Best Joel Kotkin Podcasts (2025)

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Techno-Oligarchs and the New Eugenics w/ Joel Kotkin 52:07

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2d ago52:07

52:07

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, urban theorist Joel Kotkin, author of The New Class Conflict and The Coming of Neo-Feudalism: A Warning to the Global Middle Class, to discuss his provocative UnHerd article, "Beware the New Eugenics." Together, they explore how today’s tech…

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Will Epstein Break MAGA? + Trump's Police State w/ Chris Lehmann 41:41

38m ago41:41

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On this edition of Parallax Views, Chris Lehmann, D.C. Bureau Chief at The Nation, joins the program to unpack the unraveling of Trump’s deep‑state narratives — and how it could spark fractures within his own movement. At the heart of our conversation: Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Faced with mounting pressure from the QAnon‑infl…

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Trump, the Epstein Files, and the Right-Wing Noise Machine w/ Klaus Marre 48:13

1h ago48:13

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👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist Klaus Marre—senior editor for Politics and director of the Mentor Apprentice Program at WhoWhatWhy—joins the show to explore rising tensions inside the MAGA movement over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and whether it could spark a ki…

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Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, Mamdani's Win, & How the Status Quo Rigs the Market w/ Dean Baker 1:25:29

1h ago1:25:29

1:25:29

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, the Center for Economic and Policy Research's Dean Baker, author of the "Beat the Press" blog at the aforementioned CEPR, joins the program to discuss President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, Zohran Mamdani's Mayoral primary win against …

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Jewish Migration: The Southern Shift 48:22

4d ago48:22

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America's Jewish geography is undergoing a dramatic transformation, shifting from its historical concentration in the Northeast to flourishing communities across the South and West. This fascinating evolution reflects broader demographic patterns while revealing unique insights about Jewish identity, community formation, and cultural adaptation. De…

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From ‘Total Obliteration’ to Total Confusion: Decoding Trump’s Iran Strike Claims w/ Paul R. Pillar 52:53

6d ago52:53

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👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. In this episode of Parallax Views, former senior CIA analyst and national security expert Paul R. Pillar returns to break down his latest article, “Trump’s use and misuse of Iran intel,” published in Responsible Statecraft. We explore how the Trump administration clashed with…

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Squid Game Gaza? Israel, U.S. Contractors, & the GHF Scandal w/ Stavroula Pabst 46:32

8d ago46:32

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👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, we examine how the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—an Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded aid initiative—is being accused of turning famine relief in Gaza into a real-life Squid Game. The allegation is disturbing: a chilling “Red Light, Green …

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AI Intentionality: Who’s Really in Control? 46:05

8d ago46:05

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What happens when we give machines the power to think without ensuring they share our values? This riveting conversation dives deep into one of humanity's most pressing challenges: controlling artificial intelligence as it grows increasingly powerful. Joined by Roni Abovitz, founder of groundbreaking companies Mako Surgical and Magic Leap, and neur…

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A Shared Sorrow: Reckoning with War, Memory, and Greater America w/ Viet Thanh Nguyen 43:49

13d ago43:49

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🎙️ 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize–winner Viet Thanh Nguyen, author fo the hit novel The Sympathizer, joins us to discuss his powerful new essay in The Nation, “Greater America Has Been Exporting Disunion for Decades.…

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The Meaning of Zohran Mamdani's Victory + The Anti-Human Ideology of Peter Thiel w/ Jeet Heer 1:00:53

17d ago1:00:53

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🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this episode of Parallax Views, Jeet Heer, National Affairs correspondent for The Nation, joins us to unpack the …

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Trump, the Imperial Presidency, and How the Bush & Biden Administrations Got Us Here w/ James Bovard 1:02:23

16d ago1:02:23

1:02:23

🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, libertarian author and critic James Bovard joins J.G. Michael to unpack Donald Tr…

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Israel-Iran "Ceasefire" Fragility, Israel's Emasculation Strategy, & the Gulf States w/ James Dorsey 55:36

15d ago55:36

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Note: There's a little bit of crackle in the audio in this episode. Attempts were made to remove crackle as much as possible, but it remains at some point. Hopefully it does not pose too much of a problem for listening. 🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we nee…

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Re-Upload Request: Trump, the Big Beautiful Bill, & the Restructuring of U.S. Foreign Policy w/ Jack Rasmus 1:01:52

16d ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Reupload request for listener that was having issues with audio sync. I suspect it may have been an encoding issue on older podcasting platforms causing it. I checked the original pod on Spotify and Podbean players and had no issue. Using a different encoding method going forward. 🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero cor…

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Trump, the Big Beautiful Bill, & the Restructuring of U.S. Foreign Policy w/ Jack Rasmus 1:01:52

16d ago1:01:52

1:01:52

🎙️ MEGA-DROP FOR MEDIA THAT MATTERS Four episodes. One day. Zero corporate backing. This is independent media at work — and we need your help to keep it going. 👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. On this edition of Parallax Views, economist and author Jack Rasmus joins us to break down Donald Trump’s so-called …

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160 Years of Radical Journalism: The History of The Nation (and I.F. Stone!) w/ D.D. Guttenplan 1:10:31

17d ago1:10:31

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On this edition of Parallax Views, The Nation editor and journalist D.D. Guttenplan joins the show to reflect on the 160th anniversary of The Nation— one of America's most well-known and prestigious political magazines. We explore the magazine's radical roots (it was founded by abolitionists), its enduring mission to “tell people the truth,” and it…

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The Non-Destruction of Iran's Nuclear Site + Disaster Capitalism in Gaza w/ Richard Silverstein 1:21:21

19d ago1:21:21

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On this episode of Parallax Views, Richard Silverstein of the Tikun Olam blog joins us to analyze recent revelations about the much-publicized bombing of Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility — and why Donal Trump's narrative of its “destruction” is falling apart. Drawing on satellite imagery, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessments, and the in-depth…

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The View from Israel: Navigating the Israel-Iran War w/ Ori Goldberg 1:41:31

30d ago1:41:31

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On this edition of Parallax Views, Israeli commentator and Iran expert Ori Goldberg, hot off appearances in +972 Magazine and on Democracy Now, returns to offer his analysis of the Israel-Iran war. Ori, as an Israeli, provides a unique perspective on what is happening within Israel, while his deep expertise in Iran’s culture and history shines thro…

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Does Trump's Strategy Risk Strengthening Iran's Hardliners? w/ Ted Snider 34:07

28d ago34:07

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In this episode of Parallax Views, journalist and foreign policy analyst Ted Snider joins us to discuss his latest article for Antiwar.com, "America’s Deception Strengthens Iranian Hardliners." As tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran escalate following devastating Israeli strikes, Snider breaks down how recent events, such as Trump's rhetori…

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A Renegade Look at Iran, the MAGA Shake-Up, Riots, & Immigration w/ Thaddeus Russell 1:25:04

1M ago1:25:04

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On this edition of Parallax Views, the not-afraid-to-speak-his-mind gadfly and renegade historian Thaddeus Russel of the Unregistered and Unreported podcasts returns to the program for a wide-ranging conversation on current events. Thaddeus is the author of The Renegade History of the United States, a fascinating book delving into the ways in which…

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Debt, Demographics, and Diplomacy: Europe at the Crossroads 37:54

30d ago37:54

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The economic and political landscape between the United States and Europe is undergoing a seismic shift as Trump's tariff threats create ripples across the Atlantic. Our expert guests, Professor Veronica de Romanis from Rome and journalist Fraser Myers from London, provide fascinating insights into how European countries are responding to this new …

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1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times w/ Ross Benes 1:19:29

1M ago1:19:29

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In this episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, I’m joined by journalist and author Ross Benes to discuss his new book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. We dive into how one seemingly ridiculous year, marked by Pokémon mania, pro wrestling mayhem, aggro-fueled nu metal, and shock TV overload, actuall…

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Israeli Strike on Iran & the MAGA Divide on the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship w/ Andrew Day 36:41

1M ago36:41

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On this edition of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, Andrew Day of The American Conservative returns to the program for a discussion about the recent Israeli strike on Iran and its far-reaching implications. Specifically, we explore how this development challenges the ideological coherence of conservative supporters of Donald Trump and the broader MA…

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Israeli Strike Against Iran, the MAGA Split on Iran, & Divisions in Israeli Politics w/ James Dorsey 50:43

1M ago50:43

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On this edition of Parallax Views, Middle East analyst James M. Dorsey, proprietor of The Turbulent World w/ James M. Dorsey blog/Substack, returns to the program to discuss what he considers a paradigm shift moment for the Middle East: last night's Israeli strike on Iran. What does it mean? How did we get to this point? Could this evolve into an a…

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Critiquing Abundance + What’s Left: 3 Paths Through the Planetary Crisis w/ Malcolm Harris 52:32

1M ago52:32

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On this edition of Parallax Views, writer and political theorist Malcolm Harris joins us to unpack his sharp critique of the so-called Abundance Agenda, popularized by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Harris argues that this vision—focused on building more housing, expanding clean energy, and turbocharging innovation—fails to confront the structural …

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Breaking Down the NYC Mayor's Race 48:29

1M ago48:29

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The battle for New York City's future is heating up as former Governor Andrew Cuomo faces off against progressive challenger Zoran Mamdani in what's shaping up to be an unpredictable mayoral race. With ranked-choice voting, multiple candidates, and current Mayor Eric Adams making a last-minute decision not to run in the Democratic primary, the city…

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The Crypto Industry's Capture of American Politics w/ Jacob Silverman 55:24

1M ago55:24

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On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist Jacob Silverman returns to Parallax Views to unpack his new article, “Coin Operated: The Crypto Industry’s Takeover of American Politics,” a timely investigation into how cryptocurrency has gone from financial sideshow to political powerhouse. We explore how the crypto industry—despite a track record of…

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Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection w/ Corinna Barrett Lain 1:21:07

1M ago1:21:07

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On this gripping edition of Parallax Views, host J.G. Michael speaks with legal scholar Corinna Barrett Lain about her searing new book, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection. Far from being a clean or clinical method of execution, Lain exposes lethal injection as the centerpiece of a scandalous history—rife with fake s…

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The AIPAC Narrative Reexamined: Empire, the Lobby, the Left, and the Limits of Blame w/ Yasha Levine 1:36:30

2M ago1:36:30

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In this provocative and deeply analytical conversation, journalist and author Yasha Levine joins Parallax Views to challenge a dominant narrative on both the left and right: that the Israel Lobby singularly controls U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Drawing from his background covering Cold War geopolitics and U.S. information warfare, Levine…

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Greed to Do Good: The Untold Story of CDC's Disastrous War on Opioids w/ Charles LeBaron, M.D. 1:12:25

2M ago1:12:25

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On this edition of Parallax Views, former CDC epidemiologist and physician Dr. Charles LeBaron joins us to discuss his explosive new book Greed to Do Good: The Untold Story of CDC’s Disastrous War on Opioids. Drawing on his rare vantage point as a public health insider (with 28 years' experience at the CDC), clinician, and former pain patient, Dr. …

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Abundance for Whom? Big Tech’s Agenda in the Democratic Party w/ Kate Willett 1:01:44

2M ago1:01:44

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On this edition of Parallax Views, comedian and writer Kate Willett joins us to examine the growing influence of Silicon Valley billionaires on the Democratic Party and the controversial politics behind the so-called Abundance Agenda. Framed by figures like Ezra Klein as a bold, future-focused vision of progress, this agenda is increasingly backed …

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The Crisis of the Center and the Contest for the Future w/ Katrina vanden Heuvel 42:05

2M ago42:05

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In this timely conversation, Parallax Views host J.G. Michael sits down with The Nation's editorial director and longtime progressive voice Katrina vanden Heuvel to discuss the mounting political crises shaking both Europe and the United States. Drawing from her recent co-authored piece, "Report from Europe: The Center Does Not Hold," and her Mothe…

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The Five Years of Feudal Future 40:05

2M ago40:05

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As the Feudal Future podcast marks its fifth anniversary, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky examine how dramatically our society has evolved since they first warned about the emergence of neo-feudalism—a concentration of wealth and power resembling historical feudal systems. The world has changed profoundly since they began. Political allian…

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Jim Londos: The Golden Greek of Professional Wrestling w/ Steven Johnson 1:51:35

2M ago1:51:35

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On this edition of Parallax Views, you will hear an incredible story that, on its surface, you may mistake as being just about professional wrestling: the life and career of "The Golden Greek" Jim Londos. He was the biggest star of not only pro wrestling in the 1920s and 1930s, but arguably of sports itself. His popularity eclipsed that of the prof…

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Why Orthodox Jews Protested Itamar Ben-Gvir's U.S. Visit w/ Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro 1:09:32

2M ago1:09:32

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On this edition of Parallax Views, Orthodox Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro — author of The Empty Wagon: Zionism’s Journey from Identity Crisis to Identity Theft — returns to unpack the theological foundations of Jewish anti-Zionism and non-Zionism. Fresh off his participation in a protest against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's recent U.…

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Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies w/ Michael Albertus 1:01:40

2M ago1:01:40

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On this episode of Parallax Views, we’re joined by University of Chicago political scientist Michael Albertus, author of the forthcoming book Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies (Basic Books, Jan. 14, 2025). Drawing on his expertise in democracy, dictatorship, inequality, property rights, and social co…

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Navigating US-Mexico Relations in Turbulent Times 39:55

2M ago39:55

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The fault lines in US-Mexico relations have never been more visible. Our expert panel—featuring former CNN journalist Bruno Lopez and economist Alejandro Chaufen—brings decades of experience to unpacking one of North America's most crucial yet strained relationships. Recent polling reveals a shocking statistic: 80% of Mexicans now hold negative vie…

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The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism w/ Matt McManus 1:05:38

3M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

On this May Day edition of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, political theorist Matt McManus joins us to unpack The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism, his groundbreaking new book. We explore: Liberal Socialism Defined: Why liberal rights and socialist economics aren’t mutually exclusive—and how methodological collectivism and normative individual…

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Remembering Pope Francis and Confronting Authoritarianism w/ William Dowell 38:35

3M ago38:35

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On this edition of Parallax Views, we remember the late Pope Francis in conversation with veteran journalist William Dowell, who recently penned the WhoWhatWhy article “The Passing of a Genuinely Christian Pope.” Dowell reflects on Francis’s lasting spiritual legacy, portraying him as a humble and principled leader who consistently emphasized compa…

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Follow the Money: The Think Tank Funding Tracker w/ Ben Freeman & Nick Cleveland-Stout 1:03:00

3M ago1:03:00

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You're Listening to Parallax Views https://parallaxviews.podbean.com/ Support the Show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews On this edition of Parallax Views with J.G. Michael, we explore the powerful financial forces behind Washington D.C.’s most influential think tanks—and how those funding streams may shape U.S. foreign policy and d…

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Shoot Pro Wrestling Revives Catch-as-Catch-Can Style w/ Jake Shannon, Pat Miletich & Matt Granahan 57:21

3M ago57:21

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On this special episode of Parallax Views, we enter the world of Shoot Pro Wrestling (SPW)—a new promotion looking to bring the raw intensity and legitimacy of catch-as-catch-can wrestling back to the forefront of combat sports and professional wrestling. Joining the conversation are three key figures behind the SPW movement: – 🧠 Jake Shannon, catc…

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Grappling With Grapplevision: An Unstructured Deep Dive Into the Phantom Funhouse of Pro Wrestling 4:37:12

3M ago4:37:12

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On this edition of Parallax Views, the biggest wrestling event of the year is only days away: WrestleMania. Billed as the "Showcase of the Immortals," WrestleMania is the marquee event of World Wrestling Entertainment and has been going strong for over 40 years. On April 19th and 20th, WWE will present WrestleMania 41. Yes—FORTY-ONE. Ahead of the b…

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Crossroads: The Democratic Party in Transition 37:07

3M ago37:07

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America stands at a political crossroads where old alliances are shifting and economic realities are reshaping party loyalties. The Democratic Party faces a profound identity crisis - pragmatic at the local level where mayors tackle real problems head-on, yet seemingly detached at the national level where ideology often trumps practicality. Our fas…

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On the Joe Rogan Experience's Dave Smith-Douglas Murray Debate w/ Ralph Leonard 1:13:47

3M ago1:13:47

1:13:47

On this edition of Parallax Views, host J.G. Michael welcomes back writer and commentator Ralph Leonard to unpack his recent UnHerd article, "Dave Smith–Douglas Murray Debate Highlights Right-Wing Fault Lines." In this wide-ranging conversation, Leonard breaks down the recent viral Joe Rogan-hosted debate between anti-war libertarian comedian Dave …

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Weapons Sales Trump Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy w/ Dr. Annelle Sheline 46:29

3M ago46:29

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On this edition of Parallax Views, the Quincy Institute's Dr. Annelle Sheline, a frequent guest on the program and a former Biden-era State Dept. official who resigned over the U.S. handling of Gaza, returns to discuss her briefing "Under Primacy, Weapons Sales Will Always Supersede Human Rights". But first we discuss the article she recently co-wr…

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Politicide: War, Memory, and Control in Gaza w/ Geoffrey Aronson 43:45

3M ago43:45

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On this edition of Parallax Views, Geoffrey Aronson, a noted analyst Middle East affairs and formerly the director of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, returns to discuss his latest Responsible Statecraft piece entitled "Israel's plan for Gaza is clear: 'Conquest, expulsion, settlement'". One of the key aspects of Geoffrey's analysis in said ar…

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An Inside View of the Luna Hearing on the JFK Assassination w/ Jim DiEugenio 1:03:17

3M ago1:03:17

1:03:17

In this episode of Parallax Views, returning guest and veteran JFK assassination researcher Jim DiEugenio joins us to unpack the recent developments in the long-running battle over JFK assassination records. We dive into the legacy of President Trump’s January 2025 executive order concerning the JFK files and discuss the implications of the recent …

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Trump’s Tariffs, Trumponomics vs. Bidenomics, & More w/ Doug Henwood 38:09

3M ago38:09

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On this edition of Parallax Views, the Left Business Observer's Doug Henwood, host of the influential radio program Behind the News, returns to the program to discuss Trump's tariffs, Bidenomics vs. Trumponomics, the legacy of the anti-WTO/anti-globalization protests of the late 1990s, and much more! Literally a half hour before Doug and I began re…

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Trump's Tariffs and Its Geoeconomic Implications w/ Karthik Sankaran 51:23

3M ago51:23

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On this edition of Parallax Views, the Quincy Institute's Karthik Sankaran—writer, analyst, and longtime observer of global macroeconomic trends—joins the program to unpack the Trump administration’s sweeping new tariff policy. Billed as a "reciprocal tariff" strategy, the move abandons long-held trade norms like Most Favored Nation (MFN) status in…

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Harvard’s Faculty Dismissals & the Assault on Free Inquiry in Higher Ed w/ Jonathan Feingold 30:49

3M ago30:49

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On this edition of Parallax Views, legal scholar and Boston University Law professor Jonathan Feingold joins us to discuss a growing crisis in higher education: the escalating assault on academic freedom. At the center of this episode is the recent dismissal of Dr. Cemal Kafadar and Dr. Rosie Bsheer—faculty leaders of Harvard's Center for Middle Ea…

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Netanyahu in D.C., Israel's Actions in Gaza, Civilizational States, & Saudi Leverage w/ James Dorsey 1:01:23

3M ago1:01:23

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Recorded: 4-7-2025 On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist James M. Dorsey of the Turbulent World w/ James M. Dorsey Substack returns for another Middle East update. In this conversation we go over the visit Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is making to Washington D.C. to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. The visit will reportedly…