The Home Front

Today, Host Reed Galen takes you through the second of Trygve Olson's Seven Rules for Dealing with Autocrats. It's crucial that we speak truth to power where it matters - with the people! You can read the write-up on Substack below.Rule #2Go to JoinTheUnion.us to get involved in the work of restoring democracy today.Join Sez.us today and become part of a growing community creating the social media network for sanity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Casey Michel, investigative journalist and Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation. They discuss the evolution of lobbying in Washington, the influence of kleptocracy, the bipartisan nature of foreign lobbying, and the moral implications of representing authoritarian regimes. Plus, the pervasive cynicism in American politics and the ethical dissonance in PR firms. For more from Casey Michel check out his work with the Human Rights Foundation, and pick up his latest book, Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World wherever fine books are found. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Host Reed Galen is joined by News Nation Contributor and Communications Strategist Kurt Bardella. Kurt and Reed discuss shortcomings in Democratic messaging and action in reaction to Donald Trump's early actions, why doing the right thing is not always the easy thing but worth it, and why Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Half Time Show (watched by 132 million people) made MAGA kick and scream,.Find Kurt at News NationAnd on his YouTube show, Kurt's CountryJoin Reed on Substack at The Home Front Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Host Reed Galen begins a seven-part series: Olson's Rules for Dealing with Autocrats. Based on longtime colleague Trygve Olson's experiences overseas, Reed begins with Rule #1 - Play the Game You're In, Not the One You're Used To. Reed takes you through what this means, some real-world examples, and some advice on how to survive today's political fire hose.Read the corresponding Substack post here.Follow Reed at Linktree.Go to JoinTheUnion.us and get involved with the world of rebuilding, repairing, and reforming American politics.Go to Sez.Us and join the INDEPENDENT social media network that let's you decide who you see and what you read.To learn more about Trygve Olson, go to his Bluesky page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen and Abigail Tracy get tossed around in the bouncy house of American politics. They discuss the first two-plus weeks of the Trump administration, what it means for USAID to disappear, why when these types of regimes move fast and break things, it takes years to recover, and...many, many World War 2 references.Go to JoinTheUnion.us and sign up to get involved with the important work of building what comes next! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Jonathan “Buck” Buchwalter, a veteran of the US Marine Corps Reserve, and Social Studies teacher in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with a focus on History and Philosophy. He’s also developed quite the following as a TikTok creator under the handle @JonsterTruck where he regularly posts history & philosophy videos. Reed and Buck discuss the nature of propaganda through the lens of Nazi Germany and how the “big lie” is a dangerous tool of manipulation, the psychological underpinnings of totalitarian/fascist regimes, the societal impact of social isolation, and the crisis that is modern masculinity and the unattainable standards it imposes on men. Plus, the power of the Tik Tok algorithm and the need for policy change regarding online content. For more from Jonathan Buchwalter, subscribe to his YouTube and TikTok channels, join his Patreon, and pick up his sci-fi trilogy, “The Night Sky Trilogy”. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Brendan Ballou, a federal prosecutor who’s served as Special Counsel for Private Equity in the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. They discuss the latest regarding the recent FBI/DOJ firings, the implications of the January 6th pardons, and concerns about the rise of vigilantism and political violence. Plus, the national security risks of individuals like Elon Musk, the need for a proactive approach to democracy, and the importance of maintaining institutional integrity. For more from Brendan Ballou, check out his recent guest essay in the New York Times that was discussed in this episode and pick up his latest book, PLUNDER: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen comes to you solo to discuss why we shouldn't scream into the void, why (after all this time) we shouldn't be surprised by Trump, and why the Democrats' problems are far more than just logistics.Read Reed's latest up now at Substack: https://reedgalen.substack.com/Go to Sez.us and join the social media network where YOU decide who you see and hear from. Now in the iOS App Store! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, host Reed Galen is joined by journalist Abigail Tracy. They discuss Donald Trump's first week in office, why Democrats need to win races anywhere and everywhere they can, a reminder that Jesse Ventura was our first reality-tv politician, and why some people have no business being elected to represent other human beings.Go to Sez.us and join the social media network for sanity. Now in the iOS and Google Play Stores.Go to JoinTheUnion.us and get involved in the work of rebuilding American democracy.Follow Reed on Linktree.Follow Abby on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Matt Bennett, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way, a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas. They discuss the early days of the new Trump administration and its already blatant authoritarian tendencies, how Democrats can overcome their current state of disarray and reunite their party, and the implications of AI on the workforce and how it could influence our nation’s future political landscape. For more from Matt Bennett check out ThirdWay.org. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices