Bonus Sample: Swamp Creatures 3: The Pirate Palace
Oct 9, 2023
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Julian, an author and storyteller, contextualizes the Trump era and the corrupt deep state. This episode explores an abandoned presidential estate turned museum of corruption, and the rise and fall of Ukraine's former president and the events that defined his time in office.
The podcast discusses the history of Donald Trump's inner circle and how it has been influenced by corrupt and anti-democratic individuals.
The podcast highlights the abandoned presidential estate of former Ukraine President Victor Janakovich as a symbol of corruption and political unrest in Ukraine.
Deep dives
Former Ukraine President's Corrupt Palace Turned Tourist Attraction
The abandoned presidential estate of former Ukraine President Victor Janakovich has become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors explore the vast property, which includes a museum of corruption showcasing rare bird estuaries, golf courses, the former president's collection of Soviet cars, opulent rooms with chandeliers and marble floors, and even a pirate ship replica turned restaurant.
The Story of Corruption, Protests, and Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Victor Janakovich's presidency in Ukraine was marked by corruption, electoral fraud, and protests. The Orange Revolution, a peaceful civil action demanding democracy, overturned Janakovich's initial rigged election. However, Janakovich eventually came into power in a free and fair election. His decision to prioritize ties with Russia over the EU led to the 2014 Euro-Maidan protests, resulting in a crackdown and his eventual removal from office. These events also signaled Russia's increasing aggression, with the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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Exploring an Abandoned Presidential Estate Turned Museum of Corruption
Our main character this week is the six-degrees of authoritarians—more like one or two degrees, in fact. He’s made millions playing footsie with most of the blood-thirsty kleptocrats of the last half-century. He embodies the corrupt and anti-democratic deep state history of Donald Trump’s inner circle, reaching back through the decades and across the globe.
Julian’s colorful storytelling series seeks to contextualize the Trump era and where we find ourselves now, based on the swamp creatures who worked for, enabled, and to some extent groomed him for the role.