
Deconstructed
The Intercept is proud to support and share episodes of Deconstructed and Intercepted from our colleagues at Drop Site News, as well as other partner content, that highlights important political stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jan 22, 2024 • 21min
BONUS: Narco Gangs Launch Rebellion In Ecuador
Today we're sharing an episode from Counter Points, where Ryan Grim speaks to Guillaume Long, who served as Ecuador's foreign minister under former President Rafael Correa. They discuss the narco gangs rebellion in Ecuador, and how Trump-and-then-Biden-driven austerity in the country has hollowed out the state and let narcos fill the vacuum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 snips
Jan 19, 2024 • 55min
The Jewish Community Rupture Over Israel–Palestine
This week on Deconstructed, Ryan Grim speaks to the filmmakers behind “Israelism,” a new documentary that takes a narrative look at the unique relationship between the American Jewish community and an idealized version of the state of Israel. Grim is joined by “Israelism” co-directors Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen. Axelman and Eilertsen are two first-time Jewish filmmakers who share a similar story to the film’s protagonists, Simone Zimmerman and Eitan. Zimmerman, co-founder of the progressive Jewish organization IfNotNow, also joins the conversation. To watch the film, visit Israelismfilm.com; you can also find upcoming screenings on their website.If you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/give, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 12, 2024 • 39min
No Safe Place in Gaza
Humanitarian aid into Gaza faces "near insurmountable challenges,” World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday at a news conference in Geneva. Amed Khan, a humanitarian relief activist who has helped deliver aid in war zones around the world, said the refugee situation in Gaza is unlike any other: "There is no safe place to go.” Khan joins Ryan Grim on Deconstructed this week to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and why President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel in the war motivated him to quit the Biden Victory Fund National Finance Committee.If you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/give, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 2023 • 29min
“Lever Time” Presents: Artificial Intelligence Is Denying Americans Health Care
Healthcare journalist Bob Herman joins Lever Time to discuss how UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurer in the US, uses artificial intelligence to deny rehabilitation services to older and disabled Americans. They dive into the impact of this issue, challenges faced by patients, the use of AI in denying health insurance claims, overcharging and abuse in Medicare Advantage plans, and the influence of the insurance industry on the healthcare system.

Dec 15, 2023 • 37min
“The Squad,” Part 3: The Last Gaza War
This podcast explores the last Gaza war and the impact it had on the Democratic Party's stance towards Israel. It examines the debates in Washington surrounding the U.S. government's support for Israel, the pressure faced by critics of Israel's attacks, and the organized reaction from Israel supporters. It also touches on the evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, media coverage in the United States, and the controversy surrounding U.S. military aid to Israel.

Dec 8, 2023 • 39min
“The Squad,” Part 2: From Obama to Bernie, a Crisis and a Crossroads
Explore the impact of the 2008 financial crisis and Obama's presidency. Learn about the rise of the Squad, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Black Lives Matter movement. Dive into the dynamics of the 2016 Democratic primary race between Sanders and Clinton.

Dec 5, 2023 • 30min
“The Squad,” Part 1: The Rise and (First) Fall of Bernie
When Bernie Sanders launched his first presidential campaign in early 2015, the political world could not have been more different than it is today. His run set in motion a movement — or, really, a series of movements that clashed and blended over the ensuing years, reshaping both the Democratic Party and the country. On today’s episode of Deconstructed, we’re trying something new: Host Ryan Grim narrates the audio version of his new book “The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution.” Macmillan Audio has allowed Deconstructed to run edited excerpts. But we’ve spliced Grim’s audiobook with interviews, speeches, and newscasts, making it into an audio documentary for the podcast. Our first episode takes you inside the first Sanders campaign, where we explore the tension between the right wing of the Democratic Party and Sanders’s “political revolution.” Part 2, coming out later this week, will look back at the historical forces that pushed members of the Squad into politics — and the spotlight. And Part 3, coming out next week, jumps further into the book, exploring the big-money pushback against the new insurgent energy.You can find Grim's book here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250869074/thesquadIf you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/give, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 1, 2023 • 58min
Krystal Ball and Ryan Grim On The Squad
Krystal Ball, former MSNBC host, interviews Ryan Grim, author of 'The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution.' They discuss the Squad's relationship to Democratic leadership, criticism of their stance against party bosses, and the pro-Israel super PACS' efforts to oust them. The podcast highlights the challenges faced by progressive politicians, the influence of money in politics, and the impact of the Squad on the progressive movement.

Nov 19, 2023 • 38min
Who Was Napoleon’s Wife, Joséphine Bonaparte?
This week, theaters around the country will begin to screen “Napoleon,” a historical drama film based on the story of Napoleon Bonaparte. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role, chronicles Bonaparte’s rise to power and his relationship with Joséphine Bonaparte, his first wife, played by Vanessa Kirby. This week on Deconstructed, author Sandra Gulland joins Ryan Grim to talk about Joséphine Bonaparte and her life during major moments of French history. Gulland has written a series of historical novels based on the life of Joséphine Bonaparte, chronicling her life and rise to become empress. Gulland discusses Joséphine Bonaparte’s time in prison, her positioning within the French Revolution, and her relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte.If you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/give, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 10, 2023 • 25min
Shawn Fain on How the UAW Whipped the Big Three
UAW President Shawn Fain discusses the recent win, corruption in unions, labor reform movement, and the impact of President Biden's visit. They explore the union reform movement, preparing for challenges, and bargaining with the Big Three automakers. The UAW president reflects on frustrations and the need for change within the union.