Episodes
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We begin this episode with a quick note of appreciation from Rick, to you and everyone who has supported in this fight. From there Rick sits down with New York Times bestselling author Michael Tackett to discuss his new book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party. Tackett unpacks McConnell's transformation from a pragmatic politician to a key architect of modern conservatism, his mastery of Senate rules, and his role in reshaping the judiciary. The conversation explores McConnell's relationship with Trump, his controversial post-January 6 decisions, and the enduring impact of his leadership.
Michael's book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:06:19) The Price of Power
(00:12:32) Doing more with the minority than some can do with the majority
(00:14:18) Curating his own caucus
(00:17:03) Controlling Trump
(00:27:13) The Senate post McConnell
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And so begins the inevitable ball-fumbling that is a Trump Presidency. In our first episode back from a short break, Rick rants on the Matt Gaetz debacle and how we should see in the context of Trump and his incoming administration.
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Missing episodes?
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In these final days before the election, Trump has doubled down on his authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. To help us make sense of the chaos leading up to the big day, Rick welcomes historian and political analyst Heather Cox Richardson for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of American democracy. Together, they delve into the stark contrasts between democracy and authoritarianism, the Republican Party’s transformation under Trump, and the growing influence of tech billionaires pushing anti-democratic agendas. As the 2024 election upon us, they examine the stakes, the shifts in voter sentiment, and the potential for new political coalitions to reshape our reality.
Timestamps:
(00:01:21) Closing out the race
(00:06:30) Corruption of the American system
(00:17:29) The new generation
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It's the home stretch, and something we haven't touched on enough is Trump's love affair with Tariffs. In this episode Rick sits down with Edward Goldberg, an adjunct professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and expert on political economy and trade. Together, they explore the dangers of Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and the broader risks of economic isolationism. Goldberg draws historical parallels, such as China’s decision to burn its fleet in 1433 and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1929, to demonstrate the economic consequences of shutting down global trade. They also discuss the misconceptions around globalization, its connection to job loss, and the vital role of immigration and open trade in driving American innovation and prosperity. And to cap things off, Rick rants about the horror show at Madison Square Garden.
Timestamps:
(00:01:33) The stakes for the global economy
(00:06:38) What happens if we shut the doors
(00:13:06) The age of human knowledge
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The deeper we look into the ideological motivation of the Christian right in America, the darker it gets. In this episode Rick talks with author Talia Lavin about her new book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. They dive into the powerful alliance between the evangelical movement and Donald Trump, exploring how religious rationalizations have cemented Trump’s support among evangelicals. Lavin discusses the rise of authoritarian and theocratic ideologies within the Christian right, their success in pushing anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and their long-term goals for transforming American society. The episode sheds light on how these movements perceive their political battle as spiritual warfare and what this means for the future of American democracy.
Talia's book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:41) Wild Faith
(00:03:30) Trump's effect on the Evangelical right
(00:23:21) The threats this movement poses
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In case you didn't know, Rick is a history buff, especially when it comes to American presidents. In this episode Rick sits down with acclaimed historian and biographer Nigel Hamilton to discuss his upcoming book, Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents. Together, they explore the contrasting leadership styles of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis during the American Civil War, examining how each president’s psychology, military background, and decisions shaped the course of the conflict. Hamilton dives into Lincoln's struggles with his generals, the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, and Davis’s strategic mindset. The conversation offers a deeper understanding of two pivotal figures in American history.
Nigel's book, Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents, available for pre-order now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:36) Lincoln vs. Davis
(00:14:59) The psychology from chess moves to battles
(00:32:51) The Battle of Gettysburg
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How do we fact check in an ocean of lies? In this episode Rick is joined by Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact and a professor at Duke University, to discuss the growing epidemic of political lying, especially within the Republican Party. They explore the history of political dishonesty, the role of conservative media in amplifying misinformation, and the challenges of fact-checking in an era dominated by figures like Donald Trump. The conversation highlights the danger that widespread deception poses to democracy and addresses the role of new technologies, like deepfakes, in further distorting truth in political discourse.
Bill's book, Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:34) The Big Lie
(00:06:21) The red blue divide
(00:19:00) The danger to the right
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Today we keep it simple. Trump is actually a fascist, Rick explains why he is an enemy to us all.
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Trump and the much of the far right have perverted traditional Christian values. In this episode Rick is joined by Jim Wallis, theologian and author of The False White Gospel, to discuss the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. Wallis explores how this movement has distorted Christianity for political power, particularly under Donald Trump, and the dangers it poses to American democracy. They discuss the history of white Christian nationalism, its contrast with the inclusive teachings of Jesus, and the importance of reclaiming faith from political agendas to refound democracy on true spiritual values.
Jim's book, The False White Gospel, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:39) The False White Gospel
(00:03:50) The Christian nationalist movement
(00:12:20) Faith without politics
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Trump loves dictators. For today's episode, Rick discusses Bob Woodward's new book War, which highlights Donald Trump's admiration for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin. He argues that Trump's transactional nature and attraction to power make him susceptible to autocratic influences. He warns that if re-elected, Trump would likely cut U.S. support for Ukraine, leading to a Russian victory and weakening NATO. Trump's worldview aligns more with authoritarianism than democracy, posing a serious threat to global stability and American values.
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In a classic Rick rant, he breaks down the politicization of Hurricane Helene, criticizing the usual suspects (Trump, Elon Musk, etc) for spreading misinformation about FEMA's response. He highlights the coordinated, bipartisan efforts of federal and state governments in addressing the disaster and condemns the use of tragedies for political gain.
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It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image.
Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:30) Lucky Loser
(00:08:31) Trump's properties
(00:13:29) The real Trump
(00:21:38) The Trump brand
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How can big tech and a healthy democracy coexist? In this episode Rick is joined by Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley. Together, they delve into the growing influence of big tech companies on global democracy, the dangers posed by unchecked data collection, and the rise of tools like Pegasus spyware. Schaake highlights the need for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the tech sector, while addressing the potential threats to privacy and democratic freedoms. They also discuss the weaponization of data by companies like Palantir and Cambridge Analytica, as well as potential solutions to safeguard democratic systems in the face of advancing technology.
Marietje's book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:26) The Tech Coup
(00:05:37) Government against large corporations
(00:09:56) Which country's are doing it right?
(00:15:05) Palantir
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Chapter Two of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have.
You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2
Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is produced by David Pepper and available on all the podcast apps and at 2025 pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. J. Smith Cameron read the chapter and audio finishing by Marilys Ernst. This series is produced by David Pepper, Melissa, Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman. Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and the Bill Press Pod.
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7or5...
APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
STITCHER: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...
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We're proud to present Chapter One of "Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal" which is a brilliant undertaking by David Pepper and his talented projection team. The podcast starts in January 2025, with Donald Trump as president begins his second term, and the havoc he is already wreaking on America.
As much as Donald Trump wants to distance himself from Project 2025. He can’t. Trump and his people are tied closely to the Project and the Heritage Foundation, which quarterbacked Project 2025.
In fact, it’s already underway. Project 2025 is busily recruiting thousands of MAGA loyalists and partisans to fill positions once held by skilled civil servants.
It's unlikely that most people will look over all Trump’s speeches, or Agenda47 or the RNC Platform, or read the 920 pages of crazy in Project 2025. So pro-democracy activist David Pepper of Ohio has written a novel to engage everyday Americans with the reality of how a Trump victory would turn everyday American lives upside down. These are fictional stories about the future, of course, but the suffering, pain and personal dilemmas people face in them is 100% based on the facts and commitments being spelled out in Project 2025 and Trump’s own words and promises. This podcast series is a close adaptation of the book, I hope you take a listen. It’s powerful stuff, and gives far a better sense than factoids and bullet points about how the worst of these promises would play out in real lives.
You can also listen to the series on all of your favorite podcast platforms - and please subscribe and give it four stars to support David's brilliant, important work.
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7or5...
APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
STITCHER: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...
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History is our greatest teacher. In this episode Rick speaks with historian David Brown, author of A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War. They explore the significance of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, a pivotal moment that led to the collapse of the Whig Party and fueled tensions that made the Civil War inevitable. Together, they discuss the cultural and political shifts of the time, drawing connections to today's political divisions and the rapid pace of change in American politics.
David's book, A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:02:06) A Hell of a Storm
(00:07:51) The signals of a party collapsing
(00:10:37) The culture of the civil war
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The framers envisioned a judiciary whose role was to check the power of the executive and legislative branches and ensure constitutional integrity. But what happens if corruption creeps its way into the most powerful court in the land? On today's episode Rick interviews David Brock, a veteran in the political and media landscape, about his new book Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America. They dive into how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has influenced major rulings like the Dobbs decision and presidential immunity, and explore the broader ethical concerns surrounding the court. Brock discusses the decades-long conservative efforts to reshape the judiciary, Thomas’s entanglement with wealthy donors, and the urgent need for judicial reform to address the court’s corruption and accountability issues.
David's book, Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:50) Stench
(00:04:04) A vast right wing conspiracy
(00:08:53) Clarence Thomas
(00:17:18) Corruption beyond Thomas
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Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas SB8, and how these efforts are aimed at achieving authoritarian political control. The conversation explores the MAGA movement's tactics, the threats to democratic institutions, and the potential dangers surrounding future U.S. elections. It's a chilling analysis of how private actors, with state approval, are shaping America’s political landscape.
Jon and David's book, Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy, available for pre-order now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:45) Vigilante Nation
(00:14:56) If we keep on pushing
(00:19:07) The spectrum of violent organizations
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The Democratic party is changing. In this episode of The Enemies List, Rick speaks with historian Timothy Shenk about his new book, Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics? They explore the evolution of the Democratic Party, shifting from a working-class base to a more affluent, educated coalition, and the challenges that come with this transformation. Shenk delves into the party's struggle to reconnect with working-class voters and the rise of technocratic approaches in politics, while offering insights on how the party can adapt moving forward.
Timothy's book, Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics?, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:27) Left to Drift
(00:04:54) Divorce from the working class
(00:16:07) The democratic party over the last few decades
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Rick gives a blistering solo reaction to a blockbuster presidential debate.
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