Podcasts about beltway banthas

The first thing you'll see in my home when you enter is a framed portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Below the image of America's 16th president, a man who arguably refounded the United States and became one of its most consequential figures, is a list of his numerous failures. The guy posted a lot of L's. This list of Lincoln failures is pretty well known, so you might have seen this before. Here is the text I have framed in our doorway. “Lincoln”Lost job in 1832.Defeated for state legislature in 1832.Failed in business in 1833.Elected to state legislature in 1834.Sweetheart died in 1835.Had a nervous breakdown in 1836.Defeated for Speaker in 1838.Defeated for nomination for Congress in 1843.Elected to Congress in 1846.Lost renomination in 1848.Rejected for land officer in 1849.Defeated for U.S. Senate in 1854.Defeated for nomination for Vice President in 1856.Again defeated for U.S. Senate in 1858.Elected President in 1860.Geeky Stoics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.This piece always catches my eye, particularly in the morning when I'm having coffee and thinking about the day ahead. Today is no exception. Last night I lost my race for City Council in Manassas, Virginia. It was my first foray into politics, and I'd never run in this city before for anything. I've lived here about 10 years, whereas all my opponents pretty much grew up here or have lifelong roots in town. That counts for something when a small town of 45,000 people vote. In reality, only about 8,000 people vote in elections around here. It's kind of crazy. I'm not launching into some narrative in which I'm a Lincoln figure in the making. It's just that I've had a lot of strikeouts at the plate lately. Let me run through them. My career has been a pretty wild ride since 2015 when I started a semi-popular podcast called Beltway Banthas. It opened the door to me doing something almost no one gets to do, which is go on TV and talk politics on some of the biggest news networks in the country. From 2016 to 2022 I had a really active and exciting run as a political commentator. All of this led to me securing a book deal with Hachette Publishing for How The Force Can Fix The World, another rare professional notch on the belt that not many people get to experience. It's special, and that's not lost on me. Especially when there are so many better writers out there. At the same time, I was selected to host a political talk show for an international news network. Here's the thing though. By objective measures, in every single one of these ventures, I “failed”. As a podcaster, Banthas never generated revenues. As a commentator, I secured no contributor contracts or invites to the “major leagues” for top shows in the world in the mainstream or alternative media. My debut book had a niche audience but was not a best seller on any list of “importance” in the publishing world. My talk show was canceled after one year. We couldn't find an audience for it. After that, I entered a professional wilderness for almost 2 years. Luckily, a friend offered me a job right when I needed it, but it was a job I ended up being very bad at. As I started looking around for a better fit and interviewing, I felt untouchable. I couldn't secure a job after all of this. No one wanted to hire me. I landed on my feet in the end at a really great nonprofit, one where I still work. That was by virtue of managing my relationships and having a good reputation for hard work and honesty. But it was a really hard road. Then this year I finally ran for office, a dream of mine since I was a kid, and I lost. Not only did I lose, I was the lowest vote-getter in the city. Deep sigh. NEW VIDEO FROM GEEKY STOICSWhat I told my wife last night when the results came in was that it's not that I feel like some kind of loser who never has any wins. No, it's not that. Because in many ways I keep making it to Championship matches (big opportunities), and then striking out when I step up to the plate. I think that people go on these journeys in life where they think they've found “the thing” they were called to do and it turns out to have been a mirage. I imagine it like a long hallway of locked doors. You have the keyring in your hand and a hundred keys on it. You fumble around to find the right key for the right door, you open it, and then it's just a wall behind the door. That wasn't the door for you. I think I'm just good at feeling around for certain keys to certain doors.Part of this thought reminds me of one of Geeky Stoics' central pillars, the life and ideas of C.S. Lewis. As you know, Lewis is famous, immortal really, because of The Chronicles of Narnia. The first book was published in 1950, at a time when Lewis was almost completely drained of his self-confidence and hope. Lewis had become an international superstar in the 1940s for his wartime radio broadcasts on the BBC and Mere Christianity, his most cherished nonfiction work making the case for Christian morality. Then there was The Screwtape Letters, making him even more of a star and the voice of Christian apologetics. Yet, when he was invited onto the BBC in 1950 to discuss faith, Lewis declined saying, “Like the old fangless snake in The Jungle Book, I've largely lost my dialectal power.”Lewis had become a symbol of Christian thought and argumentation but had “failed” to convert his own friends and family. In fact, the woman in his life (Mrs. Moore) only grew more hostile to faith over time. He felt powerless in his own sphere of influence. Just a year before declining the BBC, Lewis participated in a Socratic debate at Oxford against a young woman named Elizabeth Anscombe about “naturalism” and Christian belief. Anscombe was a Catholic and fan of Lewis, but she disagreed strongly with some of Lewis' cherished conclusions in his book, Miracles. Long story short, Anscombe defeated and embarrassed Lewis in his own dojo during that debate in 1948. In front of his colleagues, fans, critics, and students, Lewis was dismantled. But it wasn't just Lewis, it was the premise of one of his great books.Like a good man with an open mind, Lewis knew he lost and he knew then that Miracles was deeply flawed. For a man like Lewis, it's the kind of thing that keeps you up at night. He entered a dark period at this time. Friends of his were dying of age or illness. His ideas were being beaten back by younger thinkers. His famous friendship with J.R.R Tolkien was in disrepair. He'd lost his zeal to write. He was still quite financially strapped, for many reasons. And because Oxford was as hostile to faith as it still is today, Lewis had a target on his back at his university. He was passed over again and again for new roles at Oxford. Disparaged by department heads and treated like the plague. Academics at elite universities tend to hate their colleagues who have mainstream success, which Mere Christianity was by a large margin. Lewis was in the shadowlands of his career. Then he came across a door in that long hallway, opened it, and crossed a threshold into something new. In 1950, C.S. Lewis published The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The rest is history. In his lowest moment, C.S. Lewis' purpose was revealed to him. All the work that he had poured into Christian argumentation in his nonfiction books became the basis for his fictional work in Narnia. The ideas he tested on atheists and believers for 15 years became the story of Wardrobe, Aslan, and White Witch. Reading over the lives of Lincoln and Lewis, you get the sense that these men considered giving up. Lewis drank too much and was pretty depressed for a period of time. Lincoln's depression is well-known. But they held on. Their purpose was revealed to them. One of C.S. Lewis' central arguments about God is that if you set out to find Him, it will always be He who finds you first. The hunter becomes the hunted. But it doesn't happen unless you're open, aware, and searching. God, I'm listening. Geeky Stoics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Hey Geeky Stoics, right now I'm reading The Creative Act by music producer Rick Rubin. This book is lovely. Two-page chapters that are all about artistic expression and connecting with your ability to create. It's like Meditations, really. The Creative Act is a book about the idea I described above. Being open, aware, and searching. If you're distracted, numb, drunk, overstimulated, or fearful, you won't hear your call when it comes. That call may be a painting, a business idea, a song, or a message for a political campaign. Check it out! You won't regret it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rule the Galaxy Joe is late...DDoc, Alfie and Brent lead the way with special guests: Riley Blanton and Stephen Kent. These two are friends of the show and run Geeky Stoics (YourTube, Podcast, Substack) Go back and check out Riley on his old show Star Wars Report Go check out Stephen on old episodes of Beltway Banthas and in his book, How the Force Can Fix the World The crew covers so many topics, LOTR, GOT, West Wing, Dune, and so many more. We catch up on Bad Batch and try to get these two to ICCC in October. Thanks to Joey Mulinaro for the shout out about our show!

If you loved Beltway Banthas, you can still keep learning from Star Wars. Stephen Kent has a new podcast with co-host Riley Blanton, it's called Walk The Way. Inspired by the writing from How The Force Can Fix The World and This Is The Way, Walk The Way is dedicated to building a community around popular fiction and self-improvement. Myth can make us better, George Lucas knew that. Find WALK THE WAY on your favorite podcast app today and Subscribe Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/23aR2KZ1r8l65SFQsqVtAI?si=06199c5c8d5d4e1b https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walk-the-way/id1698316253 The YouTube channel is just getting started, but you can Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrtAeMhf3qJcD2xjeMNNE1A

Join me at ThisIsTheWay.substack.com for the next chapter of Star Wars + politics and whatever else. Beltway Banthas has been one of the great joys of my life, and it's time to let it go. I believe even better things will come. I hope you'll come along with me. Twitter: @Stephen_kent89 The Force will be with you, always.

(Today's episode originally aired in November 2020 and is getting a special re-air with today being May 4th!) "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause...". I bet you've heard that phrase used when discussing politics, right? Well, like many other examples, it is just one parallel between the world of "Earthly politics" and the world of "Star Wars politics". Joining the show to help outline just how much our world and the Star Wars world share is host of "Beltway Banthas" and political commentator Stephen Kent! Find Stephen and Beltway Banthas: https://www.stephendkent.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's going on with Beltway Banthas?! Why is Stephen Kent speaking so softly and what is this lovely background music?! Beltway Banthas is in a new season of it's life called 'This Is The Way,' a run of episodes focused on taking Star Wars wisdom and turning it out onto real life. Today Stephen answers a listener feedback email and has a call to action for everyone tuning in. This is also the first episode of Beltway Banthas with a sponsored message for Anchor, a podcasting platform by Spotify. You'll hear that midway through. We use Anchor the production of this podcast and can't recommend it enough. www.anchor.fm --- go there TODAY and sign up to start podcasting with all the tools you need housed in one app. It's so easy. And if you're with us in the new leg of the journey at Beltway Banthas, go to thisistheway.substack.com and subscribe to the newsletter. Join the community. Let's make the world a better place with Star Wars as our guide. This is the Way --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Introducing THIS IS THE WAY, a new series from Beltway Banthas focused on putting the virtues and lessons on living from Star Wars into action. Today's episode is a reflection on Preparedness, or being prepared. There are a lot of things in the world you can worry about, lose sleep over or feel anxiety over, but what you do with those feelings is a choice. News is a fine example. Why do we watch the news? If it is merely to be informed, well you're taking on an awful lot of weight for such an unclear purpose. What you do with information, the actions you take based on knowledge, that's a game changer in how you can live. Remember why Yoda brushed off the idea of training Luke Skywalker? "A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing." From Yoda to Obi Wan to Qui-Gon, there are numerous subtle moments in Star Wars aimed at focus, attention, duty and preparedness. Perhaps from IRL history, consider the words of Seneca..."Everyone faces up more bravely to a thing for which he has long prepared himself, sufferings, even, being withstood if they have been trained for in advance. Those who are unprepared, on the other hand, are panic-stricken by the most insignificant happenings." As Russia wages an unjust and ugly war against its neighbor, Ukraine, those of us on the sidelines have a choice to make with how we interact with this fact. I would never ask you to jettison empathy and care, but I would ask you to remember to care for yourself so that you can best serve others. This podcast will lay out why and how. THIS IS THE WAY is going to be appearing in the Beltway Banthas feed regularly to fulfill this podcast's promise of weaving together IRL politics and Star Wars. These reflections are inspired by passages from my book, How The Force Can Fix The World. You can follow me on Twitter @Stephen_Kent89 and subscribe to the This Is The Way newsletter, https://thisistheway.substack.com to read these reflections and other stories on living from your favorite pop culture tales.

Introducing THIS IS THE WAY, a new series from Beltway Banthas focused on putting the virtues and lessons on living from Star Wars into action. From the Stoics such as Seneca all the way to Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, we have profound lessons on focus on preparedness.

Steven Kent from Beltway Banthas joins us to talk about Star Wars and politics, and in particular how the concept of a balance in the force relates to current events. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

The Reverend and the Reprobate sit down with Beltway Bantha and Rightly host Stephen Kent to talk about his new book "How the Force Can Fix the World". Stephen unpacks the philosophy of Star Wars and what we can lear about life, liberty, and happiness from a galaxy far, far away. The Rev and Rep also find out whether or not Stephen is a free range parent, what dark side power is he secretly envious of, and whether or not he thinks Jerry Nadler might be a shoo-in as Boss Nass in an Episode I remake. Get "How the Force Can Fix the World" here: https://amzn.to/30lpjFv More from Stephen: Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephen_kent89 Beltway Banthas: https://apple.co/3iYz42P Rightly: https://www.youtube.com/rightlyaj Rev and Rep Linktr.ee (all the show links can be found below) https://linktr.ee/revreppodcast

Michael Steel is a Republican strategist and partner for Hamilton Place Strategies. He served as a communications officer for the likes the Jeb Bush, Paul Ryan and John Boehner. He caught the eye of Beltway Banthas when on Kasie DC (MSNBC) he knocked the Trump administration for approaching staffing like it was the Mos Eisley Cantina. Now he speaks with Beltway Banthas about his love of Star Wars and much more. We get into his career, how Jeb Bush & Marco Rubio's 2016 feud sparked this podcast into being and also how Star Wars makes the case for democracy...but perhaps not with total devotion.    MAILING LIST: https://t.co/OMthDa39Tt?amp=1 Guest: @michael_steel  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

No tyrant can fully control a people if they believe in something higher than their worldly ruler. This is reason all memory of the Jedi must be wiped out by the Empire. The Force is a threat. Ashwin Verghese of the Internation Campaign for Tibet sees this struggle playing out between the Tibetan people and the Chinese government. He joined Beltway Banthas to share his fandom, talk about Tibet, China, Yoda, Naboo and the future of Star Wars.  Follow Ashwin Verghese: https://twitter.com/Ashwin_Tibet Subscribe to our NEWSLETTER: https://mailchi.mp/01c4273308e7/starwarspolitics Star Wars Identity Crisis:  https://reason.com/2020/04/26/star-wars-identity-crisis/ Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Mayor Betsy Hodges may be the former mayor of Minneapolis and now Washington, D.C., but she's really a citizen of Tatooine. In this special interview episode, the progressive activist and mayor joins Beltway Banthas to share how Star Wars saved her life (The Mary Sue). Beyond her personal story, which is a remarkable one, Stephen Kent and Betsy Hodges trace how Star Wars explains redemption and why that matters for the world we live in.  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Season 7 of The Clone Wars is live on Disney+ and it's as political as ever. In Episode 5, Ahsoka Tano enters the underworld of Coruscant and meets people struggling to survive on the most opulent planet in the galaxy. Characters have to make real hard moral choices given the constraints of their economic status, which is the making of a great Beltway Banthas episode. Bernie Sanders organizer Mohammed Shakibnia joins the show to dissect The Clone Wars political themes. Plus! Herb Scribner of the Deseret News makes a guest appearance to reflect on the messages of "The Bad Batch" episodes, and what they say about war, trauma and fandom.    Follow our guests: Mohammed Shakibnia @momoshakibnia Herb Scribner @HerbScribner Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Beltway Banthas is back! In Episode 81, host Stephen Kent and guest host Maggie Lovitt (SAG AFTRA actress and contributor to Cantina Cast) review the latest Star Wars news including The High Republic era and The Rise of Skywalker novelization. We discuss theories around central planning and how some of the classic mistakes of governance might apply to the oddities in Star Wars storytelling since 2015. In our main segment, Maggie and Stephen discuss the principles of Star Wars that improve American politics and life. "Hope" and "Redemption" is what we get into and it's one of the best conversations yet on Beltway Banthas! From our Bantha Fodder segment, read up on the new article from Stephen Kent: The end of an era at Disney (Work left undone by Bob Iger) Follow our guest Maggie Lovitt @MaggieOfTheTown Email the show: BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Look around the world today and you will see otherwise advanced societies overrun by misinformation, myth and conspiratorial thinking. Information echo chambers and media disruption has helped to polarize communities on everything from political viewpoints to opinions on Star Wars. Buzzfeed's Ryan Broderick wrote The “Star Wars” Misinformation Hell Is The New Future Of Everything" and he couldn't be more right. On this episode, Stephen Kent and guest Andrew Kenlon discuss the rise of #ReleaseTheJJCut and conspiracy theory within Star Wars fandom. It's always been there, but only recently has it been impossible to look away from, and that matters not only for Star Wars...but for our politics.  Also, Stephen offers some updates on the show and what to expect in the weeks-months ahead. Listeners have till Saturday, January 11th to leave a review of Beltway Banthas on Podchaser.com to win one of two awesome Star Wars informational books. Don't miss out! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters this week! To discuss the hype and stakes for the film, comedian and baritone geek Andrew Heaton joins Beltway Banthas. We get into the return of Emperor Palpatine, Rey, fanboys vs The Last Jedi and Heaton's recent interview of Jonathan Last, who notoriously penned "The Case For Empire" in the Weekly Standard. Andrew Heaton and Stephen Kent review how and if the political right's penchant for trolling online tracks with Star Wars fandom and the common arguments in favor of the Empire over the Rebel Alliance. On Reddit, this part of fandom lives on in r/EmpireDidNothingWrong.  If you want Star Wars and a healthy dash of politics, this is the podcast you are looking for.  Andrew Heaton is the host of The Political Orphanage Podcast and his new sci-fi show, Alienating the Audience. This episode is the beginning of a giveaway contest! You can win Star Wars: The Ultimate Pop Up Galaxy or Star Wars: Rebel Starfighters: Owners' Workshop Manual by writing Beltway Banthas a review at PODCHASER.COM by January 7th, 2020.  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

The world loves The Mandalorian! This week on Beltway Banthas, guests Josh Gilliland (The Legal Geeks Podcast) and Gio Insignares (WUSA Channel 9 DC) join to discuss the new Star Wars series on Disney+. We review the show itself, Baby Yoda and the legal questions raised by the entire profession of bounty hunting. Gilliland helps us understand The Mandalorian in a whole new way.  Then, Stephen reviews Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost cookbook from Insight Editions just in time for Thanksgiving. These foods from a galaxy far, far away will change the way you see food for the better.  Follow Gio @Gio_Insignares and Josh @BowTieLaw | Follow Stephen @Stephen_Kent89 | Follow Beltway Banthas @BeltwayBanthas | Send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Join us on Discord here   Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

This week on Beltway Banthas, the one and only Kennedy of Fox Business joins the show to share her Star Wars stories. You know her from Fox News, or perhaps from her time as a VJ on MTV. Either way, the Force is strong with this one. Kennedy and Stephen talk about everything from Luke vs Han, Jar Jar and the Leia bikini to U.S. foreign policy and Deadliest Catch.  Before the interview, John Liang gets Stephen up to speed on the latest in Star Wars canon with the release of 'Resistance Reborn.' This new book shines a light on the period between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, so you'll want to catch this part of the episode for some fun context to the upcoming movie.  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

This week on Beltway Banthas, author Michael Harris joins the show to preview his upcoming book, "Welcome to the Rebellion: A new hope in radical politics. Michael and Stephen discuss how Star Wars can inspire a young, new-left movement to confront the most pressing issues of the day for progressives: capitalism, income inequality, climate, nationalism and more.  To start things off, we review the big trailer release for The Rise of Skywalker, get into "Bendemption" and Stephen goes over his experience at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Anaheim.  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Hold on to something! This week we've got a bonus episode of Beltway Banthas, a conversation with Glenn Beck, radio show host and founder of Blaze Media. Stephen Kent met up with Glenn at FreedomFest in Las Vegas to talk about his earliest memories with Star Wars, lessons on the political power of fear, generational change and the evolution (plus consistency) of Star Wars' message.  Now, THIS is podcasting!! If you follow this show closely you know that Stephen started appearing of Glenn's show regularly since 2017 to break down nerd culture and Star Wars news, so this marks the first time Glenn has come on Beltway Banthas turf.  If you liked this you should also check out an interview of Glenn's longtime collaborator and co-host, Stu Burguiere. You can find that here.  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

The week on Beltway Banthas, in a 90-minute marathon run, we cover a lot of ground on Star Wars, politics and religion. In the main segment Stephen Kent is joined by Matthew Neugebauer to analyze Star Wars fandom and its troubles over the decades. A video from Wisecrack serves as the starting point for an analogy of fandom by understanding Protestant Reformation and the concept of a 'legitimation crisis'. Basically, in social science, what does it take to unravel social order and how can that be applied to the life of Star Wars fans.  Starting off the show, Caleb Franz guests to talk about D23 announcements and the new Rise of Skywalker teaser, an Obi-Wan Kenobi series and much more.  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Welcome back Banthas! The Beltway Banthas podcast has returned with regular shows now through 2020. Starting off this new season of Star Wars & politics chatter, Stephen Kent is joined by guest host Nick DiColandrea for a dive into the political conscience of Padme Amidala. In Revenge of the Sith, she opens up to Anakin about her uncertainty with the Republic's democratic virtue. What got Padme to the point of questioning her entire political position and that of the "democracy" she has served?  Stephen and Nick also spent time on the 2020 Democratic primary, what Nick is seeing on the ground and the state of Star Wars in the Disney era. Bloomberg reports that Star Wars Galaxy's Edge isn't catching fire, we'll talk about why and the demographic challenge Disney is facing.  Follow Nick @NickDico  Follow Stephen @Stephen_Kent89 Follow Beltway Banthas @BeltwayBanthas  Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Hello Banthas! Since it's launch in 2015 during the heat of the presidential primaries for 2016, Beltway Banthas has been a proud home of political discourse within Star Wars fandom. We've featured prominent politicians, journalists and political operatives on the show to explore how Star Wars impacted their worldview and careers. 70 official episodes and well over 120 episodes including interviews and bonus content.  The Force of Star Wars' politics is strong. Let's discuss! Follow Joe Tavano @JoeyWanKenobi John Liang @JuanJohnJedi Stephen Kent @Stephen_Kent89   Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

This week on Beltway Banthas, Robby Soave of Reason Magazine joins the show to talk the politics of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. We cover trade disputes, slavery on Tatooine, the aloof Jedi Order and Vladimir Putin.  Robby and Stephen get into the weeds of Star Wars Episode I and also share thoughts on the Gillette controversy, the Women's March and what is like to write a book.  Follow Robby Soave on Twitter @RobbySoave Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

This week on Beltway Banthas, a discussion of the prequel trilogy as George Lucas' broadside against the neoliberal world order and capitalism. Stephen is joined by his brother, Michael Kent of the Toxic Schlock horror movie podcast to discuss and debate Lucas' critique of neoliberalism since the 1980's and how well he executed his analysis in Star Wars.  Michael and Stephen also chat about the role horror played in Star Wars early on, old Star Wars horror novels and the battle between Netflix and the Academy establishment.  -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- - Read the discussion piece at Making Star Wars on neoliberalism in Star Wars here Follow guest Michael Kent on Twitter @Mikeyago_go and @ToxicSchlock Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Dr. Andrea Letamendi (Lattes with Leia, The Arkham Sessions) joins Swara as they discuss not only one of the central themes of Star Wars, but also redemption and the grievance of galactic victims, both individual and galaxy wide. Does the franchise do a good job of exploring trauma of aggrieved parties like Rey, Luke, and Leia? What causes villains like Darth Vader and Kylo Ren to commit egregious actions, and how can they repent and atone? Swara and Drea also talk a bit about Episode IX title and teaser rumblings and further legal troubles for the Trump administration. We cover all our bases! Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Jar Jar Binks changed the course of galactic history during the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Love him or hate him, this bumbling alien is important. This week we review Jar Jar Binks rise and fall in politics, the impact he made and what we as citizens in a republic can learn from his story. Swara and Stephen also react to some new Star Wars books, talk trash about some real-world politicians and opine on the latest Star Wars news making the rounds this week.   Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Were the Jedi sincere in their pursuit of balancing the Force? Luke Skywalker didn't seem to think so in The Last Jedi when describing the Jedi Order to an impressionable Rey. He sees balance as allowing for light and dark to co-exist, compliment and challenge the other. How far can one take this before people get hurt?  In this episode, Swara and Stephen discuss the wildly varied outcome of the 2018 midterm election. It was a purple spatter more than a blue wave. Is there something Star Wars can teach about why this is good for society? Hopefully, we will come to an answer you can appreciate.  Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Are Russian bots behind the divide around The Last Jedi? Stephen chatted with researcher Morten Bay to discuss the results of his study on Twitter reaction to the film. Swara and Stephen discuss whether or not Russian bots and trolls amplified the negative reaction to the film.  Stephen and Swara also hash out their reactions to the new animated series Resistance, dish out their Bantha Fodder, and much more! Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Beltway Banthas and brace yourself for a ride through hyperspace in higher quality audio with host, Stephen Kent. The show had some hiccups this week with the whole team migrating to new homes and getting unpacked, but Stephen found a closet and an article in SyFyWire about Star Wars politics to review.  Ana Marie Cox and Cher Martinetti sounded off on how RD-D2 and other characters would vote in a piece titled "SPACE THE NATION: R2-D2 IS A LIBERTARIAN". Naturally, this is provocative but perfect for a spin on Beltway Banthas. Join Stephen for s 30 min review of the analysis with his own spin on the characters signed up by SyFyWire to vote!  Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com.   Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Beltway Banthas! Swara and Stephen are BOTH moving this week to new homes and this was as good a time as any to share some audio from over the summer. Stephen met up with New York Times op-ed columnist Ross Douthat for a discussion on Star Wars and politics. It's a well rounded conversation with a lot of focus on Star Wars strengths AND weaknesses. We hope you enjoy and aren't distracted by the ambient noise of the conference.  Here are supplemental materials for Douthat's writing about Star Wars https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/12/star-wars-last-jedi-review-lost-space/ https://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/the-politics-of-star-wars-2/ https://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/the-politics-of-star-wars/ Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Hello Banthas! Swara and Stephen are back for Episode 60 to with some exclusive audio from Dragon Con 2018, a great panel on Crime & Politics in Star Wars. We also riff on the bombshell anonymous op-ed in the New York Times by a member of the Trump administration about the work being done on the inside to restrain his worst impulses from the inside. Is there a Star Wars tie-in? You bet there is! And finally, we talk about the Disney union workers vote for higher wages - with a little disagreement to be had on the topic.  Dragon Con Panelists include Thomas Harper (@thomasLharper) , Matt Rushing (mattrushing02) , Bethany Blanton (@BethanyLBlanton), and Brandy Blanton (@BrandelineB) Swara Salih, Data Analyst at Johns Hopkins' Center for Government Excellence (GovEx)   Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

The Empire is coming for your moisture farm! Today on the show we discuss politically charged deleted scenes that never made it into the final cut of Star Wars films. Our main focus is a discussion between Biggs and Luke Skywalker about the "imperialization" of industry. Abby Gleason fills in for Swara and we are joined by Brittany Hunter to talk socialism in space, bourgeois Biggs and more. Also on this episode, Abby and Stephen talk about the latest in Trump drama surrounding Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort. Also, an op-ed from Kelly Marie Tran (Loan) about her identity, race, consumerism and toxic fandom. This is a jam-packed episode you don't want to miss. Kelly Marie Tran OP-ED (NYT) Star Wars Deleted Scene Shows Socialism of the Empire (FEE)   Connect with Us Join us now on our Discord channel to keep this episodes' conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn. Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

We're back! Stephen and Swara are back to discuss whether President Trump treats the media like Palpatine treated the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars. Both institutions are meant to be a positive check on power and injustice, but has Trump succeeded in changing the public narrative against the media as Palpatine did with the Jedi? Tune in to find out! We also discuss the state of toxic fandom as reported in the past several months, and how and whether we can take steps to combat it and make fandom a more welcoming place. Join us now on Discord to keep the conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn   Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @SwaraSalih1 | @Stephen_Kent89  Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

We have a jam-packed episode for y'all before our hiatus! First Stephen and Swara give their review of Solo. We then present Swara's conversation with Matt Rogers (@Politodope) to talk about the politics of the Resistance on the Left and parallels we find with Star Wars, all from the prequels to the sequels. Finally the hosts give their final Bantha Fodders for the season before our two month hiatus! Matt also discusses his project to get young people involved in politics: "Politodope", Stephen and Swara debate the controversial issues surrounding Solo, and much more! Join us now on Discord to keep the conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn Announcement: Beltway Banthas is going to be taking a summer break during June and July with a comeback set for early August. This show has been going strong for two years with weekly episodes and we felt now is a good time to pause, do a summer of research, reading and thinking about what topics to tackle this year. THE SHOW WILL GO ON! We hope you'll stay in touch with us on break on Twitter and Discord, where politics & Star Wars never sleep. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Mark Hamill is a Hollywood legend for his depiction of Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars movies. He is also a staunch believer in speaking on about politics. In this weeks episode we look at Mark Hamill's public stand on gun control, President Trump and how he balances Star Wars with politics alongside the fans. This is part of a larger conversation on pop culture and whether or not our hyper politicized society has made it harder to enjoy art. In the intro Swara & Stephen give final thoughts on Solo: A Star Wars Story and dive into the controversy around Lando's sexuality as described by screenwriter Jon Kasdan. We also share Bantha Fodders and make some announcements which are laid out below. Join us now on Discord to keep the conversation going at: https://discord.gg/zYc9uYn Announcement: Beltway Banthas is going to be taking a summer break during June and July with a comeback set for early August. This show has been going strong for two years with weekly episodes and we felt now is a good time to pause, do a summer of research, reading and thinking about what topics to tackle this year. THE SHOW WILL GO ON! We hope you'll stay in touch with us on break on Twitter and Discord, where politics & Star Wars never sleep.   Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @SwaraSalih1 | @Stephen_Kent89 | @AbbyGleason | @Britt_the_wit Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

The Star Wars franchise has been becoming more visibly diverse on the screen, but will LucasFilm go further on issues of representation? Swara, the hosts of Book Wars Pod and Rebel Grrrl, are joined by Star Wars: Last Shot author Daniel Jose Older and others to discuss this topic. The online campaign that emerged as a result of this effort is called #SWRepMatters. Come check out and join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #SWRepMatters! Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @SwaraSalih1 | @lu_sitania | @semirose  | @spacejessss | @shannonjoy26 | @djolder | @ohcatrina  Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Beltway Banthas turned two this month! The experiment of blending Star Wars and politics has turned into an adventure the likes of which we could never has anticipated. THANK YOU for sticking with us all this time and making it so much fun.  We are excited on this May 4th, Star Wars Day, to announce the addition of new hosts to the show: Brittany Hunter and Abby Gleason. On this episode we get to know Abby and Brittany and talk about the past and future of Beltway Banthas.   Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @SwaraSalih1 | @Stephen_Kent89 | @AbbyGleason | @Britt_the_wit Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one!   Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

We join our friends at Tosche Station and the Book Wars Podcast to talk about Star Wars Multimedia Empire at Awesome Con! How do the books and comics in the  Expanded Universe differ from the current canon books? Why do we read these books when we have the film? How do the books deepen and enrich politics in the Galaxy Far, Far Away? How can Lucasfilm do better with diversity and inclusion? We discuss all this and more! The new canon structure for the books may be confusing now, but we attempt to break it all down! We also discuss the degree to which the new books are accessible to new fans, and whether we might see book characters in the films. Enjoy this great panel discussion on all things multimedia!   Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @SwaraSalih1 | @lu_sitania | @ChrisSedor | @LaneWinree | @bookwarspod | @Tosche_Station Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

DJ has a bad reputation after selling out our heroes in The Last Jedi. Some have said he embodies the self interested nature of libertarianism, Ayn Rand and a school of thought known as Objectivism. Today we go into the weeds with Brittany Hunter of FEE to learn a bit about Objectivism, rational self interest and how DJ does or does not fall into that category.  Before the main topic we talk about Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook and the departure of Paul Ryan from Congress. It's whirlwind episode of Beltway Banthas you don't want to miss. Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter:@Stephen_Kent89 | @SwaraSalih1 @Britt_the_witt Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

This past weekend we were at Awesome Con in Washington DC! Stephen and John join Nanci Schwartz, Brian Larsen and Bria Lavorgna of Tosche Station, and Jay Shah of Eleven-ThirtyEight to discuss the theme of redemption in the galaxy far, far away. If Vader can be redeemed, can anybody? Is Kylo Ren able to truly atone for the crimes he's committed? Tune in for a rich panel discussion of one of the franchise's major themes. Redemption has been a crucial part of Star Wars since 1983, but how often do we pause to think critically about what it entails? We believe this panel may answer some questions you may have on the topic. Major thank you to Brian of Tosche Station for capturing and sharing this audio, and to Bria Lavorgna for having Beltway Banthas on the panel.   Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter:@Stephen_Kent89 | @JuanJohnJedi | @nancipants | @LaneWinree | @chaosbria Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Poe Dameron, beloved ace pilot of The Resistance, is he a sexist as some fans have claimed? Or was it simply his frustration under pressure and Vice Admiral Holdo's secrecy that led him to mutiny in The Last Jedi ? Let's talk gender politics in The Last Jedi! We welcome back our good friend Kate Sanchez of But Why Tho? The Podcast to discuss! Stephen, Swara, and Kate also discuss the March For Our Lives in DC this past weekend, Trump's attack on Amazon and the Austin TX bombings. We conclude with a lively Bantha Fodder segment from Kate and the hosts. Enjoy! By Kate on the But Why Tho? blog: Poe isn't the Bad Guy  Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter:@Stephen_Kent89 | @SwaraSalih1 | @OhMyMithrandir Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

On this week's episode, we welcome Jon Lovett, one of the co-hosts of Pod Save America and host of Lovett or Leave It. Lovett explains to us how he got into Star Wars with the Special Editions, why he loves Rogue One and what motivates his political activism. Jon also offers his thoughts on a potential Star Wars political drama, that Hagerman dude who went off the grid to avoid Trump and Saw Gerrera.  On Beltway Banthas, Stephen and Swara discuss politics, Star Wars, and all the ways they intersect. On this episode we also discuss the DC snow storm, climate change and how we feel about the March for our Lives event weekend. To close we read and respond to listener email on last week's episode on fascism and the First Order. Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter:@Stephen_Kent89 | @SwaraSalih1 | @JonLovett Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

In a super light and not-at-all serious discussion this week (JK!), we dig into the First Order and extremism! How did George Lucas, JJ Abrams, and others envision the main bad guys of the Original Trilogy and Sequel Trilogy? Have they grown beyond the label of "Space Nazis" at all? Where do communism, fascism, terrorism, and other extremist ideologies come into play? Join the discussion on Beltway Banthas! Stephen and Swara also talk about trade wars in Star Wars and real life, the President's proposed "Space Force", and have our Bantha Fodder segment with patron and dear friend of the show Connie Shih! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Dan Wallace is the author of beloved Star Wars books "The Jedi Path" "Book of the Sith" and "Imperial Handbook". Now he has penned another behind the scenes manuel for the Rebellion and joins the show to talk about it. John Liang interviewed Wallace last week and got the scoop on what the book reveals about the rebellion, galactic politics and more.  Stephen and Swara also convene in the start of this episode to review the finale of Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD. It was a whirlwind final episode that left our hearts full and minds spinning.    Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @Stephen_Kent89 | @SwaraSalih1 | @JuanJohnJedi Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. If you like this episode, check out our previous one! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Rey and Kylo are seemingly total opposites...until the events of The Last Jedi. Through the Force and circumstance, these two foes connect in a way they never expected. Turns out - they have a lot in common. This week we are joined by Caitlin and Charlotte of the Skytalkers Podcasts to discuss "Reylo" and how it might relate to our own worlds broken politics.  Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @Stephen_Kent89 | @SwaraSalih1 | @SkytalkersPod Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com.     Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Let's get political! This week on Beltway Banthas we are rejoined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson of The Pollsters Podcast. Kristen is a huge Star Wars fan and came on to talk with Stephen about Rotten Tomatoes scores and how trolls factor into public perception of a movie. In addition to looking at The Last Jedi's scores, we discuss what an ideal method of gauging reaction to a movie would look like. Kristen offers reactions to The Last Jedi as a whole, and we also banter about feminism on screen and how audiences react to messages in film. This is an episode you don't want to miss! Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Hello Banthas! This week we are joined by radio producer and head writer for Glenn Beck, Mr. Stu Burguiere.  Stu is a big time Star Wars fan and all around enjoyable radio personality. We thought you'd enjoy this behind the curtain conversation with a notable conservative radio personality and fan. Stephen and Stu discuss his career trajectory, working with Beck, Star Wars role in his life and how the theme of the new films is exposing frauds.  Every other week we try to introduce our listeners to people in politics or media for whom Star Wars has made a difference in their lives. This mission spans the political spectrum and we hope you'll check out this interview to learn something new. You check out Stu's take on The Force Awakens and his belief that it is A New Hope rehash here, and then listen to Stephen of Beltway Banthas challenge that theory on his show here.  Get in touch with everyone on the show! Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us what you think of the show! Subscribe and connect with us on Twitter: @Stephen_Kent89 | @SwaraSalih1 | @WorldOfStu Please share our show with a friend, review us on iTunes and shoot us some feedback. We grow in quality every time someone reaches out to tell us what they liked. We want to hear from you! You can send us your thoughts on the show and topics at BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com. Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

Stephen Kent of the Washington Examiner joins the program to talk Star Wars. Also the host of the Beltway Banthas podcast, he describes how these films often take on the issues of their time and what we can expect with 'The Last Jedi'. Listen to Pat & Stu for FREE on TheBlaze Radio Network from 5p-7p ET, Mon. through Fri. www.theblaze.com/radioTwitter: @PatandStuFacebook: PatandStu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices