Deep Dive with Shawn

Today marks the beginning of a new Deep Dive adventure - a miniseries! In pursuit of understanding conservative voters, especially nationalists - nationally and globally - over the next three episodes, I am talking to three researchers who have dove deep into this world, each contributing something unique and fascinating to the literature.In this first episode in the series, I'm talking to Dr. Arlie Hochschild, sociologist and professor at the University of California-Berkeley, about her book Strangers in Their Own Land. The book, published in 2016, chronicles her immersion in what would become Trump Country - deep red, rural Louisiana to understand what motivates their politics, their policy preferences, and their social outlook.  We talk about White, blue-collar people in the United States and how their deep story has morphed from one of loss, to one of having been stolen from; how Donald Trump harnessed and exploited that energy and gave it a focus and a target – immigrants, black folks, women, queer folks, the administrative state, and liberals; and how that culminated in an attack on the seat of democracy, the United States Capitol, on January 6th, 2021. Mentioned: Dignity in a Digital Age - Ro KhannaThe Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing us Apart - Bill Bishop (with Robert G. Cushing)Recommended:Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right - Arlie Hochschild-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In this episode I'm talking to Dr. Nicholas Davis - Assistant Professor and the principal investigator of the Democracy and Open Science Lab at the University of Alabama. He co-wrote the book Democracy's Meanings: How the Public Understands Democracy and Why it Matters, which informs our discussion today about how we define democracy, how those definitions differ, and how those differences inform our expectation for government and our social contract. We also discuss the future of American democracy and if we have passed the rubicon. Mentioned: Obi Wan KenobiUnworthy Republic – Claudio SauntThe New Trail of Tears - Naomi Schaefer RileyOur Savage Neighbor: How Indian War Transformed Early America – Peter SilverRed Gentlemen and White Savages: Indians, Federalists, and the Search for Order on the American Frontier – David Andrew NicholsSacred Violence in Early America – Susan JusterRecommended:Democracy's Meanings: How the Public Understands Democracy and Why it Matters - Nicholas T. Davis, Keith Gaddie, and Kirby Goidel-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**This episode was recorded before the Supreme Court's final week of the 2022 term in which they overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs opinion, hobbled the ability of states to regulate guns in Bruen and severely limited the EPA's ability to tackle climate change in WV v. EPA** Apologies for some audio issues on my side. In this episode I'm talking to Dr. Paul Brewer - professor at the University of Delaware and author of the book Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights. Dr. Brewer teaches in both the Departments of Communications and Political Science and his research examines public opinion, including how elites influence public opinion of LGBT folks, and how and why that opinion evolves. We talk about the history of queer rights and related public opinion, what we’re seeing in public opinion on these issues now, and a bit about what the Republican Party hope to gain with this anti-gay platform, and if we can predict with any degree of accuracy how successful they might be. Mentioned: The Locked Tomb Series - Tamsyn Muir Recommended:Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights - Paul R. Brewer-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

 **This episode was recorded before the Supreme Court's final week of the 2022 term in which they overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs opinion, hobbled the ability of states to regulate guns in Bruen and severely limited the EPA's ability to tackle climate change in WV v. EPA** In this episode I talk to Dr. Peter La Chapelle, professor of political and social history at Nevada State College, and author of I'd Fight the World: A Political History of Old-Time, Hillbilly, and Country Music and Proud to be an Okie: Cultural Politics, Country Music, and Migration to Southern California, about the evolution of country music and how/why it went from music that championed the working class and the poor to a home for conservatives. We discuss some classic imagery from the early 20th century that created a lasting, and incorrect, image of American poverty and the working class, and talk about how that influenced the evolution of country music. We talk about the underrepresentation of women and folks of color, particulary Black folks, in country music and where liberal voices still live in that sphere. And, we discuss some of our favorite artists and whether I could be a country music performer. Mentioned: Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be - Marissa R. Moss Recommended: I'd Fight the World: A Political History of Old-Time, Hillbilly, and Country Music - Peter La ChapelleProud to be an Okie: Cultural Politics, Country Music, and Migration to Southern California - Peter La Chapelle -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**This episode was recorded before the Supreme Court's final week of the 2022 term in which they overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs opinion, hobbled the ability of states to regulate guns in Bruen and severely limited the EPA's ability to tackle climate change in WV v. EPA**In this episode, I talk to Dr. David Faris, the author of the book It's Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics, associate professor of political science at Roosevelt University, and contributing writer at The Week. We discuss the state of American democracy, how Democrats are disadvantaged in elections, some solutions that they could employ, why they don't, if it's too late to reverse course, and, ultimately, what this means for the country and how dire the next few years may become. Mentioned: Roe v. WadeMarbury v. MadisonCitizens United v. FECIt's Even Worse than it Looks -  Thomas E. Mann & Norman J. Ornstein Strangers in their Own Land - Arlie Hochschild Recommended:It's Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics - David Faris-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**Note - I apologize for some audio quality issues at certain spots in this recording. But, it's surviveable!**Welcome to a bonus episode of Deep Dive! Dr. Sara Benesh (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) returns to do a post-mortem on constitutional law following the end of the Supreme Court's 2021 term. We discuss the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the limiting of states' ability to regulate guns and the administration's ability to combat climate change. We talk about the new test the Court has developed to determine the constitutionality of laws and policies and what the it all means for a whole host of rights moving forward. Also, I suggest that maybe I just don't believe in the Constitution anymore. Mentioned: New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. BruenRoe v. WadeDobbs v. Jackson Women's Health OrganizationRecommended:The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret AtwoodThe Supreme Court in the American Legal System - Jeffrey Segal, Harold Spaeth, and Sara Benesh-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**This episode was recorded prior to 1) the Texas Republican Party releasing its policy platform embracing homosexuality as an "abnormal lifestyle choice," 2) the terror attack in Norway targeting queer folks, and 3) the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade."Pride Month Week at Deep Dive continues (and concludes). Today, I'm talking to my buddy Mardi Moore, the Executive Director of Out Boulder County in Boulder, Colorado. We talk about the work of Out Boulder County, the state of queer rights in the country today, and the impact that Republican policies are having on youth and families with their anti-queer legislation and violent rhetoric. We also talk about how we can each make a difference for the better. If you or anyone you know is being abused, bullied, or otherwise needs support related to queer identity, please contact the LGBT National Help Center and/or find more information at the Victim Connect Resource Center.  Mentioned: Out Boulder CountySouthern Fried True Crime Podcast Teacher's Pet PodcastRecommended:Support the work of Out Boulder County -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Welcome to Pride Month Week here at Deep Dive with Shawn C. Fettig! In recognition, you're getting two queer-themed espidoes this week.Today, I'm talking to my buddy Duncan Tucker, the writer and director of the 2005 film Transamerica - the story of a trans woman who, on the cusp of vaginoplasty surgery, finds out that she has a son from a previous relationship, and the journey they take together. This independent film, with Felicity Huffman in her first starring movie role, and including an original song by Dolly Parton, went on to win an incredible amount of awards and was nominated for two Oscars. Duncan Tucker - a first-time writer and director - hasn't made another film since. Our conversation includes many things, including the making and financing of Transamerica, working with people like Dolly Parton, Felicity Huffman, and Harvey Weinstein (Cher and Bette Milder show up too), raising chidlren, and if he has another film in him.  Mentioned: Dr. WhoPolitical Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy - Francis FukuyamaGeorgette Heyer  Recommended:Transamerica - Duncan Tucker (writer/director)-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Today's episode concludes my two-part focus on the rise of political violence and right-wing extremism in America. I'm talking to Jason Van Tatenhove, a former employee of the Oath Keepers, an organization that was present and active in the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Jason and I talk about his history with the Oath Keepers, the organization's objectives, his interview with the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and why he believes these organizations will remain a powerful, violent force in America. We also discuss Stewart Rhodes - the founder of the Oath Keepers - who was arrested and is currently awaiting trial on charges of seditious conspiracy related to his role in the January 6th insurrection, and how he has exploited his membership in the same way that Donald Trump has exploited his supporters. **Note: This interview was conducted prior to the public hearings of the House Select Committee to investigate the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol.**Mentioned: Hunter S. ThompsonRecommended:Homegrown: Standoff to RebellionThe Colorado Switchblade-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Rather than an episode, this is a memorial. Clela Rorex who, in 1975, became the first County Clerk in the country to knowingly issue same-sex marriage licenses, has died. I have been working on a couple of projects with her, including a special episode of this podcast that was scheduled to release later in the season. This is a tremendous loss for the queer community, and her life will stand as a testament to both 1) good governance, and 2) strength in the face of adversity. You can learn more at Out Boulder County and you can donate by following this link. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock