
 Behind the Bastards
 Behind the Bastards It Could Happen Here Weekly 202
 Oct 4, 2025 
Guest
Maura Meltzer-Cohen (Mo)
Guest
Tyler Black
Guest
Kaveh Hoda
Guest
Vicky Osterweil
Guest
Tangent Wiggy (Tristan Hacker)
 Tangent Wiggy, an Inland Empire artist and SEIU 1000 union representative, shares insights on frontline union organizing and telework victories. Writer Vicky Osterweil dives into Disney's cultural influence and the implications of Trump's Antifa executive order on free speech. Dr. Kaveh Hoda and psychiatrist Tyler Black analyze the controversial Tylenol-autism debate, offering clarity on the studies and public health messaging. Abolitionist attorney Maura Meltzer‑Cohen discusses legal challenges posed by new national security measures. A mix of activism, media critique, and expert opinions! 
 AI Snips 
 Chapters 
 Transcript 
 Episode notes 
Help By Joining Local Union Phone Banks
- If you want to help, join union phone banks or attend local events and support organizing efforts like Prop 50 phone banking.
- Contact your local SEIU chapter to find phone banks or volunteer opportunities and bring friends to help.
Media Hegemony Masks Real Unpopularity
- Mia Wong and Vicky Osterweil emphasize a widening disconnect between elite media narratives and on-the-ground public sentiment.
- That disconnect explains why Trump's actions seem powerful in media yet remain unpopular among much of the public.
AI Boom Distorts Economic Reality
- Tech-centered GDP growth can hide broad, painful economic shifts felt by most people outside elite sectors.
- The AI-driven boom inflates national statistics while many communities experience recession-like conditions.
