Conspirituality

Derek and Julian dissect Robert Paxton's insights on the anatomy of fascism and its relevance to America's future. They explore how fascism evolves from mass political movements and compare it to contemporary authoritarian leaders. The discussion covers the implications of rising nationalism and the intertwining of identity politics with governance today. They also touch on public health concerns amidst political chaos, including the controversial figures like Djokovic in the anti-vaccine movement, illuminating historical parallels with modern dissent.

Jonathan Jarry, a science communicator from McGill University, dives into the bizarre world of alternative health with a focus on Joseph Mercola and the 'Mercola Tapes.' He uncovers secretive communications and the mix of conspiracy theories with spirituality in alt-health circles. The discussion includes alarming claims about health misinformation and how charismatic leaders exploit personal beliefs. With critical thinking at the forefront, Jonathan reveals the psychological implications of following dubious health advice and the troubling dynamics of health discourse.

Discover the latest on a controversial weight loss drug currently in trials, stirring up debates around ethical marketing practices. Explore how an anti-vax company is pushing untested supplements while skirting legal boundaries. Delve into historical perspectives, examining how the ideal of individual responsibility has shaped American healthcare, tracing back to figures like Reagan. The discussion reveals the contradictions in health policies and the consequences for fat and chronically ill patients in the current healthcare landscape.

Dive into the shadowy connections behind a high-profile conference aimed at reclaiming Western values. Discover how hedge-fund billionaires and a conservative think tank are driving political agendas while cloaking their motives. Explore the cultural critiques of notable speakers and the controversies surrounding corporate ethics. Uncover the intricate web of lobbying, media bias, and the shifting landscape of values in society. The blend of celebrity influence and elite funding raises questions about transparency and the future of cultural discourse.

Guest Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University professor specializing in political economy and the far right, discusses pressing issues surrounding political detoxification and society's addiction to government benefits. He shares insights on the detoxification metaphor, connecting it to historical narratives of purity and wellness culture. Slobodian critiques the economic ideologies driving controversial policies and examines the troubling interplay between health misinformation and public perception. The conversation highlights the ethical dilemmas posed by shock therapy as a means of economic restructuring.

Click here to hear the full episode on Patreon.Second of Matthew’s two-part examination of why the hell questions of force, non-violent resistance with and without force, unarmed violence and property damage, and armed violence are so incredibly hard to talk about in a culture thick with spiritual and political bypassing. Are we capable of understanding the difference between morality and strategy?Part 1 focused on philosophy and psychology while today the focus will be on definitions and tactics. Together, both parts will push back on conspiracism about the identities, motives, and methods  of antifascists. Both will present slices of the rich discourse on violence and non-violence from antifascist history, including clarifying definitions of key terms. Both will open a space to think carefully about what intensities of self and community defense are both useful and tolerable in the fight against fascism. Today we’ll get into the very thick weeds of how the “strategic nonviolence” research of Gene Sharp, Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan is framed as empirical, but may be way more about idealizing Gandhi than about facts on the ground. Huge list of references for each!Show NotesStopping the Press: The Threats to the Media Posed by the Second Trump Term | The New YorkerWhat the FBI Has Done, and Kash Patel Could Do - Columbia Journalism Review Hakeem Jeffries cracks down on Trump speech disruptions Neo-Nazi Richard Spencer Got Punched—You Can Thank the Black Bloc | The Nation Aamer Rahman: Is it really ok to punch nazis? $16.5M settlement reached in class-action lawsuit over mass arrests during 2010 G20 summit | CBC News Meditations at the ringed fence around G20 Toronto - rabble.ca Remaining Human: A Buddhist Perspective on Occupy Wall Street - Michael Stone Brief: The Outside Agitator Conspiracy Trope (w/Dr. Peniel Joseph) — Conspirituality Anti-fascists linked to zero murders in the US in 25 years | Donald Trump | The Guardian 40 Ways to Fight Fascists: Sunshine rules for radicals | saul d. alinsky 198 METHODS OF NONVIOLENT ACTION | — Gene SharpShe Interrupted a Town-Hall Meeting and Was Dragged Out by Private Security - The New York Times Martin Luther King Jr. had a much more radical message than a dream of racial brotherhood The Enigma of Frantz Fanon | The NationFrantz Fanon and the struggle against colonisation | MR OnlineFrantz Fanon and the Paradox of Anticolonial Violence – SolidarityFrantz Fanon—a vital defence of violence by the oppressed - Socialist WorkerLand and Freedom (1995 Ken Loach) [ENG Sub] (starting at the collectivization debate scene) Full Spectrum Resistance — McBay The Failure of Nonviolence | The Anarchist Library Beyond Violence and Nonviolence | ROAR Magazine Debunking the myths around nonviolent resistance | ROAR Magazine Social movements and the (mis)use of research: Extinction Rebellion and the 3.5% rule Responding to Domestic Terrorism: A Crisis of Legitimacy - Harvard Law Review Domestic Terrorism: Definitions, Terminology, and Methodology — FBI 676 | United States Sentencing CommissionActivists use 'Tesla Takedown' protests to fight job cuts by Musk and Trump | ReutersTesla vehicles destroyed, vandalized since Musk began role at White House, authorities say - ABC NewsAnti-DOGE protests at Tesla stores target Elon Musk's bottom line | AP NewsTyre Extinguishers: A Night Out with the Climate Activists Sabotaging SUVsLeaflet | Tyre Extinguishers Tesla Stocks Tumble as Elon Musk’s Political Role Grows More Divisive - The New York TimesInternal Memos: Senior USAID Leaders Warned Trump Appointees of Hundreds of Thousands of Deaths From Closing Agency Beyond Violence and Nonviolence | ROAR Magazine Violence Will Only Hurt the Trump Resistance | The New Republic Why Not Riot? Interview with Author Ben Case - CounterPunch.org10 Lessons on Filmmaking from Director Ken LoachBBC Taster - How to Make a Ken Loach FilmLand and Freedom (1995 Ken Loach) [ENG Sub] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this thought-provoking discussion, the complexities of violence and resistance within antifascism take center stage. The hosts tackle the tough conversations surrounding non-violent versus armed responses, exploring how moral considerations often clash with strategic needs. They also examine the role of independent media amidst rising tensions and discuss the impact of spiritual bypassing on socio-political engagement. With references to historical movements and current events, the dialogue encourages listeners to reflect on their stances in the fight against fascism.

The podcast dives into the unsettling parallels between contemporary politics and historical fascism. It explores how media has historically grappled with authoritarianism and the evolution of journalistic integrity. The discussion today highlights the role of social media in shaping public opinion and the surge of emotionally charged conservative media. Attention is also given to the ethical dilemmas posed by billionaire ownership in journalism, questioning the future of objective reporting in an increasingly polarized landscape.

Subscribe for full episode The MAGA attack on government jobs, takeover of government agencies, and purge of supposed “DEI” and “woke” professionals has a long history in the US. Julian uses old-timey newsreels, biographies, and events in the public record to trace the lines from 1919 to today, making stops at the so-called Red Summer’s “race riots,” Red Scare communist panics, Hollywood Blacklist, and Lavender Scare that fired thousands for being presumed gay.Unrelated to any of this completely useless and repressive paranoid bigotry, actual Soviet spies were being apprehended and prosecuted—even then everything was not on the level. The prosecutors had their own hidden skeletons and shady bedfellows, even as they claimed the patriotic moral high ground.At the heart of this history is a lineage of men who never let truth get in the way of gaining, and wielding, power and cruelty. Julian uncovers a surprisingly direct lineage of dirty-tricks demagogue succession, from Woodrow Wilson to A. Mitchell Palmer, to J. Edgar Hoover, to Joe McCarthy, to Roy Cohn, to Roger Stone, to our current president. Editorial Note: The Paul Robeson clip that starts the episode is a re-enactment by James Earl Jones for the Zinn Education Project. It uses the transcript of Robeson’s 1956 appearance before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent measles outbreak has sparked a fierce debate over the MMR vaccine and public health narratives. The backlash against RFK Jr.'s surprising support illustrates the tensions within the anti-vaccine community. The conversation also critiques the dangers of alternative health beliefs overshadowing scientific evidence. Additionally, funding cuts to public health research raise concerns about health equity, highlighting the risks of privatizing science. At the crux lies the battle between misinformation and the necessity of vaccination for community safety.