

Conversations Among The Ruins
Charles Erickson
My father's got a brilliant mind, but he keeps it hidden away in the backwoods of Tennessee. Join us as I unearth prophetic insights on culture and geopolitics from this hermit's cerebral matter.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 5, 2024 • 1h 9min
7-5-24: The History of Zionism and Dispensationalism
The conversation explores the concept of Christian Zionism, its origins, and its differences from Jewish Zionism. Christian Zionism emerged in the 1830s with the teachings of John Nelson Darby, who developed the idea of dispensationalism. This belief system posits that there are separate phases in the relationship between God and man, with a special plan for the Jews in the end times. Christian Zionists predict the rebuilding of the third temple in Jerusalem, the return of the Jews to Israel, and the rise of the Antichrist. While there is some overlap between Jewish and Christian Zionism, they have independent origins and different interpretations of the end times. The conversation explores the topic of Christian Zionism and its impact on American politics and the Middle East. It discusses the alignment between Muslims and Christians, the significance of the term 'Judeo-Christianity,' and the role of Christian Zionism in the rebuilding of the Third Temple. The conversation also touches on the decline of mainline denominations and the rise of fundamentalist and evangelical churches. It highlights the power and influence of Christian Zionism in American politics and the lack of awareness and understanding among its followers. The conversation concludes by examining the parasitic nature of Zionism and its impact on foreign policy.

Jul 3, 2024 • 1h 7min
7-3-24: French Elections; Immigration; Western Cultural Decay
The conversation revolves around the French elections and the rise of Marine Le Pen's party, the National Rally. The discussion touches on topics such as the European Parliament, immigration, and the fear of the establishment towards Le Pen's party. The conversation also explores the reasons behind the left's hysteria when right-wing nationalist candidates gain popularity. It delves into the role of identity, globalism, and the loss of national and cultural identity in shaping political ideologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the tactics used by the establishment to prevent Le Pen's party from gaining power. The conversation explores the topics of immigration, cultural preservation, political hysteria, and the erosion of trust in institutions. The hosts discuss the economic consequences of immigration and the need for assimilation into the host culture. They also touch on the rise of populist movements in Europe, particularly in France, and the potential impact on foreign and immigration policies. The conversation delves into the hyper-partisanship in the United States and the loss of trust in the government and media. They highlight the importance of personal responsibility and the role of the family in shaping society.

Jul 1, 2024 • 48min
7-1-24: Who Is Running America & What Will Become of Ukraine?
The conversation revolves around the question of who is running America now, with a focus on President Biden's leadership and the role of the State Department in shaping foreign policy. The lack of engagement and communication from Biden with world leaders, particularly Putin, is seen as a hindrance to successful peace negotiations. The discussion also touches on the shift in the Democratic Party's stance on war and the role of the media in shaping public opinion. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the suffering of its people are highlighted, with contrasting casualty figures for Russian and Ukrainian forces. The conversation discusses the cautious approach of the Russian Ministry of Defence in announcing the capture of a village in Ukraine, highlighting their conservative nature. The casualty numbers in the conflict have been steadily increasing, indicating a breakdown on the Ukrainian front. The accuracy of casualty numbers is questioned, and sources such as the BBC and MediaZona are suggested for verification. The conversation also explores the possibility of negotiations to settle the conflict, but trust issues and lack of a reliable intermediary make it challenging. The potential outcomes include the creation of a buffer zone by Russia or a complete collapse of Ukraine.

Jun 28, 2024 • 43min
6-28-24: Trump v Biden Presidential Debate; Christian Persecution in Ukraine
The conversation revolves around the analysis of the recent debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The main focus is on Biden's performance and his mental state. The speakers discuss why the Democrats didn't recognize Biden's mental limitations earlier and why they chose to run him as their candidate. They also touch on the impact of the debate on global opinion and the perception of US leadership. The conversation briefly touches on the implications for countries like Israel, Ukraine, and Russia. The conversation covers the risk of desperate moves by political leaders, such as starting a war, to save their careers. It highlights the dangerous nature of leaders like Zelensky and Netanyahu, who may be willing to put their countries and the world at risk to maintain power. The discussion then shifts to the debate between Biden and Trump, with a focus on their lack of competence and mastery of any subject. The persecution of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine is also mentioned, with churches being seized, bulldozed, and priests arrested. The conversation concludes with the possibility of an escalation in the Middle East and the need for a better understanding of the dangerous situations unfolding.

Jun 26, 2024 • 49min
6-26-24: Russia at War With America; Global Power Shifts; Real Nuclear Threats
The conversation discusses the escalating tensions between Russia and the United States, with Russia deeming the US as an enemy and making moves to arm US adversaries like Iran. The balance of power in the world is shifting towards a multipolar order, with countries like Russia, China, India, and Brazil gaining economic and military strength. The US is losing its dominance and facing challenges in military production and skilled labor. The conversation also touches on the lack of popular support for war in the US and the potential danger for American servicemen deployed overseas. The conversation discusses the possibility of a nuclear conflict between Israel and Lebanon, as well as the potential consequences for the world. It also touches on the decline of the US empire and the role of politicians in effecting change. The conversation concludes with a mention of the recent tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Jun 24, 2024 • 57min
6-24-24: Terrorist Attacks in Russia; Israel Moving Against Hezbollah; WWIII More Likely
Over the weekend, there were two attacks in Russia, one in Dagestan and one in Crimea. The Dagestan attack targeted Orthodox churches and a synagogue, and the attackers were likely local jihadists. The attack in Crimea involved missiles fired by the US, with one missile exploding over a beach and causing civilian casualties. The US has denied involvement, but Russia blames the US for the attack. The situation has escalated tensions between Russia and the West, with Russia vowing to respond. The conversation discusses the possibility of Israel using nuclear weapons in a potential war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. It is suggested that Israel may feel pressured to use nuclear weapons if they believe they are losing the war. The conversation also highlights the depleted stockpiles and limited capabilities of the US military, raising concerns about its ability to wage a real war. The lack of serious-mindedness and understanding of the consequences of conflict in the current political and media establishment is also noted. The conversation concludes with the acknowledgement that the situation in the Middle East is becoming increasingly dangerous and the likelihood of a wider conflict and the use of nuclear weapons is growing.

Jun 21, 2024 • 54min
6-24-24: Lebanese Tinderbox; Putin's Chess Moves
The conversation discusses the possibility of two imminent major events: Israel invading Lebanon to go after Hezbollah and a major Russian offensive. The US government is trying to dissuade Israel from expanding the war, but it is unclear if they have any leverage. The conversation explores the potential consequences of an Israeli invasion, including the use of naval bombardments and airstrikes, Hezbollah's retaliatory capabilities, and the involvement of Iran, Russia, and China. The conversation highlights the dangers and uncertainties of war and the potential for escalation. The conversation covers the potential escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the changing dynamics in North Korea and Russia's military alliance with North Korea, and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The main themes include the possibility of a major conflict in the Middle East, the shifting balance of power in Northeast Asia, and the Russian advance in Ukraine. The conversation also highlights the failure of US policy in North Korea and the impact of sanctions on Russia. The potential timing of events, such as a Lebanese invasion before the presidential debate, is also discussed.

Jun 19, 2024 • 53min
6-19-24: The West's Blind Eye: Ignoring the Signs of Impending Conflicts
The conversation discusses the potential for a major offensive from Russia and a war between Israel and Hezbollah. The speaker believes that there are indications of a Russian buildup in Ukraine and that Putin's recent speech suggests a major event is imminent. In the case of Israel and Hezbollah, there is increased talk of a conflict, with Israel poised for air attacks and a ground invasion. The speaker acknowledges that the West may not be fully aware of the situation or may choose to ignore it. The conversation also highlights the challenges and limited options for Ukraine and NATO in the face of a Russian offensive, as well as the potential consequences of an Israel-Hezbollah war. The conversation explores the consequences of US involvement in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and the impact on domestic politics in these countries. It highlights the role of the United States in supporting extremist factions and warping the political landscape. The speakers discuss the potential shift in global power dynamics if Russia were to achieve a decisive victory in Ukraine, and the implications for Taiwan and Israel. They also touch on the dangers of trying to break up Russia and the importance of a multi-civilizational approach. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the potential catastrophic outcomes of current geopolitical tensions.

Jun 17, 2024 • 56min
6-17-24: Western Propaganda & Putin's Peace Proposal
What is the state of propaganda in the Collective West? Why are all legacy media organizations beholden to the Deep State? What is the future of media? What was Putin's peace proposal? Is this Ukraine's last chance at peace? What happens when Russia conducts a major offensive? Will democracy prevail in the West or will Western nations slip into authoritarianism?

Jun 14, 2024 • 1h 10min
6-14-24: What a Multipolar World Means; Ukraine's Nazi History
Israel's survival in a multipolar world is uncertain without the backing of the US
The world is transitioning from a unipolar to a multipolar world, which is evident in conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine
Economic sanctions on Russia have not been effective and have instead accelerated the development of alternative systems
The US dollar's status as the world's reserve currency is at risk due to geopolitical mistakes and the lack of a tangible backing
The short-sightedness of the US political system hinders long-term planning and contributes to economic vulnerabilities Long-term leadership in companies and governments can provide stability and confidence in the system.
Short-termism in economic policies can lead to misallocation of resources and boom-bust cycles.
There are neo-Nazi groups in Ukraine that have historical roots and continue to influence policies.
The horrors of war and the importance of understanding history to prevent it from happening again.
The loss of legitimacy of leaders and increasing skepticism among the population can make it difficult to rally support for war.