Best Brainwash Projects Podcasts (2025)

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The legacy of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 46:38

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30m ago46:38

46:38

Since its creation 14 years ago the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has used its powers to return billions of dollars to defrauded consumers. Now the Trump administration wants to close it. What the CFPB has meant for consumer protection in the U.S.By WBUR

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Who are the Zizians? 45:48

1d ago45:48

45:48

A cult-like group referred to as the Zizians is linked to a string of violent deaths across the U.S. It has its roots in Silicon Valley – and a movement called Rationalism. Who are these groups and what do they believe?By WBUR

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'The biomedical research enterprise is under attack' 57:06

2d ago57:06

57:06

In a conversation recorded at the WBUR Festival, Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks frankly about the threats he sees to public health under the Trump administration and the “severe intimidation” of scientists at the NIH.By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Taking a break 0:34

3d ago0:34

0:34

A personal message from Meghna Chakrabarti about why The Jackpod is taking a short break.By WBUR

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The new science of 'dad brain' 46:34

4d ago46:34

46:34

You’ve heard of 'mom brain.' But how do men’s brains change when they become fathers?By WBUR

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The push for an American baby boom 46:46

5d ago46:46

46:46

The Trump Administration wants more Americans to have babies. It's proposing a $5,000 "baby bonus," among other policies. Would this fix the nation's historically low birth rate?By WBUR

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115 Buck - Buck 2:33:05

6d ago2:33:05

2:33:05

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL272A23B9EAABAC03 https://www.facebook.com/buckdetroit/ https://downthelinezine.com/cue/buck_enterprises https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2021/06/13/buck-ska-is-the-limit/ https://www.christianmusicarchive.com/album/buck https://www.amazon.com/Logic-Enemy-Out-Time/dp/B000OYCGYA https://www.youtub…

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Who is Sam Altman? 45:25

6d ago45:25

45:25

Sam Altman has been called the face of Artificial Intelligence. To many, he remains an enigma. Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey has the inside story on the rise of Sam Altman and his impact on our future.By WBUR

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Netanyahu’s endgame in Iran 46:17

7d ago46:17

46:17

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got what he wanted this weekend after the U.S. bombed Iran. But Netanyahu says its goals in Iran have not yet been fully achieved. So, what are Israel’s goals in Iran? And what role does the U.S. still play?By WBUR

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How William F. Buckley, Jr. created modern conservatism 46:43

8d ago46:43

46:43

The late William F. Buckley, Jr. is one of the most important figures of the American right. How did the erudite and dapper Yale man pave the way for President Donald Trump?By WBUR

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From Endless Thread: When the government wants your socials 33:52

10d ago33:52

33:52

Recently, On Point explored how Hong Kong has changed five years after China passed its so-called national security law and vastly diminished protest and free speech in Hong Kong. Our colleagues at WBUR’s podcast Endless Thread also took a look at this law. Specifically, how it changed how people in Hong Kong interact digitally — on social media, a…

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Trump's budget bill and ballooning deficits 44:24

11d ago44:24

44:24

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the current budget bill will add $3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. On Point wraps up a weeklong exploration of what Trump's budget bill tells us about government spending and our financial future.By WBUR

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The Jackpod: A TV-run state 36:42

11d ago36:42

36:42

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the connections and correlation between President Trump, his most loyal supporters and the popularity of the Fox News Channel.By WBUR

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The $1 trillion defense budget 45:08

12d ago45:08

45:08

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase defense spending to over $1 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. But will it actually improve U.S. national security?By WBUR

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Looming cuts to food assistance in Trump's budget bill 46:07

13d ago46:07

46:07

Republicans are proposing significant changes to food assistance, which could impact supplemental nutrition programs for older adults, school lunches and the agriculture industry. What will the cuts mean for hunger and nutrition in the U.S.?By WBUR

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What Trump's tax bill means for your wallet 44:52

14d ago44:52

44:52

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is really about one big thing: Taxes. Some conservative economists say it also shows a striking shift in Republican tax policy.By WBUR

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How the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ impacts health care 44:43

15d ago44:43

44:43

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' is making big changes to health care. Getting rid of automatic enrollment to the ACA, cutting premium assistance, adding work requirements for Medicaid. What the budget bill means for health care.By WBUR

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Falling Behind: How to talk with boys 54:24

17d ago54:24

54:24

A bonus episode in our series "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." Dr. Kevin Simon, attending pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital, shares his experience and expertise in a conversation recorded on stage at WBUR CitySpace.By WBUR

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Hong Kong, 5 years after mass protests 43:12

18d ago43:12

43:12

Between 2019 and 2020, nearly 2 million people took to the streets of Hong Kong to fight legislation that could give Chinese authorities the power to criminalize dissent. It's been 5 years since China passed the so-called national security law. How has Hong Kong changed?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Culture warrior 37:37

18d ago37:37

37:37

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how political activist Christopher Rufo became one of the most influential voices in conservative politics today.By WBUR

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How the cybersecurity industry is trying to keep up with foreign threat actors 44:56

19d ago44:56

44:56

American companies are being targeted by foreign spies, ransomware groups and even fake job applicants from North Korea. One cybersecurity firm speaks out about the threats they're seeing and how they're combating them.By WBUR

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114 Steve Taylor - Squint 2:38:34

20d ago2:38:34

2:38:34

https://www.instagram.com/excompod/ https://open.spotify.com/show/5WYfTqA2EK48nfcdC1PL8S?si=507d06949fe24d29By Clifton Stuckey

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What the loss of international students could mean for the U.S. 44:15

20d ago44:15

44:15

The Trump administration is clamping down on foreign students who want to attend American universities – and the schools that admit them. What that could mean for innovation and enterprise in the U.S. and around the world.By WBUR

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Who are the new deportation police? 45:53

21d ago45:53

45:53

The White House is demanding that ICE make 3,000 arrests per day – and it's pulling in agents from the FBI and the DEA to help. How Trump's push for mass deportations is reshaping U.S. law enforcement.By WBUR

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The history and science behind why we're all vulnerable to brainwashing 46:24

22d ago46:24

46:24

We tend to associate “brainwashing” with cults and hostages, but author and science historian Rebecca Lemov says it can happen to anyone. Her new book “The Instability of Truth" explores the history and science of brainwashing and what it can teach us with misinformation on the rise.By WBUR

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President Trump’s proposed 'Golden Dome' vs. the laws of physics 45:43

25d ago45:43

45:43

Trump’s space-based missile defense system. Could it protect the country against a nuclear attack, or is it technically impossible?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: The basic disturbance of the 21st century 38:19

25d ago38:19

38:19

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the impact of AI in the 21st century could be more disruptive to the workforce than mass production was in the 20th century.By WBUR

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The Israeli government’s true goal in Gaza 47:03

26d ago47:03

47:03

Israel's government recently voted to ramp up the war in Gaza. A food blockade starved Gazans for months. And critical voices internationally, and within Israel itself, are rising. What do Israel’s government and its people want now in Gaza?By WBUR

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Is animal testing even needed anymore? 46:13

27d ago46:13

46:13

Running tests on lab rats, mice and other species is an integral part of biomedical research. Now, some say artificial intelligence and other technologies could soon make the practice obsolete.By WBUR

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The federal takeover of Rikers Island 43:05

28d ago43:05

43:05

New York City has lost control of its jails. In May, a federal judge ruled that the city’s jails, including Rikers Island, will now be run by a manager who will report directly to the court. What’s next for one of the country’s largest and most notorious facilities?By WBUR

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The long-term effects of nuclear waste in St. Louis 45:54

29d ago45:54

45:54

For decades, kids in St. Louis County caught crawdads in Coldwater Creek, made mudpies, went swimming -- and were exposed to nuclear waste. Hear the story of how St. Louis became a dumping ground for radioactive waste generated by the Manhattan Project.By WBUR

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How YouTube transformed our world 46:10

1M ago46:10

46:10

YouTube turns 20 this year. The platform now hosts 20 billion videos, and lets basically anyone, anywhere on Earth, create, share and watch. How has YouTube changed us?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Making America safe for cancer 39:15

1M ago39:15

39:15

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Environmental Protection Agency’s new mission under the leadership of its new administrator, Lee Zeldin.By WBUR

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Steph Curry, 'Moreyball' and the NBA's 3-point revolution 46:13

1M ago46:13

46:13

NBA teams have nearly tripled the number of 3-point attempts since the turn of the century. Fans now say it's hurting the game. Is the NBA taking too many 3s?By WBUR

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113 Disciple - My Daddy Can Whip Your Daddy 1:35:35

1M ago1:35:35

1:35:35

We did it! After a long, slow descent into Christian music-induced madness, we've finally found where the sea floor drops off into oblivion thanks to an album so aggressively dull, so devoid of anything resembling intrigue or artistic value, that it’s left us staring into the yawning void of our own psychosis. Congratulations to Christian music’s c…

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The push to eliminate honors programs in schools 45:57

1M ago45:57

45:57

In an effort to reduce inequality in education outcomes, some school districts are removing honors classes or other programs for high achievers. Some students, parents and teachers say the push to "de-track" or "de-level" classrooms is limiting learning for everyone.By WBUR

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The struggle to update America's aging air traffic control system 46:32

1M ago46:32

46:32

The Trump administration says it's going to modernize air traffic control equipment. Many administrations before have promised the same thing. So why hasn't it happened?By WBUR

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The power of solitude 42:11

1M ago42:11

42:11

Rebroadcast: Being alone often gets a bad rap. But research shows alone time can actually boost overall well-being, increasing our emotional regulation, contentment and creativity.By WBUR

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How AI is changing the job marketplace 43:42

1M ago43:42

43:42

AI is playing a larger role in the job hunting and hiring process. It helps job seekers fine-tune their resumes and cover letters, and employers winnow down applicants. But the new technology isn’t getting it all right.By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Chainsaw 40:27

1M ago40:27

40:27

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty assesses what Elon Musk and his Department of Government of Efficiency have achieved as Musk’s appointment as special government employee is due to expire.By WBUR

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What life is really like in El Salvador under Bukele’s 'iron fist' 44:39

1M ago44:39

44:39

El Salvador was once the murder capital of the world. Now under President Nayib Bukele, it’s safer than Canada. But with 2% of its population locked up -- what is the real cost of this newfound safety?By WBUR

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Trump and trickle-down corruption 43:42

1M ago43:42

43:42

A $400 million jet from Qatar. His own crypto coin. Is President Donald Trump normalizing corruption?By WBUR

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Inside the wrongful conviction of Ben Spencer 42:05

1M ago42:05

42:05

No witnesses. No physical evidence. An ironclad alibi. Nevertheless, a Texas jury sentenced Ben Spencer to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Journalist and author Barbara Bradley Hagerty shares what it took to set Spencer free.By WBUR

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What happens when you train your AI on AI-generated data? 45:42

1M ago45:42

45:42

AI companies say they are running out of high-quality data to train their models on. But they might have a solution: data generated by artificial intelligence systems themselves. The pros and cons of synthetic data.By WBUR

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Protecting from harm or censorship? Policing educational material in Texas 43:48

2M ago43:48

43:48

Texas state legislature just passed a bill that would send doctors, teachers, librarians and more to jail if they provide kids with "harmful" materials. But who decides what's harmful, and what's not?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Stephen Miller and the wages of ostracism 39:21

2M ago39:21

39:21

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the life and experiences of the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and their connection with Trumpism.By WBUR

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India and Pakistan on the brink of war. Again. 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

A ceasefire deal has put a pause on conflict between India and Pakistan. But experts say the two nuclear powers have a lot to work out if the Kashmir region is to move toward long-term peace.By WBUR

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112 Black Cherry Soda - Grin 1:28:18

2M ago1:28:18

1:28:18

https://youtu.be/kbQKs3dV-yE?si=uITkyNhR6IzR1bS_ https://cmnexus.org/profiles/Black_Cherry_Soda https://downthelinezine.com/cue/black_cherry_soda https://www.discogs.com/release/2285596-Black-Cherry-Soda-Grin https://boottohead.com/bth101.html https://palmbeachbookery.com/products/black-cherry-soda-grin https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.co…

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The challenges facing the first-ever American pope 44:05

2M ago44:05

44:05

The world's 1.4 billion Catholics have a new pope, Leo XIV. But the church he now leads is far from unified. What does the global Catholic Church want from a new pope -- and can he deliver it?By WBUR

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What is Tren de Aragua? The criminal organization's origins, activities and reach within the U.S. 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

The Biden administration first labeled Venezuelan gang as a multi-national criminal organization. President Trump has now put Tren de Aragua at the center of the debate over immigration and deportation. But will his methods neutralize the threat Tren de Aragua poses to the U.S.?By WBUR