minutes. Good luck out there. 

Reporting from our self isolation chambers, we've been reading the news so you don't have to and can continue with those projects you've been meaning to finish. During these trying times some have risen to the occasion while others have tried to take advantage of our vulnerabilities. We here at Acts of Pod try to keep you updated on the state of our healthcare system, what's happening with our government and what to avoid on amazon and eBay so you can act accordingly. Stay strong in your isolation chambers and we'll speak to you soon! 

In today's episode, we give a brief primer on how quarantines have worked since the Plague of Justinian, through all manner of fevers, viruses, flues you name it. We'll walk you through the information being disseminated now, what we know about the psychological impact of social distancing and what you can expect. We'll even tell you how you can report price gouging on Lysol products you find on eBay. There is no reason to Panic! but we would like you to stay indoors and wash your hands. 

You may have heard this present administration described as a banana republic, maybe by us. Well, you may not know what that means exactly. Does it involve a sham democracy? Does it involve corporate interests taking over a country and slowly eroding at the rights of working people? Could you just about put any dummy in charge because the ones pulling the strings are faceless plutocrats … you know what, yes. We're being pretty heavy handed here with the comparisons but, yes. Stay tuned for unexpected personal adventures from banana boats and much more on this week's episode of Acts of Pod. 

Is there ever a purer love than that between a Mad King and his devoted followers? History is littered with examples of these unions from Ivan the Terrible to George III. We are certainly not the type of people to mock anyone for their neurodiversity, but when is it appropriate to intervene when someone in a position of authority may no longer be fit to lead? Does history offer us any guides, does this end badly? How can a love that feels so right, go so wrong? These and other questions will be answered on this week's pod. 

This week we talk about how projection when used consciously in politics can be used to vilify or scapegoat vulnerable groups of people, manipulate the fears of a population and distract from larger problems and shift responsibility. But projection can be unconscious as well, and when someone is feeling the heat, it is amazing what their subconscious can project about what they are actually feeling. Given how important it is to stay grounded, give this a listen so you can recognize these patterns of behavior as they occur. 

Well it's the holidays and what a rare treat for a troubled, stressful nation. If you feel like you're living in a world gone mad, don't fret, it wouldn't be the first time. This week on Acts of Pod we go through Mass Hysteria events that took place during tense growth stages in world history. Whether it be nuns roaming around like feral cats, or school girls paralyzed with fits of laughter, these events always seem to hint at a greater source of distress lying just below the surface. So join us as we happily jump into the mouth of madness, or as you may call it, The Spirit of Christmas, and take a deeper look at some historical, hysterical events. 

This week on the pod we cover the term Gaslighting. It is used in psychological terms to describe how narcissists or abusers keep you in their control but more recently, it has been shown to be a particular handy technique in political psychological warfare. We help you recognize the signs so you can be more cognizant of its appearance in media and around the Thanksgiving table and hope you and yours have a great time trying not to talk about politics. 

This week we cover the term Minority Rule and how it has manifested itself from the original intentions of the founders, to the gerrymandered districts we find ourselves in today. In order for a powerful minority to retain power, they use tools that we have covered in past episodes like voter suppression, gerrymandering and misinformation campaigns. Watch all your favorites make a reappearance to help explain minority rule and what we can to do help keep our democracy strong and more reflective of the needs of the people that it represents. 

In this episode we visit haunted historical stories that highlight the never ending stories we find ourselves in. Like hawks flying through dimensions, we take a look at our own haunted histories to see how they have impacted our present. So join us on our dark night of the soul as we work our way back into the light, if you dare! 

What does it mean to be politically correct? Well it depends on who you ask. In this episode we trace the journey of the word from the interior of the Communist Party, to workshops in Conservative thinktanks. Like so many terms, it's meaning is really determined by who uses it and who is its intended audience. So give us a listen before you too get cancelled. 

Recently, some of the world's most famous CEOs released a statement sharing their intent to change their focus from their shareholders to their stakeholders and lucky you, you're one! If you happened to notice wage stagnation and growing income inequality trending for the past 40 years, you're not alone. Why in fact, a similar statement was released around 40 years ago, by a group of similarly powerful men that went on to shape the course of the future. In this week's episode we examine the original hopes of the first Business Roundtable and the impact this powerful group has had in shaping legislation and public opinion since that meeting. 

On today's episode we have our first interview with Scott Solomon who presents his idea on how to initiate and incentivize a global wealth tax. Considering the kind of capital that will be needed to combat climate change, workable solutions for raising that kind of capital could not come at a better time. 

There was nuclear disaster worse than 3 Mile Island and if you haven't heard of it, no one would blame you. It happened it New Mexico on Navajo lands and 40 years on the clean up is still in process. How could a disaster of this scale go so unnoticed? Why would any community be kept in the dark of the continuing dangers a disaster of this scale would pose? We go about answering some of these questions and more as this administration is in the process of taking up uranium mining again on previously protected federal lands. 

Imagine if you will, a nation in crisis. A map of every major American city spread across the desk, committees assembled to ascertain the desirability of every neighborhood in every, major, American city. What could possibly go right? Today's episode is a primer on "redlining" or the practice of designating the value of major American neighborhoods so banks and leading financial institutions would have some idea of the risk going into lending to small businesses and homeowners starting back in the 1930s. The ripple effect of this race based practice is still felt today which is why it is vitally important to know how it was begun.   

This week on Acts of Pod, Anne and I discuss the term "The War on Women." During campaign season, a lot of terms get bandied about and here at Acts of Pod we hope to provide a bit more context to help understand not only what they are meant to signify, but the real impact they have when it comes to policy. So, if you would like to join us to get a better understanding of what is meant when that phrase is used and some of the policy that is coming out of campaigns to help redress imbalances, give us a listen. Also, if you have a passing interest in predatory birds, you will want to check this episode out because they are also included in the discussion. 

In the small town of Bath, Michigan, an unthinkable tragedy challenged the beliefs of an entire nation, for two days until Lindbergh successfully completed his first transatlantic flight and the story began to disappear from the news. Sadly, it would not be the last time in American History where someone would unleash a deadly attack against our most vulnerable victims, in this case a schoolhouse on the last day of school; but, it did help to establish a pattern of behavior among similarly-minded malcontents, helping us to develop warning signs over the years and hopefully now we can use that data to help prevent these acts of violence before they reach fruition in the future. 

Grab your flower garlands and pass out the ribbons because it's May Day and you know what that means? Labor coalesces into a powerful union and demands the dignity they deserve from a cannibalistic and faceless unknown, like the growth of Spring blossoming from the decay of winter. If you've stuck around through that self-indulgent metaphor, you will love today's episode. 

Recently, the Violence Against Women Act has been in the news because it has not received bilateral support. While one would be tempted to think this would be a no brainer, there has been a long, troubled history concerning how to codify domestic violence, how should law enforcement be involved, and what resources can be put in place to support those who are in danger. 

In the face of impossible odds, a group of women helped to organize a boycott that would launch one of the most successful civil rights campaigns in American history. From printing pamphlets, organizing transportation, feeding fellow protestors or keeping hope alive, it was the vital efforts of women and their sacrifice that would introduce Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to a national audience. 

Imagine if you will, a great nation of promise filled with anxiety about its future. The world is erupting in chaos and corporate interests are balking at the thought of implementing huge social programs to relieve the strain on average citizens. Impossible! Well, of all the unlikely characters to flap their weird butterfly wings, we celebrate the contributions of one Smedley Butler and his untangling of The Business Plot or The Wall Street Putsch.

Do you have a firm understanding of the differences between a wealth tax and a marginal tax? Could you let us know? This week, we diligently try to plow through the different tax solutions brought forth by the democratic candidates and compare it to the solutions that are in place currently.  We then compare it to the conservative tax policies over the last 40 years that have contributed to growing income inequality. Warning in advance, we did have a couple of glasses of wine in order to take the edge off our discomfort with the material, we then became what I can only describe as overly comfortable, but I only hope it can be a learning experience for everyone. 

This week on the pod we take it all the way back to the 1500s to provide an overview on how the legislation of child support developed here in the States and offer a comparison to how other countries addressed similar issues. 

We're taking it back to Lovelace and Babbage to try and trace the history of women in technology. From human computers, to ENIAC programmers, women have been around since the infancy of the technology. Their relative sparseness now in the industry could have several perfectly rational explanations and we take a look at a few of those as well as a few irrational explanations as well. 

If it wasn't so evil it might be hilarious. Right around the time Nixon was affirming that he was not a crook, a small cabal of Nixon loyalists were busy sabotaging Democratic campaigns. In this episode, we cover the dirty tricks employed by Nixon against his competitors and trace the lineage of these techniques to the most current presidential election. Anne also includes a beautiful tribute to two White House dogs that the world has been so desperate to hear. 

This week we cover the Tennessee trial of John Scopes who was indicted for teaching evolution in the classroom in 1925. We trace the beginnings of the long feud between fundamental religious belief straining against oncoming modernity and how those trends continue in the present day. 

In this week's episode we give a brief history of voter suppression techniques used in American history from the exclusive original requirements for voting, to voter ID laws. While the 15th amendment provided the legal protection for voters, those protections were not enforced until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Stay tuned for the inventive methods used to discourage voting from different populations that included robocalls, threatening billboards, pamphlets dropped from planes, exact match, purging of voter's rolls and so much more! Hopefully the fight for the vote will inspire you to exercise your right. 

The Southeastern voting block, or the solid South, was not always republican. Around the 1950s, right about the time Brown V Board of Education was decided, the republicans began to woo back the Southern vote. In this episode, we'll map out the seduction of the Southern voter and point out some historical dog whistle campaigns that have been in use for nearly 60 years. 

On this very special Halloween episode of Acts of Pod, we cover the Salem Witch Trials. We take a deep dive into the economic and political conditions that made this possible and how this story has been used in political discourse over the years. Could we make the devil more boring? You shall soon see. Happy Halloween!

Have you read the UN report on climate change? Well, you're gonna want to sit down. Or better yet, why don't you just get the news from your buddies at Acts of Pod who are handling the news with grace. Totally unrelated, does anyone have access to a bomb shelter and/or a fresh water source? Hit us up on twitter.

Kvennafridagurinn, or Iceland's monumental Woman's Day Off campaign, had the participation of 90% of the nation's women. The next year saw legislation passed, and in the next five years Iceland would elect their first female President. In this week's pod we outline just a few of the successful female run protests and the power of these campaigns to effect change when all women join forces to fight for each other's interests. There is no particular reason we are detailing successful female led protest movements, but if you're interested in the topic, give her a listen. 

In today's episode we cover the current state of American healthcare, how prices became out of control and possible changes that could be made to help the average consumer. We talk about the possibility of socialized medicine here and use the history of the implementation of the National Health Service in the UK as a precedent. We also honor the Manchester Music scene briefly, so we welcome Stone Roses fans.