It Could Happen Here

Nick Fuentes, a far-right influencer known for leading the Groypers, and Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host turned independent commentator, dive into the fallout from their controversial interview. The conversation reveals a rift within the conservative movement, as Ben Shapiro passionately challenges the normalization of extremist views. Topics include the growing acceptance of antisemitism in the GOP, the internal conflict at the Heritage Foundation, and the implications of Fuentes' mainstreaming strategies, highlighting a significant shift in conservative dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, Ahmed Moor, an author and activist focused on Palestine and US foreign policy, shares insights from his formative years in Gaza and his political awakening after 9/11. He explores how recent events have transitioned the pro-Palestine movement from a foreign policy critique to a central piece of American democracy debates. Moor emphasizes the need for grassroots organizing and reevaluates approaches to statehood and intersectionality in activism, advocating for local engagement and principled demands.

James and Garrison dive into Utah Senator Mike Lee's controversial bill threatening public land protections. They dissect how the bill proposes to convert wilderness trails into roads and challenge the rationale of border security tied to these changes. The hosts also explore the political implications of Trump's nominees for land management positions and the motivations of donors pushing for land sell-offs. Additionally, they highlight the essential, often overlooked value of public lands beyond just recreation, advocating for broader conservation efforts.

Mia and Gare dive into the chaos surrounding Mamdani's victory, highlighting the dramatic reactions from the right. They celebrate Lindsey Boylan's accountability efforts, framing Mamdani's platform as a win for childcare and renters. The hosts take a humorous jab at Elon Musk’s meltdown, while also exploring the business community's mixed responses. They discuss the generational shift in voting, particularly among young men, and the implications for future political dynamics. Expect surprising insights and comedic moments as they unpack the fallout!

Join players Ayo, Robert, and Hazel as they dive into a thrilling session of Pathfinder. Ayo captures hearts as Squash, a rowdy shoonie adventurer, while Robert's Trant, the explosive alchemist, keeps the laughs coming with his bomb antics. Hazel portrays Merdy, the half-orc cleric, adding depth with her healing focus. Together, they tackle a giant monitor lizard and confront ambushing boggards, strategizing with fire and grenades. With humor and creative tactics, their quest to rescue villagers unfolds in an action-packed adventure!

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.  - Occulture, Technomancy vs Tradition, and the Role of Magick in 2025 - The Shady Business of Lethal Injection: The Heart Stops Reluctantly - The Shady Business of Lethal Injection: Out of Sight, Out of Mind - The Shady Business of Lethal Injection: The Quality of Mercy - Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #40 You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! http://apple.co/coolerzone Sources: The Shady Business of Lethal Injection: The Heart Stops Reluctantly Corinna Barrett Lain, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection (New York: New York University Press, 2025.) Michael Phillips and Betsy Friauf, The Purifying Knife: The Troubling History of Eugenics in Texas (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2025.)  Austin Sarat, Gruesome Spectacles: Botched Executions and America’s Death Penalty (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2014.) The Shady Business of Lethal Injection: Out of Sight, Out of Mind Corinna Barrett Lain, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection (New York: New York University Press, 2025.) Dick Reavis, “Charlie Brooks’ Last Words,” Texas Monthly (February 1983.) The Shady Business of Lethal Injection: The Quality of Mercy Breanna Ehrlich, “The Last Face Death Row Inmates See,” Rolling Stone, March 29, 2025 (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/death-row-reverend-jeff-hood-1235305460/) Anand Giridharadas, The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas (New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2014.)  Corinna Barrett Lain, Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection (New York: New York University Press, 2025.) Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #40 https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-287g-ice-trump-abbott/ https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71832522/moreno-gonzalez-v-noem-secretary-us-department-of-homeland-security/  https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71875910/1/tangipa-v-newsom/  https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/11/proposition-50-overnight-results/  https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115492361756063244 https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/11/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-strikes-deal-on-economic-and-trade-relations-with-china/ https://archive.vn/rR8Ix https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522166327/202133199349305758/full https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/trump-tariffs-live-updates-trump-says-china-cant-have-nvidias-top-ai-chips-supreme-court-case-looms-162418765.html https://archive.vn/BFLOe https://archive.vn/uxkws#selection-799.0-808.0 https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5588695-abbott-tariffs-new-yorkers-texas-election/ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/04/us/elections/nyc-mayor-results-precinct-map.html  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/05/zohran-mamdani-victory-speech-transcript https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/trump-tariffs-live-updates-trump-says-china-cant-have-nvidias-top-ai-chips-supreme-court-case-looms-162418765.html https://archive.vn/BFLOe https://archive.vn/uxkws#selection-799.0-808.0 https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5588695-abbott-tariffs-new-yorkers-texas-election/ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/04/us/elections/nyc-mayor-results-precinct-map.html  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/05/zohran-mamdani-victory-speech-transcriptSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The discussion kicks off with the surprise election of Zohran Mamdani, emphasizing his strategic focus on affordability to win over diverse NYC voters. The hosts explore Mamdani's ambitious agenda, including rent freezes and universal childcare, alongside his battle against Trump’s immigration policies. Updates on Proposition 50 in California reveal redistricting challenges ahead. The conversation rounds out with insights into recent local election outcomes, trade negotiations with China, and air travel concerns as the holiday season approaches.

Rais Bhuiyan, a post-9/11 hate crime survivor, advocates against the death penalty, recounting his powerful journey of forgiveness towards his attacker. He reveals how his campaign led to European firms' bans on execution drugs and discusses states' shady tactics for procuring lethal chemicals. Rev. Jeff Hood shares harrowing experiences from witnessing executions, highlighting their gruesome realities and the emotional toll on witnesses. Together, they explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding lethal injection and the declining fate of capital punishment.

Dick Reavis, a veteran journalist and civil rights activist, shares his haunting memories of witnessing the first execution by lethal injection—Charlie Brooks in Texas in 1982. Corinna Lain, a law professor and author, delves into the medical and legal failings of this method, revealing it often mimics a slow drowning rather than a painless death. The discussion highlights the improvised origins of lethal injection, its political motivations, and the consequences of untested protocols, shedding light on the dark realities behind this controversial practice.

Corinna Barrett Lain, a law professor and author of Secrets of the Killing State, dives into the dark history of lethal injection. She reveals how Texas pioneered this method in 1982, aiming to appear humane yet often resulting in botched executions. The conversation covers the gruesome evolution of execution methods, with insights into failed alternatives like the gas chamber and electric chair. Lain highlights the scientific flaws in the three-drug cocktail protocol, sparking questions about the ethics and effectiveness of capital punishment today.