Warax and Natasha

Dylan Park is an Air Force veteran, author, television writer, director — and the dude who uncovered one of the most batshit insane stolen valor stories you will ever come across. We’ve seen some shit. But even we weren’t prepared for THIS shit.

He's a hard-hitting political journalist, the author of two upcoming books and he.... really knows how to bend. On this episode, Terrell J. Starr discusses the circus trip on mescaline that is the presidential race — we specifically focus on the mystique of Marianne Williamson — his upcoming two-book project, and his embrace of yoga after coming to terms with his difficult childhood. If you're a big, tough dude who's seeking inspiration on how to get to a better place, Terrell's Instagram just might be for you: https://www.instagram.com/terrelljstarr/ Non-big, non-tough dudes should also take a look. Non-dudes too. Really, this applies to everyone

The Donner Party was a group of optimistic American pioneers who trusted a charlatan — and paid dearly for it. In the Trump era, their story could not be more relevant. This is why, on our latest episode, Warax and Natasha sit down to talk with Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger, a pulse-pounding reimagining of the Donne Party's fate. Among other things, we discuss how the horror genre is important to our both daily lives and our politics — and why you shouldn't listen to snobs who tell you otherwise. We also discuss and recommend some of our favorite works of horror, so make sure to listen to the very end!

Our guest today is the brilliant and glamorous Nina Jankowicz — Russian disinformation expert, Kennan Institute Global Fellow, writer, and karaoke goddess. We will be discussing exciting new political developments in Ukraine and how they relate back to the dumpster fire of the Trump administration.

It was a tragic tale of two soldiers who were lovers. One was killed in Iraq. The other was heartbroken. Except... Was it all made up for attention? Either way, it was told without any regard for the Gold Star family left behind. Stolen valor hunter Red Devil, a veteran perhaps rightly described as "the scariest man on the internet," joins us to talk about this bizarre Twitter scandal, the general controversy over stolen valor and stolen valor hunting, the slippery nature of truth in the social media, and more.

The President wants to send more troops to the southern border. This episode is dedicated to untangling what this alleged “border crisis” really means - and how we should respond to it. Featuring intrepid journalist and USMC veteran James LaPorta.

Why does stolen valor matter? The issue is more complex than it looks. Joining us to talk about it it — and other exciting topics, such as our society's odd stance on lying and how the military-civilian divide ultimately helps grifters in our society — is Derek Gannon, former conflict journalist, veteran of U.S. Army Special Forces, badass researcher on conflicts in the Middle East, West Africa, North Africa, and Horn of Africa terror networks.

Joe Kassabian, veteran, author of “The Hooligans of Kandahar,” and noted Twitter personality stops by the podcast to discuss Afghanistan, what it’s like to be deployed, how our political leaders are failing us, and all of the bullshit left-leaning veterans are forced to put up with (including from people on the left)

Investigative journalist James Laporta joins us to discuss government claims regarding the migrant caravan and the deployment of the US military to confront them. Later, James discusses challenges he faced while transitioning to journalism from his life as a US Marine infantryman. Join us to hear how he overcame those challenges on his way to becoming one of our nation's best national security journalists.

What's the deal with Bellingcat? Why is open source investigation in the news so much as of late? Now that Natasha has joined the Bellingcat staff as editor, she has decided to demystify her mysterious colleagues at this open source investigation platform, famous for everything from its work on what really happened to flight MH17 to helping unmask a couple of Russian operatives who were recently in Salisbury to murder some people. Joining us on this episode is Natasha's colleague, award-winning investigative journalist and famed hitchhiker-across-the-galaxy Christiaan Triebert. We discuss everything from claims that Bellingcat "is a front for Western intelligence" (and why that's total BS) to how nerding out on the internet can help catch a spy.

A woman's place is in the military, and if you disagree with that, our guest former US Navy intelligence officer Andrea N. Goldstein is here to set you straight.

The sky is falling! ... Literally so. Martin Pfeiffer is an academic, a cool Twitter personality (check him out: @NuclearAnthro), and a firm believer in educating people on the nuclear threat using cats. On this episode, we discuss our impeding nuclear doom - while having a lot of fun, actually. Nothing quite like a chat with an anthropologist who specializes in our beliefs about nuclear weapons to remind you that life is short.

Are we living in the future? ARE RUSSIAN ROBOTS GOING TO KILL US ALL? Samuel Bendett of the American Foreign Policy Council is here to say that yes, we are and no, probably not, as far as those two questions are concerned. We discuss military artificial intelligence, Russia, China, the future of war, and our favorite dystopias. Natasha channels her inner Sarah Connor, while Warax and Samuel geek out over tanks.

Making Afghanistan fabulous again: Queer artist Shamayel Shalizi started designing everything from "halal" booty shorts to rings shaped like AK-47s in Kabul. Now she's in California and has a lot to say about everything - be it Warax's shore leave antics (oh my) or sympathy for the Soviets. Tune in for a strange and hilarious conversation about war, intersectionalism, being queer in places that aren't LGBTQ friendly, and boobs (because where would we be without boobs?).

Navy vet turned porn producer Brick Yates drops in to talk porn, the military, the military in porn & some of the actual dangers of getting off to videos online. Warax shares his van kidnapping fantasy. Natasha reveals the shocking scientific truth about our slutty ancestors.

Alex Finley, who *claims* to be a *former* CIA spy is here to discuss everything from accusations of collusion against the president to why redheaded spies are hot. Alex is the author of Victor in the Rubble, a satirical look at what it's like to work for the CIA and the owner of many beautiful accessories. Natasha is in awe. Warax thinks it's hot that Natasha is in awe. Shenanigans ensue. On a more serious note: We are again disappointed with how the audio for this podcast turned out. We need better software in particular — which is why we hope you sign up to be our patron on Patreon. We will thank you, all the way from the bottom of Natasha's heart, i.e. gin glass.

National Security Correspondent Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) joins the program to discuss the DOD's dishonorable involvement in the detention of immigrants, hatred and violence directed at journalists, and which color is best for underwear. Natasha and Spencer say red is the optimum color. (Surprise, surprise.) #russiagate

The legendary Malcolm Nance talks about his new book, The Plot to Destroy Democracy. Our country is in peril, he says. And he is right. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel. And it's not just Natasha's blonde highlights.

Talia Lavin drops by the podcast to discuss how incels are not merely awkward guys who have trouble talking to women — but an actual hate group. Women's bodies are discussed in some detail, shocking Warax's Puritan sensibilities. Then there is a bit about getting shot in the face — because what Warax and Natasha podcast be complete without some discussion of violence?

Hello, Mr. President! The former leader of Estonia drops in for a chat about how politics today have become a sh*tshow — hence the title of the episode. The dirty old tricks of demagogues everywhere — be they Putin or Trump — haven't changed much. But how best to counter them, whether as Americans, Estonians, or, for that matter, as Ukrainians? Toomas Hendrik Ilves may have some answers. Bonus: Warax discusses what it was like to prepare for a potential war with Russia, while Natasha, in typical style, discusses where she was conceived (not quite like Venus on a seashell, but close enough for our purposes).

Author and National Book Award winner Phil Klay drops by the program to talk war porn, moral narcissism, SEALs gone wild, and dumb things one can say to Joe Biden when debating the Forever War. Notice how this episode is shorter than the others? Yeah, we still need better equipment — sound problems are a bitch. Which is why we need you, yes YOU, to click on our Patreon link and become a patron. You know you love us. We promise to love you right back. Unless you're Seb Gorka or something.

How do you spot a Russian spy? Is the pee tape real? Should you go to Russia for the World Cup? For this and more, Warax and Natasha turn to the expertise of Mark Galeotti: academic, analyst, expert on shadowy things and people, and author of VORY: Russia's Super Mafia. Mysteries are revealed, suspicions are raised, and Natasha whines and complains about being labeled a spy while having to deal with harassment from actual spies. Hah! Should've thought about it before being born on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain, Natasha.

On the first episode of the Warax and Natasha podcast — a not at all irreverent analysis of current issues by an angry Afghan war veteran and his faithful companion, an angry Russia expert/journalist — Pulitzer winner Tom Ricks drops in to discuss everything that's wrong with the United States today. Everything that's wrong with Russia gets a shout-out too. Everyone is depressed. Natasha suggests that empathy can save us. The men agree. Everyone gets more depressed anyway. Stephen King rides in on a white horse to save the day. Or does he.