
Unf*cking The Republic
Unf*cking The Republic® (UNFTR) is a series of audio essays on the grand American experiment lovingly curated and presented by a quasi-anonymous political writer.
Each essay reflects on a singular topic that is generally misunderstood or purposely obfuscated by the so-called “powers that be.” As we know, history is written by the victors and can be perilously manufactured to favor destructive world views. These views become intractably ingrained in the public consciousness and pervert public policy, oftentimes with horrific results.
As of this podcast’s founding, we find ourselves living in a true kakistocracy. The disconnect between what we believe and what is actually happening below the surface or in plain sight is where this podcast lives.
Together we’ll upend conventional wisdom, blow up narratives on the left, right and center and use magical devices like facts, logic and reason to explain how exactly we arrived in bizarro America, the funhouse mirror version of what was originally intended. #UNFTR
Latest episodes

Dec 1, 2022 • 1h 17min
Show Notes [Episode 79: Public Education Part One.]
They’re baaaack! In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 review feedback from Public Education Part One and discuss what’s to come throughout education series. Listen to Public Education (Part One): Scaffolding. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:10:58 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:00:03 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:05:09 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:11:07 Outro: 01:16:49 Resources Have You Heard Podcast Center For Progressive Reform: Protecting Workers by Prosecuting Wage Theft as a Crime @MoPaintsChad Fan Art Readable: Profanity Detector -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 18, 2022 • 42min
Public Education (Part One): Scaffolding.
Today is the first in a three-part series on public education in the United States. The focus is on compulsory K-12 education. We begin the series by educating ourselves on the business of education and stripping away the hysteria surrounding mask mandates, CRT, school prayer and kitty litter in bathrooms. Along the way we identify key stakeholders, look at outcomes and measurements, offer a primer on how schools are funded and examine the ongoing mass exodus from the profession of teaching. With a solid foundation in place, the episode ends with an overview of the more fundamental criticisms of public education to understand how and why public education is under attack in this nation. Chapters Intro: 00:00:21 Chapter One: Framing the Inquiry. 00:05:43 Chapter Two: The Structure and Language of Education. 00:15:26 Chapter Three: The Opposition. 00:26:15 Post Show Musings: 00:38:05 Outro: 00:39:58 Resources World Socialist Web Site: 2.6 million US educators and staff quit public K-12 and higher education jobs during pandemic National Center for Education Statistics: Public School Enrollment The Nation’s Report Card: Student Performance Across Subjects National Center for Education Statistics: Total number of public school teachers and percentage of public school teachers in a union or employees' association, by selected school characteristics: 2015–16 Resilient Educator: Your Guide to Education Lingo Learning Journals: What Are the Different Pedagogical Approaches to Learning? Rasmussen University: What Is Reggio Emilia? Your Guide to This Child-Driven Approach Stanford: An Introduction to Design Thinking Understood: Understanding IEPs Resilient Educator: Project Based Learning: A Hands On Approach To Teaching Bookshop.org: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success National Association for Science, Medicine and Engineering: The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education: Branches from the Same Tree Resilient Educator: Why the “A” in STEAM Education is Just As Important As Every Other Letter U.S. News: IB vs. AP: Discover the Differences Peter G. Peterson Foundation: How Is K-12 Education Funded? Edbuild: Nonwhite School Districts Get $23 Billion Less Than White Districts Despite Serving The Same Number Of Students Pew Charitable Trusts: ‘Lost Decade’ Casts a Post-Recession Shadow on State Finances OECD: Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators 2012 National Center for Education Statistics: Long-term trends in reading and mathematics achievement The Heritage Foundation: The Battle Over Parents’ Rights in Education Is Just Getting Started The Heritage Foundation: America’s School Choice Moment Can’t Be Missed at Midterm Elections Bookshop: Race to the Bottom UNFTR: F*ck Milton Friedman. Book Love Derek W. Black: Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 18, 2022 • 49min
Show Notes [BONUS: Midterm Recap.]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss some midterm updates and work through some T***p 2024 feelings. Plus 99 gets all boomer on some Unf*ckers, lovingly. Listen to BONUS: Midterm Recap. Resources Variety: Candace Cameron Bure Says Great American Family Will Not Feature Gay Couples, Focus on ‘Traditional Marriage’ Instead Unf*cker Facebook Group Jesse Jackson's David and Goliath speech -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 2022 • 38min
Show Notes [Episode 78: “Tough on Crime” Republicans.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 unwind from the Midterms Recap, reflect back on the “Tough on Crime” Republicans episode, and read the smart fuckin' write-ins from the Unf*ckers. Listen to “Tough on Crime” Republicans. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:00:41 Social: 00:23:16 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:28:35 Outro: 00:35:59 Resources Binyamin Appelbaum: The Economists' Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society NYT Opinion: Liberal Hypocrisy is Fueling American Inequality. Here’s How. CONAN: Gary Gulman On How The States Got Their Abbreviations PBS: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson Jacobin: As the Fed Raises Interest Rates, People Will Lose Jobs and Democrats Will Lose Elections Outrage + Optimism: ESG: Facts Are Not Political Outrage + Optimism: Australia Is Back -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 9, 2022 • 1h 40min
BONUS: Midterm Recap
Max, Manny and 99 slice and dice the midterm election and highlight several key outcomes that portend good things for Progressives. Also, 99 stayed up the latest but it was to watch the Parent Trap. So there's that. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 5, 2022 • 38min
“Tough on Crime”: Republicans pin midterm hopes on tired trope.
The midterms are upon us and the Republicans have pinned their hopes on a tried and true fear tactic: Crime. It’s a winning narrative. Always has been. The data paint another picture entirely, however. While in no way excusing criminal activity or minimizing its impact upon individuals, families and society, we need to have an honest discussion about fear mongering and scapegoating. So let’s take a bite out of crime. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:00:04 Chapter One: Dispelling Crime Mythology. 00:01:50 Chapter Two: When All Else Fails. 00:05:08 Chapter Three: Gaslighting. 00:15:35 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:21:33 Post Show Musings: 00:24:01 Outro: 00:36:13 Resources Brennan Center For Justice: What Caused the Crime Decline? Gotham Gazette: What Is Lee Zeldin’s Gubernatorial Campaign Platform? Newsweek: New York City’s Most Dangerous Year of Crime Compared to 2022: Analysis Wikipedia: Demographic history of New York City News Beat: A Guide To Mass Incarceration In America StopRecidivism.org: Why Are More States Than Ever Passing Laws For No Cash Bail And Pretrial Detention? CDC: Homicide Mortality by State UNFTR Episode Resources The Clinton Years (Parts One, Two, and Three) New York’s Casual White Supremacy: Losing the Plot on Hochul & Buffalo Bills. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 3, 2022 • 1h 38min
Show Notes [Strange Bedfellows 1: Arthur & Sand]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 catch up on some big news stories of the last few weeks like midterms, Twitter, antisemitism, and Lula. They also read some Unf*cker topic requests and review “PC” insult suggestions. Listen to Strange Bedfellows: Chester A. Arthur and Julia Sand. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Current Events Roundup: 00:04:13 Emails: 00:59:15 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:30:33 Outro: 01:36:19 Resources UNFTR Episode: The Problem with Conscious Capitalism Podcast Outrage and Optimism Podcast New York Times: Climate Pledges Are Falling Short, and a Chaotic Future Looks More Like Reality Taylor Swift: Anti-Hero Vox: The Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun controversy, explained EconTalk Podcast Beyond Zero Film Ray C. Anderson: Confessions of a Radical Industrialist: Profits, People, Purpose--Doing Business by Respecting the Earth Paul Traynor New Trier: Tip of the Spear UNFTR Episode: Building the Climate Industrial Complex. Candice Millard: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President Unf*cker-Run Facebook Group -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 2022 • 57min
Unf*cking Flashback: Building the Climate Industrial Complex.
The world is more fucked than the United States. And we’re pretty fucked, so that’s saying a lot. Perhaps there’s a way to mitigate this mess by playing upon our worst instincts as a nation and the competitiveness that drives the world. Today we take an alternative view of our response to climate change through the lens of the most dispassionate and powerful observer in the world: The U.S. Military. It’s known for decades that the planet is fucked. And they’ve been preparing in plain sight. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Resources IPCC- Summary for Policymakers Institute for Policy Integrity- Gauging Economic Consensus on Climate Change Center for Climate and Security- Chronology of Military and Intelligence Concerns About Climate Change World Economic Forum- This is how climate change could impact the global economy Swiss Re- World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action taken New York Times- 40 Million People Rely on the Colorado River. It’s Drying Up Fast. The Black Vault- 1990 U.S. Naval Report Sub Love Adam Tooze- Chartbook Spencer Ackerman- Forever Wars Book Love Michael T. Klare- All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change Pod Love Slate- What Next TBD Global Optimism- Outrage and Optimism Unf*cker Love Daron Davis: An unfortunate name but a profound podcast -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Rick and distributed by Morty. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 22, 2022 • 20min
Strange Bedfellows: Chester A. Arthur and Julia Sand.
As Max grinds away at a more in-depth Unf*cking, we offer our dear listeners a new palate cleanser. Strange Bedfellows examines fascinating relationships and wonders how these duos might have altered the course of history. Our first installment tells the story of President Chester Arthur and a pen-pal named Julia Sand. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:00:31 A Nation Adrift: 00:02:33 Arthur Is Now President: 00:07:17 Letters: 00:07:40 Outro: 00:19:41 Resources Samuel Eliot Morison, Henry Steele Commager andWilliam E. Leuchtenburg: A Concise History of the American Republic: Volume 1 David C. Whitney: The Graphic Story of the American Presidents Library of Congress: The Correspondence of Julia I. Sand Miller Center: Chester Arthur, December 6, 1881: First Annual Message The New York Times: Overlooked No More: Julia Sand, Whose Letters Inspired a President -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Special thank yous to voice actors Kerry Flanagan and Matthew Hammond for lending their talents to this episode. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 20, 2022 • 46min
Show Notes [Episode 77: What’s the deal with Peter Thiel?]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss some Thiel feedback, review episode suggestions from Unf*ckers, and discuss what’s up next for UNFTR episodes. Tune in! Listen to Episode 77: What’s the deal with Peter Thiel? Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:04:36 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:26:23 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:40:07 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:41:14 Outro: 00:45:32 Resources UNFTR Episode: Immigration Nation. Climate Action 2030 UNFTR Episode: Building the Climate Industrial Complex. The New York Times: Peter Thiel Applies for Citizenship in Malta Knudsen on Twitter: @WildEyedBob Gary Chambers Summer Lee Mandela Barnes -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. 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 written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.