Podcasts about Confederacy

Historian and retired Brigadier General Ty Seidule speaks with Akilah about his experience as vice chair of the Congressional Naming Commission which was tasked with redesignating Department of Defense assets that honor Confederates. And how he continues with his efforts to shout down the Confederacy despite a continuing backslide fueled by the current administration. Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records. Special thanks to our guest this episode Ty Seidule. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 19, 2026The federal holiday honoring Juneteenth celebrates the announcement on June 19, 1865 letting Texans know that enslaved Americans were free, The federal government would see to it that going forward white people and Black people would be equal, While white legislators in the former Confederacy grudgingly ratified the 13th amendment abolishing enslavement, they also passed laws keeping freedpeople subservient to their white neighbors, Black codes restricted the rights of Black Americans, When Congress refused to readmit states with Black Codes in place, the 13th amendment was added to the Constitution, And in 1866 the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was passed, establishing that no state could discriminate against any of its citizens or take away any of their rights, The federal government encouraged Juneteenth celebrations, which began to spread to Black communities across the nation, While these celebrations declined during the Jim Crow years, after WWII, Black Americans brought the celebrations with them across the US, and in 2021 President Biden signed a measure to create a federal Juneteenth holiday, Pressure from those determined to preserve a government that protects the wealthy and white men today threatens the new nation that Juneteenth celebrated—one that would honor the equality of all Americans.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

pWotD Episode 3335: Juneteenth Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 606,543 views on Friday, 19 June 2026 our article of the day is Juneteenth.Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday's name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War.During the Civil War period, slavery came to an end in various areas of the United States at different times. Many enslaved Southerners escaped, demanded wages, stopped work, or took up arms against the Confederacy of slave states. In January 1865, Congress proposed the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution for the national abolition of slavery. By June 1865, almost all of the enslaved population had been freed by the victorious Union Army or by state abolition laws. When the national abolition amendment was ratified in December, the remaining enslaved people in Delaware and Kentucky were freed.Early Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. They spread across the South among newly freed African-Americans and their descendants and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. Participants in the Great Migration brought these celebrations to the rest of the country. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Juneteenth celebrations were eclipsed by the nonviolent determination to achieve civil rights, but they grew in popularity again in the 1970s, with a focus on African-American freedom and African-American arts. Beginning with Texas by proclamation in 1938, and by legislation in 1979, every U. S. state and the District of Columbia has formally recognized the holiday in some way. Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when the 117th U. S. Congress enacted and President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983. Juneteenth is also celebrated by the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped from slavery in 1852 and settled in Coahuila, Mexico.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 02:35 UTC on Saturday, 20 June 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Juneteenth on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Niamh.

Rebekah Caruthers, President and CEO at Fair Elections Center reveals the meaning behind Juneteenth. Does Trump Really Believe There Are No Limits To His Power? Why Scientists are Calling Trump's Research Rule Fascism. Sabrina Haake explains the Dangerous Fox News Role in Iran Exposed. Between Trump's attacks on democratic institutions, his use of the DOJ for political retribution, and the damage to America from his presidency, history will remember that Joe Rogan wasn't just an observer of those events. He helped make them possible. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Mandy shares a personal story of how her perspective on Juneteenth, a national federal holiday, has changed over time. She reflects on why she initially rolled her eyes at the idea of another national holiday, but after learning more about its significance, she's now a proud advocate for its celebration. This episode discusses the importance of Juneteenth, the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. Mandy delves into the history of Juneteenth, explaining how it commemorates the day when Union General Gordon Granger announced the emancipation of all slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865. She highlights the significance of this day, noting that it's a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who fought for freedom and an end to the institution of slavery. Mandy also discusses the role of the Republican Party in the abolition of slavery and how they were the driving force behind the Civil War. She notes that the Democratic Party, on the other hand, was the party of the Confederacy and Jim Crow laws. Mandy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of the Civil War and the freedom it brought, and she suggests that Juneteenth should be a day of national celebration and unity. Mandy encourages listeners to learn more about Juneteenth and its history, and she invites them to join her in celebrating this important day. She also mentions that she'll be sharing more information on the blog, including a voter guide, and invites listeners to subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest content.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are the Empire's Rebels just yesterday's Separatists in new clothes? The Confederacy of Independent Systems wasn't driven by ideology so much as by corporate interests, trade unions, and Outer Rim frustrations with a bloated Republic. But what really pushed entire systems to break away? Why fight so fiercely for independence while simultaneously aligning with a new power rising in the shadows? And what was the Separatists' true endgame?In this episode, Mark, Brian, and Garrett dig into the political, philosophical, and moral tensions behind the Separatist movement—its motivations, its contradictions, and its lasting impact on the galaxy.

What if the Civil War's most consequential diplomacy didn't happen in London or Washington — but in the back offices of Bahamian merchants, the shipyards of Liverpool, and the harbors of Nassau? In this episode, Kelly McFarland sits down with historian and Army veteran Beau Cleland to discuss his award-winning book "Between King Cotton and Queen Victoria: How Pirates, Smugglers, and Scoundrels Almost Saved the Confederacy" — winner of the 2026 Wiley Silver Prize for the best first book in the history of the Civil War. Beau reveals how a decentralized network of blockade runners, private merchants, and colonial opportunists gave the Confederacy a fighting chance — and why their ultimate failure holds surprising lessons for gray zone conflict today.

Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when word of freedom spread to the last people who were enslaved in Galveston, Texas under the Confederacy.Here in San Diego, festivities are well underway — with lots in store this weekend. Juneteenth celebrations are happening across the county, with everything from music performances to surf lessons.On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with two local event organizers to give us a preview of upcoming events celebrating the holiday. We also talk about the meaning of Juneteenth and the importance of community.But first, Onstage Playhouse is opening a new play next week called "Isaac's Eye" about renowned scientist Isaac Newton — who made significant contributions to physics, mathematics and astronomy.Plus, our preview of local arts events happening this weekend.Guests:Loren Cobbs, founder, SD MelaninAiyana Reissman, program manager, Paddle for PeaceJames P. Darvas, artistic director, Onstage PlayhouseJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

In this episode of Biographers in Conversation, Dr Nigel Hamilton chats with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies about Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents. Here's what you'll discover in this episode: Lincoln vs. Davis is the first dual biography to examine how Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis fought each other as presidents and commanders-in-chief of their respective forces, the Union and the Confederacy, during the American Civil War. Lincoln and Davis coincidentally began train journeys to their Presidential inaugurations on the same day. By framing emancipation as a military order during a national emergency rather than civilian legislation, Lincoln legally freed 3.5 million enslaved people and ensured no European power would ever recognise the Confederacy, dooming Davis's rebellion. Frustrated that historians have covered up crucial details and failed to explain why Lincoln delayed emancipation for nearly two years, Nigel Hamilton crafted Lincoln vs. Davis to correct the historical record, practising what he refers to as ‘biography as corrective'.

Host Clay Newcomb continues his personal exploration of the Civil War with historian J.D. Huitt of The History Underground YouTube channel. J.D. surprises Clay with historical documentation of his own third-great-grandfather, Thomas Newcomb, a Confederate soldier from southwest Arkansas. As they continue through the history of the war, Clay attempts to answer one of the most challenging questions in American history: Why did ordinary people choose to fight? The search for answers leads Clay and J.D. to the Fayetteville National Cemetery and the graves of Union soldiers who were scalped after the Battle of Pea Ridge. From there, they dive into the overlooked story of Native Americans in the Civil War, exploring why thousands of Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole soldiers sided with the Confederacy and the remarkable story of Stand Watie, the last Confederate general to surrender. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Kelly and Katai subject themselves to WALK OF THE SPIRITS by their former friend, Richie Tankersley Cusick, a barely there ghost story glorifying the Confederacy??? They talk racism, slavery erasure, and, unfortunately, more. It goes badly.Support BROTHER MANOR, Kelly's gothic romance miniseries, on Kickstarter! INFO AND DONATE!SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON for ad free and video eps, bonus eps, & more.DiscordInstagramMERCH!TEEN CREEPS IS AN INDEPENDENT PODCAST.*All creepy opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Friday is Juneteenth, a holiday marking the date that some of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy received word that they were free. Juneteenth celebrations date back to the 1860s, but it didn't become a federal holiday in 2021. Now, communities across our region mark Juneteenth with storytelling events, speaker series, community meals and music.The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro will host Singing a Journey of Freedom: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation on Friday. The program began as a research project by Mat Callahan, a musician and author currently residing in Bern, Switzerland. He uncovered songs composed and sung by enslaved people and abolitionists that had been buried by history. Callahan then teamed up with Dr. Kathy Bullock to bring this music to life. Bullock is a visiting professor of music at Bennington College, as well as a singer, arranger and choral conductor specializing in gospel, spirituals and classical works by composers from the African diaspora. We are also joined by Rev. Leon Dunkley, an ethnomusicologist and a minister at the North Chapel in Woodstock.Then, Joan Gorman of the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh shares the history of the museum, which used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. 

This week, Akilah takes a close look at Shenandoah County, Virginia, where one of the more public fights over Confederate iconography has been playing out over the past few years. In 2020, two schools in Shenandoah County named after Confederate generals were changed to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School. However, the racists fought to change the names back. Incredibly, the students took up the challenge. Akilah speaks with a local journalist and a lawyer representing the students in this legal battle to get a full scope of what it takes to defeat the Confederacy...again. Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records. Email read voice performance by Niccole Thurman. Special thanks to our guests this episode, Clyde McGrady, Nate Kline, Ty Seidule and Kaitlin Banner. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick K. O'Donnell explores the 1864 Dahlgren Raid, a failed Union "decapitation raid" intended to burn Richmondand assassinate Jefferson Davis. In response, the Confederacy intensified its Secret Service operations, employing spies, coded telegraphy, and influence campaigns to undermine Lincoln's 1864 re-election. They funded Northern "Copperhead" editors to promote peace while John Singleton Mosby's rangers disrupted Union logistics. This era also featured author Herman Melville, who embedded with Union cavalry to document the terrifying reality of fighting Mosby's elusive, pistol-wielding irregulars who dominated the headlines of Northern Virginia. (3)1865

Patrick K. O'Donnell reflects on Robert E. Lee's monumental decision at Appomattox to reject guerrilla warfare and surrender, putting country before Confederacy. Grant offered honorable terms, leading to a respectful surrender overseen by Joshua Chamberlain. After the war, John Singleton Mosby forged an unlikely friendship with Grant, becoming a Republican campaign manager in Virginia. Despite being ostracized by former Confederates, Mosbyserved as a consul in Hong Kong and mentored a young George S. Patton. His legacy in irregular warfare and maneuver tactics continues to influence modern American special operations to this day. (8)1865

Patrick K. O'Donnell introduces Captain John Charles Carpenter and the Jesse Scouts, a Union special forces group named after Jesse Frémont. Emerging from the Missouri insurgency, these scouts utilized 21st-century tradecraft such as disguises and infiltration to gather intelligence behind enemy lines. Simultaneously, the Confederacy enacted the Partisan Ranger Act to organize irregular fighters like John Singleton Mosby. Operating in "Mosby's Confederacy," these rangers conducted asymmetrical warfare that tied down thousands of Union troops. Both sides grappled with the lack of discipline in these units, yet recognized their strategic brilliance in modern irregular combat. (1)1863

The Confederacy lost the Civil War, but the myth it built afterward never really died. In this episode, we unpack the Lost Cause: the postwar propaganda campaign that recast slavery as “states' rights,” turned Confederate leaders into martyrs, and helped justify monuments, textbooks, and generations of historical denial. From secession documents to Black Union soldier massacres, Confederate prisons, and the rise of groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy, this episode traces how a failed slaveholding rebellion was rebranded as noble heritage. The Confederacy was not misunderstood. It was rebranded.

The Confederates came closer to victory at Shiloh than most people realize. After driving Ulysses S. Grant's army across miles of battlefield on April 6, 1862, it looked like the South might destroy an entire Union army in a single day. Instead, delays, confusion, exhaustion, and lost opportunities turned one of the Confederacy's greatest chances into one of its most painful failures.

Are Today's “Evil, Heartless Bastards” Rebuilding the Confederacy?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since 2010, the Kentucky Historical Society has been the proud home of the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, a digital project committed to understanding and interpreting Kentucky's role in the Civil War. Over the past decade, CWGK has digitized thousands of letters that crossed the desks of Kentucky's five wartime governors. The letters offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Kentuckians—men and women, free and enslaved, Unionists and Confederates. It's been another busy year for CWGK, and I recently sat down with the team to discuss their new website, other achievements, and their goals for the future. Join us for a discussion with Drs. Chuck Welsko, Jacob Wood, and Chase McCarter. Dr. Welsko earned his Ph.D. from West Virginia University. He specializes in the cultural, social, and political history of the Civil War era, with a focus on border regions, loyalty, slavery, nationalism, and identity formation. Welsko has published in West Virginia History: A Journal of Regional Studies as well as in the edited collection Slavery and Freedom in the Bluegrass State: Revisiting My Old Kentucky Home. He is currently working on a book manuscript tentatively titled, Breaking and Remaking the Mason-Dixon Line: Loyalty in Civil War America. Dr. Jacob T. Wood is a nineteenth century political historian who works as an editorial specialist with the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2023 with his PhD under the supervision of Mark Summers. His current research focuses on party politics in the decades before the Civil War. His current book project "Any Changes, Eh?" studies the prevalence of party switching in the antebellum era. Dr. Chase H. McCarter is a historian of the U.S. Civil War era and a former editorial specialist with CWGK. His research focuses on the collapse of the Confederacy, the Lost Cause, and histories of racism. Chase received his Ph.D. in U.S. history in 2025 from the University of New Mexico under the direction of David Prior. His current book project explores the emotional underpinnings of the ex-Confederate diaspora to Latin America after the Civil War. Learn more about Civil War Governors of Kentucky: https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/ Hosted by Dr. Allen A. Fletcher, associate editor of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society and coordinator of our Research Fellows program, which brings in researchers from across the world to conduct research in the rich archival holdings of the Kentucky Historical Society. history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/for-re…earch-fellowships Kentucky Chronicles is presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, with support from the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation. history.ky.gov/about/khs-foundation This episode was recorded and produced by Gregory Hardison, with support and guidance from Dr. Stephanie Lang. Our theme music, “Modern Documentary,” was created by Mood Mode and is used courtesy of Pixabay. To learn more about our publication of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, or to learn more about our Research Fellows program, please visit our website: history.ky.gov/ history.ky.gov/khs-podcasts

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The left has invoked Confederate imagery to disparage recent decisions by the Supreme Court. Does this work?https://mcclanahanacademy.comhttps://patreon.com/thebrionmcclanahanshow.comhttps://brionmcclanahan.com/supporthttp://learntruehistory.com

This episode is a throwback to our very first season as a tribute to Mr. Matt Arrieta who recently passed. Matt was a cowboy's cowboy and always rode for the brand. We hope you'll enjoy this blast from the past and a glimpse into the life of a working cowboy. Rest easy Matt, and we hope you're finding plenty of good horses to ride.

  About this episode:  In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5, the title character states that, “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.” That line resonates well with many during the opening months of the American Civil War. With war as their stage, many believed the struggle provided opportunity for personal acclaim and glory. Some were successful. Some were not—there at the beginning but not the end. And when politics, poor performances and toxic personalities reduced some to historical footnotes, there were some who had been waiting in the wings, took center stage and found lasting fame. For those who sought or were cast into roles as this nation was plunged into civil war, this is their story. A story—full of sound and fury—of those who were Early Players for the Union and Confederacy.            ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Simon Cameron Irvin McDowell Robert Patterson John C. Frémont Henry Halleck Leroy Pope Walker   Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here   Thank you to our sponsor, Celebrity Word Scramble. In collaboration with Fred Kiger, they have published a Civil War edition of the Celebrity Word Scramble series. Included in the book is 16 pages of Civil War facts, stories, and insights written by Fred Kiger. Get your copy of the book here   Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here   Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org   Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey.   Producer: Dan Irving

During the Clone Wars, Darth Sidious and Count Dooku assembled the Dark Acolytes — a network of Dark Jedi and fallen Force-users who served the Confederacy as assassins, spies, and commanders, yet were forever barred from true Sith status by the Rule of Two. In this episode of Star Lores, we explore the most feared dark side adepts of the CIS, from Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress to Sev'rance Tann, Quinlan Vos, and Sora Bulq, and how Darth Sidious used them to corrode galactic faith in the Jedi Order. Become a patron to get access to the bonus episodes or support the show through Paypal and bitcoin! You can also check out our merch on Redbubble. Don't forget to also connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com and Discord! Find all of our links here: https://doras.to/starlores Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2024 election was a disaster for the Democrats. They have never been held to account for any of it. That would ordinarily be the job of the legacy media, but they've long since abandoned any pretense of objectivity. They are part of the “resistance,” and friendly fire is not in the job description.Do I sound bitter? I suppose I am. I once believed in not just the Democratic Party but the Obama coalition. I was a loyal, devoted soldier who believed we were all fighting the good fight, even before Trump won. We were the side that cared about climate change, women's rights, the poor, and the marginalized.It took me decades to go from being a cynical 18-year-old in the 1980s who didn't think there was any point to voting to a person who believed my vote could change the world. That cynicism would be polished off over time, as we headed into the 1990s with political correctness and therapy culture on the rise. We wanted to fix ourselves. We wanted — needed — to fill the void left by the doom spiral in the aftermath of the “Me Generation” and their counterculture revolution.It was Bill Clinton, by way of Aaron Sorkin, who ultimately pulled us out of it and primed us for a spiritual revival under the euphoric, history-making win of Barack Obama. I believed in hope and change. I believed in a new America.I believed my friends on Facebook who treated me with respect and love every time I fired off an impassioned plea for votes. I believed all of the women who made those signs for the Women's March, the Climate March, and the Gun Control March. I, too, thought Trump's win meant America couldn't handle the first black president and the Confederacy was back for another round.What I know now is that none of it was real. We were not the New Puritans leading the country into the promised land. We were like every other political party, seeking absolute power and total control. Any truthful autopsy would have to start there. The Democrats have been lying to themselves and lying to their voters about what these last ten years have really been about: the refusal to relinquish power after losing an election. Democracy becomes a problem for a party that no longer believes in it if the wrong people win.From Real Clear Politics podcast Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon:Any honest autopsy of the 2024 election would have to start back in 2016, when Hillary Clinton was anointed by Obama, who leapfrogged Biden, meaning Biden would finally get his shot in 2020. They should have thought that one through because it would come back to bite them four years later when they pushed him out of office.They practice top-down democracy, in which party leaders attempt to steer voters in the right direction rather than allowing candidates to make the case to the people. The problem with the Democrats is that they needed someone like Donald Trump to blow through their carefully laid plans.The shame of what the Democrats did in 2024 is almost as bad as what they did in 2020 to orchestrate Joe Biden's win. Both of these elections were rooted in the mass delusion that Donald Trump wasn't just a political opponent but an existential threat, so anything goes - even censoring the Hunter Biden laptop, or pushing out a duly elected president.That delusion gave them unlimited power in their minds, which made them the most corrupt political party in my lifetime, taking what never belonged to them, pushing “resistance theater” throughout American society, and coming up mostly empty anyway.A real autopsy would require cleaning house on all of it, admitting everything. It would require admitting to their voters that they knew they were lying about Trump to cover up their own failures.After all, wouldn't it have been easier just to offer the people something better rather than treating Trump like a supervillain that could not be destroyed by ordinary means? No, because their biggest problem is that their only vision for the future is to reach back into the past. They still want to undo the Trump presidency rather than learn from it. They are fighting to bring back the utopia we all built under Barack Obama, and that has been the Democrats' fatal mistake.Barack Obama's grip on the party means they can't move forward.A real autopsy would have to talk about Obama's ongoing influence and control of the party. Why do you think he's making appearances with Zohran Mamdani and James Talarico? He sees them as the party's future because they are Obama clones, more or less. You don't see him out there boosting Gavin Newsom, just as you don't see many leaders on the Left rising to take Obama's place. They must all be shadows of him, which is why it was Kamala Harris in 2024, Joe Biden in 2020, and Hillary Clinton in 2016.Obama couldn't lose. He was treated like a god and king. He was never going to let Trump win this ten-year war. He couldn't hand the country over to the guy who dared question his birth certificate, the guy they called a “racist” and a “rapist,” but more than that, he represented the undoing of the Obama Coalition and the worldwide movement it inspired. There was no way the Democrats were ever going to let that happen. By 2016, they had control of almost everything, from institutions to universities to culture, so why not use it? Exiling and disenfranchising Trump voters was all done in the name of Barack Obama. You see, it had to be racism that gave rise to Trump because Obama couldn't fail.Isn't it so much easier to blame America? To blame it on sexism and racism? Isn't that what they tell themselves now about 2024? America wasn't ready for any woman, especially a woman of color? Isn't it easier to see it that way rather than address the real problem with the utopia we all built: it shuts too many people out?The Culture of Silence and the Climate of FearThe Vanity Fair story about how Democrats fear Kamala Harris running again is telling. Or rather, not telling. They are too afraid to use their real names. It is still considered blasphemy inside the Democratic Party to criticize her, as she has attained Obama-level status. She campaigned for Obama back in 2008 and was once called the “female Obama.” Harris rode the coattails of making history.Winning was easy for her. She was pretty and tough. She made the Democrats look good and won every single race as her star began to rise: District Attorney, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President, next in line behind a very old Joe Biden. Probably, he would have stepped aside and handed her the presidency had he won a second term. Either way, Harris was not the best choice for Vice President, and the Democrats knew that at the time.The 100 people who signed a letter urging Biden not to choose Harris for “cosmetic reasons” were then shamed back into silence lest they be called racists and misogynists. The so-called autopsy vindicates Harris, which is all part of the same game. She is too big to fail and too popular to be cast aside, especially now after the redistricting fight has put Democrats back in “Jim Crow 2.0” mode.A real autopsy would have to confront this: how they continue to fall back on the same blame game: it's those racists over there. It's not our fault. We haven't failed our voters. We have to stop them. We have to keep fighting this war against them, our fellow Americans.How can they even begin to confront who they are and what they've become? How can they reckon with all of the madness they've put the American people through for ten long years? The January 6th show trials, the lies about Kenosha being a “Civil Rights” protest, the mocking and celebrating of Charlie Kirk's assassination, the raiding of Mar-a-Lago, the censoring of dissent via the FBI on social media, Russiagate, the collapse of a once-thriving culture, impeachments, indictments, and the unending No Kings protests.If they want a real autopsy, they should talk to people like me, once loyal supporters who were chewed up and spit out by a political party that could not tolerate even simple questions about “cancel culture” mass hysteria, or the rising intolerance in the Left writ large, or why someone's career would go up in flames just for voting for Trump. And forget about asking whether toddlers should wear masks or pre-teens should take medication that sterilizes them for life.I walked away from the party in 2020. I couldn't believe what I watched them do, what I helped them do, to drag Joe Biden over the finish line. I knew he was too old. I knew Kamala Harris was a ticking time bomb. I knew it would all blow up in our faces eventually. But lying was so much easier, especially with a full-court press serving as a propaganda front. They have been lying for so long that they don't even know how to stop. The biggest lie was that Trump was a “fascist.” They're still telling that lie. They're still scaring Americans into manic desperation every day. The lies are what drove me away. I couldn't live with them. The truth matters, especially if you're cutting up the body to find out what killed it.The lies began in 2016 when Hillary Clinton, the Democrats, and loyalists like me couldn't face the truth about why she lost. It was one lie piled on top of another, and no one had the courage to face down the social media mobs to set the record straight. Any dissent was met with strict reprisals. Before long, everyone settled into a climate of fear and a culture of silence as the new normal.Their problem goes back to the Art of War. If you don't know yourself or your enemy, you will succumb in every battle. They should first try to understand themselves. If they could just see who and what they are, and why America would choose Trump a second time, they'd be halfway there. Then, if they could understand Trump, who he really is, rather than the character they invented, they'd finally come back to the real world with the rest of us.The Democrats are in love with the dream Obama sold, not the reality of what America became with the Democrats in power. There are too many truths left to face. There are too many ghosts haunting them. There is no point in performing an autopsy on a body with nothing inside but smoke mirrors. // This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sashastone.com/subscribe

“There is a pretty powerful strain in America today in which men feel some need to be violent and domineering to sort of prove their masculinity. And there's sort of less intense but still prevalent strains that infect many other types of men.” — Jasper Craven Today is Memorial Day — America's annual celebration of its warriors and military ethic. But for Jasper Craven, author of God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood, it should be a day of muted self-reflection rather than bellicose celebration. Especially in May 2026 with America involved in another ludicrous overseas war. Craven's argument is that from George Washington onwards, America has fused military manliness with a self-destructive masculine identity. Thus young men are trained at top military academies like West Point to be unthinkingly domineering and violent. But for Craven, America — a continent surrounded by oceans to the east and west and by friendly neighbours to the north and south — has no need for the unreflective militarism fetishised by its military academies and culture. So what has West Point wrought? A nation of Pete Hegseths, Jasper Craven implies. Happy (ie: peaceful) Memorial Day everyone. Five Takeaways •       Military Manliness and American Identity: From Washington to Hegseth: From the Founding Fathers — most of whom were Revolutionary War veterans — America has explicitly fused military manliness with core masculine identity. Boys who want to define themselves as Americans have felt a need to be strong, to serve, to defend. The archetype has only been beefed up over time: through the steroid era and into the world of Navy SEALs and special operators. The result is a culture where men feel the need to be violent and domineering to prove their masculinity, from carrying AK-47s to protests to becoming ICE agents. The problem: the archetype has no relationship to actual national security needs. •       West Point and the Civil War: A Fuse, Not a Remedy: West Point was created to produce a well-schooled officer class. What Craven argues: when you allocate massive resources to building a military, you will feel the consequences. Before the Civil War, West Point was segregated into northern and southern companies — which exacerbated tensions rather than building union. When war broke out, many West Point officers defected to the Confederacy, including Robert E. Lee, who had been superintendent. West Point officers on opposite sides then killed each other in their thousands. Many lawmakers called for West Point to be abolished. They were not heeded. •       Race, Integration, and the Military's Complex Legacy: Craven acknowledges the military's partial role in racial integration: Truman's executive order in 1948 desegregated the armed forces, which was a genuine milestone ahead of civilian institutions. But he is careful about what this means. Integration at the institutional level did not eliminate racism within the culture. And the same military that desegregated also produced the culture of violence, dehumanisation of the other, and misogyny and homophobia that Craven chronicles throughout the book. Partial credit is still only partial credit. •       January 6th and the Politicisation of the Officer Class: In Trump's first term, General Mattis and General Kelly and others demonstrated real courage in reining in Trump's worst impulses. By the end of that term, they had all been replaced by loyalists. During the transition to Biden, Trump's military cronies at the Pentagon went dark. January 6th was largely carried out by military veterans. More than 100 senior retired military officers penned an op-ed supporting what Trump had done. In Trump's second term, the politicisation of the officer class has only accelerated. The non-political professional officer class is now divided. •       ROTC, Not West Point: Craven's Prescription: Craven's preferred model: ROTC — military training supplemental to traditional liberal arts education. Survey data shows ROTC officers, because of exposure to Plato, Shakespeare, and the rest, are more well-rounded and better thinkers than West Point graduates. At West Point, it is essentially all STEM. Craven's prescription: introduce the humanities, expose cadets to civilians, break the silos. Ideally, West Point could become a national university that includes military programmes alongside the training of doctors and aid workers. The military-civilian divide is as much the military's creation as the civilian's. About the Guest Jasper Craven is a freelance reporter covering the military and veterans' issues. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Harper's Magazine, Politico, The Baffler, and the New Republic. He is the author of God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood (Atria/One Signal Publishers, May 19, 2026) and the co-author, with Suzanne Gordon and Steve Early, of Our Veterans. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. References: •       God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood by Jasper Craven (Atria/One Signal Publishers, May 19, 2026). •       Sebastian Junger, Tribe — referenced in the publishers' framing as a companion text. •       Chris Hedges, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning — referenced as a companion text. •       Episode 2907: Brandon Webb on Puddle Jumpers — the companion episode referenced at the opening; the pro-military counterpart to Craven's critique. •       Episode 2909: Adrian Goldsworthy on Athens vs Sparta — also referenced at the opening. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,900 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting. WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple Podcasts

Chuck Todd opens with a brutal verdict on the emerging Iran "deal": it's just a worse version of the Obama agreement Trump once tore up, Iran has effectively avoided every stated goal Trump and Israel set out to achieve, and Tehran retains control of the Strait of Hormuz — meaning this is unambiguously a loss for the United States, no matter how the administration tries to spin it. He argues Trump bit off far more than he could chew, that Bibi Netanyahu put his faith into Donald Trump (which never ends well), and that America's standing has been diminished in ways that will reverberate for years. Iran's regime won't be able to repress its own people forever, He notes, but the window to actually topple it during the protests was missed — and Gulf state allies will now be dealing with the Iranians for much longer than they bargained for, having quietly hoped the U.S. and Israel would do their dirty work for them. The political damage at home is just as severe. He cites the Wall Street Journal christening the past seven days as "the week that broke Trump's hold on Congress," with the president now underwater on every single issue, consumer confidence unlikely to recover before the midterms, the Senate unable to fund DHS through reconciliation because Trump makes bipartisan solutions impossible, and his January 6th slush fund producing a backlash that won't go away — with Republican senators visibly wavering. Chuck's verdict on the lame duck arriving early: this is a failed first two years of the Trump presidency, and the stronger his grip on the party, the weaker that party becomes in general elections. He blasts Todd Blanche for turning the DOJ into Trump's personal legal team (Blanche should be impeached, Todd argues, and nothing coming out of this DOJ can be trusted), tears into the long-awaited DNC autopsy of the 2024 loss as paralyzed, tone-deaf, and poorly thought-out — naming Ken Martin as the wrong person to lead the DNC and noting that the simple truth Democrats can't bring themselves to face is that the party is perceived as too liberal in a country with more conservatives than progressives. He flags Mike Duggan dropping out of the Michigan governor's race after his hoped-for contentious Democratic primary never materialized, and Tulsi Gabbard's resignation as DNI proving that the position itself was never really necessary Then, former Marine sniper AJ Pasciuti — author of the new book Dark Horse and host of the Combat Story podcast — joins the Chuck Toddcast for one of the most riveting and clear-eyed conversations about military service, leadership, and the realities of modern war. Pasciuti was 16 years old on September 11th, enlisted at 17, and eventually became the Marine who led the team that killed "Juba" — the notorious Iraqi sniper who uploaded videos of his American kills to the internet to taunt the U.S. military. He walks listeners through the entire hunt: how Marines studied Juba's uploaded footage to identify his patterns, how the team set a trap, how Pasciuti spotted Juba in his hide by catching the glint off the lens of a Sony Handycam, and how he knew within minutes that they'd gotten him — while emphasizing that he may have pulled the trigger but it was an entire team that brought Juba down. Pasciuti reflects on the strange experience of fighting enemies who saw themselves as freedom fighters rather than terrorists, why attention to detail is the trait that weeds out most sniper candidates, and how snipers are ultimately meant to combat the enemy emotionally as much as physically. The conversation broadens into a sweeping meditation on what military service teaches you about America — and where Pasciuti worries the country is heading. He calls the military one of the last bastions of the American dream, where opportunity is real but has to be earned, and argues that a culture promoting service to the greater good over the accumulation of wealth would make America measurably healthier.. Pasciuti is openly worried about political leadership infecting the values of the military, makes the case that empathy must be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness in military leadership, and insists his book is political but not partisan — it's about values. He offers a vital warning that the Taliban proved asymmetrical warfare can defeat a stronger foe, that drone warfare is dangerously dehumanizing combat by reducing casualties to dollars and cents, and that the most important thing any soldier carries home is their soul intact — something he says becomes harder every year as the social contract between America and its veterans erodes. Pasciuti describes seeing fear rather than hatred in the eyes of a dying enemy combatant, a moment that has stayed with him, and explains why he can't support any politician who describes a political opponent as an enemy. He shares his experience running for city council and personally knocking on thousands of doors, his frustration with the financial barriers to entry in modern politics, and his belief that current discourse simply doesn't allow for real dialogue. He closes with the most powerful observation of the episode, made for Memorial Day: the holiday isn't about those who came home — it's about those who didn't — and anyone calling for war should be required to first sit down and have a conversation with a Gold Star family. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine for a thoughtful Memorial Day reflection on how countries honor their war dead — and how the rituals they choose reveal who they understand themselves to be. He traces Memorial Day back to its actual origins in the Civil War and its 600,000 American dead, including the powerful and often-forgotten story of formerly enslaved people who reburied Union soldiers from a mass grave to give them the dignified resting place their country had failed to provide. He explains that the date was chosen not because of a specific battle but because of when flowers bloom, that Southern states kept parallel remembrance traditions for the Confederacy, and that Memorial Day's secondary role as the unofficial start of summer has always made it a uniquely American hybrid of grief and gathering — which, Chuck argues, is actually one of its virtues, because coming together is how communities find common ground. He surveys how other nations approach the same task: WWI created a uniquely Canadian identity around remembrance, Russia centers its V-Day celebrations on WWII triumph as the foundation of national identity, Germany approaches its war dead cautiously and somberly with a deep awareness of historical responsibility, and Japan frames remembrance through loss, peace, and explicit anti-war reflection. His larger argument is that the story and tone of a country's remembrance day reveals exactly how it understands itself — what it celebrates, what it confronts, and what it would rather not look at. He closes with the smallest but most important reminder of the day: you don't say "Happy Memorial Day." He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Predict the action all the way through the finals. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on https://fanduel.com/predicts Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:00 Pending Iran deal looks like a worse version of Obama’s deal 04:45 Iran looks to have avoided all of Trump + Israel’s stated goals 05:15 Iran retains control of Strait, that means this is a loss for Trump 06:15 Trump is capitulating, and this diminishes America’s standing 07:15 Administration hoping to sweep Iran under the rug in time for the midterms 08:00 Normally, America would be leading Ebola response. Trump destroyed USAID 08:45 Helping with disease outbreaks was about protecting us at home 10:00 Unlikely the Iranian regime will be able to repress their people forever 11:00 Trump bit off more than he could chew and needs an offramp 11:45 Bibi put his faith into Donald Trump, which never goes well 13:00 Trump hires flawed people that could only work for him. Makes them loyal 14:15 Politics infects every decision Trump makes 15:45 Gulf state allies will have to deal with Iran for much longer now 16:30 Missed the window to topple the regime during the protests 18:00 Gulf states were hoping U.S. and Israel would do their dirty work 18:30 Trump was worst possible commander in chief for this moment 19:30 It’s a big loss for Trump, but he had no choice but to end the war 22:00 New polling shows Trump approval tanking, huge generic Dem advantage 23:45 WSJ dubs the past week, “The week the broke Trump’s hold on Congress” 25:00 Trump is underwater on every issue 26:00 It’s highly unlikely consumer confidence will rise before the midterms 27:00 Trump is directly responsible for higher inflation and cost of living 28:00 Senate cannot find way to fund DHS through reconciliation 29:30 Trump makes any bipartisan solution impossible 30:15 Todd Banche is making DOJ Trump’s personal attorneys 31:45 Can’t trust anything this DOJ says. Blanche should be impeached* 33:15 Trump’s J6 slush fund is likely illegal and has GOP senators wavering 34:15 Backlash to slush fund isn’t going away 35:45 The stronger Trump grips the party, the weaker it is in general elections 36:30 The lame duck is here. This a failed first two years of Trump’s presidency 37:15 DNC finally releases autopsy of 2024 election loss 37:45 Ken Martin is the wrong person for the DNC chair. In over his head 38:15 The simple fact of the matter is the party is perceived as too liberal 40:45 There are more conservatives than progressives, need to win the moderates 42:00 Autopsy offering gubernatorial wins as a counterpoint is tone deaf 43:45 Trump’s electoral strength doesn’t translate when he isn’t on ballot 44:30 DNC was in a no-win situation with the autopsy 45:15 Seems like the autopsy was just going through motions, poorly thought out 46:30 DNC is paralyzed, in need of new leadership 48:30 Mike Duggan drops out as independent in MI governor’s race 50:00 Duggan counted on contentious primary & that didn’t happen 52:00 Duggan didn’t want a Republican elected and dropped out 52:30 Tulsi Gabbard resigns. DNI post shown to not be necessary 53:00 The CIA has won the “turf battle” amongst intel agencies 54:30 Gabbard isn’t the first DNI that’s been marginalized. 55:15 It’s easy to eye roll Don Jr & Hunter Biden… Their fathers screwed them up 1:03:30 AJ Pasciuti (Dark Horse) joins the Chuck ToddCast 1:05:30 If you wrote the book 10 years ago, how would it have been different? 1:07:00 You gain extra perspective about “why” when more time has passed 1:07:45 Leadership is currently in very short supply 1:09:45 The book is a love letter and thank you to people who shaped AJ’s life 1:11:45 The military is one of the last bastions of the American dream 1:12:45 Was 16 years old on 9/11 and the attack inspired AJ to enlist at 17 1:13:45 How did you identify that you had the skills to be a sniper? 1:15:15 Gunnery Sgt. Jackson helped set AJ on his trajectory 1:16:00 What is training for a sniper like? 1:17:00 Attention to details is the trait that weeds out most sniper candidates 1:17:45 Snipers have to be self-dependent, must rely on yourself for survival 1:19:00 Snipers are meant to combat the enemy emotionally, scare them 1:19:45 “Juba” may not have been just one enemy sniper & hunted Americans 1:20:15 Juba uploaded videos of sniper kills of Americans to the internet 1:21:00 Watching the videos allowed marines to understand Juba’s patterns 1:21:30 Set up a trap for Juba and Juba fell into it 1:22:30 AJ knew they had killed Juba within minutes 1:23:30 Caught a glint of the lens of a Sony handycam to spot Juba 1:24:45 AJ may have pulled the trigger, but it was an entire team that got him 1:26:15 Marines were shocked that people would fight for a tyrant like Saddam 1:27:00 We viewed the enemies as terrorists, they viewed themselves as freedom fighters 1:28:45 Does the message to the troops today seem different than when you served? 1:29:45 When we send Americans into conflict, it must be for a just cause 1:30:15 There’s a responsibility that comes with having the greatest military in history 1:31:15 Are you worried political leadership is infecting the values of the military? 1:32:15 Leadership needs to project values people are inspired to defend 1:34:00 Military leadership needs to view empathy as a strength, not a weakness 1:35:00 The book is political but not partisan. It’s about values 1:36:45 A culture that promotes services to the greater good is healthier 1:38:30 If the culture promotes service over wealth, we’d be better off 1:39:00 Mandatory service in Israel has helped to bond their society 1:41:30 Service strips away the illusion that we succeed alone 1:42:45 Veterans aren’t easily categorized in their politics 1:43:30 Military provides an opportunity, but you have to earn it 1:45:30 Competitive advantage for the military is to think, adapt & react quicker 1:46:45 Marine culture should create soldiers that are problem solvers 1:47:45 Taliban found that asymmetrical warfare could defeat a stronger foe 1:50:00 We have to better prepare for asymmetrical warfare 1:50:45 The American Revolution was fought with asymmetrical warfare 1:51:30 Drone warfare dehumanizes war. Casualties counted in dollars and cents 1:52:45 War is a chess game, and modern tech has leveled the playing field 1:54:45 Have to avoid being dehumanized by war 1:55:30 Saw an enemy combatant dying, saw fear in his eyes, not hatred 1:56:15 Wrote the book not to glorify war, but to tell the realities of it 1:57:45 The hardest part of coming home was doing so with your soul intact 1:59:00 The social contract with our soldiers must be protected 2:00:15 How are you able to publicly express your experience when many can’t? 2:02:30 Can’t support someone that says a political opponent is an enemy 2:03:30 Tell us about your podcast “Combat Story” 2:05:00 Ran for city council, personally knocked on thousands of doors 2:06:30 Our current politics doesn’t allow for dialogue 2:08:45 There’s a financial barrier to entry into politics 2:11:30 Memorial Day is tough, it’s about those who didn’t come home 2:12:00 Anyone calling for war should have a conversation with a gold star family 2:15:15 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with AJ Pasciuti 2:16:00 ToddCast Time Machine 2:16:30 Every country honors war dead, but don’t do it the same way 2:17:15 Memorial Day was borne out of the civil war and 600k Americans dead 2:18:00 Formally enslaved people reburied union soldiers from mass grave 2:18:45 Holiday is also about who gets remembered in our national story 2:19:15 Date was chosen due to flowers blooming & not a specific battle 2:20:30 Southern states kept remembrance traditions for the confederacy 2:21:15 Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer 2:21:45 Gathering together is an important way to find common ground 2:22:45 Different memorial traditions & rituals in other countries 2:23:30 WW1 created a unique identity in Canada 2:24:00 Russia celebrates V-Day, triumph in WW2 central to identity 2:24:45 Germany remembers war cautiously and somberly 2:25:30 Japan remembers war through loss, peace and anti-war reflection 2:26:15 Other memorial rituals around the world 2:27:45 Story and tone of remembrance days are how countries view themselves 2:28:45 You don’t say “Happy Memorial Day” 2:30:00 Ask Chuck 2:30:15 Isn’t it odd that we know so little about attempted Trump assassins? 2:37:00 Why didn’t Dems lean into “Trump Lie Trackers” more in campaigns? 2:41:00 Does the “Epstein Class” framing feel stronger than the “1%”? 2:45:00 Did “No Child Left Behind” do real damage to civics education? 2:51:15 Does the 2.5 swing in presidential elections show most voters are locked in?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the Confederacy's greatest battlefield commander had survived? After being mortally wounded by friendly fire at Chancellorsville in May 1863, Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson was gone just weeks before Gettysburg. But what if he lived? In this episode of Battles of the American Civil War, we dive into one of the biggest “what ifs” in American history and explore how the Battle of Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North, and maybe even the entire Civil War could have unfolded differently with Stonewall Jackson still at Lee's side. Would Jackson have taken Cemetery Hill on the first day? Would Pickett's Charge even happen? Or was the Confederacy already doomed no matter who survived? This is the story of the man Lee called his “right arm” and the alternate timeline that still haunts Civil War historians today.

Host Clay Newcomb begins a new series on the American Civil War with historian and educator, JD Hewitt, of The History Underground. Clay invites you to go on a journey to ask the question that still divides Americans more than 160 years later: What was the Civil War really about? From slavery and states’ rights to Southern identity, economic power, abolitionists, and the lasting cultural memory of the Confederacy, Clay and JD attempt to navigate one of the most complicated and emotionally charged subjects in American history with honesty and nuance. The conversation traces the roots of the conflict from the founding of America through the rise of King Cotton, the contradictions of Thomas Jefferson, the expansion of slavery westward, and the radical actions of John Brown that helped push the nation toward war. Watch Clay's Alaska Bear Hunt on YouTube Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to beargrease@themeateater.com Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Massie took the L in Kentucky last night; meanwhile, AOC wants the North to pull up to the South.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

From Pete Hegseth's erasure of Black Americans and women from military history, to Donald Trump's dismantling of DEI programs across the federal government, to Stephen Miller's openly stated goal of ethnic cleansing, Hawk connects the dots between policy and intent. The firing of hundreds of thousands of Black federal workers, the targeting of universities and corporations with DEI policies, and the Supreme Court's systematic gutting of the Voting Rights Act are all part of the same pattern. Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito have spent decades working to eradicate the Voting Rights Act, the landmark 1965 legislation that Hawk argues represented the first true moment the United States became a functioning representative democracy. That legacy is now being dismantled in real time. Hawk makes the case that in 2026, there is no longer any reasonable argument that a Trump voter is not fully aware of what they are supporting. Racism, misogyny, bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia were not hidden in the 2024 campaign — they were the campaign. If the shoe fits, it fits. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

From the Invasion of Naboo to the Battle of Coruscant, the Confederacy of Independent Systems waged the Clone Wars with armies of B1 battle droids, super battle droids, MagnaGuards, spider droids, and Hailfire tanks. Join Star Lores as we explore the Separatist Droid Army, the corporate factions behind it, and how Darth Sidious engineered both sides of the galaxy's deadliest war. Become a patron to get access to the bonus episodes or support the show through Paypal and bitcoin! You can also check out our merch on Redbubble. Don't forget to also connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com and Discord! Find all of our links here: https://doras.to/starlores Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apparently?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's 1864, and against the backdrop of the US Civil War- a war the Confederacy is losing- a group of spies and saboteurs have set up a base in Montreal, Canada. Today we would call this a sanctuary or a safe haven. Canada would become home to several infamous Confederate missions, some of which are detailed in Tim Wendel's novel Rebel Falls. While this book is fictional, it's grounded in several real-life stories. Guest host Dr. Mark Jacobson sits down with Tim Wendel as he takes us across the border into the world of Civil War espionage. Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/ For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit:  https://www.spymuseum.org/ And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org. This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

While we are on a break, enjoy this episode from Season 2. Season 3 starts May 19!This week, we take on Apuleius' The Golden Ass, a hilarious surprise from Ted Gioia's Immersive Humanities Course. Written in the mid-300s A.D., this is the very first Latin prose novel, penned by Algerian-born Apuleius. Lucius, our hero, is a young man who meddles in magic, transforms into a donkey, and embarks on wild adventures before returning to human form. We were so captivated that note-taking fell by the wayside, much like with Herodotus' Histories. This rollicking tale, brimming with late-Roman-Empire themes, proved both hilarious and profound.Unlike Aristotle's structured tragedy guidelines (see Week 5's Poetics), The Golden Ass defies unity of action, place, and time, weaving a tapestry of digressions and sub-stories. Lucius' transformation serves as a spine for tales like “I heard…” or “So they told me…,” echoing the nested narratives of The Odyssey and The Aeneid. The standout sub-story is the myth of Cupid and Psyche, the earliest known version, which stunned us as the inspiration for C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces. Its late appearance for a myth feels significant, reflecting a decadent, fatigued Roman worldview. Fortune, personified as in Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, reappears, underscoring this era's preoccupations.Sarah Ruden's translation is a triumph, preserving Apuleius' puns, alliteration, and bawdy humor. This farce, second only to Lysistrata in humor, is delightfully NSFW, with outrageous scenes that shocked even our son Jack. Ruden notes comparisons to modern humorists like Wodehouse or George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman series, and we see parallels to Forrest Gump—Lucius stumbles through events without driving the plot. The book's influence extends to A Confederacy of Dunces, sparking new reading threads for us, exactly why we joined this course.Join us next week as we travel east and read The Arabian Nights.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!) The complete list of Crack the Book Episodes (Amazon affiliate links): https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2rCONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ Like what you heard? Buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/crackthebookLISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

A gentle reminder: this ginormous shitstorm is less than four months old. Hold fast, Horndanistx! We're losing a wat we should never have started and these goons are ignoring a disease that kills 40% of the people who get it. The "Thank god for Ivermectin" posts are already proliferating. The MAGATS are playing Calvin Ball all over the Confederacy, proving that the Union really didn't burn enough sense into 'em. Heads-Up: As I predicted, the y next talking point is "why Dems gerrymander Vermont?" No. Really, They're that damned dumb.

Look Forward exposes how Southern Republicans are systematically destroying Black voting rights because the Confederacy never died, it just rebranded as the modern GOP. We break down the ongoing assault on Black political representation nationwide, especially in former Confederate states. Gas prices are up 50% on average since Trump launched his illegal Iran war, devastating American families while the conflict drags on. CIA intelligence suggests the "excursion" is going exactly as poorly as predicted.Chief Justice John Roberts is reportedly sad that being a corrupt hack will define his lasting legacy on the Supreme Court. Rudy Giuliani, even on death's door, continues his grifting lifestyle. Kamala Harris demands the DNC release its 2024 election autopsy report. The GOP's White House ballroom price tag keeps mysteriously increasing, now potentially costing taxpayers over a billion dollars. The FBI raids the office of a top Democratic leader in Virginia who led the state's anti-gerrymandering effort.Ivermectin is back! MAGA world pushes horse paste for hantavirus treatment. We connect the dots: CDC staffing cuts led to cruise ship norovirus outbreaks. And Kash Patel definitely has a bourbon collection.We cover voting rights destruction, Iran war costs, Roberts' regret, and the week's corruption and stupidity.Look Forward is a weekly progressive political podcast covering U.S. politics, government policy, Democratic strategy, elections, voting rights, Supreme Court rulings, and political news. Featuring progressive commentary, political analysis, and unapologetic opinions on the fight for democracy. Hosted by Jay and Brad. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Dense Pixels (video game news).

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The 6-3 ruling, along partisan lines, ends 61 years of voter protections for African-Americans and other minorities. In our latest, we talk with Prof. Clayton Lust about how the Civil War has never ended and the forces supporting the Lost Cause continue to fight and win for a Southern vision of America. Guest Bio//Prof. Clayton Lust (@profclaytonlust.bsky.social)- Historian, activist, teacher, conqueror, warper of minds. Clayton Lust has taught at Houston Community College since 2003 after graduating from the University of Houston. -----------------Outro// "Green and Red Blues" by MoodyLinks//

Hello Ohio Mysteries Backroads listeners. Ohio played an outsized role in shaping the leadership of the Union and Confederacy during the American Civil War—producing a remarkable number of generals who would go on to influence not only the outcome of the war, but the future of the nation itself. In this episode, we explore the lives and legacies of some of the Buckeye State's most prominent military leaders, including Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, Philip Sheridan, and George McClelllan. From Grant's steady rise to overall command of Union forces, to Sherman's ruthless and transformative campaigns across the South, these men redefined modern warfare through strategy, innovation, and sheer determination. We'll uncover how Ohio's frontier spirit, political climate, and growing industrial power helped shape these commanders—and why so many Union generals traced their roots back to towns and cities across the state. Along the way, we'll dive into battlefield decisions, personal rivalries, and the lasting impact these leaders had long after the guns fell silent. Join us as we journey through war-torn America and discover how Ohio became a proving ground for some of the most influential military minds in U.S. history. Check out our Facebook page!: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558042082494¬if_id=1717202186351620¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please check other podcast episodes like this at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ohiomysteries.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dan hosts a Youtube Channel called: Ohio History and Haunts where he explores historical and dark places around Ohio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj5x1eJjHhfyV8fomkaVzsA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our "Sunday Context" episode, we look at how the Confederacy scrambled to draft a constitution as Civil War broke out in 1861. Plus, a quick follow up and correction about the founder of baseball.Join our America250 newsletter community! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of how America250 is playing out. Paying subscribers get access to early, ad-free versions of the show. Plus bonus features throughout the year. To support our work and get access to everything, subscribe now.This Day is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In August 1863, as Lee's army retreated from Gettysburg and Vicksburg fell to Grant, the Union's Anaconda Plan deployed hundreds of ships to strangle 3,500 miles of Confederate coastline, triggering hyperinflation and economic collapse as the South lost its ability to export King Cotton for vital war supplies. Yet in Mobile, Alabama—uniquely insulated from the front lines—civilian merchant mariners with knowledge of hidden coastal inlets and shifting sandbars became the Confederacy's lifeline, piloting low-profile steel-hulled steamers through Union blockades in total darkness using lead-lining and secret shore-based signal stations. These daring runs generated profits of 700% to 1,000% per voyage, but before the Confederate government mandated 50% war supplies per shipment, captains often prioritized black market silks and liquors over desperately needed ammunition and salt. Today's guest is Bill C. Wilson, career merchant mariner and author of Course Over Ground, a historical thriller set during the height of Civil War blockade running in his hometown of Mobile. We discuss how blockade runners shifted from wooden sailing vessels to steamers burning "smokeless" anthracite coal to remain invisible on the horizon, why the transition to high-pressure steam engines was necessary to outrun Union "double-enders," and how the shuttle system between neutral ports like Nassau and Bermuda kept the cotton-for-arms pipeline flowing. Wilson also reveals his favorite research discovery: during the Battle of Mobile Bay, the last confirmed bayonet wound suffered by an American sailor occurred when two warships came into contact, and explains why once Wilmington fell in 1865, the blockade runner's role was already obsolete due to the collapse of the Southern rail system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corruption, dark money, and dangerous leadership - three elements that have characterized the Trump administration. We are governed by a maniac and his corrupt cronies, such as Howard Lutnick. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the rampant corruption within the current administration, the degradation of integrity within our public institutions, and the mess of Trump's war in Iran. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corruption, dark money, and dangerous leadership - three elements that have characterized the Trump administration. We are governed by a maniac and his corrupt cronies, such as Howard Lutnick. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the rampant corruption within the current administration, the degradation of integrity within our public institutions, and the mess of Trump's war in Iran. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do the women in Bama Rush, beauty pageants and President Trump's orbit have in common? Their look traces back to the beauty traditions of the white, antebellum South. We talk to Elizabeth Bronwyn Boyd, author Southern Beauty: Race, Ritual and Memory in the Modern South, about how nostalgia for a Southern past influences the aesthetics of today.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW SCHEDULE, FRIDAY 4-3-20261969 APJOHN BATCHELOR SHOW SCHEDULE, FRIDAY 4-3-20261969 APOLLO 101. LAS VEGAS TOURISM AND PRODUCTION HURDLES GUEST: Jeff Bliss Jeff Bliss discusses Las Vegas's rise as a spring break destination and the "creative destruction" of historic hotels,. He also explores how bureaucratic fees and safety concerns impact film production for the *Baywatch* reboot. (1)2. CALIFORNIA'S PRIMARY AND NATIONAL POLITICS GUEST: Jeff Bliss Jeff Bliss explains how California's "jungle primary" splits the Democratic vote, aiding Republican candidates like Steve Hilton. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom remains focused on a potential presidential run rather than local legislative issues. (2)3. THE EVOLUTION OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP LAW GUEST: Richard Epstein Richard Epstein analyzes the 14th Amendment and early naturalization acts, emphasizing that citizenship originally required renouncing foreign allegiances. He argues that using "domicile" as a legal standard distorts the original intent of statutes. (3)4. POLITICAL SHIFTS AND THE EPSTEIN FILES GUEST: Richard Epstein Richard Epstein discusses the resignation of Pam Bondi and the political threat posed by the Jeffrey Epstein files. These documents create risks through "guilt by association" for various high-profile figures, including Donald Trump. (4)5. LANCASTER COUNTY ECONOMY AND EASTER TRADITIONS GUEST: Jim McTague Jim McTague reports sharp gas price increases in Lancaster County, affecting household budgets. He also highlights local Easter traditions, including church-made peanut butter chocolate eggs, and the start of the trout fishing season. (5)6. ITALIAN FOOTBALL REFORM AND EASTER RECIPES GUEST: Lorenzo Fiori Lorenzo Fiori addresses the Italian national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup and calls for systemic reform. He also recommends visiting Cuneo and shares a traditional recipe for chard-stuffed Easter cake. (6)7. ARTEMIS MISSIONS AND CORPORATE SPACE RIVALRY GUEST: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman critiques the Artemis 2 mission design and high SLS rocket costs. He also discusses the "lawfare" between SpaceX and Amazon regarding satellite orbits and SpaceX's potential move toward an initial public offering. (7)8. ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES AND PLANETARY RESEARCH GUEST: Bob Zimmerman The Reuben Telescope has discovered 11,000 asteroids, including near-Earth objects. Bob Zimmerman also explains Saturn's warped magnetic field and emphasizes the need for new orbiters to explore data from Neptune and Uranus. (8)9. THE EMERGENCE OF CIVIL WAR PRISON CAMPS GUEST: Fitzhugh Brundage Fitzhugh Brundage discusses the creation of prisons like Andersonville and Point Lookout after the breakdown of prisoner exchanges. The Confederacy established Andersonville in Georgia to move prisoners away from the capital, Richmond. (9)10. AFRICAN AMERICAN PRISONERS IN THE CIVIL WAR GUEST: Fitzhugh Brundage Fitzhugh Brundage details the harrowing experiences of black Union soldiers like Isaac Gaskins, who were enslaved by the Confederacy after capture. These men were often forced into labor instead of being treated as POWs. (10)11. ANDERSONVILLE'S HORRORS AND POST-WAR JUSTICE GUEST: Fitzhugh Brundage The horrific conditions at Andersonville were documented by photographer Andrew Riddle, showing extreme starvation and disease. After the war, commandant Henry Wirz was prosecuted for war crimes, becoming a scapegoat for Confederate leadership. (11)12. PRESERVING THE MEMORY OF CIVIL WAR DEAD GUEST: Fitzhugh Brundage Fitzhugh Brundage explains the uneven history of Civil War mass graves and the creation of Andersonville National Cemetery. Clara Barton played a key role in identifying the 13,000 Union soldiers buried there. (12)13. THE TRANSFORMATION OF MODERN DRONE WARFARE GUEST: Henry Sokolski Henry Sokolski explores the evolution of warfare in Ukraine, highlighting the strategic use of Starlink and decentralized drone procurement. He also notes how AI-powered targeting from Palantir has significantly increased combat effectiveness. (13)14. NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION RISKS AT BUSHEHR REACTOR GUEST: Henry Sokolski Henry Sokolski discusses the security risks at Iran's Bushehr reactor, which contains 210 tons of spent fuel with weapons-usable plutonium. He stresses the urgent need for real-time monitoring to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials. (14)15. SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND LABOR CHALLENGES GUEST: Gene Marks Gene Marks discusses job data revisions, the rise of gas prices, and the "Buy Now, Pay Later" retail trend. He also explores the difficulties small businesses face with H-1B visas and COVID-era loan repayments. (15)16. HARNESSING AI TOOLS FOR BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY GUEST: Gene Marks Gene Marks highlights how small businesses can use AI tools like Legal Zoom for automated services and Microsoft 365 Copilot for productivity. He emphasizes the importance of employee training to leverage these technologies effectively. (16)

JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW SCHEDULE 4-2-202618611. Anatol Lieven analyzes President Trump's response to the Iran conflict and rising energy prices. He discusses NATO's internal divisions as European allies prioritize local economic interests and geographic proximity over American strategy.,, (1)2. Anatol Lieven examines Ukraine's new business model exporting drone expertise to the Gulf. He notes Russia's intelligence support for Iran and China's cautious stance regarding potential for wider escalation in the Middle East., (2)3. Josh Rogin reports on the Hill and Valley Forum, where Silicon Valley and Washington leaders discuss defense modernization. He addresses bureaucratic hurdles and China's significant manufacturing lead in critical military technologies.,, (3)4. Josh Rogin analyzes Europe's lagging defense capabilities and the global drone production race. He highlights restrictive ITAR regulations and explains how AI automation in manufacturing helps the United States compete against China's scale.,, (4)5. Evan Ellis details the inauguration of Chile's conservative President Jose Antonio Kast. He examines Kast's challenges with organized crime and immigration while managing deep economic dependence on China and maintaining American security ties., (5)6. Evan Ellis discusses Brazilian President Lula's endorsement of Michelle Bachelet for UN Secretary General. He reflects on Chile's ideological shifts between pro-market right-wing policies and the left's focus on social benefits.,, (6)7. Evan Ellis evaluates a Russian oil delivery to Cuba and possible backroom negotiations with the Trump administration. He also analyzes the normalization of Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez amidst efforts toward a regional political transition.,, (7)8. Evan Ellis previews Peru's upcoming presidential election and a tightening race in Brazil. He discusses how corruption scandals, such as the Bank of Masters, are impacting President Lula's popularity against challenger Flavio Bolsonaro.,, (8)9. Fitz Brundage recounts the capture of black Union sailors and the subsequent halt of Civil War prisoner exchanges. He explains how the Emancipation Proclamation transformed the war's legal status and the humanitarian treatment.,, (9)10. Fitz Brundage explains the Dix-Hill cartel and the historical evolution of prisoner exchanges. He describes the system of parole and the specific calculus used to swap soldiers of varying ranks to ensure fairness.,, (10)11. Fitz Brundage examines Civil War prison administrators John Winder and William Hoffman. He details the harsh conditions at Libby Prison and Hoffman's focus on extreme cost-saving measures at the expense of prisoner welfare.,, (11)12. Fitz Brundage analyzes the Lieber Code, which codified the humane treatment of prisoners of war. He discusses the "military necessity" loophole and the Confederacy's rejection of these Union-led regulations as illegitimate.,, (12)13. Jim McTague and Simon Constable report on rising global commodity prices, including Brent crude and diesel. They discuss the impact of the Iran conflict on fertilizer supplies and the resulting economic strain.,,, (13)14. Jim McTague and Simon Constable analyze UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response to the Middle East crisis. They discuss Britain's limited military capacity and inflammatory newspaper claims regarding drone warfare and minesweeping capabilities.,, (14)15.Kevin Frazier and Thaddius McCotter  Kevin Fraser and Thaddius Mart advocate for embracing artificial intelligence as a governance tool. They discuss state-level regulatory hurdles, the rise of a "portfolio economy," and the necessity of educating families on responsible use.,, (15)16. Kevin Frazier and Thaddius McCotter explore the relational aspects of AI and its influence on youth. They contrast AI subscription models with social media's engagement-driven algorithms, emphasizing the need for AI literacy.,, (16)