Posting Through It

The alarming situation in Minneapolis takes center stage as fears grow over a federal military response. The hosts analyze the tragic shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer, unpacking public reactions and rising calls to abolish ICE. They delve into the media's role in shaping narratives and highlight troubling ties between political figures and extremist support. With escalating tensions and potential military deployment on the horizon, the discussion raises critical questions about accountability and community resistance against federal overreach.

Dive into the complex life of Scott Adams, creator of 'Dilbert' and an influential MAGA figure. Explore his career from a comic strip success to his controversial political views and bizarre theories, like hypnosis and the 'testosterone hypothesis.' Reflect on his descent into alt-right rhetoric, including troubling comments on gender and race. The hosts dissect his failed business ventures, his magnetic allure in the new right media landscape, and the impact of his legacy after his passing.

Jared and Mike delve into the controversial life of Scott Adams, the creator of 'Dilbert' and a MAGA figure. They explore his rise as a cartoonist and his shift towards Trumpism, pursuing validation through provocative online personas. The duo critiques Adams' claims of being a great writer, highlighting his pseudo-intellectualism and the darker implications of his misogyny. They draw connections between his entitlement and real-world violence, leaving no stone unturned in this candid dissection of his complex legacy.

Kat Tenbarge, an independent tech and culture reporter, breaks down the troubling issues surrounding Elon Musk's Grok AI, revealing how it perpetuates the spread of child exploitation and nonconsensual deepfakes. Ashley St. Clair, a former influencer and Musk's child’s mother, shares her distressing experience with Grok-generated images that violated her privacy. The conversation delves into the need for accountability for human perpetrators and the societal impact of AI misuse, highlighting the personal and psychological toll on victims.

Tensions rise in Minneapolis as the hosts dissect recent violence and its political implications. They delve into the evolution of the Abolish ICE movement and the troubling expectations of impunity linked to federal actors. A critical look at how propaganda from right-wing influencers and extremist messages can lead to real-world violence unfolds. The discussion also covers the glorification of figures like Kyle Rittenhouse and hints at the dangerous consequences of political cowardice in addressing these issues.

Join Jared and Mike as they chat with James Ball, an award-winning British journalist known for his expertise in disinformation. They dive into the chaotic landscape of anti-disinformation efforts post-2020 election, exploring why these initiatives stalled. James discusses the misconceptions around censorship and differentiates legitimate influence operations from inflated claims. He also emphasizes the need for compelling counter-narratives and grassroots support to combat misinformation in today's fractured media environment.

In this casual Q&A, the hosts tackle pressing questions from Patreon supporters. They delve into why fewer journalists cover disinformation and the troubling rise of figures like Jack Posobiec, sharing examples of his deceptive stunts. Reflecting on their own careers, they discuss the moral injury of being pushed out and voice frustration over Posobiec's seemingly rewarded bad faith. The conversation broadens to include the dangerous landscape of right-wing disinformation, highlighting a need for accountability.

It's the final episode of Posting Through It for 2025. To close out a very weird year, Jared and Mike share a New Year's toast, review the 10 best (worst) political takes that passed over our timelines this year, and listen to voicemails submitted by friends of the show. This episode includes audio messages from (in the order they appear): Will Stancil, Bobby Silverman, Hannah Gais, Michelangelo Signorile, Eoin Higgins, Eliot Higgins, Kelly Jensen, Madeline Peltz, Jeff Tischauser, Juliet Jeske, Luke Savage, Nikki Ramirez, Matt [Redacted], and Talia Jane.Slam the door shut on 2025 with the hosts of your favorite music podcast... that is also known to cover right-wing extremism at times.**Support the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes on our Patreon page: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/PostingThroughIt**Reserve your copy of Mike's book with the code "STRANGE20": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-edison-hayden/strange-people-on-the-hill/9781645030607/?lens=bold-type-books

Kash Patel, a former government official known for his intriguing media presence, joins for a festive chat filled with laughs. He shares quirky anecdotes about food preferences and late-night Uber Eats orders, painting a humorous picture of his dining life. Kash also delves into his TV habits, favoring hockey documentaries and streaming adventures. Personal stories take center stage as he reminisces about his first George Strait concert, balancing laughter with a glimpse into his compartmentalized world and the unique challenges of classified work.

With over four decades in show business, you might think that Bill Maher needs no introduction. But Posting Through Itcovers MAGA and the far right, and if you have perused politics-heavy corners of social media lately, you know that Maher has emerged as one of the most polarizing commentators of Trump’s second term. No longer beloved by liberals, Maher has hosted a bizarre rotation of MAGA friendly guests, including Kid Rock, RFK Jr. and Marjorie Taylor Greene. He also punches left on everything from vaccines to Gaza. Jared and Mike welcome comedian Will Weldon on for this three-hour Holiday spectacular. You will leave learning about everything from Maher’s psychedelic, short-lived Showtime show "Hard Knocks" to his alleged relationships with Los Angeles-area sex workers. Tune in and find out who is out on these streets rooting for the planes on 9/11!Links for Will:Listen to his podcast, I Hate Bill Maher: https://www.patreon.com/cw/IHateBillMaherCheck out Will's website: https://www.oldmanweldon.comLinks for us:Save 20% when you reserve your copy of Mike's book with the code "STRANGE20": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-edison-hayden/strange-people-on-the-hill/9781645030607/?lens=bold-type-books