Doomer Optimism

Where do we go from here?Antitrust lawyer Basel Musharbash joins Ashley and Nate to explore anti-monopoly advocacy's historical and contemporary landscape. They discuss the evolution of antitrust laws, the impact of the Reagan administration, and the resurgence of antitrust efforts under Lina Khan. They discuss the intersection of populism and antitrust, the role of government in regulating corporate power, and the future of antitrust enforcement in the Biden administration. Musharbash emphasizes the importance of restoring competition and curbing the influence of billionaires in politics.

Enchantment, Magic, & Supernatural Technologies w/ Historian Dr. Francis Young"Is magic real? Does magic work?""It's a question that is worth asking.""The world is full of spirits."Enchantment is fast entering the mainstream conversation. More people doubt mechanical materialism; there is something out there. Scholars, however, have hesitated. Stories of flying friars and encounters with spirits are considered as more than a cultural myth but as testimonies to reality. What is the history of enchantment? What about magic and religion? How might scholars view history with new eyes? Charles sits down with Dr. Francis Young, historian and author, to reflect on these questions and others.

Community in a Fragmented WorldIn this episode of the Doomer Optimism podcast, host Ashley and guest Leah Sargent discuss the importance of building community in today's world. Leah shares insights from her book, 'Building the Benedict Option,' emphasizing practical steps individuals can take to foster deeper connections with others. They explore the challenges of hosting, the impact of perfectionism, and the role of faith in creating meaningful gatherings. The conversation highlights the need to bridge online relationships into real-life interactions and the significance of nurturing community dynamics, especially within family life. In this conversation, Leah Sargeant and Ashley discuss the dynamics of building and maintaining friendships, particularly in the context of parenting and community. They explore how shared experiences, intentionality, and the willingness to host gatherings can deepen connections. The conversation also touches on the importance of embracing individuality within community settings and navigating cultural and religious differences. Leah emphasizes the value of asking for help as a means to strengthen community ties.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins DO to discuss her unique perspective as a Congresswoman from a rural background, covering environmentalism, localism, and the importance of agency in politics. She critiques the disconnect between policymakers and the communities they represent, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and grounded approach to policy-making. The discussion also delves into the challenges the timber industry faces, the impact of regulations, and the importance of listening to constituents' experiences. Ultimately, the conversation highlights everyday Americans' growing desire for agency and representation.00:00 Introduction to Forerunner Nationalism and Personal Connections03:05 The Politics of Climate and Environmentalism06:01 Navigating Democratic Politics and Community Engagement09:10 Agency and Localism in Policy Making12:05 De-proceduralization vs. Deregulation in Childcare and Business15:07 The Spotted Owl Crisis and Its Impact on Communities18:01 Family Background and Personal History in Timber Politics20:57 The Consequences of Environmental Policies on Local Economies23:51 Lawfare and Its Effects on Small Businesses27:00 Conclusion and Future Directions for Policy32:16 Political Agency and Community Empowerment38:13 Regulatory Challenges and Economic Agency43:19 Localism and Community Dynamics54:41 A Growing Sense of Agency and Independence

Ashley, Gabe (@VividVoid) and Rich (@RichDecibels) discuss what an integrated, post-woke synthesis might look like. In this episode, we all discuss times and places where we have seen a functional pluralistic social environment – from public school to the Marines to Occupy. We discuss how you might take lessons from those examples into the present divisive social and political moment.

How does modern society shape our perceptions of childbirth, and are we missing a deeper, more primal experience? Ashley sits down with Leah, a software engineer and mother, to explore childbirth's deeply personal and often overlooked spiritual dimensions. Together, they unpack the ways modern society frames birth—medicalized, blissful, or terrifying—and contrast these narratives with Leah’s raw, primal experience of labor. They discuss the psychological and physiological forces at play, the importance of surrender and instinct, and the role of partners in supporting a natural birth. Ashley and Leah also reflect on the lost traditions of communal birthing knowledge and how reconnecting with this ancestral wisdom can reshape our approach to pregnancy, labor, and motherhood.

How has the Bruderhof community balanced individual autonomy with collective decision-making to maintain harmony and functionality? Ashley sits down with Alan Kopschel, editor at Plough Magazine and a member of the Bruderhof community. Together, they explore the unique history and philosophy of the Bruderhof community, a Christian community founded on values of pacifism, shared resources, and direct accountability. Alan sheds light on Bruderhof’s commitment to communal living, regenerative agriculture, and a governance system that balances personal autonomy with collective needs. Ashley and Alan get into Bruderhof's international growth, cultural traditions, and practical strategies for maintaining harmony and purpose in a shared life. Alan Koppschall is a managing editor and an event coordinator at Plough. He is a member of the Bruderhof and lives at the Fox Hill Bruderhof in Walden, New York. Twitter: @koppsch_a

In this episode, Ashley interviews husband and wife team Ben and Lucy about their eco-market in upstate New York, and Geoffrey from Longstory Farms about his planned local farm story in South Carolina. We discuss the importance of local commerce, challenges, and nuts and bolts approaches to competing in the market. Ben and Lucy Janssen both grew up in upstate NY and met at the local Community College. Lucy started her store Reuse Refuge in October 2020 with a friend while many small businesses were closing. The goal was to help provide the local community with non-plastic or biodegradable necessities of everyday life that help reduce domestic waste streams. It has since adapted and branched out its focus to maintain a foothold in the small city of Auburn's downtown. Going on its 5th year it has struggled to flourish financially as its vision doesn't prioritize consumerism but the more traditional scale economy. Ben works a job helping the developmentally disabled. The store hours are limited to weeknights and weekends when he's not working as they raise their 5-year-old. Ben grew interested in soil health and eventually peak oil. Ben met Jason Snyder in Joe Brewer's online regeneration class in 2020 and has kept in touch with the Doomer Optimism community since. Although Ben has grown more agnostic on peak oil or collapse perspectives he continues to read many books on the theme of industrial society and its effects on ecological and cultural shifts over time while supporting his wife's vision for her store. @reuserefuge on Instagram and TikTok @bennirubber on Instagram, Youtube, Substack, X, and Benjamin Janssen on goodreads.com  Long Story Farms, LLC is a family-run pasture-based, sustainable farm just outside Newberry, SC. We offer pork and poultry, eggs, and select produce to consumers in the Newberry, Chapin, and Columbia areas.  In the next few months, we will open a store offering local farm products, a zero-waste refiller, and some bulk foods.  website: Longstoryfarms.com Instagram: @longstoryfarmsc X.com: @longstoryfarms Facebook: @longstoryfarms https://www.instagram.com/reuserefuge?igsh=eGVlNXlia2F0dnZp Tik tok https://www.tiktok.com/@reuserefuge

How have urban development patterns in California, particularly in LA, exacerbated wildfire risks? James Pogue and Leighton Woodhouse discuss the LA fires following Leighton’s piece in the Free Press “LA Was Built to Burn.” The conversation explores the ecological, political, and cultural factors contributing to the wildfire crises across Los Angeles and beyond. We shed light on the human and environmental stakes in a burning state. Leighton Woodhouse is a journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Oakland, California. He has written for The Intercept, The New Republic, The Nation, Tablet, UnHerd, and other publications.

How can localism serve as an alternative to large-scale governance and globalized economies? Ashley and Wally discuss small-scale, secular models for civic and economic organizing, and compare/contrast them with their Catholic equivalents (subsidiarity and distribution). We discuss practical ways to build community agency, neighborliness, and autonomy at the smallest scale, exploring the New England town meeting model and the role of direct democracy, If you are interested in regaining a sense of local autonomy in a large-scale world, this episode is for you!