Unf*cking The Republic

Stephen Miran is eyeing control over the Fed, leveraging a facade of competence while aiming to undermine its independence. His ties to Trump and surprising policy shifts raise alarm bells about his intentions. The discussion dives into the dangers of reducing Fed autonomy and politicizing economic decisions. There’s a chilling proposal to shift crisis powers directly under presidential control, alongside discussions of tariffs based on outdated theories. Listeners are urged to recognize and combat these authoritarian economic moves.

In this engaging discussion, crypto entrepreneur Keith D. shares his journey from early internet work to becoming a trusted educator in the crypto space. He delves into Bitcoin's origins, its transformative role in monetary policy, and the rise of stablecoins. Keith contrasts private and public stablecoin models while addressing the risks institutions face in crypto. Highlighting the necessity for transparency in financial systems, he calls for rigorous discussions around crypto's future. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the changing landscape of money.

Dive into the precarious state of the U.S. economy, where systemic threats like repo market stress and dollar debasement lurk. Discover how the rise of shadow banking and private credit has reshaped financial stability. Explore the alarming implications of state recessions and oil market contango. Uncover the shocking findings about hedge fund exposure in U.S. securities, and learn why basis trades could trigger a significant economic crash. The narrative frames these issues as a controlled demolition within the economic edifice, waiting to explode.

Dive into a lively discussion about Taylor Swift's marketing genius and concert milestones. Explore why the wealthy remain unfazed by economic downturns. The hosts evaluate which government statistics you can trust amidst manipulation. Their insights on technocracy in Silicon Valley reveal a world influenced by tech oligarchs. Plus, tips on resisting authoritarian trends and finding hope! A touch of pop culture, community engagement, and wellness practices round out the conversation.

Barack Obama was the greatest Republican president of my lifetime—a statement sure to fire up establishment liberals and conservatives alike. But for progressives in the United States, this is what the Obama years felt like. Today’s episode examines the seminal policy achievements of the Obama years from the Affordable Care Act and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to DACA and the response to the Global Financial Crisis. We offer the liberal and conservative views of the same issues, then finish with the progressive perspective on all.  Resources Migration Policy Institute: The Obama Record on Deportations: Deporter in Chief or Not? TBIJ: Obama’s covert drone war in numbers: ten times more strikes… NPR: Pledging To End Two Wars, Obama Finds Himself Entangled In Three Video: Cornel West's Note to Obama Obama Library UNFTR Resources Video: Barack Obama: The BEST REPUBLICAN President Ever -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently pledged $20 billion of support to Argentina to prevent its currency from sliding further and to backstop Javier Milei’s Trump-like economic agenda. Then, Argentina turned around and lowered its export tariffs and dumped its soybean crop on the market. They found a willing buyer in China, who has ceased purchasing U.S. agriculture due to the Trump tariff war. The whole affair boiled over when an AP photographer snapped a picture of a text thread on Bessent’s phone from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Collins who said U.S. soybean farmers were livid because their market collapsed. It’s another example of the Trump administration putting ideology and pettiness ahead of his own constituents. But there’s a larger game afoot that no one is talking about that this situation perfectly illustrates: We’re playing checkers and China is playing chess. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Post Show Musings: 00:25:22 Outro: 00:27:43 Resources Americas Quarterly: A Key Pending Challenge for Milei’s Argentina New York Times: Milei Vowed to Fix Argentina’s Economy. Then Came a New Crisis Newsweek: Trump’s Argentina bailout sparks fury among farmers, Republicans Paul Krugman: Why Is Trump Bailing Out Argentina? Federal Reserve: Dollarization in Argentina The Observatory of Economic Complexity: United States (USA) and Argentina (ARG) Trade International Trade Administration: Argentina - Market Overview MercoPress: Argentina records 21st straight trade surplus CEIC Data: Argentina Consolidated Fiscal Balance, 1993 – 2025 Americas Quarterly: Milei’s Path to Dollarization: Riddled with Doubts J.P. Morgan: De-dollarization: The end of dollar dominance? Become a UNFTR Member Book Love Carol Wise: Dragonomics: How Latin America Is Maximizing (or Missing Out On) China's International Development Strategy -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max and 99 tackle pressing topics like AI's concentration risks and the ethical concerns surrounding Palantir’s marketing. They delve into the implications of automation versus AI on the job market and explore the complexities of government shutdowns. The pair critique Pete Hegseth's recent military address, addressing toxic masculinity and hypocrisy in politics. They also reflect on Jane Goodall's impact and discuss the cultural distractions of celebrity news while contemplating a listener's idea for a worker-owned gig co-op.

The discussion delves into the deep-rooted influence of white Christian nationalism in America. It highlights the urgency surrounding Project 2025 and its implications for policy and society. Revealing undercover insights, the podcast outlines alarming plans for deportations and increased policing. The conversation critiques liberal centrism and its failure to address systemic racism. Moreover, the connections between economic strategies and white nationalism are exposed, raising concerns about militarization amid rising chaos.

The podcast explores the alarming strategies of alt-right figures aiming to dismantle key institutions in America. It delves into Project Esther, likening it to COINTELPRO's tactics, and forecasts chaotic societal impacts like mass layoffs and constitutional crises. The discussion also critiques decades of neoliberal policies, highlighting the complicity of both political parties. Listeners are urged to unite and organize around a working-class vision to counter the looming threat of authoritarianism.

The discussion opens with a sharp contrast between media reactions to Charlie Kirk's murder. Max dives into the online radicalization of Gen Z, drawing connections to gaming culture and incel networks. The implications of Kirk's death on youth politics are explored, suggesting it could intensify partisanship. The podcast also highlights the risks to civil liberties and how organized right-wing forces magnify divisive politics. Finally, hidden online communities are warned to be fueling this dangerous landscape, cementing the need for urgent action.