Clayton Sandell is a digital news reporter and correspondent for ABC News. You may know his work during the launch of Rogue One: A Story Wars Story when ABC went behind the scenes to see how Tarkin was brought back to life. Clayton is a deep fan of Star Wars and someone who has been working in news for decades. It was really awesome to speak with him about his career, Star Wars fandom and how he managed to professionally merge the two. This episode jumps right into the interview and we hope you ...
Nov 18, 2017•53 min
It's treason then! This week we discuss how the Jedi botched the removal of Chancellor Palpatine. Had they done it more carefully, maybe the Empire would have never risen. Stephen is joined by guests Josh Gilliland of The Legal Geeks and Kate Sanchez of the But Why Tho Podcast. Also on this episode, Stephen and guests discuss the indictments made by Bob Mueller in the investigation into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. Josh explains the charges made against Paul Manafort and more. Late...
Nov 09, 2017•1 hr 13 min
In this episode, Tricia Barr ( @fangirlcantina ) of the Fangirls Going Rogue podcast and founder of Fangirlblog, along with contributor John Liang ( @juanjohnjedi ), joins Beltway Banthas for a spoiler-filled discussion of one of the most recently released novels: Claudia Gray’s Leia: Princess of Alderaan, and what we learn about the politics of the Rebellion. The topics we discuss include Alderaan’s role and the politics of the Rebellion; Breha and Bail; Mon Mothma, leader of the Rebel Alliance...
Oct 26, 2017•1 hr 17 min
Dr. Annalise Ophelian, the driving force behind Looking for Leia, joins us for a discussion on women in fandom, sexism, social movements, how to ensure fandom is inclusive. Looking for Leia is an upcoming documentary film that "features interviews with an intergenerational and culturally diverse group of female fans" who discuss entering Star Wars fandom, what Star Wars has meant to them, and the continuing trends of sexism they face. We also talk about her career and background, how Star Wars h...
Oct 19, 2017•1 hr 10 min
In this jam packed episode, we seek wise counsel from The Legal Geeks podcast. Jessica Mederson and Josh Gilliland run The Legal Geeks blog and podcast, where they break down the burning questions of law in sci-fi. They joined Beltway Banthas to address droids rights, liability for the Death Star, Han's right to stand his ground and much more. The Last Jedi trailer dropped this week! Our team also digs into the trailer and offers their takeaways. Swara and John also share their experiences from ...
Oct 12, 2017•1 hr 17 min
Chuck Wendig is author of The Aftermath Trilogy , a series of stories that take place in the tumultuous time after Return of the Jedi . For our 40th episode, we chatted with Wendig about the politics of the era and how a Star Wars author learns about the galaxy in which they are writing. Also on this episode, Swara and Stephen give their quick thoughts on JJ returning to Star Wars as a director, Roger Stone and his meeting with House Intelligence on the hill and of course - Bantha Fodder! Thanks...
Sep 28, 2017•52 min
Holy Star Wars Batman! Stephen was interviewed by Jason Flatt about defining redemption through the lens of Christianity. Together they apply this conversation to Star Wars and also our worlds nastiest politics - the politics of hate. This interview originally appeared on the Holy Star Wars podcast . We felt it was an awesome enough conversation on relevant topics to Beltway Banthas to share with you. Jason and Stephen go through the definition and cultural understanding of redemption. Next they...
Sep 21, 2017•59 min
This week on Beltway Banthas we discuss Inferno Squad, the new Star Wars book by Christie Golden. The story takes us inside a faction of Saw Gerrera's Partisans with Iden Versio, an undercover Imperial with the elite - Inferno Squad. We talk about political violence, legitimate forms of resistance and how it's not always if you fight that matters - but how you fight. This was a timely book to say the least. It took us to talking about groups like Antifa and how they play into the #resist movemen...
Sep 14, 2017•1 hr 5 min
Eleven-ThirtyEight is a living journal of news and opinion dedicated to producing analytical pieces on all things Star Wars. In this week's interview episode, we talk to the creator and Editor-in-Chief of the site, Mike Cooper! We talk about the political message of the prequels, the creative process for Star Wars, his vision behind the website and much more! Eleven-ThirtyEight avoids reactionary takes and instead has a keen focus on long-form analytical pieces on characters, politics, filmmakin...
Sep 07, 2017•1 hr 5 min
"For over a thousand generations the Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic." Were the Jedi effective were they as galactic peacekeepers? Should they have been so beholden to Republic law? This week with guests Steele Saunders of the Steele Wars podcast and Mark Eldridge of the Jedi Archives podcast and ElevenThirtyEight, we discuss this topic and much more! We go through the representation of the Jedi in the films, whether they had a good system with the Old Republic, ...
Aug 31, 2017•1 hr 14 min
LIES! DECEPTIONS! In our latest interview episode, John Liang speaks with Vince Houghton, historian and curator at the International Spy Museum. He's a massive Star Wars fan. They talk about how he he fell in love with Star Wars, why he thinks Princess Leia is the most famous fictional rebel spy in history, and all the great lies and deceptions in Star Wars spy craft! This is really unique conversation we know you'll enjoy! Follow Vince Houghton on Twitter @ intelhistorian Follow John Liang on T...
Aug 24, 2017•48 min
The First Order are an ideological and vicious military organization dedicated to one thing: making the galaxy great again. But for whom? This week with guest Ross Brown of FanGirlBlog.com we look at how the First Order rose to be such a threat to the galaxy. In the wake of the events in Charlottesville, VA - we thought it necessary to talk about a how cultural resentment and political ideology can fuse into a radical movement. The First Order seek to reclaim the glory, order and promise of the ...
Aug 17, 2017•1 hr 11 min
Seth Masket, political scientist and professor at the University of Denver, sees something ominous in the background of the Star Wars Holiday Special . He wrote about the politics of the campy Star Wars program in Mischiefs of Faction , a blog for Vox. The piece is called Amusing Ourselves Into Tyranny, sound familiar? Before the interview, Swara and Stephen react to news of Disney pulling out of their deal with Netflix and the promise of a Disney streaming service. Is this capitalism run amok o...
Aug 10, 2017•31 min
Today on Beltway Banthas, Swara and Stephen reconcile a dispute. Representation and diversity on screen is the hot topic of the day and it's more charged than ever. We discuss a disagreement had off the air in total transparency. Our goal was to better understand some feelings about identity politics in pop-culture. The reason we say feelings, and not arguments, is because there is a time for for both. People seek to be understood, listened to and not disparaged for the feelings they are trying ...
Aug 03, 2017•1 hr 14 min
This week for our interview series, Stephen sits down with David Barnes of Generation Opportunity and Al Downs of Americans for Prosperity. Barnes is a former guest of the show and Al is a first timer. Both come with a deep love and knowledge of Star Wars. We discuss the political message of the prequels, libertarianism and how it does or does not fit into Star Wars and also how vulnerable America may be to dictatorship. Al Downs and David Barnes dissect the Republic's deregulation of the banks ...
Jul 27, 2017•51 min
Today on Beltway Banthas we shine our politician spotlight on the greatest politician the Star Wars universe has ever known, the beloved Princess, Senator and General...Leia Organa. Our very special guests are Charlotte Errity and Caitlin Plesher of the Skytalkers Podcast and show producer John Liang. Together we discuss the history, politics and power of Star Wars most iconic politician/princess. Obviously with the loss of our beloved Carrie Fisher this was a difficult episode to record. Throug...
Jul 20, 2017•1 hr 17 min
The latest in our interview series! Swara interviews staff writer at the New Republic magazine, Graham Vyse! We cover everything from his fandom, to Virginia politics, national politics, Star Wars parallels and more! The New Republic is one of the oldest progressive publications in the U.S., and Graham is one of their best new writers. We had a great discussion about the origin of his fandom, how Star Wars informed his politics, and cover state and national politics. Later we go into what Star W...
Jul 13, 2017•51 min
To welcome July 4th, Stephen, Swara, and Brittany Elisa discuss the concept of freedom in the Star Wars universe. We discuss what it might mean to different characters such as Luke, Rey, Jyn Erso, and even Emperor Palpatine! In the spirit of our Independence Day celebrating freedom, this is a free-flowing discussion touching upon all things from freedom of opportunity, economic freedom, the ability to pursue your dreams and much more. We also answer your emails asking about all things politics a...
Jul 06, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Andrew Heaton is a comedian in NYC who is a growing staple of libertarian media. He worked with John Stossel at Fox Business and now at Reason Magazine working on The Mostly Weekly Show. Andrew is an incredibly funny guy and uniquely deep Star Wars fan that go on and on with anyone about the politics, philosophy and humor at length. He has a voice for radio and TV that could have only been made by Zeus himself and it was really great to get his take on Star Wars humor and more. Andrew shares his...
Jun 29, 2017•39 min
This week, Stephen and Swara are joined by good friend of the show, blogger at BrownsReview.com and Fangirlblog.com , Ross Brown! We discuss the politics of Timothy Zahn's novel Thrawn . The Banthas discuss insights into Imperial social hierarchy, the Empire's alien policy, the meteoric rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn and Governor Pryce and much more! We also discuss what we think of Colin Trevorrow directing episode IX after his latest film has been trashed by critics, delve into our Bantha Fodder...
Jun 22, 2017•1 hr 7 min
This weeks interview is with Dave Summers of Americans for Prosperity, a grassroots organization affiliated with the Koch brothers. Dave is a huge Star Wars fan and a Governor Tarkin enthusiast. Stephen and Dave talk about his fandoms roots, why Tarkin is so awesome and how a strong corporate culture like that of the Koch's could have helped Tarkin succeed in his most desperate hour. If you enjoyed this interview check out our back catalogue of amazing politico Star Wars fans. Do you know someon...
Jun 16, 2017•44 min
Is Star Wars different in the era of Disney? In this episode we look at how the internal politics of Disney impact creative and business choices for Star Wars. Amy Ratcliffe of Lattes With Leia joins us for the discussion and shares her insights on how Disney functions and what motivates their thinking on issues of the day. This is a fun conversation you don't want to miss. Stay up to date with Beltway Banthas by subscribing on iTunes or Google Play. Also follow us on Facebook to catch our new b...
Jun 08, 2017•59 min
BONUS EPISODE! Today on this special release of Beltway Banthas Stephen & Swara talk about the Vanity Fair Star Wars spread, are joined by Stephen's daughter and discuss fan theorizing. Next, AdmiralNick22 (follow him on Twitter) of the ElevenThirtyEight blog joins Stephen to talk about his recent piece outlining the political cartography of the galaxy after Return of the Jedi. It's a fascinating and in-depth piece of work we highly recommend you go check out for peak Star Wars nerdom. Read ...
Jun 01, 2017•37 min
Stephen and Swara discuss the role of money in politics in the Star Wars universe. The discussion covers the role of the Trade Federation in The Phantom Menace, and how the concern of money in politics is plays out in our own world. George Lucas' message in prequel trilogy on the dangers of money in politics was pretty clear. We discuss the roots of that message and how average Americans feel about this issue. Stephen and Swara also touch upon some real world political news, read a listener e-ma...
May 25, 2017•1 hr 2 min
This week on Beltway Banthas we continue our interview series, where one of our hosts interview someone of note who works in or around politics about their fandom of Star Wars. Stephen went to Hillsdale College's Kirby Center to chat with Ben Domenech , host of The Federalist Radio Hour and publisher of The Federalist. We talk about Ben's deep Star Wars roots, why Star Wars continues to be culturally compelling and also a bit about The Federalist's approach to content and Star Wars. I ask him ab...
May 18, 2017•49 min
It's time again form Star Wars politics! This week Swara and guest host Carly Lane (Nerdist, Syfywire, Supergirl Radio) delve into the history, political philosophy and escapades of the leader of the Rebel Alliance, Mon Mothma. Senator/Chancellor/Commander-in-Chief Mon Mothma has been through and seen it all in the Star Wars universe. From her time in the Old Republic, denouncing Palpatine’s authority and to her leadership of the Rebellion to founding the New Republic, Mon Mothma’s life provides...
May 10, 2017•1 hr 27 min
Our good friend John Liang (@JuanJohnJedi) was in Orlando for Star Wars Celebration (SWCO), where he was part of a panel discussing the military history of the Star Wars universe. He joined Thomas Harper, who led the panel, and Jason Fry to discuss the galaxy's history of military engagement, background on weapons and armaments, military justice in the Star Wars universe, and more! Follow these panelists on Twitter for more insight on the military history of Star Wars! John Liang @JuanJohnJedi |...
Apr 27, 2017•1 hr 19 min
Like so many Star Wars fans, Swara of Beltway Banthas was Orlando last weekend for Star Wars Celebration (SWCO)! It goes without saying that the Force was strong there, and so was a love of politics. Huddled together in a hotel room in Orlando, Swara brought together a group of friends and fans to talk about Star Wars, politics and escapism. Swara's round table featured Carly Lane (Supergirl Radio, Nerdist), Dennis Keithly (Starships, Sabers & Scoundrels) and Joe Tavano (Retrozap, Brews &...
Apr 20, 2017•42 min
This week we’re discussing the most exciting and most invigorating you could think of: budgets! Specifically, military appropriations and government spending in the Star Wars universe! We’re joined by our friend John Liang, military journalist and mega Star Wars fan, to discuss how fiscal battles played out during the Clone Wars, and how we see that in our own politics. We also discuss John and Swara’s upcoming trip to STAR WARS CELEBRATION ORLANDO (!!!), Rogue One playing on Air Force One, Pres...
Apr 11, 2017•1 hr 17 min
No character captures intergalactic and real world politics better than Padme Amidala Naberrie of Naboo. This week we dive into the political ideals of Padme and also her legacy with fans. Allyson Gronowitz (The Mary Sue, Polygon) joins the show to help break down why Padme is beloved, but also divisive for so many fans. Spoiler: It has something to do with politics. Perfect for an episode of Beltway Banthas! We also review some Star Wars themed political ads out of a Congressional race in Georg...
Mar 30, 2017•1 hr 29 min
