The Fifth Column

Dan Abrams, media entrepreneur and legal analyst, shares insights from his extensive career, including his roles at Mediaite and ABC News. He discusses the enduring value of legacy media amid today's niche online ecosystems. Delving into corruption and political prosecutions, he critiques how politicization shapes public trust. Abrams also reflects on the appeal of gossip and conspiracism in the media landscape, weighing it against the importance of nuanced coverage in policing and other hot-button issues.

Kevin O'Leary, the sharp-tongued entrepreneur known from Shark Tank, joins the conversation to discuss a wide range of captivating topics. He dives into the economics of hockey and why athletes earn big bucks, critiques Trudeau's policies for hindering Canadian investment, and analyzes Pierre Poilievre's campaign missteps. O'Leary also warns about the dangers of restricting tech sales to China and emphasizes the importance of bipartisan support for small businesses. With humor and candor, he navigates the intersection of politics and economics.

Join three witty hosts as they dive into heliocentric anime recommendations and the questionable quality of a 50 Cent documentary. They hilariously critique an AI George Washington, explore the nuanced history of the Revolutionary War, and unpack the political fallout from migrant relocation. From discussing the costs of housing migrants to wild tales of LSD margaritas and Tara Reid, the conversation is both entertaining and thought-provoking. And don't miss their takes on the Pentagon press corps shakeup and contemporary national security strategies!

Brace Belden, co-host of the TrueAnon podcast and a leftist activist, dives into eclectic themes with the hosts. They explore drug anecdotes and discuss racial politics surrounding the Minnesota Somali fraud case. Brace shares his personal experience fighting with Kurdish units, while the group reflects on the influence of figures like Curtis Yarvin and the DSA's internal struggles. They also touch on the complexities of immigration and foreign policy, adding a layer of depth to contemporary leftist discourse.

Join bestselling author and documentary filmmaker Sebastian Junger as he shares insights from his harrowing near-death experience. He discusses how his aortic rupture prompted reflections on mortality, fatherhood, and the risks of life. Junger contrasts the urgency of war with domestic life, explores the emotional aftermath of trauma, and delves into fascinating concepts like quantum consciousness and the patterns in near-death experiences. With his trademark depth, he underscores the importance of community and honest storytelling.

Andy Mills, a podcast journalist known for his investigative work on AI, dives deep into the complexities of artificial general intelligence. He discusses the concept of AGI as a new species and its potential to reshape humanity. The conversation explores various perspectives on AI, including the looming 'hinge moment' predicted for 2025. Mills emphasizes the risks of runaway intelligence and economic dependence on AI, while reflecting on how creators like Elon Musk have called for regulations amid a rush to develop. This crucial dialogue is both alarming and thought-provoking.

The hosts bring laughter and candid humor to a live audience, joking about parenting and pill mix-ups. They perform a provocative poem that sparks lively discussion. Insightful recaps reveal chaotic moments from recent live appearances, including interactions with Megyn Kelly. The investigation into Epstein's emails unveils intriguing journalism efforts. Tensions rise over housing policies during a recap of an LA mayor interview. Finally, they dissect Trump's political maneuvers, revealing the ever-changing landscape of current events.

Kmele shares a harrowing tale of evacuating his vinyl and 2,000 band t-shirts to fireproof storage during California fires. The discussion dives into original tour shirts and the challenges of bootlegs in music collecting. Guest Jason Leopold sheds light on his FOIA investigations, revealing layers of transparency within agencies like the CIA and DHS. They also unravel emails linked to Jeffrey Epstein, exploring their implications during his controversial 2008 plea deal. It's a whirlwind of nostalgia and hard-hitting journalism!

• Not safe at home, mayoral edition• “The guns were decades old”• The Trump/Mamdani bromance• The administration’s historic post-fire response• “You’re walking down the street, you happen to look Latino, or somebody hears you speak Spanish. A car rushes up in front of you. Masked men jump out with rifles and throw you in the car”• What does “sanctuary city” actually mean?• Like, no really, what does it mean?• “You know, that’s a good question”• “There’s a number of people who have literally disappeared”• ICE effect on restaurants: Worse than COVID* Trump effect on border: Closed• “The Future of the Democratic Party Is Local”• You lost me at L.A. being governed worth a damn• Fire rebuilding? “I understand that people are angry”• Me, 10 years ago: “Affordable-Housing Problem Lies, in Part, with Government”• “The insurance industry … has been devastating a lot of homeowners”• The heavily regulated insurance industry, you mean?• “The Case for Letting Malibu Burn”• Why prevent Palisades homeowners from rebuilding duplexes?• “Don’t take your lot and turn it into a five-story apartment building”• “We want to get affordable housing built in this city, but I think that if you impose it on a neighborhood, then you will have hardcore NIMBYs”• “I didn’t appreciate that, because they were getting ready to change low-income areas, wipe out the single-family homes, and turned it into massive apartments”• “I’m protecting them from the predations of private developers”• She really did almost become vice president• “I love podcasts…. Maybe I wanted to become a newscaster”• What Karen Bass learned from Angela Davis• About those eight trips to Cuba• “What fascinated me about Cuba is that they provided free health care to their population, and free education”• The LAUSD’s construction boom for non-existent students• “We could always put more money in our schools”• “Judge me by how fewer encampments you see on the street. Judge me by crime decreasing. Judge me by affordable housing units being built”Prefer to watch & chat live with other members of the Fifthdom? This episode premieres over on our YouTube channel at 10am EST.Thanks for reading The Fifth Column (A Podcast)! This post is public so feel free to share it.Follow The Fifth ColumnYouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Lydia Moynihan, a New York Post reporter, dives into the world of journalism, sharing her insights on media dynamics and the challenges of covering powerful figures. They discuss the obsession with Jeffrey Epstein and the complexities of reporting ethical dilemmas among friends. Lydia also highlights the precariousness of economic literacy in public discourse and critiques the sensationalism in politics. Light moments include her humorous take on her family name and a quirky business idea involving sausages.