Adam Friedland, a stand-up comedian and podcaster known for his sharp commentary on internet culture, joins to discuss a range of fascinating topics. They reflect on the shift of comedians to public intellectuals, their experiences with live audiences, and the influence of alt-media. The conversation dives into the complexities of political discourse, humor's role in society, and online censorship's impact on free speech. Friedland shares personal anecdotes from his comedy tours and discusses the nostalgic evolution of internet culture.

My guest is Briahna Joy Gray, a lawyer, journalist and political commentator. She is the host of the Bad Faith podcast. We discuss the crisis of the Democratic party, online fact checkers vs. freedom of speech on social media, the mixed politics of populism and third parties in the USA. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshuacitarella.substack.com/subscribe

In this thought-provoking conversation, JC Dentun, an esoteric researcher and meditation expert, delves into the unconventional beliefs of Robert Monroe and his exploration of consciousness. They discuss the fascinating idea of 'Loosh,' an energy tied to human emotions, and its implications for spiritual practices. Dentun highlights potential government exploitation of spiritual research for financial benefits under the guise of national security. The dialogue also navigates the intersection of military psychic research and enlightenment, revealing deeper connections between science and spirituality.

Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University professor and author of "Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism," dives into the complex origins and implications of neoliberalism. He unpacks how this ideological movement has reshaped global politics since before World War I, highlighting key historical moments and influential figures. The conversation touches on the tension between capitalism and democracy, the rise of Special Economic Zones, and the controversial dynamics of corporate governance in today's world.

Explore the transformative power of the Gateway Tapes through personal accounts of out-of-body experiences. Delve into the surreal encounters with bizarre entities, like distorted moose doctors, that haunt the astral realm. Experience the journey from skepticism to embracing meditation amidst contrasting family beliefs. Uncover profound moments of introspection and the eerie balance between fear and curiosity when confronting the unknown. This intriguing exploration reveals the intersection of spirituality, consciousness, and personal growth.

In this lively discussion, Will Menaker, host of Chapo Trap House, dives into the unraveling of the left-liberal alliance and the Democratic Party's challenges. He takes a critical look at partisan identities and media's role in shaping youth engagement. With a witty touch, Menaker explores the impact of humanitarian crises, like the situation in Gaza, on electoral politics. The conversation also critiques radical rhetoric and its disconnect from public sentiment, while humor is posited as a tool for uncovering truths in today's turbulent landscape.

Carmelo Pampillonio, an artist and acoustics expert, joins the discussion to reveal fascinating insights about the Monroe Institute and its groundbreaking binaural beats technology. They dive into the mysterious intersections between military research and altered states of consciousness, including Project Stargate. The conversation explores infrasound's effects on perception and health, and the potential impacts of binaural beats on brainwave activity. Pampillonio even touches on the esoteric aspects of sound, hinting at cosmic connections with lunar communications.

My guest is Dasha Nekrasova, an actor, director and host of the Red Scare podcast. We discuss Trump’s historic win, Luigi Mangione and Dasha's political journey from a Bernie Sander’s supporter in 2016 to a Trump voter in 2024. What happens to political consensus when all narratives have now become alternative? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshuacitarella.substack.com/subscribe

Mike Pepi is the author of “Against Platforms”, a bold critique of the hidden costs of digital life – and a manifesto for a better future. He is also one of my best friends and someone I have been in conversation with for over a decade.In this episode, we discuss our shared history in working to develop a new institutionalist critique of emerging technologies and platforms. The vast expansion of platforms during the 2010’s, which now encompass nearly all aspects of social life, represented a blindspot for the political left. To understand how this happened, we need to retrace the history of the 60’s counter-culture and the embrace of libertarian philosophies amongst the New Left.Since 2011, Mike Pepi, Brad Troemel, myself and other artists and writers have been engaged in an on-going dialogue that explores the ideological roots and design of platform technologies. Mike writes:“We have been taught that digital technologies are neutral tools, transparent, easily understood, and here to serve us. The reality, is that they are laden with assumptions and collateral consequences – ideology, in other words. And it is this hidden ideology that must be dismantled if we are to harness technology for the fullest expression of our humanity.”Get the book:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761644/against-platforms-by-mike-pepi/If you’re all caught up on last week’s episode of Doomscroll, there is a subscribers only episode that can tide you over until next week. Below you can watch part 2 of my conversation with Dasha Nekrasova:We’re already moving full speed ahead, shooting and editing new episodes. You can expect to hear a lot from us in the coming weeks and months. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshuacitarella.substack.com/subscribe

My guest is Daniel Keller, an artist whose work and research has inspired me for over a decade. We discuss tech monopolies and their cozy relationship to state power, the artificial intelligence race, the chips war, network states and geopolitical competition between the US and China. These are the defining conflicts of the 21st century. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshuacitarella.substack.com/subscribe