Bad Faith

Esha Krishnaswamy, an insightful attorney and writer, joins for a compelling discussion on the U.S. government's covert cultural influence. She delves into how art and music have been used as tools for political maneuvering, especially post-WWII. The conversation touches on the pressures artists face when dissenting against narratives and the impact of government financing on creative freedom. Krishnaswamy also critiques the challenges for grassroots movements and emphasizes the necessity for organized actions to drive meaningful societal change.

Catherine Liu, an insightful author and critical thinker, discusses her groundbreaking case against the Professional Managerial Class (PMC), revealing it as a significant barrier to working-class progress. She tackles the pressing issues in education reform, emphasizing the need for democratization and accessibility. Liu also examines the precarious future of higher education amidst economic turmoil, questioning the true value of education as it faces rising costs and institutional cracks. It's a compelling conversation about class dynamics and societal change.

Fadhel Kaboub, an associate professor of economics and president of the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity, shares insights on Africa's vital role in addressing the climate crisis. He critiques U.S. climate policies, contrasting them with China's approach. The conversation dives into the need for decolonizing energy and advocating for global solidarity movements to foster sustainable development. Kaboub emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing and rethinking economic narratives around degrowth and climate finance, aiming for a more equitable future.

Independent UK journalist Richard Medhurst, a fearless advocate for Palestine who faced arrest under UK terror laws, shares his reflections on the grim anniversary of October 7th. Medhurst discusses the historical context of U.S.-Iran relations and the complexities of American diplomacy. He delves into the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, examining geopolitical dynamics and the role of regional powers. His insights include predictions for the future of the conflict and a poignant critique of current international attitudes.

Dr. Butch Ware, a UC Santa Barbara professor and the 2024 Green Party Vice Presidential nominee, dives into his political experiences and activism. He shares insights from his viral interview on the Breakfast Club and discusses the challenges facing the Green Party in today’s political landscape. The conversation also addresses the representation of the Israel-Palestine conflict in media and the need for authentic connections in political discourse. Ware highlights the potential of third-party movements to reshape voter engagement and unite diverse communities for change.

Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly, a Wayne University scholar renowned for her political insights, shares her take on Kamala Harris's endorsements from the radical Black left. She discusses the implications of Jill Stein and Butch Ware's viral appearance on The Breakfast Club, along with Ta-Nehisi Coates’ anti-Zionist narrative in New York Magazine. In a lively debate, Dr. CBS and Brie tackle the left's strategy after the Squad's failing 'inside approach,' emphasizing the need for accountability in electoral politics and its role in fostering mass movements.

Subscribe to Bad Faith on Patreon to instantly unlock our full premium episode library: http://patreon.com/badfaithpodcast Stephen Semler, Co-Founder of the Security Policy Reform Institute (SPRI), a think tank that develops policies for the working class, returns to Bad Faith to talk about the latest bombshell from ProPublica, which revealed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken lied to Congress about Israel blocking aid to Gaza in order to avoid a disruption to the shipment of US weapons to Israel. Semler also weighs in on Israel's escalation in Lebanon, the controversy around pop artist Chappell Roan’s refusal to endorse Kamala, and Biden's latest bid on The View. Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod). Produced by Armand Aviram. Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).

Subscribe to Bad Faith on Patreon to instantly unlock this episode and our entire premium episode library: http://patreon.com/badfaithpodcast Journalist Julia Doubleday joins Bad Faith to interrogate whether inconsistencies exist between the left’s commitment to universal healthcare and our willingness to criticize Democrats on a range of public safety failures, and the indifference from some on the left to the Biden administration’s declaration that Covid is "over" — even as multiple refinfections present the threat of long Covid and massive public health problems. Have legitimate concerns about CDC misinformation and overly broad vaccine mandates made it difficult to discuss Covid health risks without being pegged as "authoritarian?" Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod). Produced by Armand Aviram. Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).

Dr. Assal Rad, an expert in Middle Eastern history, sheds light on the failures of international law and media accountability regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. They discuss the ethical dilemmas in media reporting and the U.S. government's inadequate responses to the conflict. The conversation touches on the intricate relationship between U.S. foreign policy, domestic issues, and the motivations for American support of Israel. Rad emphasizes the need for authentic political engagement and the complexities of navigating political allegiances in an increasingly polarized environment.

Kshama Sawant, a former Socialist Seattle City Councilmember and founder of Workers Strike Back, dives into the recent Harris/Trump debate, offering a crucial fact-check on the Gaza misinformation presented. She reflects on the tragic killing of her friend Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest, bringing a personal connection to political discourse. Sawant critiques the Democratic Party's centrist strategies, arguing for a more leftist approach to engage with working-class voters and highlighting the limitations of mass movements in creating real change.