Prevail with Greg Olear

Who owns the land? Who DECIDES who owns the land? Who has the power to redistribute land ownership? If land ownership IS redistributed, who gets to take possession and who doesn't? And what adverse impact can the reshuffling of land ownership have on our society and our planet?Greg Olear talks to Michael Albertus, a professor at the University of Chicago and the author of Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies, about these and other questions pertaining to the relationship between land and power.Follow Mike:https://bsky.app/profile/mikealbertus.bsky.socialCheck out his website:https://www.michaelalbertus.com/Buy the book:https://www.amazon.com/Land-Power-Doesnt-Determines-Societies/dp/1541604814/Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

To, ahem, sever himself from the news, Greg Olear brings on his wife, Stephanie St. John, a huge fan of “Severance,” to discuss the second season. Cold Harbor, fetid moppet, devour feculence, Helly/Helena, the Glasgow Block, ORTBO, the four tempers, and more goats than anyone asked for: they cover it all, with verve and wiles. Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

The Overwhelm: Trump, Musk, stupidity, banality, artlessness, lack of decency, betrayal by our leadership, rage, fear, grief from what we've lost. We are living through a period of national, if not global, trauma. Actor and trauma coach Claudia Black returns to PREVAIL to talk about the causes of trauma, how to heal from it, emotional aid, and what we can do to regulate ourselves.Claudia's website is here:https://claudiablackconsulting.com/what-i-do Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Katherine Stewart is the author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, the award-winning book upon which the documentary feature, God & Country, produced by Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, is based. She has covered the intersection of faith and politics for over 15 years; her work appears in the New York Times, The Washington Post, the New Republic, the Guardian, and Religion News Service, and she has been featured on broadcast media outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, and NPR. Her 2012 book, The Good News Club, covered the religious right's effort to infiltrate and undermine public education. Her spectacular new book, MONEY, LIES, AND GOD: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, came out this week.Greg Olear talks to Stewart about the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States, the impetus for writing the book, her research process, the rhetoric of the movement and the lies used to boost its popularity, reactionary nihilism, the various factions within the movement, and what we can do to take democracy back.Find her at @kathsstewart and katherinestewart.me. Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Christopher Steele began his twenty-two-year career as an intelligence professional and Russia expert within the British government in 1987, soon after graduating from Cambridge University. He was posted to Moscow, where he served through the fall of the Soviet Union, and Paris, before returning to London to become one of the government's senior intelligence experts and advisers on Russia. In 2009, he founded the private intelligence company Orbis Business Intelligence. His series of intelligence reports, collectively known as the Steele Dossier, helped expose Donald Trump's ties to the Kremlin.Greg Olear talks to Steele about the Dossier, the kompromat tape, Dmitri Simes, Prague, Rosneft, Ukraine, the FBI, political cowardice, lawfare, Putin, Trump, Xi, Keir Starmer, the political situation in Canada and Western Europe, Elon Musk, and Steele's excellent new book, “Unredacted: Russia, Trump, and the Fight for Democracy.”Buy the book:https://www.harpercollins.com/products/unredacted-christopher-steele?variant=43103633899554Follow Christopher Steele:https://x.com/Chris_D_SteeleFollow Orbis:https://x.com/orbisBIofficialFollow Greg on BlueSky:https://bsky.app/profile/gregolear.bsky.social Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

For more than 30 years, Alexandra Hall Hall worked as a diplomat in the British Foreign Office, with postings in Washington, Bangkok, Delhi, Bogota, and Tbilisi, where she was the British ambassador to Georgia. She is now the co-host of the Disorder podcast. This is an interview from Friday's episode of THE FIVE 8. Having just returned from Tbilisi, she talks about the situation there. Plus: Holly Jolly.Follow Alex Hall-Hall:https://bsky.app/profile/alexhh.bsky.social Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Many times in the last two years, we have warned about the grim consequences of allowing a wannabe dictator–who attempted to overthrow the government on his way out the door four years ago–back into the White House. What we warned about has happened. We are 45 days away from Donald Trump's second inauguration. And based on who the Mussolini of Queens has picked for his cabinet and staff positions, it looks like he was dead serious about being a dictator on Day One.This week, I will replay clips of some of my past guests talking about American fascism. We must now listen not as a warning, but as a way to be prepared. This episode features clips from interviews with the defense analyst Brynn Tannehill, author of AMERICAN FASCISM; historian Manisha Sinha, author of THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SECOND AMERICAN REPUBLIC; True North Research executive director Lisa Graves; and strategic communications expert Robbie Harris. Plus: chapter 5 of ROUGH BEAST, and a new patriotic anthem for our times.Follow Greg on BlueSky:https://bsky.app/profile/gregolear.bsky.social Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Subscribe to The Five 8: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhA Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T   Would you like to tell us more about you?  http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Jimmy Kennedy was the executive producer of the first season of The Noel Casler Podcast, the afternoon drive producer for The Kent Sterling Show on CBS Sports 1430 AM in Indianapolis, and a gameday staff member with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He is currently the host and producer of his own show, JBK On Air, where he interviews a variety of guests including athletes, political commentators, media personalities, & more. Jimmy, who has cerebral palsy, is a longtime public speaker with the non-profit organization Timmy Global Health, where he advocates on behalf of people with disabilities.In this conversation, Greg Olear and Jimmy Kennedy discuss the aftermath of the recent election, reflecting on the surprising outcomes and the implications for democracy. Kennedy shares his personal journey in broadcasting, highlighting the importance of storytelling and the impact of his experiences on his podcasting endeavors. They discuss the implications of Trump's policies on Social Security, the intersection of politics and sports, and the challenges of maintaining relationships in a politically divided society. They delve into the rights of people with disabilities under the Trump administration, the importance of finding hope amidst political turmoil, and the potential future of American politics with figures like JD Vance. Plus: coming attractions.Subscribe to Jimmy's podcast:https://linktr.ee/jbkonairSupport Timmy Global Health:https://www.timmyglobalhealth.org/ Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

This episode of the live YouTube show “The Five 8” was recorded on Wednesday, November 6, 2024–the night after the election. It is not the show we planned to do, certainly not the show we wanted to do, but the show we had to do. Featuring Stephanie “LB” Koff and Greg Olear.  Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

It's been just over 100 days since Kamala Harris officially replaced Joe Biden at the top of the ticket, but it feels like an eternity. With just four days until the most consequential presidential election since 1860, Greg Olear talks to OSINT researcher ne plus ultra Gal Suburban about what to expect on Election Day–and, more ominously, what schemes may come in the weeks after the election is decided.Among the topics discussed: Elon Musk, Mike Flynn, JD Vance, Maria Butina, and more. Plus: a MAGA voting PSA.Follow Gal Suburban:https://x.com/5GW_HotTakes Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Tom Kemp is a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur, seed investor,  policy advisor and author of the award-winning bestseller Containing Big Tech: How to Protect our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy. Tom was the founder and CEO of Centrify, a leading cybersecurity cloud provider. As an angel investor, he's made seed investments in over fifteen tech start-ups. He has also served as a volunteer technology policy advisor for political campaigns, legislators, and civil society groups. His advocacy work includes leading the campaign marketing efforts in 2020 to pass the California Privacy Rights Act, and advising and contributing to the passage of state privacy laws in 2023, such as the California Delete Act and Texas' data broker registry law. In 2024, Tom collaborated with advocacy groups and legislative leaders on the California AI Transparency Act.In this conversation with Greg Olear, Tom Kemp discusses the implications of Elon Musk's actions in the political landscape, the significance of the Delete Act for data privacy, the complexities of AI technology, and the current state of antitrust actions against big tech companies. The dialogue explores the intersection of technology, politics, and civil rights, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks to protect democracy and individual freedoms.Follow Tom:https://x.com/TomKemp00Visit his website:https://www.tomkemp.ai/Buy his book:https://www.tomkemp.ai/containing-big-tech Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Nina Burleigh is a journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of a Substack on politics called American Freakshow.  A contributing editor at The New Republic and frequent contributor to the New York Times and New York Magazine, she is the author of eight books on an array of topics including archaeological forgery, scientists in 18th Century Egypt, James Smithson, Amanda Knox in Italy, the Trump women, and the pandemic response. Her latest book, and first novel, is called Zero Visibility Possible.In this conversation with Greg Olear, Nina discusses the ravages of climate change, her recent travels, access journalism and the Olivia Nuzzi imbroglio, her novel and the inspiration behind it, Melania Trump and the mystery of her activities in the 1990s, the current covid situation, and how Trump's phalanx of evil attorneys plan to f*ck with the election results, no matter the result.Follow Nina: https://x.com/ninaburleighBuy her book:https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Visibility-Possible-Nina-Burleigh/dp/B0D95GSJH4Subscribe to American Freakshow:https://www.americanfreakshow.news/ Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Gareth Gore is a financial journalist and editor with close to two decades of experience, who has reported from over twenty-five countries and covered some of the biggest financial stories. His writing has been published by Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, and International Financing Review. He is the host of The Syndicate, which tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the biggest financial deals in history. His new book, five years in the making, is “OPUS: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church.”In this conversation with Greg Olear, Gore delves into the controversial practices of Opus Dei, its financial manipulations, and the historical context of its formation. Gore highlights the cult-like control mechanisms employed by the organization, the allegations of human trafficking, and the dynamics of gender within Opus Dei. He also examines the appeal of the organization to its members and the significant political influence of key figures like dark money maestro Leonard Leo and the late Rev. C. John McCloskey III. The discussion raises critical questions about the implications of Opus Dei's actions for the Catholic Church, the United States, and society at large. Plus: the MAGA playbook! Follow Gareth Gore https://x.com/gareth_goreBuy his book:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016145The Teneo Network:https://vimeo.com/806310279?share=copy Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

David Daley is the author of the national best-seller “Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count” and “Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy.” His journalism on democracy and voting rights appears regularly in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Slate, The New Republic and many other publications. He is the former editor in chief of Salon, and has taught journalism and political science as a fellow at Wesleyan University, Boston College and the University of Georgia. He is a senior fellow at FairVote, and is often heard on CNN, MSNBC and NPR. His latest book is "Antidemocratic: Inside the Far Right's 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections.”Greg Olear talks to Dave Daley about gerrymandering, Dave Daley https://x.com/davedaleyAntidemocratic: Inside the Far Right's 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Anthony Comstock (1844-1915) would be nothing more than a footnote from an ugly, retrograde, and bygone period of American history, except that Dobbs made the laws that bear his name suddenly relevant again. But who was Comstock? What made him such a woman-hating weirdo? Why did he hold sway for so long, and how was Comstockery defeated? Amy Sohn, the author of  “The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship & Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age,” talks to Greg Olear about all things Comstock: who he was; how he rose to power; what laws he enacted; how he's similar to Leonard Leo, Donald Trump, and other current weirdos; and the remarkable women who were his adversaries.Amy Sohn is the New York Times-bestselling author of 13 books, including the novels “Prospect Park West,” “Motherland,” and “The Actress”; the parodic parable “CBD!”; and “Brooklyn Bailey, the Missing Dog,” her first book for children. She has also written two screenplays, “Spin the Bottle” and “Pagans,” as well as “Avenue Amy,” one of the first original programs to air on Oxygen, in which she also starred. In 1996, a year after graduating from Brown University, she launched an autobiographical dating diary, “Female Trouble,” in the downtown weekly New York Press. She subsequently wrote a column at the New York Post and was a contributing editor at New York magazine. As a freelance journalist, she has written for the New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, Slate, Details, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Men's Journal, Playboy, and many others. Her latest book, “The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship & Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age,” was published July 6, 2021 with Farrar, Straus & Giroux.Follow Amy:https://x.com/amysohnBuy “The man Who Hated Women”:https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250174819/themanwhohatedwomenCheck out her other books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Amy-Sohn/author/B004NA8V0EMore about Amy:https://www.amysohn.com/bio/ Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at http://betterhelp.com/greg Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Greg Olear talks to Stephanie Baker about her superb new book, “Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia,” on the West's financial warfare against Putin after the invasion of Ukraine. They discuss the oligarchs and their complex relationships with Putin, the challenges of implementing economic sanctions on an economy as big as Russia's, Boris Johnson's role in the push for sanctions, the unintended consequences and byproducts of the economic warfare, the role of Telegram, and the potential consequences of Moscow's nuclear weapons. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of Putin's regime and potential actions that could be taken to support Ukraine.Stephanie Baker is an award-winning investigative reporter at Bloomberg News. She began her reporting career in Moscow during the 1990s. She received her master's at the London School of Economics and her work has been recognized by the Gerald Loeb Awards, the Overseas Press Club, the UK Society of Editors, the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, and the UK's Foreign Press Association.Follow Stephanie:https://x.com/StephaniBakerBuy the book:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Punishing-Putin/Stephanie-Baker/9781668050583 Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

In this far-ranging discussion, Greg Olear talks to the actress, director, podcast host, and activist Rosanna Arquette about: Kamala Harris, the DNC, and the new hope around U.S. politics; what to expect at the presidential debate; the deal with RFK Jr.; the time she met Trump; the time she met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the Alexis Project and the fundraiser happening in LA this week; Me Too and opportunities for women in Hollywood; her acting career, from “Desperately Seeking Susan” to “Pulp Fiction” to “The L-Word” to “Succubus”; her directing style; and much, much more. Plus: nothing left to lose!Rosanna on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rosannaarquette/Rosanna's website:https://www.rosannaarquette.com/aboutThe Alexis Project:https://www.alexisproject.org/The fundraiser:https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/vip-community-mental-health-center-inc/the-alexis-project-copy-1Radical Musings:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical-musings-with-rosanna-arquette/id1550695064  Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Robbie Harris is a strategic communications and behavior change subject matter expert with over 25 years' experience working with local influencers, activists, civil society organizations, journalists, and senior stakeholders in Iraq, Syria, Africa, and Central America. She has designed and implemented successful programs for US DoD, DoS and USAID, and UK FCDO and MoD. She's the co-founder of a small international business; has worked for USAID-OTI; speaks Arabic, Spanish, and English, and has a M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University.In the interview with Greg Olear, Harris discusses her background and how she got into her line of work, which involves strategic communications and behavior change. She shares her experiences working in Iraq and countering ISIS propaganda. The conversation also touches on the legacy of colonialism in the Middle East and its impact on the region today, the situation in Kurdistan, the proxy war in Syria, the refugee camp in Northern Syria, the growing stateless population, and the experience of living in Somalia and Niger. Finally, she shares her advice on messaging to US voters and warns about the potential consequences of a collapse of democracy and of civil war.Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/greg Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Greg talks with the historian Manisha Sinha and discusses her book “The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920.” The book explores the period between the Civil War and World War I, highlighting the importance of Reconstruction in shaping the country. Sinha explains her motivation for writing the book and the significance of the Second American Republic. She also draws parallels between Andrew Johnson and Donald Trump, emphasizing the consequences of showing mercy to Confederates. Sinha delves into the horrors of the first Ku Klux Klan and the violent opposition to Reconstruction. The conversation explores the end of Reconstruction, the Compromise of 1877, the nadir of American democracy, the conquest of the West, and the legacy of Reconstruction. It also delves into the question of how a society can atone for its national sins. Plus: coup right, with Coup-Vite!Manisha Sinha is the James L. and Shirley A. Draper Chair in American History at the University of Connecticut and a leading authority on the history of slavery and abolition and the Civil War and Reconstruction. She was born in India and received her Ph.D from Columbia University where her dissertation was nominated for the Bancroft Prize. She is the author of “The Counterrevolution of Slavery: Politics and Ideology in Antebellum South Carolina,” which was named one of the ten best books on slavery in Politico and featured in The New York Times' 1619 Project. Her multiple award winning second book “The Slave's Cause: A History of Abolition” was long listed for the National Book Award for Non Fiction. It was named Editor's Choice in the New York Times Book Review, book of the week by Times Higher Education to coincide with its UK publication, and one of three great History books of 2016 in Bloomberg News.Follow Manisha:https://twitter.com/ProfMSinhaBuy her book:https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Second-American-Republic/dp/1631498444/ref=zg_bsnr_g_16244141_sccl_1/140-4528258-4376211?psc=1Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

For 26 years, Rone Tempest was the national and foreign correspondent for the LA Times, based in Paris, New Delhi, Beijing, and Hong Kong, as well as the craziest capital city, Sacramento. After his retirement, he worked for Pro Publica and was the co-founder of the Wyoming nonprofit public policy news site, Wyofile. He's taught journalism at Berkeley, his alma mater, and has won numerous awards. He's also the author of two books, including “The Last Western: The Unjustified Killing of Michael Rosa by Ed Cantrell.” Now in Salt Lake City, he lived for many years in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains outside of Lander, Wyoming.   In this discussion with Greg Olear, Tempest discusses his experiences as a foreign correspondent in China, Afghanistan, and Paris; Liz Cheney's demise and the enigma of Wyoming politics; and his Wyofile profile of Kevin Roberts, head of the Heritage Foundation, thought leader behind Project 2025, and Tempest's erstwhile Wyoming neighbor. Plus: Amazing Mace!Follow Rone:https://twitter.com/RoneTempestHis website:https://www.ronetempest.com/bioThe Roberts profile at Wyofile:https://wyofile.com/wyomings-catholic-cowboy-could-remake-government-if-trump-wins/Buy his book:https://www.amazon.com/Last-Western-Unjustified-Killing-Cantrell/dp/B08NWWY984 Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Francine Prose is the author of over 30 books. Her 12 novels include My New American Life, A Changed Man and Blue Angel, a finalist for the National Book Award. Her nonfiction works include the indispensable Reading Like a Writer; Caravaggio: Painter of Miracles; and The Lives of the Muses: Nine Women and the Artists They Inspired, a New York Times Notable Book for 2002. She's a contributing editor at Harper's, and her essays, reviews, and criticism have appeared in New York Times Book Review, Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian, among other publications. She's a past president of PEN America, a distinguished writer in residence at Bard College, and a recipient of the 2008 Edith Wharton Achievement Award for Literature. Her latest book—and first memoir—is called 1974: A Personal History.In this conversation, Greg Olear talks to Francine Prose about her new memoir, 1974. They discuss the challenges of writing about oneself, the impetus for the book, Tony Russo and the Pentagon Papers, whistleblowers, “Vertigo,” the role of literature in society, the bias against women writers, the state of fiction writing, the impact of AI, the dangers of self-censorship, the current political climate, and more.Plus: a new Zoom!Buy her book:https://www.harpercollins.com/products/1974-francine-prose?variant=41105435459618Her Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/FrancineProseAuthor/Her Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/prose.francine/ Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

In this, the penultimate episode of Season 7 of the PREVAIL podcast, Greg Olear discusses (for a solid 20 minutes, which is probably too long, if we're being honest) the events of the week: Donald's earsay, Joe's departure, Kamala's ascension.Then, he welcomes Jessica Cale, the host of the DIRTY SEXY HISTORY podcast, to talk about her background as a novelist and historian, the castles of Wales, piracy, syphilis, medieval penitentials, the Oneida colony, the Comstock Act vis a vis Project 2025, the history of abortion, and more. Plus: the safety is off.Jessica Cale is the host of Dirty Sexy History, a podcast that looks beyond the sanitized and the idealized to the dirty reality of human history. She's the author of ten works of historical fiction, including the Southwark Saga, and numerous nonfiction pieces. She earned degrees in Ancient History, Medieval Studies, and Creative and Media Writing at Swansea University while climbing castles and photographing mines for BBC History magazine. She appears in Netflix's The Lost Pirate Kingdom.Follow Jessica:https://x.com/DrtySexyHistoryListen to DIRTY SEXY HISTORY:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirty-sexy-history/id1568066159About her podcast:https://dirtysexyhistory.com/welcome/Buy her books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00PVDV9EW/ Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Tom McGrath was the editor-in-chief of Philadelphia magazine, as well as chief content officer of Metro Corp., the parent company of Philadelphia and Boston between 2010 and 2020. Under his leadership, the magazines won more than fifty awards for editorial excellence. In 2022, he was named Writer of the Year at the National City and Regional Magazine Awards. He's written two previous books: “MTV: The Making of a Revolutio,”  and, with John Basedow, “Fitness Made Simple.” He has a Substack, called Common Good. His new book is “Triumph of the Yuppies: America, the Eighties, and the Creation of an Unequal Nation.”Greg Olear talks to Tom about his new book, the Yuppie movement and what it portended to the country, Ronald Reagan and Jack Welch, and nostalgia. In the second half, they talk about how the media is broken, how it might be fixed, and how Gen Z could be just the folks to do so. Plus: media songs!Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregFollow Tom:https://x.com/tmcgrathphillyBuy his book:https://www.amazon.com/Triumph-Yuppies-America-Eighties-Creation/dp/1538725991Check out his Substack:https://tmcgrath.substack.com/Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Would you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Greg Olear opens with his thoughts on Project 2025, Trump's odd fascination with Hannibal Lecter and his bromance with Jeffrey Epstein, and the Democratic palace coup, led by Danny Ocean.Then, Greg welcomes the Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko for a discussion about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin, Zelensky, and his new book, “I Will Show You How It Was: Yhe Story of Wartime Kyiv.”llia Ponomarenko is a Ukrainian journalist known as a former defense and security reporter at the Kyiv Post and subsequently a co-founder of the Kyiv Independent. He has covered the war in eastern Ukraine since the conflict's earliest days, as well as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022. He has also had deployments to Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces. Ponomarenkowon the Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellowship and was selected to work as USA Today's guest reporter at the U.S. Department of Defense. He lives in Bucha outside Kyiv.Plus: dictator disco!Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregFollow Illia:https://x.com/IAPonomarenkoBuy his book: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Show-You-How-Was/dp/1639733876Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhA Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

In this, the first episode of PREVAIL in three weeks, Greg Olear opens with his thoughts on the debate, the immunity ruling, the Kamala option, and the politically suicidal push to replace Biden at the top of the ticket.Then, Greg welcomes “Bad” Brad Berkwitt, a veteran who served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy, including 16 and a half in Naval Intelligence. After retiring from the military, he served as a government contractor for the Dept of Homeland Security. He also hosted a boxing show, Ringside Reporter. And he's now the host of the Bad Brad Berkwitt Show, where he interviews key figures in the fight for democracy. In this conversation, Greg talks to Brad about his career, intelligence services, the Gulf War, Gitmo, and how to take on MAGA. Plus: a new executive search firm!Follow “Bad” Brad:https://x.com/BadBradRSRWatch his show:https://www.youtube.com/@TheBadBradBerkwittShowThanks AURA. Go to  AURA.com/PROTECTION for a 14 day trial plus a check of your data to see if your personal information has been leaked online, all for FREE. Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Billy Ray is a screenwriter and director. His writing credits include Color of Night, Captain Phillips, Richard Jewell, and The Hunger Games. He wrote and directed Shattered Glass, Breach, The Last Tycoon, and The Comey Rule. Since 2016, he's been the messaging consigliere for the Democratic Party, helping scores of politicians and candidates with issue framing, speechwriting, debate prep, and rapid response.In this discussion, Billy Ray discusses his political “origin story” and his tips on Democratic Party messaging, reveals the secret to communicating with conservatives, and lauds the achievements of President Biden. They talk about reproductive rights, the Supreme Court, the 2024, how the Dems should frame trump's criminality, and more. Plus: the Sam Alito blues.Follow Billy:https://x.com/BillyRay5229Thanks AURA. Go to  AURA.com/PROTECTION for a 14 day trial plus a check of your data to see if your personal information has been leaked online, all for FREE. Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

This week, Greg Olear shares 34 thoughts on 34 felony counts. Then, there is a reprise of the May 31 episode of “The Five 8,” in which Greg and LB try, and fail, to remember all of Donald's crimes. Plus: blowing!Subscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhA  Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Jason Pack is the Founder of Libya-Analysis LLC, and the co-host of Disorder, a geopolitics podcast co-produced with Goalhanger Podcasts. He is a Senior Analyst for Emerging Challenges at the NATO Defence College Foundation in Rome. In partnership with NDCF, Jason leads a project entitled NATO and the Global Enduring Disorder, which produces a range of content (including the Disorder podcast and series of publications) attempting to sketch out a ‘unified field theory' of our current era of geopolitics while proposing actionable solutions to our most pressing collective action challenges. His most recent book, Libya and the Global Enduring Disorder (Hurst, Oxford University Press) is a ‘cross-over' academic book that explores what Libya's dysfunctional economic structures and its ongoing civil war reveal about our era of 21st-century geopolitics. Jason's concept – that we no longer inhabit the post-Cold War World, but have entered a new era – the ‘Enduring Disorder' – was conceived to describe the collective action failures that have come to define international politics.In this discussion, Jason Pack talks to Greg Olear about the death of Raisi in Iran, the situation in Ukraine, Biden's policy in Gaza, and why a Labor victory in the UK elections would be good for Joe Biden. Plus: a Republican Party game!Listen to the DISORDER podcast:https://linktr.ee/disorderpodMore about jason:https://www.jasonpack.org/Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

In this special “Rough Beast” book launch episode, the PREVAIL podcast is turned upside-down: Greg Olear is the guest, and the host is his wife, Stephanie St. John Olear. They talk about the new book, confirmation bias, and Biden's chances of winning in November. Plus: Scar-Jo!  Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Alessandra is an Italian journalist and political commentator who goes by the pen name Alias Vaughn. She's been helping me understand the global political landscape—including what's happening right here in the US—for going on eight years now.In this conversation, Greg Olear interviews Alessandra about her background and her interest in US politics. They discuss JFK's policy towards South America, with Alessandra sharing her research on the topic; the current political situation in Italy, including the prime minister and her stance on various issues; the public opinion of Trump in Italy; the similarities between Trump and Mussolini, and much more. Plus: a both sides superhero! Follow Alessandra:https://twitter.com/aliasvaughnCheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Check out ROUGH BEAST, Greg's new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Jenny Cohn is an attorney, election integrity advocate, and political writer whose articles have appeared in the New York Review of Books, Who What Why, The Independent, Salon, and the Bucks County Beacon. She now covers the Christian right at her Substack, the Christian Right Observer Weekly, or CROW.Cohn talks to Greg Olear about her work on election integrity and the Christian right; her new project, the Christian Right Observer Weekly, and the collaboration with researcher Kira Resistance; the influence of Leonard Leo, a fundamentalist Catholic activist, on the Supreme Court; rightwing efforts to make abortion illegal on a federal level, the Christian right's opposition to LGBTQ rights and contraception, and their goal to undo the sexual revolution; the unholy alliance between religious and economic freedom Republicans; and fetal personhood and the right's coming assault on women's health. Plus: a little Elvis.Follow Jenny:https://twitter.com/jennycohn1Subscribe to her Substack:https://crownewsletter.substack.com/ Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Before launching START ME UP, the political interview podcast, Kimberley Johnson—that's Kimberley with an “e-y”—wrote several books, including “The Virgin Diaries”; maintained a popular blog; and, for ten years, had a recurring role—as a cop!—on a soap opera. She's an activist and a champion of women's rights. Her podcast premiered in 2016.In this discussion, Greg Olear and Kimberley Johnson discuss her background as an actress and her transition to podcasting; the TikTok ban, the Supreme Court, and the future of the Democratic Party;  concerns about the Supreme Court and the potential impact of abortion rights on the election; the influence of dark money in politics; Trump's VP pick; Joe Biden's potential legacy, the attacks on Kamala Harris, the importance of voting, and the impact of Trump's criminal trials on the MAGA movement.Follow Kimberley:https://linktr.ee/KimberleyJohnsonListen to her podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-me-up-with-kimberley-a-johnson/id1160491947 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Ethan Bearman is a multifaceted talent spanning law, technology, politics, and media. He has his own law firm, he has 25 years of business experience and 10 years of media experience. He had his own radio show, and he's been on networks like CNN, DW, France24, HLN, i24 News, NewsNation, Fox Business, and Fox News, where he's sparred with the likes of Jenna Ellis. Ethan is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and is admitted to practice in California and the United States District Court, Central District of California. He is a contributor to California State Antitrust & Unfair Competition Law (Matthew Bender 2018). And most recently, he is the legal expert on Really American.In this conversation, Greg Olear and Ethan Bearman discuss the potential ban on TikTok, the issue of free speech, defamation, the role of the media, the housing market, and the impact of conservative policies on the middle class. They also touch on antitrust laws, the Supreme Court, and the upcoming election. Finally, they speculate on the potential impact of the upcoming trial on the MAGA movement and the importance of voter registration and engagement. Plus: dirty laundry disco!“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.” – Anatole FranceFollow Ethan:https://twitter.com/EthanBearmanhttps://www.instagram.com/ethanbearman/https://linktr.ee/ethanbearmanReally American:https://www.youtube.com/@ReallyAmerican/videos Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Gal Suburban is an open source researcher who has spent the last six years deep-diving on fifth generation warfare, psyops, corrupt creatures of the Florida swamp, and traitors to our democracy.In this conversation, Greg Olear and Gal Suburban discuss various topics including Gal's focus on understanding anti-democratic influencers, the concept of fifth-generation warfare, and the potential dangers of a second Trump term. They also speculate on potential picks for Trump's vice president and discuss the recent comments made by Kevin McCarthy about Matt Gaetz. The conversation explores the dangers of normalizing and underestimating the threat posed by Gaetz, a charismatic and manipulative politician, and  emphasizes the need to be vigilant and informed about his actions and motives. The discussion also touches on the tactics of narrative warfare and the importance of recognizing and countering them. The article in The Atlantic about Gaetz is criticized for normalizing his behavior and not adequately addressing the potential harm he could cause. The conversation concludes with a reminder to protect democracy and engage in open dialogue to prevent the rise of authoritarianism. Plus: a courtroom lullaby!Follow Gal Suburban:https://twitter.com/5GW_HotTakes Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Robbie Harris is a strategic communications and behavior change subject matter expert with over 25 years' experience working with local influencers, activists, civil society organizations, journalists, and senior stakeholders in Iraq, Syria, Africa, and Central America. She has designed and implemented successful programs for US DoD, DoS and USAID, and UK FCDO and MoD. She's the co-founder of a small international business; has worked for USAID-OTI; speaks Arabic, Spanish, and English, and has a M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University.In the interview with Greg Olear, Harris discusses her background and how she got into her line of work, which involves strategic communications and behavior change. She shares her experiences working in Iraq and countering ISIS propaganda. The conversation also touches on the legacy of colonialism in the Middle East and its impact on the region today, the situation in Kurdistan, the proxy war in Syria, the refugee camp in Northern Syria, the growing stateless population, and the experience of living in Somalia and Niger. Finally, she shares her advice on messaging to US voters and warns about the potential consequences of a collapse of democracy and of civil war.Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/greg  Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

In this discussion with Greg Olear, the historian Manisha Sinha discusses her book “The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920.” The book explores the period between the Civil War and World War I, highlighting the importance of Reconstruction in shaping the country. Sinha explains her motivation for writing the book and the significance of the Second American Republic. She also draws parallels between Andrew Johnson and Donald Trump, emphasizing the consequences of showing mercy to Confederates. Sinha delves into the horrors of the first Ku Klux Klan and the violent opposition to Reconstruction. The conversation explores the end of Reconstruction, the Compromise of 1877, the nadir of American democracy, the conquest of the West, and the legacy of Reconstruction. It also delves into the question of how a society can atone for its national sins. Plus: coup right, with Coup-Vite!Manisha Sinha is the James L. and Shirley A. Draper Chair in American History at the University of Connecticut and a leading authority on the history of slavery and abolition and the Civil War and Reconstruction. She was born in India and received her Ph.D from Columbia University where her dissertation was nominated for the Bancroft Prize. She is the author of “The Counterrevolution of Slavery: Politics and Ideology in Antebellum South Carolina,” which was named one of the ten best books on slavery in Politico and featured in The New York Times' 1619 Project. Her multiple award winning second book “The Slave's Cause: A History of Abolition” was long listed for the National Book Award for Non Fiction. It was named Editor's Choice in the New York Times Book Review, book of the week by Times Higher Education to coincide with its UK publication, and one of three great History books of 2016 in Bloomberg News.Follow Manisha:https://twitter.com/ProfMSinhaBuy her book:https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Second-American-Republic/dp/1631498444/ref=zg_bsnr_g_16244141_sccl_1/140-4528258-4376211?psc=1Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Lisa Graves is the founder and Executive Director of True North Research, a national investigative watchdog group that exposes the shadowy machinations of dark money funders like Leonard Leo, Barre Seid, Harlan Crow, Charles Koch, Dick Uihlein, and Rob Arkley, and their front groups. She served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Policy Development/Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorneys General Janet Reno and John Ashcroft, Chief Counsel for Nominations for Senator Patrick Leahy on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Deputy Chief of the Article III Judges Division of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts with oversight of the Financial Disclosure Office and more. She also launched the award-winning ALECexposed.org investigation, KochDocs, and other projects. Her op-eds have run in the most prominent newspapers and magazines in the country, and she is a frequent guest on MSNBC. From 2009-2017, she led the Center for Media and Democracy.In this discussion with Greg Olear, Graves discusses her work with True North Research, how she shares an alma mater with one of the most notorious dark money maestros, all the stuff that went on during Brett Kavanaugh's FIRST confirmation hearing, the failures of the Roberts Court and John Roberts, the Clarence & Ginni Thomas corruption, and more. Plus: a gift idea!Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregFollow Lisa:https://twitter.com/thelisagravesTrue North Research:https://truenorthresearch.org/Her 2018 Slate piece about Brett Kavanaugh:https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/judge-brett-kavanaugh-should-be-impeached-for-lying-during-his-confirmation-hearings.htmlAnd the one in TIME:https://time.com/5398191/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-senators/ Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

For 26 years, Rone Tempest was the national and foreign correspondent for the LA Times, based in Paris, New Delhi, Beijing, and Hong Kong, as well as the craziest capital city, Sacramento. After his retirement, he worked for Pro Publica and was the co-founder of the Wyoming nonprofit public policy news site, Wyofile. He's taught journalism at Berkeley, his alma mater, and has won numerous awards. He's also the author of two books, including “The Last Western: The Unjustified Killing of Michael Rosa by Ed Cantrell.” Now in Salt Lake City, he lived for many years in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains outside of Lander, Wyoming.   In this discussion with Greg Olear, Tempest discusses his experiences as a foreign correspondent in China, Afghanistan, and Paris; Liz Cheney's demise and the enigma of Wyoming politics; and his Wyofile profile of Kevin Roberts, head of the Heritage Foundation, thought leader behind Project 2025, and Tempest's erstwhile Wyoming neighbor. Plus: Amazing Mace!Follow Rone:https://twitter.com/RoneTempestHis website:https://www.ronetempest.com/bioThe Roberts profile at Wyofile:https://wyofile.com/wyomings-catholic-cowboy-could-remake-government-if-trump-wins/Buy his book:https://www.amazon.com/Last-Western-Unjustified-Killing-Cantrell/dp/B08NWWY984  Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

For more than 30 years, Alexandra Hall Hall worked as a diplomat in the British Foreign Office, with postings in Bangkok, Delhi, Bogota,Tbilisi, and Washington. She resigned in December 2019 because she felt unable to represent the Government's position on Brexit with integrity. She is the co-host, with Jason Pack, of Disorder podcast. In this discussion, she talks to Greg Olear about Georgia, British politics, the monarchy, the role of diplomacy in crisis zones, Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas War, the death of Navalny, and the Baltimore Ravens. Plus: 867-5309 (Ginni) (remix).Follow Alex:https://twitter.com/alexhallhallRead her columns at Byline Times:https://bylinetimes.com/author/alexandrahallhall/Listen to Disorder Podcast: https://linktr.ee/disorderpodPrevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Greg Olear welcomes Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor at SLATE and the author of the bestseller “Lady Justice: Women, The Law, and the Battle to Save Democracy.” They discuss the current state of the Supreme Court and the impact of recent decisions; the dynamics of the court, the influence of confirmation hearings, and the changing ideologies of the justices; the need for structural court reform and the public appetite for court expansion; and the role of dark money groups in pushing cases to the court and the potential consequences of recent rulings. The conversation covers the threat to reproductive rights, the potential impact of the 14th Amendment on removing Trump from the ballot, the consequences of pardons and lack of accountability, and the rise of MAGA in Canada. Plus: a new dating app.Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregFollow Dahlia:https://twitter.com/DahlialithwickBuy her book:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/598207/lady-justice-by-dahlia-lithwick/Dahlia's SLATE archive:https://slate.com/author/dahlia-lithwickSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about Opening MonologueBeginning of Interview: The Supreme Court and Order MuppetsThe Impact of SCOTUS Confirmation Hearings on Thomas, Alito, and KavanaugThe Alabama IVF DecisionThe 14th Amendment and Taking Trump off the BallotThe Rise of MAGA in Canada

In this conversation with Greg Olear, Michael Graetz discusses his book “The Power to Destroy: How the Anti-Tax Movement Hijacked America”' He explores the history and influence of the anti-tax movement, the role of race and xenophobia in shaping it, and the ideological and moral arguments behind it. Graetz also delves into the consequences of irresponsible tax cuts, the significance of taxation in American history, and the challenges of dealing with a GOP that obstructs. He highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of taxation and the importance of addressing the growing national debt. Finally, they discuss the conservative shift of the Court, the corrupting power of money in politics, and the challenges facing American democracy. Plus: a new memory aid.Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/greg00:00: Introduction12:00: Beginning of interview.17:25: Cultural, Social, and Political Judgments Embedded in Tax Law22:09: The Influence of Libertarianism and Ayn Rand38:43: The Consequences of Irresponsible Tax Cuts57:37: The Failure of Supply-Side Economics and the Divisions in American Politics01:13:03: SCOTUS / Money as Speech in PoliticsAbout Michael Graetz:https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/michael-graetzBuy the book:https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691225548/the-power-to-destroyhttps://www.amazon.com/Power-Destroy-Antitax-Movement-Hijacked/dp/0691225540 Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Tom Carter worked in Washington for years, in journalism and then in PR. For three years, he handled media relations at USCIRF, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, where his boss was one Leonard Leo, a key figure in the conservative legal movement and the capture of SCOTUS. The conversation explores the background, influence, and agenda of Leonard Leo; his management style, his use of dark money, his involvement with the Federalist Society and other organizations; his connections to Clarence Thomas and other influential figures; and the extreme radical Catholic religious beliefs that animate his opposition to abortion and LGBTQ rights. The conversation also delves into the potential ramifications of Leo's actions, his expansion into the media and entertainment industry, and the future of his influence. Overall, it highlights the danger and harm caused by Leo's agenda. Plus: Cole Porter lives!Takeaways:Leonard Leo is a key figure in the conservative legal movement and has significant influence behind the scenes.Leo's use of dark money and his web of organizations have allowed him to boost the conservative legal movement and shape the Supreme Court.His radical Catholic beliefs and agenda drive his opposition to abortion and LGBTQ rights.Leo's expansion into the media and entertainment industry through the Teneo Society raises concerns about his potential influence in these areas.The real-world ramifications of Leo's actions include the erosion of democratic principles and the harm caused to marginalized communities.00:00: Episode introduction10:43: Beginning of the interview22:37: Leonard Leo's Influence and Methods25:28: Dark Money and Leonard Leo's Organizations36:55: Relationship between Leonard Leo and Clarence Thomas47:19: The Libertarian Billionaires and Leonard Leo's Agenda52:19: The Distinction between Radical Catholicism and Mainstream Catholicism1:06:26: Leo's networks1:17:27: The Virtually Unlimited Financial Resources of Leonard Leo1:32:16: The Danger and Harm Caused by Leonard Leo's ActionsFollow Tom:https://twitter.com/Thcarter5https://www.threads.net/@thcarter123Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Greg Olear welcomes his friend, the novelist, essayist and travel writer Diana Spechler. They discuss the novel as an art form, writing as a profession and vocation, the allure of travel, how the U.S. is perceived abroad, the future of the country, separating art from the artist, the Stendhal effect, and more. Plus: his name is Leo.Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregFollow Diana:https://twitter.com/DianaSpechlerSubscribe to “Dispatches from the Road”:https://dianaspechler.substack.com/Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Aja Raden, author of “Stoned” and “The Truth About the Lies,” returns to PREVAIL. She updates Greg Olear about the changes coming to the diamond industry (which she foretold in the documentary “Nothing Lasts Forever”), and discusses her concerns for 2024, Elon Musk's destruction of Twitter, contingency plans in case of Nazi takeover, lies people believe and why they believe them, the Epstein files, and her favorite Christmas movie. Plus: a new legal services firm.Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

We know that Donald Trump is a fascist, but what would MAGA fascism look like in a second Trump term? Brynn Tannehill, senior defense analyst and author of “American Fascism” and “My Child Told Me They're Trans...What Do I Do?,” lays out the horrors to expect if Trump is sworn in in 2025. Plus: the Trump Days of Christmas.Follow Brynn:https://twitter.com/BrynnTannehillHer website:http://www.brynntannehill.com/Buy her books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brynn-Tannehill/author/B07MG4MCX4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you?http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short

Greg Olear is joined by the journalist and editor Rachel Slade, author of the new book “Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (and How It Got That Way).” They discuss the history of textile manufacturing in the United States, how the towns NAFTA devastated were hidden, the perils of free trade, the Gen X mindset, Prohibition trivia, all things labor movement, how and when organized crime infiltrated unions, the multiplier effect, New Americans, and what the purpose of government actually is. Plus: merry MAGA Xmas.Visit Rachel's website:https://www.rachelslade.net/Buy her new book:https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-hoodie-the-almost-impossible-quest-to-make-things-in-twenty-first-century-america-and-how-it-got-that-way-rachel-slade/19689023?ean=9780593316887Follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rachelmslade/Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/prevailfree and use code prevailfree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short. *

Greg Olear is joined by the writer, author, professor, filmmaker, and “America, America” columnist Steven Beschloss. They discuss the failure of the media to adequately cover Trump, then and now; the stakes of the next election; Lee Harvey Oswald, childhood trauma, and the making of an assassin; the importance of investing in education and why the GOP opposes it; Biden's place in history; and the Ritz-Carlton Moscow. Plus: a new dating app.Follow Steven:https://twitter.com/StevenBeschlosshttps://post.news/@/stevenbeschlossSubscribe to “America, America”:https://america.substack.com/Watch “Media Misses”:https://america.substack.com/p/media-misses-the-wall-street-journalBuy his book:https://www.amazon.com/Gunman-His-Mother-Marguerite-Assassin-ebook/dp/B0CN518F1KThanks, HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/prevailfree and use code prevailfree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short. *

Greg Olear is joined by Will Bunch, the national opinion columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss how the higher education system broke our politics, why the media fails to accurately report on the rise of American fascism, Trump's ominous re-election plans, the far right's dream of a Red Caesar, and whether the Eagles are a team of destiny. Plus: a new staffing agency.Follow Will:https://twitter.com/Will_BunchRead his columns:https://www.inquirer.com/author/bunch_will/Subscribe to his newsletter:/inquirer.com/bunchBuy his book:https://www.amazon.com/After-Ivory-Tower-Falls-Politics_and/dp/0063076993Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/prevailfree and use code prevailfree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short. *

We all remember the keywords of the scandal known as Iran-Contra: Oliver North, Fawn Hall, potted plant, Nicaragua, Sandinista, “I don't recall.” The Reagan Administration was covering SOMETHING up, but what were they up to, exactly? Jack Bryan, creator of the riveting new podcast “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” talks to Greg Olear about Iran-Contra, the Vietnam War, the mythologizing of JFK, Nicaraguan politics of the 1980s, the CIA, what Donald Trump is like in person, and more. Plus: a little Cole Porter.Follow Jack:https://twitter.com/jackabryanListen to the podcast - Lawyers, Guns, and Money:https://t.co/x5jJ5IVsdd Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/prevailfree and use code prevailfree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short. *

In October, the novelist Elisa Albert went with her mother on a trip to Israel, to attend the installation of the Codex Sassoon, the oldest known copy of the Hebrew Bible, at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People. She was anticipating a fun, festive vacation. Hamas had other plans. Greg Olear talks to her about her experience being in Israel on the night of the October 7 terrorist attacks, the subsequent Hamas War, the intricacies of the situation, and the response in the United States. Plus: a new app.Follow Elisa:https://www.instagram.com/elisatamarVisit her website:https://www.elisaalbert.com/Buy her books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elisa-Albert/author/B001ILKI6G?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueRead her essay, “An Open Letter to Hamas' Defenders”:https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/open-letter-hamas-defendersThanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/prevailfree and use code prevailfree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short. *