Podcasts about authoritarian

Ep. 225 (Part 2 of 2) | In Part 2 of our eloquent, passionate, and humorous, dialogue with comedian John Fugelsang, author of the important and irreverent book, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, we come to understand what fundamentalism is, and what it signifies for our culture, our politics, and our future. John outlines five common features that characterize fundamentalism across religious traditions, pointing out that fundamentalist Christians have more in common with fundamentalist Muslims than they do with moderate and liberal Christians. “I go after fundamentalists of all religions,” John says, “because it's turning people off to faith—ruining Christianity, ruining Islam, ruining Judaism.” This is the tragedy for John and what fuels his passion for calling out the hypocrites who do hateful things in the name of religion.John also enlightens us as to what Christian nationalism is all about, starting way back: “In the U.S., our history of Christianity is inseparable from our history of white supremacy.” Christian nationalism's religion is power—a gospel of domination over love. Authoritarian leaders and their followers all worship power, he continues, and fills us in on how Christian nationalism is playing out in Russia now. John's own message is not hateful; his intention is to make it clear that Jesus always taught love and kindness; to suggest that if the Church wants to survive, it needs to go back to the teachings of Jesus; and to help us come together in a common understanding of fundamental values. “It's hard to love the bigot in your family,” John says. But we can “…hold to the deepest values, the most love, and do what needs to be done with love. We can't hate the haters back, but we have to beat them without hating them—that's the challenge.” Recorded December 18, 2025.“The greatest tragedy to me is when people think that something is religion and don't realize it's just fundamentalism.”Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Fundamentalist Christians have more in common with fundamentalist Muslims than they do with moderate & liberal Christians (00:39) 5 common features of fundamentalism across traditions: women are inferior, violence is okay, punishment over healing & a victimhood complex (00:51)MLK was deeply unpopular at the time of his death—just like Jesus (03:43)Every generation there's a new word to smear the virtues of love, empathy & caring for others (05:01)Christian nationalism: a gospel of domination over love (07:59)Prosperity gospel: God will reward you if you give to our Church (09:50)Christian nationalism in Russia (13:47)Authoritarian leaders & followers all worship power (15:34)If the Church wants to survive, they need to go back to the teachings of Jesus (17:28)Recreating Jesus as a white guy led to centuries of racism and cruelty (19:55)Using the Bible as camouflage: most people haven't read it & figure others haven't either (21:06)What weirdness in the Bible stands out most for John? (26:02)Growing up, it seemed normal that Christianity was about love & helping people who don't look like you (29:45)It's hard to love the bigot in your family (30:58)We can't hate the haters back, but we have to beat them without hating them—that's the challenge (33:04)Abortion has redefined Christianity, but the Bible never mentions anything against it (34:35)Resources & References – Part 2John Fugelsang, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing FraudsJohn Fugelsang's SiriusXM show: Tell Me EverythingJohn Fugelsang's podcast: The Sanity-CastKing in the Wilderness, documentary about Martin Luther King focused on the final two years of his lifeJerry Falwell, televangelist & conservative activistFreedom From Religion 2026 ConventionProsperity theologyMatthew 25Sharon Salzberg, renowned meditation teacher---John Fugelsang is the author of the New York Times bestseller SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE: A Sane Person's Guide To Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds. He has been murdered on CSI and picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church. John is a Drama League–nominated actor, comedian, and broadcaster, who's hosted many TV shows and podcasts, including the acclaimed Tell Me Everything series on SiriusXM Progress. He got George Harrison to give his final performance on VH1, debated Jerry Falwell and David Duke, and made many appearances on MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN. His epic PBS road trip film on the American Dream, Dream On, directed by Roger Weisberg, was named Best Documentary at the New York Independent Film Festival. Fugelsang lives in New York City with his family.---Podcast produced by Vanessa Santos and Show Notes by Heidi Mitchell

Considering fascism is quickly taking hold more and more in the U.S. and beyond, I thought it would be a good idea to bring back my friend of the podcast, Beatriz Victoria Albina, to talk about nervous system healing and sexuality, emotional outsourcing and what sexuality has to do with fascism. From the start of the episode, Bea explains what trauma actually is in clear, everyday language without clinical jargon, and then we move into more nuanced topics. Béa is a master certified somatic life coach, UCSF-trained family nurse practitioner, and breath work meditation guide who helps humans socialized as women break free from codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing so they can reclaim their joy. A lot of what we cover in today's episode shows up in her brand new book End Emotional Outsourcing.  Here's what you'll hear in today's episode:  Nervous system dysregulation can show up in our sex lives through anxiety, shutdown, performance pressure, and disconnection, while a regulated state supports safety, presence, and genuine pleasure. Developmental trauma and chronic stress shape how we show up sexually, influencing our capacity for trust, intimacy, and embodiment. Fawning can show up in the bedroom when someone prioritizes their partner's needs, desires, or approval over their own authentic experience. Dissociation and emotional outsourcing can even show up during masturbation, pulling us out of presence with our own bodies and pleasure. Reclaiming sexuality often begins when we stop outsourcing our emotional safety to partners and start building that safety within ourselves. The common advice to “stop worrying about what other people think” oversimplifies the deeper nervous system and relational dynamics that shape our behavior. Emotional safety and connection in a relationship often need to be addressed alongside sexual intimacy rather than waiting for one to be “fixed” before the other. Authoritarian cultural systems can shape our relationship to sexuality by policing bodies, pleasure, and autonomy. Many of us internalize these systems in our own bodies—creating self-policing patterns around desire, pleasure, and expression—and healing involves consciously deconstructing those patterns. As a reminder, please join me on my Substack! I'm writing about topics like this, poetry, and everything in between. Resources from this episode:Get my emails so you won't miss the writing program I'm teaching with Shannon Kaiser Connect with me on my Substack, How Very Human of YouBea's previous interview on Make Some NoiseEnd Emotional Outsourcing book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a young parent I heard the phrase "relationship over rules." As a young parent I heard the phrase “relationship over rules” as it pertained to parenting.This idea encouraged me that the whole reason for having a rule or boundary was to protect and love my child. Authoritarian parenting was about me feeling in control, showing up from fear, and/or avoiding doing my own emotional regulation work.We can also think of ‘relationship over rules' in terms of our relationship and friendship with ourselves. No matter what, safety and compassion need to come first. Without safety we cannot grow, heal, or learn. And we deserve kindness always, no matter what.We are always simply practicing – always in progress. And life is always changing. No matter how hard we work or how wonderful our life plans, we'll go through days or seasons when we need to flex and adapt due to illness, lower energetic capacity, or other unexpected circumstances.This idea of relationship over rules reminds us that our self-imposed rules and boundaries are there to serve us. Not the other way around. So when life doesn't go according to plan, don't tip into judging and criticizing. Be adaptable. Take good care of yourself. Be on your own side, always, no matter what.Join me for the free Befriend Yourself Workshop, March 24 or 25: https://www.alifeinprogress.ca/befriend-yourself-workshop/

The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the hands of the United States marks the end of nearly four decades of authoritarian theocracy in Iran. Hawk reads and analyzes a piece from The Atlantic by Karim Sadjadpour examining Khamenei's life, his ruthless consolidation of power through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and how the Islamic Republic of Iran was built on three ideological pillars: death to America, death to Israel, and the forced covering of women. Drawing direct parallels to the Taliban in Afghanistan, Hawk walks through the Taliban's systematic oppression of women since retaking power in 2021, from banning girls from school after age 12 to prohibiting women from appearing in public without a burka. The comparison extends to white Christian nationalism, Project 2025, and the Heritage Foundation, examining how fundamentalist religion across Islam, Christianity, and other faiths has long been weaponized by insecure men to control and silence women and girls. The IRGC's role as Khamenei's political and economic power base mirrors how Trump has used loyal institutions to consolidate control. Eric Hoffer's observation that mass movements require belief in a devil, not God, applies as much to MAGA's targeting of immigrants, trans people, and the left as it did to Khamenei's America. The Iranian government's killing of 7,000 to 10,000 protesters over economic grievances, while spending on proxy wars instead of healthcare, parallels Republican cuts to Medicaid and SNAP alongside a $200 billion ICE budget. Khamenei lived by death to America and death to Israel. Those are exactly the forces that killed him. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

Trump has launched an assault on Iran with Israel, seized Venezuela's president in a surprise air raid, said the US will "own" Gaza, and is threatening to takeover Cuba.

Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison have won the bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery in a $110 billion deal, edging out Netflix. The Ellisons, close allies of Donald Trump, are financing the purchase with $70 billion in debt, including roughly $25 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. The final price of $31 per share was more than four times the recent low of Warner Brothers Discovery stock. What this means for American media is staggering. The Ellisons already control CBS and CBS News through their earlier $8 billion Paramount merger. This new deal adds CNN, HBO, HBO Max, DC Comics, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Comedy Central, Showtime, TNT, TBS, the Food Network, HGTV, Discovery, Adult Swim, OWN, The Learning Channel, Avatar Studios, and the Lord of the Rings and Mission Impossible franchises. Larry Ellison also holds a significant stake in TikTok through Oracle. Hawk outlines how Bari Weiss, placed in charge of CBS News and 60 Minutes, has already driven away viewers and credibility, including Anderson Cooper, who walked away from 60 Minutes after 19 years. The same playbook is expected to be applied to CNN. The deeper concern is the Ellisons' intent to gut creative talent and replace programming with AI-generated content to service the enormous debt load this deal carries. With Trump signaling regulatory approval, antitrust challenges are effectively neutralized. Scott Jennings and CNN's panel-yelling format come up as symbols of a media landscape already in decline. The consolidation of this much media power in the hands of Trump-aligned billionaires represents a fundamental threat to independent journalism and creative expression in America. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

Get access to The Backroom (100+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDimeThis week on 1Dime Radio, Tony is joined again by Benjamin Studebaker, political theorist with a PhD from Cambridge, to dig into Ben's recent article on “Debilitated Democracy,” the idea that modern democracies do not simply “decline”, they get structurally less capable over time, as modernization accelerates, politics fractures, and governance is pushed into an executive-technical machine that neither elected leaders nor technocrats can fully control. From there, we tackle Ben's argument for why America can't become an autocracy, and why people confuse authoritarian policy with autocratic rule, plus how federal complexity, institutional pluralism, and factional conflict make “dictatorship” fantasies harder to cash out in real life.Parts 2 and 3 of my conversation with Studebaker are in The Backroom on Patreon only. In The Backroom, as alluded to in the Backroom Preview in the first 2.5–3 minutes, Benjamin and I answer some of the most common questions we get regarding our politics. Are we post-left? Marxist? Or what? In particular, I try to get Studebaker to articulate what his personal political philosophy is, and what solutions or alternatives to our current impasse he believes in.Timestamps:00:00:00 Studebaker's Political Philosophy (The Backroom Preview)00:04:13  Intro, “Debilitated Democracy,” and the autocracy question00:13:08  Technocrats as “priests,” and why institutional trust collapses00:28:08  Elected officials vs technocrats, the executive branch tug-of-war00:47:36  Kelsen, Habermas, and democracy's legitimation crisis00:54:47  Trump, tariffs, visas, and the political limits of “disentangling” from the world order00:59:18  Authoritarian policy vs autocratic rule, why America can't be an autocracy01:11:59  Nick Land, Curtis Yarvin, and the “CEO-king” temptation01:23:23  Government shutdowns, food stamps, and “embedded democracy.”01:35:25  Managing the European right, and why France and Germany are different01:43:05  State capacity, charismatic leaders, and modern governance limits01:56:08  Backroom teaser: what “left” and “right” even mean nowGUEST:Benjamin Studebaker• Substack: https://bmstudebaker.substack.com/• Website: https://benjaminstudebaker.com/• X: https://x.com/BMStudebakerFOLLOW 1Dime:• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://1dimereview.substack.com/• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial• Instagram: instagram.com/1dimeman• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1DimeeLeave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.

Jessica Valenti writes that this plan is "a how-to guide for subjugating girls and women" by pushing them out of college and forcing them into marriage and motherhood.

Beating an authoritarian regime at the ballot box is hard, but rolling back its changes is harder. Just look at Poland. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King and Miles Bryan with special thanks to Grzegorz Sokol. It was supported by a grant from Protect Democracy. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting. Rafal Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, at a campaign rally in Krakow. Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Kissel, Executive Vice President at Stevens Incorporated, analyzes the US naval buildup near Iran, exploring potential regime change and the interconnected nature of global authoritarian threats from Russia to Beijing. 5.1919  BRITAIN AND PERSIA

In this episode, Sadie takes us through two different theories of truth, and what it means for a statement to be true or not true. In using these two theories of truth, we discuss how anti-trans crusaders like Matt Walsh or Christian fundamentalist biblical literalists use bait-and-switch tactics to distort what their followers perceive as the truth. These bad faith arguments can be avoided by avoiding circular logic traps.00:00 - Intro00:47 - Patreon.Com/LeavingEdenPodcast is where the bonus content is!01:30 - Is a hot dog a sandwich?01:50 - We support trans people02:05 - What is a post-truth society?02:20 - Authoritarian populists like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin03:00 - Postmodernism03:44 - The Philosophical Definition04:39 - What is a woman?05:00 - Caitlyn Jenner05:30 - The correspondence theory of truth06:45 - The coherence theory of truth08:30 - Thank you to our wonderful patrons!10:00 - Truth conforms to the entire ecosystem of other things that are true10:10 - What is a sandwich?10:54 - Matt Walsh argues in bad faith12:45 - Bioessentialist transphobia does not hold up to scrutiny13:22 - The King James Bible15:15 - Hateful comments on social media16:10 - The Bible is true because the bible says that the bible is true16:20 - Cult control tactics and brainwashing19:30 - Atheism vs. Religion debate20:00 - Is personal experience evidence?20:55 - Realism and Anti-Realism22:22 - anti-realism23:58 - Big questions24:38 - Color theory25:18 - Berlin and Kay's theory of Basic Color Terms26:58 - WHAT COLOR IS SADIE'S HAIR?28:27 - Sadie is the proof30:03 - John Calvin profile pic30:53 - Sadie once had a man31:08 - Capitalism is the root of all christian misogyny (not actually)33:38 - What is proof?36:04 - Are we living in a simulation?Subscribe to Leaving Eden Podcast on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4q94gAnsoW2jME4SvVrrQJoin our Patreon for extended, uncensored, and ad-free versions of most of our episodes, as well as other patron perks and bonus content!https://www.patreon.com/LeavingEdenPodcastJoin our Facebook group to join in the discussion with other fans!https://www.facebook.com/groups/edenexodusJoin our subreddit! Reddit.com/r/EdenExodusBluesky:@leavingedenpodcast.bsky.social@hellyeahsadie.bsky.social@gavihacohen.bsky.socialInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/leavingedenpodcast/https://www.instagram.com/sadiecarpentermusic/https://www.instagram.com/gavrielhacohen/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The solution to drug problems, weird bullying in Japan and all the other news that matters. Send us a voice message https://www.speakpipe.com/ChunkMcBeefChest Linktree https://linktr.ee/chunkmcbeefchest

On today's podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt Lewis discuss: — The Supreme Court's major ruling blocking Trump's broad use of emergency powers for tariffs: A strong reaffirmation of separation of powers, or another way to save Trump from himself?— The looming risk of military conflict with Iran, including the potential for regime-change, and why Iran might prefer war over capitulation— FBI Director Kash Patel's viral celebration in the U.S. men's hockey locker room after their 2026 Olympic gold-medal win, including chugging beer and spraying drinks while domestic crises (like the Mar-a-Lago intruder shooting) were unfolding— The ongoing fallout from the Epstein files, including speculation about radicalization (e.g., the Mar-a-Lago intruder reportedly motivated by frustration over lack of transparency) and Trump's claims of exoneration— Authoritarian-style pressure tactics, such as Donald Trump's reported demand that Netflix fire Susan Rice from its board to secure approval for a major corporate acquisition— The larger theme of hubris, vengeance, and the dangers of an administration increasingly unmoored from constitutional norms, institutional guardrails, and competent governance— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

Negotiated Settlements and Expanding Security States. Anatol Lieven explains the European left's growing concerns about the Ukraine war fueling authoritarian security and surveillance measures. While a negotiated settlement requiring Ukraine to surrender the Donbas seems impossible in Kyiv, the conflict risks becoming a prolonged war of attrition dictated by modern drone warfare. #21918 4TH LIGHT HORSE IN THE JUDEAN HILLS

As the Trump administration attacks unions and strips members of protections, unions are organizing workers to defend their rights. How are they fighting back?

CBS lawyers ordered Stephen Colbert to cancel a live interview with Texas State House member and Democratic Senate candidate James Tallarico, citing pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and a newly threatened expansion of the equal time rule to late night entertainment programming. Colbert filmed the interview anyway in front of his live studio audience, then was told he could not air it, could not mention it, and could not even show a photo of James Tallarico during the broadcast. He did all three.The decision is widely seen as CBS pre-emptively complying with the Trump administration to protect the pending merger between Paramount and David Ellison's Skydance Media. Sherry Redstone already declined to renew Colbert's contract, with the show ending in May, a move many view as direct appeasement of Donald Trump. This follows ABC and Disney paying Trump $16 million to settle a defamation suit involving George Stephanopoulos, and previously pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air under the same FCC pressure from Brendan Carr.Tallarico posted the banned interview himself, framing it as the interview Trump didn't want you to see. Polling shows both Tallarico and Jasmine Crockett performing strongly against John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, and Anderson Cooper simultaneously announced he is leaving 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years over editorial interference tied to the Trump-aligned direction of CBS under its new Ellison ownership. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Krithiga Narayanan hosts a conversation with Michael Coppedge, co-founder and principal investigator of the Varieties of Democracy Project (V-Dem), one of the world's leading efforts to measure and analyze democratic change. Drawing on V-Dem's latest global data, Coppedge examines how shifts within democratic systems are reshaping the international order and altering global power dynamics. The discussion explores how democratic erosion often unfolds gradually rather than through abrupt breakdowns, why electoral autocracies are becoming more common, and how changes in large and influential democracies, such as India, carry consequences that extend beyond national borders. Together, they assess whether coordination among autocratic leaders is strategic or ad hoc, what the data reveals about early warning signs of democratic decline, and where opportunities for democratic resilience still exist. Produced by the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS.Researched and hosted by Krithiga Narayanan; edited by Krithiga Narayanan

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/art

Across Europe, local states are in a dire predicament, experiencing the consequences of austerity cuts, shortage of staff as well as a lack of trust in (local) government. Overlapping crises such as climate change, military conflicts and displacement, precarious provisions of public services, the production of so-called left-behind spaces and the rise of the far right pose severe challenges to its institutions – on various scales and across a wide range of sectors. This situation has sparked seemingly paradoxical developments. In some contexts, it has evoked the loss of legitimacy of democratic institutions and authoritarian takeover, while in other cases the local state is becoming an arena for progressive statecraft tailored at social justice and sustainability. Much is being written on these authoritarian and progressive tendencies. In two episodes on the transformation of the local state, we want to complicate binary thinking that can be quick to romanticise progressive local institutions or paint a homogenous picture of authoritarian situations. Paying close attention to the intricacies of the local state, we want to draw attention to its inherent contradictions and frictions by asking: How does progressivism and authoritarianism play out in the everyday processes of the local state? What are the grey spaces where they might overlap and even coproduce each other? What power relations shape these processes? Both episodes are hosted by Matthias Naumann and Gala Nettelbladt. In the first episode, moderated by Ross Beveridge, we discuss authoritarian developments in local statehood with Harriet Dunn, Crispian Fuller and Theo Temple.

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications

Post-Soviet Graffiti: Free Speech in Authoritarian States (University of Toronto Press, 2025) is an empirically grounded ethnographic study of how graffiti and street art can be used as a political tool to circumvent censorship, express grievances, and control public discourse, particularly in authoritarian states. For more than a decade, Dr. Alexis M. Lerner combed the alleyways, underpasses, and public squares of cities once under communist rule, from Berlin in the west to Vladivostok in the east, recording thousands of cases of critical and satirical political street art and cataloging these artworks linguistically and thematically across space and time. Complemented by first-hand interviews with leading artists, activists, and politicians from across the region, Post-Soviet Graffiti provides theoretical reflection on public space as a site for political action, a semiotic reading of signs and symbols, and street art as a form of text. The book answers the question of how we conceptualize avenues of dissent under authoritarian rule by showing how contemporary graffiti functions not only as a popular public aesthetic, but also as a mouthpiece of political sentiment, especially within the post-Soviet region and post-communist Europe. A purposefully anonymous and accessible artform, graffiti is an effective tool for circumventing censorship and expressing political views. This is especially true for marginalized populations and for those living in otherwise closed and censored states. Post-Soviet Graffiti reveals that graffiti does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it can be read as a narrative about a place, the people who live there, and the things that matter to them. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Air Date: 2-3-26 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss:  Ch. 1 - Trump's Pillars of Support, and plugging into community building & local support networks Ch. 2 - Case studies in success: Avelo Airlines & Spotify and why they matter Ch. 3 - Pressure campaigns at home and abroad and why they are important Ch. 4 - The new cracks in MAGA, and building up the political opposition party we need SOLVED! BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!): The second amendment folks' weird moment after ICE murdered Alex Pretti FOLLOW US ON:  YouTube (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please subscribe and share!) Bluesky Instagram Facebook Mastadon Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES DISCUSSED Why Nonviolent Resistance Doesn't Require Your Opponent to Have a Conscience - Tim Hjersted, Films for Action  Think There's Nothing You Can Do to Stop ICE? Think Again. - The Nation Here's How We Pressured an Airline to End Its Contract With ICE - TruthOut Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators. - The Nation CEOs of major Minnesota businesses finally speak out, sign meek call for 'deescalation' - Bring Me The News 'Tariff for Oligarchs': Top Economist Urges Europe to Fight Trump by Punishing US Billionaires - Common Dreams Some Conservatives Veer Off Party Line After DHS Agents Kill Another US Citizen - Mother Jones Here's Your Damn Playbook, Democrats - The New Republic This Could Be the Moment MAGA Collapses - The New Republic MORE RESOURCES Here's How to Find Out Which Corporations Are Collaborating With ICE - Little Sis How to Weaken ICE: Cut Off the Corporations That Make Deportations Possible: Unified Strategy to Join, Support, or Build Boycott Campaigns Against ICE Vendors and Suppliers - Herman Legal Group We Must Establish The Run Against Authoritarianism - Bad Faith Times BACKSTAGE Trump is Making an Enemy of the Gun Lobby - The Intercept EXTRAS: Meta lays off employees across multiple teams - Tech Crunch (Oct 16, 2024) People Think Amazon Is an E-Commerce Company, but 74% of Its Profit Comes From This Instead Best of the Left #1769 Politics Beyond the Ballot Box: Elections and the Movements that Power Them Fox News's Peter Doocy Confronts Kristi Noem: 'Is It the Protocol To Use Deadly Force' if Alex Pretti 'Was Disarmed?' ICE confirms new office in College Park - Atlanta News First Ossoff Inquires about Rumored New ICE Detention Facility - Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) Prominent MAGA streamer compares ICE to Gestapo after Pretti shooting TAKE ACTION: How to Support Minneapolis Communities In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach Free DC Project: FOR ALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY No Kings Next Steps One Million Rising Trainings 5calls.org Find your Indivisible group - or start one Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01 Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Steve Cash is Executive Director of The Steady State, a non-profit advocacy organization whose members are former senior national security officials. He explains the findings of the organization's new report, Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline. Its conclusion is dire: with Donald Trump's return to power, the country is rapidly sliding toward authoritarian rule. According to Steve Cash, the United States now faces its most serious internal threat since the Civil War, with at least a 50–50 chance that "free and fair" elections may not continue in the foreseeable future. Steve Cash also reflects on his long career navigating literal life-and-death situations, and shares some hard-earned wisdom about managing extreme stress, fear, and anxiety. WHERE CAN YOU FIND ME? On Twitter: https://twitter.com/chaunceydevega On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chauncey.devega My email: chaunceydevega@gmail.com HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW? Via Paypal at ChaunceyDeVega.com: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thechaunceydevegashow

A Washington DC grand jury refused to indict six Democratic members of Congress after Trump administration prosecutors sought felony charges of seditious conspiracy. The lawmakers targeted include Senator Mark Kelly, Representative Alyssa Slotkin, and Representative Jason Crow, all military veterans who released a video reminding service members of their legal obligation to disobey illegal orders. Attorney General Pam Bondi and US Attorney Janine Pirro brought the case before the grand jury, seeking 20-plus year prison sentences for the Congress members. The grand jury rejected the prosecution's attempt, demonstrating ordinary citizens standing against political prosecution. Trump had posted on Truth Social demanding punishment for what he called seditious behavior, even suggesting execution. Speaker Mike Johnson supported the prosecution attempt, claiming the lawmakers were obstructing law enforcement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the six lawmakers the "seditious six" and initiated proceedings against Mark Kelly to reduce his military rank and retirement pay. The video these Congress members released simply restated existing military law under the Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding illegal orders. This marks a pattern of federal prosecutors failing to secure indictments in politically motivated cases, with grand juries and trial juries across the country rejecting attempts to weaponize the criminal justice system. The grand jury's decision represents citizens protecting constitutional rights and the rule of law against authoritarian overreach by Trump appointees at the Department of Justice. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

Conservative Joe Walsh joins Thom to dissect the fascist project that the Republican party has become. This is not your father's political party. Plus a National Progressive Town Hall with US Rep. Mark Pocan. joins Thom to dissect the fascist project that the Republican party has become. This is not your father's political party. Plus A National Progressive Town Hall with US Rep. Mark Pocan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In "American Carnage," The Nation's Sasha Abramsky follows the stories of eleven of the over 300,000 federal workers who lost their jobs because of Trump, Musk, and DOGE.

The midterm elections are ten months away...and the regime is in overdrive trying to ensure they don't get held accountable for their collective actions.  I don't think we are anywhere close to allowing that to happen.  And I've got a challenge for you...are you up for it?Love,-T

In this episode of The Burn Bag, host A'ndre Gonawela is joined by Tony Frangie Mawad, a Venezuela-based journalist and political scientist, to unpack how Venezuela reached its current moment. Long before U.S. strikes and regime collapse, Venezuela's trajectory was shaped by the rise of Hugo Chávez, the ideology of Chavismo, and the steady erosion of democratic institutions under both Chávez and his successor Nicolás Maduro.Together, they trace how a resource-rich country descended into economic collapse and authoritarian rule — examining the role of oil, populism, repression, and policy choices that reshaped Venezuelan society over two decades. The conversation provides essential historical context for understanding why Venezuela's political system proved so resilient, and why recent events did not emerge in a vacuum.This is Part One of A'ndre's two-part conversation with Tony on Venezuela. Part Two will examine the U.S. strikes, the arrest of Maduro, and what this turning point means for U.S.–Venezuela relations and the country's future.

This show connects voter suppression in Georgia, people-powered resistance nationwide, and U.S. oil coercion in Venezuela as parts of a single anti-democratic agenda.Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

Many women are grieving two things at once right now, a relationship that didn't protect them and a country that won't either.  There is a lot happening in the world right now, and none of it is abstract. Not for women. Not for our marriages, our divorces, our bodies, our safety, or our credibility. What we are witnessing is the lived, relational impact of rising authoritarianism. In this solo episode, I wanted to take a moment to slow this conversation down and connect the dots between what women experience privately and what is unfolding publicly.  This is not about ideology or opinion. It is about power. It is about who is believed, who is doubted, and who is controlled. And it is about why so many women are feeling alarmed, not because they are confused, but because they recognize the familiar dynamics of control. They recognize the patterns. For a long time, we were taught that politics lived "out there" in elections, legislation, and institutions we were never meant to shape, while relationships were framed as personal, private choices. That separation was not accidental. It was strategic.  Authoritarian systems depend on that divide, because when women's lives are framed as personal, our suffering can be dismissed as individual failure and our silence mistaken for consent. This episode is a call to stay awake without collapsing, to stay aligned with what you already know, and to remember that awareness does not require constant activation. We do this together. We tap out and tap in for one another. The personal has always been the political.  What you'll hear about in this episode: Why separating "the personal" from "the political" was an intentional strategy designed to keep women's suffering isolated and depoliticized How women's exhaustion, self doubt, and depletion inside marriage are not personal failures, but political conditions Why you cannot meditate, communicate, or self optimize your way out of systems built on unequal power How naming harm becomes threatening to systems that rely on fragmentation and silence How authoritarianism mirrors abusive relationship dynamics through control, denial, punishment, and gaslighting Why women, especially Black women, recognize creeping control early and sound alarms before institutions do Why backlash against women's clarity is evidence of lost control, not women being wrong Why rest, regulation, and nervous system care are essential parts of resistance, not distractions from it ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. Resources & Links: Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Seven Step Mindset Reset for Divorce  Episode 95: Toxic Abuser-in-Chief: What Politics Has to Do With Your Marriage =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link:  https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-354-the-personal-has-always-been-political/  

This week's edition of Copeland's Corner, Brian Copeland and an all-star panel including Bill Jubran, Ngaio Bealum, and Cathy Sorbo, delve deep into the Trump administration's impact on America. The conversation covers a span of heated topics such as the dismantling of ethics and norms, authoritarian tendencies, and the controversial policies of ICE. The panel discusses the role of media, whether citizens will desert the MAGA movement, and the complex web of systemic racism and sexism influencing voters. The episode also touches upon cultural elements like protest music and the media landscape. With humor and critical insight, the episode takes an introspective look at America's political climate.--Connect with our Guests...#BillJubran - YouTube Channel or @BillJubran23 on Instagram#CathySorbo -  CathySorbo.com and @CathySorbo on IG#NgaioBealum - @Ngaio420 on Instagram--#ICE #MAGAMovement #ProtestMusic  #BrianCopeland #CopelandsCorner #HeadlinersOnTheHeadlines#CopelandUnfiltered #ComedyCommentary #PodcastersOfYouTube #ComicsOnAir #TalkPodcast#PoliticalHumor #PoliticalPodcast #HotTalkTopicsPodcast Hosted by the Bay Area's own Brian Copeland, a longtime Actor, Comedian, Author, Playwright, Television and Radio Personality. Brian and The Copeland's Corner Network of content creators provide a weekly mashup of news, interviews and comedy.--For more from Brian...Visit his website: www.BrianCopeland.comFollow on Social Media: Instagram - @CopelandsCorner & @BrianCopieEmail: BrianCopelandShow@Gmail.com --Copeland's Corner is Created, Hosted, & Executive Produced by Brian Copeland. This Show is Recorded & Mixed by Charlene Goto with Go-To Productions. Visit Go-To Productions for all your Podcast & Media needs.Our Booking Producer is Tom Sawyer. For any show inquiries, please email CopelandsCornerPodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the Trump administration wages an unprecedented attack on higher education, professors are organizing to defend academic freedom and fight authoritarianism.

00:01:12 — PR Above Truth: “Freezing Rain” and the Image-Obsessed StateKnight opens by arguing the administration's fixation on optics over reality reveals a government that treats lying as routine governance. 00:02:09 — The Welfare Magnet and the Manufactured Border CrisisKnight argues mass migration was deliberately engineered through subsidies, then weaponized to justify surveillance and national ID expansion. 00:05:23 — Charity Replaced by State PowerKnight explains how federal welfare displaced voluntary charity, hollowing out moral responsibility while enabling corruption and control. 00:09:07 — The Minneapolis ICE Shooting: Escalation Without CauseKnight reconstructs the incident to show how unnecessary force—not threat—led to the killing of an already restrained man. 00:12:34 — Masked Agents and Filming Suppression as Proof of GuiltKnight argues police masking themselves and blocking cameras signals awareness of wrongdoing rather than concern for safety. 00:31:52 — “I Felt Threatened”: The Magic Words That Legalize KillingKnight dismantles the doctrine that subjective fear now functions as a universal legal shield for lethal force. 01:00:02 — “Defensive Shots” and Absolute Immunity as State DoctrineKnight exposes how sanitized language is used to retroactively justify killings and shut down investigation. 01:01:24 — Technocrat Puppets and the Myth of Electoral ChoiceKnight argues both parties now operate as a managed technocratic system rather than genuine representation. 01:05:18 — MAGA's Willingness to Believe Lies for BloodlustKnight warns that hatred of the left has overridden moral restraint, leading conservatives to excuse state violence. 01:15:56 — Due Process Is a Human Right, Not a Citizenship PrivilegeKnight insists stripping due process from non-citizens guarantees its eventual removal from everyone. 01:44:45 — 3D Printers as the Next Trojan Horse for Total ControlKnight argues “ghost gun” laws are really about embedding censorship and permission systems into all home manufacturing. 01:59:08 — Jury Nullification as the Last Peaceful DefenseKnight closes by arguing the ballot box has failed, leaving informed juries as the final non-violent check on a lawless state. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

00:01:12 — PR Above Truth: “Freezing Rain” and the Image-Obsessed StateKnight opens by arguing the administration's fixation on optics over reality reveals a government that treats lying as routine governance. 00:02:09 — The Welfare Magnet and the Manufactured Border CrisisKnight argues mass migration was deliberately engineered through subsidies, then weaponized to justify surveillance and national ID expansion. 00:05:23 — Charity Replaced by State PowerKnight explains how federal welfare displaced voluntary charity, hollowing out moral responsibility while enabling corruption and control. 00:09:07 — The Minneapolis ICE Shooting: Escalation Without CauseKnight reconstructs the incident to show how unnecessary force—not threat—led to the killing of an already restrained man. 00:12:34 — Masked Agents and Filming Suppression as Proof of GuiltKnight argues police masking themselves and blocking cameras signals awareness of wrongdoing rather than concern for safety. 00:31:52 — “I Felt Threatened”: The Magic Words That Legalize KillingKnight dismantles the doctrine that subjective fear now functions as a universal legal shield for lethal force. 01:00:02 — “Defensive Shots” and Absolute Immunity as State DoctrineKnight exposes how sanitized language is used to retroactively justify killings and shut down investigation. 01:01:24 — Technocrat Puppets and the Myth of Electoral ChoiceKnight argues both parties now operate as a managed technocratic system rather than genuine representation. 01:05:18 — MAGA's Willingness to Believe Lies for BloodlustKnight warns that hatred of the left has overridden moral restraint, leading conservatives to excuse state violence. 01:15:56 — Due Process Is a Human Right, Not a Citizenship PrivilegeKnight insists stripping due process from non-citizens guarantees its eventual removal from everyone. 01:44:45 — 3D Printers as the Next Trojan Horse for Total ControlKnight argues “ghost gun” laws are really about embedding censorship and permission systems into all home manufacturing. 01:59:08 — Jury Nullification as the Last Peaceful DefenseKnight closes by arguing the ballot box has failed, leaving informed juries as the final non-violent check on a lawless state. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

David Congdon came on to talk about his lecture from the Democracy in Tension summit, and man, did we get into it. We're unpacking what liberalism actually means - not the Fox News version or the MSNBC version, but the philosophical tradition that emerged because people were literally killing each other over interpretations of the Eucharist after the Reformation. David makes this case for why we need to rejuvenate liberalism as a framework for dealing with diversity, because the postliberals basically want to recreate medieval Christendom through authoritarian power, which is... problematic. We talked about historical amnesia, why privatizing religion isn't the same as excluding it from public life, how both the left and right misunderstand what liberalism offers, and why we can't just abandon institutions even when they're flawed. Plus David schooled me on what he's learned spending eight years working in political theory and philosophy, which has given him a way more nuanced view than most theologians have about this stuff. You can get access to Congdon's lecture and the entire Democracy in Tension series here. You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join us at Theology Beer Camp, October 8-10, in Kansas City! UPCOMING ONLINE LENT CLASS: Jesus in Galilee w/ John Dominic Crossan⁠⁠ What can we actually know about Jesus of Nazareth? And, what difference does it make? ⁠⁠This Lenten class ⁠⁠begins where all of Dr. John Dominic Crossan's has work begins: with history. What was actually happening in Galilee in the 20s CE? What did Herod Antipas' transformation of the "Sea of Galilee" into the commercial "Sea of Tiberias" mean for peasant fishing communities? Why did Jesus emerge from John's baptism movement proclaiming God's Rule through parables—and what made that medium so perfectly suited to that message? Only by understanding what Jesus' parables meant then can we wrestle with what they might demand of us now. ⁠⁠The class is donation-based, including 0, so join, get info, and join up here.⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Molyneux examines a parenting situation with Jeremy Kauffman and his son, focusing on a dispute about a dropped carrot. He points out how this reflects aspects of child development, such as finding a balance between obedience and independence, especially in boys. He notes that children's actions often echo their parents' and suggests avoiding rigid responses to pushback. Molyneux highlights curiosity in parenting as a way to grasp what drives children, which can help build connections and improve dialogue, while prompting a fresh look at typical discipline practices.The tweet: https://x.com/StefanMolyneux/status/2010730504656658607GET FREEDOMAIN MERCH! https://shop.freedomain.com/SUBSCRIBE TO ME ON X! https://x.com/StefanMolyneuxFollow me on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@freedomain1GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2025

⚠️ NOTE: Haley is not on this episode — she's out galavanting — but Mary Lou brings in her MAGA friend Jules as a special guest, making for one of the most intense and revealing conversations we've had yet.This week on The Necessary Conversation, we break down a terrifying escalation of federal power, shocking allegations tied to the Epstein network, and Trump openly flirting with the end of elections and international war — all while ICE violence spirals out of control inside the United States.

Whitney defines what authoritarian parenting actually is (beyond just being strict), explores how it's rooted in control rather than raising independent humans, and explains why these parents struggle when their children develop agency and can no longer be controlled the same way. If you have an inkling that your family of origin might have been drawing on some of the principles of authoritarian parenting this might be a useful listen. Whitney also answers a listener's question about coming to terms about accepting an uninvolved parent.Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Calling Home, a membership community that helps people navigate complex family dynamics and break harmful cycles.Have a question for Whitney? Send a voice memo or email to ⁠whitney@callinghome.co⁠⁠Join the Family Cyclebreakers Club⁠⁠⁠Follow Whitney on Instagram | sitwithwhitFollow Whitney on YouTube | @whitneygoodmanlmft⁠⁠⁠Order Whitney's book, Toxic Positivity⁠Learn more about ad choices. Visit podcast.choices.com/adchoicesThis podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.02:00 What authoritarian parenting actually is (and isn't)07:20 When you can't be controlled anymore12:45 How authoritarian parents respond to loss of control24:43 Listener question Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brad returns from a two week break to examine three disturbing stories that reveal how authoritarian power is expanding in the United States and how empathy is being systematically stripped from public life. He begins with the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, a white American poet and mother shot by an ICE officer during an operation. The administration's response was marked by complete indifference, with officials offering no compassion for Good or her family and JD Vance asserting that the officer should have absolute immunity. Brad argues this case represents a dangerous shift. The logic of impunity long applied to marginalized communities is now being extended outward, signaling that anyone can become a target once state violence is normalized. The episode then turns to the U.S. operation in Venezuela and Trump's escalating threats toward Greenland. In Venezuela, Trump openly framed the military action around oil interests rather than democracy, reviving a Monroe Doctrine style vision of hemispheric control rooted in Christian and Western supremacist ideology. Threats toward Greenland further signal an imperial mindset that would shatter NATO alliances and dismantle the post World War II international order. Across all three stories, Brad traces a consistent theme. Empathy is treated as an obstacle to power, impunity is expanding, and figures like JD Vance are refining a more polished authoritarian message for the future. The result is a political project that no longer seeks separation or retreat, but expansion, domination, and the erosion of democratic restraint. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 1000+ episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Show (01/05/2026): 3:05pm- On Monday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he will no longer seek election for a third term. His announcement comes after Minnesota, under his leadership, misappropriated billions-of-dollars to fraudulent welfare claims. 3:10pm- According to reports, on Friday at 10:46pm ET President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead on an extraction mission to capture Venezuelan authoritarian Nicolas Maduro. The successful raid consisted of 150 aircrafts—which eliminated air defense systems and cut power to infrastructure in Caracas. On Monday, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared before a New York City judge—charged with narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies. 3:30pm- David Gelman— Criminal Defense Attorney, former Prosecutor, & a former surrogate for Donald Trump's Legal Team—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to recap Venezuelan authoritarian Nicolas Maduro's appearance in a New York court where he pled not guilty to drug trafficking charges. Gleman jokes that Maduro has a better chance of winning the Powerball than being granted bail. 3:40pm- Can the Trump administration legally target other tyrannical regimes? In an article for The Free Press, Yale Law Professor wrote “under Supreme Court case law, the decision about whether or not to recognize a foreign government belongs exclusively to the president.” Which is important because “foreign heads of state are immune from prosecution…but as the courts held in [Panama leader Manuel] Noriega's case, head-of-state immunity does not apply to a dictator whom the U.S. doesn't recognize.” 4:05pm- Rich, Matt, and Justin return from Christmas break. Rich got a dog, Justin still had to work, and Matt is in Scottsdale enjoying the 70-degree weather. 4:20pm- Following the United States' successful capture of Nicolas Maduro, the Colombian defense minister invited Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Colombia for a firsthand look at the country's fight against drug trafficking. While speaking to the press, President Donald Trump warned that Colombian President Gustavo Petro should “watch his ass” if he doesn't stop sending drugs to the U.S. 4:30pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the operation to successfully capture Venezuelan authoritarian Nicolas Maduro. Could the Trump administration target other problematic despots in Colombia or Iran, for example? Dr. Coates is author of the book: The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win. 5:00pm- John Yoo—The Emanuel Heller Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest article for National Review, “The Trump Administration's Actions in Venezuela Are Constitutional.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/the-trump-administrations-actions-in-venezuela-are-constitutional/. 5:30pm- Rich's BIG announcement: Beginning next week, The Rich Zeoli Show will take on a new form! The show will become a one-hour, nationally focused podcast which can be heard locally on 1210 WPHT from 6pm to 7pm! 6:05pm- Daniel Turner—Founder and Executive Director of Power the Future—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to respond to the news that the U.S. will take control of Venezuela's oil. Will this lower gas prices? 6:20pm- According to reports, on Friday at 10:46pm ET President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead on an extraction mission to capture Venezuelan authoritarian Nicolas Maduro. The successful raid consisted of 150 aircrafts—which eliminated air defense systems and cut power to infrastructure in Caracas. On Monday, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared before a New York City judge—charged with narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracies. 6:30pm- Democrat Hypocrisy: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ...

THE COLLAPSE OF 1989 AND THE MODERN AUTHORITARIAN PIVOT Colleague Professor Sean McMeekin. In the final segment, McMeekin challenges the narrative that the 1989 collapse was solely a popular uprising. Instead, he argues it was a "top-down disintegration" caused by the withdrawal of Soviet force via the "Sinatra Doctrine" (letting satellites go their own way). Regimes fell because security forces mutinied or stood down, not merely because of protests. Regarding modern Russia, McMeekin notes that while Putin has jettisoned Lenin, he retains a nostalgia for Stalin as a "builder" of state power. The conversation concludes with a warning: while traditional communism relied on extreme violence, modern authoritarian regimes, particularly China, may now use advanced surveillance technology to achieve total control without the same level of overt bloodshed. NUMBER 8