
Mike Benz
Former State Department official and executive director of the Foundation for Freedom Online who specializes in media, soft power, and influence operations; primary interview subject explaining NGOs, covert influence, and coup playbooks.
Top 10 podcasts with Mike Benz
Ranked by the Snipd community

84 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 3min
Media Manipulation, Coup Playbooks, and Economic Warfare Unveiled by Mike Benz Part 1
In this engaging discussion, Mike Benz, a former State Department official and current executive director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, dives deep into the world of media manipulation and NGOs. He reveals how these organizations often serve as covert tools for influence and statecraft. Benz highlights the evolution of soft power over military force, explains how hedge funds exploit policy for profit, and sheds light on the shadows behind color revolutions. This conversation is a radical eye-opener into who truly controls narratives and democracy.

50 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 7min
Inside The Blob: Soros, NGOs, and the Secret Engine of Foreign Policy Mike Benz Pt 2
Mike Benz, an independent researcher focused on influence operations, joins to unravel the complex world of modern censorship and information warfare. He discusses how the censorship-industrial complex formed and the impact of AI and social media on narrative control. Benz explores the role of NGOs in shaping global populist movements and how geopolitical interests drive these interventions. He advocates for radical transparency as a solution to soft power abuse, emphasizing that the ability to influence thought isn't just political—it's a battleground for power itself.

37 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 13min
Mike Benz - Exposing The EU’s Plot To Destroy Free Speech in America
In this discussion, Mike Benz, a former State Department official critical of the Censorship Industrial Complex, unpacks the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act. He highlights how these laws drive AI censorship, impacting free speech in the US and Europe. Benz reveals the role of NGOs and government coordination in stifling cross-border political movements. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's impact on moderation systems and the alarming rise of AI censorship tools that manipulate political discourse.

25 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 1h 28min
10/31/25 Mike Benz on How the Censorship Complex Works
Mike Benz, founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online and an expert on the censorship industrial complex, dives deep into how government, corporations, and NGOs collude to shape public understanding. He discusses the influence of foreign powers and the political ramifications of censorship in the U.S., particularly during the Trump era. Benz also highlights how universities serve state agendas and explores the role of organizations like Indivisible in orchestrating protests. His insights into the intertwining of funding, policy, and free speech are thought-provoking and timely.

15 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 3h 14min
#340 - Mike Benz: DARPA & USAID are Weaponizing Music to Control Human Behavior
Mike Benz, a former State Department official and current executive director of the Foundation For Freedom Online, dives into the intriguing world of music diplomacy. He reveals how agencies like USAID covertly fund music movements to influence unrest, illustrating the role of artists such as Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift as instruments of propaganda. Benz connects cultural funding, military strategies, and social media censorship, arguing that pop stars are leveraged for geopolitical purposes. The discussion raises critical questions about information integrity and the impact of celebrity influence on public perception.

9 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 2h 13min
It's All True, The 2024 Election Was Ready To Be Rigged. The REAL Story of How Trump-Elon STOPPED It, with Guests Mike Benz and Mike Davis
Join Mike Davis, a legal activist focused on accountability, and Mike Benz, an expert on disinformation and civil liberties, as they unravel how the Trump team allegedly thwarted the rigging of the 2024 election. They discuss eye-opening claims about suspicious vote tallies and the significant role of Elon Musk in advocating for election integrity. The duo highlights vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems and calls for greater transparency in government agencies to restore public trust. It's a compelling conversation tackling vital issues of democracy and accountability.

Oct 30, 2025 • 2h 22min
How the Government Hijacked the Internet - Mike Benz
In this discussion, Mike Benz, a former State Department official and founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, dives into the dark side of surveillance and censorship. He reveals how child protection tech can morph into government censorship tools. Mike explains the CIA's integration within the tech industry and outlines the risks of digital IDs that threaten personal freedoms. He sheds light on powerful private entities like Oracle and warns against the implications of centralized data control on civil liberties. It's a compelling look at the invisible forces shaping our online lives.

Sep 19, 2025 • 46min
Trump Targets MAJOR U.S. Terror Organization & Barack Obama Gets EXPOSED As COMMUNIST
In this engaging discussion, guests Charles Cornish-Dale and Mike Benz dive deep into the tactics of communism in America. Cornish-Dale, an author known for tackling street communism, critiques the coordination of street groups like Antifa and BLM by elite interests. Benz, an expert on NGO funding, unpacks the financial networks behind these movements and how online platforms facilitate their operations. Together, they explore the importance of transparency and accountability in facing these challenges.

Nov 25, 2025 • 48min
Will Russia Agree To New Ukraine Peace Deal?
In this discussion, Mike Benz, a geopolitics researcher, shares insights on the high stakes of the Ukraine conflict, contrasting Trump's pursuit of lasting peace with broader strategic aims. He delves into Europe’s influence on reconstruction and the complexities of aid funding, highlighting corruption and its implications. Will Chamberlain, an attorney, analyzes legal challenges around U.S. attorney appointments, navigating statutory interpretations and potential outcomes of judicial appeals, all while examining issues related to military justice.

Nov 25, 2025 • 21min
Best Of Buck Brief - Why Was Biden's USAID Funding Terrorists?
Mike Benz, Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, discusses alarming revelations about USAID's clandestine operations. He highlights concerns over the agency shredding classified documents, raising questions about accountability and transparency. Benz explains how USAID has allegedly funded extremist groups, while also detailing its covert influence in global politics. He connects these activities to U.S. unions and universities, suggesting a broader web of influence that warrants immediate reform and investigation.


