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Burn the Boats

Evergreen Podcastswww.evergreenpodcasts.com
Burn the Boats is an award-winning podcast featuring intimate conversations with change-makers from every walk of life. Host Ken Harbaugh interviews politicians, authors, activists, and others about the most important issues of our time.
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Episodes

Charlie Sadoff: Right-Wing Extremism

Charlie Sadoff is the director of the award-winning documentary film, Against All Enemies, which tracks the rise of violent extremism in the US, and the involvement of military veterans in anti-government activity. In this interview Charlie discusses Against All Enemies, his experiences with some of the veterans he interviewed for the film, right-wing extremism, and the potential for political violence. You can watch Against All Enemies when it releases on March 29th. Head to https://Rhone.com/B...

Mar 26, 202441 minSeason 2Ep. 165

Dave Troy: Russia & the Religious Right

Dave Troy is an investigative journalist whose work has covered everything from the debunking of UFO conspiracies to the rise of Christian Nationalism. A throughline in his reporting is the growing threat that our democracy now faces, on many fronts. In this interview, Dave explains how Putin has slowly aligned himself with America’s religious right by using disinformation & Trump. He also talks about Putin’s aspirations, Trump’s mindset, and the growing American political divisions. Visit h...

Mar 19, 202453 minSeason 2Ep. 164

Matson & Tawni: Infiltrating Hate Groups

Matson (Matt) Browning served as a detective in Arizona, and spent 25 years undercover, infiltrating and eventually taking down white supremacist groups. His wife Tawni assisted in these investigations, accompanying him to skinhead events & gaining intel. Their book, The Hate Next Door, tells the story of their time undercover. In this interview, Matson & Tawni discuss their time undercover, the attitude & activities of these hate groups, and how Trump and the Republican Party have e...

Mar 12, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 163

Kaivan Shroff: Mobilizing Gen-Z

Kaivan discusses Gen-Z’s approach to politics, the right wing political machine, and the 2024 election. Kaivan Shroff is a political commentator who served on Hillary’s 2016 presidential campaign and with Everytown for Gun Safety. He’s now the Press Secretary for Dream for America, a Gen-Z led non-profit aimed at mobilizing America’s youth to create lasting change. To hear more from Kaivan, check out his newsletter or visit his website. Visit smileactives.com/boats today to receive a special Buy...

Mar 04, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 162

Zander Moricz: Facism in Florida

Zander Moricz is the founder and Executive Director of the SEE Alliance, and he was the youngest plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill. He went viral for his graduation speech and his brutally effective takedown of Mom’s For Liberty co-founder Brigid Ziegler at a recent Florida school board meeting. In this interview, Zander talks about the growing authoritarian movement in Florida, Gen-Z, and the SEE Alliance. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews an...

Feb 27, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 161

Tim Alberta: Evangelical Extremism

Tim Alberta is an award winning journalist, author, and staff writer for The Atlantic. His new book, The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, is a personal examination of the evangelical movement, and how it has turned America itself into an object of idolatry. In this interview, Tim talks about his book and how the evangelical movement has become almost inseparable from the extremist wing of the GOP. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free full-sized bag of turmeric chew...

Feb 20, 202458 minSeason 1Ep. 160

Dr. Steven Hassan: MAGA is a Cult

Dr. Steven Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and recognized expert on cults. His book, The Cult of Trump, examines how Trump has built a base with fanatical devotion. Dr. Hassan correctly predicted that there would be violence after the 2020 election if Trump did not win. In this interview, Hassan explains in detail how he was indoctrinated by the “Moonie” cult (the Unification Church), how he escaped, and the dangers of MAGA mind control. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try...

Feb 13, 202454 minSeason 1Ep. 159

Dr. Bandy Lee: A Duty to Warn

Dr. Bandy Lee is a forensic psychiatrist and an expert on violence. In 2017 she edited The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, in which she and 37 other mental health professionals deemed Trump’s mental state to be a clear and present danger to the country. Since then, she has published a full psychological profile of the former president called Profile of a Nation. In this interview Dr. Lee discusses Trump’s mental state, and the danger he poses to the country. Get a free thirty-day supply of Super...

Feb 06, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 158

Tristan Snell: Trump’s Legal Strategy

While serving as the Assistant Attorney General of New York, Tristan Snell prosecuted Trump University, the Trump Organization, and Donald Trump himself. Tristan’s new book, Taking Down Trump, talks about that case, and lays out the 12 rules for prosecuting Donald Trump. In this interview, Tristan talks about Trump’s legal strategy, our current judicial system, and Trump’s history of lies. Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Neurohacker: Go to https://neuroha...

Jan 30, 20241 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 157

Eugene Vindman: Trump is an Aspiring Dictator

Eugene Vindman is a former Army Colonel and prosecutor who is running to represent Virginia’s 7th district. In 2019, While serving as the National Security Council’s senior ethics officer in the White House, Eugene Vindman’s twin brother Alex, who served on the NSC, alerted him of Trump’s infamous call with President Zelensky of Ukraine, and together, Eugene and Alex Vindmand reported that call. That incident led to Donald Trump’s first impeachment, and both of the Vindman brothers were fired fo...

Jan 23, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 156

Tina Nguyen: Inside the Conservative Movement

Tina Nguyen is a national news reporter whose first job was working for Tucker Carlson. Her new book, The MAGA Diaries, explains how young people are indoctrinated into the conservative movement. Tina has since turned her back on right-wing politics and become one of MAGA’s most insightful critics. In this interview, Tina talks about being indoctrinated, working with Tucker Carlson, leaving the right-wing, and witnessing the insurrection first-hand. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qua...

Jan 16, 202455 minSeason 1Ep. 155

SSG Aquilino Gonell: Defending the Capitol

Sergeant Aquilino Gonell was one of the police officers who defended the capitol against insurrectionists on January 6th, 2021. The injuries he sustained that day ended his career in law enforcement, and his new book, American Shield, tells the story of the attack. In this interview, Aquilino recounts what he saw on January 6th, and explains how he and his fellow officers were betrayed by many of the Republican legislators they fought to defend. Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart C...

Jan 09, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 154

Jared Yates Sexton: The Mythology of America

Jared Yates Sexton is a political analyst and author. His book The Midnight Kingdom examines how white supremacist lies, religious mythologies, and poisonous conspiracy theories built the modern world and threaten to plunge us into an authoritarian nightmare. In this interview, Jared discusses his book, and examines how the right has created a mythologized version of our country which allows them to push an extremist agenda. Watch the video that Ken & Jared discuss here. Head to https://Rhon...

Jan 02, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 153

Dr. Khyati Joshi: Christmas & Christian Privilege

Dr. Khyati Joshi is an expert on the intersecting issues of race and religion in the US. Her book White Christian Privilege describes how Christianity has influenced US history, embedded itself in our institutions and society, and pushed religious freedom to the wayside. In this interview she uses the “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays” debate to illustrate the points she makes in the book. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Se...

Dec 26, 202347 minSeason 1Ep. 152

Frank Schaeffer: A Plea from Evangelical Royalty

Frank’s father Francis Schaeffer was a prominent evangelical theologian in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Together, Frank and his father made several influential evangelical films and books, and heavily influenced religious education, conservative policy, and the evangelical movement. The New York Times once called them “Evangelical Royalty”. Frank left the church in “disgust” after witnessing “unchristlike behavior” on a leadership level across the nation. He wrote a memoir, Crazy for God, about thi...

Dec 19, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 151

Ravi Gupta: Power-Hungry Politicians

Ravi Gupta attended Yale Law School with now Senator Josh Hawley. They became friends, and Hawley even met his mom a few times. Since then, Ravi says Senator Hawley has turned his back on his convictions. In this interview, Ravi discusses Hawley and other politicians who will do or say anything to gain power. – Ravi Gupta held several positions during the first term of the Obama administration, including Special Assistant and Speechwriter to Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations....

Dec 12, 202354 minSeason 2Ep. 150

Stuart Stevens: Fighting American Fascism

Stuart Stevens dedicated his life to getting Republicans elected. He worked for dozens of candidates, including both Bush and Romney during their presidential campaigns, and was extremely successful. Now however, Stuart regrets the part he played in the rise of Trumpism. In 2020, he wrote It Was All a Lie, about his time in the Republican party, and how Trumpism is “the natural outcome of five decades of hypocrisy and self-delusion.” His new book, The Conspiracy to End America, explains how the ...

Dec 05, 202359 minSeason 1Ep. 149

Mark Chiusano: Who Really is George Santos?

Mark Chiusano is a columnist who has been covering George Santos since 2019. His new book, The Fabulist, peels back the lies, grifts, and alter-egos of Santos to reveal who really represents the 3rd district of New York. In this interview, Mark details how Santos’s lies are evidence of deep-rooted insecurity and a lust for fame. He also shares his favorite moments from Santos’s career, and explains how Santos and other politicians are somehow immune to public scrutiny. Get up to 50% off for a li...

Nov 28, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 148

Amy McGrath: Republicans Have Undermined Our Military

Amy McGrath is a Marine Corps Vet who ran for the Senate in Kentucky in 2020. Since then, she’s sayed active in politics, and has founded Operation Saving Democracy, a veteran-led organization that’s dedicated to defeating Trumpism. In this interview, Amy discusses how republicans are planning to seize power after winning the presidency in what’s called “Project 2025”, authoritarianism within the Republican Party, and how one republican has been a “one-man wrecking ball” to the American military...

Nov 21, 202355 minSeason 1Ep. 147

David Pepper: Going on Offense

David Pepper is the former Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. You may have seen one of his viral white board videos on twitter, where he breaks down Republican attempts to undermine our democracy. In this interview, David discusses the recent house speaker races, meeting Putin and the war in Ukraine, and how pro-democracy forces need to go on offense in order to preserve majority rule. Check out David’s new book, Saving Democracy, which details how every American can join this fight. Head to...

Nov 14, 202350 minSeason 1Ep. 146

Countdown to Dallas Episode 1: What Happened in Dealey Plaza?

Evergreen Podcasts, the network that brings you Burn the Boats, is pleased to introduce Countdown to Dallas. On the sixtieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, former White House correspondent Paul Brandus takes an in-depth look at the seemingly unconnected events that led to that infamous afternoon in Dallas, Texas. He explores the troubled and broken life of Kennedy’s killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, and challenges six decades worth of conspiracy theories—none of which ha...

Nov 13, 202320 min

Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains

Nancy MacLean is a historian and professor at Duke University. Her book Democracy in Chains details how the radical right, funded by billionaires, has slowly molded the American political landscape to change the rules of democracy in their favor… all with the help of an economist you have likely never heard of. Today’s episode is guest hosted by Amanda Weinstein. She studies the quality of life in suburban America and is the co-host of the podcast, The Suburban Women Problem. Cancel unwanted sub...

Nov 07, 202351 minSeason 1Ep. 145

Rep. Pat Ryan: Republican Chaos

Pat Ryan is an Army combat vet who represents New York’s 18th district. In this interview, he talks about the unprecedented House Speaker elections, right-wing extremism, and his new resolution. Go to https://neurohacker.com/BOATS to try Qualia Senolytic with code BOATS for up to 50% off Qualia Senolytic Get up to 50% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/BOATS and use code CYBER at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 202351 minSeason 1Ep. 144

Dr. Kathleen Belew: Trump is Quoting Hilter

Dr. Kathleen Belew is a historian and expert on the American white power movement. In this episode, she explains how the rhetoric used by Trump and Alt-Right groups is both dangerous and purposeful. Dr. Kathleen Belew is a professor at Northwestern University and author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America. You can find Kathleen on Twitter at @Kathleen_Belew, and learn more about her at kathleenbelew.com. Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll au...

Oct 24, 202343 minSeason 1Ep. 143

Katherine Stewart: The Growth of Christian Nationalism

Katherine Stewart is a reporter and author who has covered religious liberty, politics, policy, and education for over a decade. Her book The Power Worshippers details how the religious right has risen to power, and how they plan to use that power to impose their vision on American Society. This episode is guest hosted by Dara Starr Tucker. Following the January 6th insurrection, Dara was inspired to educate others about the political and social issues facing our country, and has become an onlin...

Oct 17, 20231 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 142

Ruth Ben-Ghiat: Trump’s Plan

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an historian who specializes in authoritarianism and propaganda. Her most recent book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present, examines how authoritarians use propaganda, virility, corruption, and violence to stay in power, and how they can be opposed. In this interview, Ruth reveals how Trump and the radical right are paving a path toward authoritarianism in the US. If you’d like to hear more from Ruth, you can subscribe to her weekly newsletter Lucid for free. Also, make su...

Oct 10, 202351 minSeason 1Ep. 141

Alex Finley: Russia and the Intelligence Community

Alex Finley is a former officer within the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, where she served in West Africa and Europe. She is now a columnist and author who focuses on security and intelligence issues. In this episode, she discusses authoritarianism, the intelligence community, Russia, and how former Trump officials were susceptible to foreign influence. Visit https://Lomi.com/BOATS and use code BOATS at checkout to save $50! Get a free thirty-day supply of SuperBeets Heart Chews and a free ful...

Oct 03, 202356 minSeason 1Ep. 140

Mike Rothschild: Analyzing Anti-Semitic Conspiracies

Mike Rothschild is a journalist and expert on conspiracy theories. His new book, Jewish Space Lasers, details how myths about the Rothschilds, a German-Jewish banking family, have influenced anti-semitic conspiracy theories for 200 years. In this interview Mike talks about the origins of anti-semitic conspiracies, and how they’ve grown to dominate right-wing American politics. Head to MANUKORA.com/BOATS or use code BOATS, you’ll automatically get an extra free pack of 850+ honey sticks with your...

Sep 26, 202348 minSeason 1Ep. 139

Dr. Dan Barkhuff: Political Violence on the Horizon

Former Navy SEAL and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership explains why he thinks Civil War in the US is unrealistic, but future political violence isn’t. Dan is a former Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments. After returning home, he attended Harvard Medical School and became an Emergency Medicine doctor at the University of Vermont. Dan is a conservative, but was appalled by Trump’s comments and messages during the 2016 election. Dan did not vote for Trump in that election, but d...

Sep 19, 202336 minSeason 1Ep. 138

David Hogg: Demanding an End to Gun Violence

David Hogg discusses the political burden placed on Gen-Z, his trauma from the Parkland shooting, gun violence, and protests. David is a survivor of the Parkland shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas in 2018. Following the attack, he and his classmates founded March for Our Lives, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S, and held the largest single day of protest against gun violence in history. Since then, David has become a leader in the fight to end gun violence. He gradua...

Sep 12, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 137
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