Podcasts about Authoritarianism

Are mass protests and elections enough to block the slide toward authoritarianism? Labor scholar and organizer Eric Blanc argues that neither will suffice without exerting leverage on the key pillars of Trump's support. He discusses how a multi-level campaign against the corporations and other entities that back the administration could be organized, as well as the state of the labor movement and the Supreme Court, the victory of Zohran Mamdani, and what it might take to build to a general strike. Labor Politics Eric Blanc, We Are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing Is Revitalizing Labor and Winning Big UC Press, 2025 Photo credit: By Jessica Bolanos CC BY-SA 4.0 The post How to Organize Against Authoritarianism appeared first on KPFA.

In this bonus episode, Professor Nicholas Giordano joins The American Radicals Podcast hosted by FBI whistleblower Steve Friend for a powerful conversation on the rise of bureaucratic power in America. Professor Giordano breaks down how federal agencies have expanded far beyond their constitutional limits, how Congress routinely fails to provide real oversight, and how the deep state uses vague laws and political theater to protect itself. The discussion exposes the consequences of unchecked federal law enforcement, the dangers of labeling ordinary citizens as threats, and the urgent need to reform the system with real accountability, transparency, and the power of the purse. Episode Highlights How federal agencies grew into an unaccountable power center that the founding fathers warned us about. Why Congress refuses to challenge abusive agencies and how the Patriot Act opened the door to mass surveillance. What real reform looks like, including sunsetting agencies, limiting authority, and ending qualified immunity for federal agents.  

I sat down with Susan Rice, former Ambassador to the United Nations and former National Security Advisor to discuss the growing authoritarianism in this country - what it is and what we must do to defeat it. A sobering, fascinating, but also hopeful conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Karen Elliott House joins Frank Schaeffer to talk about her remarkable new book, The Man Who Would Be King, Muhammad bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia.Across four decades of reporting on the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, Karen has developed rare access to the kingdom's inner world — including seven in-depth meetings with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS), often late at night inside the palace.In this conversation, Frank and Karen dive into:How a strict Texas church girl became one of the world's sharpest Saudi observersWhy MBS is part Peter the Great, part Napoleon, and part ruthless modernizerWomen's stunning rise in the Saudi workforce — and how religious men are left behindThe murder of Jamal Khashoggi, internal repression, and the culture of “disappearing” criticsHow MBS is navigating Gaza, Hamas, Israel recognition, and the Wahhabi clericsParallels between Islamic fundamentalism and American evangelical extremismWhether AmericaI have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said. Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth. Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. The Gospel of Zip will be released in print and on Amazon Kindle, and as a full video on YouTube and Substack that you can watch or listen to for free.Canada NowBold ideas with the people shaping Canada's next chapter.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of The Gospel of Zip. Learn more at https://www.thegospelofzip.com/Follow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube. https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.tiktok.com/@frank_schaefferhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTube In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer Podcast

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

National security expert Steven A. Cash joins journalist Larry Mantle for a critical conversation about the growing threat of authoritarianism in the United States. Drawing on decades of experience across intelligence, homeland security, diplomacy, and defense, Cash offers a rare insider's view of how democratic institutions are being tested—and what former national security professionals believe must be done to safeguard them.Steven A. Cash is the Executive Director of The Steady State, an advocacy organization composed of former senior national security officials. He most recently served in the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence & Analysis as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary. Cash previously served as Deputy Chief Intelligence Officer and Acting Executive Director of the Intelligence Enterprise Program Office, overseeing the department-wide intelligence program.Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR-member station KPCC (89.3 FM), the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California. Known for his insightful interviews and deep reporting, Mantle is one of the region's most trusted voices in public affairs.This event is part of the America at a Crossroads virtual series, founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice, bringing leading voices together to address the most urgent issues facing American democracy.

The UN Cybercrime Treaty: A Tool for Digital Authoritarianism. Ivana Stradner warns that the UN cybercrime treaty, drafted by Russia and supported by China, undermines global human rights and free speech. She argues the treaty is mere "window dressing" enabling authoritarian regimes to pursue digital sovereignty—like Russia's "fake news" laws or China's "golden shield" project—to censor dissent. Stradner suggests that allowing Russia and China to regulate cyberspace is comparable to trusting the arsonist to put out the fire, urging the United States not to ratify the treaty. 1960

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Hawk welcomes back Reed Galen President of JoinTheUnion.us and Co-Founder of the Lincoln Project for a deep discussion about the newly released Jeffrey Epstein emails and their shocking connections to Donald Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, and author Michael Wolff. Hawk and Reed examine what these revelations mean for the Republican Party, the MAGA movement, and how the myths around Trump and Epstein continue to shape the political right.The conversation also dives into the government shutdown deal, the state of the Democratic Party, and the larger struggle over power, policy, and the future of American democracy. Reed Galen and Hawk focus on the failures of imagination that have allowed authoritarian tendencies to grow, why the pace of Trump's agenda has been so rapid, and what comes next for both parties as 2026 approaches.With insight, realism, and moments of humor, Hawk leads an honest conversation about politics, government, and the urgent need for voters to recognize the stakes for democracy. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk- Support Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com- Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole- Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social- Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Podcasts Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.com- 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/48COaTBSimplecast: https://hawk-droppings.simplecast.com- Hawk Podcasts RSS Feed: https://feeds.simplecast.com/pPVtxSNJ

Sara Dorman of Edinburgh University spoke to me about the rising tide of authoritarianism around the world, and particularly the form of competitive authoritarianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The No Kings protests in October, which drew over seven million people across the country, were hailed as the largest demonstrations in American history. Now the question for many people is: What works to stop authoritarianism?Maria Stephan has been studying this question. Her award-winning book, “Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict,” co-authored with Erica Chenoweth of Harvard, examines a century of resistance movements around the world. They determined that nonviolent protests are more than twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts. Chenoweth went on to coin the widely cited 3.5% Rule, which states that when 3.5% of the population protest nonviolently, the movement will win. “When you have 3.5% of a population, which in the United States is roughly 12 million people, that means a movement is representative. It's hard to ignore. It's highly disruptive. And behind those 3.5% are many, many more people who support the aims of the movement,” Stephan told The Vermont Conversation.Maria Stephan was a strategic planner with the U.S. Department of State and founded and directed the Program on Nonviolent Action at the U.S. Institute of Peace. She is the author and editor of five books on authoritarianism and civil resistance. She was born and raised in Vermont and currently lives in New York City, where she is chief organizer with the Horizons Project, which she describes as “building a strong pro-democracy front that brings people together from different parts of society to effectively counter authoritarianism in the U.S.” Stephan highlighted the many tactics of the movement against authoritarianism. “We know from studying nonviolent resistance campaigns against authoritarian regimes around the world that it's the organized acts of non-cooperation — when people withhold their consumer buying power, when workers withhold labor, when security forces refuse to use repression vis a vis peaceful protesters — these acts of non-cooperation are what is really key to the success of pro-democracy movements, and we're seeing this across the country.”She cited examples of “people taking courageous stands both as individuals and collectively.” These include “the powerful image of the Idaho teacher, Sarah Inama, who refused to take down the sign ‘Everyone is Welcome Here' in her classroom, which resulted in the whole community mobilizing in support of inclusive classrooms.”There was Rachel Cohen, “the young lawyer who left her law firm after it capitulated to Trump. She not only left the firm, she organized thousands of lawyers to similarly commit to not be part of firms that engage in that type of capitulation.” Stephan said that in the higher education sector, “seven out of nine universities have refused a higher education compact offered by the Trump administration that would have offered access to federal funding in exchange for various forms of censorship on campus.” And the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, she said, refused ICE agents access to their grounds to coordinate arrests of immigrants and undocumented people.“For all these reasons and all the powerful, joyful, creative acts of defiance and community care I'm seeing across the country. I believe we will prevail.”

Air Date: 11/11/25 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we examine how power is being quietly consolidated across institutions, how propaganda and AI are reshaping our sense of reality, and how division and fear are fueling both domestic repression and global aggression. From the Supreme Court to state media manipulation, from dismantled voting rights to foreign influence campaigns, we trace the machinery of authoritarian control—and spotlight the journalists, educators, and activists still pushing back to keep truth and democracy alive. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! PART 1: INSTITUTIONAL CAPTURE & CONSOLIDATION (00:01:44) 1742 Captured Court, Captured Nation: SCOTUS Serves Trump's Authoritarianism (00:16:53) 1743 Trump and Project 2025: Blitzkrieg Against America (00:43:56) 1749 Democracy: In Theory, In Practice, and Under Threat PART 2 INFORMATION WARFARE & REALITY CONTROL (01:08:35) 1746 What an actual attack on free speech looks like (01:40:37) 1745 Fake New World: The Age of AI Slop, AI Education, and AI Fascism (01:54:27) 1744 Sell Outs, Shills, and Scandals: Saudi Arabia and Israel are buying the credibility they can't earn honestly PART 3 OTHERING & EXPANSION (02:13:08) 1747 Racism in the United States, it turns out, is a problem (02:31:27) 1741 Global Uprisings: Dissatisfaction Roiling France, the UK, and Nepal (02:56:07) 1750 "American's Backyard" - The War on Terror Meets the War on Drugs (03:20:01) 1748 Patriotism in Peril: Democracy, the Military, and the Fight Over What America Means Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Quaker author and activist Eileen Flanagan joins us to explore the wisdom that she has learned from her decades of experience in organizing around the climate crisis, and how that very crisis is exposing the “illusion of separation” in our times. Eileen helps us move beyond individual conviction to creating effective and diverse coalitions for positive social change."Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation" by Eileen Flanagan---------------------Westtown School is a Quaker, college preparatory day and boarding school for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Guided by the essential Quaker calling to seek out and honor that of God in each of us, Westtown School challenges its students to realize their individual gifts while learning and living together in a diverse community. Their campus sits on 600 acres of land that includes a 14 acre lake, an arboretum and natural forest, and an instructional organic farm. Learn more and schedule a visit at www.westtown.edu. Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

Lecture summary: Over centuries and across continents, authoritarian governments have demonstrated a large appetite for international cooperation to target political opponents across borders. As the world's premier body for international police cooperation, Interpol is not supposed to facilitate this kind of transnational repression -- and yet, in recent years, there is growing concern that authoritarian governments are abusing Interpol's tools. Interpol has taken meaningful steps to curb such abuse, but the durability of those protections is in doubt given the rising influence of authoritarian governments in that organization. The looming question is at what point universal multilateral cooperation with respect to law enforcement might cease to be viable.Kristina Daugirdas is the Francis A. Allen Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School. She teaches and writes primarily in the fields of international law and institutions.Her scholarship currently focuses on international organizations, accountability mechanisms, and the ongoing evolution of the international legal system. She is a member of the editorial board of the International Organizations Law Review and the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Law. She also serves as an adviser to the American Law Institute's Restatement (Fourth) of Foreign Relations Law.In 2016–2017, Daugirdas was a visiting fellow at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and served as a consultant on public international law issues for the World Intellectual Property Organization. From 2014 to 2017, she co-authored the Contemporary Practice of the United States Relating to International Law: A section of the American Journal of International Law. In 2014, she was awarded the Francis Deák Prize for an outstanding article published in the American Journal of International Law by a younger author.Daugirdas has taken on significant leadership roles at the law school, including serving as Associate Dean for Academic Programming from 2021 to 2024. She also led a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on the University of Michigan Principles on Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression.Prior to entering academia, Daugirdas was an attorney-adviser at the State Department's Office of the Legal Adviser, receiving multiple honors for her service. As an attorney-adviser, she provided guidance on the negotiation and implementation of UN Security Council sanctions and amicus participation by the US government in lawsuits with foreign policy implications.Chair: Prof Fernando Lusa BordinThis lecture was given on 7 November 2025 and is part of the Friday Lunchtime Lecture series at the Lauterpacht Centre.

Lecture summary: Over centuries and across continents, authoritarian governments have demonstrated a large appetite for international cooperation to target political opponents across borders. As the world's premier body for international police cooperation, Interpol is not supposed to facilitate this kind of transnational repression -- and yet, in recent years, there is growing concern that authoritarian governments are abusing Interpol's tools. Interpol has taken meaningful steps to curb such abuse, but the durability of those protections is in doubt given the rising influence of authoritarian governments in that organization. The looming question is at what point universal multilateral cooperation with respect to law enforcement might cease to be viable.Kristina Daugirdas is the Francis A. Allen Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School. She teaches and writes primarily in the fields of international law and institutions.Her scholarship currently focuses on international organizations, accountability mechanisms, and the ongoing evolution of the international legal system. She is a member of the editorial board of the International Organizations Law Review and the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Law. She also serves as an adviser to the American Law Institute's Restatement (Fourth) of Foreign Relations Law.In 2016–2017, Daugirdas was a visiting fellow at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and served as a consultant on public international law issues for the World Intellectual Property Organization. From 2014 to 2017, she co-authored the Contemporary Practice of the United States Relating to International Law: A section of the American Journal of International Law. In 2014, she was awarded the Francis Deák Prize for an outstanding article published in the American Journal of International Law by a younger author.Daugirdas has taken on significant leadership roles at the law school, including serving as Associate Dean for Academic Programming from 2021 to 2024. She also led a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on the University of Michigan Principles on Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression.Prior to entering academia, Daugirdas was an attorney-adviser at the State Department's Office of the Legal Adviser, receiving multiple honors for her service. As an attorney-adviser, she provided guidance on the negotiation and implementation of UN Security Council sanctions and amicus participation by the US government in lawsuits with foreign policy implications.Chair: Prof Fernando Lusa BordinThis lecture was given on 7 November 2025 and is part of the Friday Lunchtime Lecture series at the Lauterpacht Centre.

Lecture summary: Over centuries and across continents, authoritarian governments have demonstrated a large appetite for international cooperation to target political opponents across borders. As the world's premier body for international police cooperation, Interpol is not supposed to facilitate this kind of transnational repression -- and yet, in recent years, there is growing concern that authoritarian governments are abusing Interpol's tools. Interpol has taken meaningful steps to curb such abuse, but the durability of those protections is in doubt given the rising influence of authoritarian governments in that organization. The looming question is at what point universal multilateral cooperation with respect to law enforcement might cease to be viable.Kristina Daugirdas is the Francis A. Allen Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School. She teaches and writes primarily in the fields of international law and institutions.Her scholarship currently focuses on international organizations, accountability mechanisms, and the ongoing evolution of the international legal system. She is a member of the editorial board of the International Organizations Law Review and the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Law. She also serves as an adviser to the American Law Institute's Restatement (Fourth) of Foreign Relations Law.In 2016–2017, Daugirdas was a visiting fellow at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and served as a consultant on public international law issues for the World Intellectual Property Organization. From 2014 to 2017, she co-authored the Contemporary Practice of the United States Relating to International Law: A section of the American Journal of International Law. In 2014, she was awarded the Francis Deák Prize for an outstanding article published in the American Journal of International Law by a younger author.Daugirdas has taken on significant leadership roles at the law school, including serving as Associate Dean for Academic Programming from 2021 to 2024. She also led a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on the University of Michigan Principles on Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression.Prior to entering academia, Daugirdas was an attorney-adviser at the State Department's Office of the Legal Adviser, receiving multiple honors for her service. As an attorney-adviser, she provided guidance on the negotiation and implementation of UN Security Council sanctions and amicus participation by the US government in lawsuits with foreign policy implications.Chair: Prof Fernando Lusa BordinThis lecture was given on 7 November 2025 and is part of the Friday Lunchtime Lecture series at the Lauterpacht Centre.

Democracy dates back to the ancient Greeks and is meant to give us a say on who's in charge. But lately, some democratically elected leaders are acting more like kings than politicians. So, does democracy still work? And how do we stop “undemocratic” forces from manipulating us?

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau is joined by Skye Perryman and Norm Eisen to hash out a strategy for the most effective ways to fight back against the Trump administration's grave abuses of power. Then, Tommy Vietor talks with Morris Katz, Samson Signori, and Alex Ball about the 2025 election campaigns and what they'll mean for America and our politics. Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Just 11 months into his second term, President Trump has harnessed the brutal power of the federal government to go to war with American cities, communities, and citizens. Since the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz” in September, Chicago has become the epicenter of the Trump administration's assault on immigrants, protestors, and political opponents, but Chicagoans on the front lines of that assault say the reality is even worse than people think. In this episode of the Marc Steiner Show, Marc speaks with CODEPINK national co-director Danaka Katovich to get an on-the-ground view of the federal siege of Chicago and the powerful grassroots resistance movements rising up against it.Additional links/info:Danaka Katovich, CODEPINK, “Chicago battlefields: The cost of the war economy”Mansa Musa, Taya Graham, & Stephen Janis, The Real News Network, “'Spectacle of disorder': How ICE creates the chaos ICE, cops, and the military are called in to 'fix'”Julia Conley, Common Dreams, “ICE raid at Chicago daycare condemned as ‘domestic terrorism'”Credits:Studio Production: Cameron GranadinoAudio Post-Production: Stephen FrankBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Just 11 months into his second term, President Trump has harnessed the brutal power of the federal government to go to war with American cities, communities, and citizens. Since the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz” in September, Chicago has become the epicenter of the Trump administration's assault on immigrants, protestors, and political opponents, but Chicagoans on the front lines of that assault say the reality is even worse than people think. In this episode of the Marc Steiner Show, Marc speaks with CODEPINK national co-director Danaka Katovich to get an on-the-ground view of the federal siege of Chicago and the powerful grassroots resistance movements rising up against it.Additional links/info:Danaka Katovich, CODEPINK, “Chicago battlefields: The cost of the war economy”Mansa Musa, Taya Graham, & Stephen Janis, The Real News Network, “'Spectacle of disorder': How ICE creates the chaos ICE, cops, and the military are called in to 'fix'”Julia Conley, Common Dreams, “ICE raid at Chicago daycare condemned as ‘domestic terrorism'”Credits:Studio Production: Cameron GranadinoAudio Post-Production: Stephen FrankBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-marc-steiner-show--4661751/support.Follow The Marc Steiner Show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Help us continue producing The Marc Steiner Show by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterFollow us on BlueskyLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcast

Our next guest on A2 THE SHOW is Christian Ray Flores — a high-performance coach, entrepreneur, international recording artist, and philanthropist whose journey spans continents, cultures, and causes. From escaping political turmoil in Chile to becoming a pop star in Eastern Europe, Christian's story is one of resilience, purpose, and global impact.In this episode, we explore his remarkable life from surviving communism and embracing free enterprise to leading philanthropy, building startups, and shaping cultural conversations about freedom, creativity, and human potential.

America Isn't Collapsing... It's Mutating. Michael Malice Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/ukOGFaOAKkQ?si=8oHaK77YdTDrkPpX Tom Bilyeu  and Michael Malice 228,207 views Oct 14, 2025 Full Interviews of Impact Theory Shortform: Try Shortform free and get 20% off your annual subscription at http://shortform.com/tombilyeu Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impact Check us out wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1nARKz2... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Do you need my help? STARTING a business: join me here inside ZERO TO FOUNDER (https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder) SCALING a business: click here to see if you qualify (https://tombilyeu.com/scale) Get the exact systems, mindset shifts, and principles that built a $1B brand delivered straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free (https://tombilyeu.com) Check out our Video game - Project Kyzen: (https://projectkyzen.io/) Catch Me Streaming on Twitch - (  / tombilyeu  ) Link to IT discord:   / discord   Tom's Favorite Things List: https://amzn.to/41Ftt7e On today's episode of Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu sits down with author and provocateur Michael Malice for an unfiltered deep dive into America's current social and political turbulence. Are we living through an actual decline—or is that just a narrative fueled by polarization and economic anxiety? Tom and Michael clash over definitions, metrics, and the real-world symptoms of unrest, from “soft secession” among states to the creeping rise of populism and political violence. Together, they unpack the hidden costs of inflation, housing bubbles, and deficit spending, with Tom warning about a dangerous fork in the road ahead: revolution, civil war, or the quiet erosion into economic stagnation. Michael pushes back, claiming America is in “ascension” in some critical ways, but he doesn't shy away from calling out the breakdown in civic discourse and the silos fueling division. They dig into historical context, global comparisons, and the role of universities as modern indoctrination hubs. This conversation doesn't stop at politics—it veers into the future of AI, the meaning of tribalism, social credit scores, and how technological upheaval might drive us all into virtual worlds or leave millions behind. Buckle up for a wild ride through uncomfortable truths, dark humor, and some offbeat protein bar analogies—you're about to hear two radically different views not just of where America stands, but what could come next.   00:00 – Intro 00:34 – Michael Malice pushes back on “collapse” rhetoric 01:14 – America vs. the world: Perceptions of American power and value 04:16 – Political siloization and the shrinking space for dialogue 05:56 – Soft secession: State vs. federal power games 08:39 – Paths ahead: Civil War, Argentina, or revolution? 10:46 – Revolution mechanics: Is another 1860s-style war possible? 13:12 – Violence, political unrest, and expanding executive power 16:06 – Economic crushing of young people and the rise of populism 17:58 – Housing, inflation, and the struggle for the American Dream 20:08 – Currency as a store of value: Societal ruin and a lack of political will 23:10 – The Japan counterargument and the threshold for crisis 26:07 – What drives people to “blink” in political standoffs? 28:24 – Party priorities, empty rhetoric, and pivoting for power 32:00 – Economic disenfranchisement, the myth of moderate politics 36:56 – Populism vs. establishment: Energies within parties 39:03 – Political novelty, enthusiasm gaps, and voter turnout 41:38 – Global leftward drift: Authoritarianism in Canada, UK, and beyond 46:13 – “The time for talk is over”—what this actually means 47:27 – Universities as the “villains” and the creation of ruling elites 49:56 – Marxism, egalitarianism, and cultural bifurcation 52:02 – Cultural shifts, earnestness vs. revolution, and memory-holed leftism 54:00 – The dangers of social conformity and shifting the Overton window 56:29 – Can universities be reined in? 1:00:16 – Narrative control, new media chaos, and elite power after the Internet 1:06:49 – The politics of blame: Antisemitism, conspiracies, and populist rage 1:13:13 – Warning signs: Measuring society's health by its scapegoats 1:19:12 – Israel-Palestine, war, and the elusive search for peace 1:21:52 – The next stage: AI, algorithmic reality, and broken discourse 1:24:00 – Goal orientation, skills, and navigating “useful” beliefs 1:25:18 – Tribalism, isolation, and the dangers for moderates 1:26:46 – Alex Jones, Candace Owens, and why conspiracy theories persist 1:32:00 – First principles: How to actually challenge your beliefs 1:33:56 – A personal story: Sleep apnea, anxiety, and reclaiming clarity 1:37:21 – AI, automation, and the fate of surplus labor 1:40:08 – Brave New World, artificial difficulty, and the post-economic Matrix 1:48:56 – Hardwired for scarcity: The psychological cost of abundance 1:51:16 – Trade-offs, Thomas Sowell, and the “protein bar” thought experiment   --------------------------------------------------------------------  Check out our ACU Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/ACUPodcast   HELP ACU SPREAD THE WORD!  Please go to Apple Podcasts and give ACU a 5 star rating. 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WHAT WE DO Pre-Born! partners with life-affirming pregnancy clinics all across the nation. We are designed to strategically impact the abortion industry through the following initiatives:… -------------------------------------------------------- Help CSI Stamp Out Slavery In Sudan Join us in our effort to free over 350 slaves. Listeners to the Eric Metaxas Show will remember our annual effort to free Christians who have been enslaved for simply acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Savior. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, join us in giving new life to brothers and sisters in Sudan who have enslaved as a result of their faith. https://csi-usa.org/metaxas   https://csi-usa.org/slavery/   Typical Aid for the Enslaved A ration of sorghum, a local nutrient-rich staple food A dairy goat A “Sack of Hope,” a survival kit containing essential items such as tarp for shelter, a cooking pan, a water canister, a mosquito net, a blanket, a handheld sickle, and fishing hooks. Release celebrations include prayer and gathering for a meal, and medical care for those in need. The CSI team provides comfort, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on while they tell their stories and begin their new lives. Thank you for your compassion  Giving the Gift of Freedom and Hope to the Enslaved South Sudanese -------------------------------------------------------- Food For the Poor https://foodforthepoor.org/ Help us serve the poorest of the poor Food For The Poor began in 1982 in Jamaica. Today, our interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Thanks to our faithful donors, we are able to provide food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, micro-enterprise solutions and much more. We are proud to have fed millions of people and provided more than 15.7 billion dollars in aid. Our faith inspires us to be an organization built on compassion, and motivated by love. Our mission is to bring relief to the poorest of the poor in the countries where we serve. We strive to reflect God's unconditional love. It's a sacrificial love that embraces all people regardless of race or religion. We believe that we can show His love by serving the “least of these” on this earth as Christ challenged us to do in Matthew 25. We pray that by God's grace, and with your support, we can continue to bring relief to the suffering and hope to the hopeless.   Report on Food For the Poor by Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/592174510   -------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer from ACU. We try to bring to our students and alumni the World's best Conservative thinkers. All views expressed belong solely to the author and not necessarily to ACU. In all issues and relations, we hope to follow the admonitions of Jesus Christ. While striving to expose, warn and contend with evil, we extend the love of God to all of his children. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Synopsis:  The Trump administration's aggressive use of ICE agents and National Guardsmen has sparked outrage among lawmakers like Rep. Pramila Jayapal and veteran activists such as Janessa Goldbeck; they join forces to discuss what can be done now.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donateDescription:  The U.S. military is sworn to serve the Constitution, but that's getting complicated under Donald Trump. The President has deployed National Guard troops to half a dozen U.S. cities against the wishes of local officials and ICE agents are roaming around communities acting under unclear rules. Now the President is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act. What difference would that make? Laura's guests are U.S. House Representative Pramila Jayapal and Marine veteran Janessa Goldbeck, who say it's time to reject authoritarianism and uphold the Constitution. Congresswoman Jayapal is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement and represents Washington State's 7th Congressional District. She has been at the forefront of congressional oversight and opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies. Captain Goldbeck is CEO of Vet Voice, a national nonprofit that mobilizes veterans and military families to shape American democracy and defend the values they swore to protect. What can Congress, veterans and the general public do to stop the militarization of our cities? Join us for this powerful conversation, plus a commentary on the other times that the U.S. government has turned its military inward.“What law enforcement should be doing — of any kind, whether it's ICE, National Guard, whoever — is trying to deescalate. What we clearly see this set of military actors doing is escalate, right? When you crack down brutally, when you shoot a rubber bullet at a faith leader in Chicago, or when you violently push someone down to the ground, who by the way happens to be the father of three U.S. Marines . . . I think that is really an attempt to suppress any kind of dissent.” - Rep. Pramila JayapalGuests:•  Captain Janessa Goldbeck: Marine Corps Veteran; CEO, Vet Voice Foundation•  Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal: D-WA, 7th Congressional DistrictWatch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel November 3rd, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio November 6th  (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.RESOURCES:Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:•  Another January 6 Insurrection? 'War Game' Film Asks if We're Ready: Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation•  Community Safety in a Time of Insurrection: Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut•  Inside the MAGA Movement: What Happens Now?:  Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation Related Articles and Resources:•  The Resistance Lab, grassroots trainings led by Pramila Jayapal and thought leaders from across the movement. •  Pentagon orders states' national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces' for ‘crowd control' by Aaron Glantz, October 29, 2025, The Guardian•  Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal at No Kings protest Seattle:  ‘We are the people's movement that will save our democracy', October 18, 2025 - Watch - King5.com•. We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents.  They've Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. by Nicole Foy & photography by Sarahbeth Maney,  October 16, 2025, ProPublica•  FAQ on Refusing Illegal Orders, by JMB, June 18, 2025, Military Law Task ForceFull Episode Notes are located HERE.Music Credit: "Steppin" by Podington Bear, “Of Peace” by Galliano from the album Halfway Somewhere Expanded released on Brownswood Recordings and original sound design by Jeannie HopperSupport Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

We are always asking ourselves, asking others, or others are asking us: what can I do to fight FOR democracy and fight AGAINST Trump's autocracy, dictatorship, and authoritarianism? Glenn sat down with Miles Taylor to discuss a new approach: DEFIANCE.org. Miles has set the standard for standing up to Trump's lawlessness, his threats, and his despicable and insatiable appetite for revenge. Miles decided to create DEFIANCE.org, described as follows: “WHAT CAN I DO?”"We built a club to answer that question. Each month, we give you options to fight back — peacefully, lawfully, and defiantly — against Trump's authoritarian takeover. You choose what missions to support. Then we take action together."DEFIANCE.org is described as: "A CLUB FOR COURAGEOUS AMERICANS"Link to website: https://www.defiance.org/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join in on another engaging episode with the Fed Haters Club! We delve into the controversial topic of terminating the filibuster, analyzing the potential consequences and reactions from key political figures, including recent Trump statements and Obama's concerns over rising authoritarianism. Also, we cover the 'Dumb Bleep of the Month' nominations for September and October, featuring highlights like Pam Bondi's take on hate speech, Jay Jones' scandal, and an insightful discussion on SNAP benefits. Don't miss out on the post-election updates and the humorous yet insightful commentary on political memes and trolling.   00:00 Introduction to the Fed Haters Club 01:38 Trump's Push to End the Filibuster 07:35 Debating the Filibuster's Future 14:35 Dumb Bleep of the Month: September 28:48 Dumb Bleep of the Month: October 42:00 Political Memes and Their Impact 43:41 Controversial Text Messages and Political Fallout 48:32 Obama's Rally and Controversial Statements 51:11 Obama's Concerns on Authoritarianism 58:14 Nazi Tattoo Controversy 01:05:45 SNAP Benefits and Public Reactions  

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

We are always asking ourselves, asking others, or others are asking us: what can I do to fight FOR democracy and fight AGAINST Trump's autocracy, dictatorship, and authoritarianism? Glenn sat down with Miles Taylor to discuss a new approach: DEFIANCE.org. Miles has set the standard for standing up to Trump's lawlessness, his threats, and his despicable and insatiable appetite for revenge. Miles decided to create DEFIANCE.org, described as follows: “WHAT CAN I DO?”"We built a club to answer that question. Each month, we give you options to fight back — peacefully, lawfully, and defiantly — against Trump's authoritarian takeover. You choose what missions to support. Then we take action together."DEFIANCE.org is described as: "A CLUB FOR COURAGEOUS AMERICANS"Link to website: https://www.defiance.org/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At Donald Trump's inauguration earlier this year, the returning president made a striking break from tradition. The seats closest to the president – typically reserved for family – went instead to the most powerful tech CEOs in the world: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai. Between them, these men run some of the most profitable companies in history. And over the past two decades, they've used that wealth to reshape our public sphere.But this felt different. This wasn't discreet backdoor lobbying or a furtive effort to curry favour with an incoming administration. These were some of the most influential men in the world quite literally aligning themselves with the world's most powerful politician – and his increasingly illiberal ideology.Carole Cadwalladr has been tracking the collision of technology and politics for years. She's the investigative journalist who broke the Cambridge Analytica story, exposing how Facebook data may have been used to manipulate elections. Now, she's arguing that what we're witnessing goes beyond monopoly power or even traditional oligarchy. She calls it techno-authoritarianism – a fusion of Trump's authoritarian political project with the technological might of Silicon Valley.So I wanted to have her on to make the case for why she believes Big Tech isn't just complicit in authoritarianism, but is actively enabling it.Mentioned:The First Great Disruption 2016-2024, by Carole CadwalladrTrump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans, by Sheera Frenkel and Aaron Krolik (New York Times)This is What a Digital Coup Looks Like, by Carole Cadwalladr (TED)The Nerve NewsMachines Like Us is produced by Mitchell Stuart. Our theme song is by Chris Kelly. Video editing by Emily Graves. Our executive producer is James Milward. Special thanks to Angela Pacienza and the team at The Globe and Mail.Support for Machines Like Us is provided by CIFAR and the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Author Jared Yates Sexton joins Anthony Davis to discuss the rising resistance to Trump's authoritarianism, including the courts ruling to restore SNAP benefits. Plus the rise of the new left in the face of the far right with Zohran Mamdani changing the rules for Democratic campaigning - only on The Weekend Show. Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar per month trial at https://shopify.com/weekend Independent media has never been more important. Please support this channel by subscribing here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g?sub_confirmation=1 Join this channel with a membership for exclusive early access and bonus content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g/join Five Minute News is an Evergreen Podcast, covering politics, inequality, health and climate - delivering independent, unbiased and essential news for the US and across the world. Visit us online at http://www.fiveminute.news Follow us on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/fiveminutenews.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/fiveminnews Support us on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/fiveminutenews You can subscribe to Five Minute News with your preferred podcast app, ask your smart speaker, or enable Five Minute News as your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing skill. CONTENT DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed on this channel are those of the guests and authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Anthony Davis or Five Minute News LLC. Any content provided by our hosts, guests or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything, in line with the First Amendment right to free and protected speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 31st, 2025, 5pm: Senator Elissa Slotkin sounded an alarm bell, noting how Donald Trump's agenda mirrors the playbook of authoritarians. Her words come as the New York Times Editorial Board measures Trump's shift towards autocracy. Nicolle Wallace, along with our panel of political experts analyze the future of our democracy. Plus, new reporting suggests that the U.S. is poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in an escalation against Maduro's regime.For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewhTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Synopsis-  US Cities Under Siege: National Guard Deployed Despite Local Opposition: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Marine veteran Janessa Goldbeck join us to discuss the implications of Trump's actions and what Congress, veterans, and the public can do to stop the militarization of American cities.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donateDescription:  The U.S. military is sworn to serve the Constitution, but that's getting complicated under Donald Trump. The President has deployed National Guard troops to half a dozen U.S. cities against the wishes of local officials and ICE agents are roaming around communities acting under unclear rules. Now the President is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act. What difference would that make? Laura's guests are U.S. House Representative Pramila Jayapal and Marine veteran Janessa Goldbeck, who say it's time to reject authoritarianism and uphold the Constitution. Congresswoman Jayapal is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement and represents Washington State's 7th Congressional District. She has been at the forefront of congressional oversight and opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies. Captain Goldbeck is CEO of Vet Voice, a national nonprofit that mobilizes veterans and military families to shape American democracy and defend the values they swore to protect. What can Congress, veterans and the general public do to stop the militarization of our cities? Join us for this powerful conversation, plus a commentary on the other times that the U.S. government has turned its military inward.“What we're seeing now is the president attempting to reshape the U.S. military into a tool of his own domestic political control . . . And then to deploy uniformed service members and the National Guard across the country against the wishes of local elected leaders . . . I feel a lot of sadness and frustration on behalf of those who are serving in uniform today who are being put into this very partisan political position by the United States president.” - Janessa Goldbeck“What law enforcement should be doing — of any kind, whether it's ICE, National Guard, whoever — is trying to deescalate. What we clearly see this set of military actors doing is escalate, right? When you crack down brutally, when you shoot a rubber bullet at a faith leader in Chicago, or when you violently push someone down to the ground, who by the way happens to be the father of three U.S. Marines . . . I think that is really an attempt to suppress any kind of dissent.” - Rep. Pramila JayapalGuests:•  Captain Janessa Goldbeck: Marine Corps Veteran; CEO, Vet Voice Foundation•  Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal: D-WA, 7th Congressional DistrictFull Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters.Watch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel November 3rd, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio November 6th  (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.RESOURCES:Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:•  Another January 6 Insurrection? 'War Game' Film Asks if We're Ready: Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation•  Community Safety in a Time of Insurrection: Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut•  Inside the MAGA Movement: What Happens Now?:  Watch / Listen:  Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation Related Articles and Resources:•  The Resistance Lab, grassroots trainings led by Pramila Jayapal and thought leaders from across the movement. •  Pentagon orders states' national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces' for ‘crowd control' by Aaron Glantz, October 29, 2025, The Guardian•  Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal at No Kings protest Seattle:  ‘We are the people's movement that will save our democracy', October 18, 2025 - Watch - King5.com•  Former Military Leaders Decry National Guard Deployment in Illinois, by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois, October 16, 2025, WTTW-PBS•  Where has Trump suggested sending troops?  In cities run by Democratic mayors, by Juliana Kim, October 16, 2025, NPR•. We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents.  They've Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. by Nicole Foy & photography by Sarahbeth Maney,  October 16, 2025, ProPublica•. Trump open to invoking the Insurrection Act, by Irie Sentner, October 6, 2025, Politico•  FAQ on Refusing Illegal Orders, by JMB, June 18, 2025, Military Law Task Force Full Episode Notes are located HERE.Music Credit: original sound design by Jeannie HopperSupport Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Alex talks about the hottest issue leading up to next week's election….the 2026 election. California's Proposition 50 is a power play by Governor Newsom and Democrats to fight back against Republican gerrymandering in Texas, in the hopes of saving Democratic seats in Congress in the midterm elections. Now a firestorm has ignited with states across the country launching redistricting efforts, and both parties have come to play. First, Alex hears about grassroots efforts to tackle the issue from Richard von Glahn, the Executive Director of People Not Politicians in Missouri. Then she speaks to democratic strategist David Plouffe about the moral quandary Democrats find themselves in, and why our hyper partisan political environment necessitates a gloves-off approach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky, author of How Democracies Die, tells us about "The Great Abdication: America's Descent into Authoritarianism."

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

What will happen when dictators realise just how useful big tech and the data it gathers could be for them? How is this already happening – and how could it expand, as A.I. ramps up the way draconian governments can use tech? Bruce Schneier, a renowned cyber security expert, best-selling author and co-author of Rewiring Democracy How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship joins Gavin Esler to discuss.   • This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by Incogni the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There's a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to https://incogni.com/notadrill  to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan.      • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this.     Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more      Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we reported that U.S.-based international nonprofits are looking into registering sister organizations overseas as they face an increasingly unpredictable political environment at home. Law firms in Canada and the United Kingdom confirm this trend, telling Devex they've seen increased interest from U.S. entities seeking to set up international arms amid growing domestic instability. With authoritarian practices on the rise and civic spaces closing, we reflect on the key takeaways from the Trust Conference in London, where the international community gathered to learn from each other's lessons when it comes to fighting autocracy. We also look ahead to the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 and examine what its core themes and expected outcomes mean for the global development agenda. To explore these stories, and others, Senior Editor Rumbi Chakamba sits down with Managing Editor Anna Gawel and Global Development Reporter Elissa Miolene for the latest episode of our weekly podcast series. Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters: https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

In this episode, Doug and Matt kick off their travel story from the Hotel in Istanbul. They share vivid memories of Doug's first trip in 1967 via the Orient Express. The conversation then pivots to their recent adventure in Azerbaijan, including a rare visit to formerly occupied territories and discussions about the nation's surprising development and infrastructure projects. Despite confronting complex historical and geopolitical themes, including tensions with Armenia, the duo highlights the transformative progress of Azerbaijan. From recounting exhilarating high-speed convoy rides to reflecting on the modernization evident from Baku to the countryside, Doug and Matt paint a comprehensive picture of a nation on the rise. They wrap up with contemplative discussions on American infrastructure, global homogenization, and the shifting sands of global power. Join them for a deep dive into exotic travel, history, and contemporary geopolitics. 00:00 Welcome to Istanbul 00:30 Luxury Stay at Kaminski Hotel 02:12 Journey to Azerbaijan 03:33 Exploring Baku and Occupied Territories 04:10 Extreme Traveler International Congress 06:03 Adventures in Former War Zones 09:41 Azerbaijan's Rapid Development 15:46 Comparing Infrastructure: Azerbaijan vs. USA 18:50 Homogenization of Cultures 23:01 Authoritarianism and Optimism in Azerbaijan 23:52 Visit to Garba University 25:43 Impressive Students and Propaganda Awareness 26:54 Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict and Personal Stories 28:40 Nation States and Historical Conflicts 29:37 US Cultural and Infrastructure Decline 30:45 Azerbaijan's Reconstruction and Symbolism 34:55 Observations on Islam in Azerbaijan 37:14 Media Coverage and Propaganda 42:04 Geopolitical Importance of Azerbaijan 44:36 Travel Experiences and Reflections

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Veteran war correspondent in Ukraine, Phil Ittner reports from a dark room after Putin's recent attack on Kiev's power system. All indications point to a grim winter of deprivation thanks to Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. Looks like Trump's Justice Department released a lengthy Orwellian manifesto. Surprised? Apparently ICE can mess you up but you can't fight back.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're thrilled to share one of the most anticipated conversations from our recent MSNBCLIVE ‘25 event in New York City. Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell sit down to discuss coping with this political moment, the mechanics of presenting news, what we can learn from other tough moments in history and what civic actions, in their view, are most encouraging in this era. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're thrilled to share one of the most anticipated conversations from our recent MSNBCLIVE ‘25 event in New York City. Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell sit down to discuss coping with this political moment, the mechanics of presenting news, what we can learn from other tough moments in history and what civic actions, in their view, are most encouraging in this era. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.