Burn the Boats
Burn the Boats is an award-winning podcast featuring intimate conversations with change-makers from every walk of life. Host Ken Harbaugh interviews politicians, authors, activists, and others about the most important issues of our time.
Bonus · Wed, February 19, 2025
FEED DROP: Living For We
We’ve talked a lot about gun violence on Burn the Boats, and how many politicians have ignored common sense solutions. Lax firearm regulations have made guns more accessible than ever, and as a result, communities are suffering. Thankfully, grassroots leaders are taking a stand. Today I wanted to share an episode of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up. The show highlights how these people are taking matters into their own hands in order to make their streets safer. Guests include organizers, therapists, formerly incarcerated, and everyday people living in these communities who want to reduce gun violence, and tackle the systemic issues that play into it. This first episode features a conversation with two young men that led a life of crime, but are now trying to leave that all behind them. Please enjoy this episode of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up. Find Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up wherever you find podcasts. You can find the video version of the show on Spotify and on YouTube . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Tue, September 24, 2024
Trump’s UNHINGED new threat
In a recent speech, Donald Trump suggested reviving a law from the early 1900’s that threatened ten-year jail sentences for anyone defacing a statue. Dara Starr Tucker, host of the All Over The Place Podcast, discusses the racist overtones of this threat. Follow Dara Starr Tucker’s podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-over-the-place-with-dara-starr-tucker/id1616887063 Subscribe to the podcast version of The Ken Harbaugh Show here: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ken-harbaugh-show/id1765198131 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hlL7kFoGd1KiqSBIdNRX1?si=01f9e41e17e24816 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Tue, September 03, 2024
Former “MAGA Granny” TERRIFIES Trump
Pam Hemphill participated in the J6 Capitol riots, and spent 60 days in prison as a result. She pleaded guilty because, as she says, “I was not a victim…I was a volunteer.” Since then, she has rejected the MAGA movement, and is now actively campaigning for Vice President Harris. Please subscribe to the podcast version of The Ken Harbaugh Show here: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ken-harbaugh-show/id1765198131 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hlL7kFoGd1KiqSBIdNRX1?si=01f9e41e17e24816 …or wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E186 · Tue, August 27, 2024
David Hogg: The Successes of Tim Walz
David is a survivor of the Parkland shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas in 2018. Following the attack, he and his classmates founded March for Our Lives, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S, and held the largest single day of protest against gun violence in history. Since then, David has become a leader in the fight to end gun violence. He graduated from Harvard this year, and co-founded Leaders We Deserve , an organization that aims to help elect young, progressive candidates to office. In this interview, David talks about what VP candidate Tim Walz has accomplished and what he brings to the democratic ticket, as well as the importance of bipartisanship and bringing Gen-Z into the political fold. You can check out last year's interview with David here . Head to ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. Go to Qualialife.com/BOATS for up to 50% off and use code BOATS at checkout for an additional 15% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E185 · Tue, August 20, 2024
Olivia Julianna: The Harris Effect
Olivia Julianna is a Gen-Z digital strategist and activist who has a substantial following online. In this interview, she talks about how Kamala Harris’s candidacy has generated excitement from all sorts of voters. Visit HENSONSHAVING.com/BOATS to pick the razor for you and use code BOATS and you’ll get two years' worth of blades free with your razor–just make sure to add them to your cart. Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Mon, August 19, 2024
BONUS: Trump Disparages the Medal of Honor w/David Bellavia
Today, we're sharing an interview Ken did on the David Bellavia Show as a bonus episode. In this interview, Ken and David have a tough but respectful conversation about Trump's comments disparaging the Medal of Honor. David is a conservative and the only surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor from Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the interview, he calls Trump's comments a "horrible statement" that "cheapens the award." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E184 · Tue, August 13, 2024
Josh McLaurin: Inside the Mind of JD Vance
Josh McLaurin was JD Vance’s roommate at Yale Law school, and was the recipient of the infamous text from JD Vance where he described Trump as “America’s Hitler”. In this interview, Josh describes how JD has changed into a “completely different person” in an attempt to gain power. Josh McLaurin represents District 51 in the Georgia State House and is running for the state senate. You can learn more about him here . Go to Qualialife.com/BOATS for up to 50% off and use code BOATS at checkout for an additional 15% off. Head to ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. Visit HENSONSHAVING.com/BOATS to pick the razor for you and use code BOATS and you’ll get two years' worth of blades free with your razor–just make sure to add them to your cart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Tue, August 06, 2024
“So Much Blood”: The Lincoln Project Podcast w/Ryan Hamilton
Today, we’ve decided to share this powerful episode from the Lincoln Project Podcast. As a result of extremist policies in Texas, Ryan’s wife almost died from a miscarriage. In this interview, Ryan talks about what they went through, and explains how dangerous these policies can be. Big thanks to The Lincoln Project for letting us share this episode. You can follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E183 · Tue, July 30, 2024
Amanda Weinstein: The Kamala Candidacy
Amanda and Ken discuss Kamala Harris’s sudden candidacy, the lackluster response to JD Vance's addition to the Republican ticket, and what this all means for November. Amanda Weinstein previously worked as a Professor of Economics at the University of Akron, where she studied the quality of life in suburban America. She is currently the co-host of the podcast, The Suburban Women Problem . You can find her on twitter at @ProfWeinstein Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Go to Qualialife.com/BOATS for up to 50% off and use code BOATS at checkout for an additional 15% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, July 24, 2024
BONUS: Media & Messaging w/Grant Stern
This episode was recorded prior to Joe Biden dropping out of the Presidential Race. Nevertheless, Grant's insights are still incredibly relevant, so we're sharing his interview as a bonus episode. Grant Stern is a journalist, radio host, and the executive editor of Occupy Democrats. which creates some of the most widely shared political content on facebook. He’s also a regular on Newsmax, where he challenges Republican talking points. In this interview, Grant discusses the recent SCOTUS decisions, issues with media coverage, and what messages can sway voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E182 · Tue, July 23, 2024
Andy Kim: Toxic Politics
Andy Kim represents New Jersey's third congressional district and recently won the Democratic nomination for the state's Senate seat. He's also one of only seven Democrats who won their House elections in districts carried by Trump In this interview, he discusses the challenges of working in Congress and the state of American politics. He highlights the tactics used by some politicians to create chaos and the detrimental effects this has on democracy. Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Head to ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E181 · Tue, July 16, 2024
Politics Girl: Keeping Democracy’s Head Above Water
Leigh McGowan, aka Politics Girl, is known for her kitchen-counter political breakdowns that have helped millions of alienated Americans understand and engage with politics. In this interview, she discusses the recent presidential immunity ruling, explains the stakes of the 2024 election, and gives her take on Joe Biden’s candidacy. To learn more about Leigh and her upcoming book, visit politicsgirl.com . Go to lumen.me/BOATS to get 15% off your Lumen. Go to Qualialife.com/BOATS for up to 50% off and use code BOATS at checkout for an additional 15% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E180 · Tue, July 09, 2024
Joe Walsh: SCOTUS Immunity ruling
Joe Walsh represented Illinois’ 8th district in the house from 2011 to 2013, and ran against Trump in the 2020 presidential race. He hosts the podcast White Flag with Joe Walsh and has been increasingly critical of the extremism within his former party, as well as the part he played in stoking that extremism. In this interview, Joe and Ken discuss the recent Supreme Court Ruling on Presidential immunity, what’s at stake in November, and concerns about Biden’s ability to succeed. Go to lumen.me/BOATS to get 15% off your Lumen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E179 · Tue, July 02, 2024
Lev Parnas: Leaving the Cult of Trump
Lev Parnas worked closely with Rudy Giuliani in the campaign to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Biden family. In this interview, he discusses his transformation and decision to expose the corruption of Donald Trump and his inner circle, power dynamics of the MAGA movement, the potential consequences of Donald Trump's legal troubles, and the role of the media in spreading disinformation. Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Fri, June 28, 2024
Andrew Yang: Reforming America's Political System
Andrew Yang ran for president as a Democrat in 2020 and gained national attention for his massively successful grassroots campaign. He has since left the Democratic party, founded the forward party, and has been an outspoken advocate for reforming America's political system. In this interview, he dives into the most important reforms that America needs, rejecting Trump through the third-party movement, and what the Forward Party is doing to meet these goals. You can hear more from Andrew in his TED Talk “Why US politics is broken — and how to fix it” as well as in his book Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E178 · Tue, June 25, 2024
Rick Wilson: Trump's Post-Conviction Reaction
Rick Wilson is a former Republican and political strategist and co-founder of the Lincoln project and Resolute Square. He's a vocal critic of Donald Trump and now hosts The Enemies List, a podcast about the threats to American democracy. In this interview, Rick discusses the post-conviction reaction from Trump and his inner circle, Trump's base and the dangerous agenda of the Christian nationalist movement, and the importance of breaking down the divisive narratives created by the MAGA movement. So, if you want to take the next step in improving your health, go to lumen.me/boats to get 15% off your Lumen. Find out how you can get a free 30-day supply on bundles of new SuperBeets Heart Chews Advanced and save 15% for a limited time only by going to SUPERBEETSRADIO.COM, promo code BOATS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E176 · Tue, June 18, 2024
Peter Strzok: Trump's Classified Documents Case
Peter Strzok served as Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division and led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. He was also chief of the division's counter espionage section and is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Compromised Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump . In this interview, Peter explores how the FBI has been affected by the shift in the Republican Party's stance on law enforcement and the rule of law, Donald Trump's classified documents case, as well as the Russian influence on American politics and Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. Go to Qualialife.com/BOATS for 50% off and use code BOATS at checkout for an additional 15% off. Find out how you can get a free 30-day supply on bundles of new SuperBeets Heart Chews Advanced and save 15% for a limited time only by going to SUPERBEETSRADIO.COM , promo code BOATS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E175 · Tue, June 11, 2024
David Masciotra: The Environment for Radicalization
David Masciotra is an author and journalist. His new book, Exurbia Now , explains how “Exurbia”, the area outside of cities and their suburbs, is becoming the staging ground for radical extremists. In this interview, David discusses how residents of exurbia have become isolated, and how the lack of community leads to radicalization. To listen to our interview with Christian Piccolini, which was mentioned in this episode, click here . Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E176 · Thu, June 06, 2024
D-Day Special with David Bellavia
On this special D-Day episode of Burn The Boats, host Ken Harbaugh shares his conversation with Medal of Honor winner David Bellavia, who is in Normandy France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the allied landings. Support Burn The Boats and Against All Enemies here: www.Patreon.com/KenHarbaugh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E175 · Mon, June 03, 2024
Understanding Trump’s Verdict: Ron Filipkowski
Ron Filipkowski is a former state prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, and a former Republican. He’s been following Trump’s hush money trial for months, and in this interview, he breaks down the guilty verdict and explains what it could mean for the 2024 election. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E174 · Tue, May 28, 2024
Federico Finchelstein: Trump is a Fascist
Professor Federico Finchelstein is an expert on fascism and populism. His new book, The Wannabe Fascists , takes a look at the new global movement of fascists and populists, headed by Trump, Bolsonaro, and Modi, and explains how they’ve adapted the anti-democracy playbook to the modern times. In this interview, Federico dissects the current prevalence of fascist movements across the globe, and explains how Trump now fits the definition of a fascist. Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E173 · Tue, May 21, 2024
LTG Mark Hertling: Ukraine’s Path to Victory
Lieutenant General Mark Hertling served in the US Army for 38 years, and led over 60,000 soldiers as the Commanding General of the US Army, Europe. He’s an expert on the tactical and political landscape of the War in Ukraine. In this interview, Mark explains what’s standing in Ukraine’s way, why the US needs to help, and how the US political system is fractured, but can be fixed. Find out how you can get a free 30-day supply on bundles of new SuperBeets Heart Chews Advanced and save 15% for a limited time only by going to SUPERBEETSRADIO.COM , promo code BOATS. Neurohacker: Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E172 · Tue, May 14, 2024
Sam Hartwell: Why Ukraine Still Needs Us
Sam Hartwell is a retired Army Colonel who has briefly returned home after 2 years in Ukraine. Based in Kyiv, Sam has been assisting multiple Humanitarian Aid Organizations. In this interview, Sam explains the economic & political implications of the war, dispels some myths about the conflict, and explains why support of Ukraine is crucial. Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E171 · Tue, May 07, 2024
Rep. Seth Moulton: Democracy on the Brink
Seth Moulton is a former Marine Corps officer who has represented the 6th congressional district of Massachusetts since 2015. He appears in the film Against All Enemies, where he delivers a prophetic warning about the threats to American Democracy posed by extremist organizations that target and recruit military veterans. In this interview, Rep. Moulton discusses the possibility of authoritarianism in America, the effects of January 6th, and how Democrats could be doing better. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E170 · Tue, April 30, 2024
Mayor Justin Bibb: Biden’s Influence
Justin Bibb has been the Mayor of Cleveland since 2022. In this episode, Bibb talks about how President Biden has helped cities across the country, this new generation of Mayors, Cleveland’s struggles, and what is needed for a healthy political system. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Visit Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Fri, April 26, 2024
BONUS: New Americans w/Ray Suarez
Ray Suarez is a longtime broadcaster and journalist who you’ve probably heard on PBS or NPR. In his new book, We are Home , Ray sits down with several recent immigrants to the United States, and through their stories, paints a picture of what these “New Americans” have faced. In this interview, Ray talks about the book, anti-immigrant sentiments, and the history of immigration in the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E169 · Tue, April 23, 2024
Reed Galen: Getting in Trump’s Head
Reed Galen is a co-founder of The Lincoln Project and host of the Lincoln Project podcast. He’s an independent political strategist who has spent years advising Fortune 50 companies, and has also worked on several prominent republican campaigns. In this interview, Reed discusses how impactful Lincoln Project ads have been, how Trump has responded to them, and the MAGA movement as a whole. Find out how you can get a free thirty-day supply of new superbeets heart chews advanced and save 15% by going to getsuperbeets.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E168 · Tue, April 16, 2024
Bruce Hoffman & Jacob Ware: The Rise of Extremism
Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware are fellows at the Council on Foreign Relations, and co-authored God, Guns, and Sedition , in which they map the rise of far-right terrorism in the US, and offer ways to counter it. In this interview, they discuss their book, the threat of political violence, the history of far-right groups in the US, and how the 2nd amendment played a significant role in creating them. Vist Lumen.me and use code BOATS to get $100 off your Lumen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E167 · Tue, April 09, 2024
Dr. Kathleen Belew: Their Plan is Violence
Dr. Kathleen Belew is a historian and expert on the American white power movement. She’s a professor at Northwestern University and author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America . You can find Kathleen on Twitter at @Kathleen_Belew , and learn more about her at kathleenbelew.com . Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E166 · Tue, April 02, 2024
John Cohen: Combating Domestic Terrorism
John Cohen is an expert on terrorism, counter-intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security. He served as the acting chief of intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security, and now heads the Center for Internet Security. In this interview, John talks about the rise of domestic terrorism, and how law-enforcement is attempting to counter it. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E165 · Tue, March 26, 2024
Charlie Sadoff: Right-Wing Extremism
Charlie Sadoff is the director of the award-winning documentary film, Against All Enemies, which tracks the rise of violent extremism in the US, and the involvement of military veterans in anti-government activity. In this interview Charlie discusses Against All Enemies, his experiences with some of the veterans he interviewed for the film, right-wing extremism, and the potential for political violence. You can watch Against All Enemies when it releases on March 29th. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E164 · Tue, March 19, 2024
Dave Troy: Russia & the Religious Right
Dave Troy is an investigative journalist whose work has covered everything from the debunking of UFO conspiracies to the rise of Christian Nationalism. A throughline in his reporting is the growing threat that our democracy now faces, on many fronts. In this interview, Dave explains how Putin has slowly aligned himself with America’s religious right by using disinformation & Trump. He also talks about Putin’s aspirations, Trump’s mindset, and the growing American political divisions. Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com . Visit smileactives.com/boats today to receive a special Buy One Get One Free offer with AutoDelivery plus Free Shipping & Handling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E163 · Tue, March 12, 2024
Matson & Tawni: Infiltrating Hate Groups
Matson (Matt) Browning served as a detective in Arizona, and spent 25 years undercover, infiltrating and eventually taking down white supremacist groups. His wife Tawni assisted in these investigations, accompanying him to skinhead events & gaining intel. Their book, The Hate Next Door , tells the story of their time undercover. In this interview, Matson & Tawni discuss their time undercover, the attitude & activities of these hate groups, and how Trump and the Republican Party have enabled extremists. Head to policygenius.com/boats or click the link in the description to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save! Neurohacker: Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E162 · Mon, March 04, 2024
Kaivan Shroff: Mobilizing Gen-Z
Kaivan discusses Gen-Z’s approach to politics, the right wing political machine, and the 2024 election. Kaivan Shroff is a political commentator who served on Hillary’s 2016 presidential campaign and with Everytown for Gun Safety . He’s now the Press Secretary for Dream for America , a Gen-Z led non-profit aimed at mobilizing America’s youth to create lasting change. To hear more from Kaivan, check out his newsletter or visit his website . Visit smileactives.com/boats today to receive a special Buy One Get One Free offer with AutoDelivery plus Free Shipping & Handling. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E161 · Tue, February 27, 2024
Zander Moricz: Facism in Florida
Zander Moricz is the founder and Executive Director of the SEE Alliance , and he was the youngest plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill. He went viral for his graduation speech and his brutally effective takedown of Mom’s For Liberty co-founder Brigid Ziegler at a recent Florida school board meeting. In this interview, Zander talks about the growing authoritarian movement in Florida, Gen-Z, and the SEE Alliance. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Neurohacker: Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E160 · Tue, February 20, 2024
Tim Alberta: Evangelical Extremism
Tim Alberta is an award winning journalist, author, and staff writer for The Atlantic. His new book, The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory , is a personal examination of the evangelical movement, and how it has turned America itself into an object of idolatry. In this interview, Tim talks about his book and how the evangelical movement has become almost inseparable from the extremist wing of the GOP. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Visit smileactives.com/boats today to receive a special Buy One Get One Free offer with AutoDelivery plus Free Shipping & Handling. Head to policygenius.com/boats or click the link in the description to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E159 · Tue, February 13, 2024
Dr. Steven Hassan: MAGA is a Cult
Dr. Steven Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and recognized expert on cults. His book, The Cult of Trump , examines how Trump has built a base with fanatical devotion. Dr. Hassan correctly predicted that there would be violence after the 2020 election if Trump did not win. In this interview, Hassan explains in detail how he was indoctrinated by the “Moonie” cult (the Unification Church), how he escaped, and the dangers of MAGA mind control. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E158 · Tue, February 06, 2024
Dr. Bandy Lee: A Duty to Warn
Dr. Bandy Lee is a forensic psychiatrist and an expert on violence. In 2017 she edited The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump , in which she and 37 other mental health professionals deemed Trump’s mental state to be a clear and present danger to the country. Since then, she has published a full psychological profile of the former president called Profile of a Nation . In this interview Dr. Lee discusses Trump’s mental state, and the danger he poses to the country. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Visit smileactives.com/boats today to receive a special Buy One Get One Free offer with AutoDelivery plus Free Shipping & Handling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E157 · Tue, January 30, 2024
Tristan Snell: Trump’s Legal Strategy
While serving as the Assistant Attorney General of New York, Tristan Snell prosecuted Trump University, the Trump Organization, and Donald Trump himself. Tristan’s new book, Taking Down Trump , talks about that case, and lays out the 12 rules for prosecuting Donald Trump. In this interview, Tristan talks about Trump’s legal strategy, our current judicial system, and Trump’s history of lies. Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Neurohacker: Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E156 · Tue, January 23, 2024
Eugene Vindman: Trump is an Aspiring Dictator
Eugene Vindman is a former Army Colonel and prosecutor who is running to represent Virginia’s 7th district. In 2019, While serving as the National Security Council’s senior ethics officer in the White House, Eugene Vindman’s twin brother Alex, who served on the NSC, alerted him of Trump’s infamous call with President Zelensky of Ukraine, and together, Eugene and Alex Vindmand reported that call. That incident led to Donald Trump’s first impeachment, and both of the Vindman brothers were fired for blowing the whistle. In this interview, Eugene tells the story of blowing the whistle, discusses his campaign, and gives his insight into Trump and the 2024 election. He had this to say about a second Trump administration: “Donald Trump is a petty dictator that aspires to one day be a major dictator. His role models are folks like Kim Jong-un, Xi, Vladimir Putin, who he has some sort of love fest with. It's hard for me to understand. I grew up in New York City, and so Donald Trump was sort of this perennial clownish figure. that nobody took seriously in New York City. And so I've never taken him particularly seriously. He thinks that he's funny when he makes some of these claims and he likes to test the waters. But what he's talking about is deadly serious. There are attacks all throughout the country on Jews, on synagogues, and anti-Semitism has spiked. The extremist right, white supremacists, have found a voice, have been bolstered by him. And it's extremely dangerous. And I've never been cowed, which may not be surprising after 25 years in the Army, by folks coming at me on social media, but I am concerned.” Visit smileactives.com/boats today to receive a special Buy One Get One Free offer with AutoDelivery plus Free Shipping & Handling. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E155 · Tue, January 16, 2024
Tina Nguyen: Inside the Conservative Movement
Tina Nguyen is a national news reporter whose first job was working for Tucker Carlson. Her new book, The MAGA Diaries , explains how young people are indoctrinated into the conservative movement. Tina has since turned her back on right-wing politics and become one of MAGA’s most insightful critics. In this interview, Tina talks about being indoctrinated, working with Tucker Carlson, leaving the right-wing, and witnessing the insurrection first-hand. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E154 · Tue, January 09, 2024
SSG Aquilino Gonell: Defending the Capitol
Sergeant Aquilino Gonell was one of the police officers who defended the capitol against insurrectionists on January 6th, 2021. The injuries he sustained that day ended his career in law enforcement, and his new book, American Shield , tells the story of the attack. In this interview, Aquilino recounts what he saw on January 6th, and explains how he and his fellow officers were betrayed by many of the Republican legislators they fought to defend. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E153 · Tue, January 02, 2024
Jared Yates Sexton: The Mythology of America
Jared Yates Sexton is a political analyst and author. His book The Midnight Kingdom examines how white supremacist lies, religious mythologies, and poisonous conspiracy theories built the modern world and threaten to plunge us into an authoritarian nightmare. In this interview, Jared discusses his book, and examines how the right has created a mythologized version of our country which allows them to push an extremist agenda. Watch the video that Ken & Jared discuss here . Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E152 · Tue, December 26, 2023
Dr. Khyati Joshi: Christmas & Christian Privilege
Dr. Khyati Joshi is an expert on the intersecting issues of race and religion in the US. Her book White Christian Privilege describes how Christianity has influenced US history, embedded itself in our institutions and society, and pushed religious freedom to the wayside. In this interview she uses the “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” debate to illustrate the points she makes in the book. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E151 · Tue, December 19, 2023
Frank Schaeffer: A Plea from Evangelical Royalty
Frank’s father Francis Schaeffer was a prominent evangelical theologian in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Together, Frank and his father made several influential evangelical films and books, and heavily influenced religious education, conservative policy, and the evangelical movement. The New York Times once called them “Evangelical Royalty”. Frank left the church in “disgust” after witnessing “unchristlike behavior” on a leadership level across the nation. He wrote a memoir, Crazy for God , about this shift in the evangelical movement. Now, Frank hosts a podcast called In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer and a blog where he warns people about the dangers of the radical evangelical movement. In this interview, Frank recounts rubbing shoulders with all the prominent evangelical leaders back in his father’s heyday, describes the dangers of the current Republican Party, and pleads with the American people to do anything they can to stop another Trump Presidency, which he believes will be the beginning of American authoritarianism. Watch Speaker of the House Mike Johnson claim that he was chosen by God in this episode of Against All Enemies . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E150 · Tue, December 12, 2023
Ravi Gupta: Power-Hungry Politicians
Ravi Gupta attended Yale Law School with now Senator Josh Hawley. They became friends, and Hawley even met his mom a few times. Since then, Ravi says Senator Hawley has turned his back on his convictions. In this interview, Ravi discusses Hawley and other politicians who will do or say anything to gain power. – Ravi Gupta held several positions during the first term of the Obama administration, including Special Assistant and Speechwriter to Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. After serving in the Obama Administration, Ravi wanted to take a break from partisan politics and do real work on the ground. He Founded RePublic Schools , a network of charter schools in the South that provide quality education to underserved communities. Following the election of Donald Trump, Ravi decided he had to help fight Trumpism. He founded Arena, an organization dedicated to convening, training, and supporting the next generation of candidates and campaign staff. Arena has helped to elect over 75 candidates, and trained over 1500 staffers. In 2019, Ravi Co-Founded Second Chance Studios , which teaches life, social, and professional skills to formerly incarcerated individuals. SCS provides courses in editing, social media, podcasting, and other topics in the media space. Now, Ravi is the CEO of Lost Debate , a non-profit media company he founded in 2021. He hosts several podcasts, including Majority 54 which he co-hosts with Jason Kander . Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com . Head to https://tryfum.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E149 · Tue, December 05, 2023
Stuart Stevens: Fighting American Fascism
Stuart Stevens dedicated his life to getting Republicans elected. He worked for dozens of candidates, including both Bush and Romney during their presidential campaigns, and was extremely successful. Now however, Stuart regrets the part he played in the rise of Trumpism. In 2020, he wrote It Was All a Lie , about his time in the Republican party, and how Trumpism is “the natural outcome of five decades of hypocrisy and self-delusion.” His new book, The Conspiracy to End America , explains how the GOP is “dragging the country towards autocracy.” In this interview, Stuart compares the U.S. to 1930s Germany, and the modern Republican party to those complicit in Hitler’s rise to power. Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Go to aeropress.com/BOATS and be sure to use code BOATS at checkout to save 20%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E148 · Tue, November 28, 2023
Mark Chiusano: Who Really is George Santos?
Mark Chiusano is a columnist who has been covering George Santos since 2019. His new book, The Fabulist , peels back the lies, grifts, and alter-egos of Santos to reveal who really represents the 3rd district of New York. In this interview, Mark details how Santos’s lies are evidence of deep-rooted insecurity and a lust for fame. He also shares his favorite moments from Santos’s career, and explains how Santos and other politicians are somehow immune to public scrutiny. Get up to 50% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/BOATS and use code CYBER at checkout. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Go to aeropress.com/BOATS and be sure to use code BOATS at checkout to save 20%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E147 · Tue, November 21, 2023
Amy McGrath: Republicans Have Undermined Our Military
Amy McGrath is a Marine Corps Vet who ran for the Senate in Kentucky in 2020. Since then, she’s sayed active in politics, and has founded Operation Saving Democracy, a veteran-led organization that’s dedicated to defeating Trumpism. In this interview, Amy discusses how republicans are planning to seize power after winning the presidency in what’s called “Project 2025”, authoritarianism within the Republican Party, and how one republican has been a “one-man wrecking ball” to the American military. Get up to 50% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/BOATS and use code CYBER at checkout. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Go to aeropress.com/BOATS and be sure to use code BOATS at checkout to save 20%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E146 · Tue, November 14, 2023
David Pepper: Going on Offense
David Pepper is the former Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. You may have seen one of his viral white board videos on twitter, where he breaks down Republican attempts to undermine our democracy. In this interview, David discusses the recent house speaker races, meeting Putin and the war in Ukraine, and how pro-democracy forces need to go on offense in order to preserve majority rule. Check out David’s new book, Saving Democracy , which details how every American can join this fight. Head to https://tryfum.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mon, November 13, 2023
Countdown to Dallas Episode 1: What Happened in Dealey Plaza?
Evergreen Podcasts, the network that brings you Burn the Boats , is pleased to introduce Countdown to Dallas . On the sixtieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, former White House correspondent Paul Brandus takes an in-depth look at the seemingly unconnected events that led to that infamous afternoon in Dallas, Texas. He explores the troubled and broken life of Kennedy’s killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, and challenges six decades worth of conspiracy theories—none of which have been proven. Enjoy the first episode here. You can find more episodes of Countdown to Dallas in your favorite listening app, or at Evergreenpodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E145 · Tue, November 07, 2023
Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains
Nancy MacLean is a historian and professor at Duke University. Her book Democracy in Chains details how the radical right, funded by billionaires, has slowly molded the American political landscape to change the rules of democracy in their favor… all with the help of an economist you have likely never heard of. Today’s episode is guest hosted by Amanda Weinstein. She studies the quality of life in suburban America and is the co-host of the podcast, The Suburban Women Problem . Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to https://RocketMoney.com/boats Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E144 · Tue, October 31, 2023
Rep. Pat Ryan: Republican Chaos
Pat Ryan is an Army combat vet who represents New York’s 18th district. In this interview, he talks about the unprecedented House Speaker elections, right-wing extremism, and his new resolution. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Get up to 50% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/BOATS and use code CYBER at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E143 · Tue, October 24, 2023
Dr. Kathleen Belew: Trump is Quoting Hilter
Dr. Kathleen Belew is a historian and expert on the American white power movement. In this episode, she explains how the rhetoric used by Trump and Alt-Right groups is both dangerous and purposeful. Dr. Kathleen Belew is a professor at Northwestern University and author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America . You can find Kathleen on Twitter at @Kathleen_Belew , and learn more about her at kathleenbelew.com . Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E142 · Tue, October 17, 2023
Katherine Stewart: The Growth of Christian Nationalism
Katherine Stewart is a reporter and author who has covered religious liberty, politics, policy, and education for over a decade. Her book The Power Worshippers details how the religious right has risen to power, and how they plan to use that power to impose their vision on American Society. This episode is guest hosted by Dara Starr Tucker. Following the January 6th insurrection, Dara was inspired to educate others about the political and social issues facing our country, and has become an online political commentator. Her video commentaries have garnered widespread attention, her TikTok and Instagram channels have over a million subscribers, and last year she started the podcast I’m All Over the Place to take a deeper dive into the content she posts. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E141 · Tue, October 10, 2023
Ruth Ben-Ghiat: Trump’s Plan
Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an historian who specializes in authoritarianism and propaganda. Her most recent book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present , examines how authoritarians use propaganda, virility, corruption, and violence to stay in power, and how they can be opposed. In this interview, Ruth reveals how Trump and the radical right are paving a path toward authoritarianism in the US. If you’d like to hear more from Ruth, you can subscribe to her weekly newsletter Lucid for free. Also, make sure to check out her website, ruthbenghiat.com , and follow her on Twitter @ruthbenghiat . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E140 · Tue, October 03, 2023
Alex Finley: Russia and the Intelligence Community
Alex Finley is a former officer within the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, where she served in West Africa and Europe. She is now a columnist and author who focuses on security and intelligence issues. In this episode, she discusses authoritarianism, the intelligence community, Russia, and how former Trump officials were susceptible to foreign influence. Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chews valued at $25 by going to boatsbeets.com To shop plant based bags and replace single use plastics all over your home, visit holdonbags.com/BOATS or enter BOATS at checkout to save 20% off your order. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E139 · Tue, September 26, 2023
Mike Rothschild: Analyzing Anti-Semitic Conspiracies
Mike Rothschild is a journalist and expert on conspiracy theories. His new book, Jewish Space Lasers , details how myths about the Rothschilds, a German-Jewish banking family, have influenced anti-semitic conspiracy theories for 200 years. In this interview Mike talks about the origins of anti-semitic conspiracies, and how they’ve grown to dominate right-wing American politics. Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. Head to https://tryfum.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E138 · Tue, September 19, 2023
Dr. Dan Barkhuff: Political Violence on the Horizon
Former Navy SEAL and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership explains why he thinks Civil War in the US is unrealistic, but future political violence isn’t. Dan is a former Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments. After returning home, he attended Harvard Medical School and became an Emergency Medicine doctor at the University of Vermont. Dan is a conservative, but was appalled by Trump’s comments and messages during the 2016 election. Dan did not vote for Trump in that election, but decided to give him a chance. After a year of the Trump Presidency, Dan said Trump was “worse than I thought he would be—and I thought he was going to be terrible.” In response, Dan created Veterans for Responsible Leadership , an organization that is dedicated to holding public officials accountable and helping to defeat candidates like Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E137 · Tue, September 12, 2023
David Hogg: Demanding an End to Gun Violence
David Hogg discusses the political burden placed on Gen-Z, his trauma from the Parkland shooting, gun violence, and protests. David is a survivor of the Parkland shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas in 2018. Following the attack, he and his classmates founded March for Our Lives, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S, and held the largest single day of protest against gun violence in history. Since then, David has become a leader in the fight to end gun violence. He graduated from Harvard this year, and has co-founded Leaders We Deserve , an organization that aims to help elect young, progressive candidates to office. In the wake of the UNC shooting, a March for Our Lives Protest is being held today in Raleigh. Learn more here . David Hogg discusses the political burden placed on Gen-Z, his trauma from the Parkland shooting, gun violence, and protests. David is a survivor of the Parkland shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas in 2018. Following the attack, he and his classmates founded March for Our Lives, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S, and held the largest single day of protest against gun violence in history. Since then, David has become a leader in the fight to end gun violence. He graduated from Harvard this year, and has co-founded Leaders We Deserve , an organization that aims to help elect young, progressive candidates to office. In the wake of the UNC shooting, a March for Our Lives Protest is being held today in Raleigh. Learn more here . Head to https://tryfum.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Neurohacker: Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic. Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to https://RocketMoney.com/boats . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E136 · Tue, September 05, 2023
Dara Starr Tucker: Confronting Racism
Political Commentator Dara Starr Tucker talks about why many white Americans hide behind “politeness” as an excuse for not confronting racism. She also discusses the January 6th insurrection, the song “Try That in a Small Town,” and the damage done by nostalgia for the Confederacy. Dara is a social commentator and vocalist. Following the January 6th insurrection, Dara was inspired to educate others about the political and social issues facing our country. Her video commentaries have garnered widespread attention, her TikTok and Instagram channels have over a million subscribers, and last year she started the podcast I’m All Over the Place to take a deeper dive into the content she posts. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E135 · Tue, August 29, 2023
Rep. Jason Crow: Political Courage
Representative Jason Crow is a former Army Ranger who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and represents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District. He was in the Capitol building during the January 6th insurrection, and has been hailed as “one of the heroes of that day” for guiding fellow members of Congress to safety. In this interview, Rep. Crow discusses Space Command remaining in his state, right-wing extremism, and the lack of political courage shown by Republican politicians. GreenChef.com/60ken and use code 60ken to get 60% off plus free shipping To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, and get the plan shipped to your door for FREE, go to mintmobile.com/boats Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E134 · Tue, August 22, 2023
Denver Riggleman: Combating Conspiracy Theories
Denver Riggleman is a former representative for Virginia’s 5th congressional district, and an ex-Republican. He served as a technical advisor to the January 6th committee, and now he’s partnered with Hunter Biden’s legal team to provide data analysis in the face of congressional inquiries and the GOP’s claims about Hunter’s conduct. Denver’s new podcast, The Mighty Peculiar, takes a deep dive into conspiracy theories. In this episode, he describes the appeal of conspiracy theories, and the damage that they can do. Go to https://FastGrowingTrees.com/BOATS NOW to get FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF your entire order. Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to https://RocketMoney.com/boats Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and 15% off your first order by going to GETSUPERBEETS.COM and using PROMO CODE BOATS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E133 · Tue, August 15, 2023
Dr. Kareem Crayton: The Courts, Gerrymandering, and Voter Suppression
In this interview, Dr. Crayton discusses gerrymandering, supermajorities, the impact of the courts, and voter suppression. Dr. Kareem Crayton is an attorney, law professor, and academic whose work explores the effects of state-sanctioned racial discrimination on campaigns, elections, and governance. He recently joined the Brennan Center for Justice , a nonpartisan law and policy institute, where he manages efforts to implement pro-voter reforms. Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. Head to ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. Head to https://tryfum.com/ BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E132 · Tue, August 08, 2023
Mark J. Lindquist: How You Can Help Ukraine
Mark J. Lindquist is an Air Force Veteran who has been providing non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian Army since late March of last year. In this interview, he describes being a mile from the front lines, his efforts, and how Americans can help Ukraine win the war. To shop plant based bags and replace single use plastics all over your home, visit holdonbags.com/BOATS or enter BOATS at checkout to save 20% off your order. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Head to https://Rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E131 · Tue, August 01, 2023
Anne Nelson: Corruption in the Courts
Anne discusses the corruption within the Supreme Court and how certain “grassroots” conservative organizations have ties to powerful shadow networks. Anne is an award-winning war correspondent and author. Her newest book, Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right , details the influence of the Council for National Policy, a powerful right-wing political coalition. To hear more from Anne, listen to her previous two interviews on Burn the Boats here and here . Also, make sure to check out her website, anne-nelson.com , and follow her on Twitter at @anelsona . Thank you to our sponsors: Go to https://GreenChef.com/ken50 and use code ken50 to get 50% off plus free shipping. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to https://RocketMoney.com/boats Go to https://FastGrowingTrees.com/BOATS NOW to get FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E130 · Tue, July 25, 2023
Miles Taylor: Trump 2.0
Back in 2018, Miles Taylor anonymously authored a New York Times op-ed titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.” At the time, Miles worked in a senior role in the Department of Homeland security. Eventually, after Trump asked him and other officials to break the law, Miles quit. He decided to author a book, again anonymously, titled A Warning , which described the morally gray, and sometimes blatantly illegal orders that came from the President. In the lead up to the 2020 election, Miles felt it was important to reveal himself as the anonymous author of both the op-ed and the book. He then created the Renew America Movement , an organization dedicated to giving a voice to the ‘rational’ Republicans who do not subscribe to the right-wing extremism of Donald Trump. In our 2021 interview with Miles, Miles Taylor: Inside the Trump White House , he talked about his op-ed, his book, and the Renew America Movement. Since then, Miles left the Republican party, and co-founded the Forward Party with Andrew Yang . In last year’s interview, Miles Taylor: The Fight Has Just Begun , we brought him back on the show to talk about this decision, the midterm results, the future of Trumpism, and the ongoing threats to American democracy. Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your order - a $15 value. Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use BOATS to save 20% at https://rhone.com/boats . Go to https://GreenChef.com/ken50 and use code ken50 to get 50% off plus free shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E129 · Tue, July 18, 2023
Rep. Seth Moulton: Understanding the Threats to American Democracy
Rep. Seth Moulton discusses right-wing extremism within Congress and the dangers to American Democracy Representative Seth Moulton is a former Marine Corps officer who has represented Massachusetts’s 6th district since 2015. He appears in the upcoming documentary film, Against All Enemies, where he delivers a prophetic warning about the threats to American Democracy posed by extremist organizations that target and recruit military veterans. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Head to https://tryfum.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Head to https://ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, and get the plan shipped to your door for FREE, go to mintmobile.com/boats Go to GreenChef.com/ken50 and use code ken50 to get 50% off plus free shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E128 · Tue, July 11, 2023
Olivia Julianna: The Future of Texas
Olivia Julianna is a 20-year-old abortion-rights advocate and the director of politics and government affairs at Gen-Z for Change. With the help of her substantial TikTok following, Olivia initiated the takedown of an anti-abortion website that encouraged Texans to inform on their neighbors, and raised over $2.3 million after a twitter battle with congressman Matt Gaetz. She’s also a Senior Advisor to Lose Cruz, an organization dedicated to defeating Ted Cruz’s reelection bid in 2024. Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to https://RocketMoney.com/boats Neurohacker: Go to neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic ZBiotics: Head to https://ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. LOMI: Visit Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Rhone: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use BOATS to save 20% at https://rhone.com/boats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E127 · Tue, July 04, 2023
Ryan Busse: Inside the Gun Industry
Ryan Busse is a former executive of a major firearms manufacturer. During his 25 years at the company, he was nominated for multiple industry awards and became a prominent player in the industry. He saw the number of mass shootings grow exponentially during his tenure, and eventually this prompted him to quit. Ryan’s book Gunfight exposes the gun industry’s “McCarthyesque” internal policing, and its shift away from safety and ethics to fear, conspiracy, and intolerance. Neurohacker: Go to neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic LOMI: Visit Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E126 · Tue, June 27, 2023
Sarah Posner: The Evangelical Agenda
Sarah Posner is a journalist who has been covering the religious right for decades. Her most recent book, Unholy , explores how race and xenophobia have long been at the core of evangelical Christianity in America. In this episode, Sarah reveals how many evangelicals have adopted and executed a platform of extremism, citing their support for white supremacists, the corruption of the church, and their attempt to roll back the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community. Go to GreenChef.com/Ken60 and use code Ken60 to get 60% off plus free shipping. Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. Head to ZBiotics.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS at checkout for 15% off. Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use BOATS to save 20% at rhone.com/boats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E125 · Tue, June 20, 2023
Brynn Tannehill: American Fascism
Brynn Tannehill is a columnist, author, LGBTQ+ activist, and former Navy pilot. Her book American Fascism details how the GOP has been undermining democracy for decades. In this episode, Brynn draws comparisons between Nazi Germany and modern America, citing successful attempts to undermine elections and persecute minorities. Brynn also discusses common myths about Trans people, and her books Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trans , and My Child Told Me They’re Trans… What Do I Do? . Head to https://tryfum.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Go to TryMiracle.com/BOATS and use the code BOATS to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. Stop throwing your money away. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/boats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Sun, June 18, 2023
Exposing the Myths About Guns w/Fred Guttenberg
In this special Father’s Day episode, Ken is joined by Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting. Since then, Fred has become one of the most impactful, and inspiring, advocates for gun safety. His new book, American Carnage , dismantles many of the myths we hear today about guns and gun violence. In this interview, he shares some of those myths, and explains how the NRA has prioritized profits over people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E123 · Mon, June 12, 2023
Kristin Kobes Du Mez: What Evangelism Means Today
Kristin Kobes Du Mez describes how Evangelism has transformed, and its relationship to masculinity, oppression, and nationalism. Kristin is a pastor and a professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. Her book, Jesus and John Wayne , reveals “how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism.” This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOATS and get on your way to being your best self. Visit Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Go to FastGrowingTrees.com/BOATS NOW to get FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E122 · Tue, June 06, 2023
General Stanley McChrystal: “It Could Happen Here”
General Stanley McChrystal is a retired four-star general and former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command who led counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this episode, General McChrystal discusses the weaknesses in American democracy, and how insurgents within our country are using them to erode democracy. He also warns against dismissing these threats: “There is an idea that it can't happen here, that our society can't break down, that we can't have an autocratic dictator. We sure could. And we'd have a lot of Americans who would fall behind that and do things that we've criticized other countries for, we've been shocked by. It could happen here. We could have a civil war. We could break down and kill our neighbors. We say we couldn't, but everywhere around the world that we see, the Balkans, you know, now Ukraine and Russia, just almost everywhere you go where you think it's unthinkable. It's thinkable. It's possible. It can happen, and it can happen here. Because while we think we're exceptional, we're not enough different that we're not subject to the same weaknesses that can happen elsewhere. And if we stare into the abyss and we say, ‘Wow, that could actually occur.’ Then we've got to step back and say, ‘That's why the founding fathers spent so much time and effort to try to create a republic that could survive the wins. It could survive the ups and downs. It could survive internal discord, but it wouldn't lose sight of the fact there are things we have to hold on to.’ And that's what I would tell people.” This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOATS and get on your way to being your best self. Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/BURNTHEBOATS . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E121 · Tue, May 30, 2023
Stacey Abrams: A Point of Entry
Stacey Abrams talks about her new book, Rogue Justice , and the systems that influence American life from the shadows. Stacey Abrams is a politician, author, and voting rights activist. She served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 10 years, she fought two closely contested gubernatorial races, and has been at the forefront of expanding voting rights in Georgia and beyond, with her organization, Fair Fight Action . Head to https://TryFum.com and use code BOATS to save 10% off when you get the journey pack today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E120 · Tue, May 23, 2023
Mary Trump: Minority Rule is Here
Mary Trump is a clinical psychologist and host of the podcast The Mary Trump Show . She is also a bestselling author, and her most recent book, The Reckoning , talks about national trauma and finding ways to heal. Her first book, Too Much and Never Enough , analyzes how the toxic Trump household created the Donald Trump we know today. Here’s the mashed potatoes story that Mary and Ken reference during the episode. Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at athleticgreens.com/BURNTHEBOATS Head to tryfum.com/BOATS to save an additional 10% off your order today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E119 · Tue, May 16, 2023
Mila Atmos: Moving the Needle
Mila Atmos is the host of Future Hindsight , a podcast about civic engagement that gives listeners action items so that they can better participate in our democracy. In this episode, Mila discusses voter engagement and persuasion. Go to magicspoon.com/BOATS to grab a variety pack and try it today! And be sure to use our promo code BOATS at checkout to save five dollars off your order! Go to FastGrowingTrees.com/BOATS NOW to get FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF your entire order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E118 · Tue, May 09, 2023
Angela Denker: White Christian Nationalism
Angela Denker is a Lutheran pastor and journalist. Her book Red State Christians takes a hard look at White Christian Nationalism and the evangelicals who voted for Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E117 · Tue, May 02, 2023
Sarah Longwell: Trump vs. DeSantis
Sarah Longwell discusses the 2024 presidential race and its potential candidates. Sarah is a longtime Republican political strategist who has broken with her party to defend democracy. She is the publisher of The Bulwark, and has been monitoring the opinions of voters for years by hosting weekly focus groups. She discusses these groups on her podcast, The Focus Group . This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/BOATS and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E116 · Tue, April 25, 2023
Fred Wellman: What’s Next for Democracy?
Fred Wellman is a Senior Advisor to Voters of Tomorrow , an organization dedicated to building political power for Gen-Z. He’s also an Army combat veteran, a West Point and Harvard graduate, a former republican, the former Executive Director of the Lincoln Project, and the host of the podcast On Democracy . Fred was on the show back in 2021, and you can find that interview here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E115 · Tue, April 18, 2023
Ukraine Report #9: Documenting Russian War Crimes w/Mike Breen
Mike Breen is the President and CEO of Human Rights First. He’s been on the ground in Ukraine documenting Russian war crimes, and he joins us from Kyiv. Human Rights First is an organization that defends human rights and democracy around the globe. They’ve been active in Ukraine since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and now after Russia’s invasion, have provided technical and logistical support, training, and other aid. They’ve issued dozens of reports and commentaries, and work to hold Russian leaders and war criminals accountable. Mike served in the US Army, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also co-founded the International Refugee Assistance Project, a global legal aid and advocacy organization that fights for the right of refugees to freely move and have a path towards lasting refuge. To support Human Rights First and the people of Ukraine, visit humanrightsfirst.org . This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOATS and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E114 · Tue, April 11, 2023
Tim Ryan: The Culture Has to Change
Former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan talks about the quality of American life, divisions within both parties, and how American culture has made a turn for the worse over the last few decades. Tim spent 20 years in the House of Representatives, rising to a prominent leadership position. He ran for president in 2020, and recently lost a tough Senate race during the 2022 Midterms. Head to https://rhone.com/BOATS and use code BOATS to save 20% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E113 · Tue, April 04, 2023
Brett Jones: First Openly Gay Navy SEAL Slams Trump’s Bigotry
Brett Jones served as a Navy SEAL during ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’. He was forcefully outed, and was subjected to an interrogation and investigation about his sexuality. He fought back, and was given the opportunity to continue to serve as a SEAL, but he left in fear of further discrimination. Brett continued to serve in the CIA, but was the victim of vicious harassment. He’s spent the last three years as a police officer in Alabama, where he lives with his husband and son. In Pride: The Story of the First Openly Gay Navy SEAL , Brett tells his life story, from being kicked out of his house for being gay, to the intense Navy SEAL training, to almost being ousted from the SEALs. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOATS and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E112 · Tue, March 28, 2023
Bill Kristol: Extremism in the Republican Party
Former leading Republican Bill Kristol discusses media echo chambers and anti-democratic enablers within the Republican Party Bill served in two presidential administrations and founded The Weekly Standard, an influential conservative magazine. After leaving the Republican Party, he helped launch Defending Democracy Together , an organization created by Republicans with the goal of preserving democratic institutions. He also is the host of Conversations with Bill Kristol , a video and podcast series. Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use BOATS to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com /BOATS This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOATS and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E111 · Tue, March 21, 2023
Will Sommer: The Dangers of QAnon
Will Sommer is a political reporter for The Daily Beast and host of the podcast Fever Dreams . His new book, Trust the Plan , details QAnon’s journey into the mainstream, the threat it poses to democracy, and how we can reach out to those who have embraced the conspiracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E110 · Tue, March 14, 2023
Dr. Dan Barkhuff: Toxic Masculinity and Gun Culture
Former Navy SEAL and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership Dr. Dan Barkhuff discusses the relationship between toxic masculinity and gun culture. Dan is a former Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments. After returning home, he attended Harvard Medical School and became an Emergency Medicine doctor at the University of Vermont. Dan is a conservative, but was appalled by Trump’s comments and messages during the 2016 election. Dan did not vote for Trump in that election, but decided to give him a chance. After a year of the Trump Presidency, Dan said Trump was “worse than I thought he would be—and I thought he was going to be terrible.” In response, Dan created Veterans for Responsible Leadership , an organization that is dedicated to holding public officials accountable and helping to defeat candidates like Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E109 · Tue, March 07, 2023
Lucas Kunce: “Corporate, Country Club Republicans”
Lucas Kunce talks about his run against Josh Hawley for the 2024 Missouri Senate Seat. Lucas is a Marine Corps veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and eventually went on to become an international negotiations officer at the Pentagon. He ran for Missouri’s open Senate seat in 2022, but lost the primary to multi-millionaire Trudy Busch Valentine after her last-minute entrance into the race. She went on to lose the general by 13 points. Lucas believes he’s the right person to take on Josh Hawley, who he refers to as a “Corporate, Country Club Republican.” Lucas is running a populist campaign that focuses on taking power out of the hands of corporate monopolies, and putting it back in the hands of working people. He refuses to take corporate donations, and instead is completely funded by small-dollar grassroots donors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E100 · Tue, February 28, 2023
Joe Walsh: Republican Accountability
Joe Walsh represented Illinois’ 8th district in the house from 2011 to 2013, and ran against Trump in the 2020 presidential race. He hosts the podcast White Flag with Joe Walsh and has been increasingly critical of the extremism within his former party, as well as the part he played in stoking that extremism. You can find Joe on Twitter at @WalshFreedom . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E107 · Tue, February 21, 2023
Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld: What Causes Political Violence?
Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld discusses political violence, the possibility of a Civil War, and extremism. Rachel is an expert on democracy, security, and international relations. She’s currently a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, where she regularly briefs the governments of the United States and allied democracies on issues of conflict, the rule of law, and policing and security sector reform. Her most recent book, A Savage Order , examines ‘why democracies are crippled by extreme violence and how they can regain security.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E106 · Tue, February 14, 2023
Ruth Ben-Ghiat: Authoritarianism Around the Globe
Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat describes the similarities between current authoritarian movements and those of the past. Ruth is a historian who specializes in authoritarianism and propaganda. She’s a professor of History and Italian Studies, as well as an MSNBC Opinion Columnist and frequent guest commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and other media channels. Her most recent book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present , examines how authoritarians use propaganda, virility, corruption, and violence to stay in power, and how they can be opposed. Ruth also authored Fascist Modernities , about how Mussolini presented fascism as a unique solution to his people, and Italian Fascism’s Empire Cinema , about the propaganda films created in Mussolini’s Italy. If you’d like to hear more from Ruth, you can subscribe to her weekly newsletter Lucid for free. Also, make sure to check out her website, ruthbenghiat.com , and follow her on Twitter @ruthbenghiat . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E105 · Tue, February 07, 2023
Andrew Hartzler: Fighting Discrimination
Andrew Hartzler, nephew of fmr. Representative Vicky Hartzler, talks about his viral video and how he has faced discrimination as a gay man. In early January, Andrew Hartzler went viral on TikTok for calling out his aunt, fmr. Representative Vicky Hartzler, for her homophobic comments on the house floor. As a result of that video, Andrew received national attention, and was invited to the White House to watch president Biden sign the Respect for Marriage act. For Andrew, his Aunt's comments did not come as much of a surprise. Most of his family, including Rep. Hartzler, have not accepted him for who he is. Andrew came out to his family as gay when he was fourteen, and as a result, he was sent to conversion therapy. His father also forced him to attend Oral Roberts University, a homophobic, christian private school. During the interview, Andrew had this to say about the discrimination he faced at ORU: “ I'm grateful that I was able to experience that firsthand. So, now, I can hopefully make a difference for others.” To learn more about Andrew, visit his website, andrewhartzler.com . There you’ll find his post, Fix Him. You can also find Andrew on TikTok and Twitter . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E104 · Tue, January 31, 2023
Ken Mayer: The Electability of Republicans
Ken Mayer is a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an expert on elections and campaign finance. His current research focuses on evaluating recent state-level campaign finance reforms. In this episode, he discusses the chances of Republicans in 2024, and current campaign finance reform efforts: “Well, the explanation for that is that the Republican Party is in a little bit of a bind. And a lot of the leaders, Pence and McConnell and Pompeo and others, have indicated that they think Trump is old news, that they think the party should move beyond him.” Find Ken on Twitter at @uwkenmayer . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Sat, January 28, 2023
BONUS: Past, Present, and Future w/Senator Tammy Duckworth
Senator from Illinois Tammy Duckworth reflects on her first term in office, the current issues facing the Senate, and what she hopes to accomplish in her second term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E102 · Tue, January 24, 2023
Olga Lautman: The Fall of Putin
Russian politics expert Olga Lautman discusses Russia’s failure to defeat Ukraine, the instability of the Russian political system, and more. Olga is a researcher and analyst who has been monitoring Russian and Ukrainian internal politics for years. She’s a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, and the co-host of the Kremlin File, a podcast that details the rise of Putin and the spread of authoritarianism across the globe, including the Trump White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E101 · Tue, January 17, 2023
Ravi Gupta: “The Door is Always Open”
Ravi Gupta held several positions during the first term of the Obama administration, including Special Assistant and Speechwriter to Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. After serving in the Obama Administration, Ravi wanted to take a break from partisan politics and do real work on the ground. He Founded RePublic Schools , a network of charter schools in the South that provide quality education to underserved communities. Following the election of Donald Trump, Ravi decided he had to help fight Trumpism. He founded Arena, an organization dedicated to convening, training, and supporting the next generation of candidates and campaign staff. Arena has helped to elect over 75 candidates, and trained over 1500 staffers. In 2019, Ravi Co-Founded Second Chance Studios , which teaches life, social, and professional skills to formerly incarcerated individuals. SCS provides courses in editing, social media, podcasting, and other topics in the media space. Now, Ravi is the CEO of Lost Debate , a non-profit media company he founded in 2021. He hosts several podcasts, including Majority 54 which he co-hosts with Jason Kander . You can find Ravi on Twitter at @RaviMGupta . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E100 · Tue, January 10, 2023
Stuart Stevens: The Republican Party’s Downfall
Stuart Stevens dedicated his life to getting Republicans elected. He worked for dozens of candidates, including both Bush and Romney during their presidential campaigns, and was extremely successful. Now however, Stuart regrets the part he played in the rise of Trumpism. In 2020, he wrote It Was All a Lie , about his time in the Republican party, and how Trumpism is “the natural outcome of five decades of hypocrisy and self-delusion.” Through the Lincoln Project and Resolute Square , he’s working to counteract the movement he helped build. You can follow Stuart on Twitter @stuartpstevens . To learn more about the Lincoln Project, check out their new limited series on Showtime . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tue, December 27, 2022
Happy Holidays!
Hey everyone, it’s Ken Harbaugh. I just wanted to let you know that the team and I are taking some time off during the holidays. We’ll return to our normal release schedule on January 10th. Thank you all for an amazing year, and for your support for this show. Happy holidays, and have a great new year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E99 · Tue, December 20, 2022
Tyler Merritt: Patience for the Ignorant
Tyler Merritt is an Activist, Author, Actor, and public speaker. His video monologue, “ Before You Call the Cops ,” garnered national attention after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and has been viewed tens of millions of times. Tyler’s new children's book, A Door Made for Me , is based on his own experience being rejected by neighbors because of his race. The book helps kids understand the injustice of racism in a way they can understand, while also preparing them for situations they may encounter in the future. In Tyler’s first book, I Take My Coffee Black , he talks about his experiences as a black man in America, as well as privilege, religion, multiculturalism, and even musical theater. To hear him talk about it, listen to our interview with him from last year . You can follow Tyler on Twitter at @TTMProject , and on instagram at @thetylermerrittproject . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E97 · Tue, December 13, 2022
Miles Taylor: The Fight Has Just Begun
Miles Taylor, who co-founded the Forward Party, discusses the significance of the midterm election results, the future of Trumpism, and the ongoing threats to American democracy. – Back in 2018, Miles Taylor anonymously authored a New York Times op-ed titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.” At the time, Miles worked in a senior role in the Department of Homeland security. Eventually, after Trump asked him and other officials to break the law, Miles quit. He decided to author a book, again anonymously, titled A Warning , which described the morally gray, and sometimes blatantly illegal orders that came from the President. In the lead up to the 2020 election, Miles felt it was important to reveal himself as the anonymous author of both the op-ed and the book. He then created the Renew America Movement , an organization dedicated to giving a voice to the ‘rational’ republicans who do not subscribe to the right-wing extremism of Donald Trump. In our interview with Miles last year, “Miles Taylor: Inside the Trump White House,” he talked about his op-ed, his book, and the Renew America Movement. Since then, Miles left the Republican party, and co-founded the Forward Party with Andrew Yang . We brought him back on the show to talk about this decision, the midterm results, the future of Trumpism, and the ongoing threats to American democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E96 · Tue, December 06, 2022
David Bellavia: Partisan Politics
Medal of Honor Recipient and conservative radio host David Bellavia talks about the recent shift in the Republican party, what makes a qualified candidate, and the differences between Democrats and Republicans. Staff Sergeant David Bellavia served in the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2004. During the Second Battle of Fallujah, Bellavia cleared a house filled with five insurgents in order to save his squad. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at a White House ceremony in 2019. In Bellavia’s new book, Remember the Ramrods, he reflects back on the events that earned him the Medal of Honor. After returning home, David ran to represent New York’s 27th district in the House of Representatives. Currently, he hosts the David Bellavia Show, a conservative call-in radio program. During the interview, David had this to say about partisan politics: “I give a person who disagrees with me politically more time than someone agrees with me because I'm bored with that. And I don't want to discover why liberals are wrong, I want to learn what it is that separates us. And for the life of me, I don't find any fundamental difference outside of personality and hubris and pride where people don't want to admit when they're wrong.” You can find David on Twitter @ssgBELLAVIA , and listen to the David Bellavia Show here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E95 · Tue, November 29, 2022
Jinho ‘Piper’ Ferreira: Hip-Hop, Community, and Policing
Flipsyde member Jinho ‘Piper’ Ferreira talks about how his experiences as a police officer, rapper, and artist have influenced him. Piper was born and raised in Oakland, California. During his childhood in the 80’s and 90’s, Oakland was rife with crime, and police/community relations were at an all-time low. In 2002, Piper’s childhood friend Jihad Akbar was killed by police. This inspired him to create Flipsyde, a successful Hip-Hop group that toured worldwide in the early 2000’s. Their song Someday was chosen by NBC as the theme of the 2006 Winter Olympics. In 2009, Oscar Grant was killed by an Oakland police officer. The story resonated with Piper, and he decided the only way he could make an impact was if he was the one making the life or death decisions. During the interview, Piper had this to say about the difference between his reaction to the death of Jihad, and the death of Grant: “I didn't have any control over the cop that pulled the trigger. I initially put that pain into my music and ended up touring the world with my band. I tried what I could, according to the rules that I had known growing up and according to my values, until it became apparent that I needed to try something else.” Piper became an Alameda County Deputy Sheriff, and served in law enforcement for eight years. During that time, he helped create the Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League , which addresses policing problems by focusing on social equity and community-led economic empowerment. In 2014, he wrote a one man play titled Cops and Robbers that “highlights the frequently fraught relationship between police officers, the communities they serve, and the media.” It received critical acclaim. Check out the website for Marcus Books, which is mentioned in the episode, here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E94 · Tue, November 22, 2022
Garrett Reisman: The Future of Space Exploration
Astronaut Garrett Reisman discusses how the Ukraine Russia War, Elon Musk, and global warming are impacting space exploration. During the interview, Garrett talks about the development of conspiracy theories, from doubting the moon landing to doubting elections: “I could laugh at the guys in the tinfoil hats that said we didn't go to the Moon. But now that it's corrupting our society and amplified by social media, it's a clear danger to our democracy. And now any kind of conspiracy theorist, I just find it, really, no longer remotely a laughing matter.” Garrett is a former NASA astronaut who has been to space twice. After leaving NASA in 2011, Garrett joined SpaceX, where he served as the director of Space Operations. He's currently a senior advisor at the company and a professor of astronautical engineering at USC. To learn more about Garrett, visit his website, garrettreisman.com , and make sure to check out his podcast, Two Funny Astronauts . You can also find him on Twitter at @astro_g_dogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Sat, November 19, 2022
Rerun: In Remembrance of Michael Gerson
Michael Gerson was a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush, and is now a powerful voice of dissent in the Republican establishment. Michael talks to Ken about what led him down this path of dissent, about the role of faith in motivating his decision to speak out, and about where he thinks our country is headed. Michael is a syndicated op-ed columnist for the Washington Post and host of “In Principle” on PBS. He is the author of “ Heroic Conservatism ” and co-author of “ City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era ” and you can find him on Twitter at @MJGerson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E93 · Tue, November 15, 2022
Denver Riggleman: Leaving the Republican Party
Former Representative Denver Riggleman discusses the January 6th committee, his experiences as a Republican during the Trump Administration, and his new book, The Breach . Denver Riggleman served in the Air Force for 15 years. Most of that time was spent as an intelligence officer and NSA advisor. From 2019 to 2021, Riggleman represented Virginia’s 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives as a republican, but received extreme backlash from the far right for things like officiating a same-sex marriage, and joining the climate change caucus. These experiences pushed him away from the party, and he now no longer considers himself a republican. Denver discusses this period of his life in the interview: “I think Ken, really the same sex wedding was the beginning of opening my eyes to a bigger world of what was going on in the conspiracy world. And then that's when I really got involved and became the first Republican to go against QAnon and the first that Republican to do the QAnon resolution. And then nobody really gave a hell, I was completely alone until January 6th. I tried to tell people violence was coming, but there were a lot of people doing that. People just did listen. But Ken, it just got to the point that I just couldn't stand living in a facts challenged political party anymore.” To hear about all of this and more, check out Denver’s book, The Breach . You can learn more about him by visiting denverleeriggleman.com . Denver is on Twitter at @RepRiggleman , and on instagram at @DenverRiggleman . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E92 · Tue, November 08, 2022
Anne Nelson: The Future of the Right Wing
Anne Nelson talks about the November Midterm Elections, right-wing domestic extremism, and the direction of the Republican Party. Anne is an award-winning war correspondent and author. Her newest book, S hadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right , details the influence of the Council for National Policy, a powerful right-wing political coalition. In the interview, Anne talks about how the people who helped organize and execute the January 6th insurrection intended it to be much more subdued: “I don't think they meant for the invasion to be that violent. I don't think they meant for people to get killed. I think that it's quite possible that these aligned forces who are connected to QAnon and some of the Pentecostal, more fringe churches and the militias, came into the event and perhaps took it over. I would bet good money that the Council for National Policy did not want Mike Pence to be hung, for example. He's now a dues-paying member, so that wouldn't make sense. But the problem is that once you align yourself and agitate a mob, you don't always control it.” To hear more from Anne, listen to her previous interview on Burn the Boats . Also, make sure to check out her website, anne-nelson.com , and follow her on Twitter at @anelsona . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E91 · Tue, November 01, 2022
Al Franken: Has Democracy Reached a Tipping Point?
Former Senator Al Franken discusses the radicalization of the Republican party and the threats facing American Democracy. During the interview, Al had this to say about his Republican colleagues: “I stay in touch with some of my former Republican colleagues and I will give them crap. I'll text them and I send them Christmas cards. And I ask them about their families and I know them and we joke and stuff like that. I got along pretty well with my colleagues, I thought. I will just chide them and basically say, 'Why can't you just come out and say that Biden won the election?' And they'll be, blah blah blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It ultimately comes down to, 'I'd lose my primary.' That's what it comes down to. I finally get them to say that. And these guys, I understand. They want to be senators and they want to stay in power and they want to be senators.” Al Franken got his start as a stand up comedian, and was a writer on Saturday Night Live for 15 seasons in between 1975 and 1995. He won five Emmys during his time on the show, and also won two Grammys for his comedy and spoken word albums. Later in his career, Al noticed that conservative narratives dominated radio airwaves, so he created The Al Franken Show in an attempt to even the playing field. Al said this about creating the show: “I’m doing this because I want to use my energies to get Bush unelected.” The show aired on Air America Radio from 2004-2007. In 2007, Al announced he was running for the senate seat in Minnesota. He won the general election by only 312 votes. He served as senator from 2009 to 2018. Now, Al hosts the Al Franken Podcast , and is currently on tour . He is also the author of nine books, four of which were #1 New York Times Best Sellers. You can find them all here . You can find Al on Twitter at @AlFranken . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E90 · Tue, October 25, 2022
Nan Whaley: Fighting for Ohioans
Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley talks about her Ohio gubernatorial campaign. Nan Whaley was first elected to the Dayton City Commission in 2005, and was one of the youngest women ever chosen for the seat. In 2014, she became the Mayor of Dayton, and held that position until earlier this year when she decided to run for governor. Nan is facing incumbent Mike DeWine this November, and abortion has become a key issue in the race. During the interview, she said this about the upcoming election: “Look, I think Ohio is definitely at a crossroads this election cycle. It has a choice to be a place where we can be inclusive, and we can protect freedoms, and women can grow and thrive in this state. Or it's going to be a place where women will run away from. If Mike DeWine is elected, that's what's going to happen. We're going to see even more population loss in the state, and it is going to be the doing of the sitting governor. ” To learn more about Nan, or support her campaign, visit nanwhaley.com . You can also follow her on Twitter at @nanwhaley . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E89 · Tue, October 18, 2022
Scott Hershovitz: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids
Scott Hershovitz talks about his new book, Nasty, Brutish, and Short , in which he discusses philosophy with his children. Scott Hershovtiz is a professor of law and philosophy at the University of Michigan and former law clerk to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Scott’s new book, Nasty, Brutish, and Short , is a “romp through contemporary philosophy” led by his two young sons as they discuss ancient arguments, and ask their own questions. During the interview, Scott describes a conversation he had with his son, and how that influenced his book: “My son, when he was four years old, he went to the Jewish Community Center preschool, so he would learn about God and he'd learn about various aspects of Jewish religion. He had a lot of questions, and he would frequently ask if God was real. One night I was cooking dinner and he said, ‘Is God real?’ And I said, ‘Well, what do you think, buddy?’ He said, ‘I think that for real God is pretend and for pretend, God is real.’ I was just stunned by that. It was such a complicated thought. I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘I think that God isn't real, but when we pretend, he is.’” You can find Scott on Twitter at @shershovitz . To learn more about Scott and his work, visit scotthershovitz.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E88 · Tue, October 11, 2022
Kris Goldsmith: The Anti-Fascist Agenda
Kris, a combat vet, explains how he studies and disrupts fascism and white supremacism in the U.S. – Kris Goldsmith is an Iraq combat vet who studies disinformation and far right movements. He's the founder of Task Force Butler , an organization of veterans that aims to disrupt online extremist activity and radicalization, and encourage those who have fallen victim to its disinformation to leave that path of destruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E87 · Tue, October 04, 2022
Dr. Kathleen Belew: The State of the White Power Movement
Dr. Belew describes the growth, strategies, and consequences of the White Power movement in America. – Dr. Kathleen Belew, a professor at Northwestern University and author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America . You can find Kathleen on Twitter at @Kathleen_Belew , and learn more about her at kathleenbelew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E86 · Tue, September 27, 2022
LTC Alexander Vindman: Fighting Authoritarianism
In 2019, Alex provided testimony that led to Donald Trump’s first impeachment, and foreshadowed Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine. In this episode, he discusses his decision to blow the whistle, the authoritarianism of the Trump White House, and the stakes of the war in Ukraine. – Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman is an army vet and former director for European affairs for the National Security Council. In October of 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman was subpoenaed by Congress as part of the impeachment proceeding against President Trump. His testimony revealed that the president threatened to withhold vital assistance to Ukraine until that country's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to investigate Joe Biden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E85 · Tue, September 20, 2022
Representative Pat Ryan: The Backlash after Dobbs
Pat Ryan discusses his successful special election campaign, and the nationwide surge in support Democrats have seen in response to the Dobbs decision. – Pat is a West Point grad and army vet who just won a hotly contested special election in New York's 19th congressional district. He’ll be up for reelection in November. To learn more about Pat, and to support his November campaign, visit patryanforcongress.com . You can also follow him on Twitter @PatRyanUC . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E84 · Tue, September 06, 2022
Jason Kander: Getting Help Saved My Life
Jason Kander discusses his new Memoir, Invisible Storm – Jason Kander served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan, and as Secretary of State for Missouri, before his Senate campaign in 2016 catapulted him onto the national stage. In his new memoir, Invisible Storm, Jason talks about how he decided to step away from an extremely promising political career to focus on his mental health. Jason is now the President of National Expansion at the Veterans Community Project, an organization that provides housing and mental health resources to vets that need it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E83 · Wed, August 24, 2022
Esosa Osa: Fighting Disinformation
Esosa Osa is the Deputy Director of Fair Fight Action, an organization founded by Stacy Abrams that advocates for election reform. Longtime listeners will remember that Esosa guest hosted an interview a few years ago. You can listen to it here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Tue, August 23, 2022
BONUS: Jim Obergefell: The Battle for Marriage Equality
In 2013, Jim Obergefell and his boyfriend John, who was suffering from a terminal disease, were married on the tarmac in a medical jet at an airport in Maryland. When they returned home to Ohio, they learned that marriage would not be legally recognized. This led Jim to become the lead plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, a 2015 case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples. In the wake of Dobbs. v. Jackson, which removed the constitutional right to abortion, Chief Justice Tomas has said that the court “should reconsider” Obergefell v. Hodges. Now, Jim is running for the Ohio State House. To learn more about Jim, visit his website, obergefellforohio.com . You can also find Jim on both Instagram and Twitter at @JimObergefell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E81 · Wed, August 10, 2022
Jimmy Soni: The Influential Founders of PayPal
Jimmy Soni is an author and journalist who was named among Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 in media. His new book, The Founders , takes a look at how PayPal was a launching pad for some of the world's most impactful tech entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk, went on to create SpaceX, Youtube, Yelp, and many other influential companies. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @jimmyasoni Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E80 · Wed, July 27, 2022
Dan Pfeiffer: Battling the Big Lie
Dan Pfeiffer served as Communications Director and Senior Advisor in the Obama Administration, and now co-hosts Pod Save America , a podcast that helps listeners make a difference. His new book, Battling The Big Lie , describes how we nearly lost our democracy in 2020, and how the fight to preserve it continues. You can find Dan on Twitter at @danpfeiffer , and on Instagram at @pfeiffer3342 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E79 · Wed, July 13, 2022
David Gergen: Passing the Torch to Gen-Z
David Gergen served in senior roles for four Presidents: Nixon, Ford, H.W. Bush, and Clinton. He’s since become an award winning journalist, author, and Harvard Professor. His new book, Hearts Touched with Fire , discusses how we must pass the torch to the younger generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E78 · Wed, June 29, 2022
Lecia Michelle: The White Allies Handbook
Lecia Michelle is an author and anti-racist educator. Her new book, The White Allies Handbook , provides readers with the tools to get off the sidelines and onto the frontlines of the fight against racism. The White Allies Handbook is currently available for pre-order, and will be released on July 26th. You can find Lecia on Twitter @LeciaMichelle11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E77 · Wed, June 15, 2022
Steve Pierson: How We Win
Steve Pierson is an activist and organizer who has trained thousands of canvassing volunteers. He also co-hosts the podcast How We Win , where he interviews fellow activists, politicians, and insiders about what is happening on the front lines. You can find Steve on Instagram and Twitter @BluesBoySteve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E76 · Wed, June 01, 2022
The Repercussions of Transphobic Legislation
Heather (we aren’t using her last name) is a mother of two living in Alabama, a state that recently passed an anti-trans bill, SB184, that makes it a felony for her to seek the medical care her son needs. Heather discusses her family’s journey, her son, the recent wave of transphobia, and the repercussions of this bill. Please consider donating to Heather’s gofundme , which will allow her to relocate her family to a state where her son will be safe. They are very close to reaching their goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E75 · Wed, May 18, 2022
Sebastian Junger: Bravery, War, and Purpose
Sebastian Junger is an award-winning author, journalist, and filmmaker. His newest book, Freedom, discusses the innate conflict between the need for community and the desire for independence. Sebastian is also the founder of Vets Town Hall , an organization that gives veterans a platform to share their stories. You can follow him on Twitter @SebastianJunger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Mon, May 16, 2022
Ukraine Report #8: Humanitarian Aid with Amed Khan
Amed Khan is an activist, philanthropist and humanitarian who worked with the International Rescue Committee after the Rwandan genocide. He's evacuated refugees from Afghanistan and helped them resettle safely, and he's now focused on Ukraine, helping to lead evacuation efforts there and deliver medical supplies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Mon, May 09, 2022
BONUS: The Clock is Ticking for Afghan Evacuees
Currently, more than 76,000 Afghan refugees who have immigrated to the U.S. have been granted temporary, two-year humanitarian parole status. Shawn VanDiver and his coalition #AfghanEvac , with support from the White House, are urging Congress to pass the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which among other things, would provide these refugees with a path to a green card and permanent residency. If this does not pass in the coming days, Shawn believes that many Afghans will lose their temporary status. They would then have nowhere left to go. Right now, the biggest obstacles facing the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act are Rep. Jim Jordan, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. You can call Jim Jordan at 202.225.2676, and Chuck Grassley at 202.224.4374 to urge them to support our Afghan allies. For more information, please visit AfghanEvac.org. You can also follow Shawn on Twitter @ShawnJVanDiver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E72 · Wed, May 04, 2022
Amanda Weinstein: Suburbia and the Culture Wars
Amanda Weinstein is a Professor of Economics at the University of Akron who studies the quality of life in suburban America. She is also the co-host of the podcast, The Suburban Women Problem . You can find her on twitter at @ProfWeinstein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E71 · Wed, April 20, 2022
David Pepper: The Impact of Corrupt State Houses
David Pepper is an author and the former Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. In his new book, Laboratories of Autocracy , David argues that the greatest threat to American Democracy is not the alt-right, January 6th, or even Donald Trump, but rather, the corrupt politicians in state houses across the country. You can find David on Twitter @DavidPepper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Tue, April 12, 2022
Ukraine Report #7: Refugees and Aid Workers
Today’s episode consists of two interviews. First we’re joined by Anna, a Ukrainian student who was supposed to be finishing her senior year of high school. On the first day of the invasion, her city was targeted, and she fled to Poland. She was helped by our second guest, Nico Marseillan, a volunteer aid worker who has been assisting refugees at the border. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Tue, March 29, 2022
Ukraine Report #6: Russian Politics with Olga Lautman
Olga Lautman is a researcher and analyst who has been monitoring Russian and Ukrainian internal politics for years. She’s a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, and the co-host of the Kremlin File, a podcast that details the rise of Putin and the spread of authoritarianism across the globe, including the Trump White House. You can Olga on Twitter @OlgaNYC1211 , and make sure to check out her podcast, Kremile File . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E67 · Wed, March 23, 2022
Ukraine Report #5: Former CIA Officer David Chasteen
David Chasteen is a former CIA officer on the covert action staff. While at the agency, David conducted overseas operations, guided human intelligence collection, evaluated foreign threats to computer systems, and provided analysis on cyber issues to the president. David was also a consultant for the Amazon Prime series, Jack Ryan , starring John Krasinski, and the show is heavily influenced by David's experiences. You can find David on Twitter @DavidChasteen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E66 · Wed, March 23, 2022
Stephen Marche: The Next Civil War
Stephen Marche is an author and columnist whose work has appeared in Esquire, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and elsewhere. His new book, “The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future,” details ways in which a civil war could realistically break out in this country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Mon, March 21, 2022
Ukraine Report #4: A Volunteer Soldier in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces
Today we interviewed Nikolay, who’s a volunteer soldier in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces. Shortly after the war began, his family was able to flee to the U.S., but despite having no military experience, Nikolay decided he had to stay and fight for his country. Please visit our website for a transcript of this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E65 · Fri, March 11, 2022
Ukraine Report #3: The Battle for the Skies with Ward Carroll
Ward Carroll spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy as an F-14 Radar Intercept Officer, retired at the rank of commander, and went on to serve as the editor of Military.com. He now hosts a popular YouTube channel on military aviation. To hear more from Ward, visit his YouTube channel , or follow him on Twitter @wardcarroll Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E64 · Wed, March 09, 2022
Shannon Watts: The State of Gun Reform Efforts in 2022
Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization that advocates for and passes common sense gun laws. We’ve invited her back on the show to check in on the status of gun safety efforts and to learn what they might mean for candidates in the 2022 midterms. Visit MomsDemandAction.org and Everytown.org to learn more about Shannon and gun safety efforts. You can find these organizations on all social media platforms. You can also follow Shannon on Twitter at @ShannonRWatts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Thu, March 03, 2022
Ukraine Report #2: Urban Warfare with Dan Barkhuff
Dan Barkhoff is a former Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments, and an expert in urban warfare. In this interview, he discusses what the Russian invasion force is likely to face. This episode is a part of a series of special, unedited episodes that are separate from our normal content. As the invasion of Ukraine unfolds, we’ll be releasing these to provide you with timely insights from the experts. If you want to help, two of the most efficient organizations doing front-line work are Spirit of America and Team Rubicon . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Fri, February 25, 2022
Ukraine Report #1: The Morning of the Attack with Oliya Scootercaster
Oliya Scootercaster is a Ukrainian Video Journalist who has lived and reported around the globe, but recently returned to her hometown of Kyiv to document the ongoing conflict with Russia. We interviewed her right before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 23rd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E61 · Wed, February 23, 2022
Billy Ray: Movies and Messaging
Billy Ray is an award-winning film producer, director, and writer whose credits include The Comey Rule, Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, and a project in development titled J6, about the assault on the US Capitol. In his free time, he works with Democratic candidates to improve their messaging and communication, specifically as they relate to independents and disillusioned republicans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E63 · Wed, February 09, 2022
Josh Remillard: Defeating Madison Cawthorn in NC-13
Josh Remillard is an Army Vet running for congress as a Democrat in North Carolina’s 13th congressional district. His campaign focuses on education, healthcare, and sustainability, and defeating Madison Cawthorn. For more information about his campaign, visit joshremillard.com Find Josh on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E59 · Wed, January 26, 2022
Dr. Kate Starbird: Disinformation in the Age of Social Media
Dr. Kate Starbird is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington, where she co-founded the Center for an Informed Public, which is dedicated to resisting strategic misinformation, promoting an informed society, and strengthening democratic discourse. Her academic research focuses on how people use social media platforms during crises such as natural disasters, mass shootings, and lately, antidemocratic insurgencies. You can follow Dr. Starbird on Twitter at @katestarbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E58 · Wed, January 12, 2022
Rerun: Rep. Jason Crow talks about January 6th
This week, to mark the one year anniversary of the January 6th Insurrection, we are re-airing the story of someone who was in the Capitol during the attack. Rep. Crow served as a House impeachment manager during Trump’s first impeachment trial in early 2020. In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection, he has been hailed by his colleagues in Congress as “one of the heroes of that day,” for his actions guiding fellow members to safety. Learn more about Jason’s legislative priorities at crow.house.gov and find him on Twitter at @RepJasonCrow . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Thu, January 06, 2022
BONUS: Reflections on the January 6th Insurrection
On the one year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, we’re sharing clips from six Burn the Boats interviews that delve into the causes and consequences of the attack. Here are the guests featured in this Bonus episode, with links to their full interviews: Anne Nelson , an award-winning war correspondent and author. Congressman Jason Crow , who was in the House Gallery during the attack Christian Picciolini , a former leader in the American white power movement who now works in extremism prevention Kris Goldsmith , an Army combat veteran who is currently the CEO of an intelligence firm that specializes in the disrupting domestic extremism campaigns Dr. Kathleen Belew , the nation’s foremost expert on the involvement of military veterans in the white power movement Fred Wellman , the former Executive Director of the Lincoln Project, a PAC founded by former and present Republicans with the goal of defeating “Trumpism.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E56 · Wed, December 29, 2021
Lucas Kunce: Populism and Power
Lucas Kunce is a Marine Corps veteran running to fill Missouri's vacant Senate seat in 2022. Lucas served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and eventually went on to become an international negotiations officer at the Pentagon. He's now running a campaign that focuses on taking power out of the hands of corporate monopolies and putting it back in the hands of working people. To learn more about his campaign, visit lucaskunce.com You can also find him on Twitter at @LucasKunceMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E55 · Wed, December 15, 2021
Heidi Heitkamp: The Democratic Party’s Branding Problem
Heidi Heitkamp is a former Senator who represented North Dakota from 2013 to 2019. She was one of the only Democrats in the Senate representing a state that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump. Now, she helps lead the One Country Project, an organization dedicated to reopening dialogue with rural communities and advancing opportunities for rural Americans. You can find Heidi on Twitter at @HeidiHeitkamp For more information about One Country Project, visit their website, Onecountryproject.com , or follow them on Twitter at @_OneCountry_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E54 · Wed, December 01, 2021
Fred Wellman: The Signs of a Violent America
Fred Wellman is the former Executive Director of the Lincoln Project. He is a Westpoint and Harvard graduate, and served in the Army as an aviator and public affairs officer for 22 years. The Lincoln Project is a political action committee that was founded in 2019 by former and present Republicans, with the goal of preventing the re-election of Donal Trump and defeating ‘Trumpism.’ You can find Fred on Twitter at @FPWellman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E53 · Wed, November 17, 2021
Tyler Merritt: Before You Call the Cops
Tyler Merritt is an Activist, Author, Actor, and public speaker. His video monologue, “Before You Call the Cops,” garnered national attention after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and has been viewed tens of millions of times. In his new book, I Take My Coffee Black , Tyler talks about his experiences as a black man in America, as well as privilege, religion, multiculturalism, and even musical theater. Follow Tyler on Twitter at @TTMProject , and on instagram at @thetylermerrittproject . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E52 · Wed, November 03, 2021
Kareem Crayton: Redistricting & Politicization
Kareem Crayton is an attorney, law professor, and academic whose work explores the effects of state-sanctioned racial discrimination on campaigns, elections, and governance. He served as the Executive Director of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and is the founder and Managing Partner of Crimcard Consulting, which is now advising the Virginia Redistricting Commission. You can learn more about Kareem and his work at kereemcratyon.com You can also follow him on Twitter at @KareemCrayton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E51 · Wed, October 20, 2021
Chris Harnisch: The ‘Surrender’ of Afghanistan
Chris Harnisch was the Deputy Coordinator for Countering Violent Extremism at the State Department during the Trump Administration. Among other various national security roles, he also was the Director for Transnational Threats and the Director for Afghanistan at the National Security Council. Chris also is a part of the Army reserves. He served for 14 months in Kabul, Afghanistan, and worked for an intelligence task force that focused on corruption, organized crime, and insurgency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E50 · Wed, October 06, 2021
Chairwoman Shontel Brown: Bipartisanship and Ohio’s 11th District
Shontel Brown is the Chairwoman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic party, and was both the first woman, and the first African American elected to the position. She recently won a heated primary in Ohio’s 11th congressional district, which gained national attention and has been seen as an indicator for the direction of the Democratic Party. Find Shontel on Twitter at @ShontelMBrown Learn more about her House campaign at shontelbrown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E49 · Wed, September 22, 2021
Miles Taylor: Inside the Trump White House
In 2018, Miles Taylor anonymously authored a New York Times op-ed titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration” . At the time, Miles worked in a senior role in the Department of Homeland security. Eventually, after Trump asked him and other officials to break the law, Miles quit. He decided to author a book, again anonymously, titled A Warning , which described in detail the morally gray, and sometimes blatantly illegal orders that came from the President. In the lead up to the 2020 election, Miles felt it was important to reveal himself as the anonymous author of both the op-ed, and the book. Now, he’s created the Renew America Movement , an organization dedicated to giving a voice to the ‘rational’ republicans who won’t subscribe to the right-wing extremism of Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E48 · Wed, September 08, 2021
Amy McGrath: The ‘Honor Bound’ Memoir
Amy McGrath talks about her new book, Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service , which details her groundbreaking time in the military, her tough political campaigns, and the challenges we face as a country. Follow Amy on Twitter at @AmyMcGrathKY Check out her interview from last year here For more details about her time in the Marine Corps, listen to her interview on our other podcast, Warriors In Their Own Words, out next Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E47 · Wed, August 25, 2021
Kris Goldsmith: PTSD, Less-Than-Honorable Discharges, and Domestic Violent Extremism
Kris Goldsmith is an Army combat Veteran who served in Iraq. As a 19 year-old, he was assigned the task of photographing corpses and documenting mass graves. He developed severe PTSD, and in 2007, as the result of a suicide attempt that caused him to miss redeployment, he was given a less-than-honorable discharge. After years of legal battles, that discharge was upgraded. Kris went on to become an advocate for veterans with “bad paper” discharges, and helped pass crucial legislation that helps them receive the benefits they deserve. Since then, Kris has turned to combating domestic right-wing extremism. To learn more about Kris’s time in the Army, listen to his episode of Warriors In Their Own Words. Find Kris on Twitter at @KrisGoldsmith85 Learn more about his organization, High Ground Veterans Advocacy, here . Learn more about Kris’ work fighting domestic extremism here . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E46 · Wed, August 11, 2021
Chris Meagher: The President’s Infrastructure Plan
Originally a reporter for the Santa Barbara Independent, Chris Meagher has worked for a number of prominent democrats. Most notably, he served as a communications advisor to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and as the national press secretary during Mayor Pete Buttigeig’s Presidential Campaign. Now as the White House Deputy Press Secretary, he is working to promote President Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ Infrastructure Plan. Split amongst three bills, the plan invests money into traditional infrastructure such as roads and bridges, as well as the development of electric vehicles and high speed internet across the country. You can find Chris on twitter at @chrismeagher46 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E45 · Wed, July 28, 2021
Anne Nelson: The Secret Influence of a Right-Wing Political Coalition
Anne Nelson is an award-winning war correspondent, playwright, and author. Her newest book, Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right , details the influence of the Council for National Policy, a powerful right-wing political coalition. Find her book here: S hadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right Learn more about Anne here: anne-nelson.com Follow Anne on Twitter here: @anelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E44 · Wed, July 14, 2021
Master Sergeant Michael ‘Top’ Washington: Coping with Loss
Master Sergeant Michael ‘Top’ Washington served in the Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan between 1988 and 2004, before becoming a firefighter. His son, Mike Jr., followed in his footsteps and joined the Marines. In 2008, Mike Jr. was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. The loss of his son sent Top into a deep depression, culminating in a moment on a bridge in Tacoma. Top had decided to end his life there, but says he felt his son’s hand pulling him back, saying, “You’re not done yet.” Since then, Top has found a new calling, as a licensed therapist focusing on fellow military veterans and first responders. To hear more from Top, check out his interview on Warriors In Their Own Words, out next Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E43 · Wed, June 30, 2021
Jason Kander: Destigmatizing PTSD while Continuing to Serve
Jason Kander, an Army Veteran and former Senate Candidate, talks about his struggle with PTSD and his continuing public service. Jason served as an intel officer in Afghanistan and as Secretary of State of Missouri, before his Senate campaign in 2016 catapulted him onto the national stage. Despite an extremely promising mayoral race in Kansas City, he decided to step away from the public eye and focus on dealing with his PTSD. Now, he serves as the president of the Veteran’s Community Project . Check out Jason’s Podcast, Majority 54 Follow Jason on Twitter, @jasonkander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E42 · Wed, June 16, 2021
Judge Lina Hidalgo: Local Leadership, Voting Rights, and Values
Judge Lina Hidalgo, county executive for Harris County, Texas, talks about changing the system from within and about budgeting through a values lens. Including the city of Houston, Harris County is the third most populous in the country, larger than some states. As the county's chief executive, Lina took early public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and has made great strides to challenge voter suppression in Texas. Learn more about Judge Hidalgo’s work in Harris County at CJO.HarrisCountyTX.gov and find her on Twitter at @LinaHidalgoTX . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E41 · Wed, June 02, 2021
Elliot Ackerman: Writing About War and America’s Future
Elliot Ackerman, Marine combat veteran and bestselling author, talks about writing and about his fears for the future. Elliot’s latest book is 2034: A Novel of the Next World War . The Harper’s story referenced in the episode is “ Civil Warning ”. Learn more about Elliot’s work at elliotackerman.com and find him on Twitter at @elliotackerman . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E40 · Wed, May 19, 2021
Christian Picciolini: Disengaging White Power Extremists
Christian Picciolini, a former leader in the American white power movement, talks about his past and his current work in extremism prevention. Christian runs the Free Radicals Project, which is dedicated to extremism prevention and disengagement. His latest book is titled Breaking Hate: Confronting the New Culture of Extremism . Learn more about his work at christianpicciolini.com and learn about the Free Radicals Project at freeradicals.org . Find him on Twitter at @CPicciolini . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E39 · Wed, May 05, 2021
Rep. Jason Crow: Accountability and the Aftermath of January 6
Rep. Jason Crow, former Army Ranger and congressman from Colorado’s 6th district, talks about the January 6th insurrection and the importance of truth and accountability. Rep. Crow served as a House impeachment manager during Trump’s first impeachment trial in early 2020. In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection, he has been hailed by his colleagues in Congress as “one of the heroes of that day,” for his actions guiding fellow members to safety. Learn more about Jason’s legislative priorities at crow.house.gov and find him on Twitter at @RepJasonCrow . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E38 · Thu, April 22, 2021
Dr. Kathleen Belew: The History of the White Power Movement and Paramilitary America
Dr. Kathleen Belew talks about the white power movement and the role of veterans in the movement’s history. Dr. Belew is a professor of U.S. history at the University of Chicago, and the nation's foremost expert on the involvement of military veterans in the white power movement. She is the author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America . Find Kathleen on Twitter at @kathleen_belew and learn more about her work at kathleenbelew.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E37 · Wed, April 07, 2021
Jon Soltz: Giving Veterans a Voice
Jon Soltz, founder of VoteVets, talks about the organization's origins and priorities and what it means to give a voice to veterans. Jon served two tours in Iraq. VoteVets’ PAC helps elect veterans to public office at the federal, state, and local level. Find Jon on Twitter at @jonsoltz and VoteVets at @votevets . Learn more about VoteVets at votevets.org . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E36 · Wed, March 24, 2021
Jon Heavey: On the Front Lines
Content Warning: this episode includes some graphic descriptions of wounds and combat. Dr. Jon Heavey is an emergency room physician on the front lines of the battle against COVID, who began his medical career as a battalion surgeon with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. Jon is also the Director of Business Development at Cleveland Clinic Innovations and the co-founder of Minuteman Capital . Find Jon on Twitter at @JonHeavey and read his 2012 article “ An Unbearable Price ” in the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine for more about his service as battalion surgeon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E35 · Wed, March 10, 2021
Carlos Gauna: Ending the Stigma Around Sharks
Carlos Gauna is an artist, videographer and wildlife advocate. On his YouTube channel, TheMalibuArtist , Carlos shares his drone footage of marine life. His videos have been viewed millions of times and are a powerful tool for public education and advocacy on behalf of these animals. Find Carlos’s videos on YouTube and follow him on Instagram at @themalibuartist . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E34 · Wed, February 24, 2021
Dan Barkhuff: A Tribe to Compete with Trumpism
Dan Barkhuff, former Navy Seal and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership, talks about fighting Trumpism and the importance of belonging. Veterans for Responsible Leadership is an organization founded to help fight Trump and to serve as a tribe to compete with the white nationalism of Trumpism. In addition to founding VFRL, Dan Barkhuff is an ex-Navy SEAL, emergency medicine physician, and star of two viral videos from the Lincoln Project: “ Betrayed ” and “ Conservative ”. Find Dan on Twitter at @DBarkhuff and Veterans for Responsible Leadership at @VetsForRL . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E33 · Wed, February 10, 2021
Steve Schmidt: Fighting an Autocratic Coalition
Steve Schmidt, longtime Republican political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, comes on Burn the Boats to talk about his work fighting Trump and Trumpism. Steve worked on the campaigns of President George W. Bush and John McCain. He served in the White House as a senior advisor to both President Bush and Vice President Cheney, and was largely responsible for the Supreme Court nominations of Justices Alito and Roberts. Steve formally left the Republican Party in 2018 and co-founded The Lincoln Project in 2019. Find Steve on Twitter at @SteveSchmidtSES . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E32 · Wed, January 27, 2021
Mike Howard: Keeping America Secure from the CIA to Microsoft
Mike Howard, a veteran in the security and protection field, comes on Burn the Boats to talk about his 22 year career with the CIA and the years he spent as Chief Security Officer at Microsoft. Keep an eye out for Mike’s upcoming book on leadership, out later in 2021, titled “The Art of Ronin Leadership: Strategy, Execution, Sustained Success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, January 13, 2021
Rerun: Max Rose and Ali Soufan on White Supremacist Terrorism
This rerun from July 2020 features former congressman Max Rose and counterterrorism expert Ali Soufan talking about their work addressing the threat of transnational violent white supremacist groups in the United States and across the world. This episode aired long before the events of January 6th, but the conversation was prescient. If we want to stop threats like last week’s violent mob at the Capitol in the future, we need to listen to people like Max and Ali, who know the dangers of white supremacist terrorism and how to curb them. At the time of this recording, Max was a congressman representing New York’s 11th district, which includes all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn. Find him on Twitter at @MaxRose4NY . A former FBI agent, Ali is now the Chairman and CEO of The Soufan Group , a global intelligence and security consultancy. Find Ali on Twitter at @Ali_H_Soufan . In this episode, Ken references a New York Times op-ed co-authored by Max and Ali in February 2020. Read “ We Once Fought Jihadists. Now We Battle White Supremacists ” here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E31 · Wed, January 06, 2021
Sen. Sherrod Brown: The Dignity of Work and Hope in Politics
Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio talks about the dignity of work, his Senate desk 88, and the role of both fear and hope in politics. A lifelong champion for working families, Senator Brown began his political career as the youngest member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He has served as a US Representative, as Ohio’s Secretary of State, and, since 2007, as a US Senator and one of the only Democrats in Ohio elected to statewide office. Learn more about Senator Brown’s legislative priorities on his website . Find him on Twitter at @SherrodBrown . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E30 · Wed, December 23, 2020
Doug Wilson: Celebrating 10 Years Without Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
Ken celebrates the 10th anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with Doug Wilson, former Pentagon official who played a key role in the repeal. Doug Wilson is a former Pentagon official, campaign veteran, and foreign policy expert. As Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, he played a key role in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which was signed into law by President Obama on December 22, 2010. Learn more about Doug in profiles from Politico and the Washington Blade . Read his bio from the Truman National Security Project and find him on Twitter at @DougAZDEDC . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E29 · Wed, December 09, 2020
Aida Salazar: Activist, Artist, Author
Award-winning author Aida Salazar talks about writing difficult stories for children, raising a new generation of activists, and the intersections of art and activism. Learn more about Aida and her work - writing, art, activism, and more - at aidasalazar.com . Her most recent novel, Land of the Cranes , is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E28 · Wed, November 25, 2020
Jake Wood: A New Mission Closer to Home
Jake Wood , veteran and CEO of Team Rubicon, talks about his new memoir, the value of veterans serving in disaster relief, and the power of vulnerability in leaders. Learn more about Jake’s organization Team Rubicon and find them on Twitter at @TeamRubicon . Find Jake himself on Twitter at @JakeWoodTR . His memoir, Once A Warrior: How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home , is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E27 · Wed, November 11, 2020
Jacqueline Novogratz: Marshalling a Moral Revolution
Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen, talks about the role of markets in working towards a better world and how the kind of work she does has changed in recent years as the rising generation demands sustainability, inclusion, equity, and justice. Jacqueline’s organization, Acumen, is a nonprofit impact investment fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of poverty. Learn more about Acumen on their website and find them on Twitter at @Acumen . Find Jacqueline on Twitter at @JNovogratz . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, November 04, 2020
Rerun: Pete Buttigieg
The day after the election, we're airing a rerun on Burn the Boats. Listen to Ken's conversation with Pete Buttigieg from this summer - talking about patriotism, his hopes for the future of our country, and the need for America to rebuild trust. Pete Buttigieg is the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Learn more about his new PAC at wintheera.com and by watching his Twitter feed at @PeteButtigieg . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, October 28, 2020
Voting Rights and the 2020 Election w/ Esosa Osa and Sylvia Albert
Just days before the 2020 election, Ken passes the mic to guest host Esosa Osa, Research and Policy Director for Fair Fight Action. Esosa interviews Sylvia Albert from Common Cause about voting rights and next week's election. Sylvia Albert is the Director of Voting and Elections at Common Cause. Common Cause is a nonpartisan national organization focused on strengthening democracy through litigation, lobbying, and grassroots organizing. Find Common Cause on Twitter at @CommonCause and find Sylvia at @TheSylviaAlbert . Burn the Boats’ guest host this week, Esosa Osa, is the Research and Policy Director at Fair Fight Action. Fair Fight Action is a national voting rights organization based in Georgia and founded by Stacey Abrams . Find Fair Fight on Twitter at @FairFightAction and find Esosa at @Esosa_Osa . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E26 · Wed, October 21, 2020
MJ Hegar: Campaign Like a Girl
MJ Hegar, Democratic candidate for Senate in Texas, talks about her campaign, what drove her to run in the first place, and the prejudiced responses she sometimes gets to the Purple Heart on her license plate. MJ is an Air Force veteran, author of the memoir Shoot Like a Girl , and one of the only women to ever be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. Learn more about MJ’s campaign for Texas’s Senate seat at https://mjfortexas.com/ . Find her on Twitter at @MJHegar . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E25 · Wed, October 07, 2020
Rep. Tim Ryan: Politics and Mindfulness
Rep. Tim Ryan talks politics - Trump, Ohio, and Tim’s current reelection campaign. He also talks about something he wishes all politicians would practice: mindfulness. Tim is a United States Congressman representing Ohio’s 13th district. Learn more about him and his platform at timryan.house.gov . Find him on Twitter at @RepTimRyan . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E24 · Wed, September 23, 2020
Rep. Cheri Bustos: Legislating by Listening
Representative Cheri Bustos, congresswoman from Illinois and chair of the DCCC , talks about the values that women bring to leadership and about winning as a Democrat in a district that also voted for Trump. Learn more about Rep. Bustos’s legislative priorities on her website . Find her on Twitter at @RepCheri . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Fri, September 11, 2020
Bonus: Sec. Leon Panetta and the Anniversary of 9/11
In this bonus episode of Burn the Boats, Sec. Leon Panetta talks about the ultimate tough decision: as Director of the CIA, Panetta oversaw the operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, launching a raid into Pakistan based on uncertain intelligence. He talks about that decision, as well as the current presidential administration and the state of our political landscape. Secretary Leon Panetta is a lifelong public servant, having served in many different roles: US Congressman, Chief of Staff to President Clinton, director of the CIA, and the Secretary of Defense under President Obama. He now serves as Chairman of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy , located at California State University - Monterey Bay and focused in part on bringing young people into public service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E23 · Wed, September 09, 2020
Anthony Scaramucci: Room on the Off Ramp
Anthony Scaramucci talks about his brief tenure as the White House Communications Director and his recent decision to denounce Trump, as well as his journey from working class to Goldman Sachs and the White House. Find Anthony on Twitter at @scaramucci . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E22 · Wed, August 26, 2020
Swati Mylavarapu: Making Politics Accessible
Swati Mylavarapu is a major voice in Silicon Valley who has turned her talents to politics and social change. Pete Buttigieg’s chief investment officer and founder of Incite.org and the Arena, Swati talks to Ken about campaign finance and about diving into politics as a relative outsider. Find Swati on Twitter at @Swatipedia . Incite.org is Swati’s values-based investment fund, made up of Incite Ventures LLC, Incite Labs, and Incite Politics - a three-pronged approach to creating social change. Learn more on their website . Arena is the candidate and campaign staff training platform that Swati co-founded with Ravi Gupta following the 2016 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E21 · Wed, August 12, 2020
Andrew Towne: Modern-Day Adventurer
Andrew Towne, endurance athlete and principal with the Boston Consulting Group, has climbed the tallest mountain on every continent - including Mount Everest, and rowed the Drake Passage with the Discovery Channel series The Impossible Row. He talks about climbing Mount Everest and rowing the Drake Passage and about the smaller challenges he takes on to help make the world a better place. Watch Andrew and his crew row the Drake Passage on Discovery’s The Impossible Row . You can also learn about the organization he traveled abroad with as a student and now serves on the board for, Youth for Understanding, at yfu.org . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, August 05, 2020
Bonus: Gen. Stanley McChrystal on Confederate Symbols
In this bonus episode of Burn the Boats, Gen. Stanley McChrystal reflects on his formerly-beloved painting of Robert E. Lee and his perspective on Confederate symbols. The Atlantic op-ed that Ken reads from in this episode is titled “ At 63, I Threw Away My Prized Portrait of Robert E. Lee ”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E20 · Wed, July 29, 2020
Pete Buttigieg: On Moving Forward
Pete Buttigieg, former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, talks about his campaign and the choice to end it, patriotism and hopes for the future of our country, and the need for America to rebuild trust. Learn more about Pete’s new PAC at wintheera.com and by watching his Twitter feed at @PeteButtigieg . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E19 · Wed, July 15, 2020
Max Rose and Ali Soufan: Fighting White Supremacist Terrorism
US Representative Max Rose and counterterrorism expert Ali Soufan talk about the work they’re doing to address the threat of transnational violent white supremacist groups in the United States and across the world. Max is a Congressman representing New York’s 11th district, which includes all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn. Find him on Twitter at @RepMaxRose . A former FBI agent, Ali is now the Chairman and CEO of The Soufan Group , a global intelligence and security consultancy. Find Ali on Twitter at @Ali_H_Soufan . In this episode, Ken references an op-ed co-authored by Max and Ali this February. Read “ We Once Fought Jihadists. Now We Battle White Supremacists .” on the New York Times website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E18 · Wed, July 01, 2020
Sarah Longwell: How to Save the GOP
Sarah Longwell, publisher of the Bulwark and co-founder of Republicans for the Rule of Law , talks about being a staunchly “Never Trump” Republican and about what the future of her party looks like. Sarah is the publisher of the Bulwark, co-founder of Republicans for the Rule of Law, past board chair of the Log Cabin Republicans, and CEO of DC-based communications firm Longwell Partners . You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @SarahLongwell25 . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, June 24, 2020
Pride Month: Gina Ortiz Jones
This rerun in honor of Pride month features a conversation with Gina Ortiz Jones, Democratic candidate for Congress in Texas’s 23rd district, about the challenges of being a gay service member under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, as well as her difficult race to represent her district. Gina Ortiz Jones is an Air Force veteran, intelligence officer, and candidate for US Representative in Texas’s 23rd congressional district. Learn more on Gina's website and find her on Twitter at @GinaOrtizJones and on Facebook . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E17 · Wed, June 17, 2020
Fred Guttenberg: Father of Two
Fred Guttenberg, gun safety advocate whose daughter Jaime was killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, talks about how the loss of his daughter drives him, what changes must be made to ensure safer gun laws, and what draws Americans to firearms in the first place. Fred’s organization is called Orange Ribbons for Jaime and you can find them on Twitter at @Ribbons4Jaime . You can find Fred himself on Twitter at @fred_guttenberg . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E16 · Wed, June 03, 2020
Mansoor Shams: Muslim Marine
Mansoor Shams, founder of MuslimMarine.org , talks about both his good and bad experiences as a Muslim in the US Marine Corps, about patriotism in today’s America, and about making his life’s mission opening the minds of others. Mansoor is a veteran, speaker, leader, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. You can learn more about his work at MuslimMarine.org and follow him on Twitter at @MansoorTShams . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E15 · Wed, May 20, 2020
Soledad O’Brien: Journalism’s ‘Tough Love’ Critic
Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien talks about the current news landscape, what success means in journalism, and her flexibility and optimism in seizing new opportunities. Soledad is the CEO of Starfish Media Group and host of Matter of Fact, airing Sundays on the Hearst network. You can learn more about her work at soledadobrienproductions.com and follow her on Twitter at @SoledadOBrien . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E14 · Wed, May 06, 2020
Amy McGrath: From the Marine Corps to the Campaign Trail
Amy McGrath, candidate for the US Senate seat in Kentucky, talks about the state of the Senate under her opponent Mitch McConnell, about her experiences campaigning in such a high-profile race, and about how her days as a fighter pilot informed her approach to leadership and patriotism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E13 · Wed, April 22, 2020
Joe Sanberg: Seeking Financial Security for All
Joe Sanberg, progressive entrepreneur and investor in Los Angeles, talks about his work to end poverty, his personal connection to the cause, and about the role of both politics and faith in how Americans think about economics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E12 · Wed, April 08, 2020
Patrick Murphy: Constitutional Crisis and the US Military
The Honorable Patrick Murphy talks about the role of the military in American democracy, about his leadership in getting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repealed, and about the challenge that servicemembers face when their oaths to the Constitution conflict with orders from the president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E11 · Wed, March 25, 2020
Ryan Manion: Harnessing Grief to Do Good
Ryan Manion, president of the Travis Manion Foundation, talks about losing her brother to war, about her own PTSD diagnosis, and about harnessing her brother’s memory to do good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E10 · Wed, March 11, 2020
Voting Rights Special with Demos and the ACLU
Naila Awan from Demos and Ben Guess from the ACLU of Ohio talk about the importance of full voting rights for all and the work they are each doing to achieve that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E9 · Wed, February 26, 2020
Shannon Watts and Casey Weinstein: The Dangers of Fighting for Gun Safety
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, and Casey Weinstein, state representative for Ohio’s District 37, talk about gun safety and the intimidation they have received for standing up for what they believe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E8 · Wed, February 12, 2020
Paul Rieckhoff: The Power of Righteous Anger
Paul Rieckhoff, host of the Angry Americans podcast, talks about being an independent in today’s political climate, about the role of veterans in our country, and about anger as a political force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E7 · Wed, January 29, 2020
Bill Kristol: The Crisis within the Republican Party
Bill Kristol, founder of The Weekly Standard and chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle under George H. W. Bush, talks about the current state of the Republican party, how it got there, and his bipartisan push for political decency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E6 · Wed, January 15, 2020
Mary Beth Bruggeman: Inclusion, Leadership, and Service
Mary Beth Bruggeman, the president of The Mission Continues, talks about her experiences as a woman in the Marine Corps, about the responsibility of teaching military leadership in wartime, and about the work TMC does to harness the energy and skills of veterans to work on social issues in their communities. Learn more about The Mission Continues on their website, https://missioncontinues.org/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Wed, January 01, 2020
Bonus: Adam Frankel on Writing for Obama
In this bonus episode, Ken continues his conversation with Adam Frankel, talking about what it was like to write speeches for President Obama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E5 · Wed, December 18, 2019
Adam Frankel: Healing Family Trauma through Honesty
Adam Frankel, former speechwriter for President Obama and author of a new memoir, The Survivors, talks about generational trauma - from his grandparents’ experiences in the Holocaust to his mother’s struggles with mental illness and a revelation about Adam’s own identity - and the importance of honesty in his family’s healing process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus · Thu, December 12, 2019
Bonus: The Rights of American Samoans
In this bonus episode of Burn the Boats, Staff Sergeant Jeniffer Afualo-Robinson talks about losing her security clearance and, with it, a pathway to career advancement, just because she was born in American Samoa. Find Equally American at www.equalrightsnow.org to keep up with their fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E4 · Wed, December 11, 2019
Joe Sestak: Individual Rights and the Common Good
Joe Sestak, retired 3-star Admiral in the US Navy and former candidate for president, talks about the similarities between the Navy and the campaign trail, about his daughter’s illness inspiring him to run for office, and about a pilot under his command who chose to defy his orders. This episode is sponsored by Storied Hats: high-quality baseball hats from sustainable materials, crafted in ethical facilities – and always without a logo. Listeners get free shipping and 15% off with the code BOATS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E3 · Wed, December 04, 2019
Gina Ortiz Jones: Overcoming Barriers to Serve Her Country
Gina Ortiz Jones, veteran and Congressional candidate in Texas’s 23rd district, talks about the decision her mother made to immigrate to the US, the challenges of being an LGBT service member under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and her race to represent her district. Participate in Episode 4 with former Admiral Joe Sestak by leaving a voicemail at 216-245-5461 or sending a voice memo to burntheboats@evergreenpodcasts.com. Tell us about a person in your life who inspires you with their strength and resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E2 · Wed, November 27, 2019
Mikie Sherrill: Challenging Authority and Reaching Across the Aisle
Mikie Sherrill, Representative for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, discusses the challenges of pushing back against leadership and reaching across the aisle to do what is best for her district and the country. Follow Mikie on Twitter at @RepSherrill. Participate in Episode 3 of Burn the Boats with Gina Ortiz Jones by leaving a voicemail at 216-245-5461 or sending a voice memo to burntheboats@evergreenpodcasts.com. Tell us about a time when two parts of your identity seemed to be in conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wed, November 20, 2019
Michael Gerson: Faith, Friendship, and Empathy in Today’s Political Climate
Michael Gerson was a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush and is now a powerful voice of dissent in the Republican establishment. Michael talks to Ken about what led him down this path of dissent, about the role of faith in motivating his decision to speak out, and about where he thinks our country is headed. Michael is a syndicated op-ed columnist for the Washington Post and host of “In Principle” on PBS. He is the author of “ Heroic Conservatism ” and co-author of “ City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era ” and you can find him on Twitter at @MJGerson . Join in the discussion! Participate in Episode 2 of Burn the Boats by leaving a voicemail at 216-245-5461 or sending a voice memo to burntheboats@evergreenpodcasts.com . Tell us your first name (or anonymous, if you prefer) and, in about 30-60 seconds, tell us about a time when you made a tough decision to stand up against leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trailer · Tue, October 29, 2019
Coming Soon!
Burn the Boats is a podcast about big decisions, those we face when failure is not an option. Decisions like Alexander the Great made when he landed his troops on the shores of Persia and ordered his men to burn their boats. Listen as Ken Harbaugh interviews political leaders, influencers, and other history makers about the tough choices they've made, starting with columnist Michael Gerson on November 20. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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