Katherine Stewart, a renowned journalist and author focused on extremist movements in the U.S., discusses her new book exploring Christian nationalism and anti-democratic sentiment. She reveals how the 'Good News Club' sparked her investigations and categorizes key players in these movements. The conversation uncovers the role of funders, thinkers, and foot soldiers in threatening democracy, the impact of disinformation campaigns, and the importance of participating in local politics to combat these challenges. Stewart emphasizes actionable steps for individual engagement in safeguarding democratic values.

Dina Khapaeva, a Russian culture expert at Georgia Tech with a family history shaped by Stalinist terror, dives into the ideologies influencing Russia's contemporary political landscape. She discusses Mikhail Yuriev's book, highlighting far-right narratives and their impact on Putin's ambitions. The conversation reveals the unsettling implications of historical legacies and the Kremlin's expansionist strategies, urging Western policymakers to recognize and respond to these threats effectively. Khapaeva emphasizes the urgency of addressing Russia's militarization and authoritarian trends.

In this insightful conversation, Lucy Ash, a renowned British journalist and author of "The Baton and the Cross," discusses the intricate connection between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state. She delves into the Church's historical evolution, from its roots in medieval Russia through the challenges of the Bolshevik Revolution and Stalinist era. Ash highlights how current politics, under Putin, exploit religious authority to bolster nationalism, shape attitudes towards women's rights, and influence LGBTQ+ issues, all while reflecting on Putin's complex relationship with faith.

In this intriguing discussion, Google's NotebookLM, an AI language model, dives deep into the lesser-known "Project Russia," a series of books outlining a strategic vision for undermining Western democracies. They tackle various themes, exploring Russia's critique of Western moral decay, the call for a modern monarchy for moral guidance, and the push for traditional values through the Orthodox Church. The conversation raises urgent questions about the implications of these ideologies on global power dynamics and highlights the need for democracies to proactively counter these emerging threats.

Marietje Schaake, a former member of the European Parliament and current International Director of Policy at Stanford Cyber Policy Center, discusses the alarming impact of Big Tech on democracy. She argues that private tech companies are usurping power from democratic institutions. Highlighting concerns about cryptocurrency's destabilizing effects and rising authoritarianism, Schaake emphasizes the need for a 'public stack' to ensure community governance. Her insights provide a roadmap for safeguarding democracy in the digital age.

In this captivating discussion, Peter Pomerantsev, a disinformation expert and author, delves into his latest work on information warfare. He shares insights from his research on Sefton Delmer, a journalist who crafted unique methods to combat Nazi propaganda. The conversation spans Pomerantsev's experiences in Russia's media landscape, the psychology behind propaganda, and the use of emotional manipulation in wartime communications. He emphasizes the importance of fostering community and independent thought to resist oppressive narratives, drawing parallels to today's challenges.

The term "October Surprise" has come to mean any kind of shock that might upend a November election. But the original October Surprise was in 1980, when Ronald Reagan's campaign operatives conspired with the fundamentalist Iranian regime to keep 52 American hostages in Tehran until after the presidential election of 1980 — all but ensuring a loss for incumbent candidate Jimmy Carter. This is the account provided by author Craig Unger, who has been following the "October Surprise" story since 1991, and during that time has been able accumulate evidence to confirm that yes, the October Surprise really happened. This almost unbelievable story is documented in his new book, "Den of Spies: Reagan, Carter, and the Secret History of the Treason That Stole the White House, " recently published by Harper Collins. Craig joins Dave for a fascinating discussion of this complicated history, and its implications on American politics today. Purchase: Den of Spies Follow Craig Unger on X

No joke: Peter Thiel envisioned PayPal as a way to challenge to the global political order. And that vision is just now coming into place in 2024. In this election cycle, cryptocurrency interests have surpassed $120 million, surpassing even big oil, in trying to capture candidates from both political parties. This episode features a recording of a Twitter (X) space recorded on September 12, 2024 exploring this set of topics. The space was coordinated by Jake Donoghue, and includes several leading crypto critics: me, David Gerard, Mark Hays, John Reed Stark, and Mark R. Smith. Follow on X: @JDonoghueAuthor, @JohnReedStark, @DavidGerard, @AmScream, @Miercoles_Hays, @davetroy Jake Donoghue Twitter Space Peter Thiel at Libertopia 2010

The secretive Catholic sect Opus Dei seems to be popping up everywhere. But what is it? Many people are familiar with it from depictions in fiction like "The Davinci Code," but the reality is both more mundane and in many ways, more sinister. Dave is joined by financial journalist Gareth Gore, who got into the story by covering the failure of Spanish bank Banco Popular. He found that the bank led to a rabbit hole — and in the center of it was Opus Dei. Part classic authoritarian mind control cult, part spiritual organization, part fraud, and part geopolitical powerhouse, Gore's new book "Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church" is a page-turning account of one of the most influential groups in the last 100 years.

Gary Marcus, an AI expert and psychologist, delves into the current state of generative AI and its limitations. He highlights the disconnect between hype and reality in AI advancements, questioning the economic sustainability of AI companies. The discussion touches on the importance of ethical AI development and risk management, as well as the potential for breakthroughs through neuromorphic AI and biomimicry. They advocate for a serious reevaluation of AI governance to mitigate societal impacts, emphasizing the need for meaningful regulatory measures.