Best Thomas Mann House Podcasts (2025)

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George Packer on Vice President JD Vance 33:17

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3d ago33:17

33:17

JD Vance has had an unorthodox rise to power. After a troubled childhood, he joined the Marines, graduated from Yale Law School, became a best-selling author, and then won a seat in the U.S. Senate. And now, at only 40, he is Vice President to Donald Trump, a man who Vance once described as "America's Hitler" and "cultural heroin." We’re joined by …

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Richard Medhurst SPEAKS OUT On His Trial, Israel & Syria + Sean Jacobs & Tony Karon on South Africa 2:09:32

5d ago2:09:32

2:09:32

South African political scientist Sean Jacobs and South African journalist Tony Karon talk about the "white genocide" (not) happening in South Africa. Journalist Richard Medhurst talks about being arrested in London, raided in Vienna and targeted by Israel.See Katie in Vienna at the First Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress: https://www.juedisch-antizioni…

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225: BEST OF: Ed Shelleby on Being My Senate Communications Director 49:30

10d ago49:30

49:30

In this Best Of episode, we revisit our conversation with Al’s former Senate Communications Director, Ed Shelleby, to relive their time working together. Ed tells tales of him TRYING to manage Al's comedic impulses in serious situations, but also talks about the great work they accomplished together. Ed shares several behind-the-scenes stories incl…

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JFK, Israel & The Biden Cover Up With Norman Solomon, Ken McCarthy & Aaron Good 1:31:37

12d ago1:31:37

1:31:37

Journalist Norman Soloman discusses the coverup about Biden's mental health, popularity and viability; his careerism and the failures of the Democratic Party. Plus how the media sells war and how liberal Zionism is a myth. Then Ken McCarthy and Aaron Good discuss JFK, who killed him, the JFK files and his fight with Israel. They also talk about the…

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224: Michael Lewis on Amazing Government Workers 32:10

18d ago32:10

32:10

From the start of Donald Trump's second term, he's been eager to cut the federal workforce. So, Elon Musk headed the newly minted DOGE to begin slashing tens of thousands of jobs. Our friend, Michael Lewis, author of "The Big Short" and, most recently, "Who is Government?," joins us to share stories of public servants who not only improved this cou…

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Is Trump ABANDONING Israel? With Mouin Rabbani, Vijay Prashad & Trita Parsi 1:25:33

19d ago1:25:33

1:25:33

Palestinian analyst Mouin Rabbani and Iranian analyst Trita Parsi talks about the latest developments in the Middle East and whether Trump is finally sidelining Israel when it comes to Gaza, Yemen and Iran. Then Vijay Prashad discusses tensions between India and Pakistan and the 80th anniversary of the defeat of fascism.For the full discussion, ple…

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223: Dahlia Lithwick on the Courts vs. Trump 44:13

25d ago44:13

44:13

We're joined by Dahlia Lithwick, award-winning journalist, author, and host of the Amicus podcast. Dahlia looks at the judicial pushback against the Trump administration, as the Courts have stood up to Trump's policies on birthright citizenship and deportation. We also discuss Trump’s targeting of law firms. The Supreme Court notably ruled 9-0 that…

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Oliver Stone, Gabor Maté, Nick Bryant on JFK, Israel & Epstein 1:14:25

26d ago1:14:25

1:14:25

Katie speaks to filmmaker Oliver Stone and author and JFK researcher Jim DiEugenio about the JFK files. Then she speaks to author and journalist Nick Bryant who published Epstein's black book about Epstein and Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last month. Finally, Katie plays a clip of Gabor Maté talking about surviving the Holoc…

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222: Mark Leibovich and Molly Jong-Fast on Trump’s 100 Days 46:36

1M ago46:36

46:36

Trump’s first 100 days back in office have been a whirlwind filled with chaotic, confusing, and authoritarian behavior and very little thoughtful policy - the perfect opportunity to welcome back our friends, Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic and Molly Jong-Fast, host of the Fast Politics Podcast. These 100 days have been filled with bizarre stories th…

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Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro DESTROYS Ben Gvir, Historian Greg Grandin DEBUNKS Imperialist History 2:05:01

1M ago2:05:01

2:05:01

Find the full interview with Yaakov Shapiro here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-full-127784040Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro talks about his protest against Ben Gvir in front of the Israeli Consulate in New York and why he sees Zionism as the enemy of Judaism. Jennifer Koonings shares what she observed attending a Ben Gvir protest where a woman was p…

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221: Robert Reich on Fighting The Trump Autocracy 45:39

1M ago45:39

45:39

Every day we see this country inch closer to authoritarianism under Donald Trump. We're joined by Robert Reich, political economist, professor, author, and former Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton. We cover how Reich thinks Democrats should fight back against this era of oligarchy in America. He explains the power of protest and lays out the me…

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Oliver Stone On JFK Files, Alec Karakatsanis On 'Copaganda' 1:37:08

1M ago1:37:08

1:37:08

Katie talks to the Academy-Award winning director Oliver Stone and JFK researcher and author Jim Di Eugenio about the JFK files which they testified about in Congress. Full interview with Oliver Stone is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/127455286?utm_campaign=postshare_creator Then Katie talks to Civil Rights Lawyer Alec Karakatsanis about his b…

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220: BEST OF: Tim Alberta on Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism 59:35

2M ago59:35

59:35

In this Best Of episode, we revisit our conversation with Tim Alberta, the author of the profoundly disturbing book "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory,” which was released before the 2024 election. In this interview, he explains how evangelicals have been turned into a political tool for the Republican Party. Alberta grew up in the evangelical …

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Mohsen Mahdawi DEFENDED By Jewish Israeli Classmate + Lee Camp & Alex Kane 1:52:01

2M ago1:52:01

1:52:01

Katie talks about Mohsen Mahdawi, the SECOND Palestinian Columbia student unlawfully arrested with one of his Jewish American-Israeli classmate Aharon Dardik and journalist Alex Kane. Aharon talks about moving from the U.S. to the West Bank where he and his family were settlers, and then going to prison for refusing to serve in the IDF. Alex talks …

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219: Atul Gawande on Musk’s Destruction of USAID 43:50

2M ago43:50

43:50

Elon Musk and DOGE have been taking a chainsaw to the federal government since Trump was re-elected. It could take us generations to fully recover from the damage inflicted by the careless and cruel nature of these cuts. We're joined by American surgeon, author, and public health advocate Atul Gawande to discuss just how devastating these actions a…

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Norman Finkelstein On Gaza & Chuck Schumer, Whitney Webb On Diddy & Epstein, 3:11:07

2M ago3:11:07

3:11:07

Patreon-only chat with Whitney Webb is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-podcast-126403115Norman Finkelstein talks about Gaza, the attack on free speech, and Chuck Schumer's book 'Antisemitism In America: A Warning.' Whitney Webb talks about her latest investigation into Sean “Diddy” Combs. Ashley Bishop plays some tape she recorded at th…

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218: Catherine Rampell on Trump’s Tariffs and DOGE 53:04

2M ago53:04

53:04

Despite widespread warnings about what economic havoc they could cause, Donald Trump announced his plan to put tariffs on nearly every nation in the world. Catherine Rampell, opinion columnist for The Washington Post and co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend, gives her instant reaction to Trump's plan. If history (and the current stock market) is any indi…

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TARGETED Pro Palestine Cornell Student SELF-DEPORTS, Columbia Students Are KIDNAPPED & Expelled! 1:26:04

2M ago1:26:04

1:26:04

Columbia students discuss how their university betrayed Mahmoud Khalil who was kidnapped by ICE, & betrayed academic freedom by capitulating to the Trump Administration. Then Cornell University Ph.D student Momodou Taal, who is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom & the Gambia, talks about attempting to sue Trump & his decision to leave the United …

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217: Jessica Yellin on Our Anxiety Producing News Cycle 37:57

2M ago37:57

37:57

A potentially catastrophic breach of security within The White House has set off alarm bells for both Republicans and Democrats in D.C. Independent journalist Jessica Yellin joins us to discuss SignalGate. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are both under fire after The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg was added t…

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Trump’s Fake Peace w/Col Lawrence Wilkerson, Ben Cohen & José Luis Granados Ceja 1:30:41

2M ago1:30:41

1:30:41

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson and Ben Cohen slam Trump and Elon for refusing to go after REAL Waste: the Pentagon. Then Mexican journalist José Luis Granados Ceja discusses Trump's war on migrants, Mexico, Venezuela, Palestinians and the Houthis.Enjoy the full conversation here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/colonel-larry-125180619?utm_medium=clipboar…

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216: Norm Ornstein on Another Terrible Week in D.C. 34:31

2M ago34:31

34:31

It's been another chaotic week in Donald Trump's America, and we're thrilled to have our good friend, Norm Ornstein, back on the podcast. We talk about Trump's Executive Order TO dismantle the Department of Education and what that could mean to communities across the country. We also break down the divisions in the Democratic Party and why Leader C…

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Israel BREAKS Ceasefire With Human Rights Lawyer Craig Mokhiber & Palestinian Journalist Said Arikat 2:23:04

3M ago2:23:04

2:23:04

Katie talks to Human Rights lawyer Craig Mokhiber and Palestinian-American journalist Said Arikat about Israel's relaunched genocide, Zionism's war on free speech and Human Rights, and the attacks on Yemen.Craig Mokhiber is an American former United Nations (UN) human rights official and a specialist in international human rights law, policy, and m…

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215: BEST OF: Trae Crowder on Comedy and The Liberal Redneck 42:48

3M ago42:48

42:48

In this Best Of episode, we revisit our conversation with Trae Crowder, the viral comedian from Tennessee aka The Liberal Redneck. We talk about Trae's upbringing in a red state, why rednecks are Trumpies, and what happens to a community when the jobs leave. Listen to Trae’s take on Trump's appeal to voting rednecks, even though they might have see…

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Irish Republican Danny Morrison, Gaza’s Asad Abushark & Holocaust Survivors Against Genocide 1:17:44

3M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

Katie, who is in Europe interviewing Holocaust survivors protesting the Gaza genocide, plays a clip from her recently recovered footage (we thought it had been lost) of a live show she recorded in Dublin in July about the connection between Palestine and Ireland. Sadly, it’s just as relevant now as it was then. For the full discussion, please join …

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214: Mark Leibovich on the Week in Washington 39:45

3M ago39:45

39:45

We're joined by our friend Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic to break down a wild week in Washington D.C.! Donald Trump gave his address to Congress. It was the longest one ever and didn't seem to say much (except blame Joe Biden for all of the country's problems). We also take a look at America's deteriorating relationship with Ukraine and how Republ…

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Wallace Shawn, David Cross, and Matt Lieb Call Out Israel While Zionists Meltdown Over 'No Other Land' Oscar 1:19:51

3M ago1:19:51

1:19:51

Katie and Matt Lieb reacts to the Zion*ist meltdown over No Other Land winning the Oscar for best documentary film and Katie plays clips from her recent interview with Wallace Shawn and from her never before released interview with David Cross.For the entire discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-david-1236…

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213: War Correspondent Tim Mak on Russia and Ukraine 50:01

3M ago50:01

50:01

As Trump and his administration try to rewrite history and say that Ukraine started the war with Russia, we're joined by Tim Mak, war correspondent and founder of The Counteroffensive. Tim has been living in Kyiv since the beginning of Russia’s invasion and discusses the toll that the war has taken on the people of Ukraine. He examines what kind of…

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Mark Ames & Lev Golinkin On Ukraine, Rami Khouri & Helena Cobban On Hamas 1:48:42

3M ago1:48:42

1:48:42

Ukrainian-American journalist Lev Golinkin and co-host of Radio War Nerd at Patreon Mark Ames reveal the inconvenient truths about Zelensky and the Ukraine War. Rami Khouri and Helena Cobban talk about the cease-fire, what's really happening in Gaza, what Netanyahu is really doing, understanding Hamas and why it matters.For the full discussion, ple…

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212: Sarah Longwell on Voter Reactions to Trump's First Month 49:28

3M ago49:28

49:28

A month into Donald Trump's second term, how do voters feel about the job he's doing? We talk to Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group podcast. We discuss how Trump is currently in the "honeymoon" period of his presidency and how plenty of voters are just happy that Trump is doing SOMETHING. Sarah also gives advice to…

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John Kiriakou Shares CIA Secrets, Nathan Tankus On Elon Musk’s 5 Alarm Fire 1:28:46

3M ago1:28:46

1:28:46

For the rest of the conversation, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-john-122741941CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou talks about the JFK Files, USAID, Donald Trump and endless war. But first Nathan Tankus breaks down what the hell Elon Musk is doing.John Kiriakou is the only person to go to jail over the CIA torture …

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211: SPECIAL: Al on SNL's 50th 1:03:20

4M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live this week! This special episode changes things up a bit as Executive Producer Peter Ogburn asks Al about his history with the show. We pull the curtain back on what a typical week looks like building up to the live show on Saturday and learn about how Al and his writing partner, Tom Davi…

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Luigi Mangione Update + Students SUE Columbia For Attacking Pro Palestine Protestors 1:58:11

4M ago1:58:11

1:58:11

For the full discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/catherine-curran-122091844Jamie Peck and Sam Beard have a major announcement about Luigi Mangione and the December 4th Defense Committee. But first suspended Columbia University graduate students and their lawyer talk about their lawsuit against the University for…

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210: Molly O’Toole on Immigration 42:04

4M ago42:04

42:04

Donald Trump ran on a platform of mass deportations. Now that he's back in the White House, what does that look like? We're joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Molly O'Toole, whose upcoming book “The Route” details global migration through the Americas. Molly has spoken to hundreds of migrants making their way from war-torn countries to be …

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Israeli Writer Miko Peled SLAMS Trump's ‘GROTESQUE’ Plan To 'Own Gaza' 2:10:51

4M ago2:10:51

2:10:51

Check out our interview with Wallace Shawn on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/wallace-shawn-121218101Israeli-American activist and author Miko Peled, who knows Benjamin Netanyahu personally, exposes who he really is and discusses the so-called "ceasefire," the end of Israel, and how he was accused of terrorism. But first, award-winning repor…

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209: Peter Beinart on Israel and Gaza 37:14

4M ago37:14

37:14

With a confusing ceasefire deal underway in Gaza, we take a look at the path forward with Peter Beinart. Beinart serves as editor-at-large for Jewish Currents, is a frequent analyst on MSNBC, and has authored a new book, "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning." The book examines the history of Israel and how Jews have responded to…

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Mexico TAKES ON Trump With Greg Grandin, José Luis Granados Ceja & Andalusia Soloff 1:53:10

4M ago1:53:10

1:53:10

For Katie's interview with Wallace Shawn, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/wallace-shawn-121218101Historian Greg Grandin, journalist José Luis Granados Ceja & journalist Andalusia Soloff talk about Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, neocolonialism, immigration and deportation.Greg Grandin is Professor of History at Yale …

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208: Molly Jong-Fast on Trump’s First Week 42:58

4M ago42:58

42:58

President Donald Trump was sworn in (again) this week. Who better than Molly Jong-Fast from the Fast Politics podcast to join us to discuss his first week in office? We relive some quotable moments from his inaugural address and look at his most damaging executive orders. We also rundown some of the Cabinet nominees. Is anyone going to be stopped? …

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The Interrupters: Max Blumenthal On Blinken And Trump, Antiwar Veterans At Hegseth Hearing 1:43:44

4M ago1:43:44

1:43:44

For the rest of the discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-max-120655230Katie talks with journalist Max Blumenthal about getting kicked out of an Antony Blinken press conference, about the latest in Gaza, Elon Musk's salute, ADL hypocrisy and what to expect from Trump. But first Katie talks to anti-war Army…

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207: Ian Bassin on Saving Our Democracy 44:34

5M ago44:34

44:34

Donald Trump's unprecedented second term is upon us. As we prepare to endure another (at least) 4 years of this, we are joined by Ian Bassin, the co-founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy. Trump has already promised to undermine democracy in America. How can we fight back? And how can we mount a defense to the coming onslaught? We also…

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Ceasefire EXPLAINED By Palestinian Analyst, Candace Owens Corrected By Rabbi 1:52:08

5M ago1:52:08

1:52:08

For the full discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-full-120030009Palestinian Analyst Mouin Rabbani breaks down and responds to the potential ceasefire deal.Anti-Zionist Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro reacts to Candace Owens and explains that the problem is Zionism, not the religion of Judaism.Mouin Rabbani is a Dutc…

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What REALLY Caused LA Wild Fires w/David Sirota, Natali Segovia, Yasha Levine, Steven Donziger 2:21:14

5M ago2:21:14

2:21:14

For bonus content, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-now-special-11972532This special show on what REALLY caused the LA wildfires features David Sirota, Yasha Levine, Natali Segovia, Steven Donziger, Meagan Day & Josh Olson. David Sirota is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author living in Denver, Colorado…

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206: Dana Milbank on The Nutcase Republican House 42:25

5M ago42:25

42:25

Dana Milbank, Washington Post Opinion columnist joins us this week! His latest book, "Fools on the Hill: The Hooligans, Saboteurs, Conspiracy Theories and Dunces who Burned Down the House", chronicles the ineffectiveness of the members of the U.S House. He makes the case that the MAGA members in the House have turned it into a dysfunctional nightma…

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Israel Kidnaps Gaza Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya + MAGA Civil War 1:25:51

5M ago1:25:51

1:25:51

For the full discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-ron-hira-119678152Palestinian-American Dr Thaer Ahmad and Canadian Dr. Ben Thomson, both of whom have worked in Gaza, speak out against Israel's kidnapping and likely torture of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Thaer talks about his conversation with Dr. Hussam and …

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Bob Scheer on Interviewing Jimmy Carter and Moe Tkacik on Luigi Mangione 1:24:13

5M ago1:24:13

1:24:13

For the entire discussion, please join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-robert-119387036Veteran reporter Robert Scheer talks about his legendary Playboy interview with Jimmy Carter. Then journalist Moe Tkacik talks about Luigi Mangione, a whistleblower suit filed by a surgeon United Healthcare hired to deny spinal fusion surge…

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205: BEST OF: Scott Galloway 36:49

5M ago36:49

36:49

Professor Scott Galloway is our guest in this New Year's Best Of. Galloway has thoughts on the current political climate and how extreme most of the Republican agenda is these days. He also speaks about how modern politics and policies have left our young people disaffected and feeling left out of the political process. From minimum wage to college…

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204: BEST OF: SNL's Jim Downey 1:07:15

5M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

In this Best Of episode, we revisit the conversation from earlier this year with SNL writer and producer Jim Downey. Al and Jim worked on several iconic sketches and remember some of their favorite political bits from the history of the show. They also discuss the importance of rewarding audiences for knowing stuff but not punishing them for not kn…

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Arrested For Tweets About H*mas With Tony Greenstein, Jenny Manson & Rabbi Herschel Gluck 1:21:27

5M ago1:21:27

1:21:27

To hear the full discussion, please join us on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-tony-118747245Katie talks to Tony Greenstein, the co-founder of Britain's Palestine solidarity campaign and the author of "Zionism During the Holocaust: The Weaponisation of Memory in the Service of State and Nation."Then Katie speaks to Rabbi Hershel …

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203: The Atlantic's George Packer on the End of Democratic Delusions 41:48

5M ago41:48

41:48

The Atlantic's George Packer joins us to discuss his recent piece titled The End of Democratic Delusions. Packer discusses the new era that Donald Trump has ushered in and what that means to politics moving forward. Trump won a close election, but it's a moment for the Democratic establishment to take a look at their shortcomings and redevelop thei…

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Susan Abulhawa Gives EPIC Speech Against Israel, Lily Greenberg Call & Harrison Mann On RESIGNING 1:28:12

6M ago1:28:12

1:28:12

Watch the full conversation with Lily and Harrison here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/susan-abulhawa-118196391Palestinian writer ("Mornings in Jenin") and activist Susan Abulhawa discusses Israel's latest crimes as well as the Oxford Union debate in which she participated on whether "Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide." Susan an…

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202: Anne Applebaum & Frank Foer on Syria, The Middle East, and Ukraine 44:14

6M ago44:14

44:14

We're joined by two of our favorite foreign policy writers to examine what the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime means to Syria and the region. Frank Foer and Anne Applebaum from The Atlantic also look toward the incoming Trump administration and what lies ahead. Can Trump be a steady hand to stop escalating war around the world? How will Israel reac…