The Home Front

Host Reed Galen comes to you solo to discuss uncomfortable elephants in our political living room. First, the decision by California Governor Gavin Newsom to choos Turning Point's Charlie Kirk, a MAGA stalwart, as the first guest on his new podcast. On the other side of the Democratic Party, the Online Left's sneering at those likely to be hurt by the Trump Administration's policies makes it difficult to peel those people away from MAGA.Check out new feature for 24Sight News, "This Land."Go to Sez.us and join the social media network for sanity. We have big news coming this week!JoinTheUnion today and get involved in the crucial work of bringing Americans together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lauren Groh-Wargo, the CEO of the national voting rights organization Fair Fight Action. They discuss the current state of democracy in the U.S., focusing on the ongoing voter suppression efforts and the implications of disinformation on voter participation. They also break down the role of legislation in shaping voter access, particularly the attacks on the Help America Vote Act and the dangers of the proposed SAVE Act. Plus, the coordinated efforts to undermine democratic processes and the importance of funding/resources for elections, and the need for local engagement and community organizing to advocate for voting rights. Be sure to check out the election maps of unopposed races Reed referenced in this episode. For more from Lauren Groh-Wargo and Fair Fight Action, visit FairFight.com. 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 journalist, author, podcaster, and tech expert…Kara Swisher. They explore the complexities of the tech industry and the personalities of its leaders, such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. They discuss the dynamics of power, insecurity, public image, political affiliations (especially in relation to Donald Trump), ideologies, and masculinity within tech culture. Plus, the implications of technology on surveillance, democracy, and personal liberty. For more from Kara Swisher listen to “Pivot” and “On with Kara Swisher”, and stay tuned for upcoming release of the paperback of “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story.” 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 and journalist Abigail Tracy discuss the state of the White House press corps, why so many reporters let Republicans get away with giving blind quotes, and what Jeff Bezos' actions at the Washington Post mean for a storied American institution.Join Reed on SubstackFollow Abby on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Katherine Stewart, an expert on anti-democratic groups and the Christian nationalist movement. They discuss the complexities of the Christian nationalist movement, the well-organized infrastructure of anti-democratic groups, the ideological underpinnings of power and control, and the ways in which economic dislocation has shifted political allegiances. Plus, the ongoing destruction of the administrative state, the importance of community/belonging in activism, and the crucial need for unity in pro-democracy movements. For more from Katherine Stewart, be sure to pick up her latest book, “Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy”, available 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 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