Podcasts about The Daily Beast

Most people probably don't realize Alex Borstein is the same actress who broke out on ‘MADtv,' has been voicing Lois Griffin on ‘Family Guy' for 25 years, and won two Emmys for her role as Susie Myerson on ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.' And yet, while she may still not be a household name, she has slowly but surely put together a more accomplished and steady career than she ever could have imagined. In this episode, the comedian talks about returning to her stand-up roots for her latest one-woman show, ‘Alex Borstein Is Thirsty,' and looks back on the twists and turns of her unlikely Hollywood journey. That includes her misgivings about how her iconic character Ms. Swan went from a loving impression of her grandmother to an unfortunate racist caricature and how she landed the lucrative ‘Family Guy' gig over some much bigger names. Borstein also gets into her beloved HBO cult classic series ‘Getting On' and why she decided to deliver an anti-fascist call to arms when she accepted her second Emmy Award for ‘Maisel.' And finally, a deeply embarrassing story about the time she appeared opposite Halle Berry in ‘Catwoman.' Get tickets to see Alex Borstein liveFollow Alex Borstein on Instagram @alexborstein Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special episode of Art is Awesome was recorded live at KALW Public Radio in San Francisco, featuring host Emily Wilson and a dynamic panel: artists Tricia Rainwater and Jennifer Wofford, and curator Candace Huey. The conversation explores the power of art in challenging times, the importance of community, and the unique creative spirit of the Bay Area.Highlights include:Opening chat with Emily and KALW Executive Producer Ben Trefny.Reflections on each guest's artistic journey and current projects, including Tricia's solo exhibition at SF Camerawork and Jenifer's new mural project.Insights into the role of art in healing, activism, and building community, with stories about resilience, resourcefulness, and the impact of representation.Discussion of recent Bay Area art events and exhibitions, such as Superflex and Everyday War, and their significance in today's social climate.Audience Q&A covering mentorship, censorship, and advice for emerging artists.Tune in for an inspiring, honest, and heartfelt look at what art can do—and why it matters now more than ever.More from this Episode:KALW Public Radio - Bay MadeTricia Rainwater - TriciaRainwaterArt.com - "The Tellings We Keep" at SF CameraworkJenifer Wofford - Wofflehouse.com - "MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy" - @Woffsilog on InstagramCandace Huey - EdgeOnTheSquare.org - @EdgeOnTheSquare on Instagram--About Podcast Host Emily Wilson:Emily a writer in San Francisco, with work in outlets including Hyperallergic, Artforum, 48 Hills, the Daily Beast, California Magazine, Latino USA, and Women's Media Center. She often writes about the arts. For years, she taught adults getting their high school diplomas at City College of San Francisco.Follow Emily on Instagram: @PureEWilFollow Art Is Awesome on Instagram: @ArtIsAwesome_Podcast--CREDITS:Art Is Awesome is Hosted, Created & Executive Produced by Emily Wilson. Theme Music "Loopster" Courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseThe Podcast is Co-Produced, Developed & Edited by Charlene Goto of @GoToProductions. For more info, visit Go-ToProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aidan Walker is a writer, creator, and internet culture researcher. He has covered memes and tech for the BBC, The Daily Beast, and other outlets. He posts on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram as @aidanetcetera and writes the Substack newsletter How To Do Things With Memes. What are memes, where do they come from, what's their impact today as a communications tool, and what lies ahead for this powerful medium? Aidan answers these questions and more...and also discusses his recent epic appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

On October 22, BigTentUSA hosted a thought-provoking conversation with Kerry Kennedy, President of ‪@rfkhumanrights‬ and ‪@SenatorChrisMurphy‬ (D-CT), moderated by ‪@bulwarkmedia‬'s Sam Stein. Rather than focusing solely on policy reform, the speakers explored how decades of broken promises from both Democrats and Republicans — coupled with the lack of a shared understanding of what it truly means to be American — have fueled the intolerance underlying today's immigration crisis. They reflected on how this erosion of shared values has weakened trust in institutions and deepened divisions across the country. The discussion also examined the broader democratic moment, from the real-world impact of the ongoing government shutdown to the growing threats posed by authoritarianism. Kennedy and Murphy emphasized that lasting progress depends not only on government action but on the collective power of citizens and civil society organizations to push for accountability and justice. It was an illuminating and deeply human conversation — a call to restore our sense of common purpose and to harness the power of civic engagement in defense of democracy and human rights.Learn more about RFK Human Rights: https://rfkhumanrights.org/ ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Kerry Kennedy is president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, where she partners with courageous activists around the world to advance justice and human dignity. A human rights lawyer and author of the New York Times bestsellers Being Catholic Now and Speak Truth to Power, Kennedy has spent more than four decades championing causes from women's rights and criminal justice reform to freedom of expression and environmental justice. The seventh child of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, she has led hundreds of human rights delegations globally and appears frequently as a commentator and contributor in national media. Kennedy serves on the boards of the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, among others, and has received numerous international honors for her advocacy. She is a graduate of Brown University and Boston College Law School and the proud mother of three daughters.Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), the junior United States Senator from Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. Senator Murphy has been a strong voice in the Senate fighting for job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy. Senator Murphy is a consensus builder and many times throughout his political career has worked to bridge the political divide. He led a bipartisan effort to reform the mental health system, working across the aisle to craft the first comprehensive mental health bill in the Senate in decades. Following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in 2012, Senator Murphy became one of the leading proponents of commonsense reforms to reduce gun violence. He has championed a number of bipartisan bills aimed at expanding background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals. And most recently, he was the lead Democratic negotiator of the breakthrough bipartisan border reform agreement. Sam Stein is managing editor for The Bulwark. Prior to then he was Deputy Managing Editor for Politics at Politico. He held similar posts at both The Daily Beast and HuffPost, where he founded the site's D.C. bureau. He has been a longtime contributor on MSNBC. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he met his wife! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bigtentnews.substack.com

The three words are scrawled everywhere; on walls, banners, and even on the side of Barcelona's rubbish bins. It's easy to dismiss them as the word of isolated cranks. But it isn't. The message increasingly reflects popular sentiment, and not just in the tourist hotspots in Spain. And with short-term rentals like Airbnb driving locals out of their apartments, while the digital nomad ghettos as distant as Chiang Mai and Medellin, cause skyrocketing prices out of the reach of residents, it's impossible for a sincere traveler not to ask the question: Are we part of the problem? Daniel Maurer wrestles with the big questions, such as this, in his new book The Future of Travel, part of an intriguing 'Futures' series by Melville House. Daniel is an award-winning food, culture, and travel journalist who has written for outlets such as The New York Times, New York magazine, Thrillist, The Art Newspaper, Eater, The Daily Beast, Atlas Obscura, and others. He won two James Beard Media Awards while chief editor of Grub Street. Daniel joined the Travel Writing Podcast to speak about overtourism and traveler's guilt, and how we can keep traveling without causing harm to the places we visit.

Leslie Jones has been a comedic force of nature for nearly 40 years. And in her new stand-special ‘Life Part 2' (streaming this Friday, Oct. 24 on Peacock), she displays more bravado and confidence on stage than ever. In this episode, Jones breaks down everything that went into getting to this moment in her career, from controversial breakout performance on SNL's “Weekend Update” to her difficult decision to walk away from that show after five seasons. She discusses her unique relationship with Lorne Michaels, her very real crush on Colin Jost, and working with “scared little boy” Donald Trump the week he hosted the show. Jones also gets into how much she wanted ‘The Daily Show' host gig and weighs on a new SNL cast that once again features zero Black women. Follow Leslie Jones on Instagram @lesdogggg Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Kotkin is a writer on urban affairs and a fellow in urban studies at Chapman University in Orange, California. He is a regular contributor to The Daily Beast and the conservative magazine The Spectator, as well as the author of several books. In 2020, he published The Coming of Neo-Feudalism: A Warning to the […]

The Daily Beast's David Gardner and Sarah Ewall-Wice join Joanna Coles to unpack Trump's latest obsession, a $200 million Arc de Trump slated to lord over the Potomac. Is it legacy-building or pure delusion? From secret Oval Office blueprints and questions over who's really bankrolling Trump's $200 million ballroom to Pete Hegseth's war on the press fallout, Coles and company expose a capital consumed by Trump's ego and unravel what his monument mania reveals about the man who can't stop trying to carve himself into history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By all accounts, John Candy was such a decent and kind person that when Colin Hanks set out to direct the definitive documentary about his life and career, he knew there wouldn't be any “dirt” to uncover. In the words of Candy's friend Bill Murray, “I wish I had some more bad things to say about him.” But ‘John Candy: I Like Me' (streaming now on Amazon Prime Video) does explore the beloved comic actor's many personal demons. In this episode, Hanks breaks down why he wanted to make a film about Candy, including his personal connection to the comedy star through his father, Tom Hanks, and their shared struggles with issues of anxiety and mortality. Hanks discusses his heartbreaking interview with Macaulay Culkin, reveals the piece of archival footage he was most excited to uncover, and later, discusses his own journey from teen actor to filmmaker—including his first-ever response to the “nepo baby” discourse. Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are so widespread today that it is present in the soil, air, food, and water. Since they are hidden in almost all kinds of everyday products, the PFAS crisis in the United States will only get worse – unless we do something about it. Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Rachel Frazin, an energy and environment reporter at The Hill, who talks about her new book that tackles how these “forever chemicals” are damaging numerous communities across the country. Rachel breaks down the most common diseases caused by PFAS exposure, from birth defects to fertility issues. She also shares how huge waves of changes are being made to address this crisis, and how everyday people can join the movement.About Guest:Rachel Frazin covers energy and environment policy for The Hill: that's everything from climate change to gasoline prices to toxic chemicals to renewable and fossil energy. She is originally from South Florida, and she studied journalism and political science at (the very cold) Northwestern University. Previously, her work has appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Beast, the Tampa Bay Times, and The Palm Beach Post. She is the co-author of the new book "Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America."Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-frazin-90a692113/ Guest Social: https://www.instagram.com/rachelfrazin/ Additional Resources Mentioned:Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America by Rachel Frazin and Sharon UdasinShow Notes: Raw audio02:38 - Why Rachel Decided To Write Her First Book05:18 - How PFAS Became So Widespread In Our Communities07:46 - How Individual Activists Are Fighting Against PFAS10:26 - What Can You Do To Address The PFAS Crisis14:54 - What Makes PFAS So Dangerous To Our Daily Lives22:02 - How Communities Are Struggling With PFAS Exposure28:22 - Common Health Problems Caused By PFAS31:29 - Where Are You Getting Exposed To PFAS35:11 - Potential Policy Solutions And Regulatory Reforms For PFAS41:22 - Exposing Harm While Protecting Yourself42:50 - Recognizing PFAS As A Massive Environmental Crisis44:14 - Why Corporate Leaders Are Ignoring The PFAS Crisis47:35 - Consider The Everyday Products You Are Using49:01 - What's Next For Rachel As An Author And Journalist51:26 - Episode Wrap-Up And Closing WordsBUILD A GREENER FUTURE with CARE MORE BE BETTER

Welcome to Art is Awesome, the show where we talk with an artist or art worker with a connection to the San Francisco Bay Area. In this episode, Emily Wilson interviews artist Julio Cesar Morales. Julio discusses his journey from Tijuana to San Francisco, his influences from social movements, music, and literature, and his interdisciplinary approach to art. The conversation explores his exhibitions "My America" at Gallery Wendy Norris and "Ojo" at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis, both focusing on themes of migration, borders, and immigrant experiences.Julio shares stories behind his watercolor series inspired by real-life attempts to cross the US-Mexico border, and reflects on the symbolism of twins and portals in his work. He also talks about his collaborations in sound art, the importance of music in his creative process, and the impact of community and social justice on his art. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about art, migration, and the power of storytelling.About Artist Julio Cesar Morales:Julio César Morales employs a range of media and visual strategies to explore issues of migration, underground economies, and labor, on personal and global scales. He works by whatever means necessary: in a series of watercolor illustrations, Morales diagramed means of human trafficking in passenger vehicles, while in other projects he employed the DJ turntable, neon signs, the historical reenactment of a famous meal, or the conventions of an artist-run gallery to explore social interaction and political perspectives.Julio's artwork has been shown at venues internationally, including; the Lyon Biennale, France; Istanbul Biennale, Turkey; Los Angeles County Art Museum, Los Angeles; Singapore Biennale, Singapore; Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt, Germany; Prospect 3, New Orleans; SFMOMA, San Francisco; Perez Art Museum, Miami; Museo Tamayo, Mexico City; Museo del Barrio, New York City; The UCLA Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, Davis; and Gallery Wendi Norris, San Francisco, amongst others. His work is in private and public collections including MoMA, New York; The Los Angeles County Art Museum, Los Angeles; The Kadist Foundation, San Francisco and Paris; The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Deutsche Bank, Germany; and The Office of Art in Embassies. Morales has been written about in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Artforum, Frieze, Flash Art, Art Nexus, and Art in America.Julio's Artist Profile, CLICK HERE. Follow Julio on Instagram:  @JCM_3000OJO Exhibit at the Shrem Museum of Art at UCDavis, CLICK HERE. MY AMERICA Exhibit at Gallery Wendi Norris--About Podcast Host Emily Wilson:Emily a writer in San Francisco, with work in outlets including Hyperallergic, Artforum, 48 Hills, the Daily Beast, California Magazine, Latino USA, and Women's Media Center. She often writes about the arts. For years, she taught adults getting their high school diplomas at City College of San Francisco.Follow Emily on Instagram: @PureEWilFollow Art Is Awesome on Instagram: @ArtIsAwesome_Podcast--CREDITS:Art Is Awesome is Hosted, Created & Executive Produced by Emily Wilson. Theme Music "Loopster" Courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseThe Podcast is Co-Produced, Developed & Edited by Charlene Goto of @GoToProductions. For more info, visit Go-ToProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Schager is the Entertainment Critic for The Daily Beast and a longtime regular on The CGP. This week, two segments with Nick. Here he reviews Tron: Ares (theaters), Vicious (Paramount+) and The Woman in Cabin 10 (Netflix). The Christopher Gabriel Program ----------------------------------------------------------- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Christopher Gabriel Program' on all platforms: The Christopher Gabriel Program is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- The Christopher Gabriel Program | Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Wolff returns with Joanna Coles for a blistering look at the latest fractures inside Trump's MAGA coalition. From Trump's resurfacing of Epstein anxieties and his strange new pardon predicament with Ghislaine Maxwell, to his growing unease over Israel and the rise of Christian nationalism, Wolff sketches a portrait of a president losing control of the populist movement he created. The Daily Beast's Chief Content Officer Joanna Coles presses Wolff on Tucker Carlson's ambitions, online swirling Charlie Kirk conspiracies, and J.D. Vance's quiet maneuvering for power. Together, they dissect how Trump's cult of loyalty is turning on itself and why his old tactics may finally be failing. Is Trump still the master of the MAGA hivemind, or has he become just another voice in the chaos he unleashed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first 10 years of Phoebe Robinson's comedy career, she “dreaded” getting up to tell jokes every night. It wasn't until she found a way to genuinely have fun on stage that she has produced her best hour of stand-up yet in the new special ‘I Don't Wanna Work Anymore' (now streaming on YouTube). In her return to the show, the former co-host of the popular 2 Dope Queens podcast takes on the rise of the MAGA manosphere podcasters who are suddenly having second thoughts about helping Donald Trump win. She also shares her unfiltered thoughts on the greedy comedians taking millions from the Saudi government to look the other way on human rights abuses at the Riyadh Comedy Festival and weighs in on the “divorce” rumors that have plagued Barack and Michelle Obama.Follow Phoebe Robinson on Instagram @dopequeenpheebs Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jukes came to prominence for journalism because of his involvement in and commentary on the News International phone-hacking scandal and the Leveson Inquiry. He live-tweeted the long hacking trial (half a million words over 130+ days) from the Old Bailey. He writes regularly for outlets such as The Independent, New Statesman, Prospect, Newsweek, The Daily Beast, and more, on media, politics, corruption and transparency. He is also the co-founder and Executive Editor of Byline Times. Through that and related projects, he emphasizes investigative journalism, exposing power, corruption, and media malpractice.----------LINKS:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jukeshttps://x.com/peterjukes?lang=enhttp://www.peterjukes.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-jukes-525b0013/https://bylinetimes.com/author/peterjukes/----------BOOKS: A Shout in the Street (1990) — a literary/essay work on modern cities. (Wikipedia)The Fall of the House of Murdoch (2012) — a crowd-funded critique of media power. (Simon & Schuster UK)Beyond Contempt: The Inside Story of the Phone Hacking Trial — reporting on the hacking trial.(Audible.com)----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

A downtown shooting in Montgomery leaves two dead and twelve injured, as Trump escalates authoritarian tactics with National Guard deployments, the government remains shut down, and Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks strain his alliance with Netanyahu. Alabama Shooting-via PBS and US News Report Troops Around the Country-via Axios and AP News Trump MIA Again-via The Daily Beast and AP News Government Shutdown-via CBS News and CNN Israel-Hamas-via The Guardian, CNN, Axios, and BBCTake the pledge to be a voter at raisingvoters.org/beavoterdecember. - on AmazonSubscribe to the Substack: kimmoffat.substack.comAll episodes can be found at: kimmoffat.com/thenewsAs always, you can find me on Instagram/Twitter/Bluesky @kimmoffat and TikTok @kimmoffatishere

Adelstein introduces the people behind Mt. Gox, one of the world's largest Bitcoin exchanges, based in Tokyo and run by Frenchman Mark Karpeles. As a reporter for The Daily Beast, Japan-based Adelstein starts researching Mt. Gox, to figure out how it got hacked, and how it collapsed i 2014 with over 650,000 Bitcoins gone missing. He covers the laws, customs and quirks of Japan's hostage-justice system and how the entire investigation into Karpeles and Mt. Gox played out. And yes, it includes cats! The Devil Takes Bitcoin: Cryptocurrency Crimes and the Japanese Connection will be published by Scribe, Oct. 14, 2025.Jake is an book junkie who reads across a variety of genres. He is currently reading:The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto by Benjamin Wallace about the founder of Bitcoin.The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom大阪府警暴力団担当刑事Yellow Face by R.F. Kuang The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press. Podcast host Amy Chavez is author of The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island. and Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan.The Books on Asia website posts book reviews, podcast episodes and episode Show Notes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. Subscribe to the Books on Asia newsletter to receive news of the latest new book releases, reviews and podcast episodes.

POISONING THE WELL: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America takes a look at the toxic chemicals PFAS, and how they've become permanently embedded in our soil, our water, and our bodies. Authors Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin discuss the controversy and consequences. Sharon Udasin is a staff reporter for The Hill, covering Western climate and policy. She was the recipient of a 2022 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award, and spent nearly a decade in Israel, reporting on environment, energy, and agriculture for The Jerusalem Post. Rachel Frazin covers energy and environment policy for The Hill. Her work has also appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Beast, the Tampa Bay Times, and elsewhere.

The Daily Beast's must-read legal columnist Shan Wu joins the Beast's Hugh Dougherty to dissect Trump's shaky case against James Comey. Wu, a former federal prosecutor, explains why the indictment reeks of politics: a weak grand jury vote, rookie prosecutors sent to do Trump's dirty work, and a DOJ reshaped into a loyalty machine. He lays out the defense playbook, from motions to dismiss to jury battles, and warns how much damage the spectacle will inflict on Comey and the justice system itself. With Trump burning political capital chasing old enemies as crises mount at home and abroad, the question becomes: is this justice or just Trump's vengeance dressed up in legal robes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're checking in this week on a brand new rom com, Roshan Sethi's 2025 adaptation of A Nice Indian Boy, starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff! Join in as we discuss awkward first dates, a scene-stealing performance by Zarna Garg, and the nice change of a gay rom com that's not about coming out. Plus: What's the best joke in the movie? Why would Jay smoke weed in his fiance's parents' bathroom? And where is this movie set? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Mummy (1932)----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Calgary Filmmaker Dreams Up a Big Gay Bollywood Wedding in New Rom Com" (CBC)"A Nice Indian Boy: Jonathan Groff and Karan Soni Make Rom Com History" (The Daily Beast)"Gay Rom-Com A Nice Indian Boy Unites Deadpool's Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, and Roshan Sethi: 'Everyone was Turned On'" (Variety)"Out and About with Karan Soni" (OUT Magazine)

Learn more about our Overcoming The Darkness campaign: https://weirddarkness.com/hopeScientists, journalists, and priests have all witnessed the impossible: objects disappearing from locked containers and reappearing through solid walls.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateTake the WEIRD DARKNESS LISTENER SURVEY and help mold the future of the podcast: https://weirddarkness.com/surveyIN THIS EPISODE: The scientist Isaac Newton is best known for his being the first to create the theory of gravity. But now we've learned it is very possible that would never have happened had this scientist not had a bit of sorcerer in him as well. (Ghosts, Gravity, and Isaac Newton) *** 
On Easter Sunday, 1475, in the city of Trent, a 2-year-old boy named Simon was found dead. This one act triggered a wave of anti-Semitism that wiped out a community of Jewish males and threatened the power of a pope. All from the death of one child. (History's Most Dangerous Toddler) *** "I am innocent, that mark of mine will NEVER be wiped out. It will remain forever to shame the county for hanging an innocent man…. " Alexander Campbell said these words on June 21, 1877 shortly before his hanging. And true to his word, the handprint he left behind refuses to fade away – no matter how hard people try to remove it. (The Reappearing Handprint) *** A century ago, in July 1920, The Illustrated Police News, ran a single story on its front page, complete with a drawing of a man lying on top of a woman, both surrounded in blood. But even more disturbing – a young boy, very much alive, and apparently watching the whole thing. (The Little Boy Who Watched His Parents Die) *** It took a while before the first woman to be hanged would take place in the USA – but in 1778 it finally happened. And her name was Bathsheba Spooner. (The Hanging of Bathsheba Spooner) *** I'll tell you about the sad death of John Sellers, which teaches us that if you must pass from this earthly realm, at least be considerate enough to do so in a way and at a time that is the most convenient for those around you. (A Case of Criminal Neglect) *** In October you can find haunted house attractions on just about every street corner, with a multitude of themes – haunted asylums, ghost hospitals, zombies in cellars, and hell houses. But in 1905, visitors to Coney Island were treated to a different kind of Hell attraction all year long, not just in October. It was a boat ride that, for the cost of one dime, was meant to literally scare the hell out of you. (Coney Island's Hell Gate) *** What type of person raises a young girl, telling everyone she is their daughter, and then years later marries her? That's just part of “The Disturbing Story of Sharon Marshall.” *** A man wakes up one morning to find his entire family has been handcuffed – and the paranormal is to blame! (Ghost Handcuffs Family) *** It has happened to all of us. Something will disappear, and then come back later or relocate to somewhere else before we find it again. It could be car keys or a wallet, or maybe an important paper. Why does this happen? (Just One Of Those Things) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:04:18.505 = Just One Of Those Things (Disappearing Objects)00:31:03.937 = A Case Of Criminal Neglect ***00:40:06.234 = Coney Island's Hell Gate00:50:09.662 = Disturbing Story of Sharon Marshall ***01:13:10.301 = Ghost Handcuffs Family ***01:17:17.117 = Ghosts, Gravity, and Isaac Newton01:22:48.784 = History's Most Dangerous Toddler ***01:33:04.626 = The Reappearing Handprint01:41:16.917 = Little Boy Who Watched His Parents Die ***01:46:51.041 = Hanging of Bathsheba Spooner01:52:46.106 = Show Close*** = Commercial BreakSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…Book: “Never At Rest: Isaac Newton Biography” by Richard Westfall: https://amzn.to/39sjNS7Book: “Ghostwalk” by Rebecca Stott: https://amzn.to/3eYzilNBook: “Trent 1475: Stories of a Ritual Murder Trial” by Po-Chia Hsia: https://amzn.to/3fTNnSSBook: “The Martyrdom of the Franciscans: Islam, the Papacy, and an Order of Conflict” by Christopher MacEvitt: https://amzn.to/39qHYjFBook: “Most Haunted Crime Scenes in The World” by David Pietras: https://amzn.to/2CYWNxTBook: “Murdered By His Wife” by Deborah Navas: https://amzn.to/2ZXkH5VBook: “Bathsheba Spooner: A Novel” by Deborah Navas: https://amzn.to/3fZMMiqBook: “JOTT: When Things Disappear… Then Come Back or Relocate… And Why It Really Happens” by Mary Rose Barrington: https://amzn.to/31v0Uv2“Ghosts, Gravity, and Isaac Newton” by Stuart Clark for The Guardian: https://tinyurl.com/yyuh7drh“History's Most Dangerous Toddler” by Candida Moss for The Daily Beast: https://tinyurl.com/yytph8ck“The Reappearing Handprint” by Ellen Lloyd for Ancient Pages: https://tinyurl.com/y6cxde8r“The Little Boy Who Watched His Parents Die” by Dr. Nell Darby for Criminal Historian: https://tinyurl.com/y4tzofj3“The Hanging of Bathsheba Spooner” posted at Executed Today: https://tinyurl.com/y267xktgEpisode: “How Do I Know If My House is Haunted”: https://weirddarkness.com/ismyhousehaunted/“A Case of Criminal Neglect” from London Overlooked: https://tinyurl.com/y37zxtsj“The Disturbing Story of Sharon Marshall” by Crystaldawn for Lost N Found blogs: https://tinyurl.com/y2vj6wex“Just One Of Those Things” by Malcolm Smith for Malcolm's Anomalies: https://tinyurl.com/y5z5h4da,https://tinyurl.com/y686fafc“Coney Island's Hell Gate” by Erin McCarthy for Mental Floss: https://tinyurl.com/yylh6ps6“Ghost Handcuffs Family” by Paul Seburn for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/y6zltshh=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: October 20-21, 2020EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/VanishingObjectsABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#Poltergeist #UnexplainedMysteries #ParanormalActivity #DisappearingObjects #TrueGhostStories

Nick Schager is the Entertainment Critic for The Daily Beast and a CGP regular. This week he reviews The Smashing Machine (theaters), Anemone (theaters) and Steve (Netflix). The Christopher Gabriel Program ----------------------------------------------------------- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Christopher Gabriel Program' on all platforms: The Christopher Gabriel Program is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- The Christopher Gabriel Program | Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Forte is one of the only comedians to ever turn down an initial offer from Lorne Michaels to join ‘Saturday Night Live.' But after three years in the cast, he found himself at a crossroads on the show. In his return to the podcast, Forte discusses the second lease on life that Michaels gave him after coming closer than anyone knew to cutting him loose. The star of two Netflix series this year—‘Haunted Hotel' and ‘The Four Seasons'—also talks about his love of animation and playing the husband of his former ‘SNL' boss Tina Fey. And Forte shares updates on the unlikely fate of his canceled and then resurrected ‘Coyote vs. Acme' movie, reveals the potential for a ‘MacGruber' sequel, and shares behind-the-scenes stories from his wild night at the ‘SNL50' anniversary special.Follow Will Forte on Instagram @orviv Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In The Comic Book History of the Cocktail, Daily Beast columnist and award-winning author David Wondrich teams up with comics artist Dean Kotz to trace the evolution of the cocktail. Wondrich shares some of the techniques, recipes, and spirited approaches from the book.

David Rothkopf, the Daily Beast's unmissable columnist, lifts the lid on what's really going on at Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth's "pep rally" this week for generals and admirals. Rothkopf, CEO of The Rothkopf Group and a Clinton administration veteran, tells executive editor Hugh Dougherty tells what his own sources are warning the meeting signifies. And he warns how a militarized response to phantom threats like “war-torn Portland” saps real military readiness. He also tells why Trump weaponizing the DOJ against enemies including James Comey means the U.S. is not just facing becoming an authoritarian police state; in fact it's already there. He also traces the next evolution of MAGA from grievance politics to white Christian nationalist revivalism and warns how it could outlast Trump himself thanks to people including Erika Kirk and JD Vance. Yet he offers a glimmer of hope in the power of numbers, new platforms, and a public that still wants sanity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gina Tron joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about coming of age in the aftermath of the Columbine massacre, the myth of the bullied school shooter, revenge fantasies, her advocacy work, capturing the 1990s, connecting a personal story through journalism and interviews, being a suspected school shooter, when a publisher gets cold feet, leaning into shame, not wanting to be a problem author, confronting the dark and the embarrassing, giving ourselves grace, being as honest and vulnerable as possible, trying to paint the most accurate version of ourselves, and her new memoir Suspect.   Also in this episode: -having multiple editors -working with contracts -keeping lots of journals   Books mentioned in this episode: -On Writing by Stephen King -The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion -It's Kind of a Funny Story -Books by Hunter S. Thompson   Gina Tron is the author of several memoirs and poetry books, including her debut 2014 memoir "You're Fine,” called "vibrant, darkly funny, and courageously candid,” by Interview Magazine. She wrote reported pieces for several outlets, including The Washington Post, VICE, Politico, and The Daily Beast. The Rumpus says her newest memoir-journalism hybrid "Suspect" captures the 1990s "without sentimentality, and with a very clear lens." Gina's work advocating for rape victim-survivors has helped lead to several bills and the DOJ investigation into the NYPD's Special Victims Department. She received her MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is an adjunct professor at Norwich University in Vermont.  Connect with Gina: Website: www.ginatron.net Instagram: instagram.com/ginatron Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.tron/   Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ttcm45uxu7xamlv7a6tq2tuv X: https://x.com/_ginatron Get the book: https://whiskeytit.com/product/suspect/ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/suspect-gina-tron/1146576658?ean=9781952600586 – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Welcome to Art is Awesome, the show where we talk with an artist or art worker with a connection to the San Francisco Bay Area. In this episode  Emily chats with renowned conceptual artist Paul Kos. Paul shares stories from his upbringing in Rock Springs, Wyoming, his journey from aspiring diplomat to celebrated artist, and his influential years at the San Francisco Art Institute. The conversation covers his early inspirations, unique conceptual works—including the famous "Richmond Glacier" and "Chartre Bleu" stained glass TV installation—and his collaborations with art collector Rene di Rosa. Paul reflects on the role of accidents in his creative process, memorable exhibitions, and the Bay Area places that inspire him. Tune in to hear aboutt the life and art of Paul Kos, with insights into the evolution of conceptual art in Northern California.About Artist Paul Kos :Paul Kos, born  in Rock Springs, Wyoming, is an influential American conceptual artist and educator. He is one of the founders of the Bay Area Conceptual Art movement in California and has been a leading artist and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area for over three decades. Kos's work often incorporates video, sound, and interactivity into sculptural installations, challenging conventional art media and subject matter. His major retrospective "Everything Matters" was held at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive in 2003, and a second major survey of his work, "Equilibrium: A Paul Kos Survey," was held at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa in 2016. Kos's art is included in numerous public museum collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). He has received numerous awards, including the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Fellowship and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellowship in video and audio.Visit Paul's Website: PaulKos.netMore Info on Far Out at Di Rosa San Francisco CLICK HERE.More Info on the People Make This Place exhibit at SFMOMA - CLICK HERE--About Podcast Host Emily Wilson:Emily a writer in San Francisco, with work in outlets including Hyperallergic, Artforum, 48 Hills, the Daily Beast, California Magazine, Latino USA, and Women's Media Center. She often writes about the arts. For years, she taught adults getting their high school diplomas at City College of San Francisco.Follow Emily on Instagram: @PureEWilFollow Art Is Awesome on Instagram: @ArtIsAwesome_Podcast--CREDITS:Art Is Awesome is Hosted, Created & Executive Produced by Emily Wilson. Theme Music "Loopster" Courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseThe Podcast is Co-Produced, Developed & Edited by Charlene Goto of @GoToProductions. For more info, visit Go-ToProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drawing on her own immigrant experience, Fazzi takes readers on an action-packed ride full of wit and grit in her thrilling two-book release, SUNDAY OR THE HIGHWAY and DANGER NO PROBLEM (Thomas & Mercer, ISBN-13: ‎9781662528552 / 9781662528538). Whether it's traffickers, fugitives, or murderers, main character Domingo loves nothing more than putting the bad guys away. But this brash, immigrant-turned-bounty hunter also has a paradoxical side hustle: writing a book of advice for people immigrating to the US. In Danger No Problem: Domingo's latest job is to track down Monica Reed. Again. In all his years as a bounty hunter, Monica is the only target who's ever given him the slip—and the only one he's ever let go. As Domingo works to flush out Monica for the third time, he uncovers more layers to her story. Dark secrets, hidden sacrifices, and shocking discoveries point to a dangerous truth she'll risk her life to expose. Now Domingo must decide which side he's actually on. Previously published as Multo, this edition of Danger No Problem includes editorial revision. In Sunday or the Highway, the exciting second installment - Domingo finds that playing matchmaker for an heiress proves a lot more deadly than Cupid's arrow. A seemingly easy case involving a lovestruck young heiress turns out to be anything but. Tessa Woodridge, the CEO of a fast-food chain, hires Domingo to locate the undocumented parents of Julian Alondra, the love of her life. When Tessa was eight, fourteen-year-old Julian saved her life. She always believed they were destined to be together. Compared to Domingo's other cases, this should be a cakewalk. But he soon discovers it's not all heart eyes and sweet nothings between these two. In his line of work, you learn to prepare for everything you never saw coming—and Domingo can see it from a mile away. About the author: CINDY FAZZI is a Filipino American writer and former Associated Press reporter. DANGER NO PROBLEM (Book 1), previously titled MULTO, was a finalist in the Best Literary category of the 2024 Silver Falchion Award. Her historical novel, MY MACARTHUR, was published by Sand Hill Review Press in 2018. She has worked as a journalist in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United States. Her articles have appeared in the Daily Beast, Publishers Weekly, Electric Literature, and Writer's Digest.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Former U.S. Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer joins the Daily Beast's Joanna Coles to reveal how Donald Trump dismantled the Justice Department's pardon process and replaced it with a pay-to-play system. Oyer explains how career experts were sidelined on Trump's first day, leaving space for clemency to be sold to the highest bidder and reserved for the well-connected. From million-dollar Mar-a-Lago price tags to pardons for sex offenders, fraudsters, and January 6 rioters, she exposes how Trump turned clemency into a political and financial weapon. Oyer also contrasts Biden's careful, narrow pardons with Trump's sweeping, loyalty-driven approach—and why victims were often left behind while Trump's allies walked free. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No three words from the annals of World War II have echoed through the decades more deeply than General Douglas MacArthur's famous vow, following Japan's invasion of – and MacArthur's ordered retreat from – the Philippines. Yet, as Jonathan Horn provocatively relates in The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the Philippines (Scribner), those same words have obscured a no less important vow by the American general MacArthur left behind to defend the archipelago – Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV. He promised to stay even when it meant becoming the war's highest-ranking American prisoner. Jonathan Horn is an author and former White House presidential speechwriter whose books include Washington's End and the Robert E. Lee biography The Man Who Would Not Be Washington, which was a Washington Post bestseller. He has written for outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times Disunion series, New York Post, The Daily Beast, National Review, and POLITICO, and has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and PBS NewsHour. A graduate of Yale, he lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife, two children, and dog.

The hardest thing in life is finding the courage to do what's right when it costs you. In this episode, Ryan continues his conversation with journalist and historian John Avlon, diving into the dangerous myths we cling to, the lessons he learned from running for office, and the warnings history has to offer. John shares why he still chooses a defiant optimism for America's future and why you should, too.John Avlon is an American journalist and political commentator. He was a senior political analyst and anchor at CNN, and was the editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018.

What's worse than a conspiracy theory? When the actual conspiracy is even worse than the theory. Jeffrey Epstein carried out a kompromat operation for years, capturing American elite, unleashing a national security nightmare, and destroying the lives of children. In this special episode with Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman, we examine Epstein, Trump, and Russia–and the threats that still remain from the real life QAnon.  Epstein was the closest thing Trump had to a friend, going back to the 1980s. The rise of these criminal networks intertwined: Epstein, Trump, and Rudy Giuliani pushing out the Italian mafia as mayor of New York to make room for the Russian mafia–a takeover that accelerated after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Epstein's wife-in-crime Ghislaine Maxwell's father, Robert Maxwell, was a documented KGB asset with a sideline in laundering Soviet billions, and reportedly also worked with Israeli intelligence, the Mossad, at a time when the Kremlin used the Jackson-Vanik amendment passed by Congress to release spies and criminal assets among the Jewish Soviet citizens, like Lautman's family, seeking refuge in the U.S. While Epstein's survivors beg for justice and promise to release their own list of elite pedophiles, the GOP continue the Epstein cover-up to protect convicted felon Trump, their battering ram against democracy. QAnon was deflection, fueled by Russian disinformation to protect their wrecking ball in the White House. Expect more Russian psyops as the far-right Epstein cover-up continues. Call your reps and demand: release the Epstein files.  Hear the full episode by supporting our independent journalism–your early warning system–at Patreon.com/Gaslit at the Truth-teller $5/month or higher. Discounted annual subscriptions are available.  Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Opening Clip: How Trump Just Proved He's an Idiot: Michael Wolff on The Daily Beast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qswzQpHGAzc Key takeaways from special elections in Arizona and Georgia https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5518904-adelita-grijalva-wins-arizona-election/ President Zelensky at the United Nations in 2025: https://bsky.app/profile/antizionistjew.bsky.social/post/3lzlplmsnzs2p Speech by the President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Fifth Summit of the International Crimea Platform in New York https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/vistup-prezidenta-na-pyatomu-samiti-mizhnarodnoyi-krimskoyi-100341 Epstein's Financial Crimes: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rE90leBYSi4 Epstein Trump Friendship Statue: https://bsky.app/profile/wired.com/post/3lzjyrowvec2j Trump Tyranny Tracker by Olga Lautman https://trumptyrannytracker.substack.com/

How do you stay informed without losing your mind? In this episode, Ryan sits down with journalist and historian John Avlon to discuss how to fix your “news diet,” why local journalism matters more than ever, and what studying Lincoln can teach us about leadership, empathy, and navigating chaos. They talk about Lincoln's surprising use of humor, the ways history repeats itself, and what it really takes to stay sane in today's overwhelming media world.John Avlon is an American journalist and political commentator. He was a senior political analyst and anchor at CNN, and was the editor-in-chief and managing director of The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018.Follow John Avlon on Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/johnavlon/?hl=en

En début de semaine, le président américain Donald Trump a vivement déconseillé les femmes enceintes de prendre du paracétamol, un antalgique largement utilisé et recommandé, assurant qu'il était «peut-être associé à un risque très accru d'autisme». Une affirmation qui n'est pas appuyée par les recherches. Mais ces propos sont suffisamment graves pour que l'Organisation mondiale de la santé prenne le soin de les démentir. Nous en parlons avec Marc Smyrl, maître de conférences en Sciences politiques à l'Université de Montpellier. Dans l'interview, Marc Smyrl revient d'abord sur la décision du président américain de modifier les recommandations nationales concernant le paracétamol et les vaccins, sans fondement scientifique avéré. Selon le politologue, cette orientation s'explique à la fois par l'entourage choisi par le président, en particulier son ministre de la Santé, sensible à ces théories complotistes, et par une dimension électoraliste : une partie importante de l'opinion publique est prête à croire à ces liens infondés. Le risque est donc que des calculs politiques l'emportent sur les données scientifiques. Marc Smyrl souligne aussi le danger d'une fragmentation du système de santé américain. Jusqu'ici, les recommandations du CDC servaient de référence commune aux 50 États et aux assureurs. Mais si chaque État ou compagnie d'assurance définit désormais ses propres règles, la cohérence nationale pourrait voler en éclats. Certains États comme le Massachusetts tentent de protéger l'accès aux vaccins, tandis que d'autres, comme la Floride, s'en éloignent rapidement. Enfin, l'expert replace cette crise dans un contexte historique : la méfiance vis-à-vis de la vaccination existe depuis longtemps aux États-Unis, avec notamment la possibilité pour les parents de refuser l'immunisation pour motifs religieux. Ce qui est inédit aujourd'hui, explique-t-il, c'est que le pouvoir fédéral cautionne et amplifie ces discours, ce qui donne une légitimité politique à une défiance ancienne. Le mouvement Maga, en quête d'électeurs, exploite cette méfiance vis-à-vis du gouvernement fédéral et des experts. Ce qui renforce la fracture entre la tradition scientifique des États-Unis en matière de vaccins et l'essor actuel d'un scepticisme hautement politisé.   La presse commente le retour de Jimmy Kimmel Live ! C'était l'événement médiatique aux États-Unis hier (23 septembre 2025). L'émission de Jimmy Kimmel avait été suspendue la semaine dernière après des propos de l'animateur accusant le mouvement MAGA de récupérer politiquement l'assassinat de l'influenceur ultra-conservateur Charlie Kirk. La suspension a provoqué un tollé et déclenché de vifs débats sur les pressions exercées par l'administration Trump sur les médias. Hier soir, le public de l'émission a accueilli Jimmy Kimmel par des « standing ovations ». C'était un retour chargé d'émotion, écrit le Washington Post. Le site The Daily Beast décrit un Jimmy Kimmel incapable de retenir ses larmes, tout en refusant de s'incliner devant Donald Trump. La voix tremblante, Jimmy Kimmel a expliqué qu'il n'a jamais eu l'intention de tourner en dérision le meurtre d'un jeune homme. Mais l'humoriste n'a pas hésité à adresser de vives critiques au président Donald Trump et au régulateur gouvernemental qui avait laissé entendre que l'administration pourrait sanctionner ABC à cause de ses remarques. La presse retient surtout cette phrase prononcée par Jimmy Kimmel : « Menacer de faire taire un humoriste que le président n'apprécie pas est anti-américain ». Et l'animateur de conclure : « Cette émission n'a pas d'importance, ce qui compte, c'est que nous vivions dans un pays qui nous permet d'avoir une émission comme celle-ci. » Le journal canadien La Presse a salué pour sa part une « défense vibrante de la liberté d'expression ». Le quotidien souligne que la suspension de l'émission avait même suscité un malaise jusque dans le camp conservateur. Pour la première fois, des voix influentes de droite se sont publiquement opposées à Donald Trump, écrit le journal. En fin de compte, poursuit La Presse, cette présidence jusque-là inébranlable face aux crises politiques et économiques a trouvé son premier véritable point faible dans… la suspension d'un humoriste. Et le journal conclut : « L'histoire se souviendra que le premier coup dur de cette présidence clownesque est venu d'un comique. On ne dira jamais assez la nécessité des bouffons du roi. »  À lire aussiPour son retour à la télévision, Jimmy Kimmel fustige l'administration Trump, jugée anti-américaine   Des enfants tués dans une attaque de drones en Haïti Au moins huit enfants ont été tués le week-end dernier à Port-au-Prince lors d'une attaque menée par des drones explosifs utilisés par la police haïtienne. C'est un article du Miami Herald, repris par les principaux médias haïtiens. Parmi les victimes, figure une fillette de 4 ans, Merika Saint-Fort Charles, qui jouait dehors avec d'autres enfants quand l'explosion a retenti. Sa mère et sa grand-mère ont raconté cette scène tragique au quotidien de Miami. Selon le Réseau national de défense des droits humains (RNDDH), cité par le journal, le drone visait une fête organisée par un chef de gang local, mais il a touché de nombreux civils. Ce n'est pas la première fois que l'usage de drones par les forces de sécurité haïtiennes entraîne des victimes civiles. Au début du mois déjà, une frappe similaire avait causé la mort de onze personnes. Pour Pierre Espérance, directeur du RNDDH, ces drames illustrent l'absence de coordination et d'encadrement dans l'utilisation de ces armes, autorisées cette année par le Premier ministre Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Le Miami Herald souligne que l'incident a suscité une vive indignation sur les réseaux sociaux, alimentant le sentiment d'abandon des familles, qui dénoncent l'impunité des gangs et l'inaction des autorités.   Journal de la 1ère Le président de la Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane rencontrera le président de la République lundi prochain (29 septembre 2025).

In this September 2025 episode, in the midst of Suicide Awareness Month, I'm widening the lens from life after loss to awareness and advocacy. (BUT...We are NOT taking the preachy "prevention" angle that comes at us non-stop in Sept., I promise!) Writer/storyteller Jamie Brickhouse—a self-described SAS (suicide attempt survivor)—joins me to unpack the alcohol–depression loop, the suicidal mind, and the “why” questions so many of us carry after suicide loss. What to ExpectJamie's candid story and what shifted in the aftermath. He is an SAS & had lost 4 close friends to suicide.The alcohol ↔ depression cycle: how it feeds on itself & how he interrupted it.Why feature an attempt survivor on a show about life after suicide loss—& how awareness supports advocacy and lived legacy.Understanding the suicidal mind: distorted thinking, ambivalence, & signs we often miss.How & why, Jamie uses his platform now as a survivor and advocate.Clear takeaways & closing messages worth sticking around for.Links below to connect with Jamie & keep learning.About Jamie:"Called “a natural raconteur” by the Washington Post, Jamie Brickhouse is a writer, comedic storyteller, and TEDx speaker. He is the author of Dangerous When Wet: A Memoir of Booze, Sex, and My Mother, has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Daily Beast, Salon, and Huffington Post. A six-time StorySLAM champion of The Moth, he has appeared on PBS's Stories from the Stage, The Moth Podcast, recorded voices on Beavis and Butthead, and tours the country with four award-winning solo shows. A two-time suicide attempt survivor and alcoholic in recovery for 16+ years, Jamie's TEDx talk about his lived experience and the intersection of alcoholism, depression, and suicidality that is part personal narrative and part calls to action has nearly 100k views. Jamie also tells a true story in high heels every day on TikTok where he has over six million views, one million likes, and 75,000 followers." Connect with Jamie:(If you only pick one --- PICK HIS TEDX TALK hands down --- but it's all fabulous!) TEDx Jamie Brickhouse TikTok Jamie_BrickhouseJamie Instagramhttp://www.jamiebrickhouse.com/Red Brick AgencySupport the show__________________________________________________________________________

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 19, 2025 is: succumb • suh-KUM • verb Succumbing is about yielding to something: someone who succumbs to a pressure or emotion stops trying to resist that pressure or emotion, and someone who succumbs to an injury or disease dies because of that injury or disease. The word is often followed by to. // The program aims to help kids develop the strength of character required to avoid succumbing to peer pressure. // Many patients diagnosed with the disease live healthy lives for years before succumbing to it. See the entry > Examples: “Occasionally, Dope Girls does succumb to style over substance, as if it doesn't quite have the confidence to let its big, bold narrative unfold without any bells and whistles.” — Jon O'Brien, The Daily Beast, 8 Aug. 2025 Did you know? Picture yourself serenely succumbing to sleep. Chances are that in the mental image you've just formed, you are in a recumbent position—that is, lying down. The position is baked into the etymology: both succumb and recumbent trace back to cumbere, a Latin verb meaning “to lie down.” While recumbency is typically literal, succumbing is about figuratively lying down before something—yielding to it, ceasing to resist it. The word is most often used with regard to faults and foibles and demise—people succumb to temptation, plants succumb to blight—but the word can be applied in happier contexts too, as when one succumbs to sleep in a quiet spot on a sunny afternoon.

Star columnist David Rothkopf joins the Daily Beast's Joanna Coles and Executive Editor Hugh Dougherty to discuss Trump's week of cascading crises. From Kash Patel's reckless tweets and FOX News appearances that have corroded FBI trust, to the internal purges and morale collapse that now haunt the Bureau, the hosts probe how Trump's allies are weaponizing chaos to tighten their grip on power. They examine the killing of Charlie Kirk and the way Trumpworld is turning Kirk's memorial into a MAGA rally. At the same time, Utah's Spencer Cox emerges as an unexpected counter-voice inside the Republican party. And with Trump preparing for a gilded U.K. state visit—shadowed by the specter of Jeffrey Epstein and royal unease—the conversation asks: is this just spectacle, or the architecture of Trumpism's next power grab? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exclusive: He was deported four times. Washington State policy still let him murder a man in Pierce County. Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin apparently had told others he planned to do it. You’re being lied to about a recent SCOTUS ruling. The Mariners are seeking help with the street preachers that constantly congregate outside the stadium. // LongForm: GUEST: State Rep. Travis Couture (R-Allyn) on Governor Bob Ferguson's pettiness over flying the flag at half mast for Charlie Kirk and the Democrats' gas lighting about Medicaid cuts. // Quick Hit: The Daily Beast pulls an obvious smear report about Melania Trump.

The Epstein scandal continues to resurface through new waves of headlines, each one pulling different corners of power back into the spotlight. Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing it of maliciously tying him to Epstein through disputed documents and reporting. At the same time, Melania Trump secured a rare retraction and apology from The Daily Beast after it published claims—based on Michael Wolff's commentary—that she was introduced to Donald through Epstein's world. Both stories underscore how volatile and litigious the Epstein narrative remains, especially when it brushes against the Trump family.Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Congressman James Comer has vowed to release any Department of Justice or Epstein estate documents tied to Prince Andrew, promising the American public full transparency. The files are said to include correspondence, travel logs, and testimonies that could reignite scrutiny of Andrew's dealings with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Buckingham Palace, which has spent years shielding Andrew from the worst fallout, is bracing for renewed scandal, while survivor advocates welcome the promise of sunlight after decades of secrecy. The potential publication of these files signals that the Epstein story remains unfinished and still capable of shaking global institutions.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Welcome to Art is Awesome, the show where we talk with an artist or art worker with a connection to the San Francisco Bay Area. This episode of "Art is Awesome" features painter Luis Felipe Chavez, who discusses his journey from a small town in Mexico to exhibiting his work in San Francisco. Emily explores Luis's background, his inspiration from Mexican muralism, and his experience navigating life and art between two countries. The conversation covers his solo exhibition "Intermedial," which juxtaposes places and architecture from Mexico and the United States, reflecting on themes of migration, identity, and cultural overlap. Luis shares personal stories about his artistic development, the impact of winning a drawing contest as a teenager, and the influence of artists like Jose Clemente Orozco. About Artist Luis Felipe Chavez :Luis Felipe Chavez is a queer artist originally from a small town in central-western Mexico. His artistic journey began at the age of fourteen with drawing and painting classes in Guadalajara, Jalisco.From 2015 to 2020, Chavez pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts at the University of Guadalajara. Each summer during those years, he traveled to the U.S. to visit his family—spending time working alongside his father and brother in the agricultural fields of Bakersfield, California, and in factories in Phoenix, Arizona.In 2020, amid a global atmosphere of uncertainty and loss, Chavez completed his degree and began developing a new body of work. Later that year, driven by a desire for change despite limited English and lingering fears, he packed a few clothes and some paintings into a suitcase and moved to California.By the end of 2021, Chavez relocated to San Francisco, where he continues to live and work. Working primarily with traditional drawing and painting techniques, his art explores themes of migration, labor, identity, and belonging through a queer, cross-cultural lens.Visit Luis' Website:  LuisFelipeStudio.ComFollow Luis on Instagram: @LuisFelipeStudioMore on Luis' exhibit "INTERMEDIO" at Jonathon Carver Moore CLICK HERE. --About Podcast Host Emily Wilson:Emily a writer in San Francisco, with work in outlets including Hyperallergic, Artforum, 48 Hills, the Daily Beast, California Magazine, Latino USA, and Women's Media Center. She often writes about the arts. For years, she taught adults getting their high school diplomas at City College of San Francisco.Follow Emily on Instagram: @PureEWilFollow Art Is Awesome on Instagram: @ArtIsAwesome_Podcast--CREDITS:Art Is Awesome is Hosted, Created & Executive Produced by Emily Wilson. Theme Music "Loopster" Courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseThe Podcast is Co-Produced, Developed & Edited by Charlene Goto of @GoToProductions. For more info, visit Go-ToProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Epstein scandal continues to resurface through new waves of headlines, each one pulling different corners of power back into the spotlight. Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing it of maliciously tying him to Epstein through disputed documents and reporting. At the same time, Melania Trump secured a rare retraction and apology from The Daily Beast after it published claims—based on Michael Wolff's commentary—that she was introduced to Donald through Epstein's world. Both stories underscore how volatile and litigious the Epstein narrative remains, especially when it brushes against the Trump family.Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Congressman James Comer has vowed to release any Department of Justice or Epstein estate documents tied to Prince Andrew, promising the American public full transparency. The files are said to include correspondence, travel logs, and testimonies that could reignite scrutiny of Andrew's dealings with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Buckingham Palace, which has spent years shielding Andrew from the worst fallout, is bracing for renewed scandal, while survivor advocates welcome the promise of sunlight after decades of secrecy. The potential publication of these files signals that the Epstein story remains unfinished and still capable of shaking global institutions.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Event Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a 22-year-old man named Tyler Robinson after a 33-hour manhunt. Robinson is someone raised conservative but “radicalized to the left.” Details on the Shooter Presented as intelligent (high GPA, ACT scores, scholarship) but later radicalized online and possibly at college. Mentions engraved messages on bullet casings with references to anti-fascism, LGBTQ+ memes, and video game codes. Suggests his roommate was transgender, possibly a romantic partner. Criticism of Media & Political Opponents Argues that mainstream media (e.g., New York Times, Daily Beast) downplayed or misrepresented the ideological motives of the shooter. Accuses the left of lying, celebrating Kirk’s death, and creating a climate of political violence. Religious & Spiritual Framing Kirk was a conservative leader but also an evangelist and Christian apologist. His pastor describes him as a “once-in-a-generation” figure whose murder is framed as both political and spiritual warfare. Parallels are drawn between his faith and martyrdom, with references to demonic opposition. Political Violence Theme Positions political violence as a growing problem attributed mainly to the left. Cites polls claiming many left-leaning respondents condone violence against figures like Trump or Elon Musk. Draws parallels to rhetoric labeling conservatives as “fascists” or “Hitler,” arguing it legitimizes violence. Public & Social Media Reactions Notes celebrations of Kirk’s death by some individuals online and in academia. Highlights instances of people being fired for making celebratory or critical remarks. Discusses Stephen King tweeting a false claim about Kirk, later deleting and apologizing. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Daily Beast's unmissable columnist David Rothkopf joins Joanna Coles to dive into what he calls one of Donald Trump's most chaotic weeks yet. The 79-year-old president has been jeered at by protesters across a dining table, faced mounting health concerns, dealt with the assassination of his acolyte, Charlie Kirk, while abroad, his foreign policy has stumbled. Rothkopf, CEO of TRG Media and a foreign policy expert, argues Trump looks increasingly fragile, physically and politically, as allies squirm with embarrassment and rivals like Putin and Xi Jinping test his weakness. Coles and Rothkopf examine America's rising tide of political violence, driven by alienated young men and a culture awash in guns, and note Utah Governor Spencer Cox's surprising emergence as a voice of civility. With Trump leaning on inept advisers, losing grip on his narrative, and facing international mistrust, Rothkopf asks whether we are witnessing not just the decline of a president, but the slow unraveling of Trumpism itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Daily Beast's brilliant columnist David Rothkopf joins Joanna Coles to examine Donald Trump's disastrous week on the world stage. From being overheard on a hot mic talking about deals with Vladimir Putin, to Modi undercutting his peacemaker myth, to world leaders gathering in China without him, Trump finds himself without a seat on the world stage. They explore how his failed military parade compares to China's massive display of power, how his fixation on the Rose Garden reveals his petty interests, and how his “Gaza Riviera” plan turns tragedy into a dark and twisted real estate play. The conversation shows how China and others are moving forward while Trump obsesses over himself and the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No news and clips today because I am on a college visit with my daughter. You can watch my conversation with Waj on YouTube Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Subscribe to Waj Substack Channel "The Left Hook" Check out his new show on youtube ‘America Unhinged,' with Francesca Fiorentini and Wajahat Ali - Zeteo's new weekly show following Trump's first 100 days in office. Wajahat Ali is a Daily Beast columnist, public speaker, recovering attorney, and tired dad of three cute kids. Get his book Go Back To Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American which will be published in January 2022 by Norton. He believes in sharing stories that are by us, for everyone: universal narratives told through a culturally specific lens to entertain, educate and bridge the global divides. Listen to WAj and DAnielle Moodie on Democracy-ish  He frequently appears on television and podcasts for his brilliant, incisive, and witty political commentary. Born in the Bay Area, California to Pakistani immigrant parents, Ali went to school wearing Husky pants and knowing only three words of English. He graduated from UC Berkeley with an English major and became a licensed attorney. He knows what it feels like to be the token minority in the classroom and the darkest person in a boardroom. Like Spiderman, he's often had the power and responsibility of being the cultural ambassador of an entire group of people, those who are often marginalized, silenced, or reduced to stereotypes. His essays, interviews, and reporting have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and New York Review of Books. Ali has spoken at many organizations, from Google to Walmart-Jet to Princeton University to the United Nations to the Chandni Indian-Pakistani Restaurant in Newark, California, and his living room in front of his three kids.  Bill Boyle is a well sourced and connected businessman who lives in Washington DC with his wife and son. Bill is a trusted friend and source for me who I met after he listened and became a regular and highly respected caller of my siriusxm radio show. Bill is a voracious reader and listeners love to hear his take. I think his analysis is as sharp as anyone you will hear on radio or TV and he has well placed friends across the federal government who are always talking to him. As far as I can tell he is not in the CIA. Follow him on twitter and park at his garages. Join us Monday's and Thursday's at 8EST for our Bi Weekly Happy Hour Hangout's !  Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube  Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll  Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art  Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift

My conversation with Joy starts at about 30 mins and you can watch the interview on YouTube  Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Today's guest is the great Joy Reid. She Host of The Joy Reid Show, NYT bestselling author & co-host of @reidthisreidthat w/ @jacquereid thejoyreidshow.com & joyannreid.com Joy-Ann Reid is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Medgar and Myrlie, which won an NAACP Image Award. She hosted MSNBC's prime-time show The ReidOut for five years, and she previously hosted AM Joy on weekends. Her other books include the New York Times bestseller The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story. The former managing editor of The Grio, Reid has had columns appearing in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Miami Herald, New York, and The Daily Beast. She lives in Maryland and Brooklyn. Join us Monday's and Thursday's at 8EST for our Bi Weekly Happy Hour Hangout's !  Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art

Michael Wolff, author of four bestselling books on Donald Trump, joins the Daily Beast's executive editor, Hugh Doherty, to dissect the former president's expanding enemies list. From the FBI raid on John Bolton's home to Trump's fixation on Black female prosecutors and judges, Wolff lays bare how Trump's hostility toward Black women has become a defining and pathological theme of his politics. They also dig into the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files—what's inside, what's missing, and why Trump's allies are scrambling to contain the fallout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ralph welcomes Ben Cohen (anti-war activist and ice cream entrepreneur) to discuss his new campaign, "Up in Arms," which advocates for a common-sense Pentagon budget. Then, Ralph speaks to Guardian columnist Arwa Mahdawi about her recent piece: "When will we finally admit: the Gaza death toll is higher than we've been told."Ben Cohen is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and longtime anti-war activist. He is a co-founder of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's and a prominent supporter of progressive causes. He is co-founder of Up In Arms, a public education and advocacy campaign pushing for a common-sense approach to military budgeting. In May of this year, Ben was arrested by Capitol Police after he interrupted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony by screaming,”Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid.”We're up in arms because the government has taken the kindness, the heart, the soul of the American people and essentially replaced it with so many bombs that there's no rational use for them. They've turned us all into mass murderers.Ben CohenYou know, politicians starting from Reagan are fond of saying “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” And then they turn around and spend $100 billion a year on a nuclear arsenal that's capable of blowing up the entire world several times over. So they say one thing and they do another. I mean, a nuclear arsenal capable of blowing up the entire world several times over? That's not deterrence. That's delusion.Ben CohenI just go back to the moral issue of our time, which is Gaza—two-thirds of the American people don't support continuing to arm Israel. And we need to make our politicians pay the price for continuing to arm Israel… We have a midterm election coming up. If your guy voted to continue to essentially facilitate the genocide, vote them out.Ben CohenWhen you have more money than is needed, you tend to invite corruption, cost overruns, machinery that doesn't work, and I would advise that you look into why the GAO and the Pentagon auditors are being asked to do fewer audits of the military budget. Because there's almost a direct correlation between throwing money at a government program (especially at that scale) and corruption. And corruption is understandable to everybody. It's the number one political issue all over the world, when the pollsters poll.Ralph NaderArwa Mahdawi is a columnist for the Guardian and author of Strong Female Lead: Lessons from Women in Power. Here is her recent piece on the genocide in Gaza: “When will we finally admit: the Gaza death toll is higher than we've been told” (The Guardian, August 8, 2025)To be fair, the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal have published some pretty devastating reports from their reporters in that area. They've put out some devastating features on what's going on [in Gaza], but it doesn't translate into editorial denunciation by these papers. And it doesn't translate into taking the next step and doing what they would do in other conflicts around the world where there isn't so much prejudice and domestic pressureRalph NaderI'm an opinion writer, but as journalists, you're always supposed to report facts. And the fact is: we have absolutely no idea how many people are dead in the Gaza Strip. But there are plenty of studies (which I reference in the article—one Lancet peer-reviewed study, one letter to the Lancet by a highly-respected scientist, one empirical study by Michael Spagat) which show that the death count is a lot higher. So I truly believe that unless you're saying “the official figure from the Ministry of Health is around 60,000 but studies show it is probably much higher,” then that's just journalistic malpractice.Arwa MahdawiI think there's just this instinct to believe that Palestinians are lying and Israelis are telling the truth. And it also goes back to…this isn't just Israel's war, this is America's war as well. And this desire to see America as the good guys—we're the good guys, the Palestinians are the bad guys. And to have this black-and-white narrative where, obviously, we're the good guys, you know, and so if the Palestinian narrative casts doubt on that, then it must be wrong.Arwa MahdawiI always suggest that people write to the media outlets and say that they want to see more Palestinian narratives, they want the media outlets to voice their concern that foreign reporters are not being let in, that more aid workers are not being let in, that pictures are not coming out.Arwa MahdawiThere are very few pictures coming out of the scale of this destruction in Gaza, but when you see the ones that do come out, it is very, very obvious that there are more than 60,000 people dead.But there seems to be this lack of curiosity with some of my peers. Why aren't they asking, “Why aren't we seeing more pictures?” There should be nonstop outrage that their press freedom is being stifled like this and so many Palestinian journalists are being slaughtered.Arwa MahdawiNews 8/22/25* Last Thursday, during an event in her Masscusetts congressional district, Congresswoman Katherine Clark – who holds the position of House Minority Whip, making her the number two Democrat in the House – called Israel's campaign in Gaza a “genocide,” per Axios. According to Zeteo, this makes Clark the 14th member of Congress to use the “g word.” Lest she be accused of bravery however, Clark quickly walked back her comments. In a statement to the Jewish News Syndicate, Clark said “last week, while attending an event in my district, I repeated the word ‘genocide' in response to a question…I want to be clear that I am not accusing Israel of genocide.” This incident illustrates the cross-cutting pressures facing Democratic Party leaders. This divide will be on the agenda again at the DNC meeting on August 26th, where among other issues, party leaders will vote on competing resolutions to lay out the Democrats' position on Gaza. Allison Minnerly, the progressive DNC delegate sponsoring the resolution to end arms shipments to Israel, is quoted saying “Our voters…are saying that they do not want U.S. dollars to enable further death and starvation anywhere across the world, particularly in Gaza…I don't think it should be a hard decision for us to say that clearly,” per the Intercept.* Even as Democrats wrestle with their position on Gaza, the politics are clearly shifting. The Reject AIPAC coalition has released a new statement saying that among Democrats, AIPAC is now a “toxic pariah.” As evidence of this, Reject AIPAC cites the fact that only 14 House Democrats attended the AIPAC-sponsored Israel trip this year. According to Mondoweiss, “In 2023, the lobbying group brought 24 House Dems to Israel over recess. In 2019, over 40 attended.” Reject AIPAC also cites the fact that Reps. Valerie Foushee and Maxine Dexter, both recipients of millions of AIPAC dollars, voted to block arms to Israel and Foushee is even now rejecting AIPAC money. As these small victories mount, the horizon of possibility for movement within the party grows ever wider.* Last week, Tom Artiom Alexandrovich – a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate – was arrested in a “multi-agency operation targeting child sex predators,” in Clark County, Nevada according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. According to Reuters, “Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act ‘with use of computer technology.'” Yet, inexplicably, Alexandrovich was released by U.S. authorities and is back in Israel. This set off a firestorm in the U.S., with many accusing the Trump administration of facilitating Alexandrovich's release. The State Department was forced to issue a statement denying these claims, stating that Alexandrovich "did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge…Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false." The AP adds that the “Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately return messages.” Disturbingly, the mainstream media seems to be purposely ignoring this case. While it has been covered by the Guardian, the Times of Israel, and Haaretz, there has been zero coverage in the New York Times or Washington Post, or ABC, NBC, or CBS. This media blackout adds fuel to the speculation that this case is being tamped down by the administration for political reasons.* Another troubling story regarding minors on the internet comes to us from Mark Zuckerberg's Meta AI. According to Reuters, internal documents from Meta Platforms detail “policies on chatbot behavior…[permitting] the company's artificial intelligence creations to ‘engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual,' generate false medical information and help users argue that Black people are ‘dumber than white people.'” Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan called these reports “disturbing” and cited a legal complaint filed by the FTC to the Justice Department against Snap in January, under her leadership, “charging that [Snap's] AI chatbot was creating risks and harms for young users.” Khan noted that the “DOJ hasn't filed the case or taken any steps to protect these kids,” and demanded that “Any lawmaker concerned about big tech's abuse of kids should ask what is going on.” The administration's lack of action on these issues indicates that despite their rhetorical inveighing against the tech industry, they are treating SIlicon Valley with the same kid gloves they use for the rest of corporate America, even when it affects minors.* In more positive news from abroad, the Washington Post reports that between 2022 and 2024, Mexico lifted a stunning 8.3 million residents out of poverty. This 18% drop in poverty includes a 23% decrease in extreme poverty and a 16% drop in moderate poverty. According to experts, this remarkable achievement is the result of the policies of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or AMLO, and his successor Claudia Sheinbaum, such as tripling the minimum wage and instituting a raft of social programs to aid “senior citizens, unemployed youth, students, farmers and people with disabilities.” President Sheinbaum is now plowing ahead with a new project – producing a “small, 100% electric, accessible [EV],” called the “Olinia,” to be fully manufactured and assembled in Mexico, per Mexico News Daily.* Turning to domestic politics, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik finally showed up in her district on Monday after an extended period of avoiding public appearances. At a ceremony honoring a late Clinton County clerk in Plattsburgh, Stefanik was drowned out by cries of “‘You sold us out!', ‘Shame!', and ‘Unseal the Epstein files!', along with a “steady stream of boos,” according to the Daily Beast. Stefanik “left the podium after speaking for less than a minute,” and when she returned, she was booed again. Stefanik's chronic absence and chilly reception is a bad sign for her gubernatorial aspirations. In the months since she has held a town hall, her constituents held a mock town hall where they addressed an empty chair, per WRGB, and New York Democrats AOC and Paul Tonko held town halls in her district, per the Albany Times-Union.* In more political news from New York, disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo is explicitly seeking to woo New York Republicans in his independent bid for Mayor of New York City. POLITICO reports that at a fundraiser at media mogul Jimmy Finkelstein's Southampton estate, Cuomo told the crowd that he agrees with President Trump that the “goal is to stop Mamdani.” To this end, he is trying to convince Republicans that they would be “wasting [their] vote on [Curtis] Sliwa,” the Republican nominee for Mayor, “because he'll never be a serious candidate.” Cuomo also implied that he is open to an alliance with Trump, telling the crowd “Let's put it this way: I knew the president very well.” Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for the Zohran campaign, is quoted saying “Since he's too afraid to say it to New Yorkers' faces, we'll make it clear: Andrew Cuomo IS Donald Trump's choice for mayor.”* In Texas, state Democrats have returned to the state, ending their attempt to defeat Governor Abbott's mid-decade redistricting scheme by denying the legislature a quorum. In a statement Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said "We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation — reshaping the entire 2026 landscape," per the BBC. The legislature is now expected to approve the redrawn congressional maps; the state Democrats plan to continue fighting them in the courts. California has vowed to redraw their own maps to compensate for the expected loss of five Democrat-held seats in Texas. New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Maryland are also considering their own redistricting plans. Vice President JD Vance was deployed to Indiana to pressure Republicans in that state to redraw their maps to favor Republicans as well, per the IndyStar. It is a sad state of affairs that American politics has been reduced to such naked power grabbing plots, but here we are.* In local news, the federal occupation of Washington, D.C. continues to deepen. CBS reports the governors of at least six Republican-led states are sending contingents from their National Guards to the capital. These include Mississippi and Louisiana, West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. Just what these troops will do in Washington remains unclear. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who is sending 160 troops, cited “monument security” and “traffic control” among their official responsibilities. The federal agents on the ground, with little to do – the DOJ itself reports as violent crime is at a 30-year low in the District – seem to be mostly just harassing residents. The Daily Beast reports ICE tore down a banner and replaced it with a dildo. A local, Amanda Moore, posted a photo of 15 federal agents calling an ambulance for a drunk girl in Dupont Circle. And, while the Lever reports D.C. corporate lobbyists pushed for the occupation, it is wreaking havoc on local businesses; Rolling Stone reports reservations at D.C. restaurants are down between 25 and 31%, to take just one example. We can only hope that this pointless, destructive farce of quasi-fascistic political theater ends sooner rather than later.* Finally, investigative reporter and Iraq war veteran Seth Harp is out with a new book – The Fort Bragg Cartel: Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces – which details the double murder of Master Sergeant Billy Lavigne and Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Dumas, along with the “many more unexplained deaths…other murders connected to drug trafficking in elite units, and dozens of fatal overdoses,” at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Among other remarkable discoveries, Harp “describes a U.S. special forces k9 [unit] that was given titanium dentures and encouraged to feast on human brains in the field,” in the words of publisher and producer Chris Wade. Remember these titanium dentures whenever you hear that there is no money to pay for critical social programs. The money is there. The political will is not.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

History has a way of looking calmer than it really was. In this PT. 2 episode, Ryan sits down with historian and author James Romm to talk about the messy, dangerous, and often absurd reality of life in ancient Greece and Rome, especially for the philosophers who tried to “advise” the powerful. From Plato's naïve trips to Syracuse, to Seneca's complicated dance with Nero, to Marcus Aurelius resisting the pull of corruption, they discuss the timeless tension between access and integrity. James Romm is an author, reviewer, and a Professor of Classics at Bard College in Annandale, NY. He specializes in ancient Greek and Roman culture and civilization. His reviews and essays have appeared in the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, the London Review of Books, the Daily Beast, and other venues. He has held the Guggenheim Fellowship (1999-2000), the Birkelund Fellowship at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at the New York Public Library (2010-11), and a Biography Fellowship at the Leon Levy Center of the City University of New York (2014-15).Follow James on Instagram @James.Romm and check out more of his work at his website, www.jamesromm.com

Welcome to the premiere of 'Inside Trump's Head', a new twice-weekly deep dive from The Daily Beast into the most unpredictable, unsettling, and endlessly fascinating mind in modern politics. Host Joanna Coles teams up with best-selling Trump biographer Michael Wolff to explore what's really driving Donald Trump.In this inaugural episode, Wolff shares exclusive White House conversations suggesting Trump may be ready to give up large parts of Ukraine in a high-stakes meeting with Vladimir Putin — all to distract from the ceaseless Jeffrey Epstein scandal threatening his grip on the MAGA base. From the hidden hand of Jared Kushner to Steve Bannon's private doubts, from Putin's possible kompromat to the Epstein “drumbeat” that won't fade, Coles and Wolff go spelunking into the dark, dank cavern where all of Trump's decisions begin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.