Best Radioactive Thoughts Podcasts (2025)

1
"They're Waiting for Us to Die" - Area 51 Veterans Sick After Serving on the Secret Range 43:47

Play Pause

8d ago43:47

43:47

They served in silence at one of the most secretive military ranges in America. Now they say they’re dying in the shadows — because the government still won’t acknowledge they were there. An update now on the Area 51 Veterans: Congress quietly killed the one fix that could have helped them prove where they served and get the care they say they’ve e…

1
Organizing for Living Wages in the Fight for Affordability with Saru Jayaraman One Fair Wage 17:45

8d ago17:45

17:45

Saru Jayaraman, long-time activist and leader of One Fair Wage, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the historical origins of the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers in the US and the power of that community to drive higher wages. The movement has now expanded beyond tipped workers to a broader coalition fighting for a living w…

1
How AI and Mobile Technology are Transforming Political Fundraising with Javan Van Gronigen Donately 20:54

8d ago20:54

20:54

Javan Van Gronigen, Founder of Donately considers 2025 as a year of testing the water for peer-to-peer and crowdfunding for political and advocacy campaigns. AI is enabling organizations to create and deploy fundraising content more quickly and target specific audiences. Increasingly, digital tools are showing effectiveness for all donor levels, wh…

1
Why Sexual Abuse Victims Must Come Forward to Protect Others with John Fitch The Fitch Law Firm 13:22

16d ago13:22

13:22

John Fitch, The Fitch Law Firm, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the importance of victims reporting sexual abuse not only for their own justice but to break the cycle and prevent perpetrators from harming others. John warns that delayed reporting can lead to the loss of essential physical evidence, making the case harder to…

1
Network of Vetted Marketing Firms to Address Diverse Campaign Needs with CJAM The Marketing Connector 20:13

17d ago20:13

20:13

Behdad Jamshidi is the Founder of CJAM The Marketing Connector, which has vetted over 1,000 marketing agencies to identify those most qualified to deliver on their promises. The idea of a single agency handling all political and advocacy campaign needs is no longer realistic, as there are an increasing number of channels to reach voters and support…

1
Deep Organizing and Mobilizing the Zohran Mamdani Volunteers with Ivan Pardo Solidarity Tech 19:48

24d ago19:48

19:48

Ivan Pardo, Founder of Solidarity Tech used his organizing platform to successfully manage the over 100,000 volunteers for the campaign of Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York. This platform was originally designed to be multilingual from its inception to organize non-English-speaking rideshare drivers. While technology was key to the Mamdani succe…

1
She Thought It Was a Prenatal Vitamin. She Didn’t Know It Was Radioactive. 55:08

1M ago55:08

55:08

Imagine being 20, pregnant, and your doctor hands you a “vitamin drink.” You trust them. You drink it. Decades later you find out…it was radioactive. This happened at a prestigious American university clinic, to real women with real babies. And some of those children never made it past childhood. In this new episode of The Truth of the Matter Podca…

1
Combining Influencer Content with Paid Media Strategy with Nicole Dunger and Ryan Davis People First 20:50

1M ago20:50

20:50

Nicole Dunger, Vice President of Growth, and Ryan Davis, CEO of People First, highlight the value of integrating influencer content into paid media strategies, a practice becoming more common in the political and advocacy space. The use of micro-influencers is key for state and local races, and the paid amplification can promote authentic voices to…

1
Ground-Breaking 4K Video Texting Technology Transforms Political Campaign Messaging with Josh Justice Peerly 22:39

1M ago22:39

22:39

Josh Justice, CEO of Peerly, highlights the new Video in Motion technology, an evolution of their previous HD video texting service. This next-generation tool allows for sending 4K high-resolution video to voters' phones via text message, bypassing the limitations of MMS protocols. This is a direct-to-voter messaging model that Josh argues is super…

1
The U.S. Fed Radioactive Oatmeal to Orphans – The Untold Story 24:41

1M ago24:41

24:41

What if the U.S. government secretly experimented on unsuspecting Americans – pregnant women, children, and hospital patients – using radioactive materials? In this episode of The Truth of the Matter, Natasha Zouves continues her conversation with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Eileen Welsome, author of The Plutonium Files. Her groundbreaking re…

1
Building Ethical Generative AI for Nonprofits and Activists with Aram Fischer Change Agent 17:59

2M ago17:59

17:59

Aram Fischer, Co-Founder and CEO of Change Agent, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss values-aligned generative AI and how it contrasts with mainstream AI platforms. Aram warns about built-in societal biases and misinformation in tools like ChatGPT that need to be identified to better align data with proper action. Deepak and A…

1
Filmmaker Partners with Activist Dolores Huerta to Create Short Videos to Inspire Nonviolent Resistance with Ellen Gavin 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

Ellen Gavin, filmmaker and changemaker, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss her latest project, a short film titled "The People United," a collaboration with legendary activist Dolores Huerta that encourages nonviolent community intervention to protect neighbors from ICE. Ellen drives home the point that effective activism must…

1
The Man Secretly Injected With Plutonium After a Car Accident 1:24:50

2M ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Eighteen Americans were secretly injected with plutonium without their knowledge or consent. The first was Ebb Cade, a healthy 55-year-old African American man in Tennessee. After a car accident in March 1945, he expected to have his broken bones set. Instead, he became a test subject. Scientists injected plutonium into his veins, then pulled his t…

1
How a Critical Mass of Peaceful Protesters Can Fight Autocracy with Anne-christine d'Adesky Resisting Project 2025 29:04

2M ago29:04

29:04

Anne-christine d'Adesky, Founder of Resisting Project 2025, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss strategies to counter the agenda of Project 2025, guiding the Trump administration. She details the growth and significance of the No Kings protests, explaining the goal of reaching 3.5% of the US population — a figure identified as …

1
Did the Government Poison an American City? Inside the Army’s Secret Tests in St. Louis 1:24:50

2M ago1:24:50

1:24:50

In the 1950s and 60s, the U.S. Army sprayed a mystery fog over thousands of Americans who lived in a neighborhood in St. Louis. Mothers shut their windows against it, children ran through it. The Army later admitted the fog contained zinc cadmium sulfide, a chemical that contains cadmium — now a known human carcinogen. But to this day, the Army doe…

1
Expanding Citizen Led Ballot Initiative Access with Maresa Strano New America 20:52

2M ago20:52

20:52

Maresa Strano, Director of the Political Reform Program at New America, discusses the role and mechanics of ballot initiatives in the 23 states that allow for citizen-led statewide initiatives. These Initiatives are a tool for direct democracy and are an effective mechanism for achieving political and good governance reform. Once established in a s…

1
U.S. Government’s Secret Human Experiments: Radioactive Oatmeal, Pregnant Women, and a Mystery Fog 36:34

3M ago36:34

36:34

From radioactive oatmeal fed to children, to pregnant women given a radioactive cocktail, to chemical spraying over St. Louis, Dr. Martino-Taylor connects the dots and reveals how she believes these were not isolated incidents, but part of a program spun out of the Manhattan Project — marked by secrecy, deception, and the targeting of the most vuln…

1
Managing Candidate Expectations in the Age of Security Threats and Social Media with Eva Posner Evinco Strategies 22:03

3M ago22:03

22:03

Eva Posner, Founder of Evinco Strategies, focuses on the immense challenges facing political campaigns in this current environment of political violence, the 25-minute news cycle, and economic uncertainty. This climate has deterred qualified candidates from running and made it more difficult for campaigns to raise money, particularly from larger do…

1
From MySpace to TikTok and Why Political Campaigns Must Adapt to the New Social Media Landscape with Scott Goodstein Catalyst Campaigns 29:24

3M ago29:24

29:24

Scott Goodstein, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Campaigns, discusses the evolution and current state of social media strategies in politics in this interview, recorded on September 11 and the day after the murder of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Scott was the social media architect for the 2008 Obama campaign and contrasts the early, diverse soc…

1
Tips for Podcasters and Their Guests with Karen Jagoda and Deepak Puri 14:05

4M ago14:05

14:05

This is an interview conducted by Deepak Puri of The Democracy Labs, discussing the art of podcasting with me, Karen Jagoda. Being a podcaster since the early days, I have seen my share of great guests, reluctant guests, and unprepared guests. Listening to other podcasters has helped me understand both the great potential and limited value podcasts…

1
Life Science Leaders Call for Combatting Science Skepticism with Hamid Ghanadan LINUS 19:49

4M ago19:49

19:49

Hamid Ghanadan, CEO at LINUS, reports on their recent State of Science research that tracks scientists' sentiment, funding expectations, and barriers to their work. Key findings reveal that the politicization of science and erosion of public trust in science threaten to slow innovation rates and negatively impact public access to accurate informati…

1
FastAlert Now App for Activists and Organizers with Deepak Puri The Democracy Labs 15:29

4M ago15:29

15:29

Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, has developed the FastAlert Now app that allows organizers and non-profit organizations to send alerts to people without requiring their phone number, email, or downloading an app. This free app is a channel-based system that uses QR codes and URLs to enable users to subscribe to a specific channel and receiv…

1
Impact of Healthcare Policy Changes and Need for New Models with James Keppel Sarana Health 27:57

5M ago27:57

27:57

James Keppel is the Founder and CEO of Sarana Health and a healthcare advocate for an integrated, wellness-focused approach to keeping people healthy instead of simply treating diseases. While the impacts of current policy changes and budget cuts in healthcare and medical research have yet to be seen, all indications point to widening gaps in servi…

1
Fighting Political Cynicism by Sharing Authentic Conversations with Brian Rolling the MurMur Project 25:02

5M ago25:02

25:02

Brian Rolling, Co-Founder of the MurMur Project, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss how individuals can engage more effectively through digital communication and social media, gaining a deeper understanding of political issues, campaigns, and elections, and have their own voices heard. Brian has a background in filmmaking and …

1
The Johnson Amendment Under Fire with Rebecca Markert Americans United for Separation of Church and State 25:28

5M ago25:28

25:28

Rebecca Markert, Vice President and Legal Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State , joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the fundamental American principle of the separation of church and state, as included in the Constitution. The Johnson Amendment, passed 70 years ago, is a critical law that prevents ch…

1
Empowering Local Organizers for Ballot Initiative Success with Chris Melody Fields Figueredo BISC 18:26

5M ago18:26

18:26

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, discusses the 2.5 Project, an initiative by BISC that provides early, flexible funding to support ballot initiatives focused on economic justice. Recent efforts in Nebraska and Missouri to support minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives yielded p…

1
Humanizing Political Impact with Stories about Real-Life Consequences with Jim Lardner Good Trouble Podcast 21:18

6M ago21:18

21:18

Jim Lardner, journalist, activist, and host of the podcast "Good Trouble," joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the "We Are Your Neighbor" Project, which aims to collect and promote personal stories of people impacted by the Trump administration's policies. The goal is to promote these types of stories in a non-ideological way t…

1
Power of Art and Visual Storytelling to Reframe Political Narratives with Bill Moyer Backbone Campaign 32:09

6M ago32:09

32:09

Bill Moyer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Backbone Campaign, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the value of creative activism and visual props in promoting causes and values. The metaphor of the backbone is a symbol of moral power and strength that voters are encouraged to draw on to protest, drive awareness, and m…

1
How StoryMaps Humanize Data and Drive Action with Allen Carroll Esri 25:54

6M ago25:54

25:54

Allen Carroll, cartographer and lead of the Story Maps team at Esri, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the power of maps and the visualization of GIS data to tell a compelling story. The StoryMaps platform combines multimedia elements to create richer and more engaging maps to spark empathy, raise awareness, and potentially i…

1
Reporting on Abby Hoffman to Military Action Against Iran with Lucian Truscott IV 26:47

6M ago26:47

26:47

Lucian K. Truscott IV, journalist, author, and screenwriter, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to shine a light on the challenges of writing about and reporting on current events, political voices, and cultural trends. Lucian started working for the Village Voice while still a cadet at West Point in the 1960s and comes from a long line …

1
“The Mission That Broke Me—And How I Came Back." Decorated Combat Pilot, Major Glenn Ignazio 33:15

6M ago33:15

33:15

He served on the razor’s edge of danger, flying combat rescue missions to extract downed pilots and special forces deep behind enemy lines. But it was one failed mission that left a mark no medal could erase. In this episode of The Truth of the Matter, host Natasha Zouves sits down with Major Glenn Ignazio for a gripping, unflinching conversation. …

1
Charley Chatbot Revolutionizing Access to Abortion Information and Services with Nicole Cushman 17:30

7M ago17:30

17:30

Nicole Cushman joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to talk about Charley. This private, secure abortion focused AI chatbot was created in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The goal of this project is to provide personalized, accurate, up-to-date information about abortion services while protecting the privacy of those looking fo…

1
How Constituent Pressure Can Influence Congressional Budget Decisions with Catherine Rowland Congressional Progressive Caucus Center 37:38

7M ago37:38

37:38

Catherine Rowland, Legislative Affairs Director at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the current budget reconciliation process in the US Congress. Regardless of the method, Catherine emphasizes that the voice of constituents can make a difference in the outcome and influence budget…

1
She Survived a Violent Attack — Then Became an FBI Agent 35:36

7M ago35:36

35:36

Jennifer Coffindaffer shares the brutal, life-altering attack she survived as a college freshman — and how that trauma ignited a fire to protect others and seek justice, setting her on a path towards decades in the FBI and law enforcement. This episode deals with sexual assault, listener discretion advised. In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” ho…

1
AI Is Coming for Your Job. Here’s What To Do Now, With Simon Willison. 1:00:47

7M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

He's one of the most thoughtful voices in the world of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves sits down with the pioneering technologist and co-creator of Django, Simon Willison. As AI accelerates at breakneck speed, Willison helps us cut through the hype to confront the real stakes: Which jobs are most …

1
Erin Brockovich Isn’t Done Fighting — And She’s Naming Names 23:09

8M ago23:09

23:09

Many of us know Julia Roberts' portrayal of Erin Brockovich's fight for justice in that Oscar-winning film. In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves sits down with the real Brockovich, the outspoken advocate, environmental crusader and best selling author. In a deeply personal conversation, Brockovich opens up about the values her…

1
How the Working Class Story Can Lead to Social Change with Gwenn Fulton Addition Project 34:00

8M ago34:00

34:00

Gwenn Fulton from the Addition Project joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore how storytelling is a powerful way to translate personal experiences into public dialogue, building shared understanding and action around common challenges. Stories of the working class are particularly needed so that their concerns and aspirations are …

1
Connecting Nonprofit Organizations with Lawyers for Pro Bono Legal Services with Anna Chu We the Action 24:37

8M ago24:37

24:37

Anna Chu, Executive Director of We the Action, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the critical role lawyers play in defending the rule of law and supporting nonprofits during these challenging times. The We the Action platform connects lawyers with organizations addressing the challenges both sides face in finding specific exp…

1
Michio Kaku: Secrets of the Multiverse, UAPs and Elon Musk's Mission to Settle Mars 1:00:41

8M ago1:00:41

1:00:41

He's considered one of the most brilliant scientific minds of our time: Dr. Michio Kaku — renowned astrophysicist, futurist, and co-founder of string theory, sits down with “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves. He explores Elon Musk’s bold timeline to settle Mars — and the extraordinary technologies that could make it possible, including satel…

1
Meet the Man Behind the World’s First Flying Car 28:11

8M ago28:11

28:11

Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny joins Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” for an electrifying deep dive into the future of the world’s first flying car. From concept to takeoff, Dukhovny breaks down how his team is rewriting the rules of transportation — and what it really takes to bring science fiction to life. Will we be commutin…

1
Using Stories and Music to Explore the American Dream and Drive Activism with Jennifer Appel 23:46

8M ago23:46

23:46

Jennifer Appel, filmmaker, teacher, and activist, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the American Dream and the need to provide a more complete and accurate portrayal of the American experience. Jennifer uses storytelling, music, and visuals to give voice to diverse perspectives, including those of Indigenous people and vetera…

1
The Power of Protests with Shasti Conrad Washington State Democratic Party 24:55

8M ago24:55

24:55

Shasti Conrad is the Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party and Associate Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Her involvement in political organizing and activism taught her that campaigns must focus on economic messages to build coalitions that cut across partisan lines. This year, before the 2026 mid-terms, there is an opportunity…

1
"They Tried to Silence Us": Survivors of 'Rape Club Prison' Speak 25:18

8M ago25:18

25:18

Women who were formerly incarcerated at FCI Dublin in California are telling their stories of surviving a federal prison so notorious for sexual abuse, it was called the “rape club.” This conversation contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually a…

1
Building and Maintaining Relationships with Voters with Zach Adams VDX.tv 26:04

8M ago26:04

26:04

Zach Adams, Senior Specialist in Client Partnerships for Politics and Public Affairs at VDX.tv, discusses the evolving landscape of political campaigns and the importance of ongoing engagement with voters beyond election day. Candidates and campaigns often fail to maintain relationships with voters, except for requests for contributions. Data analy…

1
“Republicans Fight Dirty. We should play that same way.” Mayor Bill de Blasio on the Future of the Democratic Party 46:45

8M ago46:45

46:45

Should Kamala Harris run for president again? What does the Democratic party need to do next? And are Trump's tariffs and the growing political power of Elon Musk handing the Democrats a golden opportunity? Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” for a no-holds-barred conversation about the state of …

1
How AI and Data are Reshaping Political Campaigns with Michael Cohen the Cohen Research Group 25:30

9M ago25:30

25:30

Michael D. Cohen is the CEO of the Cohen Research Group, a political public affairs and corporate research firm, and the author of Modern Political Campaigns: How Professionalism, Technology, and Speed Have Revolutionized Elections. He has written a new chapter for this well-received book that focuses on the power of AI and opportunities to apply i…

1
Veteran Journalist Geraldo Rivera Gets Candid on Trump, Why He Really Left Fox News, and the Time He Saw a UFO 40:46

9M ago40:46

40:46

In a wide-ranging conversation, Geraldo Rivera shares insights from his life and career, emphasizing the importance of hard work and the influence of his immigrant parents. Rivera discusses his experiences with celebrities, the challenges of controversial interviews, reflections on his departure from Fox News and the impact of 9/11 on his life and …

1
I Jumped Off the Golden Gate Bridge. An Animal Saved Me in the Water. 34:48

9M ago34:48

34:48

When Kevin Hines was 19 years old, he made the decision to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. He tells Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” that three miracles happened that day that allowed him to survive. Kevin shares his incredible journey of resilience, the struggles he faced, and the crucial lessons he learned about mental health a…

1
How I Survived Russian Torture: Lessons in Resilience from U.S. Army Veteran Who Endured Electrocution at Russian Black Site 54:59

9M ago54:59

54:59

U.S. Army Veteran Alex Drueke was in the hands of Russian forces for 105 days, enduring beatings, broken ribs, starvation and electrocution. His is an incredible story of resilience and survival. Drueke sits down with Natasha Zouves, describing his weeks of solitary confinement in a 2’x6’ cell, and his tactics to stay sane: playing his favorite mov…

1
Inside the Cartel, Working at the Border at 8 Years Old: Meet the Man Who Helped Bring Down El Chapo 1:05:26

9M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

Jay Flores was just 8 years old when he became entangled in the cartel. His father took him and his twin brother to the border to help smuggle drugs for the first time, strategically using the boys to deceive the U.S. Border Patrol. By the time the twins reached adulthood, they had built a drug-smuggling empire. The pair successfully brought the ca…